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We are in the midst of the Jewish Festival of Lights - Chanukah. Sunday will be day 3 of the 8 day celebration. Chanukah is a wonderful holiday to mesh with the ACIM teaching. The story always relates the miracle of how after reclaiming the Temple the Temple's menorah lamp burned for 8 days even though there was only 1 days worth of fuel oil. Looking out at the world it can seem as if many peoples' - and perhaps our own - fuel oil is running low. The light can seem to be flickering. However our steady light can shine into the lamps of others and ignite their eternally burning flame illuminating and thus reclaiming their Temples. Hallelujah! "The power of one mind can shine into another, because all the lamps of God were lit by the same spark. It is everywhere, and it is eternal." (OrEd.Tx.9.91)
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #265, Dec. 9 2020)
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #265, Dec. 9 2020)
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Thanksgiving has always been a time to focus on gratitude, abundance, and joy. That begins a Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Holiday Season which also has a foundation in abundance and joy. This year (2020) we face challenges that we have not had before. Many usual abundant celebrations seem restricted, less, or fragmented ... that seems to speak of lack. Yet it is still the ACIM student's challenge to understand that perceptions of lack are "faulty" or broken. Abundance or wholeness is the only ground of being that is a reflection of eternal truth. "42. Wholeness is the perceptual content of miracles. It thus corrects or atones for the faulty perception of lack anywhere." (OrEd.Tx.1.61) Let's look at some practical ways to see wholeness and abundance in the midst of a holiday season challenging us with lack, loss, and fragmentation. Let's manifest abundance miracles instead.
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #264, Dec. 3 2020)
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A Course in Miracles teaches us many things including that we always have a decision to choose the miracle. This week we will celebrate Thanksgiving which is a holiday that reminds us of the virtue of gratitude. Aspiring to live by virtues brings us closer to the ultimate virtue of true love. My talk will be about how living a virtuous life can inspire us and propel us to a miraculous life! Please come and share your virtue!!
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I realized recently that my main job, while functioning in my role as miracle teacher and healer, was to keep students trusting in the process, to keep them engaged. Some students drop out of dedication to the ACIM discipline at the exact moment when they should actually be increasing their engagement time and practice dedication. Some form of fear gets the better of them (literally). However we all have to be "... willing to follow the Holy Spirit through seeming terror .... You are severely tempted to abandon Him at the outside ring of fear, but He would lead you safely through and far beyond." (OrEd.Tx.18.87) There is a ring of fear or fire at the foundation of the world illusion. As we approach our center we have to pass through it. Keep trusting both your own path and instill that trust in the people you influence.
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Now that the 2020 presidential election is over (sort of) I feel that we are entering a new time of healing. Regardless of what our political views are, and who we wanted to win the election, it is the time for all of us Miracle Workers to rise above the current "battleground" and let the healing energy flow through the American society. It is actually easier to do than many realize because Holy Spirit is always providing the perspective from above the battleground. "The overlooking of the battleground is now your purpose." (OrEd.Tx.23.50)
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Unless you have been meditating in a Himalayan cave this year, you know that the United States is voting for its President. Many people refer to the Presidency as the most powerful position in the world. Wow! Awesome! Well, no, not really. The truly awesome insight is that we get to see what it is truly for. My talk will be about how we can have fun and be in the world, but remember that our real work and peace is found in another type of election - the election to see and choose the real alternative. Come to my talk and share in the revelation! Awesome!
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In the midst of abundant miracles this week (literally) I found myself strangely confronting thoughts of discouragement. On one level I knew this was my ego reacting to the miracles that were happening. ACIM tells us that the ego switches from suspiciousness to viciousness when it is severely challenged, and the discouragement was actually an indication that I was making fast spiritual progress. I was also comforted by this thought, "If the way seems long, let him be content. He has decided on the direction he will take. What more was asked of him?" (OrEd.Mn.22.2) I know which way to go, and I was heading in the right direction. That was all that was required. What a comfort it is to be able to declare this confidently. However the miracle was remembering that the healing is happening NOW and actually not in the future at all. "One source of perceived discouragement from which you suffer is your belief that this takes time, and that the results of the Holy Spirit's teaching are far in the future. This is not so." (OrEd.Tx15.2)
Dear A Course in Miracles Students,
At times a thought occurs to me related to my spiritual life. As you are probably aware, many of us are part of the Community Miracles Centers' Healing Team that is coached by Reverend Tony. He often comments on our ability to heal ourselves, and heal others as part of our purpose as Miracle Workers. Naturally, prayer is the medium of this healing endeavor. I was recently curious about what A Course in Miracles said about prayer. I was guided to go to the The Song of Prayer pamphlet. I was shocked when I read the first line. "Prayer is the greatest gift with which God blessed his Son at his creation." (S-1.in.1.1) Wow, I was struck by this. I wasn’t expecting this. If I had been asked "What was the greatest gift of God to his Sons/Daughters?" I would have said love, peace, innocence, oneness of God’s presence in our minds. After thinking about it, the obvious reason for this became apparent. "Endless the harmony, and endless, too, the joyous concord of the Love They give forever to Each Other." (S-1.in.1.3) Prayer is the gateway to miracles. Prayer removes the obstacles to our natural state with God in Heaven. We cannot access this state of mind without our intention and desire to join with God. This state cannot be described in words but only experienced. Prayer lifts us above the ego’s battlefield and returns us to our Grandeur. Nothing can impede us from our love, innocence, peace, and joy. Let us pray now, always, and often. After all it is God's greatest gift!
(originally published in Miracles Weekly #262, Oct. 14, 2020)
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ACIM talks a lot about insanity. The ego voice in our minds is COMPLETELY insane. Many still identify with it, and ACIM students still have to deal with it -- but hopefully with the help of the Holy Spirit, so we ARE making progress. ACIM tells us, "You are no longer wholly insane, nor no longer alone." (OrEd.Tx.17.73) (I aways laughs at his. Is this really a complement?) I will embrace this! Why should YOU come to the Sunday Gathering and listen to me, Rev. Tony? Because I am not longer WHOLLY insane! LOL!! Plus it's a great way to prove we are not alone. I have let go of loneliness and insanity and I challenge you to join me.
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Grandeur is of God. We can only experience our Grandeur through our Holy Relationships. All of our relationships are holy and eventually their holiness will be revealed to us. My talk will focus on how we can experience our grandeur through our relationships.
Rev. Tony Ponticello
Rev. Peter Graham
Deb Canja
Rev. Joanie Schaeffer-Goss
Rev. Paula Carpe
Rev. Kim Wilson
