From Pet Peeves to Peace

There's a down-side to our spiritual growth, which is knowing we can and need to transform our feelings of frustration, irritation, even rage; our Pet Peeves.

We spend so much time in non-peace—hostility, anger, upset, Righteous Indignation!—but it's lying to ourselves.  It's not harmony; we don't feel our spiritual truth.  We need to shift, to get to the heart.  We know how.  And we now know we can extend that shift to those around us so that we are in harmony together.

But when we do shift, we ask ourselves, “Why did I wait all that time?”  It's because when we indulge in our pet peeves, it feels good!  But we stay out of our peace.  And by practicing our little peeves that don't matter we build up our non-peace pettiness to have when it does matter.  So ask yourself, “What am I here for?”

There is something within each of us that, the longer we are on our spiritual journey, the more loudly it calls to us.  Jesus taught that the Christ peace is from within, from the being that you really are.  Look at the little things.  When you move in peace you are that presence which moves through you.

When the Roman soldiers arrested Jesus, and one had an ear cut off, Jesus healed it, saying, “No more of this.”  No more hostility, it was time to heal.  Because of that beautiful peace in all of us, we  hear, “no more of this; time to heal.”  It is time we go about this.  Get out of your irritation and into peace.  Focus on your heart and go to that love and compassion there.  You can have compassion for someone who doesn't know any better.  Gandhi quickly forgave the ruffians who beat him up, realizing they did not know any better.  They did not know, either, the feeling of seeing the beauty in another.

Am I here to add to the tensions of this world or to add peace?  It's my choice.

For this week shift from irritation to peace at every opportunity because you are the peace.  It is not the peace which you are finding, but the real YOU.  “I am the presence of peace here and now.”  Because it is who you really are.  Yes you are, and you are magnificent!

From Mike McGuire, prayer team
Summary of Rev. David's sermon

Self forgiveness

Prosperity is experienced as you  open up and allow Spirit to bring forth through you a greater wholeness (that divine intention) into your life. As taught by Edwene Gaines, the second principle of prosperity is Forgiveness.

The hardest part of forgiveness is self forgiveness. The vision we have goes beyond the consciousness we have—we can see beyond where we are-- and that vision will carry us forward. However, without self forgiveness, we experience guilt and get down on ourselves. Since the world we experience is a creation of our thoughts, feelings, and attitudes, when we think things like “I am not that good” or “Life's not that good. I can't really trust God.” we choke down our spiritual pipeline. We are no longer open. We get defensive and strive to protect ourselves.

In Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert writes of how we are disappointed in ourselves for lacking the discipline to accomplish our dreams. However, after such disappointment, we can open to our greater wholeness if we forgive ourselves. She likens self forgiveness to kindly and encouraging motherly love. Like a mother holding you saying,”That's ok. I love you just the way you are.” Such self forgiveness frees us from the judgment of how we view ourselves.

There are times in our lives when we have caused pain to others. What we manifested then was very limiting. We can move beyond the guilt and its limitations with self forgiveness, self compassion. Say “I am willing to forgive myself and stop beating myself up for it.” It's the self compassion that heals. This is a most important step and it will free your heart. It will free you for facing you tasks at hand.

So open up and let the love of God in. Begin to deliberately give yourself forgiveness and compassion, and that spirit of divine creativity can begin to flow. Affirm “I am loved, special, and important. God loves me and so do I.”
 
from Mike McGuire, Prayer Team
Summary of Rev. David's sermon

Moving from Fear to Love

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear..."
1John 4:18

The change in our world from a world of fear to a world of love doesn’t just happen. It is a change that I participate in creating by my choices.

When I hear of frightening events, do I blame or seek to understand?

When people at work are mean or unreasonable, do I justify myself or communicate with care for them?

When people are uncommunicative, do I reject them or communicate because I care?

When I disappoint myself, am I judgmental, or forgiving?

When I am criticized, do I attack or understand my attacker?

When I see a need, do I help or avoid?

In ordinary events, do I choose to feel true care for those I’m involved with? Will it work?

With love,
-- Rev. David McArthur

Peace Within - Forgiveness

Must want inner peace MORE than righteousness and justice... in order to let go and forgive.
In this video I discuss how a consciousness of forgiveness is the key to inner peace. When you want inner peace MORE than you want to cling to righteousness and justice... then you can let go, forgive, and be free.

Inner Peace - Nonjudgment

Judgment is the biggest obstacle to inner peace, and to world peace.

In this video I discuss how our everyday life experiences give us daily opportunities to develop spiritual muscle, maturity, and wisdom, by remembering to choose peace and acceptance rather than harsh emotional judgments.