Let this be your affirmation; read it as Truth for you, today:
When Jesus says, “Without me, you can do nothing,” He Is noting my oneness with God and Him, Through the Indwelling Holy Spirit.
This Spirit lives within me, connecting me Always to my Creator, in loving communion, and To the entire Universe of my fellow creatures and all The galaxies of this vast and sacred Cosmos; And, this Holy Spirit is the Love, not The law or the morality or the theological opinion, That keeps me experientially one with my Creator, through the form of the Son, Who is The manifestation of Spirit in Creation.
The Son says to me: “If you abide in Me...” “If” is a loving invitation to me, for God wants what is best for me. This invitation is for this day, this moment; in fact, in any moment, regardless of my feelings, through trust I can respond to what that one word “If” reminds me is most important: I choose to “abide” in God, my Father and Mother: Not always having to be right I choose to “abide” in the Christ: Not fighting over nonessentials with others I choose to “abide” in the Universal Spirit Within me: Not becoming captive to mindless busyness I choose to “abide” in my True Self: Rather than thinking I am what I look like or buy Or am what religious or political group I associate with I choose to “abide” in Love, Joy, and Peace: For that is how a Christian follows Christ
I Am is Abiding So, I will abide as a Child of God By this “abiding,” today, always: I will enjoy I will share Very naturally and unselfconsciously The Fruit of the Spirit Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-Control
No, life will not always please me No, others will not always like me In fact, some will strongly dislike me While others will dearly love me But, I am growing so that persons and situations Have less power over the direction of my life For I have a choice I choose to “abide,” and for me
That makes and will make All the difference in my life on this earth And, abiding, I do not have to demand that love Be given to me from outside, for, today, everyday, I choose the Love already offered to me as a Gift
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*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in continuing his ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers or the Cokesbury on-line store, cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist Pastor, lives in Southwest Florida. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and seeks to inspire others to enjoy a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the Church through addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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