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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
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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!
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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
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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
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)
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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
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)
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We sometimes fall prey to the temptation to follow the ego's dictates and look for that special someone or something that will make us feel loved, whole and complete. Lesson 77 states "Let miracles replace all grievances," that we not find our peace and joy staring in the mirror of the ego world. Clearly, you will not find it there. My talk will inspire to you to see beyond the body or the shield of hate to the true beauty and essence of your brothers and sisters. Come to receive the miracles you are entitled to this Sunday!! 29 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
Dear Miracle Workers,
I’ve heard a few A Course in Miracles teachers throughout the years say that this world is a school. Apparently many different spiritual teachings say this. I understand if that’s helpful to them, but the Course makes it clear that the world is a dream. I guess I'm a purist. I find the Course to be very literal and very direct. We are here to forgive the dream. "I am upset because I see something that is not there." (OrEd.WkBk.6) Clearly I must be hallucinating. In fact, I think the whole Course is based on the fact that we are already home in God dreaming that we are separate.
So, how is it a school? We are here to remember our identity. "Your goal is to find out who you are." (OrEd.WkBk.62.2) "Your picture of the world can only mirror what is within." (OrEd.WkBk.73.5) I understand to a degree (pun intended) that these lessons make it sound like a school, but a school also implies that it takes time. And time is not real. Plus, the Holy instant can take you straight to God. "We will succeed today if you remember that you will salvation for yourself." (OrEd.WkBk.73.8) It means you can reach God today.
It's really not important whether you believe it's a school or not, except you might be tempted to relax your practice and coast a little. Getting your degree takes hard work and a lot of study, and although the Course takes discipline I'd like to remind us all that miracles are natural and happen without effort. Allow the Course to be easy, because in truth, it is. Use the idea of school only if it's helpful and drop it if it interferes with your progress.
Blessings
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #278, Mar.16 2021)
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The Course message about absolute power is a challenging thing. Many shy away from claiming this, and usually approach the Course with the idea of incremental, and therefore limited, increases in power. However the Course is clear that there is nothing our holiness cannot do. In other words, our power is infinite, unlimited, and … absolute! "Your holiness, then, can remove all pain, can end all sorrow, and can solve all problems. It can do so in connection with yourself and with anyone else." (OrEd.WkBk.38.2) There is no time like the present moment (actually there is no time but the present moment) to claim our unlimited power. The world tells us that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” but ACIM tells us just the opposite. Absolute power saves us and heals us absolutely. Join us on Sunday as we allow the teaching here to transform our experience of self. "Your holiness reverses all the laws of the world. It is beyond every restriction of time, space, distance, and limits of any kind. Your holiness is totally unlimited in its power because it establishes you as a Son of God, at one with the Mind of his Creator." (OrEd.WkBk.38.1) 23m. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
Rev. Tony Ponticello
Rev. Peter Graham
Deb Canja
Rev. Joanie Schaeffer-Goss
Rev. Paula Carpe
Rev. Kim Wilson
