My place in the universe
All the faiths and all the stories told in the various bibles can be summed up with three basic ideas. There is Spirit, there is Law, and It acts through you. It is as simple or complicated as you want to make it. We begin with the understanding that this is a Spiritual Universe and all there is is God. God is the Creator of all things and is all things. Next, we find that all the power of creation proceeds by adhering to the Law. That law is impersonal, meaning it acts the same way regardless of personality. In the Mind of God there is thought and thought manifest according to the thought behind it. “Let there be light and there was light.” And to complete this trinity we find that God is what we are. Infinite Presence is personalized at the center of our being.
Make no mistake, you are not God, however, God works through you as you. Like Isaiah said when he stated that his word went forth to accomplish whereto, he had sent it, and it did not return void. Each of us are intimately aligned with Spirit. Every thought we think and every word we speak carries with it creative energy. Some may manifest immediately, some will take time, and some are nullified by doubt or indecision. It is truly amazing how careless many are with their thoughts and words. Remember who is listening to you when you speak. YOU ARE! God put the Power in you. If any word has the power of manifestation, every word has the power.
God’s talk is not restricted to Elizabethan English. God’s talk is your talk. If you speak of lack, loss, and limitation, you can be assured that you will have more of the same. But if you speak of love, a whole different world will be opened to you. Love is magical because it appreciates and reveres the Goodness, Truth and Beauty of God’s creation. You can love your spouse, your dog or cat, or the food you eat, in any order you choose, and it will lift you above the fray of outrages fortune. Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. By loving you attract to you loving people and loving situations.
The question many have asked is what is effective prayer. There really isn’t just one way to pray. Sincerity is more important than style, but I have found what works for me is a simple formula which consists of Recognition, Identification, Declaration, and Acceptance. Recognition is God. Identification is my unity with God. Declaration states the reason for the prayer in already accomplished terms. Acceptance is gratitude for the demonstration and release.
In Religious Science we call this type of prayer, treatment. For an example of treatment, I will include a treatment by Raymond Charles Barker for resentment.
“I am with all the Life, Love and Truth there is, for I am One with God. I am one with every person for in each is the image and likeness of perfect Life. I take full spiritual control of my mind and emotions, and I refuse to be disturbed by any person or situation. No resentment can find acceptance in my consciousness. I have spiritual understanding of all whom I know. I behold in them the love of God which blesses and benefits me. The actions and words of another person have no power or authority within me. I am at peace with myself and others. I am the only thinker in my world, and I guard my emotions night and day to maintain my freedom from others. The only relationship I can have with any person is one of love, understanding and peace. I am a free and uncluttered expression of God.”
God is Love and Loving You Right Now!
(The Rev. Dr. Walt Sharer is minister at Bishop Church of Religious Science, located at 129 E. Line St., Bishop. Rev. Freda Lindsay and Rev. Walt officiate the weekly, Sunday services at 10 a.m. You can hear Rev. Walt’s message on “The Devotional Hour” on Sierra Wave KSRW 92.5 FM Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. The church can be reached at (760) 873-4195 for more information.)