Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Today is the 359th day of the year. The Lesson for today says:

God's answer is some form of peace. All pain is healed; all misery replaced with joy. All prison doors are opened. And all sin is understood as merely a mistake.

Sounds good to me!

Merry Christmas!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Casey Anthony

Aah, I knew this would be the title of my next blog post. I didn't know how. I didn't know when, but I guess now is the time, and so here goes.

If you don't know who Casey Anthony is then I'll tell you. She is a woman who was charged in the death of her 2 year old daughter, and then acquitted by a jury even though almost everyone, including me, thinks she is most certainly responsible. I think it is safe to say that she is currently the most hated woman in America.

After all, no one likes to see the attack and murder of innocence go unpunished, right?

Which brings me to the Course and the lesson for today which seems so gosh darn fitting to this whole situation. First it says, I am not a body, I am free, for I am still as God created me, and then it says, drum roll please.......It can be but myself I crucify!

And if its true that it can be but myself I crucify then that just really sucks all the fun right out of it for me and so I'm just not gonna do it, probably.

P.S. Okay, technically that was the lesson for yesterday. However, I'm still up, and so for me, yesterday is still today and tomorrow is not here yet.

Good night.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Case 39

Oh, the horror!

Case 39 is a movie about a little girl who has some super natural behavior problems that make my little food spitter look like an absolute angel! I would take Albert and his antics over the little girl in this movie 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and 366 days if its a leap year! Good Lord and Amen!

Renee Zellweger stars as the social worker in charge of Case 39 who turns out to be a little girl named Lillith. Its a lovely name, but watch out. This kid takes the cake when it comes to horrible behavior. Jodelle Ferland played the part of "Lillith" so well that she is one celebrity I DON'T ever want to meet.

It was creepy and scary and helpful as all get out when it comes to having a new way of looking at my own children during those times when they appear to be pushing my buttons.

There's nothing like an extreme example to help unstick me from old perceptions and reactions. This movie reminded me of J and His extreme example.

Here's what He has to say about it from Chapter 6 of the Text under the heading: The Message of the Crucifixion, "The Crucifixion is nothing more than an extreme example. Its value, like the value of any teaching device, lies solely in the kind of learning it facilitates."

And then later in that same section, He says, "You are not asked to repeat my experiences because the Holy Spirit, Whom we share, makes this unnecessary."

Good to know!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Jesus Speaks

So today, Jesus says, "Tell yourself frequently today that you are as God created you. And be sure to respond to anyone who seems to irritate you with these words: You are as God created you. You are His Son eternally." (Workbook Lesson 94)

So I did that like ten million times.

Okay,I exaggerate. Although, it did seem like ten million.

This morning I thought it while I was yelling very, very loudly not to ever chew up a bunch of food and then spit it all over the living room again!

And then this afternoon I thought it while I was yelling very, very loudly not to ever chew up a bunch of food and then spit it all over the kitchen again!

It sure seems like there was an astounding abundance of opportunities to think these thoughts all throughout the day.

So I got a ton of practice!

Yay! I think.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Dude, Where's My Jesus Fish?

I'm so excited, I could scream! In fact, I am gonna scream....
DUDE, WHERE'S MY JESUS FISH? IS NOW AVAILABLE!

This book was written by my good friend, Mike Lemieux, aka Giddy Up Mikey, just Mikey, or as I sometimes call him Michael Robert! And let me tell you, thanks to Mikey, I'm getting all this God business on a deeper level!

As I've said before, Mikey could have been nicknamed the Quote Master Flash because that guy can pick the quotes and arrange them in ways that'll blow your freakin' mind! This book is a gift to anyone who picks it up.

Oh, and the other really cool thing about this book is you CAN judge it by its cover! Its got the coolest cover I've ever even seen, I tell you!

I mean who doesn't want a book called, Dude Where's My Jesus Fish?, laying around on their coffee table? I know I do, and here's an interesting historical fact, I was the very first customer! And I'm not only satisfied, I'm stratisfied!

There's a link to Mikey's website on the top right of this page. Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Groundhog Day

Its Groundhog Day, again. And this year Punxsutawney Phil is predicting an early spring! Hallelujah!

This has been one of my favorite holidays ever since 1993 when the movie, Groundhog Day, came out. I never saw the fantasticness of that movie coming. When I did see it for the first time, I was blown away. The movie though totally fiction rang strangely true to me!

Its still a great flick 18 years later, and it still rings true for me! Funny how bits and pieces of the Holy Spirit's thought system show up all over. ACIM articulates the Holy Spirit's complete thought system, yet parts can pretty much be found all over hell, I mean earth! And heck, that's a good thing!

What's been fun about doing the lessons this time around is that I began on the actual 1st of January, and so far I've managed to keep a one a day pace, so this gives me the chance to see what holiday or whose birthday falls on which lesson.

Now we know, Groundhog Day falls on Lesson 33 which says, "There is another way of looking at the world." That seems fitting, huh?

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Just Enjoy the Show!

I was listening to my ipod earlier, and when I came to song number 3 on my playlist called "The Show" by Lenka, I thought, my God, this song has the Holy Spirit written all over it. He even gets in the last word.

Anyway, its cool, so I'm sharing it:

The Show
By, Lenka

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze, and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone, I've tried
And I don't know why

Slow it down, make it stop
Or else my heart is going to pop
Cause its too much, yeah its a lot
To be something I'm not

I'm a fool out of Love
Cause I just can't get enough

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze, and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone, I've tried
And I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
Its bringing me down, I know
I've got to let it go, and just enjoy the show

The sun is hot, in the sky, just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the signs, and synchronize in time
It's a joke nobody knows
They've got a ticket to the show

Yeah, I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze, and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone, I've tried
And I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared, but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
It's bringing me down I know
I've got to let it go, and just enjoy the show
Just enjoy the show

Da, dum, di, dum
Da, dum, di, dum

Just enjoy the show

I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back

Just enjoy the show

I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back

Just enjoy the show!

Friday, January 14, 2011

My Personal Repertory of Horrors

Remember my blog about "murder"? Well, oddly or not so oddly, I'm on Lesson 14 in the Workbook today which instructs me to "With eyes closed, think of all the horrors in the world that cross your mind. Name each one as it occurs to you, and then deny its reality. God did not create it, and so it is not real. Say, for example: God did not create that war, and so it is not real."

Now, that's what I'm talking about! Let's see here...

God did not create that murder, and so it is not real.
God did not create that violence,and so it is not real.
God did not create that torture, and so it is not real.
God did not create that suffering, and so it is not real.
God did not create that pain, and so it is not real.
God did not create that death, and so it is not real.
God did not create that abuse, and so it is not real.
God did not create that addiction, and so it is not real.
God did not create that depression, and so it is not real.


He goes on to say that, "This is your personal repertory of horrors at which you are looking. These things are part of the world you see. Some of them are shared illusions, and others are part of your personal hell. It does not matter. What God did not create can only be in your own mind apart from His. Therefore, it has no meaning. In recognition of this fact, conclude the practice periods by repeating today's idea: God did not create a meaningless world."

Let the mind training continue, and thank God!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Spelling Bee

Woo! Hoo! Talk about forgiveness opportunities you didn't see coming! George (my son) was in the spelling bee yesterday. He took ninth, by the way, out of thirty-four kids.

A crazy thing seemed to happen up on that stage. There were three rows of seats, a front, middle and back row. Each time one kid would stand up and take a turn at the microphone all the seated kids would shift over a seat...except the kid sitting just to the left of my kid. She kept keeping an extra chair between herself and George.

No other kids had an empty chair in between them. It really started to seem like she thought George had cooties or something. I watched him really closely to see if he seemed to notice, and he did! I could tell that he noticed, and I swear I saw the hurt in his eyes.

This went on for what seemed like forever. I got angrier and angrier each time the kids shifted, and there was that empty chair. It was so obvious that she refused to sit right next to George! Oh, I wanted to march right up on that stage and straighten her out or mangle her up or something.

Then Georgie got his word, "hurriedly", and he missed it, so he came down to the audience and sat. And the kids shifted up on stage, and that girl kept a seat in between her and the new next kid. And then her and the new next kid. And again. Turns out it wasn't personal. She just likes an extra seat no matter who is sitting to her right. And George could see that as plain as anyone.

So then, finally, I forgave it, and I felt extremely grateful to be so very wrong about everything all the time.

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Bachelor

I am going to confess that I'm a huge fan of this reality dating show called "The Bachelor." I have a date with this show every Monday night at 8 o'clock on ABC!

I had my winner all picked out during the first episode which aired last Monday. I was betting on Emily, hands down! And then wouldn't ya know it, the previews for next week's show have her saying she just wants to go home!

Hey wait a minute, that's where I wanna go, too!

Well, far be it for me to judge, and so instead, I'll just share a little of what J has to say about judgment in the Manual for Teachers.

It is necessary for the teacher of God to realize, not that he should not judge, but that he cannot. In giving up judgment, he is merely giving up what he did not have. He gives up an illusion; or better, he has an illusion of giving up. He has actually merely become more honest. Recognizing that judgment was always impossible for him, he no longer attempts it. This is no sacrifice. On the contrary, he puts himself in a position where judgment through him rather than by him can occur. And this judgment is neither "good" nor "bad." It is the only judgment there is, and it is only one: "God's Son is guiltless, and sin does not exist."

Hey, I just posted that last line like four blogs ago!

Ha-hem, He goes on to say:

Remember how many times you thought you knew all the "facts" you needed for judgment, and how wrong you were! Is there anyone who has not had this experience? Would you know how many times you merely thought you were right, without ever realizing you were wrong? Why would you choose such an arbitrary basis for decision making? Wisdom is not judgment; it is the relinquishment of judgment. Make then but one more judgment. It is this: There is Someone with you whose judgment is perfect. He does know all the facts; past, present and to come. He does know all the effects of His judgment on everyone and everything involved in any way. And He is wholly fair to everyone, for there is no distortion in His perception.

Therefore lay judgment down, not with regret but with a sigh of gratitude. Now are you free of a burden so great that you could merely stagger and fall down beneath it. And it was all illusion. Nothing more. Now can the teacher of God rise up unburdened, and walk lightly on. Yet it is not only this that is his benefit. His sense of care is gone, for he has none. He has given it away, along with judgment. He gave himself to Him Whose judgment he has chosen now to trust, instead of his own. Now he makes no mistakes. His Guide is sure. And where he came to judge, he comes to bless. Where now he laughs, he used to come to weep.

MAD COURSE STUDENT: Very clear, thanks J.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Murder

Have you ever noticed that somebody is always getting murdered? It seems like every time I turn on the tv or read the news online, somebody is getting murdered.

Parents gun down their children. Children gun down their parents. On any given day, somebody is getting shot, stabbed or strangled. It's kinda hard not to notice if you look around this place even just a little.

Right this second, on the 11 O'clock news, they're talking about a fatal supermarket shooting in Arizona. They're calling it a rampage.

This issue of murder was my most confusing issue when I first came to the Course. And it still confuses me. In the text, J says:

Assault can ultimately be made only on the body. There is little doubt that one body can assault another, and can even destroy it. Yet if destruction itself is impossible, anything that is destructible cannot be real. Its destruction, therefore, does not justify anger. To the extent to which you believe that it does, you are accepting false premises and teaching them to others. The message the crucifixion was intended to teach was that it is not necessary to perceive any form of assault in persecution, because you cannot be persecuted. If you respond with anger, you must be equating yourself with the destructible, and are therefore regarding yourself insanely.

MAD COURSE STUDENT: Good Lord, what is it for! And HELP!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Meatloaf

I keep thinking if the ego had a song it would be that one by Meatloaf, "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad."

Remember it? It goes:

Baby we can talk all night
But that ain't gettin' us nowhere
I told you everything I possibly can
There's nothing left inside of here
And maybe you can cry all night
But that'll never change the way that I feel
The snow is really piling up outside
I wish you wouldn't make me leave here
I poured it on and I poured it out
I tried to show you just how much I care
I'm tired of words and I'm too hoarse to shout
But you've been cold to me so long
I'm crying icicles instead of tears

And all I can do is keep on telling you
I want you, I need you
But there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you
Now don't be sad
'Cause two out of three ain't bad

How about it? Perfect song for that guy, huh?

Plus also, how about this one, "Looking for Love (In All the Wrong Places)" by Marc Almond?

Friday, January 7, 2011

Heaven's Messengers

There is one major difference in the role of Heaven's messengers, which sets them off from those the world appoints. The messages that they deliver are intended first for them. And it is only as they can accept them for themselves that they become able to bring them further, and to give them everywhere that they were meant to be. Like earthly messengers, they did not write the messages they bear, but they become their first receivers in the truest sense, receiving to prepare themselves to give.

That was from Lesson 154 in the Workbook, "I am among the ministers of God." Although, that's not where I was reading it since I'm on Lesson 7, and I'm following the rules of not doing more than one set of exercises per day. That particular rule may just apply the first time through, but heck, I'm a compulsive rule follower, probably.

Anyway, I just read that tonight in The Disappearance of the Universe, chapter 15, right near the end. I love that quote, and it is also a good reminder to me of who is the student and who is the Teacher.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Slumdog Millionaire

Finally! I watched Slumdog Millionaire. I've heard so much about this movie since it came out in 2009. Now, I know why. What a flick!

The kids in the film were truly adorable. I just wanted to feed them all and give them complete access to a "real" toilet. Not really, that's the thing, these kids had the strength of Christ, and honestly, they seemed to be able to handle anything that came along.

There's such a triumphant Spirit that runs through out the entire movie. I'd say one of the major themes was this idea of destiny which is roughly equivalent to the Course's teaching that "The script is written."

I find great comfort in that idea. It puts me in a position where I don't have to try to make things happen. I just have to forgive what does. And whatever seems to come to pass, the Holy Spirit is always ready to make good use of it on behalf of healing all of us.

"God's Son is guiltless and sin does not exist." ACIM

Thank God.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Quote Master Flash

That's the nickname I would give giddy-up Mikey if he didn't already have the nickname giddy-up Mikey. He posts a lot of quotes here, there and everywhere which are so helpful and brilliant, not just to me personally, but to so many people who aren't even really people as the quotes themselves often point out!

I think about the two solid months I let this blog sit here because I didn't think I had anything to say. The truth is all the important stuff has already been said in both the Disappearance books and the Course. I'm still gonna chat about any interesting experiences I may have in the forgiveness department whether they be the good, the bad or the downright ugly. But tonight, I thought I would be a bit of a copy cat and take something directly from the quote master flash. He recently posted this from page 14 of the Disappearance of the Universe!

ARTEN: There's nothing in your universe that doesn't follow the pattern of decay and death, and there's nothing here that can seemingly live without something else dying. Your world is quite impressive until you learn to really look. But people don't want to really look, not just because it isn't a pretty picture, but because the world is meant to cover over an unconscious thought system that governs their lives but which they are not consciously aware of.

Still Better than Sex

Yesterday's blog called "Better Than Sex" was going to be about some lines from the Course that Pursah spoke to Gary in Chapter 14 of The Disappearance of the Universe.

Somehow, I got all side tracked in a holy instant of overwhelming gratitude which was lots of fun, but I never did post that part!

So, now I'm back still grateful as all get out, and here are those beautiful words which are always worth remembering!

From the forgiven world the Son of God is lifted easily into his home. And there he knows that he has always rested there in peace. Even salvation will become a dream, and vanish from his mind. For salvation is the end of dreams, and with the closing of the dream will have no meaning. Who, awake in Heaven, could dream that there could ever be need of salvation?

Monday, January 3, 2011

Better Than Sex

That's the name of chapter 14 of The Disappearance of the Universe which I read earlier today. What a great name, what a great chapter! Then again, all the chapters have great names and all are great chapters!

When I picked up this book for the first time almost 6 years ago, I knew immediately that I was in the presence of wisdom far greater than anything I had encountered before.

I could say thank you all day everyday for ten straight years and it still couldn't convey the gratitude I feel for this miraculous teaching.

Hey, that reminds me of that Course quote which happens to open chapter 3 of The Disappearance of the Universe. Another great name, and another great chapter.

The chapter is called "The Miracle," and the opening Course quote says, "Miracles fall like drops of healing rain from Heaven on a dry and dusty world, where starved and thirsty creatures come to die."

I was one of those starved and thirsty creatures!

What else can I say but THANK YOU!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

A New Course Group

I joined a new online Course group on New Year's Eve. It's called On Course with Gene Bogart. I receive an email of the lesson each day. Plus, I can listen to Gene's recording of the lesson as well.

I'm not too sure of how it all works yet. I think I still need to get approval to be an official member of the group, but if I do get in, this will be my very first Course "group"!

I always liked complaining that there are no Course groups in this area until my good friend Giddy-up Mikey did a little research and found me one just 30 minutes away. Come to find out, I don't actually want to leave the house, apparently.

Anyway, this online group seems like it will suit me just fine! For anyone who may be interested you can just google On Course with Gene Bogart, and there he'll be!

By the way, I'm 2 for 2 on the lessons so far! I can't imagine I'm really gonna be able to pull off the workbook in 365 days. But it'll be fun tryin' and with a group no less!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

It's Raining Epilogues!

Hello and Happy New Year! Again!

I was just reviewing my blog in an attempt to blog, and I see that not only did I post the Epilogue last night, but I also posted it four blogs ago. I also noticed that these alleged epilogues weren't saying the same thing.

That was baffling to me, so I started searching through my brand-new, just got it for Christmas, paperback, combined volume, third edition of A Course in Miracles that is published by the Foundation for Inner Peace. And I see that the epilogue I posted last night is for the Workbook and the epilogue I posted four blogs ago is for the Clarification of Terms.

I have to wonder where the heck my mind was all those times I read the book?

In any event, how lovely that there are two epilogues! Especially, since Jesus is obviously such a fantastic Epilogue-er!

Thanks ten million, J!