Friday 23 May 2008

Weekly Quote 14

Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another - (1 Pet 5:5)
GOD IN ME ATTRACTS OTHERS


True humility comes from assuredness, from knowing that we abide in God and therefore have nothing to assert and nothing to defend. Our humility is not submissive but rather attractive, in the literal sense. People are drawn to us because we seem to offer refuge amidst the worldly tumult.

Make it a goal in your daily rounds to disarm others. If you know the answer where others are confused, then offer it in an understated way, as a possibility. Without becoming taciturn, use silence as a way of making your point. Sow your ideas and let them emerge through others, as though they were theirs. Always listen to what someone is saying, let them finish before responding. All this may seem superficial, but its Origin gives it strength.

Above all, never brandish your beliefs. God, His prophets and their inspired words do not need you to protect them. Holy war is a contradiction in itself. God judges no-one but has built His law into the world. By our thoughts, feelings, words and deeds we judge ourselves.

The Path of Truth Vol. 55, No. 3 page 174.

Weekly Quote 13

Aspire to live quietly - (I Thess 4:11)
IN HUMILITY I SHINE GOD'S LIGHT



We live in a world of showmen and con-men. It is almost as though they found some idea or product, and then pulled out all stops, especially emotional appeals to human goodness to sell it. Do all those who seek to uplift others, or to convert unbelievers to God, do it from Love, or for how many of them is it merely self-aggrandizement or an industry?

We cannot speak for them, but we can speak for ourselves. God does not need worldly protection. He does not need anyone to promote Substance Which already constitutes all that is. Let us live and work quietly, like a light shining steadily in the darkness, and let our example give glory to our Father, testify to what is.

Love and faith result inevitably in humility and reveal the Almighty in which we live and move and have our being.

Weekly Quote 12

The Father Who dwells in me does His works - (Jn 14:10)

I LOOK TO GOD FIRST IN ALL THINGS

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click To Play
The idea of Omnipresence, therefore of God as man, has always been uncomfortable for orthodox religions. This is not merely because it seems to them presumptuous but because there is a psychological need to have God a little distant so that there may be a conversation between Him and us. The Master's teachings accept this psychological need but place the Father within, so that the conversation is as intimate as possible.

As a follower of Truth you will have your own special way of coming close to God, but you know you are His "temple", the place where He is. Wherever you go He goes. He is the Source of all that you truly desire and achieve. You develop the habit of looking to Him first in everything. With Him all things are possible.

This is a perfectly natural and workable approach to God. "The Father Who dwells in me does His works" and I constantly make the way open for Him in my thoughts, feelings, speech and actions.
The Path of Truth Vol. 54, No. 1 page 36.

Thursday 1 May 2008

Weekly Quote 11

We are God's children now - (1 Jn 3:2)
AS GOD'S CHILD I AM FREE AND WITHOUT FEAR


Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click To Play


From our Father's point of view we are His children from the beginning, but from our point of view there is a necessary decision to be made. It is because of the freedom of choice that accompanies God's gift to us of self-awareness. We are not slaves to God but independently-minded carriers of His light. We may choose to fulfil this purpose or, like Narcissus, become bewitched by our own image.

"Now" means Paul "we have made our decission - to fulfil our Father's purpose on earth." If he were to continue he would say "We have let go all claims on people and things, for they are all, with us, God's expression. We may love them and enjoy them but we cannot possess them. We forgive all transgression. We give freely of ourselves. We make of ourselves living testimony to our Father's kingdom. Goodness and mercy shall follow us always."

When you become God's child there is no longer anything to fear - neither on earth nor in heaven. All is well.

The Path of Truth Vol. 5, No. 1 page 46.