June 5, 2011 – Asking and Accepting


6/5/11 Reverend David McArthur

The awakening of our spiritual self (which is having this earthly experience) comes in pieces as we become more and more conscious of the divine love within us. An important piece is that of asking. We ask, not to awaken a sleeping God, no, but to awaken ourselves to receive what is already given, what is already prepared for us.
 
Sometimes we ask because of a real frustration (which is because we know there is something better). Sometimes because of a deep desire within us. Sometimes our asking unfolds over a period of time and looking back becomes clear. Some needs are beyond our ability – there are some things in the way. Love and care are not there within to deal with the need. Go to prayer and ask. Then the difficulty that’s in the way loses it’s impact and the spiritual presence and power responds. Love is the response given. Accept it. Choose again and again not to go to the anger and hurt, but go to the love and care.

It is often hard to accept the goodness without going back to the need. It’s like we are in a hologram. Our attention is on what’s in the way. Free yourself from the difficulty. Choose to love. See the glow, the delight within of divine love. It is powerful; it is complete. It is the love which reaches through the dimensions of our beings.

Accepting opens the next door of the journey. Being open to accepting opens the way to the deeper desire. The deeper we ask, the deeper the response. The deep, unconscious desire asks. What we reach for within us is the experience of the divine love response. The expansion of our spiritual awareness is what is accepted when we say yes. It unfolds – it continues to answer. The questions we ask are about who and what we are, not just what we need in the moment – the reaching for that spiritual love and power that we are.

The world can’t explain and will dismiss the truth of our valid spiritual experiences. Asking draws in the energy and activates the soul’s potential. Will you stay in the higher “hologram”? Do it by accepting the truth and validity of your experiences – your understanding of your truth. Step into your greater potential. Ask. Whatever is going on for you, step into that higher, greater response by accepting you are one with the higher power. You don’t know it, but you do know it. Accept it. “Is it too good to be true?” The truth is if it’s not good it’s not true!

May 29, 2011 – Welcome Home (Silence)


5/29/11   Reverend David McArthur

Here our experience of spiritual community is a feeling that we’ve come home. It feels like home because it is in harmony with something inside, that everyone is a spiritual being completely and fully loved by that infinite power, love, and light. Being with people that know that is like being home. Here we have acknowledgment and support that in every spiritual path we are all a part of that spiritual feeling. It is strong here because we keep creating that energy here that everyone is loved and welcome.

We have a commitment to transform feelings of separation because we are one. It’s the truth. One source moving, creating through us all. We reach for it again and again. Be grateful to know that is what you are reaching for, to experience the truth whatever Spirit invites you to step into – a greater experience of family or home – that’s how Spirit touches the Earth. We translate that feeling of love and connection of home into our feelings. But the feeling of home isn’t “home”. There is a place of home in us all. We step into home in the silence. Whatever we are experiencing in life, we step into a deeper level in the silence. And there is nothing there and yet it is so full. Don’t think about it. When we rest there it wells up that which we can’t explain and it lifts us up. First our mind is busy figuring it all out. Then we focus on the feelings which take us there – the feelings of divine connection – take us to where we sit on the edge of that silence, and then we let go. And we rest in silence.

In that silence, not feeling oneness – we are simply one – being one with that one – from there. Something that is so hard to describe. We see – we feel – life differently. Our thoughts are different. What we see changes. How much easier it is to see the “being” of another! How much easier it is to see the beauty of the Earth!
Somewhere between the words is a moment where it is just still. Just being. Somewhere the silence reaches out and takes you in and says, “Just be.” And you see that wherever you are, you are whole!

May 22, 2011 – Non-Action Through Prayer

5/22/11  Reverend David McArthur

Lau Tzu taught non-action – “Don’t just do something, stand there!”  Practice not doing and everything will fall into place.  As Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.”  They were teaching, “Move from mental control to the spiritual power within.”

Our beliefs express in the world around us.  When we see something not right out there – something out there that is limited – then there is something inside that is limited.  Go within.  HeartMath has shown scientifically that the heart can change the entire body.  Spiritual power flows from the core or your being.  Let it flow and it changes what’s out there.

It isn’t easy.  If I’m going to change, I will need to let go of something in here and open to a greater download, a greater expression of the divine presence and power within.  Affirm, “I release that which no longer serves me.  I open to my highest good.”

Attune to that spiritual self.  Tune it in with the power of prayer.  Much prayer uses the  mind, but focusing on the feeling of ease skips right to a core vibration of the soul.  It is there we know of the connection – a tremendous feeling of divine order and flow.  In The Prospering Power of Love, by Catherine Ponder, we learn to use the power of prayer to move to that inner change. Instead of moving something “out there”, move inside.  Do the inner work.  Focus and express the spiritual energy of that greater good, that greater healing.  Then the energy changes around a remembered experience, a  hardness in the heart.

Open to guidance; move to enlightenment.  Attune to the perfection of the divine consciousness – to that place within ourselves of powerful transformation.  It’s yours, and you deserve to have it!

I release that which no longer serves me.  I open to my highest good.

May 8, 2011 – Unconditionally Loved

5/8/11  Reverend David McArthur

Happy Mother’s Day!  Seeing a mother’s love enfolding a child is seeing a sacred experience. “Mothers have magic; they make you feel better without medicine.” Mothers let that divine love express through them, stepping into that Divine Mother expressing. Our mothers very often were the ones to express most deeply that expression of God’s love – many in spite of their own limitations and pain. We can send that love out, acknowledging that tremendous love flows through them and us. We are in it together.

Through our mothers we experience the presence of God, answering that we are loved completely – we are not a sinful mess. You are loved completely just the way you are! How much more does God love you! Your Father Who is in heaven “has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” Just being held in your mother’s arms – it’s through our mother’s love that we learn to receive love, to let that love enfold us, to open and receive that love. Yes, you are your mother’s child. You are also a child of Spirit, loved completely and unconditionally just the way you are.

Affirm, “I am loved completely and unconditionally just the way I am.”

You can feel that shift to the “mother” energy – that connection and care that is “mother”. Our mothers are not physically present in our lives for many of us. Yet this love knows no bounds and continues to be that love. Our job is to open and let it in. Let it lift you and touch you! You are the child of God so you deserve it!

May 1, 2011 – The Passionate Pursuit of Perfection


5/1/11  Reverend Sheila Gautreaux, L.U.T.
“The Passionate Pursuit of Perfection”

Today we celebrate Ascension Sunday as the completion of the journey of Jesus that began on Good Friday. The crucifixion on the cross represents metaphysically the crossing out of error states of consciousness that bind us in our humanity. We then cross over to the kingdom of the heavens, our divine life. The tomb represents our going to deeper places to allow that which no longer serves us to die. The resurrection is birth into new consciousness where we resurrect who we were before the world even was – absolute perfection! Ascension, then, is rising into the realm of divine truth where we see truly – the entire process, the complete journey and choices the soul makes.

We are not victims but volunteers! The Passion (suffering) of Jesus showed us we first need to experience who we are not, so we can become aware of who we are. In suffering we are strengthening our Christ-muscles. Rise above conditions of pain and suffering. Take your eyes off of the condition. Put your eyes on the divine. Rise above – ascend – that you can see your way clear.

Jesus had to ascend, to go. He didn’t belong here. You don’t either. Your destination is perfection – perfecting who you truly are. He didn’t stay because when you are so focused on the Man, you can’t fathom the magnitude of the message. Just as the disciples did, we would look to Him for everything, instead of looking within ourselves.

He also had to leave for the Holy Spirit to come after Him, a comforter to guide us. The Holy Spirit is the divine feminine, the nurturing energy. The day of Pentecost is for us the day we open to the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit do the singing. “You don’t do the singing. I do. All you have to do is show up and look cute.”

How do we do it? We can call on the Holy Spirit anytime we are in a crucifixion experience. She is reaching Her hand out, saying, “I am here for you.”

We do this by being willing
to remove judgments from our hearts
to see the face of God in every face
to see the perfection in every situation in our lives
to let go of resistance and let ourselves flow in every situation, accepting it “as is”
to choose the power of peace – give up retaliating or condemning
to forgive
to live in the now without judging or comparing to the past or the future
to let go of attachments to people, things, anything which holds us back

Affirm, “I am the Christ.” See each person around you and affirm, “You are the Christ.”
Amen and “awomen”!

April 17, 2011 – Manifest Your Abundant Destiny


4/17/11 Reverend Larry Wynn

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7, 7-8). Say, “That’s for me. It’s mine. I’m going to own it.” Our present reality can change. Q: How? A: Consciousness.

Our 20202 Vision will manifest by all holding collectively the consciousness that it is already done. Often the only limitation we have is in our own mind. Celebrate what is within and draw it forth to energize a heightened awareness.

First ask, opening the universe to possibility.
Next seek. We went looking for a new vision. “What is Spirit calling us to be?”
Then knock (many stop at dreaming). See how others do it. How can it be done?
Now the door is open. Will we step through into our vision?

Eric Butterworth, in Spiritual Economics, says there is no such thing as God’s will, or God’s timing. God doesn’t dish out favor(s). All favor is present now. Depth of consciousness is what we need. We sometimes see a gap from where we are to where we want to be. Depth of consciousness is how we bridge that gap. Spirit Itself does the work. It’s working all the time. You only choose positive or negative results. Henry Ford said “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.” Have courage to act. One step. Another step. We are divine beings living in this physical life. It is wonderful to “know why I showed up now; and why I am showing up.”

We have been given a new lush garden, bigger. We have been given more. Are we stuck in our old limitations? Be willing to step into that space of our 2020 Vision.
What stories will be heard from Unity of Walnut Creek!!!

April 10, 2011 – Be Gentle With Yourself


4/10/11 Reverend David McArthur

We often spend time in self talk using words like “dumb” or “stupid”, “lazy”,”weak”. But is there anything that is not a part of the spiritual process? When something happens again and again where we clearly see what we are not doing, it’s part of something unfolding. Jesus represents that pattern within us all where we get to see where we are not yet living. It’s a greater truth, a pattern that takes us to the awakened being, the Christ consciousness.

The experience when Jesus went through his awakening is when John baptized him. Jesus came up from the water and saw Spirit come to him as a dove, and he heard, “This is my Son in Whom I am well pleased.” That was when Jesus really knew he was a child of God. He knew then He was of love and grace. Then He went out into the desert for purification, and was “ tempted by the devil”– that part of Himself that was still caught in the 3D sleep. He confronts that part of himself when His attention is drawn to His hunger, in the third dimension. But then He turns His attention back to the divine, the Spirit in Him, by rebuking “the devil”. Then He did His ego thing, looking at the wealth of the “city” that He could have, but again He refused. From the mountain top he sees His power (ego), but once again He turns to the spiritual. Then angels came and ministered to Him.

It’s a pattern. We get to see where we are not yet living– a greater truth. We get to see deeper within– parts not yet enlightened. It’s a journey, and being judgmental on yourself doesn’t work. Be gentle with yourself on the journey. Open to the gentle loving care of the divine. See where you aren’t yet. The fear– the unenlightened part. Turn to ask the help of the divine. Let in the gentleness. Let the angels minister to you. The angels bring that which takes us to the completion, to the place where once we were not.

We get asked to grow in consciousness. It is not always gentle. When the vision comes we can be judgmental on ourselves. Be gentle. The gentleness lets in the growth in consciousness. The head can explain in detail why not. It’s the gentleness in your heart which will lift you up. Are you willing to be gentle with yourself? Say, “I am willing to be gentle with myself.” “I am willing to be gentle with myself.”

And that which happens in you is a part of the consciousness that is awakening throughout the world. Let the angels minister to you. Open to the gentle loving care of the divine. That which happens in us can lift us all to the Awakened Being, the Christ consciousness.