WVCSL E-News Vol 10 December 2013
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WVCSL E-News Vol 10 December 2013 Regular Haps Reverend Karen’s Korner @ the Happy Holidays! WVCSL Spiritual things can only be spiritually discerned, or so we are told. Each weekday (Mon – Thu) at I always read this scripture as some sort of admonishment, like 11am: Meditation there’s a way to measure how spiritual one is, and if you don’t with Rev Karen measure up, well you can’t have a relationship with God… or at least not a good one. But there’s always another way of viewing Tuesdays, 6p: A things. Course in Miracles Tuesdays , 6-7:15p: This is what I love about approaching the Bible from a metaphysical perspective. Sometimes I think Kundalini Yoga understanding metaphysics might be as simple as removing all the guilt and judgment I used to Wednesdays, read into scripture and seeing what’s left, because sacred writings are filled with beautiful 11:30am: A Course guidance, love, wisdom and insight. But one can’t see the light when one carries the burden of in Miracles feeling not good enough. Thursdays, 1-2:30p “Dahn” Yoga class There’s a sassy paraphrased version of the Bible that knocks my socks off every time. It’s written with Jerrie G. by a sagey old minister who had the idea that we miss too much of the contemporary wisdom in scripture when we only read the King James translation. His name is Eugene Peterson and his book Craving a “Card is called The Message. I love it! This is the way he interprets the above scripture from 1 Reading” or Corinthians: Spirit can only be known by Spirit – and God’s Spirit and our spirits are in open “Essence communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing.” (emphasis mine) Message?” Call Intuitive Sharon P. I love the slight change, the emphasis being that we’re always in communion with God, and when at 623.975.2247 we stay spiritually alive, we are open and aware of this truth. We have access to all the good in the Universe and intend for that Power and Presence to be the guiding force for good in our own experience. WE HAVE OODLES As I have been praying and meditating for guidance for the upcoming year at the West Valley OF CLASSES, Center for Spiritual Living, it has become clear that this is the theme coming forward for us, to be WORKSHOPS, GROUPS, AND Spiritually Alive! We have thrived, and been vibrant, and these themes have moved us through EVENTS some major transformation. And now it is time for us to be fully ALIVE as a spiritual community. I listed online. Just think we’re ready, and I’m very excited. I know it will be our best year ever. click on “Calendar of Events” on our Are you interested in living your life more fully alive? Have you committed to a God-centered main web page… experience? At our Center we aspire to be a place of inspiration where people from diverse spiritual paths feel at home. I’m very proud of that. I rejoice that we are a joy-filled community www.wvcsl.com living the Science of Mind Principles, because I know the power of living in Principle. And I am grateful for the amazing transformations we have experienced this year, that have brought us Facebook closer together, wiser, and more open to possibilities than ever before. Hang on world! The West user? LIKE “West Valley Center for Spiritual Living is claiming the truth – We are a beacon of light in the desert!! Valley Center for Spiritual Living” Effusive Love to all, Rev. Karen PAGE 2 Harvest Time By Sarah Busby, RScP Here in warm Arizona, the holidays are a time of harvest. We are fortunate enough to see the entire growth cycle taking place right here within the city limits. We see the planting of the seeds, the cultivation of the soil, and we witness the bountiful harvest. Farmers know what works, they plant the good seed into properly prepared soil, cultivate and water it as needed, let the sun provide the right temperature for the seed to sprout and grow, and multiply many times more than just one seed. What takes place within the seed, under the soil, is done by Nature, the unseen hand of God, making all things grow. The “how” is God’s part. When we have done our part, Spirit does Its part. In the Science of Mind philosophy, we use this illustration of the Seed (Idea, Creative Intelligence, Cause, Spirit, God) being planted into the Soil (Unlimited Potential, the Law, the unformed Substance), producing a result, effect, outcome, (plant). Thus we see (1) Seed, (2) Soil, and (3) Plant. Others have called this the Creative Process and the Law of Cause and Effect. Many times in religious writings it mentions “seedtime” and “harvest”. It is one of the parables Jesus used frequently in the Bible to teach people about their life, and how to improve it. Even today, many people are sadly lacking in prosperity, peace, health, love and harmony even though it is widely publicized, that “thoughts are things”, “what you think about, comes about”, and “what you resist, persists.” Their harvest is not what they want, but is it what they planted? So what happened? Many times our thoughts are fear based, e.g., worry, dread, guilt, shame, blame or unforgiveness of ourselves or others. This produces an unsuitable crop of lack and limitation, unrest, problems, anger, disease and unsatisfactory relationships. If our present (the gift we have from the Universe to choose) is not what we desire, then we can change. Change is difficult for most of us. We are entrenched in our habits, thought patterns and activities. Sometimes it’s not easy to “teach an old dog new tricks”. But if your desire for a different future is strong enough, you will persevere. It is difficult for us to take responsibility for everything that shows up in our life. We, and we alone ordered it, either consciously or subconsciously. The soil doesn’t care whether we have planted weeds or petunias, it produces the crop we have planted either the way. So how do we orchestrate the change? Michael Bernard Beckwith says “Creation is always happening. Every time an individual has a thought, or prolonged, chro nic way of thinking, they’re in the creation process. Something is going to manifest out of those thoughts.” When we begin to “think about” what we are “thinking about”, we begin to notice a pattern either of love (peace) or fear (worry). We do not have to chase the thought to see what it was, WE ONLY HAVE TO NOTICE THE EMOTION IT PRODUCED, and immediately AFFIRM or say what we really want. Simple, but not easy. Our thoughts fly by so quickly we are not always aware of them. But over time, it becomes easier to recognize our destructive thought patterns and to correct them. Continuous observation and awareness is the key. Ernest Holmes writes in The Science of Mind, “We cannot escape from the creative power of our thought, and there is no use in trying to do so. All we need to do is use the Law from the right motive, then we shall be made free.” So, to reap a harvest of love, sow love; to produce peace, know that you ARE peace; and to create more prosperity, know that Spirit is your source and supply and give thanks for the Good (God) in everyone. When we do these things, the earth yields a bountiful, perfect harvest beyond our wildest expectations and imaginations. Happy Holidays! Your practitioners love you! PAGE 3 The Prez Sez . From your Board President, John Kruger Greetings and Happy Holidays from your Board of Trustees! It hard to believe that we are now into the final month of the year. Christmas is only 3 weeks away and the New Year is close behind. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Linda and I just got back from Colorado Springs, after spending the Thanksgiving holiday with family. I was also reminded how grateful I am to be living in Arizona. I truly enjoy the beauty of Colorado Springs and being with family, but I can do without the snow and cold. Since our last newsletter there are some noteworthy events that took place in November and worth mentioning. The annual talent show was well attended and had over 13 of our members sharing their music and other talents. I heard there was a lot of joy and laughter by all who attended and Rev Karen was a hit. The proceeds from the talent show were in excess of $400. Thank you all for your support. The annual family meeting was held with over 60 of our members in attendance. Thank you for taking the time to participate and sharing your thoughts and ideas. Rev Karen and the board will be reviewing all of your suggestions. We kicked off our stewardship program which is going well. There is still time to turn in your Giving Intention Card if you wish to do so. Thank you to those members who graciously opened their homes for the book discussion groups. December is going to be a fun-filled month packed with many activities. Please take a moment to check out the online calendar so you don't miss any of the events. Now onto some church business . This year we have four board members that will be completing their tenure with the board and will be stepping down.