June 1999
Happy Father’s Day
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Stan’s Letter | Annemarie’s Letter | Spotlight
New Adam & New Eve | Kid People | The Gentle Art of Blessing
Birthdays | Wings Across Time | The “Course” Corner

Stan’s Letter “Sex & ...Violence?”
Did you ever wonder how these two words ever became so closely associated? How could a word that represents one of humanity’s deepest expressions of love have become almost inextricably associated with such inhuman instincts? With the appearance of insane acts of savagery being such a frequent occurrence in the news, perhaps we ought to look at some basic underlying assumptions in our world’s cultures. Riane Eisler recently wrote a book titled Sacred Pleasure. She said in the forward that even the title of her book would seem “heretical” to some people. She ascribes the problem of violence in general to the “dominator” model society established over the last several thousand years by male-dominated religious and social traditions. She says that in such a society “The highest power is the power to dominate and destroy....	‘Love’ and ‘passion’ are frequently used to justify violent and abusive actions by those who dominate, as in ‘holy wars’ said to be waged out of love for a deity that demands obeisance from all.” On the other hand, she prophesies that one day we, or at least our ancestors, will enjoy life in a “partnership” model society. In such a society, “The highest power is to give, nurture, and illuminate life.... Love is recognized as the highest expression of the evolution of life on our planet, as well as the universal unifying power.” Ms. Eisler’s husband, David, has written a poem about the dream we have been living in and the joy of our awakening. It is titled, The New Adam & The New Eve, and I have included it inside this newsletter. May his and her prophecy unfold soon ... may the dream end, and Love come quickly! God bless you, Stan     Go to Top
Annemarie’s Letter “HEB’s”
So much of what we see on the news today, of conflict and of war, is the result of our not recognizing who we truly are. We believe that there is not enough, that we are not enough, and so we strive to be more and to have more—often at the expense of others. Yet there is no “other”—we are all one. We are one with God and with each other. The only separation is the one we’ve created in our minds. In Conversations with God, God said that with highly evolved beings (HEB’s) there are no wars or conflicts. “An HEB shares everything he has, and would give you anything you sought to take by force. He does this out of his awareness that everything belongs to everyone anyway, and that he can always create more of what he “gave away” if he really desires it.	There is no concept of “ownership” or “loss” in a society of HEB’s, who understand that they are not physical beings, but beings being physical. They also understand that all beings proceed from the same source and thus, we are All One.” He goes on to say that if the physical body were threatened, he would simply lay down the body, literally leaving it behind. He could then create another body if he so chooses, coming into the physical again. HEB’s know that they live forever; it is just a matter of what form they choose to take. Imagine a world with no conflict or war? When we recognize that we are One, that we are expressions of God made physical, there will be no need of “ownership” or “possession.” Love Unconditionally, Annemarie     Go to Top
Spotlight By Clinta Ingraham — Doris Jones — Twinkling eyes and a gentle voice are part of the loving spirit radiating from Doris Jones. Every Sunday we at Unity of Lubbock are graced by Doris and her reading of the Daily Word during the service hour. We know we can count on her. SPOTLIGHT shines the month of June on her life and activities associated with Unity. When there is a prayer request, Doris is one of our members who activates the prayer tree. Her loving spirit gives words of encouragement to those in need. She knows just what to say. Her thoughts are genuinely in tune with our needs. Doris came to Lubbock nearly 20 years ago in search of work and “other seekers.” She and Millie Willoughby have known each other many years, even before Millie became a Unity minister. Being in touch with Spirit, we are not surprised that Doris’ love of nature is expressed in her hobbies of bird watching and gardening. She also enjoys reading and working cross-word puzzles. Doris told SPOTLIGHT that blue is her favorite color. It speaks “Peace” to her. Doris has a little dog whose name is Cassey Blue. He is very special to Doris and her family. He carries the name Blue which must mean he speaks “Peace” to all his Jones family members. When being interviewed by SPOTLIGHT, Doris said her favorite writer is Joel Goldsmith. One of her favorite books, is Illusions by Richard Bach. Both writers are spiritually directed in their writings seeking truths and giving words of encouragement, like Doris. If you are ever at China Star, you might see Doris Jones. It is her favorite restaurant, as Chinese food is her favorite food. She said she’d love to travel more if she wasn’t busy being a grandmother, wife, mother, and friend to all of us. We are lucky at Unity of Lubbock to have dedicated members like Doris. Her gentle spiritual path can be an example to all of us who seek. Her philosophy of life says, “What a beautiful journey life is.” What a lovely person Doris Jones is. Another of God's children amongst us.     Go to Top
The New Adam & The New Eve By David Eisler I had a terrible dream, she said. You’re safe, he murmured, cradling her. No, it was terrible, she said, I cannot sleep. I still see that glorious garden, the birds, the fruits, the clear streams with pebbles of agate and the trancelike wandering of green fish, and you were there, and for a time it was good, but then this terrifying old man came and told me I must not think for myself. And soon a snake came and said— He laughed. A talking snake! Don’t laugh, please don’t laugh! She shuddered. This was so real, more real than now, much more. The snake offered me a brain and a mind and when I took them, the old man came rushing in, his eyes exploding, his mouth aghast, and cursing with hurricane force, he threw us from the garden. And you blamed me, she cried, and in a world of misery we fought for five thousand years. The sun touched the window sill, touched her hair: he touched the gold along her neck and back and sighing, she rolled over and, for a long time, they held each other, then she rose. Come see, she called, joyous beside the window. In poured the full glory of the morning, the light, cool fragrance in from the fields. It will be a good day, he said smiling. And night, she said. For years, they both thought. For years and years.     Go to Top
Kid People (for children and the adults who love them) By Debbye McCandless “Every single statement you make about yourself, to a friend, or even yourself becomes a truth.” — Orin We all know to some extent what an impact words can have on the mind. “I am” are two of the most powerful words anyone can utter, and it is important for children (and the rest of us !) to learn to use those words with Goodness and Truth as we progress on our spiritual journeys. Whatever we say after the words “I am” can manifest in our lives. A great way to help our kids and ourselves practice “I am” affirmations is to play the “I am” game. It is easy, fun, and can be played with any number of players. Each person makes an “I am” statement about themselves that is POSITIVE! (able, beautiful, fun, joyful, etc. … add your own too!) With older children, the words used can be done in ABC order; the younger crowd usually does better just leaving it open. This game can be played any time and anywhere (while waiting, in the car, at bedtime, etc.) Besides enhancing spiritual development, this game also provides many opportunities for vocabulary building. The only “rules” are keep it positive, and HAVE FUN! This song is also a great way to practice “I am” affirmations! “I am” (Tune: “Jingle Bells” chorus) I am Joy, I am Joy, I am Joy today. I am Joy, I am Joy, I am Joy all day. (repeat to end of chorus) Or substitute other words, such as: Love, Peace, Light Go to Top
The Gentle Art of Blessing By Pierre Pradervand On awaking, bless this day, for it is already full of unseen good which your blessings will call forth; for to bless is to acknowledge the unlimited good that is embedded in the very texture of the universe and awaiting each and all. On passing people in the street, on the bus, in places of work and play, bless them. The peace of your blessing will companion them on their way, and the aura of its gentle fragrance will be a light on their path. On meeting people and talking to them, bless them in their health, their work, their joy, their relationship to the universe, themselves, and others. Bless them in their abundance and their finances. Bless them in every conceivable way, for such blessings not only sow seeds of healing but one day will spring forth as flowers in the waste places of your own life. As you walk, bless the city in which you live, its government and teachers, its nurses and street sweepers, its children and bankers, its priests and prostitutes. The minute anyone expresses the least aggression or unkindness to you, respond with a blessing: bless them totally, sincerely, joyfully, for such blessings are a shield which protects you from the ignorance of their misdeed, and deflects the arrow that was aimed at you. To bless means to wish, unconditionally, total, unrestricted good for others and events from the deepest chamber of your heart: it means to hallow, to hold in reverence, to behold with utter awe that which is always a gift from the Creator. He who is hallowed by your blessing is set aside, consecrated, holy, whole. To bless is yet to invoke divine care upon, to speak or think gratefully for, to confer happiness upon, although we ourselves are never the bestower, but simply the joyful witnesses of Life’s abundance. To bless all without discrimination of any sort is the ultimate form of giving, because those you bless will never know whence came the sudden ray that burst through the clouds of their skies, and you will rarely be a witness to the sunlight in their lives. When something goes completely askew in your day, some unexpected event knocks down your plans and you too also, burst into blessing: for life is teaching you a lesson, and the very event you believe to be unwanted, you yourself called forth, so as to learn the lesson you might balk against were you not to bless it. Trials are blessings in disguise, and hosts of angels follow in their path. To bless is to acknowledge the omnipresent, universal beauty hidden from material eyes: it is to activate that law of attraction which, from the furthest reaches of the universe, will bring into your life exactly what you need to experience and enjoy. When you pass a prison, mentally bless its inmates in their innocence and freedom, their gentleness, pure essence, and unconditional forgiveness; for one can only be a prisoner of one’s self-image, and a free man can walk unshackled in the courtyard of a jail, just as citizens of countries where freedom reigns may be prisoners when freedom lurks within their thoughts. When you pass a hospital, bless its patients in their present wholeness, for even in their suffering, their wholeness awaits in them to be discovered. When your eyes behold a man in tears, or seemingly broken by life, bless him in his vitality and joy: for the material senses present but the inverted image of the ultimate splendor and perfection which only the inner eye beholds. It is impossible to bless and judge at the same time. So hold constantly as a deep, hallowed, intoned thought the desire to bless, for truly then shall you become a peacemaker, and one day you shall behold, everywhere, the very face of God. P.S. And of course, above all, do not forget to bless the utterly beautiful person YOU are.     Go to Top
June Birthdays
Carol Ann McGowan Nick Aldridge Rollie Hyde Ruth Sturtz Bud Smith Jan Curry Bob Terrell Ray Congdon Alice Langley Beth Sabet Nina Tramel John Billing Lynn Crowell Arthur Umlauf 07 08 11 12 14 16 16 17 17 17 19 21 24 24     Go to Top
Wings Across Time Our Association of Unity Churches has developed a new and very useful fund-raiser. In the year 2000, the Association intends to publish a book entitled Wings Across Time. The publication will list and include brief histories about churches in the movement who wish to donate funds toward the work. As part of our monthly giving, Unity Church of Lubbock has pledged $350.00 for a 1/4-page entry in the book. If you have a loved one for whom you would like to write a short tribute or memorial to be accompanied by your gift of $200.00, please fill out one of the handouts which have been provided by the Association of Unity Churches’ home office.     Go to Top
The “Course” Corner By Vicky Hopkins Our A Course in Miracles group has finished the Text and Workbook and is now reading the Manual for Teachers. When we finish the Manual, we will begin a review/study of one or more books based on the Course. We have not decided upon a format or the book(s), but have decided to postpone starting the Course again until September because of vacations, summer family visits, etc. We invite everyone to “drop in” this summer (7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the church). “To give and to receive are one in truth. I will receive what I am giving now. To everyone I offer quietness. To everyone I offer peace of mind. To everyone I offer gentleness.” We have misplaced a video concerning the origins of the Course. If we loaned it to you, will you please call me at 792-7165. Go to Top