An Opportunity for Inconvenience

My first full-time job was with San Diego Trust & Savings Bank in Escondido. In 1978, our branch was the first one in the system to install an automated teller. Called a "7/24" machine, you could get your balance, or withdraw money. It was HOT.

This, of course, was before the days of direct deposit, the internet, and scanning checks to be deposited on your smart phone. But suddenly you didn't have to stand in line in the bank (between the hours of 10 and 4, thank you) in order to make a withdrawal.

We've come along way. I sometimes find myself feeling a little inconvenienced if the internet moves too slowly, or if I do have to go to the bank and stand in line for 5 minutes. Spoiled? Perhaps.

As you may know, A Season for Non-violence is the annual 64 day campaign celebrating the lives and work of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King. Non-violence sounds like something governments and countries should do. If they would just _______________
(and feel free to fill in the blank), the world would be a better place.

But I believe that violence is more than just physical. It is also in the ways we treat one other--anger, resentment, bitterness and the need for forgiveness are also forms of violence.

Our decision to be non-violent starts with a willingness to change. Change is most often inconvenient--we may have to do something we have never done before. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt; putting ourselves in their position; being willing to not take their actions personally.

I choose to consciously experience this year's SNV personally, by allowing myself to be inconvenienced, and by being aware of how I can be more loving. Won't you join me?

The Gift of Love

The ultimate expression of Spirit is Love. When we finally release all beliefs in a judgmental God out there somewhere that gives and takes away, based on our performance, we embody that which Jesus referred to as "Abba," which translates to mean "Daddy."

We are unconditionally loved and nurtured. Spirit (God, the Universe, our Higher Power) always says yes to us without exception. Because we are loved, we can love ourselves, and then one another.

Do we treat ourselves with the experience of Love that the Universe has for us? When we truly love ourselves, we reside in the moment, in the conscious expectation of our greater good. We look at our past in compassion, knowing that we always did the best we could in the moment.

In I Corinthians 13, Paul reminds us that "the greatest of these is Love."

The Gift of Life

The second attribute of Spirit that Judge Thomas Troward wrote about was Life.

You might remember this quote from a few weeks ago: "Life is a pretty precious and wonderful thing. You can't save it up...you have to let it lap against you..."

Sometimes we call Life around us "nature." Think about the nature of nature--always growing, always expanding, always in the moment. In autumn, the trees give up their leaves in anticipation of rest in the winter and then a glorious new blooming in spring. They never hang on to the old stuff--they always release today's good in anticipation of tomorrow's better.

Life is creative, always passionate, always in anticipation of the greater good. To me, Life is as children see this time of year--wonder, joy and excitement. Jesus talked about receiving the kingdom (our moment by moment experience) as a little child.

Mary Morrissey reminds us that this is a "brand new baby day." Life calls us to greet it with joy-filled anticipation.

"Just Imagine" Happy New Year 2012!

Greetings!

The theme for the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade is "Just Imagine."

In this moment, we are creating how we will experience this bright and shining new year. Just like planting seeds in a garden, Life always "grows" for us whatever we plant. Will we harvest a year full of financial abundance, wonderful health and loving relationships? Or will 2012 pretty much be a carbon copy of 2011?

Someone said that the Universe is conspiring to bring us our good. But we have to say "yes" to it. How do we do that? By consciously choosing what we want to "harvest" this year, keeping ourselves focused on that, and then moving our feet.

Life (God, Spirit, the Universe, our Higher Power) is for us. It is only our old B S (belief systems) in struggle, lack and dis-ease that keeps our wonder-ful and amazing good from us.

What happened in your life in 2011? Did you receive greater financial good? Was a physical challenge or relationship healed for you? Did you buy or sell real estate, dispite the appearance of a difficult market? I'll bet, if you look back, you can find many of those "ordinary miracles."

Well, because Life is for us and always brings what we expect, we will experience greater and more wonder-ful ordinary miracles in 2012, if we expect them. The same power that works in our relationships works in our money.

"Just imagine" the good that Spirit has for you. And then do your part. Keep your focus on the good that is yours now, because you have planted the seeds. Do your daily spiritual practice (affirmations of what you want, not what you don't want; meditation and prayer; coming--or coming back--to Church; attending classes). Need some help? Just ask.

On December 31, 2012, wouldn't you like to be able to look back at the year and say"wow"? We are planting those seeds today.

Just imagine......

Love and Light,

Rev. Jerry Troyer

A Personal Epiphany

Greetings!

As you may know, last Friday, January 6, was the celebration of Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas.

The word Epiphany means to reveal. This particular day was the day that the wise men found Jesus. Consider their experience. They went to King Herod, and asked where Jesus was (and you may recall that Herod wasn't especially thrilled). They watched and followed the star. The point is that their epiphany was an active process. They didn't just go sit in their tents and watch football until someone brought them the news.

So it is with us. Jesus reminded us that for us to receive, we need to ask, seek, or knock. Just sitting in the corner and hoping for whatever it is won't do it. Our manifestation may not require physical work on our part, but we must at least make the decision on what it is we wish to experience, and then do our affirmation prayer.

Go to my blog at http://revjerryt.wordpress.com to listen to my inspirational message from January 8 on this subject.