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Tag: Peace of Christ

  • To God’s Holy People

    To God’s Holy People

    (First Letter)

    This is the first in a new series of prayerful letters to my friends, rooted in Christian love and contemplative stillness.

    Thank you, Linda. 💛

    To God’s Holy People—
    You who dwell in mystery and light,
    in silence and in the ache of hope—
    I bring no sermon, no long-winded tale,
    only this stillness,
    and these few words
    like drops of dew upon a thirsty leaf:

    Let us always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    when we pray for all that lives.

    I pray for you all—
    not only with words,
    but with the hush between thoughts,
    and the warmth that rises quietly
    when I remember your faces.

    When I write to you, I am also praying.
    Because every word carries an offering,
    and every silence listens for the Beloved
    who speaks in all languages of the heart.

    May you all be happy and well.
    May you all be free from suffering
    and the causes of suffering.
    May you all dwell in the peace of Christ,
    which surpasses all understanding.

    May your roots go deep into the soil of love.
    May your hands remain open,
    even when the world seems closed.
    And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ—
    the light that walked among us,
    and still walks within—
    be your lamp in the valley
    and your joy on the hilltop.

    May these few words become a door
    to the Word that cannot be spoken—
    the whisper in the whirlwind,
    the still small voice,
    the love that speaks in silence
    and calls us home.

    In Honor of the Quiet Ones

    For those quiet souls of the past—monks, sages, mystics, poets—
    who carved beauty from stillness and silence,
    often with nothing more than a candle and a pen.
    Their tools were few, but their hearts were wide open.
    In those spare rooms, they made space for eternity.

    🙏💛🙏

  • Following Jesus: Abiding in God’s Presence

    Introduction
    Jesus’ invitation to “follow me” is at the heart of Christian life. But what does it really mean to follow Him? Often, we think of it in terms of outward actions—loving others, serving the needy, and living righteously. While all of this is vital, there is a deeper dimension to following Jesus: abiding in God’s presence, as Jesus himself did. Jesus regularly withdrew to pray in stillness, connecting with His Father in quiet communion. This inward focus is just as crucial to following Jesus as our outward actions.

    Jesus’ Example of Stillness
    Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus taking time to be alone in prayer (Luke 5:16). He wasn’t just teaching us to pray for what we need, but to rest in God’s presence, to listen, and to be still. When Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God being within us (Luke 17:21), He was revealing that God is not distant but present within each of us. To follow Him means not only to love as He loved, but to seek God as He did—by abiding in the presence of the Father.

    Abiding in the Heart: A Call to All Believers
    In John 15:4, Jesus says, “Abide in me, and I in you.” This is not just a poetic metaphor, but a clear instruction. To abide means to remain, to stay rooted in Him. Jesus calls us to experience God’s presence within, in the quiet of our hearts, just as He did. When we take time to be still and know God (Psalm 46:10), we are following Jesus’ example. We are allowing God’s Spirit to work within us, transforming us into His likeness.

    How We Abide in God’s Presence
    Abiding in God’s presence is not about striving or achieving—it’s about surrender and trust. It’s about creating space in our hearts to listen to God, to rest in His love. We don’t need to perform for God or say the right words; we simply need to turn our attention inward, to the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. In this stillness, we are following Jesus, who modeled this quiet communion with God throughout His ministry.

    The Kingdom Within
    When Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you,” He wasn’t speaking in riddles. He was revealing a profound truth about where we encounter God. Following Jesus means recognizing that God’s Spirit is not distant, but as close as our own breath. As we follow Jesus, we learn to turn inward, to abide in this truth, and to let God’s peace fill our hearts. In doing so, we come to know Him more deeply, just as Jesus did.

    A Daily Path of Following Jesus
    Following Jesus is not just about what we do for others—it’s about who we are becoming in Christ. As we spend time abiding in God’s presence, we are shaped and formed by His love. Our actions naturally flow from this inner communion with God. The more we follow Jesus in this way, the more we become like Him—living in love, humility, and peace. This inward journey is not reserved for mystics or saints; it is the path that Jesus invites every believer to walk.

    Conclusion
    To follow Jesus means to emulate not only His actions but His way of being. He taught us to love, but He also showed us how to abide in God’s presence. This invitation is open to everyone. As we follow Jesus, we are called to take time to be still, to rest in the heart of God, and to allow His Spirit to work in us. In this way, we truly become followers of Christ—not just in what we do, but in who we are becoming.

    A Simple Practice to Abide in God’s Presence
    For those who wish to deepen their connection with God and experience His peace, here is a simple five-minute practice that you can do first thing in the morning, before bed, or anytime during the day when you need to return to God’s presence.

    Opening Prayer
    “Dear Lord, I come before You now, seeking Your peace and healing presence. As I quiet my mind and heart, I ask to feel Your Holy Spirit within me. Guide me into rest, ease my anxieties, and fill me with Your everlasting peace. Amen.”

    Meditation

    1. Find a comfortable position—either sitting or lying down. Close your eyes gently.
    2. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and slowly exhale through your mouth. Feel the tension melt away as you breathe out.
    3. Begin to notice your breath. No need to change it—just notice the gentle rise and fall of your chest or belly.
    4. As you inhale, silently say to yourself, “Breathing in, I abide in the Holy Spirit.”
    5. As you exhale, silently say to yourself, “Breathing out, I release into God’s peace.”
    6. If your mind wanders, that’s okay. Gently bring your attention back to your breath and these words.
    7. Continue this for five minutes, focusing on the breath and the sense of God’s presence and peace.

    Closing Prayer
    “Gracious God, thank You for Your presence and peace. As I end this time of meditation, I trust in Your love and guidance. Help me carry this sense of stillness and Your Spirit with me throughout the day (or night). May Your peace fill my heart, and may I continue to abide in Your presence in all that I do. Amen.”


    🙏🕊️🙏

  • Lesson 14 of A Course in Miracles (ACIM): Guided Meditation – “God did not create a meaningless world.”

    Lesson 14 of A Course in Miracles introduces the lesson: “God did not create a meaningless world.” This teaching challenges us to reconsider our perception of the world as lacking purpose or significance. By acknowledging that the world we see is not a reflection of God’s creation, we can begin to shift our understanding towards recognizing the divine order and purpose behind all existence.

    This practice invites us to question the validity of our judgments and interpretations. By understanding that God’s creation is inherently meaningful and purposeful, we can start to align our thoughts and perceptions with the divine truth.

    Jesus emphasized the loving nature of God’s creation and the inherent purpose behind all life. In Genesis 1:31, it is written, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” This teaching aligns with ACIM’s guidance to see beyond the illusions of meaninglessness and recognize the inherent goodness and purposefulness of God’s creation.

    By practicing Lesson 14, we align ourselves with Christ’s message of divine love and creation. We learn to see through the illusions of a meaningless world and open ourselves to a deeper recognition of God’s presence and purpose in all aspects of life.

    Explore Lesson 14 of A Course in Miracles with us, and discover how embracing the meaningfulness of God’s creation can lead to greater peace, clarity, and spiritual awakening.

    Guided Meditation: Lesson 14 from A Course in Miracles

    This guided meditation is tailored to encompass the elements, themes, messages, and practices of Lesson 14 from A Course in Miracles.

    Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down, where you can relax and be free from distractions.

    Close your eyes gently and take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to settle into the present moment.

    Bring your attention to your breath, feeling the sensation of each inhale and exhale.

    Reflect on the central theme of Lesson 14: “God did not create a meaningless world.”

    Contemplate the idea that the world, as it truly is, is not meaningless, but rather holds profound meaning and purpose.

    Acknowledge that the belief in a meaningless world is a distortion of reality, born out of separation from our true nature and from God.

    With each breath, imagine releasing any attachment to the belief in a meaningless world, allowing it to dissolve like mist in the sunlight.

    Visualize yourself stepping back from your perceptions, observing them with a sense of detachment and clarity.

    Feel a sense of peace and reassurance as you recognize that God did not create a meaningless world, but rather a world filled with love, beauty, and purpose.

    Repeat the following affirmations silently or in your mind:

    “God did not create a meaningless world.”

    “I release all attachments to the belief in a meaningless world.”

    “I open myself to experiencing the world as a reflection of God’s love and perfection.”

    Allow yourself to rest in this space of inner peace and clarity for a few moments, letting go of any attachment to the belief in a meaningless world.

    When you’re ready, gently bring your awareness back to your surroundings. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and slowly open your eyes.

    Take a moment to reflect on your experience, noticing any insights or shifts in perception that may have occurred.

    Remember that you can return to this meditation whenever you feel called to deepen your understanding of Lesson fourteen.

  • Lesson 13 of A Course in Miracles (ACIM): Guided Meditation – “A meaningless world engenders fear.”

    Lesson 13 of A Course in Miracles presents the lesson: “A meaningless world engenders fear.” This teaching invites us to explore how our perception of the world as lacking meaning can lead to feelings of fear and insecurity. By acknowledging the connection between our beliefs about the world and our emotional experiences, we can begin to unravel the root causes of fear.

    This practice encourages us to examine how our thoughts about the world shape our feelings and reactions. By understanding that a perception of meaninglessness fosters fear, we can start to question and release the beliefs that keep us trapped in cycles of anxiety and distress.

    Jesus taught about overcoming fear and finding security in divine truth. In John 14:1, He says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” This teaching aligns with ACIM’s guidance to transcend fear by recognizing the illusory nature of the ego’s perception of the world.

    By practicing Lesson 13, we align ourselves with Christ’s message of faith and trust in divine love. We learn to see through the fearful projections of a meaningless world and open ourselves to a deeper sense of security and peace rooted in spiritual truth.

    Explore Lesson 13 of A Course in Miracles with us, and discover how releasing the belief in a meaningless world can lead to greater freedom from fear and a more profound connection with the divine presence within.

    Guided Meditation: Lesson 13 from A Course in Miracles

    This guided meditation is tailored to encompass the elements, themes, messages, and practices of Lesson 13 from A Course in Miracles.

    Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down, where you can relax and be free from distractions.

    Close your eyes gently and take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to settle into the present moment.

    Bring your attention to your breath, feeling the sensation of each inhale and exhale.

    Reflect on the central theme of Lesson 13: “A meaningless world engenders fear.”

    Contemplate the idea that the belief in a meaningless world leads to fear and anxiety.

    Acknowledge that your perceptions of the world as meaningless contribute to your experience of fear.

    With each breath, imagine releasing any attachment to the belief in a meaningless world, allowing it to dissolve like mist in the sunlight.

    Visualize yourself stepping back from your perceptions, observing them with a sense of detachment and clarity.

    Feel a sense of peace and calm wash over you as you release the belief in a meaningless world and the fear it engenders.

    Repeat the following affirmations silently or in your mind:

    “A meaningless world engenders fear.”

    “I release all attachments to the belief in a meaningless world.”

    “I choose to see the world as a reflection of love instead of fear.”

    Allow yourself to rest in this space of inner peace and clarity for a few moments, letting go of any attachment to fear.

    When you’re ready, gently bring your awareness back to your surroundings. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and slowly open your eyes.

    Take a moment to reflect on your experience, noticing any insights or shifts in perception that may have occurred.

    Remember that you can return to this meditation whenever you feel called to deepen your understanding of Lesson thirteen.