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| Movie Discussion Group (Zoom): Mon, 2:00 PM
WINGS Book Study Group (Zoom): Tue, 12:00 PM
Practical Metaphysics Class (Zoom): Tue, 7:00 PM
Wednesday "Faith Lift" Meditation: 7:00 PM Table Talk Thursday (Zoom): 12:00 PM
Exodus Class (Zoom): Thur, 3:00 PM
Sunday Service: 10:45 AM
Sunday Social (Zoom): 12:00 PM |
| | WINGed Words The Reverend Cynthia Mackey, UCC Minister of Education |
| | | Hi Everyone,
I hope this writing finds all of you well and getting vaccinated! The end of last week and the weekend were beautiful and a perfect opportunity for folks to get outside and enjoy themselves. That was certainly evident Saturday evening in both Safety Harbor and Dunedin. My family and I went out for an early dinner to avoid the Mother’s Day crowds on Sunday. After dinner, Mike and I took a ride through downtown Safety Harbor and Dunedin, culminating with the sunset at the Dunedin Causeway. There were people everywhere – enjoying sidewalk seating at many restaurants, or just out strolling or at the causeway beachfront. It was so heartening to see–kind of like an awakening after a long sleep. I remember writing to all of you about a year ago about taking a ride from Clearwater Beach to the southernmost tip of St. Pete Beach and seeing almost no one, and how eerie that felt. Well, we are coming back, and it is a great feeling!
It is all happening in perfect Divine Order! I know it is hard to see that, for all the losses we have all suffered–both large and small. No one can say what is happening in individual lives. However, now is a time to look at the “joy in our suffering,” as St. Paul entreated us to find. I heard a popular CNN Sunday commentator go through a short list of things we learned from the pandemic, some I hope we keep and some I hope we discard!
Anyway, yesterday’s Daily Word reading was on one of my favorite topics–Divine Order. The idea of Divine Order gives me a lot of comfort because it reminds me that the Universe is an orderly place made up of changeless law, but also that “my” universe can be changed significantly if I change my thinking, my inner consciousness. The affirmation for yesterday was, “The changes I wish to see must begin with me.” I can pray for more “harmonious relationships, greater peace of mind, more robust health or deeper satisfaction in my life.” But, that sounds like I am expecting some power outside myself to bestow these things on me from the outside. Instead, I would be better served to focus on harmony, peace, wholeness, and joy and allow these thoughts to flower and grow in my consciousness. As I continue this practice, I know that I will notice my outer world beginning to reflect this inner state of my being. As stated in Romans 12:2, I will no longer be “conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of my mind so that I may discern what is the will of God–what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Eric Butterworth talks extensively about these ideas in his book, Celebrate Yourself! In this collection of excellent essays, he has one titled, “How to Turn Your Life Around.” In there, he reminds us that if we are not satisfied with the way our life has gone or the experiences that continually manifest, we can change that by getting into the attitudes and ways of thinking that we perceive we would have if we were experiencing the conditions we want. Many of you may be saying, “But I feel tired and defeated, how can I help that?” Feelings are not facts. We have feelings; therefore, we can change the way we feel through affirmation and through elevating our consciousness through prayer. Remember, prayer does not change God. Prayer changes me! It is never too late to turn your day around, your week around or your life around by breaking the patterns of negativity that continue to produce the unwanted results in our lives.
I know that as we step forth from our pandemic isolation, many things that were familiar in the past may seem strange and even anxiety producing. If so, none of us is alone. But, now is the time to put our faith in our God and listen to science; God is in the midst of science and trust our own logic as to safe guidelines for fully vaccinated folks, going forward.
I miss all of you and invite you to consider joining our Zoom group on Tuesdays. On June 1st, we will begin a new book, Spiritual Economics, by Eric Butterworth. So, join us on Zoom on June 1st, knowing that before we finish that book, I believe we may be able to meet to discuss it in person!
Get Vaccinated – it is our path to freedom!!
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| | If you'd like to join us on Zoom, the login info is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81007092426?pwd=SlUrRzU3MWhpZEx2bW96NTNlbW1tZz09
Meeting ID: 810 0709 2426
Passcode: 865284
Peace, Love and Divine Order
Cynthia
I
took today’s photos last Saturday evening at sunset at Dunedin
Causeway! The breeze was cool and the evening perfect! Included are a
couple of shots of the pool where we live, where we enjoyed our first
swim on Sunday! |
| | | | | | | | | | Your Weekly Affirmation:
WHAT MAY FEEL LIKE “THE END OF THE WORLD” IS THE BEGINNING OF A HIGHER STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS. LET'S AFFIRM: “I NOW CLAIM THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL, NEW WORLD!”
THANK YOU, GOD! |
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