CMC Active Ministers (180)

(Click on "Read more..." for larger player)

Are we off to see the Wizard? It takes courage to take on the world’s thought system. The “Sickness & Death” lobby do not accept being challenged. They fight back! The ego will be quite vicious when its foundations are shaken and we may often quake with "... the sweat of terror and a scream of mortal fear. " (OrEd.Tx.27.73) However courage does not mean the absence of fear. It means that we faced the terror and followed guidance regardless. "Yet God can bring you there if you are willing to follow the Holy Spirit through seeming terror, trusting Him not to abandon you and leave you there. ... He would lead you safely through and far beyond." (OrEd.Tx.18.87) Remember The Wizard of Oz? The Cowardly Lion thought he didn’t have courage because he was frequently afraid. However he learned that just facing his fears WAS the proof of courage. At the end the Wizard gave the Lion a hero’s “Courage Medal.” Let’s claim our own Courage Medal this Sunday at the Sunday Gathering! The Wizard will be there. 25 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE

Thursday, 29 April 2021 08:07

The Courage to Confront the Ego

Written by
Dear Miracle Workers,
 
I am aware of the tremendous courage it takes to confront the ego. There is a profound bravery that we have to find when we challenge the the ego’s dark cornerstones – the sickness, aging, and inevitable death belief. There is an appearance of a very organized group of collaborators that I have labeled “the sickness and death lobby.” This group continues to advocate and argue for – lobby for – the reality of sickness and death.
 
We are living through the manifest example of the control the sickness and death lobby has. The current pandemic gives us examples enough. The divisiveness of the society – mask or not mask, vaccine or no vaccine – is just another example of the divisiveness we continue to see elsewhere (ie: government). The insanity of the world continues to manifest. “This is an insane world, and do not underestimate the actual extent of its insanity.” (OrEd.Tx.13.50)
 
Never underestimate the strength of the ego’s defense for its belief system. “The ego will begin to attack your motives as soon as they become clearly out of accord with its perception of you. This is when it will shift abruptly from suspiciousness to viciousness.” (OrEd.Tx.9.42) Just observe how vicious both sides of the pandemic debate can get when they see the “other side” as disagreeing. Watch them both resort to extreme guilt projection.
 
The best way for us to handle the seeming attack is to understand we not in this alone. We call on our Mighty Companions. All of us regular ACIM students gathering with the CMC are here for each other. We hold hands as we look at the ego. We find our courage; we find our sanity. “Only the sane can look on stark insanity and raving madness with pity and compassion but not with fear.” (OrEd.Tx.19.100)
 
(First appeared in *Miracles Weekly* #284, Apr. 27 2021)
Sunday, 25 April 2021 06:29

04.25.21 Video "It's Time"

Written by

(Click on "Read more..." for larger player)

ACIM tells us quite clearly, "The emphasis of this course always remains the same—it is at this moment that complete salvation is offered you, and it is at this moment that you can accept it." (OrEd.Mn.24.6) If it always "at this moment" then …it’s time for us all to do it. I still witness many students putting their healing off into the future. I still witness many students putting their happiness off into the future. "For the past is gone, the future but imagined. These concerns are but defenses against present change of focus in perception. Nothing more." (OrEd.WkBk.181.4) IT’S TIME! It is time to heal and be healed. It’s time to save and be saved. It’s time to extend peace and to embrace peace for ourselves. And it’s time to be happy and have fun – to be glad! Let’s stop refusing those moments to gladden ourselves. This week's Sunday Gathering will be one of those moments. Don’t refuse to experience it! IT’S TIME!

Can we simply choose this? The answer is “Yes!”
 
I bring this up today as I have been observing a lot of discord in our world. People seem to be living in fear of losing their: jobs, homes, family, and freedom. I hear these concerns in daily conversations, in person and on social media. The appearance of a world divided is not what I know to be the truth. So instead of engaging with what I don’t believe or desire, I choose to trust in God, the All Good, All Love, and hear Jesus speak the truth through A Course in Miracles.
 
“I am determined to see things differently.” (OrEd.WkBk.21) First – choose this when experiencing something you don’t like. Know that what took place in your life before was perfect exactly as it appeared in your lifeline, and appropriately belongs in that spot of your evolution. But that moment is now past and you must make yourself available for the next moment’s vibrational pull today. No matter what was your life experience in the past, you can change it! The key to moving on from the past is letting go of the story that you repeat in your mind and stop sharing it out loud with others!
 
Lesson 132, “I loose the world from all I thought it was” teaches us this truth, “… that anyone is free to change his mind, and all his thoughts change with it. … You free the past from what you thought before. You free the future from all ancient thoughts of seeking what you do not want to find.” (OrEd.WkBk.132.2-3)
 
So now, embracing the vibration of Love, choose what you want to experience. How freeing it is to realize that the Divine Plan for us is whatever we choose it to be!
 
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #283, Apr. 20 2021)

(Click on "Read more..." for larger player)

There are many synonyms for truth in A Course in Miracles. Essentially, Jesus wants us to seek for our reality which is based on the experience of peace, love, joy and oneness. This was his experience during his final lifetime. Our elder brother counsels us to repeatedly forgive the “tiny, mad idea, at which the Son of God remembered not to laugh.” (FIP.T.27.VIII.6.2) With this gentle, but firm encouragement, let us join on Sunday, recalling our silly follies and counter the foolishness of the ego with a hearty laughs. In this we realize our pursuit of truth is a joyous experience. Please join us on Sunday as we together “return the dream... unto the dreamer.’ (FIP.T.27.VIII.6.1), laughing as we go! 21 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE

Wednesday, 14 April 2021 20:58

Are You Damn Well Ready?

Written by
Dear Miracle Workers,
 
It’s like momma not wanting to get outa that chair, not wanting to come outside to hear the birds singing, to see the green grass and feel the soft breeze. She’ll be the one that says when she’s damn well ready to get outa that chair!
 
That’s kinda how I’ve been about remembering who I am. I’ll be the one who decides when I accept who I am and thus end suffering. Why would I wait? Maybe this holds a false sense of power to be the one who decides? Maybe I’m not willing to quit suffering? Maybe even though there is some pain experienced in suffering, it still is a familiar and somehow odd comfort? “My death was meant to demonstrate that the end of suffering had come, and with it, eternal life.” (ACOL-D.Day2.24)
 
During Jesus’s time on earth most were not willing to accept the end of suffering. Jesus made his choice to end suffering.“We will crucify it upon the cross of time and space, bury it, so that it need be no more, and demonstrate that new life follows the choice to end suffering.” (ACOL-D.Day2:23) Now, we are willing to accept who we are. I hear this message of love everyday on the television, at the grocery store, in almost every song on the radio. I notice we are all speaking of love for one another. I know if I am experiencing these changes, you are too! "And in your willingness for this lies also your acceptance of yourself as you were meant to be." (OrEd.Tx.18.33)
 
What is stopping me or you from accepting our true Self? From accepting the end of suffering? The only thing stopping us is our choice. Maybe it is time to damn well make that choice!
 
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #282, Apr. 13 2021)

(Click on "Read more..." for larger player)

The past year reminds me of the opening line in A Tale of Two Cities. “It was the best of time. It was the worst of times.” All over the media we hear continually how vulnerable we are, how we need to protect ourselves and stay “safe” with: masks, distance, vaccines, etc. Yet ACIM tells us, “Your safety lies in truth and not in lies. Love is your safety. Fear does not exist. Identify with love, and you are safe.” (WkBk.SpTp261.5) Identifying with love and keeping your heart open is the key. Those who have done this have connected, joined, and even prospered during this year. Now as the world begins to open up again we need these better tools to stay in our awareness of safety and even invulnerability. What are the main ways to do this? Rev. Tony shares his tips and tools for making this, and every time – “the best of times.”!! 26 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE

Wednesday, 07 April 2021 21:55

The Window Is Open

Written by

Dear Miracle Workers,

I believe that we are currently in a “window of opportunity” – "a favorable opportunity for doing something that must be seized immediately.” We in the USA appear to be coming out of the pandemic now. The New York Times reports that rates of death have been dropping steadily since reaching a high seven day average of 3,352 on January 12. Yesterday, April 5, the 7 day average was 794. I am not going to speculate at what is causing this. At the level of cause it is, of course, the mind. Apparently the mind has decided to let this pandemic go. In the illusion one can cite vaccine distribution and mitigation strategies – if we are guided to.

What I feel is that people have grown tired of thinking and worrying about sickness. I believe a certain percentage of them are looking for something else. They may, on the surface, be happy about a vaccine being available and life returning more to normal. But deep inside they have a knowing that another virus could be right around the corner any time, and vaccines and mitigation are only temporary fixes. These are the ones who are currently “ripe” for A Course in Miracles and the true healing that solid practice of it brings.

I feel the Holy Spirit is asking for our help now. He will send to us the ones who can hear the miracle healing message we have to share. Holy Spirit will tell us who they are, and what to say to them. However we have to be ready. We have to not interfere. "[Holy Spirit] will tell you exactly what to do to help anyone He sends to you for help and will speak to him through you if you do not interfere." (OrEd.Tx.9.28) The window is open.

(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #281, Apr. 6 2021)

(Click on "Read more..." below for larger player)

We hope to see many of you (all of you?) on Easter Sunday for a truly happy and festive Sunday Gathering! Please join us and bring an Easter treat to share for after the Gathering. A chocolate Easter bunny, Easter eggs, how about a plate of ham … or a glass of champagne!!! (We always had champagne at the CMC Easter Sunday pot-lucks). We’ll all share our Easter treat together after the Gathering is over. We’ll get happy! Rev. Tony is promising a truly JoyFull Easter Celebration. "The time of Easter is a time of joy and not of mourning. Look on your risen Friend and celebrate his holiness along with me. For Easter is the time of your salvation, along with mine." (OrEd.Tx.20.4) Do you have a new Easter hat (a bonnet?). Now is the time!! 25 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE

Thursday, 01 April 2021 12:00

Happy Easter — Time for Chocolate?

Written by

Dear Miracle Workers,

Easter is mentioned by name 12 times in the version of ACIM that I use. Christmas is only mentioned 5. Organized Christianity considers Easter to be the highest of holy days. Considering the frequency of mentions ACIM has, apparently Jesus considers it very important too. In the USA we tell people to be “merry” at Christmas, the usual greeting for Easter is “Happy Easter.” ACIM states, ”The time of Easter is a time of joy and not of mourning." (OrEd.Tx.20.4)

Considering the resurrection comes after the Good Friday crucifixion (aways made me wonder what was so “good” about it) the traditional Easter celebration was frequently tinged with the energy of torture and death. Plus organized Christianity tended to venerate the crucifixion itself. It made the cross the symbol of the faith. Many Christian churches have graphic, bloody, life size versions of Jesus (looking very much in pain) being crucified, prominently display in them. The one I grew up in did. Forty days of Lent focused on this painful event. Making a quick switch to joy and happy on Easter Sunday morning after 40 days of mourning was usually not very successful. ACIM spends lots of energy working to correct this misperception. "Let us not spend this holy week brooding on the crucifixion of God's Son, but happily in the celebration of his release. For Easter is the sign of peace, not pain." (OrEd.Tx.20.1)

Find something really fun to celebrate this Easter. The traditional Easter symbols are actually pagan fertility symbols – the rabbit, the egg. It’s associated with Spring and the birth of new life. While celebrating fertility might not be the most practical thing (maybe it is for some) a little happy chocolate indulgence might go a long way to bring some manifested joy to the faces of many.

(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #280, Apr. 1 2021)

Page 10 of 13

Select CMC Minister

  • Rev. Tony Ponticello is CMC Minister #20. He was ordained on Oct. 17, 1997. He is Executive Minister of Community…
  • Rev. Peter Graham is CMC Minister #40. He was ordained on Feb. 23, 2002. He serves on the CMC Board…
  • Deb Canja is a spiritual teacher dedicated to removing the obstacles that prevent us from experiencing self-love and inner peace.…
  • Rev. Joanie Schaeffer-Goss is CMC Minister #71. She was ordained on Feb. 16, 2014. She co-facilitates the "Southern Spirit Sisters"…
  • Rev. Paula Carpe is CMC minister #125. She was ordained Feb. 14, 2021. She teaches CMC's Wed. morning 9:00 a.m.…
  • Rev. Kim Wilson is CMC minister #85. She was ordained Mar. 15, 2015. She teaches CMC's Tue. evening A Course…
Subscribe