Feeds:
Posts
Comments

The Law of Forgiveness

April 9, 2009 by zgardener

It is an unbreakable mental law that you have to forgive others if you want to demonstrate over your difficulties and to make any real spiritual progress.

The vital importance of forgiveness may not be obvious at first sight, but you may be sure that it is not by chance that every great spiritual teacher from Jesus Christ downward has insisted so strongly upon it.

You must forgive injuries, not just in words, or as a matter of form, but in your heart—and that is the long and the short of it. You do this, not only for the other person’s sake, but for your own sake. Resentment, condemnation, anger, desire to see someone punished are things that rot your soul. Such things fasten your troubles to you with rivets. They fetter you to many other p roblems that actually have nothing whatever to do with the original grievances themselves.

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3: 9).

Can we imagine being free of bitterness, resentment, anger and condemnation? What a joy our lives would be if we released such feelings and turned them over to God! Today, as Jesus did even on the cross, as part of our Easter sacrifice and as a gift to ourselves and others, let us grant forgiveness of all things for which we have suffered hurts and wrongs. Then we will no longer imprisoned by them. Then, just as Christ’s gift freed us from the grave, let our ongoing forgiveness of others guarantee our freedom from the hell of unforgiven wrongs.

In forgiveness,

Z gardener

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

The Law of Practice

April 8, 2009 by zgardener

Practice makes perfect. This familiar proverb embodies one of the great laws of human nature and—being a law—it is never under any circumstances broken.

 
There is simply no achievement without practice and the more practice, provided it is done intelligently, the greater will the proficiency be and the sooner will it be attained. It is true in every conceivable branch of human endeavor. Practice is the price of proficiency.
 

In metaphysics the effects of this law are particularly striking. Thought control is entirely a matter of intelligent practice. And true religion may well be summed up as the Practice of the Presence of God.

 
…be ye doers of the word, and no hearers only…(James 1:22).

Each time we recognize God’s power in our lives, we practice the presence of God. When we control out thoughts and direct them to God’s purpose for us, we practice the presence of God. Each time we practice our faith and put it to work in the world, we get better at manifesting God’s will in out lives. When we have practiced these things until they are our true nature, we will be in the presence of God at all times. We will not be perfect the first time, but with practice, we will achieve peace and God’s blessings for the best good in our lives.

Still practicing,

Z gardener

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

The Law of Subconscious Activity

April 7, 2009 by zgardener

            As soon as the subconscious mind accepts any idea, it immediately begins trying to put it into effect. It uses all its resources (and these are far greater than is commonly supposed) to that end. It uses every bit of knowledge that you have ever collected, most of which you have totally forgotten, to bring about its purpose. It mobilizes the many mental powers that you possess, most of which you never consciously use. It draws on the unlimited energy of the race mind. It lines up all the laws of nature as they operate both inside and outside of you, to get its way.

 
Sometimes it succeeds in its purpose immediately. Sometimes it takes a little time, sometimes it takes a long time; but if the thing is not utterly impossible, the subconscious will bring it about—once it accepts the idea.
 
This law is true for both good and bad ideas. This law, when used negatively, brings sickness, trouble, and failure; and when used positively, brings healing, freedom, and success. We give the orders—the subconscious does the work.
 
…his secret is with the righteous (Proverbs 3:32).
When the subconscious mind accepts something it means we have accepted it as true and have incorporated it into our thoughts, feelings and attitudes. In short, it is when we believe in something or have faith in it. So, when we truly believe, our subconscious begins working to bring it about. This work is not limited to what goes on inside us. It also impacts everything around us.
If we truly believe we are capable of being God’s children, then will be. If, on the other hand, we believe we are weak and incapable being anything, then we will be nothing.

What a glorious day it will be when we completely accept the fact that God loves us and wants us to live in peace, joy and health. That wonderful day, we will unlock the door to the Eden God created for us. That night, we will lie down in green pastures, and the next morning we will awaken in our Garden with our souls restored .

Accepting restoration,

Z gardener

 

 

 

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

The Law of Substitution

April 6, 2009 by zgardener

            There are a few great laws that govern all thinking, just as there are a few fundamental laws in chemistry. We know that thought control is the key of destiny, and in order to learn thought control we have to know and understand these laws.

 
One of the great mental laws is the Law of substitution. This means that the only way to get rid of a certain thought is to substitute another one for it. You cannot dismiss a thought directly. You can do so only by substituting another one for it. If I say to you, “ Do not think of the Statue of Liberty,” of course, you immediately think of it. If you say, “I am not going to think of the Statue of Liberty,” that is thinking about it. But if you become interested in something else, you forget all about the Statue of Liberty—and this is a case of substitution.
 
When negative thoughts come to you, do not fight them, but think of something positive. Preferably think of God; but if that is difficult at the moment, turn your attention to something quite different.
 
But I say unto you, That ye resist no evil… (Matthew 5:39).
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding (Job 12:13).

Controlling our thoughts is one of the most difficult disciplines we can strive to achieve. The good news is that when we accomplish it, we are in a position to control our entire reality. This ability depends upon its proper use if it is to produce a positive outcome. For instance, if we use the law of substitution to replace bad thoughts with good thoughts, it will yield positive results. Of course, the opposite is also true. This does not mean we should ignore a problem, but that we should think positively about it. Our job then is two-fold. First ,we must develop the mental discipline to control our thoughts, then we must use that discipline to engage in positive thoughts. Right thinking always leads to right living in the Eden God gave us. 

Thinking rightly,

Z gardener

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Sharing the Key

April 3, 2009 by zgardener

            In order to “Golden Key” a troublesome person or a difficult situation, think, “Now I am going to ‘Golden Key’ John, or Mary, or that threatened danger”; then lift John or Mary or the danger into the presence of God and think only of God.

 
Thereafter the person is certain to be in some degree a better, wiser, and more spiritual person. A pending lawsuit or other difficulty will probably fade out without coming to a crisis, justice being done to all parties concerned.
 
…O Lord God, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant (2 Samuel 7:28).

Any time we replace trouble or fear with thoughts of God, we are “golden ke ying” it. In so doing we remove it as a problem and turn it into a the blessing. If we stop and think about it, that alone is no small miracle. Use the golden key today to turn a problem into a miracle by putting God in its place. Then use that golden key to enter the Eden God created for us. Welcome to the Garden.

Turning the key,

Stan

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

If the Key Sticks

April 2, 2009 by zgardener

            We have said that the Golden Key is simple, and so it is, but, of course, it is not always easy to turn. If you are very frightened or worried it may be difficult, at first, to get your thoughts away from material things. But by constantly repeating some statement of absolute Truth that appeals to you, such as There is no power but God, or I am the child of God, filled and surrounded by the perfect peace of God, or God is Love, or God is guiding me now, or, perhaps best and simplest of all, just God is with me—you will soon find that your mind is clearing. Do not struggle, be quiet but insistent. Each time that you find your attention wandering, just switch it straight back to God.

 
Do not try to think out in advance what the solution of your difficulty will probably turn out to be. This is technically called outlining, and will only delay the demonstration. Leave the question of ways and means to God. You want to get out of your difficulty —that is sufficient. You do your half, and God will never fail to do His.
 
…whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered…(Joel 2:32).

It has been said that nothing good is easy. Sometimes it is very difficult. So it is with using the golden key. When life’s challenges appear as a tidal wave coming at us, it is hard to think about surfing. Yet, that is exactly what we must do to unlock the door to our respective Gardens.

If our thoughts are consumed with fear, doubt and anxiety, they can not be fixed on God’s promise of joy, hope and confidence. If we focus on the hundred foot wave coming at us, we will not be able to realize that God has placed a surfboard in our grasp. The wave, in our mind is a mortal threat, yet when we use the golden key and replace our fear with thoughts of God, we see that the wave can become the greatest ride of our lives.

So, when call on the name of God, in the midst of our troubles we are confidently shouting “surf’s up” instead of ducking and drowning in fear and doubt.

Riding the wave,

Z gardener

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Unlocking the Door

April 1, 2009 by zgardener

            Work by rehearsing everything that you know about God. God is Wisdom, Truth, inconceivable Love. God is present everywhere; has infinite power; knows everything. It matters not how well you may think you understand these things; go over them repeatedly.

 
The rule is to think about God, and if you are thinking about your difficulty you are not thinking about God. To be continually glancing over your shoulder in order to see how matters are progressing is fatal, because that is thinking of the trouble, and you must think of God, and of nothing else. Your object is to drive the thought of the difficulty right out of your consciousness, for a few moments at least, substituting for it the thought of God. If you can become so absorbed in this consideration of the spiritual world that you really forget for a while all about the trouble concerning which you began to pray, you will presently find that your trouble falls into new perspective, new relationships, so that it is no longer a difficulty.
 
…thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all
(Nehemiah 9:6).
 
Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? (Job 31:4).

The first word of today’s message sums it up…work! Once we have the golden key of understanding, then we must work to unlock the door to God’s infinite power, wisdom, love and truth. We have to do the work of thinking rightly if we are to pass through that door. Then we must also do the work of acting rightly if we are to live each day in the Garden. All this work is not a burden. In fact, it removes from us the burdens of guilt, doubt, fear and shame that blocks our communion with God and our entrance to Eden. Free of these burdens, we are able to live each day in joy and gladness.

At work,

Z gardener 

 

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

The Golden Key

March 31, 2009 by zgardener

            Study and research are well in their own time and place, but no amount of either will get you out of a concrete difficulty. Nothing but practical work in your own consciousness will do that.

 
Scientific prayer is the Golden Key to harmony and happiness. You need take no one’s word for it, and you should not. Simply try it for yourself, and see.
 
Whoever you are, wherever you may be, the Golden Key to harmony is in your hand now. This is because it is God who works, and not you, and so your particular limitations or weaknesses are of no account in the process. You are only the channel through which the divine action takes place, and your part is first to get yourself out of the way.
 
The actual method of working is simplicity itself. All that you have to do is this: Stop thinking about the difficulty, whatever it is, and think about God instead. This is the complete rule, and if only you will do this, the trouble, whatever it is, will presently disappear. It may be big or little, it may concern health, finance, a lawsuit, a quarrel, an accident, or anything else conceivable; but whatever it is, just stop thinking about it, and think of God instead—that is all you have to do.
 
The thing could not be simpler, could it? And yet it never fails to work when given a fair trial.
 
…With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

If asked to choose the one thing that should be shared with the world, the Golden Key would be it. For it unlocks the door to the path that leads into the Eden God gave us. It also unlocks the infinite power and love of God for use in this world. In order to use this key, we must do some of the most difficult things imaginable. We must get ourselves out of the way.

This means believing in God, accepting that God’s will has dominion in out lives instead of our own and it means following God’s plan for our lives. These are not easy things for humans to do. However, it is not the most difficult. That title belongs to the requirement that we understand and accept that reality starts within and is reflected without. Once we have mastered these things, we have turned the key and entered the Garden. Then we must continue the practices above in order to live daily in our Eden.

Turning the key,

Z gardener

 

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

God Is Principle

March 30, 2009 by zgardener

God Is Principle

            The seventh main aspect of God is Principle, and this is probably the one that is least understood. What does the word principle mean?

 
Consider a few generally accepted principles. “Water seeks its own level.” This is a principle. It is not only the course taken by a particular drop of water in a particular locality. It is true of all water everywhere. “The angles of any triangle always add up to 180 degrees.” It makes no matter what kind of triangle one may consider; as long as it is a triangle, this principle holds. These principles were true a billion years ago and they will be true a billion years hence.
 
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8).
 
Prayer is answered because God is principle, eternally manifest in the same way. When we pray rightly we bring ourselves into harmony with His Law of Being. Prayer does not ask God to change the laws for our temporary convenience, but it tunes us in, so to speak, with divine Principle; if God were to make exceptions because we were in great difficulties (which, because of His nature, He could never do) we should never know where we stood. If the law of gravity were occasionally suspended without notice, say, because a very important man had fallen off a roof, you know what would happen to the world.
 
Each of the seven main aspects is a distinct quality like the elements in chemistry. A chemical element, as you know, is just itself and nothing else. Oxygen is an element because there is nothing in it but oxygen. Water on the other hand is a compound, a combination of hydrogen and oxygen. There are many attributes of God, such as wisdom, beauty, joy, and so forth, but they are compounds made up of two or more of the seven main aspects. Wisdom, for example, is the perfect balance of Intelligence and Love.
 
Beauty is the perfect balance of Life, Truth, and Love. In any true work of art, you will find that these three aspects are balanced. There are many such relationships and interdependencies —“Thou canst not pluck a flower without the trembling of a star.”

This simply means that we can count on God to be the same every day. It also means the love of God never changes and that God’s promises are always kept. This is how we can know with total faith that our lives will be fulfilled when we follow God’s will. If God were not principle, chaos would rule. This is always true, anywhere and at any time. So in sunlight or shadow, mirth or misery, hope or fear, God is ever present and stands waiting in the Garden for us. It is God’s hope that we live together in that garden today.

Plucking flowers,

Z gardener

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

God Is Spirit

March 27, 2009 by zgardener

            The sixth main aspect of God is Spirit. We know that God is Spirit but what does that mean? Spirit is that which cannot be destroyed or damaged. It is the opposite of matter. Matter wears out, but Spirit does not because Spirit is substance. Herbert Spencer defines substance as that which is not subject to discord or decay. Webster says, “that which underlies all outward manifestation…real, unchanging essence or nature…that in which qualities inhere…that which constitutes anything that is.” All this can only apply to spiritual things.

 
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth
(John 4:24).
 
You are Spirit. Spirit cannot die and was never born. Your true self was never born and will never die. You are eternal, divine, unchanging Spirit, in your true nature. The whole universe is a spiritual creation but we see it in a limited way. You have sometimes seen a window made of fluted glass, and you know that if you look at the street through this window everything will be distorted.  Nevertheless, you know that the distortion arises from your seeing wrongly. Our false vision causes us to know ourselves only from a seeming birth to a seeming death; but this is illusion too. This distorted vision of Spirit is really what we know as “matter.” Eucken says, “Reality is an independent spiritual world, unconditioned by the apparent world of sense” – and this is substance.

It seems so hard to accept that true reality is spirit and the material reality we perceive is only a small part of  existence. Yet, the Bible affirms this truth time and again. Acceptance of this truth, however difficult, is the key to understanding our relationship with God and our universe. Once understood and believed, this truth reveals the true way of life that is in harmony with God and all creation. When put into practice, this truth gives us dominion over God’s creation and allows us to shape our reality. Once grasped, this radical truth will “set us free”.

Seeing clearly,

Z gardener

Posted in Good Morning | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »