“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin…”
(Matthew 7-28)

Dear Friends,

The Fall is coming! Will it be like the Falls we remember or will it, too, be dramatically changed as those seasons in 2012-13?  Perhaps the Universe is “cleaning up”the earth that mankind has “messed up”! Do we like the weather changes? Most don’t….it’s too great a CHANGE. It can’t be controlled. What if we see this weather change, metaphysically, as a blessing to change our consciousness; to let go of control of ourselves and others.  Didn’t you make a “change” when you found Unity? Now you can see “change”as an ongoing adventure! As it says in Isaiah 48:6 “…From this time forward I make you hear new things, hidden things that you have not known.”

Now change may not be “comforting” all the time, but that’s part of your Spiritual Journey. As it says in Isaiah 48:6, you will encounter those “hidden things”and they have to be brought up into your awareness. Be patient with yourself as you bring up old subconscious beliefs about yourself and others. As Myrtle Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, says in her book How to Let God Help You, her changes were not accomplished all at once. She says, “There has been a gradual giving away of the old, established ideas, as we have steadfastly made room for the higher order of living. Do not think that it was always a pathway of roses, or that my head was continually above the clouds. We had many trying tests. But through it all we held unwaveringly to the principles that we caught sight of in that first lesson, and we have proved beyond a doubt that God is our help in every time of need.”

So whatever is going on in your life now, know that it will change, remembering that “Thoughts held in Mind produce after their kind.” As Myrtle Fillmore said, “The great Answerer makes no mistakes. We just get what we ask for.”

Blessings!
Rev. Joanne

Dear Friends,

“I love you back” were the words President Obama told the hundreds of adoring crowds who came to see him as he gave them hope and pledged to support the rebuilding efforts to restore the Jersey Shore after “Sandy.” Politics has no real power—love is the only power and it prevailed throughout that day!

“Love One Another…. I believe that Commandment to be the true “Call” to come up higher; to be the Love, Joy, and Peace which is our true Essence. This “Call” is not only made to us living on the New Jersey Shore, but to every person on this Planet.  It is god wanting to express through us – calling us to raise our
consciousness, to know that we are One with all that Is – god, the good, Omnipotent!

May we, as a Spiritual Community, be that Light and Love for one another, and love all Mankind, as
we are loved by the Spirit of god within us!

I Love You, Too!
Rev. Joanne

Dear Friends,

Do you ever feel that time is passing by and you are not keeping up with it? Or, are you worrying about something that may happen in the future? Or, are you feeling guilty about some-thing that happened in the past?

The truth is that you are making up these thoughts—and that’s all they are—THOUGHTS. It may not be easy tobecome aware of the PRESENT MOMENT. But you CAN train yourself to be aware of what you are thinking.

The good news is that the CONFRONTING MOMENT IS ALL THERE IS…ALL THERE EVER WAS IN YOUR LIFE…ALL THERE EVER WILL BE…AND IT IS YOUR FUTURE. Didn’t you first get the thought to take a certain action that led to the job you may have in the confronting moment? You first met the man or woman who became your spouse—in the confronting moment. You saw a book on a shelf that may have led you into Truth—in the confronting moment.

Many times human beings wait for life to become perfect, but you can start working in the confronting moment byworking with what you’ve got. Accept it, bless it, give thanks. We all have God-Given Gifts, which we can give to othersas we, together, walk this Spiritual path!

There is ABUNDANCE IN EVERY DAY, and by living in the present moment, you will experience God’s gifts.Staying in the NOW, doing your best, and participating fully today are all you need to do—to assure yourself that what’sgoing to happen tomorrow will be for your Highest Good.

Blessings—In this Sacred Moment,
Rev. Joanne Murphy

Dear Friends,

“See the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare.” (Isaiah 42:9)

As I write this, we are entering the Lenten Season –the blessed time to “let go” and prepare for Easter. It is an opportunity to change our thinking, to raise our consciousness.

Why do we have to “let go” of the beliefs we may hold about life in general and our individual lives with their seeming challenges, those “ups & downs” we sometimes experience?

The answer is because life is calling us to grow spiritually, to come up higher, to “know” in our hearts that “It is the Father’s
good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12-32).

As you expand your consciousness, it will allow you to receive all that good that God has in Mind for you!  What is holding us back from “raising up” to this New Life? The answer is our ego. It is limited and limiting. Whereas, God knows no lack or limitations. And, that’s the reason we, as a spiritual community, are focusing on “Letting Go” during this Lenten Season. Letting go of old thoughts that hold you back from Easter Transformation which was not only a “rising up” of Jesus but for you and me. You, see, nothing can change in your life until you do.

I love the hymn “Be not afraid, I go before you, come follow me and I will give you rest,” Let us together, as the One we are, rise up with acceptance of where we are in consciousness but praying for an ever-expanding consciousness which will allow us to receive the good that God wants for us.

This is Resurrection!

May you all have a blessed Easter Experience!
Rev. Joanne

Dear Friends,

As I write this, I am unable to speak of Christmas “Celebration” as I have in the past.  Some believe in the prediction of the “end of the World” next week! Yes, we are in Crisis but I believe that it will be the end of the World as we knew it.  The devastating destruction created by “Sandy” changed the lives of so many here at the Jersey Shore and beyond.  The massacre of 20 innocent young children and their teachers has horrified the Nation.  As never before, we are being called to let our Light shine. Let us not talk about “evil.”

Where do we go from here? The answer is within you and me.  Allow your SELF to come through and ask how am I “showing up” in this moment?  How do I “be” the Light?  Let it unfold, let it “be.” It will define each of us.  How we are showing up is our individual responsibility.”

Are you letting your Light shine in this World?  Take responsibility for your thoughts and actions. Then your Light will shine!  And, then, together, we will change the world, for we will have stayed centered in Truth.

Together, we will have created a world that works for all!  May you experience your “New Birth” and “know.”

Love, Joy and Peace is within you.

Abundant Blessings!
Rev. Joanne