In the Northern Hemisphere, spring begins on March 20th. Lent is a traditional time of self-discipline; for giving up certain things in preparation for the celebration of Easter. This is a good time to get an early start on mental spring cleaning so as to clear away all that may have impeded the greater good God has for you as well as your personal spiritual progress.
Emmet Fox wrote: Too often in our spiritual lives, we allow negative things to accumulate in the corners of our minds. We tackle the obvious problems as they come along, but allow the small difficulties to pile up in the corners, or perhaps push them down into the subconscious, and try to forget about them.
You will do yourself a world of good by accepting the “Golden Opportunity” that this Lenten season offers to discipline your thinking; to clean out old hurts (large and small), get rid of negative, unproductive, unloving thoughts, feelings, concepts and ideas. Make a new determination to replace unloving, limiting thoughts and feelings with positive ones. Through your mind you are transformed.
Lent is a good time to give more time to prayer and meditation; to practicing the presence of God. Quiet your mind and invite the loving power of God to clear away all that is not of God. You need not know what that is. Just trust that this divine action is doing its work.
A man, who had difficulty getting along with people, was not prosperous and suffered from bodily ailments, made a determination to discipline his thinking for several weeks. Each day he consciously replaced every negative, doubtful, unloving thought with positive, constructive, loving and healthy thoughts. He also practiced the “gratitude attitude” daily, being genuinely grateful for everything. Soon, people wondered what had happened to him, but they liked it. His life became healthier, happier and more prosperous.
Prayerfully spend some time each day until Easter letting go of the lesser and make way for the greater. Think only of the positive and good. The inner work you do will reward you richly as you make this your time of spring cleaning and spiritual renewal. Put lots of love into what you do and everything will be coming up roses for you!
– Lovingly, Rev. John
In the mail . . .
Demonstrates Good Health! – I am writing to tell you that there have been wonderful answers to my prayer request. I am now demonstrating good health and have been promoted in my work which will give me an increase in income. This is so wonderful! Kindly continue praying with me. Thank you for your wonderful help. God bless you! – From Ghana, W. Africa
Bytes of Wisdom …
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt
Affirmative prayer never has to go outside of itself to produce an effect. We do not make a bargain with the Power of God; we identify with it. – Ernest Holmes
Within every person is an intuitive feeling or knowing that there is a way out of difficulties into a better life. – Rev. John –Thirty Days To a Better Life
It’s a funny thing about life, if you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it. – W. Somerset Maugham
A Little Humor …
During the first week of classes at Clearwater Christian College in Florida, I watched a freshman enter the dining room and go directly to the ice cream freezer. He dipped a huge dish of ice cream and carried it to a table. “Is that all you’re having for dinner?” I asked.
“No way,” he replied. “It’s just that my parent always made me eat my dessert last.” – Roger C. Miller
An Army chaplain posted the following sign on the door of his quarters. “If you have troubles, come in and tell us about them. If not, come in and tell us how you do it.”
A Word of Thanks
I am deeply grateful for everyone who is part of Golden Key Ministry-Unity, for your prayer requests, financial support and your notes and letters of appreciation. Thank You! God Bless you!
– Lovingly, Rev. John