Daily Archives: February 22, 2010

Resistance

Deborah and I have both observed our resistance to showing up every day for the Lenten practice. Whose idea was this anyway? How many times do we have an idea and then immediately squash it? There’s not enough time, it’s too much trouble, what good will it do.

Today’s reading is about the power of the mind. The mind has power and also anti-power which is resistance. We are empowered when we move through the muck and sludge of resistance and keep going. Spiritual practice is not about practicing for the sake of being good. For me, it is the practice of clearing away the thoughts of I’m not enough, so that the blessing and the promise of God can shine through.

After the reading the lesson today, we both realized that we are not doing this for anyone else. We are coming together in partnership to recognize the Presence of Love in each other and in ourselves. It’s not my work to ‘make’ anyone do anything. It is my ministry and calling to continue to make the invitation to deepen in faith and love.

Whose idea is all this? God’s idea. That’s good enough for me.

Garden of Eden

The Bible tells us that the Garden of Eden was a magnificent paradise where everything that was needed was provided for. Fillmore invites us to see the mind as the Garden of Eden, ripe with potential, lush with possibilities.

Watching the Olympic athletes, I observe a great demonstration of the power of thought. The athletes deal with obstacles, barriers, illness and injury to move forward toward their visualization of winning an Olympic Gold Medal.

God’s greatest gift to us is the power of thought. As we nurture our thoughts and align them with the divine ideal of God’s Goodness, we open to remarkable possibilities in the world. The power of thought is a blessing.

Bible Reading: John 14:1-12

Affirmation: ‘My body is the temple of God, cleansed, purified, undefiled, made perfect. Praise God.’ Keep a True Lent by Charles Fillmore