Dear Miracle Workers,
On March 1, 2022 the CMC turns 35. We will be completing our 35th year, beginning our 36th. I have been the Executive Minister the entire time and in these last few days of year 35 I am guided to pause and contemplate.
At this moment, more than others in the past, I truly have no idea what is in store for the future. Of course I never truly knew, but there were Holy Spirit given plans. "[A healed mind] carries out the plans which it receives through listening to Wisdom that is not its own." (OrEd.WkBk.135.12) Now Holy Spirit's guidance is, “There are no future plans.” It’s all day to day right now. Each day I approach work with what is the most important thing to do today. “Steady as it goes” seems to be another thing I hear. At the moment there are no conferences to plan (either in-person or virtual) and they were huge undertakings for the previous 20 years. The world itself seems to be on hold.
I have no office assistant right now. At first I saw this as a “lack” that needed to be filled, but my perception has changed. “All is well as it is” is what I hear. A leaner CMC is a more viable CMC right now. We are being prepared for something. What it is has not been revealed.
We have our Sunday Gathering. (Have you joined us lately?) There are 5 other drop-in groups happening weekly. Plus we have 4 classes people register and enroll for. Miracles Monthly continues to go out. I’m working on the last issue of Volume #35 now (420th issue). Our web site is expanding. I am open to receiving new guidance. At this moment, "Patience is natural to those who trust." (OrEd.Mn.4.20)
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #325, Feb. 23 2022)
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Dear Miracle Workers,
On Saturday morning February 12, 2022, I heard from Vicki Poppe that her former husband Teddy (Ted) Poppe had made his transition. Ted and Vicki were living together again in Quincy, MA outside of Boston. They reunited just a couple of years ago. Ted's health had been challenged for awhile, though I hear that the quick transition was unexpected.
Ted was a key figure in the copyright controversy and trial that dominated the ACIM community between ~1995 to 2004. Ted was involved with Endeavor Academy at the time and Endeavor was the defendant in the copyright law suit that had been launched by: Foundation for Inner Peace, Foundation for ACIM, and Penguin Books. This case resulted in the copyright (and later the service marks and trade marks) being declared null and void by the fateful decision by Federal Judge Robert Sweet in 2003.
Ted was a very outspoken, sometimes controversial figure. At this moment I want to remember all that he did to free ACIM from the copyright which allowed the earlier edits to be published. This includes the versions based on an earlier edit found in the Edgar Cayce Library (the *Original Edition* and the *Sparkly*). This also includes versions based on the original typed manuscript found in the copyright office of the Library of Congress (the *Urtext Manuscripts*). It also includes versions based on the original shorthand notes also found in the Library of Congress (the Complete & Annotated Edition* and *Helen's Notes*).
Ted himself published the Sparkly and Helen's Notes (which is the first 8 chapters of *ACIM* transcribed completely from the shorthand notes) which came out just a few months ago. Those of us who feel like they have benefited from these earlier edits owe Ted a heart-felt declaration of gratitude. "Thank you Ted!" The best to you in your next adventure.
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #324, Feb. 16 2022)
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The 17th century French philosopher René Descartes made a famous proclamation "I think, therefore I am." In ACIM we have this similar statement "If I did not think, I would not exist, because life is thought" (OrEd.WkBk.54.3) which is saying the exact same thing. ACIM agrees with the 17th century French philosopher! For us ACIM students I would tweak Descartes famous statement into, "I heal, therefore I am." We are here to represent our Creator and we do that by healing. One of the final lessons of the Workbook is this, "Sickness is but another name for sin. Healing is but another Name for God. The miracle is thus a call to Him." (OrEd.WkBk.356) We heal. And healing is God's name and thus it is us calling to our Creator with every miracle that we perform. Do you want to find God and thus our true Selves? God is not hiding, and neither are we. We find God, and we find our selves by healing. "I heal, therefore I am." 26 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
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As we progress in our practice of A Course in Miracles we begin to realize some subtle shifts in our awareness. One thing that happens is that we realize that the miracles we ask for are not just for ourselves. We see the impact they have on others sometimes in ways we could never imagine. Consequently, our faith in our oneness grows and belief in our apparent separateness diminishes. We then accept our special function to be the servant of the Holy Spirit. 24 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
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Dear Miracle Workers,
Don’t we all love the early lessons? I know I do.
They are so direct and so easy to apply. The only question is, how often will I apply them? "There is no problem in any situation that faith will not solve." (OrEd.Tx.17.65) And so, I remind myself to put faith in God’s interpretation of what’s going on instead of my own. I practice the lessons with faith that I will be shown or told exactly what to do or say. "Had you not lacked the faith it could be solved, the problem would be gone." (OrEd.Tx.17.65) Adding faith to my lessons has helped suspend my judgments.
I’m practicing more simply. “The practical application of the Holy Spirit’s purpose is extremely simple, but it is unequivocal. … Now He will work with you to make it specific [for application is specific]." (OrEd.Tx.17.57) Remembering not to interfere is the key to having miracles. Interferences from the fearful mind is what the ego does best. It’s constantly telling me some piece of a story and then I think and act as if it were true. It’s apparent that the ego does nothing but tell stories to justify its judgments, but I’m the one deciding to believe it or not. It’s not the judgments or stories that I fear but the making them seem real that’s terrifying. I’m being asked to apply the ideas to the fearful, not to decide whether or not to believe it. Just listening without reacting to the thoughts. Now that’s a lot simpler. I don’t have to admonish myself for having the thought but simply add a truth thought and watch how Spirit will do the work for me. I’m not to judge my judgments. And so, I’ll keep it as simple as I can.
Blessings
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #322, Feb. 1 2022)
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Since the title of the book we study is “A Course in Miracles” one might think that, among the faithful, there was a general agreement about what a miracle is. There isn’t. Many people like to downplay miracles and say that a miracle is just a shift in perception. The problem is that there is no support for this in the ACIM book itself. ACIM never defines “miracle” as a "shift in perception." However miracles are defined several times as “expressions of love.” “Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love.” (OrEd.Tx.1.3) It is the belief of this author that these expressions of love are actual interpersonal gestures, or as ACIM says, “doings.” "And now in all your doings be you blessed. God turns to you for help to save the world." (OrEd.Mn.29.8) Join me as we get clear about the “miracles." 22 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
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Dear Miracle Workers,
We all experience life at a different level of busyness. Some of us enjoy having a full schedule of things to do and some of us prefer to limit our external tasks and prioritize other things. As a Libra, I attempt to find balance in my life between my “to do” list and time for personal time to read, reflect, relax, pray, and meditate. A Course in Miracles says "This quiet center, in which you do nothing, will remain with you, giving you rest in the midst of every busy doing on which you are sent. (FIP.Tx.18.VII.8:3)
We have many thoughts that occur to us during the course of a day. Our forgiveness lessons keep showing up until we heal them. I have a much better day when I stay in the present moment or the now. I can say “Oh, there is my attack thought about a colleague, friend, institution or the traffic in San Francisco." The first part for me is being aware of the perception. I know if I’m upset then I’ve chosen for the ego.
The beautiful thing about practicing the principles of A Course in Miracles is that we can elect to change our mind at any time. Our responsibility is to be willing to ask. I know that I can find excuses for not asking. I believe that I’m too busy. I believe that my task or situation is too important to ask for a miracle. However, I can stay in that quiet center when I commit my day to miracles. I am innocent. My fellows are innocent. Miracles keep the peace. Decide for peace and be happy!
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #321, Jan. 26 2022)
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I recently was challenged by the appearance of having manifested Covid-19. I was actually told by the Emergency Room doctor, “I don't think you are going to make it.” (Exact words.) He told me he thought my body was going to die. That was a first. I have never had that experience before. However I am blessed because I am a 40 plus year ACIM veteran and I knew I had other guidance. ACIM tells us, "We will be told exactly what God wills for us each time there is a choice to make." (OrEd.WkBk.Ep.5) There were choices to be made and Holy Spirit and Jesus were with me. I made different choices. I chose NOT to be admitted to the hospital. I chose to return to my home and proceed with my ortho-molecular protocol that I had just started. That is what God’s Voice, the Holy Spirit, told me to do. I knew exactly. It made all the difference. I am well today, and I tested Covid negative last Sunday. I am so grateful that I am an ACIM student. I believe it saved my body’s life. 26 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
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Dear Miracle Workers,
I have a hard time sitting still. It’s kind of a problem. “Be still and know I am” is in the “How To” book on enlightenment. Even a sign on my wall reminds, “Make time for the quiet moments as God whispers and the world is loud.” So it’s not surprising that in our lessons we are often asked to quietly reflect. But in Lesson 124 Jesus asks us to sit and meditate for 30 minutes. He says it is the, "... first attempt at an extended period for which we give no rules nor special words to guide your meditation." (OrEd.WkBk.124.8)
I wanted to know, do I really have to sit still for 30 minutes? Aren’t there a lot of different ways to focus on an idea without sitting quietly and doing nothing?
So I tested it. Every morning, when the sky is still dark and stars still shine, I take a walk before cars or people are out. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful and there’s really nothing to distract my attention. It’s a perfect time for self-introspection and quiet reflection. On my walk one day I repeated and reflected on the idea from Lesson 124: “Let me remember I am one with God.”
I’m here to tell you, it didn’t work. Not because I wasn’t inspired, or wasn’t focused. And not because it wasn’t important to me. It didn’t work because the physical act of walking had the effect of anchoring my mind to my body. The “not me” who was walking in a body had a hard time being “me” outside of the body and One with God at the same time. (And “me” in Oneness also had a hard time walking in a straight line!)
I guess sometimes we just have to sit there.
(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #320, Jan. 18 2022)
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A Course in Miracles states "The sole responsibility of the miracle worker is to accept the Atonement for himself." (OrEd.Tx.2.65) The New Year gives us a perfect opportunity to reinforce our sole purpose and evaluate how we are applying it to our relationships. We all interact in various circles. We also know that the decisions we make determine the experience that we have in our relational lives. My talk with focus how we can apply the principle of the atonement to these various relationship spheres in our lives. Join me as we continue our fantastic journey toward our Great Awakening by engaging in our atonement process. 23 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
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On Friday evening at the stroke of midnight the old year 2021 ended and the new year 2022 began. Of course all of this is arbitrary, nothing really “happened” at the stroke of midnight. It was all just another now moment in a seemingly endless string of them. On previous years I have hosted a fun New Year’s Eve party which would culminate in an adventurous trip to Pier 14 on the San Francisco Bay to watch the amazing fireworks display synched to music. This year there were no fireworks for the second year in a row because the fireworks were canceled just last week due to surging Covid19 cases. Plus I (Rev. Tony) was in no shape to host or organize anything because I was feeling very poorly with a fever above 102 plus at the stroke of midnight. Apparently I was manifesting one of those Covid surge cases they were talking about. Feeling better today, but still a little off, I am thinking about the new year, possibly the 3rd year in the pandemic and what perspective the Holy Spirit has for me to embrace and share. 25 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
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Dear Miracle Workers,
It’s all arbitrary, this thing called time, calendars, an old year ending, a new year beginning. In truth there is nothing truly significant about that moment between midnight and midnight, December 31st 2021 and January 1, 2022. It is our minds that makes these moments significant. "I have given everything I see ... all the meaning that it has for me." (OrEd.WkBk.2) While there is no doubt that this is true the desire to make the coming midnight moment significant is very strong. We still seem to exist in a world that is constantly aware of what time it is. We have clocks everywhere ”Yet what meaning can the words convey to those who count the hours still and rise and work and go to sleep by them?" (OrEd.WkBk.169.9)
2021 started in the midst of the pandemic which we had thought was over but then surged again. 2021 ends in the midst of a pandemic which we had thought was over but then surged again. I think I’ve had enough of that repetition "Human living has indeed been needlessly wasted in a repetition compulsion." (OrEd.Tx.4.3) I am definitely ready to let go of this repetition compulsion.
There is always reason to be joyful, sometimes it just seems a little more challenging to stay focussed on that, but I believe we are up for the challenge. Perhaps it is useful to associate joy with freedom. This ACIM passage about the new year does, “So will the year begin in joy and freedom. There is much to do, and we have been long delayed." (OrEd.Tx.15.112) While it may not seem to be the most joyful and free thing to think about how much work we have ahead of us in the new year, at least we know we are needed.
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(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #319, Dec. 30 2021)
Dear Miracle Workers,
In three days we will celebrate the holiday most mentioned in ACIM, Christmas. Today I am reminded of this reference. "In this season (Christmas), which celebrates the birth of holiness into this world, join with me, who decided for holiness for you. It is our task together to restore the awareness of magnitude to the host whom God appointed for Himself." (OrEd.Tx.15.29) Let’s review the important Christmas ideas contained here. What is this season truly celebrating? It’s celebrating the birth of holiness into the world. The Course doesn’t say anything about celebrating Jesus’ birth, but the birth of holiness. Commit yourself to only perceiving holiness in the world. That is how holiness will be birthed into the world. We will put it there by our chosen perception, by Christ’s vision.
How to we do this? We do this by joining with Jesus because Jesus has decided for holiness for all of us already. All we have to do in join him. Ready! Set! JOIN!
I love the next idea that we now have a joined and sacred task. It is our job! We, all together, are bonded in a Divine job, to restore an awareness of magnitude to all beings. We are all the host, the vessel, which is hosting God and thus making God manifest. All the brothers, sisters, and others hosting God (all of us) were once aware of our magnitude, our grandeur, but through a simple mistake we tumbled into an identity that appeared limited and weak. Now, our job, joined with Jesus, is to restore that awareness of magnitude. We are all grand and amazing. We are all invulnerable. There is no “Kryptonite” to destroy our invulnerability. Be a “Superbeing” this Christmas and communicate to others that they are a “Superbeings” too. “Merry Christmas you Superhero!"
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(originally appeared in Miracles Weekly #318, Dec. 21 2021)
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It is that time of year when we have the permission of the collective mind to allow love to enter into our shared experience. Somehow, this miracle has manifested for a diverse peoples of many faiths, races, nationalities, cultures, and belief systems. In the world of the ego this is a true miracle. My talk will focus on the importance of taking advantage of this season to provide a spiritual booster for the present moment and the New Year that awaits us!! 24 min. SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
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Rev. Tony Ponticello
Rev. Peter Graham
Deb Canja
Rev. Joanie Schaeffer-Goss
Rev. Paula Carpe
Rev. Kim Wilson
