You-The Urban Mystic

For Sunday's sermon, please read the chapter "Urban Mystic." The chapter starts on page 73.

Does it seem to you that living the Truth would be so easy if you could just get away from the sights and sounds of trouble and disaster? Do you feel that the monastic monks have it easier because they have voluntarily separated themselves from society?

This Sunday we will talk about Christ Jesus and you as "urban mystics."

Silent Prayer Pointers

I received a lot positive feedback about Sunday's sermon. And it was a great service. Below are some helpful hints about silent prayer:

• Someone asked does time and place matter. No! Eventually silent prayer becomes a lifestyle where at least one ear is always cocked to hear that still small voice.
• Length of time is not as important as quality of time. Remember I started off with two or more minutes each prayer session. (I confess my schedule allowed for a lot of these short prayer periods)
• In a crisis, I realize that it might seem difficult for you to pray, "God, all I want is you. Reveal Thyself." Remember we are only referring to 2 minutes (or whatever you are comfortable with). For those two minutes your only desire is to hear that still small voice--to be God taught.
• Silent Prayer is so powerful because (1) it is transcendental by nature. Your focus is meta (above) physical (the problem) (2) it is the catalyst to Revelation that corrects misperceptions that show up in your life as seeming problems. All problems indicate that there is some false idea being held as true and real. Revelation is the corrective.
• About that wandering mind. Just remember your focus is the "still small voice." Gently bring your attention back. Tell yourself, I'm not here for that (random thinking) right now.

Bible Readers Check Your Schedules

Are you a Bible reader this Sunday? If you don't know for sure, it would be a great thing for you to check the schedule that Laura handed to you. Last minute reading doesn't give you opportunity to absorb the message and convey it in a powerful way. Again, please check your schedule.

Sermon Summary-Revelation = Transformation

Romans 12: 2..Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Focus of talk was on transformation - its roots are in the word "metamorfu" from which "metamorphis" is derived. Transformed means to change into something -usually something better is the connotation.

Renew - means to make something new - again with the connotation of something better or more expansive Not only a new year, but a new decade is upon us - it's the time when people typically make resolutions for changes they want - they see the new year as an opportunity for a fresh start - although we can make a fresh start anytime - time is a human construct As people view the new year they make "resolutions" - to create a new job, lose weight, exercise more, find a new relationship - focus is on "new, new, new." It's well known that health clubs are flooded in January - no parking spaces can be found in the parking lot. But, by March or April - many health clubs have become ghost towns! Why? People are trying to make changes by human will/effort rather than changing their consciousness.

Lasting, powerful transformation occurs only through personal revelation. Our focus for transformation should be on revelations in the silence - not resolutions. Best fictional example of overnight transformation by someone not seeking it - A Christmas Carol - story of Scrooge who changes from being a tight-fisted old miser who is totally separated and doesn't celebrate Christmas to a fun, funny guy/dude who helps his fellow man and realizes oneness in his life. It's a heartwarming, timeless story. Scrooge receives revelations (by grace and the love of his deceased business partner whose ghost visits him) through the visits by 3 ghosts (can also see them as angels) - the ghosts of Christmas past, Christmas present, and Christmas future. Through each of these visits, Scrooge reconnects with his heart and with the memories of people he had loved. Increasingly, he realizes how he has gotten off track. By the end of the last ghost's visit, Scrooge makes a commitment to change. And changed he is so that now he views people with love, he becomes jovial, and the town in which he used to walkabout not noticing anything or anyone becomes a delight for him. His new insights change his eyesight - nothing about the town had change - only Scrooge had changed. He taps into his Christ nature and his Christ light. None of us are as extreme as Scrooge - however, it's wise to do a self-assessment to ensure that we truly are acknowledging that God is all in our lives and that we are not subject to the concerns, fears, and worries of the material world. To create a transformation in our consciousness - we need only seek revelation - through the six-step RENEW process. R = Rest and relax in the silence to receive the revelation of the still small voice - touch your ear to remind you (as per Joel Goldsmith's advice) several times a day and affirm that you are listening for a Christ revelation. Also take 10-15 minutes of time during the day to sit in silence. E= Expectancy must fill your consciousness. Listen as if you were expecting to hear the winning lotto numbers as Allen says N= New ideas, insights, and inspiration will come to you E= Embrace the revelations that come - as Oprah did when in 1992 she went into the woods of Colorado to ask God, "What will you have me do?" in reference to the direction she should take with her television show. She embraced and acted on he answer, "Take the high road" and she became phenomenally successful while others went out of business. W= Wonders result - just as Oprah became so successful after acting on her revelation - wonders will occur in your life Mrytle Fillmore also focused on transforming her seemingly ill body by renewing her mind and overcame terminal tuberculosis. Revelation will create the most powerful and lasting transformation for you in 2010."