Quotations Used in the Sunday Message
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Youth Service & Memorial Day 05.28.23
Memorial Day Portion Of Service…
Opening Statement:
“Let’s Remember With Heartfelt Gratitude Those Who’ve Given Their Lives For Freedom” SV
Scripture:
John 15:13 (NIV)
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Presidential Proclamation:
In honor and recognition of all of our fallen heroes, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended, has requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer… President Biden has so proclaimed Memorial Day, May 28th, 2023, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and designated the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time when people might unite in prayer.
ALSO: In December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. All Americans are encouraged to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. In his proclamation, President Biden has further asked all Americans to observe the “National Moment of Remembrance” beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.
Quotes:
For a soldier a lot can happen in one minute. Because when you choose service over self, one minute can mean the difference between living or dying. Between going home to your family and never seeing them again. Sacrifice means placing every minute of your life on the line for your country. And sometimes you don’t come home.
--Unknown
Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.
--Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Adapting To Change…The Natural Rhythm Of Life” 05-21-23
Core Statement:
“Being Receptive To Change Opens Us To Expansive, Creative Possibilities” sv
Scripture:
Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)
11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Matthew 5:4 (NRSV)
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Isaiah 43:18-19a (NIV)
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Deuteronomy 11:10-11
10 For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; 11 but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven…
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Special Reading:
It is common for people to ignore the change that is happening around them for various reasons… Denying or delaying your reaction, however, can often be more stressful than accepting the change early on. Remind yourself that things will be okay and you’ve endured change before and been fine on the other side.
--Steven Sellars
Licensed Professional Counselor-Centerstone Family Clinic
Special Reading:
Adapting to change is a skill that allows you to face new challenges and situations as they arise… A person who can adapt to change accepts these new opportunities and changing situations without panic or fear. Becoming an adaptable person requires a positive attitude and a willingness to accept change as it happens… When you look at unexpected shifts as a way to usher in new opportunities that might take you out of your comfort zone rather than an obstacle, you can become more resilient to constant change. www.masterclass.com/articles/adapting-to-change
Quotes:
Weep not that the world changes—did it keep a stable, changeless state, it were cause indeed to weep.
--William Bryant
Observe constantly that all things take place by change.
--Marcus Aurelius
Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by discomforts.
--Arnold Bennett
Nothing we can do can change the past, but everything we do changes the future.
--Ashleigh Brilliant
Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.
--Eckhart Tolle
The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.
--Kakuz? Okakura
“Grateful For Motherly Love…The Divine Feminine” 05.14.23
Core Statement:
“Expressing & Sharing God’s Divine Feminine Love Nurtures, Comforts, Embraces & Heals” sv
Scripture:
Isaiah 66:13 (NRSV) 13 “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
Romans 5:5 (NIV) 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by
the Holy Spirit…(Divine Feminine)
Wisdom 7:25-26 (NRSVUE) 25 For she is a breath of the power of God and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty… 26 For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.
Sirach 24:2-3, 18 (NRSVUE) 2 …She opens her mouth, & in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory: 3 “I came forth from the mouth of the Most High & covered the earth like a mist… (Other ancient authorities add 24:18) 18 I am the mother of beautiful love…of knowledge, and of holy hope; I give to all my children; these things are eternal…
Galatians 5:22 (NASB) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…
Proverbs 31:28 (NASB) 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her…
Special Reading:
For Semitic languages, such as ancient Syriac,(which is derived from Aramaic) the earliest liturgical tradition and established gender usage for referring to the Holy Spirit is feminine… …Some churches… teach that the Holy Spirit is feminine based on the fact that both feminine nouns and verbs, as well as feminine analogies, are thought to be used by the Bible to describe the Spirit of God… These are based on the grammatical gender of both the nouns and verbs used by the original authors for the Spirit, as well as maternal analogies used by the prophets and Jesus for the Spirit in the original Bible languages.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_of_the_Holy_Spirit
Unity Reading:
Jesus talked a great deal about the Holy Spirit (the whole spirit)… Holy Spirit is the love of Jehovah taking care of the human family, and love is always feminine. Love is the great harmonizer and healer, & whoever calls upon God as Holy Spirit for healing is calling upon the divine love. The Holy Spirit is sympathetic, comforting, loving, forgiving and instantly healing.
--Charles Fillmore Jesus Christ Heals
Special Reading:
Wherever the association is made between love and divinity, between beauty and harmony and divinity, between nourishment and divinity, or between compassion and divinity, there stands the image of the Divine Feminine. (pg105)
--Andrew Harvey & Anne Baring The Divine Feminine
The Divine Feminine is an energy that has been with us since ancient times. Consciousness is basically divided up into the ‘masculine’ side and the ‘feminine’ side, and we need both to achieve our highest creative potential. The Divine Feminine represents the connection to the part of our consciousness responsible for nurture, intuition, and empathy…
--Suzanne Kingsbury
Quotes:
There’s no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.
--Jill Churchill
Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.
--Robert A. Heinlein
The energy of the feminine embodies the nurturer, the healer and the peacemaker. While the masculine energy is focused on doing, the feminine energy revels in being.
--Julie Schoen
Mother energy is universal. It is the large expression of the sacred feminine that comes from spirit.
--Elaine Seiler, Multi-Dimensional You: Exploring Energetic Evolution
If I know what love is, it’s because of you.
--Hermann Hesse
To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.
--Dr. Suess
“Chanting, Meditation, Prayer…Connecting With God/Higher Consciousness (Part 2)” 05-07-23
Core Statement:
“Prayer & Meditation Bring Us Into Relationship & Connection With Higher Consciousness/God” sv
Scripture:
John 14:11 (NRSVUE)
11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me…(God Within)
Psalm 25:1-2 (NASB)
1To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2A O my God, in You I trust…
Colossians 4:2 (NASB)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving…
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks...
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying...
Special Readings:
Physics teaches us that everything in the universe has its own unique energy vibration… Increase the power of your prayers by allowing yourself to deeply feel each word as you say it. We know this is true thanks to information in Gregg Braden’s book, The Isaiah Effect, Decoding the Lost Science of Prayer and Prophecy. In addition, Heart Math Institute in Boulder Creek, California has done 20 years of scientific studies on the individual and collective power of heart centered intentions. A heart felt intention has approximately 5,000 times the power of an intention created by thought.
-- www.Universalprayersofpeace.org
Myrtle Fillmore taught that God is inside each person. “Sometimes we pray to a God outside of ourselves. It is the God in the midst of us that frees and heals. … Prayer, then, is to change our minds and hearts so that God’s omnipresent good may fill our minds and hearts, and manifest in our lives.
--Myrtle Fillmore
Whatever form and shape prayer takes, our first concern is not to press God for the things we think we need or the matters we are concerned about, but rather a quest for God's presence and relationship.
--Charles Ringma
Quotes:
A person without prayer is like a tree without roots.
--www.Celebrateyoga.com
The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.
--Soren Kierkegaard
Prayer is communication with the Divine. It can be whispered or chanted or written or expressed in the work you do. However it is expressed, it is never in vain.
--Donna Wilk Cardillo
The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity…if we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace
wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God’s standing challenge, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.
--J. Hudson Taylor
Remember that we do not always have to pray with words. Our minds and hearts are not one-dimensional. We live in a colorful world, and are gifted with vivid imaginations. Try praying in images instead of words… So do that which brings you most mindfully into God’s presence. Do that which raises your mind and heart to God’s love.
--Amy Ekeh
It is of course possible to dance a prayer.
--Glade Byron Addams
The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.
--Black Elk (1863-1950)
If you begin to live life looking for the God that is all around you, every moment becomes a prayer.
--Frank Bianco
“Chanting Mantras…Meditation With Sound” 04-30-23
Core Statement:
“Mantras Use Sound & Language To Center Us In Higher Consciousness” sv
Scripture:
Psalm 42:1-2a (ESV) 1As the deer longs for the water brooks, So my soul longs for You, O God. 2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God…
1 Corinthians 14:15 (ESV) 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
Psalm 25:1 (NASB) 1To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Special Reading:
Prayer and meditation are two essential components in most religions. Although meditation has religious origins, many people around the world, including those who don’t believe in gods or religion, practice meditation. This is because meditation does not require belief.
Meditation is the act of focusing your attention on one thing for an extended period of time, either as a religious practice or as a means of becoming calm and relaxed… There are different types of meditation: focused meditation, mindfulness meditation, movement meditation, chanting meditation, and visualization meditation.
Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to communicate with God. A prayer can be silent words of thanks or praise or a plea you speak out loud. Some people pray so that they can achieve a sense of connection with God… Prayers can also take a variety of forms: a hymn, incantation, spontaneous utterance, or a formal creedal statement.
Difference Between Meditation and Prayer
Meditation is the act of focusing your attention on one thing for an extended period of time, either as a religious practice or as a means of becoming calm and relaxed. Prayer, on the other hand, is an invocation or act that seeks to communicate with God.
--Gerandielle Kumari
Quotes:
Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.
--Edwin Keith
Mantra: Sanskrit word meaning sacred message or text; literally a `sacred utterance' in Vedism (precursor to Hinduism).
-- www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/mantra
In the world of language and sounds, mantras—which have been around for an eternity—are powerful sound vibrations that reverberate in human consciousness… Sound is energy, which means it is essentially without a beginning or end. When a mantra is chanted, it taps into this eternal nature of our consciousness.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explains “Mantras are essentially of three types: Kirtan, chanting, and japa. When we chant mantras loudly and together in a group, it is called kirtana (or bhajan where bhaj means to share—sharing the one consciousness). When we recite in a normal or medium tone of the voice, then it is called chanting. And when you recite quietly or very slowly in the mind, then that is called japa.”
--www.ArtOfLivingRetreatCenter.org
The word mantra originates in Sanskrit and has been translated in English in various ways: a hymn or song of praise, sacred message or text, or incantation.
…Mantras are frequently used in meditation sessions to silence mental chatter... Our minds are full of noise—largely repetitive, useless, and even harmless thoughts that are on replay much of the time. A mantra can slice through these thoughts in any moment, especially when you craft one that is meaningful just to you. Your mantra is the ultimate positive statement that truly resonates with your heart and mind.
--Susie Moore
Kirtan is food for the spirit, a life raft of song.
Kirtan allows us to enter into a mystery world- a world where all the logic of our minds, all the condition and learning are left outside. And in this mystery we create a temple inside of our hearts, a place of refuge, a place of love, a place of just being.
--Jai Uttal
“Mindful Caretakers Of Planet Earth” 04-23-23
Core Statement:
“Let’s Own Our Sacred Responsibility To Planet Earth & Take Wise Action” sv
Scripture:
Isaiah 24:4-5 (NRSV)
4 The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers; the heavens languish together with the earth. 5 The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.
Jeremiah 2:7 (NRSVUE)
7 I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land…
Ezekiel 34:18 (ESV)
18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet?
Genesis 1:26 (ESV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea & over the birds of the heavens & over the livestock & over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” [The Hebrew word for dominion does not mean “to dominate” or “to exploit.” Rather, it means “to take sacred responsibility for]
1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV)
2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
Unity Reading:
People everywhere on earth are now realizing as never before that the well-being of this world rests with its inhabitants…
The pessimist moans “I could make a better world than this.” The optimist sings, “Go to it; that’s what God put you here for.”
-- Charles Fillmore Atom Smashing Power Of Mind
Special Reading:
Sustainability is a path to prosperity for humanity and businesses alike. There is no longer a choice between going green and growing long term profits. It is crucial for businesses of all sizes to act now! As citizens we have the power and duty to make our voices heard. What each of us does and how we do it has a massive ripple effect on our ecosystems as well as the pace of corporate and government action. Gen. Z provides inspiration, with 45% having stopped buying from brands with poor ethical and sustainability practices. Through civic actions and our day-to-day life choices, we have the power to lobby for and support the businesses who actively choose eco friendly practices and climate-friendly investments. There is no time more vital than the present to take action and invest in our planet!
www.Earthday.org/earth-day2023/
Quotes:
The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
--Robert Swan
To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash.
--Bill Nye
Sooner or later, we will have to recognize that the Earth has rights, too, to live without pollution. What mankind must know is that human beings cannot live without Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans.
--Evo Morales
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.
--Mahatma Gandhi
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.
--Jane Goodall
If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.
--Betty Reese
A vibrant, fair, and regenerative future is possible — not when thousands of people do climate justice activism perfectly, but when millions of people do the best they can. We are on Earth to take care of life. We are on Earth to take care of each other.
--Xiye Bastida
“The Renewal Promise Of Springtime” 04-16-23
Core Statement:
“Ongoing Renewal, The Natural Order Of The Universe, Is Evidenced In Springtime” SV
Scripture:
Romans 1:20 (NRSVUE)
20 Ever since the creation of the world God’s eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been seen and understood through the things God has made.
Job 12:7-10 (NRSVUE)
7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8 ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you, and the fish of the sea will declare to you. 9 Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.
James 5:7 (NRSV)
7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.
Zechariah 10:1 (NIV)
1Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.
Special Reading:
The natural world is our first way of knowing God… Not only is nature part of our biological DNA, it is in our spiritual DNA as well. Long before there were synagogues and mosques and churches, our first way of experiencing or knowing God was outdoors… And Jesus often used familiar nature imagery to get his point across to the people of his time…
In nature, the experience of Spirit is unmediated and unfettered, uncomplicated by dogma and doctrine.
--Beth Norcross
Quotes:
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
--Albert Einstein
Spring Is…
* The reminder that delicate shoots must push through dirt
* The realization of how much darkness we’ve survived
* The time of indecision, restless clouds and soft sunshine
* The knowledge that not everything blooms at the same time
* The astonishment of regrowth, of the forgotten reawakening
* The season of hope, of trying before you know you’ll succeed
--Dani DiPirro @Positively Present
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.
--Rachel Carson
In the depth of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
--Albert Camus
I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.
--George Washington Carver
Hope is not pretending that troubles don't exist. It is the trust that they will not last forever, that hurts will be healed and difficulties overcome. It is faith that a source of strength and renewal lies within to lead us through the dark into the sunshine.
-- Liz Chase
Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not
last. The spring rains will come again.
--Sarah Ban Breathnach
“Resurrected Consciousness…From Darkness Into Light" 04-09-23
Core Statement:
“Spiritual Resurrection Is Rising Beyond Challenges Into Higher Christ Consciousness” sv
Scripture:
Matthew 28:1-2,5-6 (ESV)
1Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 5But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen…
Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)
13 He [God] has delivered us from the power of darkness & transferred us into the kingdom…
John 11:25 (ESV)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…
Joshua 1:9 (NJKV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Unity Reading:
Eastertide…the resurrection of the mind from the darkness of its doubts and false beliefs into the light of understanding…(paraphrased). The word crucifixion means the crossing out in consciousness of certain errors that have become fixed states of mind… the giving up of the personality in order that the Christ Mind may be expressed in all its fullness.
--Charles Fillmore Keep A True Lent
Special Reading:
Like many Christian holidays [Easter] is connected to older mythologies…. You can tell this by the fact that Easter is a movable feast: The date changes each year because it is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring equinox. Easter is also the holiday of the pagan Germanic goddess Eostre, the goddess of the dawn. She is celebrated at springtime, when the light begins to return in the Northern Hemisphere to warm up the earth, bringing with it food, flowers, and the promise of a new season. The eggs and bunnies so often seen around Easter are actually symbols of the Goddess’ fertility.
--Julie Peters (MA, E-RYT, YACEP)
Quotes:
Since pre-historic times, people have celebrated the equinoxes and the solstices as sacred times… People mapped their
whole life according to the patterns of nature…Following the advent of Christianity, the Easter period became associated with the resurrection of Christ. Many of the pagan customs associated with the celebration of spring eventually became absorbed within Christianity as symbols of the resurrection of Jesus.
--Professor Carole Cusack
History shows that the cross was used by many civilizations as a spiritual & mystical symbol (with “pagan” origins)…In Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, Asia, India, centuries before Christ. The “cross symbol” is varied, and is much older than Jesus or Christianity. The "Christian" use of the cross did not begin until the time of Constantine, three centuries after the death Christ. www.theosophytrust.org/695-cross)
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.
--Chuang Tzu
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.
--Maya Angelou
How does one become a butterfly?”…. “You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”
--Trina Paulus
Rebirth is the main theme behind not only Christianity but other religions that have celebrated the resurrection mythology. The symbolic nature of Easter is the process of dying to the old self and being reborn in a spiritual sense… Easter can be a powerful metaphor, one that helps us to re-examine our current state of being and then decide how we need to evolve.
--Sonyo Zofia
The symbolic language of the crucifixion is the death of the old paradigm; resurrection is a leap into a whole new way of thinking.
--Deepak Chopra
“Jesus’ Humble Journey…A Pathway Of Palms” 04-02-23
Core Statement:
“Humbleness On Our Spiritual Journey Opens Us To God’s Greater Wisdom” sv
Scripture:
Matt 21:6-9 (NIV)
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Psalm 147:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. 6 The Lord lifts up the humble…
Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Psalm 25:8-9 (ESV)
8a Good and upright is the LORD… 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
James 4:10 (NASB)10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Unity Reading:
It is safe to say no one can know the doctrine of Jesus Christ without going direct to Him for information. The writings of the New Testament known as the four Gospels are the most reliable external guide. When these are studied with unbiased mind, it is perceived that Jesus delegated NO ecclesiastical power to anybody; that he did not formulate His doctrine or authorize any other human being to do so. Jesus appointed ONE TEACHER: “The Comforter, The Holy Spirit…shall teach you all things… The Holy Spirit is the Whole Spirit of God…and can be known by man only through his spiritual nature [not egoic nature].
--Charles Fillmore Talks On Truth
Special Reading:
When you have compassion and surrender to your own heart, you are surrendering to the hidden power in your heart, God. You are surrendering to love, because God is Love, the cohesive force of the universe that connects us all. Surrender is not just a religious concept; it's a power tool for listening to the voice of your spirit and following its directions. When you surrender your head to your heart (ego to Spirit), you allow your heart to give you a wider, higher intelligence perspective
--Sara Paddison, Hidden Power of the Heart
Humility/Humble: not arrogant or falsely prideful
Quotes:
Being humble for most people brings to mind a form of weakness. Maybe we’ve got it all wrong and the one who practices humility is actually the strong one? Most of the time when we don’t humble ourselves, we are really saying we don’t trust God.
--Mike Mobley
The one characteristic of authentic power that most people overlook is humbleness… His or her perception goes beyond the shell of appearance and into essence.
--Gary Zukav
A humble man is not afraid of failure. In fact, he is not afraid of anything, even himself, since perfect humility implies perfect confidence in the power of God. Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.
--Thomas Merton
Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration…
--Eileen Caddy
Be humble, be grateful, give back, share, pay it forward, chase your dreams, go for it, and take a moment to
remember where it is ALL from.
--Justin Bieber
Humility is never about being small, unseen and unnoticed. Humility is really about expressing all the wonder you are in a way that all people see is the awesomeness and greatness of GOD.
-- TemitOpe Ibrahim
“Honoring Women’s Contributions Throughout History” 03-26-23
Core Statement:
“Celebrating Women’s Historical Contributions Focuses Gratitude & Credit Where It’s Due” sv
Scripture:
Galatians 3:28 (NKJV) 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Micah 6:4 (NIV)4 I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to
lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.
Military Leader/Judge: Bible verses on women’s leadership are inspired by the leadership style of Deborah, who became a singular biblical figure: a female military leader. It is hard to imagine the Bible without women leaders. The Bible has many stories of…courageous females... One such example is Deborah, a judge in ancient Israel and the only female Judge mentioned in the Bible. Judges 4:4-5 (NIV) 4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.
Businesswoman: Upon arriving in Philippi, Paul first went to the Jews. He found no synagogue, but he did find women praying at the river. Lydia, a merchant, responded to the message of Christ and offered hospitality to Paul and Silas. The believers later gathered at the home of this businesswoman and Early Church leader. Acts 16:40 (NRSV) 40 After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home, & when they had seen & encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.
Deacon: Little is known about Phoebe except that she held the title of “deacon”. But many scholars believe Phoebe’s role was to take Paul’s letter to the church in Rome where she would have read it to the believers and even answered questions they may have had. Romans 16:1 (NRSVUE) 1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae.
Special Reading:
Women are still at a higher risk for poverty:
* Unequal 20 cent wage gap between men and women
* Bear the burden of low-wage jobs and unpaid caregiving work
* 1/3 of single mothers live in poverty
Women are still victimized by sexual violence:
* 33% of women are likely to be abused
* 4.7 million American women experience physical violence by an intimate partner
* Women in the U.S. military are more likely to be raped by fellow soldiers than killed in combat
Women are still underrepresented in leadership:
* 19% of all members of Congress are women
* Of 50 state governors, 4 are women (8%)
* Of the Fortune 500 companies, 25 are led by women CEOs (5%)
www.yourdream.liveyourdream.org/2017/03/history-of-womens-rights-america
Quotes:
Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all kinds of oppression. Nelson Mandela
Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it's about changing the way the world perceives that strength. G.D. Anderson
I raise my voice not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot succeed when half of us are held back. Malala Yousafzai
I can promise you that women working together – linked, informed and educated – can bring peace and prosperity to this
forsaken planet. Isabelle Allende
A world full of empowered women isn’t one where men are marginalized. It’s a world where everyone thrives. Purnima Mane PhD
A woman is human. She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative, or more responsible than a man. Likewise, she is never less... Vera Nazarian
“Irish Music Speaks To The Heart” 03-19-23
Weekly Thought:
”Music Experienced In Our Heart & Soul Connects Us Directly To God” sv
Scripture:
Psalm 9:2 (CEV) 2God Most High, I will rejoice; I will celebrate and sing because of you.
Psalm 150:3-4 (NRSV) 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
Ephesians 5:18b-19 (NIV) 18b… be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs
from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart...
Special Reading:
Every Irish person’s heart sings when they hear the soaring melodies of traditional Irish music. The singsong vocal runs, pipes, and fiddle represent a rich history dedicated to the resilience, and beauty of our ancestors…
Over 2,000 years ago, during the Iron Age Era, Celtic people settled in Ireland and started creating their own music in about 500 BC… It was there that traditional Irish music was born, and it was handed down through the generations. Musicians would learn by ear, and they never formally wrote down the music or lyrics… Irish folk music evolved over the centuries and became an important thread running through Irish history… When we look at music from any culture, one of the main things we can examine is themes within the songs. Just like most cultures, a lot of traditional Irish songs tend to have similar topics, which act as a sign pointing toward what Irish life has been like for centuries. A few examples of these topics are the sea, the supernatural, prison, martyrs, historical figures, rebellion, immigration, humor, love, and drinking… These songs communicate what it’s like to live in Ireland, and share historical events and themes. www.IrishAmericanMom.com
Quotes:
Music is a universal language. It has the unique ability to communicate with you and connect you to the Universe in ways you can’t find elsewhere… If you’re open to its healing powers, music often resonates on a level much deeper than cognitive comprehension; it reaches your soul… Whether you listen to classical, grunge, pop, singer/songwriter, alternative, rock, bluegrass, country, or folk, the music you’re listening to affects your mind, body, and spirit in substantial ways… Music has a transcendent property that can connect you to something greater than yourself and has been proven to positively affect spirituality and quality of life. https://chopra.com/articles/5-healing-benefits-of-listening-to-music
Music is a universal language capable of awakening emotions and unique sensations… The influence of music on our soul is so far ranging… Ever since different cultures started to form, there has always been a place for rhythmic sounds that can communicate our feelings. In every age and civilization this particular form of expression has existed, and in so many varied styles… https://exploringyourmind.com/influence-music-lives/
Music is so much more than enjoyment for our ears. It affects our minds and souls to create a multi-sensory experience that goes far beyond listening. The power that different sounds can have on us is tremendous… Andre Feriante
Although there are many aspects to Irish heritage, traditions and culture, music is a very important one. In previous centuries, music and storytelling were the only forms of entertainment on an island that had no electricity and where only a small minority of the population were literate. On cold, dark evenings, villages would crowd together into their local pub to share a warm fire, hear stories and listen to music played by the local musicians... It started a tradition that has been kept alive since then, as music is still a very important part of life in Ireland. www.claddaghdesign.com/blogs/irish-interest
Irish music tells the story of the land and its people. Throughout history, during times of celebration and rebellion, music
sent a powerful message and brought people together. Neville Gardener
"Connecting, Serving & Growing Together" 02-26-23
Core Statement:
“Connecting Together In Spiritual Community Enriches Everyone’s Lives” sv
Scripture:
Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) 10 Be still, and know that I am God…
Romans 1:11-12 (NRSV) 11 For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours & mine.
Galatians 6:10 (NRSV) 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all…
Hebrews 10:24 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NRSV) 11 Therefore encourage one another & build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (NRSV) 26 What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a
hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
Special Reading:
One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing. Jean Vanier, Community & Growth
Quotes:
The spiritual path is not a solo endeavor… We are in it together and the company of spiritual friends helps us realize our interconnectedness. Tara Brach
When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other. Margaret J. Wheatley
Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve… You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. Martin Luther King Jr.
The value of all service lies in the spirit in which you serve and not in the importance or magnitude of the service. Even the lowliest task or deed is made holy, joyous, and prosperous when it is filled with love. Charles Fillmore
We are called to be strong companions and clear mirrors to one another, to seek those who reflect with compassion and a keen eye how we are doing, whether we seem centered or off course … we need the nourishing company of others to create the circle needed for growth, freedom and healing. Wayne Muller
We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth. Mitsugi Saotome
Community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not [only] for ourselves but for one another. Henri Nouwen
"Celebrating Black History Month…To Honor, Connect, & Appreciate" 02-19-23
Core Statement:
“Awareness, Acknowledgment, & Communication Help Break Down Walls Of Separation, Building Greater Connection” sv
Scripture:
Galatians 3:28 (ESV) 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one…
Romans 2:11 (NRSVUE) 11 For God shows no partiality.
Hebrews 10:24 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
Galatians 6:10 (NRSV) 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all…
Special Reading:
The Black History month honors African American people’s rich range of experiences, struggles and achievements throughout history and into the modern day… It’s a tribute to African American men and women who have made significant contributions to America and the rest of the world in the fields of science, politics, law, sports, the arts, entertainment, and many other fields. While Black History Month is synonymous with prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., there are countless other African Americans who've made a profound impact in history: self-made millionaire Madam C.J. Walker, astronaut Mae C. Jemison, open-heart surgeon Daniel Hale Williams, inventor Garret Morgan, media mogul Oprah Winfrey and "Father of Black History" Carter G. Woodson, who lobbied extensively to establish Black History Month as a nationwide celebration, among many others. www.biography.com/tag/black-history
Quotes:
The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. Ida B. Wells
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time… We are the change that we seek. Barack Obama
We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice. Carter G. Woodson
Won’t it be wonderful when black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history. Maya Angelou
Just don’t give up what you’re trying to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong. Ella Fitzgerald
My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. Desmond Tutu
“Let Your Love Light Shine” 02-12-23
Core Statement:
“Shining Our Love Light Uplifts & Embraces All, Magnifying Our Good” sv
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NRSV) 13 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NKJV) 13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NKJV) 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you… 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love…
2 John 1:6b (NIV) 6b …As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
[Love] is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves… We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection. Brene Brown
Quotes:
Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. In honor of one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. www.Wikipedia.com
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. Buddha
When we make the choice to fill our heart space with unconditional love, our worlds blossom into a beauty far greater than we have known. Rio Godfrey
Love is our essential nutrient. Without it, life has little meaning. It’s the best thing we have to give and the most valuable thing we receive… You will learn a lot about yourself if you stretch in the direction of goodness, of bigness, of kindness, of forgiveness, of emotional bravery. Be a warrior for love. Cheryl Strayed
Let the good in me connect with the good in others, until all the world is transformed through the compelling power of love. Nachman of Breslov
Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy. Sai Baba
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Charles M. Schulz
"New Horizons…Our Journey Into 2023 Part 2:Living Into Our Dreams” 02-05-23
Opening Statement: Black History Month
In 1915, in response to the lack of information on the accomplishments of Black people available to the public, historian Carter G. Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, the group declared the second week of February as “Negro History Week” to recognize the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. The week-long event officially became Black History Month in 1976 when U.S. president Gerald Ford extended the recognition to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/black-history-month
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. Martin Luther King Jr.
Core Statement:
“Intentionally Focusing On Our Heartfelt Desires Ultimately Manifests Our Dreams” sv
Scripture:
Philippians 4:8 (NASB) 8 …whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Hebrews 11:1 (NASB) 11 Now faith is the assurance of things expected, the evidence of things not seen.
Matthew 7:7 (NIV) 7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Mark 4:23-24 (NKJV) (Jesus speaking to Disciples) 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
James 1:25 (NKJV) 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Special Reading:
The Law of Attraction is the most powerful law in the universe. Just like gravity, it is always in effect, always in motion. It is working in your life at this very moment. You are always in a state of creation. You are creating your reality in every moment of every day. You are creating your future with every single thought: either consciously or subconsciously… Expect miracles. The Law of Attraction allows for infinite possibilities, infinite abundance, and infinite joy. It knows no order of difficulty, and it can change your life in every way… www.jackcanfield.com/blog/using-the-law-of-attraction/
Quotes:
The universe is always sending you inspiration, you just have to listen and allow. Linda Armstrong
Faith talks in the language of God. Doubt talks in the language of man. E.W. Kenyon
Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends
everything. Napolean Hill
Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray. Rumi
Within the seed of your desire is everything necessary for it to blossom to fulfillment. And Law of Attraction is the engine that does the work. Your work is just to give it a fertile growing place in order to expand… Your prayer causes you to focus, and the Law of Attraction causes everything in the Universe that's in vibrational harmony with your focus to come to you. Abraham (Esther Hicks)
Once you understand the Law of Attraction, and how it works, you can begin to consciously and intentionally create a better life: You can choose to respond differently to the situations that arise during your day…You can choose to think differently… You can choose to focus and think about the things you want more of in your life…You can choose to experience more of the things that make you feel good…You can choose to deliberately participate in the creation of your future by managing your thoughts and feelings. Using the Law of Attraction is a three-step process: ask, believe and receive. -- www.jackcanfield.com/blog/using-the-law-of-attraction/
"New Horizons…Our Journey Into 2023
Part 1: Envisioning Starts Us Forward” 01-29-23
Core Statement:
“Attuned To God’s Inspiration We Envision Dreams Forward, Beginning The Creative Process” sv
Scripture:
Isaiah 43:18-19 New King James Version (NKJV) 18 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
Job 33:14-16 (NKJV) 14"Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it. 15"In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds, 16Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction…
1 Kings 4:29 (NIV) 29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Psalm 119:105 (NRSV) 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Unity Quote:
We find there is in man a knowing capacity transcending intellectual knowledge … When we discover in ourselves a flow of thought that seems to have been evolved independently of the reasoning process [intellectual brain], we are often puzzled about its origin. In its beginnings this seemingly strange source of knowledge is often turned aside as a daydream… One should give attention to this usually faint whispering of Spirit in man. It is not of the intellect and does not originate in the skull [brain]. It is the development in man of a greater capacity to know himself and understand creation. Charles Fillmore Twelve Powers Of Man
Quotes:
If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else. Yogi Berra
The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are. JP Morgan
God illumines the mind and shines within it. One cannot know God by means of the mind. One can but turn the mind inwards and merge it in God. Ramana Maharshi
Beware of letting current mind-sets destroy new possibilities. Remember, most new ideas seem outrageous at first. Make sure to give them breathing room. Roger Teel
We all possess more power and greater possibilities than we realize, and visualizing is one of the greatest of these powers. Genevieve Berhrend
Visualization is daydreaming, with a purpose. Bo Bennett PhD
You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way! Dr. Seuss
"Heart & Soul…Letter To God" 01-22-23 Letter To God
Core Statement:
“Divine Ideas & Inspiration Guide Us Toward Infinite Possibilities & Prosperous Manifestation” sv
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Proverbs 2:2, 5, 10 (NRSV)2 …making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;… 5then you will understand the fear (awe) of the Lord and find the knowledge of God… 10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul…
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is
temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Psalm 51:6-8 (NRSV) 6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Unity Quote:
…Observation shows that the purer the mind (having released old belief patterns) the greater it’s capacity to receive and interpret the ideas imparted to it by Spirit…Those who cultivate communion with the Father within become conscious of a guiding light… Atom Smashing Power Of Mind Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
Letting go doesn't have to mean losing; it can be about coming into a new, open, clean space from which you can create. Rebekah Elizabeth Gamble
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. Albert Einstein
To have God speak to the heart is a majestic experience, an experience that people may miss if they monopolize the conversation and never pause to hear God's responses. Charles Stanley
Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements. Charles Haanel
Today is your day to dance lightly with life. Sing wild songs of adventure. Invite rainbows & butterflies out to play. Soar your spirit and unfurl your joy. Jonathan Lockwood Huie
“Discerning Your White Stone Name…A New Vision Forward” 01-15-23
Core Statement:
“God-Self Whispers Our ‘New Name’… Calling Us Into Greater Expression” SV
Scripture:
Philippians 3:13b-14a (NASB) 13b …but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal...
Job 17:9 (TLB) 9 The righteous shall move onward and forward; those with pure hearts shall become stronger and stronger.
Psalm 95:2 (ESV) Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Psalm 9:1 (NASB) 1I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart…
Revelations 2:17 (NKJV) 17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says... To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
Psalm 143:8b (NASB) Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.
Unity Quotes:
A change of mind effects a corresponding change in the body. If the thoughts are lifted up, the whole organism is raised to higher rates of vibration…But first there must be a renunciation or letting go of old thoughts before the new can find place in the consciousness. Twelve Powers of Man Charles Fillmore
We find there is in man a knowing capacity transcending intellectual knowledge… One should give attention to this…whispering of Spirit in man. It is not of the intellect and does not originate in the skull. It is the development, in man, of a greater capacity to know himself and the purpose of creation. Twelve Powers of Man Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. Maya Angelou
We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don't have something better. C. JoyBell C.
When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in. Kirstin Armstrong
In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Mahatma Gandhi
Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be…
James Allen
Set your intention, and trust the universe to take care of the details. Mike Fotheringham
Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles… Martin Luther King Jr.
You have to keep moving forward… Martin Luther King Jr.
White Stone Ceremony:
The White Stone Ceremony is an ancient ritual of new beginnings. In Jesus' day, when a person was released from prison, they were given a white stone to represent their new start. Through meditation listen to receive a word or phrase symbolizing a new start - a vision/intention Spiritually recognized to guide you forward into the new year.