How do we know what scripture is the voice of God?

It tells us in the Bible that human beings were made in the image of God. That may very well be true; however, human beings have also invented a God in their image. If an ancient ruler governed the people with anger, punishment and wrath, it is most likely he projected those attributes onto God when overseeing and approving what would be written in scripture and what wouldn’t. At the same time, if a ruler was compassionate and benevolent, that became the character of God. So which ruler is right? Or perhaps they are both right leaving us with a volatile God that we have to tiptoe around lest we get struck down by lightening.

I don’t believe that God is a person perched on a throne somewhere in the far reaches of the universe looking down on our every move. I believe God is spirit; the life-force within us; the one and only power in the universe that is the creative energy behind all that exists. God is it all; the whole shebang; everywhere present. Scripture that is divinely inspired is totally supportive, compassionate and loving of the “whole”. Scripture that dips into inequalities, prejudices and divisive lines of demarcation is not sound thought, and therefore, I believe, not representative of the God spirit that is the essence of all life.

We are Pure Potential

In this moment, we recognize that everything exists in the realm of potentiality. We recognize with gratitude the tremendous potential each of us has to be a beneficial presence to the world through loving, caring, giving and sharing. May our potential for love radiate out like the warmth of the sun and touch the hearts of those who feel alone. May our potential for caring be like a summer rain that serves all of life with a nurturing touch. May our potential for giving be like the earth which gives its nutrients to every seed that is planted, yet never depletes itself. May our potential for sharing be as free as a gentle breeze, flowing without resistance and providing relief where it is needed. For this we pray, in the name of the Universal Spirit which provides for us unceasingly. And so it is.

It feels good to do good

A woman and her five-year-old boy lived in a house overlooking a valley. One day the little boy became so angry at his mother that he ran out of the house and yelled into the valley, "I hate you!" Immediately, the echo of what he had yelled came back to the little boy, and he thought somebody was yelling "I hate you" to him. This scared the little boy, and he ran inside to tell his mother there was a mean person out there yelling at him. The mother knew what happened, so she told the little boy to go outside and yell, "I love you!". When the little body did this, a voice came back to him saying, "I love you!"

This story is simple but the point is profound for it illustrates an immutable principle of nature call the Law of Cause and Effect. That which we cause to happen comes back to effect us in the same way. Jesus said, "Whatever a person sows, that is also what the person will reap." Confucius said, "Whatever proceeds from you will return to you." Jewish text states, "A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. In Buddhism and Hinduism, it is called karma. Every major religion has a variation of this law as one of its foundational principles. Whatever you express into the world is what you will get back. Express anger, hatred, ill will or offensive acts to another, and that is what will return to you. Express love, kindness, compassion and good deeds, and that is what will return to you. It feels good to do good. It feels bad to do bad. Determine how you want to feel, then treat others in an identical way.

(from KC Star)

Is homosexuality a religious issue?

Prejudice of some boggles the mind

Imagine for a moment that you have a garden with a wide variety of wonderful, beautiful and colorful roses. Each one offers a unique and individual beauty that greatly benefits the one who gazes upon them. Then one day, a dictate comes down from some religious order stating that red is the only natural color for a rose and therefore every rose of a different color should be plucked up and cast into the fire. Would you say the declaration that red be the only color for a rose should be a religious issue?

In God’s great garden of humanity there are a wide variety of wonderful, beautiful and colorful people. Each person offers a unique and individual beauty to the world. When attuned to his or her heart, each greatly benefits the world, whether that person is black, white, Asian, Native American or Hispanic; of any particular religion, agnostic or atheist; man or woman; heterosexual or homosexual. Who has the right to self-appoint themselves as judge of the flowers in the garden?

I just don’t understand how anybody with a clear mind and compassionate heart can state that one’s sexuality is basis for condemnation, discrimination or prejudice. Even more mind-boggling is how any religious institution can be so insolent and ignorant to condemn a child of God in the name of God.

One Power and One Presence

Looking out to the far reaches of the sky, we see a space so vast that it is incomprehensible. Using the latest technological advancements, we can observe the inner depths of our physical presence.

Beyond the physical there is a common energy, a spirit, that is the very essence of life. We call this spirit God, and it permeates everything in the universe around us as well as every cell in our bodies.

Yet one of the greatest misperceptions that plagues us at times is that God is separate from us. Having a sense of separation from God can leave us feeling helpless, hopeless, and fearful in regard to the more difficult situations we face in life. In addition—living in this illusion of separation from God—we often turn to the world around us in search of something to sustain us, to give us courage, or to depend on for strength, only to be let down in the long run.

There are two basic ways that we can strengthen our relationship with God. The first is to have an understanding of God that moves beyond myth to an awareness of the God Presence within us as love given unconditionally and continually. The spirit of God within never leaves us, never withholds from us that which we need, and never condemns us as unworthy. To truly know our oneness with God is to move from our mind to our heart, because it is from the consciousness of love that we resonate with the presence of God within.

The second way to strengthen our relationship with God is to have absolute trust in God. When problems appear to abound and challenges seem to overwhelm us, we remain confident and secure. During the most difficult of times, we will have faith, hope, love, strength, and peace of mind as we turn to God, affirming God's presence and supply. That which we need will be provided.

There is one Presence and Power in the universe and in our lives. As we believe in God and trust in God, our cup shall truly overflow.

The Power of Belief

The world is blessed with hundreds of thousands of buildings which are magnificent in style. From the grand cathedrals of Italy to the Taj Mahal, various palaces and the incredible skyscrapers of New York City there are buildings that are awe inspiring. Every one of those structures began as a vision in the architect’s mind. Every material thing you can think of was at one time nothing more than an idea, a tiny spark of an idea, held within the mind of an individual who believed he or she could manifest that idea into physical reality.

Every one of us has the God-given ability to create within our minds, images, ideas and visions that have the potential to manifest into physical reality. All we have to do is believe. What is it you want out of life? Are there things you would like to improve in your relationships, physical health, emotional well-being or self-image? Imagine already having what it is you want. Experience the joy of it in your mind. When you make it real in your mind, the mind becomes a goal seeking device that will guide you and direct you in ways that will make what you want real in the outer world.

"When you pray, whatever it is you want, pray in a way in which you believe you have already received it and it will be yours".” Jesus Christ

EARLY UNITY CHURCH THRIVES IN KANSAS CITY

By Lysa Allman-Baldwin (in latest Unity.Org online magazine)

In 1928 Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, Unity's founders, purchased land on Kansas City's beautiful Country Club Plaza with plans to build the first Unity church. Charles Fillmore intended the structure to be a tribute to his beloved wife.

It took 15 years of planning and five years to build the detailed structure, which includes a massive limestone foundation. Charles Fillmore believed it was symbolically important for a church to have a solid foundation—just as it is important for a person to have a strong spiritual foundation.

The church structure is full of symbolic accoutrements selected by Charles Fillmore himself. Details include murals, beautiful stained glass and an awe-inspiring 1,260-seat sanctuary. Senior minister Duke Tufty says Charles Fillmore went to great lengths to honor his wife. “[The Temple] was his prize to her. He made it the best that it could possibly be.”

Regrettably, both Charles and Myrtle Fillmore made their transitions before the distinctive landmark building was completed. Unity Temple on the Plaza held its first services in 1948.

Although most people refer to the Temple as a church, it encompasses much more, says Tufty. “Unity Temple is a center for well-being. We are a church and we hold church services, but our primary purpose is to be a center that helps establish and support well-being for the body, mind and spirit by providing space for many different approaches to spirituality.”

Unity Temple attracts a broad spectrum of people for a variety of spiritually based services, programs and classes. “The Temple is so wonderfully inclusive, and we have many different community activities here. Anybody that walks through the door can find something with a spiritual attitude that increases their sense of well-being,” notes Tufty.

Over the years, the Unity Temple community has continued to evolve. Historic milestones include the addition of the Cornerstone Foundation, a group which presents an array of community author events and programs; Spirituality and All That Jazz, featuring some of Kansas City's best jazz artists and musicians; and Eden Alley, an award-winning vegetarian restaurant.

Other popular features at the church include alternative Catholic and Buddhist meditation and worship services, a bookstore, fitness classes, addiction support groups, concerts and theater productions.

Now 120 years since the Unity movement began, Unity Temple stands strong as one of the hundreds of Unity centers worldwide. Together they carry on the Fillmore's legacy to honor the universal truths in all religions and to respect each individual's right to choose a spiritual path.

This feature originally appeared on www.Unity.org

For more great history about Unity Temple, go to: http://www.unitytemple.com/about/history.asp