Tag Archives: Affirmations

Praise God Within – Metaphysical Talk

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Metaphysical talk and meditation on authentic praise.

Click here for companion song!

Invocation

I call forth God’s presence, from the center of my mind. I release all negativity from the past week, and open myself to God-thoughts, inspired action, and peace of mind and heart. I allow God to work through me, and flow through me to others. I give thanks that at any time, I can bring my focus back to God’s presence, within me always. As I let it be so, so it is!

Psalm 150 (NKJV)

Affirmation

By the power of God’s presence within me, I have breath. I praise God for the greatness of my life, because it is God’s Life individualized. I use my voice, creativity, and any musical talent I have to praise God and manifest His glory. I give thanks for God’s music, that which I co-create and that which I enjoy from others. And so it is!

What Time is It?

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The following is from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, King James Version (KJV). For a musical version try this Video–Turn Turn Turn by The Byrds

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

“What time is it right now in my life?” I’ve been asking myself this question in prayer and meditation, so I can know and follow divine guidance. This text is comforting to me, and its rhythm and poetry speak to my heart, and keep my mind occupied. 🙂

Taken literally, this text doesn’t make much metaphysical sense. A time to kill? Inevitably we kill things sometime, but is that an image we want to hold for long? Generally, no. SO I take this symbolically. I believe the different stages in this text are all saying the same thing:

There is a time to actively participate in all things, and there is a time to rest and go within. There is a time to create, and a time to release. There’s a time to hold on, and a time to let go.

These times are rarely well-defined. We can’t say, “Ok. In Winter we don’t work at all. We just take it easy and rest by the fire. In Summer we work all day every day, no breaks, do not pass go, do not collect $200, just work work work!” Because then, what do we do in Spring and Fall?

No, these times can be much more subtle. They are above all, inner times, or inner seasons. They can and do overlap, but I feel they are a dominant state. The concept of “time” in this text is a guideline. You probably work in Winter, both on a mental and spiritual level as well as physically. But our dominant state, at least for those of us who live in cold climates, is more rest than outside work.

The author of Ecclesiastes is sharing the Truth that life works best for us when we flow with its seasons. We need to learn how to work with our inner seasons and landscapes, rather than resisting them.

The references to gathering stones, war and peace, etc, are cultural references of the time the text was written, as well as metaphors for the building up and taking down, the letting in and letting go that we experience as the evolution and change that take place in our lives.

Verses 9-15 read:

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

There are beautiful images and great affirmations here! And the question is put bluntly enough: “What’s in it for us?” What’s the point of working or laboring? And what, do tell, is our God-given task?

The affirmation that put the whole thing into perspective for me is:

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

So, we labor not only to receive God’s gift of joy to us, but also to participate in that gift. We, too, are the gift. We are a gift of and from God our Creator and Father; the same Father who makes everything, including us, beautiful in its time. And that gift is given to us, as merriment and a good life, as well as through us. We can only receive what we allow God to give through us.

But, God has not only made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

What does this mean for us? It means the world is within us! We already have everything we could ever need, imagine or co-create with God. We just do not, because we cannot, see that whole world at once. We cannot, in our own mind, know God’s work from beginning to end, why things happen, or how they will play out. It is not ours to know. In fact, if we knew, our ego would explode–it is not equipped to handle all that! God knows this and keeps silent, rolling out the tapestry of our lives to us just a little at a time. What a blessing!

We need to trust God, because in our limited mental and intellectual understanding, we will never know God’s work from beginning to end. The thought “Give God what is God’s” comes to mind. We need to allow God to take care of us. He will do it anyway–but if we really allow it, we experience much more good, and less struggle.

The text ends with the greatness and eternal nature of God:

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should *fear before him.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; **and God requireth that which is past.

*this is not dread or ego-centered fear as we know it, but awe and wonder

**God sees the big, eternal picture, and everything in every time, existed for His glory. Everything was required, from the eternal perspective.

I encourage you to read this text or another on seasons that resonates with you. Ask yourself that question: “What time is it right now in my life?” You will receive guidance. And by following it, you will live in the flow of God-Life within and around you.

And as we let it be so, so it is!

Recipe for a Good Marriage

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Mr. and Mrs. G. with Rev. Crystal

To Mr. and Mrs. G.
With my heart-felt thanks
For the honor of officiating your wedding
And for helping me heal.

In order to have a good, fulfilling marriage on all levels, it must first be fulfilling on a spiritual level. This is why I answered the call to Metaphysical ministry–to live the example of inner fulfillment, to demonstrate it through a successful life, and to support others as they look within to manifest their own success.

I focus on marriage here, because it’s been on my mind a lot lately. However, these points apply to any intimate relationship. I left my own marriage with a bitter taste. I knew that wouldn’t serve me, or anyone else. And by the Presence and Power of God, I’m moving beyond those issues to the Love I know as Truth.

It’s been my experience that when we truly desire something, the Universe moves all things to provide it! So it was with choosing love over bitterness for me. In ministerial lessons we studied the role of marriage in Metaphysics, and just today, I officiated my first wedding ceremony.

Throughout these things I’ve asked myself, that is my Highest Self, what is a good marriage? Even within individual couples, expectations vary widely. People want emotional support. Some want their partners to read their minds–which rarely works on mental power alone! And everyone has some physical expectation. This is all perfectly natural, but what’s really going on here? With the Truth so hidden by society, it’s a wonder to me that any marriages survive at all!

The question is, as ever: Where does fulfillment, love, or success come from? What creates the relationship, or marriage we want?

If the marriage is to be a true success, the Creator must be God-Mind, Universal Consciousness, the Spirit within each of us, expressing itself through this relationship.

Christ said, “Seek first the kingdom of God,” which we know to be within us already. Because, “All these things will be added to you.” All what things? Mental communication, emotional support, and unconditional love and acceptance–even when we disagree, just to name a few.

I don’t know what your good marriage looks like. I don’t know what the marriage of these newly weds will look like. But I wish each and every one blessings! I do believe there are some clues. If we have these, then we will have a successful marriage.

Attributes and Affirmations for a Good Marriage

* Positive feelings – I affirm you in thought, word and action.

* Understanding – I may not understand your behavior, but I do understand that you are following a divine path that is as valid as my own.

* Deep feelings – The roots of my feelings for you are planted firmly in rich spiritual soil.

Christ told the parable of a man who built his house on the sand, and one who built on a rock. The storm came, the floods raged. And CRASH! The house on the sand fell, providing no shelter from the storm. But the house on the rock withstood the weather, providing shelter, warmth and safety.

The feelings we have for each other must have roots. Where? Not in the physical realm, not mental roots where we think about how much we like this or that about our partners. Not emotional roots where we praise our partners for how they make us feel. But spiritual roots. We must know that between us and within us is the oneness that is nothing less than God-Presence.

* Mental communication – I open my mind to God-Mind, and it expresses through me in our communications together.

When we recognize the spiritual roots of our relationships, then we receive mental communication. It is not by our own power, but by God’s, working through each of us.

* Spiritual communication – The God in me communes with the God in you.

Beyond thought and feeling, is Spirit. It is the core of your being, and the core of your partner’s being. Aware of this, we deepen our connection and strengthen our roots.

* Tenderness – I know the tenderness of God and extend it to you.

I think this one is Self-explanatory. Let your God-Self show you tenderness, and you will know and experience it between you.

* Love – I let the Life of God love through me, and we experience Universal Love together.

Saving the best for last! This is a deep love, more profound than any words or actions can express. This is God-Love, and God itself. Love is the Law’s fulfilling, and the greatest commandment. The good news is, we do not love by ourselves! We let God love through us, and extend that love to our partners.

A good marriage has a foundation of these spiritual attributes. They are not just pie-in-the-sky, nice things to say at a wedding ceremony. They are principles, Truth we can live by, when we let our relationship with God-Within guide our relationships with others.

Namaste, and may we each let it be so!

And so it is!

Blessing for Men

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To all men, who have the potential to be fathers–
of children, inventions, projects, and of their own lives

I thank you for your good
Appreciate you for your love
Admire you for your strength
Respect you for your provision
Express gratitude for your protection
And love you… for being you!

May you always feel loved, blessed, whole,
And connected to the Father within you.

Do not Worry – Metaphysical Service

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Sunday service/celebration reflecting on why and how we can live in peace, free of worry, stress and struggle. Audio includes invocation, treatment for health, scripture (within talk), message, meditation, and affirmation. Approximately 30 minutes in length.

Remember to check out the companion song!

See also Daily Word for Sunday, June 9, 2013 – not included here.

Invocation

I call forth God’s presence, from the center of my mind. I release all negativity from the past week, and open myself to God-thoughts, inspired action, and peace of mind and heart. I allow God to work through me, and flow through me to others. I give thanks that at any time, I can bring my focus back to God’s presence, within me always. As I let it be so, so it is!

Excerpt from Teach us to Pray

by Charles Fillmore

Talk to the Father as if He were an entity present within you. He is visible to your soul, and when you have attained the particular inner confidence called faith, you will realize His presence as clearly as you realize visible things. When you have stilled the outer senses and have become quiet, you are in the mental realm where thoughts are obedient to the word. Error thoughts must be told to go, and true thoughts must be called to take their proper place.

. . .

Six-day Prayer Treatments

Fear, anxiety, worry, dread, and suspense–these thoughts cause the mind to become tense, thus shutting out the great helper, the Spirit of truth. Say silently:

I am now free from fear, anxiety, worry, dread, and suspense. I have faith in Thy Holy Spirit, and I trust Thee to protect me, to provide for me, and to bring all my affairs into divine order.

Matthew 6:25-34 (NKJV)

Affirmation

Treatment for Peace

I know that God knows I have needs. In this moment I choose to release all worry to the God within me. I allow peace and security to take its place. Whenever I feel worry, I turn within to experience peace. I let God supply my needs, guide my life, and lift my mind to the highest and best, for me and for everyone. For this I give thanks. I let it be so. And so it is!

Tools of the Trade – A Deeper Meaning

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Prayer, meditation, reading, journaling, listening to music… These and many other practices can be tools for self-discovery. However we spend our time should be fulfilling, fun, joyous and beneficial. And spiritual practice is ideally rewarding.

The idea here is to choose tools that resonate with you. Journaling, for instance, is a valuable practice for many people. However, taking up journaling just because it’s “recommended” may not be rewarding for you. Whatever tools you choose to deepen your spiritual practice must be beneficial to you.

If you currently have a journaling practice, is it working for you? Do you feel that it connects you to God at the center of your mind? If not, perhaps explore new journaling tools and techniques. Or try a different tool, like listening to music, another form of meditation, or prayer.

The purpose of true metaphysics is to connect with the God-within, and use that power in your life. Any practices you engage in regularly should meet this goal.

The question is, how do you discover the tools that work for you? The answer is so obvious that many of us (and I do mean US!) overlook it. The way to fulfilling, deep and beneficial spiritual practice is to ask for guidance. Maybe you feel you don’t pray, meditate or write well. But that’s ok! All you need to do is quiet your mind and ask with a clear intention, “I ask for guidance from the God-Mind within myself, toward the physical and spiritual tools that deepen my awareness of the Presence.” This simple affirmation will open your conscious mind to God-Mind, and truly, this is all we ever need to do.

May the God within you bless you, fulfill you, and bring you tools that are fun, joyful and rewarding for the enrichment of your life!

What is Self-expression?

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Christina Katz, The Prosperous Writer is one of my favorite inspirational authors. She writes for writers, particularly mom-writers. I have a child as some of you know, but Christina’s work goes far beyond offering practical writing advice to moms – although she does that too! What really draws me to her, is her joyful, prosperous spirit and consciousness.

I don’t know Christina personally and have no idea where she stands on religion and/or spirituality. And it doesn’t matter! What matters is that she applauds self-expression. Though she teaches writing courses, her approach is not a cookie cutter one where every author’s work comes out seeming the same. She encourages people to follow their own voice, heart, style and platform. I really enjoy Christina’s work and wish her continued prosperity, peace and joy!

I mention Christina now because she asked herself 3 questions in her Writer Mama Every Day in May Book Giveaway post. I loved these questions; they truly spoke to my heart so much that I want to answer them for myself.

So here they are…

1. Is self-expression an important part of your life today, why or why not?

Self-expression is a very important part of my life. In fact, it is my life.

“My life” to me, means what I, as a unique individual, am here to bring forth. Why am I a manifestation of God/Spirit now? Why me, in this particular body, with this mind, and these things I love? What am I as Spirit, here to express as this person?

Throughout my pre-training as I call it, ministerial training, music and more, I’ve come to realize that Self-expression is just that – Highest Self expressing in the world. That is my frame of reference, and I’m grateful for it!

Prior to that, I thought life was just, what can I do? But it’s not about what I, or anyone else, DOES. It’s about what I AM, and what YOU ARE. Because when we fully express that, the doing falls into place and is authentic, without us even thinking about it. That is Self-expression, and it’s important enough to put me right here, right now.

2. What does self-expression mean to you and how do you do it in the world?

Self-expression is Spirit expressing through and as me. I do it through contacting the God-Presence within myself, that is my True Self. Without this contact, it would simply be self-expression, with a lower case s, expression of personality and personal ego. There’s nothing wrong with personality, and having one! We all have one; I think it’s Spirit’s way of expanding itself and making the world colorful and beautiful! But when all we express is personality, we sell ourselves, God and the world short.

By making and maintaining contact with God-Within, we can Self-express. To me, this is always much deeper, more joyful and more fun than expressing a personality. It’s better than black and white vs. color TV. And you thought that was good!

So how do I self-express in the world? I contact the God-Presence, connect myself consciously to it, and express how it leads. Right now these means are writing, music, weaving, teaching, speaking and ministry in all sorts of ways! But I’m open to change! I’m conscious to stay open, not to be in a specialization rut, where “this” is “all I can do.” Instead, I affirm that all channels are open to me for Highest Self-expression. I allow Spirit to express through me into the world.

3. How does your self-expression impact the world—your family, your friends, your readers, and everyone else?

On this, I can only recall what I’ve heard others say. But I also know that nothing can exist in a vacuum. Let me explain…

I’ve heard people say that I’m easy to talk to. I’m glad.

People attend and benefit from my classes. Good, that’s why I offer them.

People read and enjoy my writing. Awesome, I do too. 🙂

And that, my friends, is the whole thing. I self-soothe with my self-expression. I soothe and re-align my personal ego to the God-Mind, using my own work. For instance, I keep many of my songs on my mp3 player. When I feel less than positive, I listen to them, or sing them, to remind myself that I’ve felt good before, and I can again.

How does this impact the world? Well, like The Butterfly Effect and You, one person’s alignment with Highest Good can and does have far-reaching effects! And thank God for that! My self-expression gives hope, encouragement, inspiration and spiritual law, so that others can contact and experience God-Within for themselves.

Thank you, Christina, for this reminder of what self-expression means to me and how important it truly is!

The Heart of the Matter – Metaphysical Talk

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Message shared 4/14 at Unity of Reading.

Updated 6/30/2013
Today it was brought to my attention that instead of being more general, I mentioned one spiritual leader in this message. I apologize for this and ask forgiveness from anyone who felt hurt. It was also said that this message is contrary to the teachings of Unity. While I will not speak for Unity, I affirm that the message upholds my own and other common New Thought metaphysical teachings. Thank you for your understanding and compassion, now and always!

Following are companion readings:

Excerpt from Jesus Christ Heals

by Charles Fillmore
pp. 5-6

Perfect health is natural, and the work of the spiritual healer is to restore this perfect health, which is innate and can be spoken into expression. Our ills are the result of our sins or failure to adjust our minds to Divine Mind. “Man hath authority on earth to forgive sins.” When the sinning state of mind is forgiven and the right state of mind established, man is restored to his primal and natural wholeness. This is wholly a mental process, and so all conditions of man are the result of his thinking. “As he [man] thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

Proverbs 23:7

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Affirmation

My heart is open to the truth that I am made in God’s image. All my conscious and unconscious thoughts, the words I speak, and all actions I take sprout from these roots of divine truth. I allow my heart, mind, body and soul to be made new whenever needed, so that God is made manifest through and as me. And so it is!

Easter Poem

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To Aaron with love;
To anyone who has ever been a child…

In Spring the Easter Bunny comes
And everything is new.
The flowers bloom just like the love
That grows inside of you.

Oh, you are special! You are light!
Your heart is full of love.
So, let it grow, and let it bloom
Like flowers in the sun.

Have a blessed Easter, because it’s just celebrating the new life we can choose at any time!

Aareen, the Woven Easter Egg

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Aareen, Woven Easter Egg

This cute little Easter egg toy is named after my son Aaron, and small loom designer Noreen Crone-Findlay.

As you appreciate this, I hope you will use these affirmations:

I allow fun into my life! I embrace the joy life freely offers! I revel in the newness of each season, each week, each day and each moment! I give thanks for the ability to always choose something new and different. And so it is!