Are you aware that we live in a YES Universe?  YES, the trees and flowers will bloom every year? YES, life changes?  YES, this is an abundant universe! YES. YES. YES!

Many talk about NO being a whole sentence and it is ~ but every time you say NO to something or someone about what you don’t want to do ~ you are actually saying YES to what it is you do want to do~ ponder that, think about that, lean into the real meaning of what that says!

When you can begin to realize that this is a YES universe and that the universe desires to support you in all you do and be and have ~ you live can change your life ~ in an instant!

In 2006, I wrote the book, The Power of YES!   [available on Amazon.com ~ Kindle or hardcopy]. The book came about as result of an head injury ~ which changed my life, dramatically.

At first, for about two weeks after the injury, I ranted and raved at Spirit ~ Why? Why? Why? How could you do this to me? Then in meditation I heard the word so clearly ~ YES! YES, I asked of Spirit? YES!   YES ~ Your Energetic Source! Your Empowerment System! In that split second, in that one single moment of time, I knew that everything that had happened was a YES experience ~ it came to grow me ~ to change me ~ to evolve me.

The good news is, you don’t have to have an injury to realize this ~ if you are willing to see the power and energetic dynamic held in “YES” ~ as a universe message of abundance and power for your life.  

See, Feel, Be It!   BE the universal YES, in action ~ NOW!  YES, Your Empowerment System ~ Your Energetic Source!

Rev. Toni Boehm 
You can visit Rev. Toni's website by clicking here, listen to her as our Guest Speaker, this Sunday 1/10/21 @ 10 A.M. & 5 P.M. by clicking here, or register for her workshop entitled "Creating ExtraOrdinary Results " this Sunday 1/10/21 @ 11:15 A.M. by clicking here.  

The importance of release to spiritual growth is described in Jewish scripture with the story of Lot’s wife, who could not release the past.  This caused her to “look back” and she became, to extend the metaphor, a “crystallized” pillar of salt, a fossil (Genesis 19:26).  Jesus made the same point when he said “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

During yesterday’s service I read the Daily Word (click here) from December 31, 1960 (Release Past) in which I highlighted the following, I accept today as a day of release.
 
What is it that we release? The abstract answer is that we release that which no longer serves us. The many examples given include release of things and forgiveness of past events and people. But what we truly must release are thoughts—what Catherine Ponder calls “old, half-buried, hostile emotions and attitudes.”

Charles Fillmore explains why this is so in his chapter on Renunciation in The Twelve Powers of Man. He writes,

“Thoughts have a four-dimensional capacity, while things have but three. Yet thoughts are limited to the realm in which they function, and man’s consciousness, being made up of thoughts, is of like character. Thus it is possible to overload the mind, as one overloads the stomach. Thoughts must be digested in a manner similar to the way in which food is digested. An eagerness to gain knowledge without proper digestion and assimilation ends in mental congestion. The mind, like the bowels, should be open and free.” (p. 144).

During yesterday’s meditation (this can be used in your own meditation practice anytime) we implemented the following:

• What can I let go of right now?
• What do I need to let go of in this moment?

Pause and listen to what comes up without judgement.  Listen and feel the clues your body gives you;

• Feel into an area of old injury – are you willing to let go of protecting this area?
• Notice your belly – are you willing to let go of eating habits and patterns that are not serving you?
• In the heart are – are you willing to let go of past hurts done to you or by you?
• Connect with the area around your throat – are you willing to let go of the restrictions and beliefs that are holding you back from sharing your message?

Releasing is a continual process and a unique journey.  After you meditate you can start journaling and writing down what came up for you.  You may also journal and write down actions that you will implement in your life in order to release patterns and habits that no longer serve your highest and best.  Enlist support from a trusted friend by sharing with them what you are letting go of so they can support your new place.

Repeat this meditation as many times as needed to remind yourself of the path you are headed and all that no longer serves you.

“When we let go of what we think is best for us, we can receive what we truly need.”
― Anthon St. Maarten
 
Bryan Sawchuk, Spritual Leader

Not really feeling joyful?  2020 has presented tough times and 2020 has had some deep spiritual awakening and realizations.  We can choose awfulizing and dress rehearsing chaos, wait for the other shoe to drop, or we can choose to see and experience the joy in the moments.

The great event in the life of Jesus was not his birth, but the breakthrough in consciousness through the years of his life.  He discovered the indwelling Christ, the Divine dimension with in all persons, the great discovery that we can make of the Divine depths within.  So to experience the joy in the moments - it must involve (if it is going to be meaningful) the dynamics of Jesus’s life and the applications of the teachings that he brought for us.  The demonstration of our Christ consciousness – that unity consciousness - the inner, faith, love and joy within each and every one of us, expressing as Divine Principle.
 
A friend of mine shared Brene Brown’s – The Fast Track To Genuine Joy with me the past week and I thought it was important to speak about on Sunday and mention here because of the timing, (yesterday was the fourth Sunday of Advent - Joy), and because we are implementing Brene’s Dare to Lead tools in leadership at Unity of Fort Lauderdale.  With a combination of our Unity principles, the teachings of our way shower Jesus, and Brene’s information from The Fast Track To Genuine Joy, I have compiled a list of some practical and simple steps you can implement in your life to start experiencing more joy in the moments.

The Joyous Dare

Stop the Train
The next time you're traumatized by "What ifs," say aloud, "I am feeling vulnerable." Brene mentions that this sentence changed her life. It takes her out of her fear brain—i.e., off the crazy train—and puts her back on the platform, where she can make a conscious choice not to reboard.

Be Appreciative                                                                                                                                 
Joyous people are grateful people.  Look for what you can appreciate and be thankful for. What in your life can you look at and be appreciative for?  Maybe it is the air you are breathing, the food you have, a conversation with a loved one, the roof over your head, being alive and healthy? Brene reminds us that this is even more effective when speak your gratitude aloud to others, or write it in your journal.                                                                            

Begin to start appreciating the everyday moments you have with the people you love. Appreciate your interactions with others.  Soften into joy by being present to what is right in front of you.

Surrender to Spirit In The Silence  
Set the intention / take time out of your day for prayer and meditation.  Begin to soften into the silence and just be with whatever thoughts arise and your unique experience.

Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. (Acts 3:1)

The above passage from Acts in the Bible caught my particular attention this week.  Peter metaphysically represents faith and John represents, metaphysically love.  The ninth hour is 3 P.M. (6 hours after dawn), which is how they told time.  It means completion and time of prayer.
To open my mind up to a higher awareness and level of consciousness takes my daily practice and spending time in the silence.  To know God is to open up to God and take time in deliberately having (and deepening) a relationship with the Divine.

To pray is to open up to and know prayer.  To be in the silence and know the silence takes sitting in and having a relationship with God consciousness or to become even more aware of and familiar with.  
 
This is what resonates with me from Acts 3:1.  Any greats in the world, whether our way shower Jesus, or people who are successful, practice being consistent at what they are doing, setting their intention on what they want, and opening up to God’s will.  This is true spiritual growth!  As we are reminded, Jesus sometimes spent all night long in prayer.

May your week embody joy-filled moments and when you are expereincing less than joy, know it is your unique journey and you can start implementing the above practial tools at any moment.  

Bryan Sawchuk, Spiritual Leader   

Is conducting yourself in a loving way really practical? I would answer with a resounding yes!
 
We are all aware of how much fear, anger, anxiety, and frustration that is occurring globally. Especially today with COVID19, the violence towards others, and with the Electoral College convening to vote and certify the next President & Vice President of the United States.

Charles Fillmore reminds us about love. “It is within the heart of man—deeper than the heart—it is in the soul and the spirit.  If it is there - all it needs is to be recognized.  All that is required man is to conduct himself in a loving way.” 

The question is not about whether “is conducting yourself in a loving way really practical?” – the real question is, “what can I do to love myself so much, practically conduct myself in a loving way, and be that love in the world?”  Because we can give great speeches, or we can demonstrate a great amount of force, if we have not love, we are nothing.

In an August 24, 1919 talk Mr. Fillmore mentions the twelve fruits of the “tree of love” that “grows by the river of life.” These fruits of the tree of love are, as St. Paul said to the Corinthians, the better way.

What are the 12 Fruits of the mighty love tree “the 12 matter of fruit”?  They are:
 
patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good temper, purity, joyousness, unresentfulness, trustfulness, and endurance

Where do they come from?

According to Paul in a love poem which he wrote, he has found twelve growths or expressions of this one tree, this one love which exists in each and every one of us!  It is not outside of you. No, it is within you! This is the kingdom of Heaven, that Love Consciousness (Divine Essence) and it is within - the ruling power of everything that appears in you! Remember that!

So, as we enter this week of Love – remember, it is up to us to be that love in action!  When you’re feeling afraid, or nervous – commit to being that love.  Each and every day of this week commit to cultivate or ripen these fruits (or faculties within) from the mighty love tree and demonstrate it in your life.

What is one fruit (action) from the mighty love tree that I can apply in my life today towards myself, and towards another?
 
These action steps may seem miniscule, however, with each conscious new choice we make – we alter infinite possibilities for all sentient beings!
     
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony – Colossians 3:14

Bryan Sawchuk, Ministry Coordinator

Today, we continue our 4 week journey to Christmas and take time to prepare our hearts and minds to express more of the Christ that Jesus taught.  That Inner peace expressing from within and out into the world through our actions and behavior.

What is the Christ that Jesus taught?  Jesus is the man from Nazareth (historical, human person) who is the Way-Shower and points to the Christ-indwelling. (Most Unity theologians and writers never use the word “Christ” as a name for the historical person.) In Unity Jesus, our master Way-Shower demonstrated The Christ, which is the divine indwelling; God’s perfect idea of humankind.  Not a person but the divinity within each person.  Jesus Christ is the name we give to the man who became aware of his indwelling divinity.
     
As a reminder from Charles Fillmore - Christmas is about the birth of the Christ consciousness at the center of the human soul, he said, which is the holy place within and a very high attainment.  This new birth is a matter of realization in each soul, Fillmore wrote in the 1919 publication. Everyone must know for himself the “all-encompassing Presence.”

“Be true to the law and watch for the quickening of your spiritual body. Do not leave it to the Herod thoughts, but obey the promptings of the universal Protection; let it be nourished and kept, that you may attain your full stature in Christ. The Divine Life working in you shall become the magnet through which the Divine Good will supply your every need.”  Charles Fillmore

So what are some things that we can do to express more of the Peace that Jesus taught?

First it is important to remember God as Principle is Absolute Good expressed in all creation and Also known as Divine Mind, Principle, Law, Spirit, Ultimate Concerns, Being (not a Being, but Being Itself), Father-Mother, Creator and a lot of other names, all of which are symbolic.  Select whatever word resonates with you – as it is your relationship with this higher power.  God is Omnipotent – all-powerful, Omniscient – all-knowing, Omnipresent – present everywhere.

Take time in prayer and meditation.  Prayer is the communion between you and God. Contemplate the question, “How can I be open and available to expressing more peace in my life?”

We can use our Unity tool – affirmations.  “I AM” is the Christ Mind of each individual; God is the I AM, and since our true nature is divine, therefore we are, too.  Repeat and affirm the following “I AM the Peace & The Light - I accept the gifts of the Divine – The Peace & Light that surpasses all understanding as my welcomed illumination – from within -  I AM that I AM – opening up to Guidance from Spirit!

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27)

We all have the potential that our Way-Shower, Jesus demonstrated.  Be open to the possibilities this Advent season.  Click here for the guided peace meditation from today's service.  

Bryan Sawchuk, Ministry Coordinator

For me meditation is like the prayer of who we are.
This beautiful meditation was written by Bryan Sawchuk, our Ministry Coordinator here at Unity of Fort Lauderdale...... Breathe, Read, Enjoy!

I AM the faith of all things hoped for –
I AM the conviction of all things not seen
 
I AM that I AM - centering into the awareness of blessing my body  – my life with new information – as I access and open up to this now powerful time of meditation –  as a conscious conduit of source energy – centering in hope, belief, and faith – the promise of infinite good and love everlasting – I move my awareness and center myself by focusing on my breath. 
 
Inhale as fully, gently, and slowly as possible
Pausing for a few moments
Then softly, gently, and slowly breathe out with the intention to truly release and breathe into the lower body
 
I AM the faith of all things hoped for –
I AM the conviction of all things not seen
 
I breathe in evenly, and smoothly reminded and grounded in the power of life coursing through me with each breath I take. 
 
Reminded that I AM breathing in the Divine’s pure life-sustaining air
 
This pure life-sustaining air is being used by every cell in my body.

I align with the natural functioning of the body
I align with the natural flow of my breath
 Moving into conscious at-one-ment within with the source of my light and every good
 
The wisdom, love, life, and power of the Divine energizes me from within. 
 
Living, moving, and having my being in the very presence and awareness of Infinite Intelligence – I know that I know that I know that all is well.
 
Intricately present and aware of all of the finite details in my life –
 
The grace, reverence, and essence of this pure love illumines me from within.
 
I AM the faith of all things hoped for –
I AM the conviction of all things not seen
 
Powerfully grounded and aligned - centered in hope, belief, and faith – the promise of infinite good and love everlasting.