It’s A Laughing Matter

 Weekly Message for Sunday, July 27, 2025

It’s A Laughing Matter


              Dr. Joseph Murphy taught that our subconscious mind responds not only to our words and beliefs, but also to the emotional tone behind them. A good sense of humor uplifts our emotions, reduces tension, and helps us maintain a positive mental atmosphere—exactly the kind of environment in which the subconscious can best work its miracles. Murphy reminded us that joy, cheerfulness, and lightness of heart are divine qualities. When we laugh, we align ourselves with the healing energy of the universe. A lighthearted spirit helps us release fear and worry and opens the door to creative solutions and unexpected blessings.

              As Murphy might say, “Your subconscious mind doesn’t know if you’re laughing at a joke or a miracle—it just knows you're in harmony with life.” So go ahead, give it something to smile about. And speaking of that, here’s a little joke to tickle your spirit:
Why did the yogi refuse Novocaine at the dentist?
Because he wanted to transcend dental medication. 😄

Keep the faith!

Rev-Bates

 

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Cooperate With the Divine Flow

 Weekly Message for Sunday July 20, 2025

Cooperate With the Divine Flow

 

             Living your best life now begins with recognizing the incredible power of your thought. In This Thing Called You, Dr. Ernest Holmes emphasizes that the Law of Mind acts upon your thought exactly as you believe it. This means your conviction is not just a hope or a wish—it’s a creative force. When you think with confidence, expecting the best, you activate a spiritual law that draws experiences into your life that mirror your inner conviction. Living fully now means refusing to entertain doubt and instead affirming, with certainty, that Life is for you and never against you.

            Holmes also teaches in This Thing Called Life that Life responds to us by corresponding to our mental attitudes. He writes that we are “living in a spiritual universe governed by spiritual laws, and these laws respond to our thinking.” To live your best life now is to align yourself with the flow of life by cultivating thoughts of health, peace, abundance, and joy. The moment you realize that you are not a victim of circumstance but a creator of your experience, you stop waiting for conditions to change and start living from an empowered awareness. You can release the habit of postponing happiness and claim it now, because the Law responds in the present.

           Moreover, Holmes reminds us that the universe is abundant, and we are expressions of that abundance. He assures us that “we are surrounded by a Divine Presence that desires to express through us.” Your best life isn't something in the distant future—it is the life you claim each day by embodying faith, expectancy, and gratitude. When you consciously direct your thoughts with conviction, you cooperate with the Divine flow, letting good manifest in your relationships, work, health, and peace of mind. Life is always now, and its fullness is available the moment you dare to believe it.

Keep the faith!

Rev-Bates

 

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How to Handle Deep Political Division

 Weekly Message for Sunday July 13, 2025

How to Handle Deep Political Division

                In times of deep political division, it is essential to return to spiritual principles that remind us of our shared divine nature. Regardless of differing opinions, every individual is an expression of the One Life, the same infinite Spirit manifesting in unique ways. When we hold this truth in our hearts, we can move beyond labels and ideologies to recognize the sacredness in others. As A Course in Miracles teaches, “Whenever you are in doubt what you should do, think of His Presence in you, and tell yourself this and only this: He leadeth me and knows the way, which I know not.” By allowing Spirit to lead us, we can meet even the most extreme views with inner peace rather than reactivity.

               Spiritual maturity invites us to practice compassion without compromising our integrity. It’s not about agreeing with someone’s political stance, but about choosing to listen with openness rather than judgment. Ernest Holmes, founder of Science of Mind, taught that “We can never make the world a better place by hating anyone in it.” That principle invites us to drop the emotional charge, breathe into the present moment, and speak with love instead of defense. We might silently affirm, “I see the Christ in you,” or “Peace begins with me,” even during the most intense conversations. These quiet affirmations shift the energy and help de-escalate conflict.

                 Finally, we must cultivate humility and curiosity. No one grows from being condemned or ridiculed. A spiritually guided conversation begins by listening for what lies beneath the surface—fear, concern, or love for one’s country. When we respond from a higher consciousness, grounded in truth and love, we create space for connection rather than division. Let us remember that harmony doesn’t mean uniformity—it means honoring diversity while anchoring ourselves in divine love. In doing so, we become peacemakers, the very ones the Master Mind Jesus spoke of when he said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

Keep the faith!

Rev-Bates

 

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Freedom May Disappoint

 Weekly Message for Sunday July 6, 2025 / Special for 4th of July 

Freedom May Disappoint

 

              Freedom is not just a political ideal—it is a personal reality that begins within. In How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World, Harry Browne writes, “You are free to live your life as you want to live it. You don’t have to conform to anyone else’s idea of how you should live.” This truth reminds us that genuine freedom isn’t about changing the world but about recognizing and acting from our own power to choose. Often, people wait for systems to change or for permission from others before living authentically, but Browne insists that your freedom is already yours if you're willing to claim it.

              Many of the traps Browne describes—such as the Identity Trap or the Morality Trap—stem from inherited beliefs and expectations that keep us stuck in roles or values we didn’t consciously choose. He notes, “The trap is in believing that someone else’s notions about morality should govern your actions.” To live freely, we must examine which rules serve us and which ones simply bind us to frustration and guilt. Real freedom requires honesty with ourselves and the courage to discard what doesn’t fit, even if it means disappointing others or stepping outside the status quo.

              Perhaps the most empowering message in Browne’s work is the idea that we can begin to be free right now—not someday, not after the revolution, not when others approve. “Freedom is the opportunity to live your life as you want to live it,” he writes, “doing what you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want, to the extent that your choices don’t infringe on the freedom of others.” This redefines freedom from a social condition to a deeply personal experience. It invites us to examine our attachments, take responsibility for our happiness, and design a life of conscious, deliberate choice—right where we are.


Keep the faith!

Rev-Bates

 

En Espanol:  Rev Bates en español, El Camino a Una Vida Maravillosa

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