Gratitude

It’s far later than I wanted to be up this New Year’s Eve, tired as I am from a full day. Nonetheless, as I contemplate the ending of the year 2009 and the first decade of the millennium, what comes to mind is the word gratitude. So, instead of reflecting on the old and projecting the new (I’ll leave that for tomorrow), I’m writing out a gratitude list.

As I sit here, in this moment at the end of an adventurous year, I am grateful for:

- God’s presence in my life
- Rog, my Life Partner, twin flame, husband
- Our lovely, character-filled home in our new home town of Sedona
- Good health
- Dear friends of old
- Budding relationships with spiritually like-minded folks
- Building community
- Wonderfully working partnership with first client in Sedona (totally a ‘God thing’)
- Moving forward in my spiritual path
- Singing in a choir
- The community, education, and family Unity of Sedona provides
- Increasing client projects

Gratitude for material objects runs a far second to relationships in my life, be they spiritual, personal, business, social, etc. All starts and comes from Source, and as one year closes and another moves in, I set the intention to remember this.

The Hunt

Hunting God is a great adventure. – Marie De Floris

When I finally “came to believe”, it was through synchronicity, i.e., there is no such thing as coincidence. Since that huge turning point in my life, I have been hunting for God and it is indeed a great adventure. I can never tell what will happen, who I’ll meet, what “ah-ha’s” might come my way, etc.

I’m always tickled when a synchronistic event takes place as it is evidence for me that God does indeed exist and that God is in my life. I love to be on the lookout for these events and for the miracles that say “I am here in your midst. You are not alone.”

Looking to God

“We may still fear the outcome of a situation because we’re not certain God wants the same things for us that we want. But by recalling our past, when God’s direction has brought us where we need to be, we can rest our mind and turn our life over again.” – In God’s Care, December 29

‘Tis true... When I get into fear about something in the present - well, no (not the present, for all is well in the Now) – the future, I simply have to go back to the past and see how God took care of me. This past year has been quite an adventure, and quite a demonstration of God blessing me and showering me with grace. When I look at my life these days - my physical surroundings, my relationships, my community - there is no doubt that God has had quite a hand in the unfolding of it all. I am grateful.

So, what insanity makes me think that God would drop me now? That God would not continue blessing me and taking care of me?

The ego is a cunning, devious entity and it surely took hold over me big time last week. And with all the fear it generated, it still did not keep Spirit from gracing me and taking care of me.

May I keep a steadfast gaze on Thee, my Source, and may Thy will be my will. I turn my will and my life over to the care of God over (and over and over...) again. And so it is.

Time and Spirit

I’ve been wishing people a happy new year – and decade! Yes, we are ten years into the new millennium although I don’t quite know how that happened...

Some questions crossed my mind just a few minutes ago: “How strongly has my relationship with Spirit deepened over the last decade?” “What about the last year?” And, “What would I like my relationship with God to look like in this new year?”

This time of year is often one where one takes time to reflect back – and forward – on the direction of their life. I cannot think of a subject more important to reflect on than that of my relationship with and understanding of Spirit.

As I move into the new year, it is my great desire to spend a lot more time consciously with Spirit, strengthening my connection, hearing guidance more often and more clearly, and following it with ease and grace. It is my wish that my heart open wider for both myself and my fellows; that is where I feel the Presence.

As the old year and decade fade away and as the new increasingly draw nigh on the horizon, may I remember that Spirit is timeless - and always with me.

Guidance

I came upon the following steps regarding how to receive God’s guidance and thought them quite sound. My prayer is to remember and practice them!

How to Receive God's Guidance
by Norman Vincent Peale

Often we're in situations where we need guidance on a particular problem, or maybe we just need help getting through our everyday struggles. These simple steps will help.

1. Say, "Be still, and know that I am God," aloud three times.
This will make you aware of God’s presence.

2. Be humble.
Humility is necessary for spiritual wisdom. It is God's wisdom you want, not your own. Only with the spirit of the child, teachable and willing to learn, does guidance come. So, put everything in His hands.

3. Open your mind.
Let go your desires, your preconceived notions, your obsessions, your fixed opinions. These represent your wisdom, or lack of it, and what you want is God's wisdom. Your mind must be emptied of error before it can be filled with truth.

4. Ask God to fill your mind with the understanding and ideas you need.
Close your eyes and listen, really listen.

5. If you have a specific problem, write it on paper.
Then, actually holding it up, as though offering it to God, say, "Lord, I want only to do Your will. Here is my problem. Show me what to do and I will do exactly as I am shown."

6. Pray this prayer.
Dear Lord,
I rest my mind in Your mind. Let it be full of Your great thoughts. I want to live and think and act only as You would have me do. Fill my mind to overflowing with spiritual insights, with true wisdom. May I think as You think. Your guidance is now coming to me in this problem and will ultimately come in all problems. Help me to know that I can never go wrong doing right. Amen.

7. Commit this verse to memory:
"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." (Psalm 73:24)

8. Remain humble, practice and believe.

Musings Day After Christmas

This year Christmas has surely not been about physical gift-giving. But it has been very rich indeed – and it’s only just begun.

We had a lovely time at the Wyer Family Christmas gathering last Sunday in Tempe. It was the first time Rog, me, and all three of his children were together in 1-1/2+ years. I’m hoping it won’t take us that long to get together for the next fun time.

Rog and I are having friends visit us in beautiful Sedona from various parts – and they’d have visited anyway even if it weren’t for the holiday. However, we realize that living in Sedona makes it more appealing to some folks to come to us rather us to them – that’s just fine with us!

We spent yesterday with friends we met via the Gilbert Spirituality group we had started up more than a year ago. They’re snowbirds and have been out of the state since April. It was time for them to head east to the warm climate of Phoenix, which made it our good fortune to get to spend Christmas Day with them.

We broke bread together in a potluck of goodies contributed to by all, caught up somewhat on our lives, and pitched in for KP duty. It was like we were living together for a brief time and working together as a team. I so enjoy that coming together in helping one another and find joy, love, peace, and harmony there. What a gift!

We have another couple arriving this afternoon for one overnight and there is no doubt the conversation will be rich as they’re recently returned from a spiritual conference and are overflowing with enthusiasm and passion to share their experience. Tomorrow morning we’ll attend Unity together.

And, Monday afternoon friends from Tucson will arrive for a 2-night stay with a daughter visiting from New York, my old hometown. She is an artist and being in Sedona will be a special gift for her and meeting her will be a gift for us. The days are sure to fly by with rich conversation and shared experiences.

Spending time in meaningful conversation and connection with spiritually like-minded folks in our life is a gift that cannot compare to receiving any material object. It is a wonderful way to end the year and begin the next decade.

Dear Spirit of the Most High –
Thank You for the many gifts you bestow upon me at Christmastime and every day. Your love shines through all who are in my life, most of all my beloved Roger. May my gratitude and appreciation not be sidetracked by ego forays into the future, but may I stay in the moment, knowing that all is well. I move forward to enjoy Your gifts – especially Your Presence - every day. Thank You, thank You, thank You!

For Everyone

I didn’t grow up in a religious household but I was a curious, philosophical child and briefly explored the religion of my parents. However, by the time I was 16 years old, I was a devout atheist. 19 years later I “came to believe” and thus was rekindled my conscious quest to know and be close to the God of my understanding.

In that quest, I have explored an array of ideas and have come to know the Judeo-Christian ideology to some degree. This has been gleaned mostly via the perspective of New Thought thinkers, and has pointed me towards the Bible.

And so it is now, on this particular Christmas Day, that I feel moved to express my belief that The Christ is for everyone. This belief stems not from my becoming an evangelical Christian and trying to proselytize; in fact, I still claim no religion. It just seems to me that the Christ is apart from Jesus from a religious perspective. Jesus was “The Christ” – and so am I and so are you. So what does this mean?

The word Christ is often misunderstood to be the surname of Jesus due to the numerous mentions of Jesus Christ in the Christian Bible; the word is in fact used as a title.

However, it refers to higher consciousness. The term Christ consciousness is similar to other spiritual traditions to denote the consciousness of a human being who has reached a higher level of evolutionary development and who has come to know Reality as it is. It’s called the super consciousness (Yoga), objective consciousness (Gurdjieff), Buddhic consciousness (Theosophy), cosmic consciousness, and God-consciousness (Sufism and Hinduism).

The Christ is a quality, a divine quality, that dwells within each and every one of us. It is not about religion. Christ Consciousness is about being perpetually in unison with Spirit, drawing sustenance from Spirit and operating in the physical world as if God and ‘His’ laws mattered.

As I strive to wake up more and more each day, I get closer to realizing The Christ that I am. The same applies to you.

The Christ is for everyone – it is who we are. So, Merry Christmas to everyone!

The Promise

I was poignantly reminded once again that I am not alone and that God is always with me. This time it was through reading of Madeleine L’Engles’ own trying experience and the Bible story that helped her get through that challenge. The story turned out to sound familiar to me despite my not being raised with the Bible.

It’s the amazing story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three young men refused to bow down to an idol, and King Nebuchadnezzar was so furious that he ordered them to be thrown into a furnace so hot that the soldiers who threw them in were killed by the heat.

But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood there in the flames, unhurt, and sang a song of praise of all creation.

King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and asked, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered, "True, O King." He replied, "But I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt, and the appearance of the fourth is like the Son of God."

And that, perhaps, is the most astounding part of the whole story. God did not take Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego out of the fiery furnace. God was in the flames with them.

The promise has never been safety, or that bad things would not happen if we were good and virtuous. The promise is only that God is in it with us, no matter what it is.

As I go through my dark times, I can endeavor to remember this Bible story and choose to believe the promise: God is with me always and sees me through all situations.

At this season of light, may I remember that the Light of God shines in me, through me and around me. God is with me always.

Evening Prayer

Dear Spirit –

As I get ready for bed, I pray that I will sleep well and awaken refreshed with a song in my heart, feeling Your Presence, Your peace.

May I fall asleep easily and with the deep knowing in my heart that all is well, for You are with me always. What more could I need? What could I lack? Nothing, nothing, nothing.

You are my Source. Help me to trust as silly as that sounds: trusting that which is my Source, that which created me. But it is true, and I need Your help - always.

I am grateful to always have You to talk to, and I am blessed with all that You have given me.

I go to bed feeling surrounded by Your Divine love and peace. Thank You.

Tranquility

Dear God –

Help me!

Help me to take care of my soul, to make nourishing it and my relationship with You a priority. Only then can I be an instrument of peace and love and joy for You. Only then can I dwell in the peace that is mine by Divine Right.

After spending some desperately needed time in the Silence this morning, I read today’s Daily Word – its message was synchronistic. Thank You, God!

Daily Word, Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tranquility

I relax into the renewing peace and calm of God.

Just as I feel refreshed after a good night's sleep, I am rejuvenated during quiet times of reflection and communion with God. My time apart may be a quiet hour in a serene place or single moments focused on God in the midst of seeming chaos.

I turn inward to the place of peace that reveals God to me. I relax. With each moment of silence and with each calming breath, I am aware of the wholeness that I am. Cares slip away, and I am at peace.

In this season when winter nights grow longer and nature comes into its time of rest, I respond in kind. I relax into the renewing peace and calm of God. Tranquility is the blessing of my time apart, and I carry it with me through every moment of this day.

He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."--Mark 6:31

Winter Light

With the solstice occurring today, I gratefully am reminded that the shortest days of winter have passed. Spring is coming soon, new budding life on its way.

Now the days will be longer and more light will be upon us. And as new buds strive toward the light, I too strive towards the light of God. As light is the source in which fresh flowers are nourished, I too am nourished by the Light, God, my only Source.

There is Divine Order and all is well.

Journey

Yesterday’s Daily Word talked about Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem very likely being difficult, both physically and mentally, requiring a great deal of strength and stamina. Throughout their journey, they had faith in God. At the end of their travels they experienced pure joy, for a new life was born.

Here’s an excerpt:

Journey
I am on a divine journey of peace and joy.

In my journey through life, I may encounter moments that require greater strength and stamina. I may be learning a new skill or coping with a challenging circumstance. I receive strength of spirit and stamina in mind and heart as I trust in God as my guide. With God my way is clear and my journey secure. In God's presence, I experience a new life, filled with joy and everlasting peace.

With God, my path of life runs smoother, more joyful, and more meaningful. I choose to walk with God.

Taking Care

I’m grateful that when I felt myself starting to lose my peace this afternoon, I took a time out. This is a loving action on my part, and my soul was thrilled... after all, the break was to nourish my spirit and connect more finely with God.

I read some spiritual literature, words by Emmet Fox, and was caught by the affirmation “I am surrounded by the Love and Peace of God.” Repeating this over and over with my eyes closed, I relaxed. Fifteen minutes or so later, I felt refreshed and ready to move forward in my work.

I’ve learned many tools to make my day flow more easily and joyfully, but I don’t always employ them. The main reason is usually “I’m too busy.” But this is deadly, for without nourishing my soul and my relationship with God, I deteriorate mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. And, life just ain’t fun (neither am I).

Dear Spirit –
Thank You for my knowledge of the many ways I can nurture my relationship with my soul and You, and for the willingness to take care and do so.

Under the Tree

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Anonymous

Not growing up as a Christian and being an atheist, I nevertheless was still interested in the spirit of the season. I decided as a young adult that Christmas was a time to celebrate love, joy, and friendship. It started including giving of gifts, often very much from the heart, but sometimes out of a feeling of obligation.

As I moved into a spiritual life after “coming to believe,” and my heart opened to God and people, Christmas became more and more about love and joy, now looked at as spiritual qualities. The material world of holiday shopping and gift-giving paled compared to the spiritual world’s gifts of the heart.

In these quickly and severely changing times in the world, the material has less meaning to me, and relationships are clearly more important than any item I can touch and wrap. During this holiday season - and any time really - the best gift I can give to others is my presence. That is, to be attentive, a good listener, compassionate, and uplifting. To be present in body, mind, and spirit. To come from a place of heart. This cannot be bought or found under a tree - joy and love can only be found through Spirit.

Miracles

“Where there is great love there are always miracles.” – Willa Cather

And, where there are miracles, there is God. A miracle is a change in perception - God and love are instrumental in effecting that.

Dear Spirit of the Most High –
Enfold me in Your Love and Your Grace so that I may perceive and be transformed by the countless miracles that abound. Thank You, thank You, thank You.

Alone - Not!

Daily Thoughts from Guideposts, December 16, 2009
A Time to Think
“This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.” - Taylor Caldwell (1900-1985), English novelist.

To Act
“Whenever disappointment or anxiety come, repeat: "I am not alone."”

My tag line for my business as The Computer Therapist and more recently for The Computer Spirit has always been “You are not alone.” This statement has great meaning for me...

Before I walked into the 12 Step community almost 20 years ago, I often felt alone in this vast world. With no belief in God, trying to manage my life and my relationships with my limited (if any) power, there were times when I felt so alone that I imagined that I could drop dead in my studio apartment in NYC, and no one would noticed until I didn’t show up for work for several days. Quite a sorry situation.

But – when I met the loving, caring, honest, service-oriented folks in OA, and came to believe in a Power greater than myself, such a sad, desperate outlook shifted in a huge way. With a changed perspective on people and the world and Spirit with me 24/7, I came to believe that I am never alone.

At Christmas, I am never alone, for the Light that was born two thousand years ago still shines throughout the world and in each and every one of us. And, when I am disappointed or anxious, I can always make contact with Spirit.

Indeed I am never alone for Spirit is always with me - for that I will be forever grateful.

Me Too!

“Great joy and satisfaction come from expressing love, compassion and generosity. Since I cannot fully express these qualities while holding resentment against another, I strengthen my spiritual practice through forgiveness.” - Daily Word, Sunday, December 13, 2009

I cannot fully express the qualities of love, compassion and generosity while holding resentment against myself either! And, I can forgive and start anew at any time.

Thank You, God, for Your healing of me - body, mind, and spirit. I go out into the world expressing love, compassion, and generosity... expressing the qualities of You.

Converting Energy

I was surprised to read Dr. Norman Vincent Peale talking about energy. He writes:

“You can actually make worry work for you. If worry attacks you, you may as well make use of it. Instead of letting worry be destructive turn it into a constructive use. Worry is an energy, a form of energy. When you worry you are using energy destructively. When you are practicing faith you are using energy constructively. So make worry work for you. Make it work for you by letting it make you think straight.”
- Set Worry Straight, with Faith


Dr. Peale says that when we worry our mind is thrown off balance. It is hot and it needs to be cool so we can use the power that God gave us.

I know that worry and faith cannot coexist and I opt to be in faith and not in fear.

Dear Spirit –
When I fall into fear and worry, please give me the comfort of Your presence and the confidence to trust You. May I convert negative energy into positive energy to help me live in this world of illusion, knowing that Your goodness, love, and abundance are always with me regardless of appearances. Please calm my mind, bring peace to my heart, and strengthen my spirit so that I may live in joy. Show me Your way and help me to follow it. So it is. Thank You.

The Voice

It seems that as soon as I start looking at the monthly financials, my ego’s energy is boosted and fear moves right into my mind. It’s so easy for me to forget the true Source of all my wealth, to give power to a number, to believe in the illusion. I’m so sick of this game of my ego easing God out.

Dear Spirit of the Most High -

Please remain grounded in my heart and give me the strength to turn off the voice of the ego and hear the voice of love – Your Voice, Your Love. That is truly all there is. I am grateful.

Saturday Morning Prayer

Dear God-

Thank You for this day, thank You for this life.

As I go about this day, may all flow with ease and grace. In addressing projects that are not particularly appealing, may I complete them quickly and joyfully. And, with the work that I find enriching, fun, and creative, may I feel joy in greater abundance. In either case, I know You are with me - may I exult in that.

Regardless of the weather outside and even the lovely house in which my physical body calls home, may I pay attention to my inner world. May I know You and feel Your Presence throughout this day and all its happenings. May I know peace.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. And so it is.

My Heart & God

"Your Heart and God’s Heart are One and the Same.
Listen to your Heart and you will surely hear the Voice of God."
- www.thevoiceforlove.com

When I go not to my intellect, but to my heart, there is where I find my hunches and my connection to Spirit.

After a recent discussion with Rog, I’ve been realizing that when ideas come to me, they’re coming not from me. Rather, God is communicating with me - I’m hearing God - something I’ve thought wasn’t happening and I was bemoaning. I get it: this is my intuition coming through - what fun! And, I feel closer to Spirit when I pause and make this realization.

God is closer than my breath. God is in my heart. I am so grateful.

Serving God

“Always let your prayer take the form of thanksgiving, on the assumption that God is giving you great and wonderful things.” - Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

My prayers are not to be about what I want, but about realizing that God is Source and that all that I receive from Spirit is a blessing and worthy of thanks. And so I start my prayers off acknowledging Source and Its greatness, then expressing gratitude. When I am in fit condition, I am ready to be of service to Spirit.

After all, isn’t that what life is truly about - being the hands and voice of God so that I can help others?

The Two F's

“Face every situation with faith in your heart.” - Daily Guideposts, December 9, 2009

It’s interesting that this uplifting, affirmative quote made me think of a contrary, but remarkably related one: “F--k Everything And Run” and its more gentler companion, “False Evidence Appearing Real”, the word fear being the acronym for each.

Faith and fear are opposites, and these expressions convey that. When I’m in faith, believing in Spirit, I truly can face every situation. Without faith in my heart, fear can easily set in and my willingness and ability to face any situation becomes dubious. Faith and fear cannot exist simultaneously and so I’m always at choice.

My spiritual practice strives to strengthen the faith in my heart and thereby weaken fear, along with ego.

Dear Spirit-
I thank You that the prescription for fear is faith.

Touched

What a delight to start my day (after meditation) reading an interview of Martha Williamson, the Executive Producer and Head Writer of the long-running TV show “Touched By An Angel.”

I loved watching that show and am grateful that I “came to believe” (four years before) in time to do so. It amazed me that such a subject matter would be broadcasted on a major network, and the message repeatedly offered one that resonated with my own philosophy. It did not preach and it was about faith and spirituality, not religion.

Beliefnet.com asked Ms. Williamson “What was the most important message of the show?” Her reply was “: God exists, God loves you, God wants to be part of your life, and He is there to have a personal relationship with if you seek Him.”

The aforementioned is a mighty powerful message, just like the Great Mystery Itself. And, the idea of having a personal relationship with God is one that I hadn’t often hear people talking about. However, it is a cornerstone of 12 Step philosophy, and has proved to be the truth for me.

It is through a personal relationship that I am touched and that I am at peace. It is through this that my soul grows and is strengthened in love, joy, and faith.

It is because of this personal relationship with God that I never need to feel alone. For at any time, I can be touched directly by Spirit, or by one of Its many angels. How cool is that?!

Christmas I

“Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves.” - Eric Sevareid (1912-1992), American newscaster [From Daily Guideposts, December 7, 2009]

Boy, does that hit ya between the eyes!

Gratefully, I am loving and giving to others more often than once a year. Still, I have a ways to go and the Christmas message of peace, love, joy, and goodwill to all is something to carry with me every day of the year.

Duality

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” - Anne Bradstreet

It is true that in this world of duality, the contrasts make me appreciate the positive side of things. All in all, as my Aunt Katherine remarked to me last week, I’ve had a good life. And, there’s always been a few areas of it that have posed a struggle and tipped toward the negative side of the scale. One of these has been financial resources.

I am ready to receive prosperity in all forms, but especially financial abundance. I’ve had enough experience - and hopefully learning - that I no longer need to go through the experience of seeming lack in order to realize my financial good.

Dear Spirit -

I know that You are the One Presence, One Power, and the Source of all. In this world of duality, may the scale tip toward the positive and enable me to appreciate all the good in my life with me no longer having to experience the shadow side. With You all things are possible, including this. Thank You, thank You, thank You!

Soul Nourishment

“The life we’ve been given by God is meant for enjoyment. But we can be certain of this enjoyment only when we put our energy into actions that replenish our soul. Love guarantees replenishment by guaranteeing our connection to God, from whom our sanity and peace come.” - In God’s Care, December 5

Today I attended my first monthly W.I.L.D. (Women In Love with the Divine) Women’s meeting. As you can ascertain from its name, this is not your plain vanilla type of women’s support group.

I felt love, caring, and support from the very minute I walked in the door. And, this rightfully turned out to be one of the first groups I have joined upon moving to Sedona where my energy is put into replenishing my soul. My soul has been undernourished for quite some time now and with all the offerings in our new home town, we - my soul and I - have been looking forward to implementing a new plan of nourishment. I’m glad it’s underway, initiated with joining the Mystic Choir a few weeks ago.

As Emmet Fox states often, “... you absolutely owe no loyalty whatever to anything or anyone but your own soul and to the furtherance of its spiritual development.”

I am grateful to be expending more time and energy to honor my soul, its nourishment, and its development. In so doing, my life is becoming more enjoyable and my connection to God strengthened. I’m beginning to once again feel that my life has meaning. I welcome this all, and the peace beyond all understanding that accompanies it.

Thank You, Spirit!

Worry and God

If I truly believe in God, why should I worry about anything?

In Kathryn Slattery’s experience as a worrier, she realized, “Worrying gave me a false sense that I was "doing something" about a problem, when in fact I was actually wasting valuable mental energy and accomplishing nothing!” How very true. When I worry, first of all, my mind is preoccupied with the future which isn’t yet here. I’m not accomplishing anything by worrying - in fact, I am adversely impacting my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Kathryn looked to the Bible, which has a lot to say on the topic. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says, “Do not worry. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? So do not worry.” As Kathryn points out, it’s worth noting that the apostle Paul does not encourage us to “Worry without ceasing.” Instead, he writes, “Pray without ceasing.” Prayer is both the opposite and the antidote to worry. I cannot worry and pray at the same time, just like I cannot be in fear and faith simultaneously.

Kathryn has a friend, who when she finds herself worrying, uses it as a reminder of how much she needs God. On her nightstand she keeps a plaque that says, “Stop worrying and go to sleep. I’ll be up all night anyway. Love, God.” Yes, God is always up, always awake and present. And, God has the power to accomplish anything, unlike moi.

If I believe in a Higher Power - God - that is all loving, all good, all powerful, etc., why indeed am I worrying?

Dear Spirit of the Most High -
May I pray without ceasing, faithful in knowing that You have a Divine Plan and all is exactly as it should be. And so it is.

One With God

The message below brings comfort to me and restores my soul... It says a mouthful and expresses my own beliefs succinctly. I am grateful to know that I am truly one with God.

---------

Today's Daily Word - Thursday, December 3, 2009

ONE WITH GOD

I am one with God every moment of every day.

What does it mean to be one with God? Is it a feeling in my heart? Is it an assurance deep within my soul? Perhaps it is an inner knowing that, regardless of appearances or circumstances, I am one with the peaceful, all-providing presence of God.

The word oneness implies a sense of belonging. I belong with God. I am one with the spirit of God, the Spirit that is forever guiding me, protecting me and strengthening me in mind and body. My oneness with God assures me that I am never alone. I am one with God day and night. Knowing that God is with me and within me, I feel safe and connected, healthy and whole, assured of peace in all situations.

He came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."--Luke 1:28

Present Demonstration

My prayer this morning was...

Dear God;

Thank You for this day.

In this moment, all is well - may I stay here, in the Now. Let me not look to the future, nor even to the past. For it is only in the Now that You are. It is only here that I am in peace. There is no fear here.

And then I read...

“... there is not the slightest reason to be discouraged merely because one’s present demonstration seems to be very poor and spiritual power entirely lacking.” - Emmet Fox, in his essay The Everlasting Gates

Granted, it is not true that my present demonstration is “very poor” nor my spiritual power “entirely lacking.” However, there are a couple of areas in my life that I feel fearful about. These are pointers that tell me I need to focus on God, on the Now. Here is where there is power, strength, faith. And peace.

It’s always about (getting back to) peace.

Smile

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. - Anonymous

How apropos that I just returned from the dentist to read today’s spiritual messages and this one greeted me.

It was the continued saga (see blog of 05.01.09) of my front tooth/crown only now the stage is set in Sedona and working with a new dentist.

My crown re-cemented, I am now able to smile again - and I love to smile. A smile is a great way to connect with people, having Spirit shine through me to others. And in connecting with others and feeling God’s presence, everything indeed is set straight.

Thank You, God, for the health care professionals who help in the physical world of form and also help us heal in other ways.

Communication

Just like a dear friend who lives thousands of miles and multiple time zones away, but with whom I can communicate by phone, email, or instant messaging, God is accessible. Even more so.

God is just a breath away, a thought away, a prayer away. Just thinking of God puts the Great Mystery right there in my conscious presence.

Modern communications systems are great, but God’s ancient way of communicating is at least as good.

Dear Spirit of the Most High -
Thank You for Your Presence any time I choose to have You near.

Purpose and Service

I’m back once again thinking about my life and what meaning there is in it. I feel that my life only has purpose when I am being of service. When I was very involved in the 12 Step program, I felt that I was of service to others who came after me in pain and in need of healing. Through my own experience, I was able to provide strength and help to others, as those who came before me had helped me. I was able to listen, to love, and to not judge, to accept other folks at the level they were at.

I was reminded today that my experience gives me a purpose in life. With it - hitting bottom and rising up from it - I’ve learned compassion. With that opening of heart, I am able to help others, to serve God.

This world of form is changing mighty quickly these days, making way for a new world, a new way of living. Many people are in pain - and not even aware of it. I am in the ranks of those who are being prepared to help those less aware and enlightened about this world of form and how it fits into our lives, our being. My life experience has paved the way.

My purpose is to help others to realize that regardless of what the material world looks like and offers in terms of ‘toys’, we are eternal spiritual beings, whole and perfect, full of love.

My purpose is to hold the sacred space and help people realize that they are not alone. We are all One, we are all in this together, and all is well.

Dear Spirit -
I offer my love, my compassion, and my peace to You in service.

Joy in Faith

I appreciate the reminder today from The Daily Word that “... I realize joy when my mind is fixed on finding Spirit within each of my experiences. True and lasting joy comes from within--from God, the Source of every joy.“

Yes, so much good comes from focusing on Spirit. Spirit is not only the Source of every joy, but the Source of everything in my life. Keeping centered on God, fear cannot penetrate my mind, and I am in faith. I find joy in that.

Prayer for the Day

Dear God -

May I start first with feeling Your Presence. From there may I exude Your Love, Joy, Peace, and Grace to others I meet on the path today.

Please increase and enliven my trust and faith in You and Your works, and leave the fears and littleness of the ego by the wayside so that I may enjoy this day and You can make Your demonstrations.

As I leave the Silence and go out into the world today, may I feel Your Presence and hear Your Voice at all times, and may following Your guidance flow with ease, grace, and joy in a perfect way.

Thank You, thank You, thank You; and, so it is.

Thanksgiving Day 2009

For the last 19 Thanksgiving Days, I have been humbled. That was not always the case.

Before joining 12 Step program in March, 1990, I was a devout atheist. When Thanksgiving came ‘round each year, I pretty much acknowledged and thanked myself for the life I had. There was no Higher Power in my life; I was the alpha and the omega.

Much has changed since coming to believe, and these days I know Who to thank for the life I have. Without Spirit, my life would not be what it is today - and every day. So these days, one of the most important things I am grateful for is joining Overeaters Anonymous, which started me on my spiritual awakening path. I am grateful for the love, knowledge, tools, experience, and support I have found along the way.

And, I give thanks that I am no longer alone, for I know that God is with me this Thanksgiving Day, and always. That is the greatest thing I am grateful for.

May my gratitude for coming to believe be expressed every day through my loving actions toward others, in service to the One Who blesses my life.

Thanksgiving III

This Thanksgiving Day Eve, I offer a gift of quotes about gratitude to jumpstart contemplation about all that there is to be grateful for.

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving." - Kahlil Gibran

"Giving thanks for abundance is sweeter than the abundance itself..." - Rumi

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” - Cicero

“Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives.” - Terry Lynn Taylor

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” - William Arthur Ward

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." -Albert Schweitzer

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" - William A. Ward

"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." - Gerald Good

"Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life." - Christiane Northrup

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." - Brian Tracy

“The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.”- Eric Hoffer

“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.” -Buddha

“Let's be grateful for those who give us happiness; they are the charming gardeners who make our soul bloom.” - Marcel Proust

“Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.” - Alfred Painter

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." - Meister Eckhart

Thanksgiving II

Yesterday I was driving on State Route 89A from Sedona towards Cottonwood, making my way to the ultimate destination of Gilbert to have one last packing up session with our house there. This trip I was driving sans Rog so I had the opportunity to be alone with God in any way I chose.

When I drive alone I’m usually singing spiritual music, which feels like prayer to me; I love connecting to Source in this manner. But on this early sunny morning I actually sat in the Silence for a while. Viewing all the beauty around me got me to thinking about the road I alone, and with Rog, have traveled in recent times with God. I started listing my blessings.

I am grateful that we now live in a small town filled with many spiritually awakened souls and host to many spiritually awakening and cultural events. I am grateful that I feel a part of community. I am grateful that every day I am surrounded and can view the natural beauty of this place.

I am grateful for all the miracles God came through with to get Rog and me moved from Gilbert to this perfect home for us in Sedona. Some came at the 11 ½ hour, but they came. The owners couldn’t be more wonderful folks and we feel grateful and privileged that they ‘entrusted’ this home to our care. This place is rich with character and coziness and indeed feels like a ‘vacation home’ to us.

I am grateful for the new life that is unfolding for me that includes singing in a choir, being of service especially during the upcoming holiday season, meeting new people, and engaging in meaningful conversation. I am grateful for the loving and welcoming disposition of everyone (it seems), from Unity attendees to the grocery check-out person. I am grateful for old friends and relatives who are loving and supportive.

I am grateful for my good health and capable physical body, and for the fresh air and exercise that is a more natural part of my lifestyle now.

I am grateful that I have a steady business contract with a local business person; this contract lays a financial foundation for us to start with. And, the client and I work well together. In addition, it’s a natural way to get immersed into the local community. I am grateful for new business contracts on their way to manifestation.

I am grateful for a great, reliable automobile, my 2003 Camry named Espiritu / Spirit II, with its license plate that is a continual reminder to me of God’s presence and the attitude I need to hold each and every minute - GUIDEME.

And most of all I am grateful I am sharing all of this adventure called Life with my twin flame and husband Roger.

I am surely blessed!

Thank You, Spirit, for all that you have given me in this life. There is indeed so much to be grateful for - in fact, everything since it all comes from You, Source of All Good.

Thanksgiving I

I am reminded this morning that my heart can “swell with a song of thanksgiving to God” for the many blessings that God has showered upon me even if my present circumstances may be less than ideal.

I no doubt feel gratitude - I’ve no trouble with that. What I need a dose of is increased faith and trust that Spirit would not have taken me this far just to drop me. In fact, all these wonderful blessings and miracles are signs - no, much more than signs -, demonstrations of God’s love, grace, and goodness.

May I remember throughout this day that Spirit is with me and taking care of me. It is the Source of all and only goodness stems from It.

Thank You, Spirit, for filling my heart every day with a song of thanksgiving no matter the circumstances.

A Larger Heart

Like most people, I grew up hearing the expression “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

I’ve thought that a nifty and helpful way to get along with people. I wouldn’t want someone to do such-and-such to me, so I will not do such-and-such to them. Or, wasn’t that a nice gesture so-and-so made to me - it’d be nice to do something similar for someone else.

The trouble with the aforementioned expression is that it keeps acts on an equal level; it doesn’t invite one to go to higher ground. But as a spiritual being I am called to give and open my heart in ever expanding ways and numbers. I think the following quote has it right:

“Do unto others with a larger heart.” - Daily Guideposts, 10.28.09

Healing

It’s always wonderfully synchronistic to come upon a daily reading that is so apropos to my current situation. How do the publishers know what is going on in my life?!

I do believe that all dis-ease originates at the spiritual level and eventually manifests in the physical realm if not addressed. Still, sometimes I just need the physical plane to get my attention to draw me more strongly back to Spirit.

That said, Rog and I are both in need of physical healing. We have very good reason to be feeling the way we have been: we’ve been packing and moving boxes and furniture around for months now for our relocation adventure, and we are not athletic spring chickens. So we’re working on taking care of our physical bodies by resting, slowing down, rehydrating, etc. And, of course, we’re working with Spirit, our Source of all.

Here’s the message from Today's Daily Word - Saturday, November 21, 2009, who knew so well what I would be going through whenever it was written. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone...

HEALING PRESENCE
I am healed in body, mind and soul.Healing comes in many forms and in many ways. Some wounds heal quickly and visibly, like the physical healing of a scratch or a burn. Other wounds may take more time to heal. A broken heart, a troubled life or a dampened spirit requires a greater depth of healing--healing of my body, mind and soul.

Every need for healing is an invitation to turn within to God for guidance and direction. As I enter into the silence to meditate and pray, I connect with the Source of both my physical and spiritual healing. I am guided to the ways of strength and wholeness. I receive the most vital and lasting form of health: the healing of my soul.

For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal. - Jeremiah 30:17

Thank You, Spirit, for your healing presence at all levels and for your patience and love in meeting me wherever I’m at. Thank You for healing my body and my soul most of all.

Where's the Joy?

I am seeking joy today. I know it’s not outside of me. It comes from God; it is part of my divine birthright.

But these days it seems hard to find my joy. How can that be if it is part of me through and through, like God? I suppose my ego has put blocks up to my joy and they appear to run deep.

The good news is that if my joy comes from Spirit, then Spirit can restore me to that which I appear to lack.

Today I turn my life and my will over to Spirit. I ask for any obstacles to joy be removed so that I may be a better demonstration to others of Your love and grace. Thank You, Spirit! So it is.

Surrender Once Again...

"To share in the knowledge of God requires that you surrender what you think and what you know so that you can open and receive the infinite awareness that you are part of. Surrender in this moment, and in this moment, and in this moment, and continue to do so until your mind is filled with the awareness of God's love and wisdom that is within you." – www.thevoiceforlove.com

In surrendering, I feel closer to God and at peace. I am relaxed and hence more open -minded and -hearted, more able to hear God’s guidance. And, I am more willing to follow Spirit’s guidance. There too I feel joy.

Lately I’ve been overwhelmed with stuff related to the physical world and not feeling the joy that is in inherent in me, that is my divine birthright. In seeking to feel the joy within me, I surrender my will and my life to Spirit - again and again and again...

Forgiving Me

I don’t think my plate has ever been as full as it is now as we continue transitioning from life in Gilbert to life in Sedona. And because of that, certain tasks have gone by the wayside or not been addressed in a timely manner or not been done as perfectly as I (and perhaps others) think they should have been.

It’s time for forgiving – me, moi, Joyce. I’m doing the best I can in each 24-hour period given to me and it must be enough. In fact, it’s better than enough.

I don’t think Spirit has me here to act like a machine. I am here to learn, to grow, to help others, to serve, to be happy. I want to find the joy in this day, and I want to be in the Now to feel the Presence.

The other day at a blessing gathering I got the hit that forgiveness is about surrender. I surrender to God the ideas I hold about myself and others, how things should be, and let go. I let God handle my actions and my thoughts. I surrender my heart to God as I forgive myself and others.

Today I am filled with peace as I choose to forgive myself and surrender my life to Spirit. Thank You, Spirit!

The End of the World?

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending... - Revelation 1:8

Julia Attaway writes about meeting conflicts surrounding parent-teacher conferences and her children’s activities schedule in a recent Daily Guideposts story.

“After the initial shock of discovering my scheduling mega disaster, I forced myself to take a deep breath. There’s only one thing that helps me when I’m faced with mind-boggling conundrums like this and that’s to remember that logistical problems aren’t actually problems, they’re puzzles. They belong in the crossword-solving part of my brain, not the worry center. No one is going to die or be scarred for life or even require a trip to the doctor if I don’t figure this out. The only true danger is that I’ll stress out and start being unpleasant to my family. So I tossed the problem onto the back burner, where so many insoluble difficulties simmer into solutions.

Last night, around midnight, I think I figured out a way to handle Monday. The logistics require higher math to follow and a cast of thousands to execute, but the plan will probably work. And if it doesn’t, then it doesn’t. It’s neither the beginning nor the end of the world.

Lord, help me to remember that the world won’t fall apart if I’m not able to make things run perfectly smoothly.”

With so many additional tasks added to my To Do list related to our relocation, feeding my soul on the new communities’ many events and activities, growing our business, etc., I am grateful for the reminders Julia offers.

My take is: worrying is not necessary; prioritization is helpful; ask for help. Most of all, I am not in control of the world - Spirit is.

God, I know that Divine Order is at work and the world runs perfectly because of it and You, not me. Help me to know what is important in my life, and to take care of myself so that I may serve You well in peace and in joy.

On Gratitude

It's hard to believe that November is halfway over, and the season of gratitude is upon us. Of course, any season, any time, is one of gratitude.

We've had many blessings and miracles showered upon us especially during these past several months. And so, with gratitude keenly in my thoughts these days, I easily resonated with the sentiment of this quote I came across the other day.

“Gratitude takes three forms: a feeling in the heart, an expression in words, and a giving in return.” – Anonymous

Touched By Spirit

Today’s story from Daily Guideposts is about a woman who found something strange had been happening to her in the last few years: she cried in church. For no reason that she could understand or explain, right in the middle of worship her eyes would tear up; she found it embarrassing.

The same thing started happening during her morning prayer time. She was convinced that this was a side effect of menopause, but that didn’t seem to affect anything other than her worship and prayer time.

When she casually mentioned to a friend how easily the tears flowed when she communicated with God, her friend smiled knowingly. She replied, “That happens to me too. Those tears are an indication that the Holy Spirit has touched me in some way.” The woman no longer felt embarrassed.

Since coming to believe, I too have often been brought to tears. It can occur upon hearing someone share their experience, singing a spiritual song, or while being of service. However, I’ve known it was Spirit touching me and have rarely felt embarrassed.

In fact, for me it is a feeling of relief. Not feeling as connected to Spirit as I’d liked to, with the incessant voices impinging on my meditation, my time for being in the Silence, it is a relief – and a joy – that God could, and is, getting through to my heart, my soul. There is healing and peace here.

I welcome and am grateful for such moments when Spirit and I are so obviously joined together in a Holy Instant.

Grace

“I do not understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us." - Anne Lamott

Yes, each time I connect with Spirit – whether via words, music, prayer, meditation, people – I am changed. Every encounter is a holy encounter if I choose it to be, and I am transformed by it, never to return again to the me prior to it.

God works in miraculous ways, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. I will keep a lookout for God’s grace in my life.

One Year Blog-A-Versary

Today marks one year that I started writing my blog You, Me, and Spirit. What an achievement for me to stick with a commitment to do something every day for at least one year!

But, of course, writing the blog is much more than about keeping a commitment. It’s been a tool to help me feel and deepen my relationship with The Presence. It had been my hope that my words might be of service to others as well; to that end, I’ve received feedback that that is so.

I’d committed to one year and figured I’d see what happened. Well, it’s pretty much a no-brainer: I will continue writing this daily blog about you, me, and Spirit...

All I really seek is the peace and joy inherent in my connection with Spirit. Thank You, God, for Your Presence, Your blessings, Your Kingdom here and now, any time I choose. So it is.

Seemingly Small Acts

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” - Dr. Leo Buscaglia

I can never underestimate the power of ...love. That’s what each of these acts referred to by Dr. Buscaglia is about. And, I know from personal experience that it is true.

Loving, caring friends and strangers alike have touched my heart deeply over the years. They were channels of love from God, sent to help me know that I was cared about and not alone. And, they helped turned my life around, including coming to believe in Spirit.

I can never underestimate the power of Love, the power of God. I am grateful.

Struggle Versus Peace

“Whatever gives you a sense of struggle and strife is false. Whatever gives you a sense of peace is right.” – Open Your Mind to Receive by Catherine Ponder, page 75.

The above quote is a remarkable and easy tool to use to gauge how I am living my life.

When I feel peaceful about a situation, I know I am doing God’s will; I am following the right path. When I am unsettled, trying to control people and situations, up to my eyeballs in struggle, I am in ego and out of sync with God. I am immersed in illusion and falsehood.

This morning I felt the ‘To Do’s’ and future concerns that have been piling up and which I’d been struggling with fall into a heap of surrender. And, I felt peace. I’m done with struggle and strife.

Dear Spirit –
Give me peace, I pray. When struggle and strife arise, please awaken me and have me surrender once again into Your peaceful, loving, caring arms. Please keep me in this state of surrender, staying focused in the Now and what You would have me do. Thank You, God. So it is.

Itinerary Versus Attitude

God’s will is not an itinerary but an attitude. – Andrew Dhuse

When I think of the word itinerary, I think of the material world and taking action. Hence, if I think of God’s will as an itinerary, it means I have to be doing something. It also probably means there is a final destination.

But the aforementioned quote suggests that God’s will is an “attitude”. And, in that word, I sense then that it is the state of being, rather than doing, that is what counts. It places me in the Now, and destination is of no consideration.

Today, as I turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand God, my attitude reigns. From my heart, I ask God to run my life. God does the work of managing my life, not me. And, with that, I rest in peace.

The Good Shepherd

How is that so many of us human beings are easily able to move from experiencing and enjoying goodness to next feeling that it will not last or it will be taken away?

I have been studying Emmet Fox’s analysis of the 23rd Psalm, and it amazes me that any of us – moi included – carry this negative propensity. Where did it come from? I know: programming from parents and society. Well, I’m ready to be re-programmed. And, meditating on this psalm, is a great tool in helping achieve this.

Here’s just the beginning to inspire one and change thought patterns:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

“Lord” means “God”, and as Fox says, it is “my own knowledge of Truth, as that knowledge is the Presence of God in me, my indwelling Christ.” This Lord is my shepherd and he takes care of his sheep. Hence, the Lord will take care of me. Ahh... how sweet the thought.

If I really believe that “I shall not want”, then there is nothing for me to be afraid of. If the Lord/Shepherd is taking care of me, why would I be fearful anyway?

“Green pastures” symbolize an abundance of all good things that I need, and perfect all-around harmony in my life. “They are to be mine permanently and forever, and not merely as a temporary demonstration; that is why I may be said to lie down in them.” Again, a positive thought pattern I choose to internalize.

With “water” symbolizing the soul, the last phrase means that the power of God in prayer sets my soul at rest giving me perfect peace. And, when I have perfect peace, my demonstration must come. With perfect peace, what more could I yearn for anyway?

If I believe in an all-loving, all powerful, etc. God, why oh why do I think that He would not continue to take care of me? With the many blessings and miracles that have been showered upon me throughout my entire lifetime, and particularly in recent months, actually this last week, it is absurd for me to think that God would take me this far only to drop me into an abyss of lack of any kind.

I move forward strengthening my thought system that God is my Source, and only good – yes, only good –comes from this loving, omnipotent, Presence. This brings peace to my soul, tranquility to my life. I am so grateful.

Dear Spirit

Dear Spirit;

Good morning!

Please show me other ways that I can feel Your Presence in the midst of busyness and chaos. Help me to be creative and attuned so that no matter what is going on in the physical, I feel connected to You.

Feeling Your Presence is such a comfort and joy to me, and I cherish it so. I many not always pay sufficient attention to cultivating my relationship with You, but please know that I am aware of that and yearn to spend much more time with You and to be of service to You.

With Your help and Your guidance, I know that I can feel You in the orbit that surrounds me all through the day.

Thank You for the many blessings You have given this daughter of Yours, and the ones to come henceforth. I am open to receiving, I am open to giving.

Amen.

Coming to Pass

"What you experience is an outcome of your desire. What you want will come to pass first in your heart, then through your mind, and finally in your experience. Feel your desire to hear God's voice, believe it is possible, ask to receive it, and it will be yours." - From www.thevoiceforlove.com

Living closer to Nature, in a simpler way, and connecting in community was in my heart for a long time. It then came mentally to me and what followed for more than a year was much discussion with Rog, clarification, and praying for guidance and help. Finally, this past Wednesday, we officially moved to Sedona, AZ and are now living in the perfect place we had been seeking.

We believed and had faith it was possible, we asked, we received. It’s been quite an experience and quite the demonstration.

I am so grateful to now live in a beautifully scenic, small, friendly town, in a home that is filled with character, being part of a spiritual community, all with my Life Partner beside me. Thank You, Spirit!

And so it is in relationship to God: I have the desire in my heart to hear God’s voice and feel Its Presence, I so believe it is possible, I am asking through prayer for it, and I know it is mine. Thank You, God!

Prosperity

Today's Daily Word - Friday, November 6, 2009
PROSPERITY

I am blessed by the goodness of God.

Prosperity manifests in my life in myriad ways--not only as money. As I count my blessings, I realize that God's goodness is everywhere. I give thanks for my food, shelter, friends, family and livelihood. I focus on my blessings rather than dwelling on any perception of lack.

The more I look for things to be grateful for, the more blessings I find. By noticing these blessings and giving thanks, I am positive, productive and prepared for good.

The more good I perceive, the more I receive. As I appreciate all of God's blessings and dwell in abundance and contentment, even more goodness comes my way.

I choose to live in God's abundance, accepting all the blessings life has to offer.

My sentiments exactly!

What is Valuable

When we attach value to things that aren't love - the money, the car, the house, the prestige - we are loving things that can't love us back. - Marianne Williamson

And, than means I am putting other things before Spirit. God is my Source, and I must maintain contact with the Presence to be and feel in fit spiritual condition. When I do my life and relationships are so much better.

These past several days of bunking down in a friend’s home, starting a part-time position in a new town, then moving to that town (more than 100 miles from our former home), has certainly thrown me off kilter. Just when I need to pray and meditate even more, and engage in any other activity that makes me feel connected to Source, I have taken less time to do so. I can tell ya that I feel it. My soul feels it, and I can continue no longer in this manner.

The things and activities that have drawn me away from God must go away for the time being. I’m putting them aside and spending time with God, indicating my love, and Spirit loves me back unconditionally.

A Long Day In Coming

Today was the big day Rog and I have been striving toward for about the past 14 months: starting a new life, settling in a small town in Northern Arizona, living closer to Nature and in community. We did it!

Well, actually, God did it. We moved into a house that has tremendous character, one that hadn’t even been for rent! Financial prosperity has been growing, meaningful friendships blossoming, etc.

The only difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is the way in which we use them. — Anonymous

Yes, we had a lot of obstacles to overcome but we chose to use them as stepping stones to grow closer to Spirit. We leaned on God - trusting, having faith, and surrendering. I didn’t do it perfectly, but I have absolutely no doubt that God was with us, guiding us, laying out the plan for us. I am so grateful.

Dear God –
Thank You for showering Your love on me, and the myriad of ways Your blessings create a rich life.

Focus

“I will keep my focus very small today and let God be in charge.” – In God’s Care, November 3

Keeping my focus means that I’m staying in the moment, a very good place to be. And, when I’m in the Now, letting God be in charge comes easier.

Who You Are

"Greatness is who you are.
It is not something that you have and another does not.
It is something you are —
something that you share with everyone —
because it describes your True Nature and Oneness with All That Is."

- From www.thevoiceforlove.com

Beginnings and H.P.

"With willingness we will begin to perceive God's hand in even the smallest events in our life. We will grow in our acceptance that all of our life circumstances are specifically given to us by a Higher Power who wants us to be all that we can. We'll never be given more than we can handle. However, we can be certain that many experiences will push us in directions we never dreamed possible." - Excerpt from In God's Care, November 1

With a new month beginning, my new life does too. I left my home in Gilbert this evening to travel alone to the Verde Valley without Rog. It feels strange to not be with him and I won't be until Wednesday afternoon; the last time we spent even a night apart had to be 2+ years ago. I'm staying in temporary quarters (with a friend) so that I can start a new position in Red Rock Country on schedule, and then will move into our new home in Sedona in a few days when Rog will join me. There is no doubt that God's hand has been involved in this series of adventures - big time.

And, it's been challenging at times but God did not give me more than I could handle - after all, I made it this far, yes?! I persevered with patience, faith, and trust (not perfectly). And, in the end, Source, has supplied me with all that I need to start our new life - a life of new beginnings rich with community, service, Nature, and spiritual practice.

Rog and I feel that by living in Sedona God's plan for our life will become much clearer and we'll step into it with enthusiasm. And, I'm certain it will be a new life of experiences that will push us in directions we never dreamed possible. But I can continue to lean on Higher Power throughout it all.

Dependence on God

A comprehended God is no God at all. – Gerhard Tersteegen

“Maybe the only thing we know about God is that dependence on this power greater than us brings remarkable changes to our life, and that ultimately those changes are for the best. That may be all we need to know about God.” - In God’s Care, October 31

There is no question that coming to believe and then depending on a Higher Power transformed my life for the better. Not only did I start having more love in my life via the wonderful people I met in 12 Step Program, but my entire perspective about people, the world, and life changed tremendously for the better.

And, it was no small feat to finally get that I was not alone, and that this power greater than myself not only was with me and on my side, but could be a real guide and help in living life peacefully and richly if I allowed It to.

I may not always, in fact often do not, comprehend God and His ways, but I sure am grateful that I “came to believe” and that I cultivate my relationship with this loving, caring, powerful Being on whom I am so dependent on.

Surrendering Once Again

This morning as I lay in bed, I started feeling anxious, which hasn’t happened in a while. It revolved around how I could start my new part-time position in Sedona on Monday when we haven’t a new place to call home yet. I was definitely experiencing a lack of faith and trust. How could God not provide a place for me to live when He so smoothly dropped this business opportunity into my lap?

So after sitting in the Silence (as best as possible), yet another morning reading focused on surrendering to God – think there’s a message here?!

“We wear ourselves out trying to control the uncontrollable, while God patiently waits to receive our burdens. All we need to do is hand them over: God’s presence is here, now.

“When we surrender all our concerns to God – both our failures and our successes – we begin to realize the breadth of God’s care and the constancy of God’s presence in our life. We have always been close to God, as close as our breath.

“Learning to acknowledge God as our protector and guide is exhilarating and eases our every step, thought, plan, and dream. We are learning that we can do nothing alone, but we can do anything if we just let God join us in partnership.

“I have God as my companion always. I’ll remember that today and be at ease.” – In God’s Care, October 30

Soon afterwards I had an email from a friend who lives a couple of towns over from Sedona offering me her place to stay short term if need be.

As Rog said this evening several times, miracles have been raining upon us. Sometimes I feel like it would be a miracle if I would surrender once and for all.

Dear Spirit;
Thank You for all the blessings and miracles you shower upon me even when I lose faith and attempt to control and figure things out. I acknowledge You as my Source, and, once again, I surrender.

The Nature of a God Thought

I read a passage from Emmet Fox that was a bit of an astounding concept for me – and most uplifting.

"There is no end to a prayer. It echoes on forever in your soul. Long after the visible demonstration has been made and forgotten, the prayer that produced it continues to work for your spiritual advancement, for the creative power of a God thought is unlimited and eternal."– Power Through Constructive Thinking, Page 109

I can imagine this vast sea of God thoughts all around me and circulating in me, my soul – it’s a bit overwhelming. How powerful prayer is... Now I realize further the importance of prayer and thus have even more reason to pray ceaselessly: so that my spiritual advancement be guaranteed to continue.

The Way Things Are

The way we think everything should and will happen just may not be according to God’s will of good for us. – Anonymous

There is no doubt that there have been numerous instances in my life in which I thought things should have happened in a certain way in order to be in my best interest. But more was revealed, and the way the situation unfolded turned out to be a blessing and clearly for my spiritual upliftment.

These days I’m really not clear why the unfoldment of my new life is happening the way it is, and I just want to get on with it! But I am grateful for the reminders that come my way via a person, a reading, etc. showing me that there is a Divine Plan, God is in charge, and all is unfolding perfectly.

I pray to keep surrendering to Spirit’s Plan and relax in the peace, love and joy of it.

The Day's Plans

"Do not forget to include me in your plans today. When you ask me to join with you in planning your day, you open to the possibilities of having peace, joy, and grace in all that you do." – A Voice For Love

Dear Spirit;
Thank You for this day. I enthusiastically include You in my plans. Please show me what Your Will is for me, and give me the power to carry it out in peace, joy, love and grace. I leave You in charge of my day, my life, the best plan I can have.

Surrender - Again

“... turmoil... would disappear if we comfortably relied on God to take charge of our life every moment... willingness to let God have total charge of our life. If we do, we will know a new peacefulness – immediately.

I will let God be in total charge of my life today. I’ll not be controlled by fear. God will smooth my way.” – In God’s Care, October 26

Yesterday’s house hunting expedition in Sedona held many lessons. I had been praying my butt off, had friends praying for us, and I had signed up on about five prayer sites for strangers to pray for me. So what was the prayer I was asking help with? That we find and secure our perfect home in Sedona with ease and grace in a perfect way TODAY. I felt we had to find it TODAY, because I have a position starting in a week there and we’ve no place yet to call home.

We didn’t leave Sedona yesterday consciously having our new home, and maybe one of the ones we drove by is it. But it doesn’t matter.

I realized that I had once again been trying to control things, that I had expectations (not just expectancy) that set me up for disappointment, that my ego was having a grand ‘ol time. We’d done all the footwork and though I thought I’d been leaving the results up to Spirit, I wasn’t. Finally, when tired and frustrated, I had had it, and I hit bottom and surrendered. There I found peace, and I relaxed.

It was a painful reminder again of the need to really surrender and let God unfold His Divine Plan, to let God be in charge of my life, not just in this matter, but in everything. I am not in charge, my way doesn’t work. I can set my intention and express my desire, but ultimately God will work things out that are best for me. I must trust – and let go fully.

As we go house hunting again tomorrow, I go with expectancy and hope. But if we don’t secure the place, I know that’s God’s plan, that the time is just not right, that all the pieces are not quite in place - and I’m fine with that. Come next Monday, when my new position starts in Sedona, God will have worked out a perfect plan for me. I might not know what it is now, but God does. God has been preparing me beautifully along the way and will continue to do so. I surrender to God, my Creator, my Source.

Beautiful Moments

“Open your arms to beautiful moments and they will come to you.” – OurPrayer.org

Today I open myself to the beauty of the day, to The Presence.

Surrounded by the physical beauty of Red Rock Country and the spiritual beauty of people in my life, I go forth with opened arms to receive and embrace beautiful moments, to feel the Holy Presence.

Thank You, Spirit, for this beautiful life made so by my connection to Your Presence and Your Love.

Happy Birthday, Rog!

Let God love you through others and let God love others through you. – D. M. Street
“Every person in our life is an invitation to know God better. ...emissaries of God who have been sent to teach us about love.” – In God’s Care, October 24

Rog stepped into my life five years ago this past July, and he has been loving me and I have been loving him just about since that first match.com email.

Through his love I have had a glimmer of what God’s unconditional love is like. I’ve healed a bit from my family of origin hurts by observing Rog with his children, seeing the kind of father he is. He’s a great role model and teacher for me in many areas, and his character, spirit, and love are a wonderful blessing to me.

I’m grateful to Rog’s parents for bringing his spirit into this world, for his mom going through childbirth, and for the Great Mystery once again getting these two twin flames together in this lifetime.

Thank you, Rog, for all of your love, all that you are, and all the best that you bring out in me. Thank you for this wonderful sacred union, and for being my safe harbor where I am regularly reborn in safety and in peace.

Thank You, Spirit, for blessing me – and many others – with this loving, faith-filled man with whom I am honored to be his best friend, wife, and intimate fellow adventurer in this game called Life.

Letting God In

“I let go and let God free me for greater good.” – Daily Word

As we transition to a very different life style, I’m peeling the onion learning more about myself. My attitudes and behaviors affect those around me, especially my beloved, Rog. So I pray that as more is revealed and pain comes forth, that Spirit shows me the right way to go and keeps my ego at bay. I am open to healing, I am open to love.

I’m looking to learn my lessons, painful as sometimes they may be, so that I can move forward and enjoy a happy, joyous, and free life especially with my twin flame. Then, too I am better able to help others and be of good use to God. So I let go all the junk inside me – the fears, doubts, hurts of the past – and let God direct me to my greater good. I let God’s love come in and I find peace.

Nothing But the Best - Part II

Ah... “Nothing but the best” is what is meant for this child of God and all of us. But who determines what the best is for me? Surely with my limited knowledge, it cannot be me!

God determines what is best for me, for He knows the full plan. So while I affirm “Nothing but the best,” I must release all expectations of what that exactly means.

Dear God;
Help me to accept Your will for me, knowing that You only give me “Nothing but the best.”

Nothing But the Best

As a child of God – omnipotent, unconditionally loving, rich in all ways – how can I not possess and be blessed by this All That Is? It seems that early on we learn to expect the worst, rather than expect the best. Where then, does that put God?

Catherine Ponder states in Open Your Mind to Receive: “Our beliefs about God and man can either lead to a dismal existence or to accepting and claiming the best in life” (page 55).

Particularly as we seek our perfect home this day, I am re-reading and re-affirming statements that open my mind to receiving nothing but the best. Doing so is uplifting and can only bring positive results. There is no need to settle for less than the best. After all, God is my Supply, prosperity and success are my heritage, and I am the rich child of a loving Father.

A Special Lady

This afternoon I was blessed with being witness to the interaction between seven newborn pups about 10 hours old and their mom Kanaloa, a cocker spaniel, a recent addition to the family of some friends of ours.

Kanaloa is a bit young herself yet this was her third (and last) litter. She showed care and attention to her young ones very naturally, who just wanted to be close to their mom. Kanaloa is a sweetheart to start off with and stole my heart when I first met her. Seeing her take care of her pups made her even sweeter in my eyes.

If ever there was a role model for us humans, here is one. She started giving birth at 3:00 AM, without a whimper or cry, with ease, grace, and dignity. She tended to each pup as s/he emerged from their sac, and continued to clean them up and feed them. One was a stillborn, but Kanaloa didn’t linger in the past but moved forward to take care of those in the here and now. She’s a medium-sized dog and to see all those puppies around her it’s hard to imagine how she managed to be in such great spirits in the last several days of her pregnancy carrying all that weight.

And, now that she’s back to her former slender figure (not so quickly for female humans), she’s bouncing around, ears flopping, with a smile of such joy on her face.

Kanaloa is a cuddly bundle of love and joy, surely a gift from God. The father of her babies is a Labrador Retriever whose character is not known; therefore, we’re all hoping the pups have Kanaloa’s temperament. So Rog and I are thinking that we just might have two little bundles of love and joy come live with us in a couple of months. Then I’ll be blessed to be showered with God’s unconditional love on a daily basis not only through Rog, but channeled through these little pups as well.

Living Together

“The Lord is the strength of my life. God will show us at any time the meaning of anything that we require to understand, will show us at any juncture what it is we ought to do, and He will furnish us with Divine strength to do it.” – Emmet Fox in his essay Light and Salvation

We are getting down to the wire to find a new place to call home in Sedona. I feel I’ve released a lot in these past months – possessions, emotions, expectations, thoughts - and I’ve still got a ways to go. Based on conditions of time, finances, and desired location, we’ve been contemplating various housing scenarios, including renting a one-bedroom house. This is a challenge for me.

Ever since I bid au voir to my studio apartment in Manhattan, I’ve always had a specific room in my home set up as my office and quiet space. That has meant at least a two bedroom layout. When I bought my home in Gilbert as a single woman, I was blessed with three bedrooms. When Rog came into my life we converted the guest bedroom into his office. He had his office, I had mine, each to decorate and do with as they pleased. This had always been my ideal: a couple shares a bedroom and have their own separate spaces. Having one’s cake and eating it too!

Living with my life partner has not meant that I still don’t want and enjoy my own private space alone. Just closing the door puts me into another world. This space not only serves as my office, but as my sanctuary to be with God in prayer and meditation. Sure, I can be with Spirit anywhere, but I love the container of my room. And, I’m just not ready to give it up - yet.

I’ve always been easy to live with. However, growing up in the family that I did, once I no longer had to share a bedroom with my twin brother, my bedroom became my sanctuary. It was the peaceful world away from the chaos of my family (except when my twin brother would blast the stereo in his bedroom next door). And during my single days I only had roommates when a friend needed a place to stay for a brief while or when I took a share in a vacation house. I had always said that I preferred living alone unless my roommate was going to be my life partner; I pretty much kept to that.

Yes, I love playing house with Rog and we do it so well. But whilst we may be twin flames soul-wise, in this physical world of illusion, we are two distinct beings. So, I still cherish my time and space alone. And oftimes, I just want to go into my cave, close the door, and be still.

I know there is a new world coming, and living in community is part of it. And, it’s something I look forward to - so, I need to change. My perspective towards living with others needs to change. I must let go of past notions and be open to new arrangements. I must learn to feel like I’m in my sanctuary regardless of the physical layout. My sanctuary resides within me, wherever I am. It is not a physical place.

Dear Spirit –
Give me the strength to do Your Will with ease and grace, and rearrange my perspective so that I feel at home no matter where I am. Help me to be at peace and experience the Stillness in all locales. You are the strength of my life, and with You all things are possible – including changing my emotions about living space. Thank You, thank You, thank You.

The Question Was Popped

Half-asleep at 4:45 AM five years ago, Roger asked me to marry him – boy, did that wake me up!

We’d been talking about whether to opt for formal, legal recognition of our life partnership or just live together. Whether we had the State of Arizona behind us or not, we were committed to one another. Since I’d never been married before, I thought it would be an interesting experience to have.

Although Rog had said he liked being married and wanted to remarry, he was still a bit hesitant. But Spirit worked on him, and when Rog heard Spirit emphatically tell him to ask me to marry him – repeatedly – Rog heeded The Voice and did so. It was the same Voice that had told Rog months before to set up his profile on match.com, where we soon met; the rest is history.

I will always be grateful that Rog obeyed The Voice. I thank Spirit that He was clearly a part of it all, we had His blessing, and He continues to guide us on the adventurous and love-filled life we have together.

Happy 5th Engage-a-versary to my beloved husband, Rog!

Keepin' Clean With God

I can’t walk and chew gum at the same time, but I sure can wash dishes and pray at the same time. I can also shower and pray at the same time.

The quality of the physical task at hand does not suffer at all and certainly my spiritual condition gets enhanced. Perhaps water has something to do with it.... Well, I can iron and pray at the same time too, so I guess that’s not it. Maybe it’s something about cleanliness. I guess many of us have heard the expression “Cleanliness is next to Godliness;” maybe there’s something to that after all.

In any case, I’m grateful to make such efficient and effective use of my time. And, it’s a great pick me up that occurs on a daily basis (well, not the ironing!).

I know that God is available for me to pray to always regardless of the activity I’m engaged in. It’s up to me to take the imitative to do so.

Thank You, Spirit, for being accessible to me any time, all times. Please help me to remember that You’re just a thought away.

All I Wanna Do...

... is be with God.

There I am at peace and safe.

Sitting in the Silence, I feel so peaceful, protected, and cared for. And, how could I not be? For God is with me always – I could not be breathing, living now if it were not for Spirit.

My life is in the care of God, and I trust in divine order.

I will keep my thoughts stayed on Thee and be at peace.

Peace

There is no doubt in my mind that peace within me is the most important condition I require, especially when my life is the way it currently is with huge changes and opportunities being presented each and every day.

When I’m at peace I know I’m in ”fit spiritual condition”, feeling close and connected to Spirit.

There are many ways that I can get back to that state of peace when I feel adrift. Deep breathing is a simple and powerful tool and I can do it anywhere, anytime – I just need to remember to do so.

Sitting still in the Silence even briefly is another way. This is not always as convenient a way to restore my peace. However, on more than one occasion, I have retreated to a women’s restroom, and found the privacy I needed to just be still.

Of course, my inner state of peace not only serves me well, but impacts those around me too. So when I’m at a gathering where ‘The Peace Song’ is sung, I wholeheartedly sing out the lyrics to Let There Be Peace on Earth, original lyrics by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson (circa 1955).

Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me.
Let There Be Peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be!
With God as our Father, brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment now.
With ev'ry breath I take, let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

It is crucial for me personally to be at peace. And, since we are all One, it is crucial for this planet as well. I strive to be in such a condition so that I am part of the solution in creating a loving earth on which we can all thrive and be at peace.

Guide Me

Dear Lord, guide me towards Your plan. – Marion Bond West

It’s been quite the roller coaster ride these past several days. We found a lovely home that needed work and the owner was open to us living rent-free while we get it back into shape. I was sort of in shock with the entire unfolding of the situation and in such a state of gratitude and faith that I kept repeating “Oh, my God”, “Oh, my God”, “Oh, my God.”

When we revisited the property and saw that it needed much too much work before we could even store our belongings there, I felt deflated. But soon I pulled myself up and stated “God just has something better for us.” We informed the owner that it was too much of a project to suit us and wished him good luck.

With time appearing to run out to move out of our current home because of an impending trustee sale that had been postponed twice before, we seriously started checking out sharing a house with someone. It would require less cash on our part, which has not yet manifested in sufficiently abundant amounts yet. We found a lovely woman with a lovely house – but we realized we really couldn’t live with someone else. With little money to rent our own place, I feel at a standstill, not knowing what to do. These days I guess you could say I'm feeling a little frustrated.

And the news today is:

I’ve found out that I’m to receive a gift check from some dear relatives. It’ll help us with our first month’s rent and other expenses.

The house trustee sale was postponed yet again, giving us some breathing space even though we need to get settled in our new community.

The owner of the house in need of repairs still seems to want us to consider living there and making renovations. He’s coming in from CA this weekend and it seems like he’s already got some plans to fix things – who knows if he’ll persuade us.

I feel like a yo-yo riding a roller coaster - what is God’s plan for me? I have a vanity license plate that reads GUIDE ME. I specifically chose it so that I could regularly be reminded of where I stand in relation to God. These days I guess you could say I'm feeling a little frustrated.

Dear Spirit – Please guide me towards Your plan about living quarters and keep me open to creative ideas, and patient with the time line. All happens in Your time. Thank You for delaying the trustee sale yet again, so that all the pieces can come together with ease and grace like a beautiful, finely woven tapestry.

The Hand of Prayer

I came across this method of prayer on OurPrayer.com, a part of the Ruth Stafford Peale Prayer Power Network. It's said to be a great tool to use if you aren't sure what to pray about or how to begin your time of worship. I think it’s pretty clever!

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. C. S. Lewis once said, "To pray for our loved ones is a sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly our little finger, the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

My True Home

Yesterday we thought we’d found a lovely place to live, a rustic house with a cottage and large garage on ¼ acre, in a convenient location in Sedona. It turned out the place needed work so we proposed to the out-of-state owner that we live there rent-free in exchange for getting the place up to snuff, then start paying rent. He was most open to the idea. We felt Spirit at work, manifesting our home in a way that would be win-win for all. My excitement and gratitude could hardly be contained.

In revisiting the place today and with closer inspection, we saw the place is really inhabitable. Our excitement was dashed, but we knew it was for the best. God is leading us to something better – I just wish He’d hurry (as it appears that time is running out)!

A reading this morning reminded me once again that God is always with me and within me. All things work together for my highest good and so I relax and affirm that all is well right here and now.

And, wherever I go, I make myself at home by sharing the love in my heart.

No matter where Rog and I eventually land up laying our heads down at the end of the day in our new community, home will be with me in my heart, with God.

Dear God;
Thank You for Your many blessings. I am in gratitude and awe at the unfolding of our new life plan. Please keep me patient and faithful that all is well in Your hands.

I Can Do All Things

“This is the day when I fully release the concept of lack or limitation from my consciousness. I can do all things.” – Daily Word, October 11, 2009

And, I can do all things because I’m not alone. God is my strength through and through. With such Power, Supply, Wisdom, Love, and Peace, I can do all things.

Suddenly

I nonchalantly applied for a part-time position in Sedona via Craigslist on Thursday evening and had a most enthusiastic reply email sitting in my Inbox Friday morning, before we left for a day trip to Sedona. The business owner called me as we were driving north and we set up an afternoon appointment. I was offered the position on the spot and I formally accepted this morning.

Now this isn’t just about a quick deal – this is about an easy-going interview and it seeming to me (and I think to this person too) that it was just a done deal before we really even got started. It appears to be a dream situation that is mutually beneficial. And, not only is it a worthwhile business situation, but it will help me lay down roots in the community.

It’s ‘interesting’ that the job listing got taken down earlier in the day and the business owner didn’t know why. Rog said Spirit made that happen because there was no longer a need once I responded.

I felt a bit in the twilight zone yesterday because of the speed of this all. Spirit worked quickly and in Its own way. And, without even knowing fully what an action on my part would yield, Spirit took over and provided a wondrous result that I couldn’t have fathomed.

The message I got this morning as I was working on digesting what had happened yesterday was that everything was going to happen suddenly from here on in to get our new life set up. We’ve been seeking Spirit’s guidance and help, and it feels like the floodgates have just opened.

I’m going to hang onto the reins these next few days especially as God starts putting the final pieces together for our new life up in Red Rock County. I am filled with enthusiastic expectancy to see how the details pan out. With God orchestrating it, I know that the full picture will be a delight.