Holiday intensity is building on this year's Christmas countdown: Mall crowds are busier, schedules more hectic, to-do lists grow longer. In the bustle it can be easy to lose track of our highest and best selves.

I've been there...recently, in fact. Lost track of my divine self and pitched a fit over some triviality. I did find it, though. Like the last Christmas gift under the tree, it was shoved so far back in the corner of my consciousness it took an hour of crawling through prickly self-critical thoughts and yucky feelings to retrieve it. That said, getting down on the floor to pray and meditate gave me the insight to see the situation differently.

The good news of Christmas is this: Spirit can never be lost. Our divinity, our potential to express God, and our ability to feel and spread joy are our true identity. As we hold fast to our belief and take time apart to listen for guidance, whatever might have seemed lost is always returned to us.

So to prepare for Christmas' coming, here's a simple practice for keeping track of your divine self: Listen for ringing bells -- on the radio, on street corners, even door chimes and ringtones qualify. Each time you hear one, consciously affirm, "The joy of the Lord is born in me now."

Ding dong,

Rev Kurt

Christmas movies are great for spiritual metaphors. Take Polar Express, the story of a young boy with shaky faith who finds it strengthened after he makes his way by train to the North Pole. There, he finds reason to believe not only in others, but most importantly in himself.

Early in the film, despite the promise of excitement and adventure, our young protagonist is reluctant to board the Polar Express. All of us from time-to-time find ourselves in that predicament: Eager for fulfillment, yet unable to embrace the unrevealed good. Our faith in God's all-providing power wavers. Sure, God is always present but the bills are rolling in this month, so MasterCard gets priority over tithing. Or, sure I want my relationships to be holy - provided Spirit's guiding my kids/partner/lover/spouse/friend/boss to behave in the ways I want them to behave.

Our journey to spiritual mastery begins when we can let go of our doubts and reservations and open to new possibilities. Our faith is restored as we let go of rigid ideas about how life has to unfold in order for us to be happy. As we learn to embrace new opportunities and replace resistance with expectancy, we free Spirit to fulfill our heart's deepest desires. We discover the faith and strength to release doubt and fear and follow the divine wisdom of our hearts. That's exactly what the boy in the story does by climbing aboard the Polar Express. It's a triumphant moment. We cheer because his choice is also ours. His triumph can be ours, too.

So as Christmas approaches, consider what attachments you can release this week. What behaviors, patterns or attitudes need to be cleared in order for the Christ in you to be born anew? Imagine how life would look and feel, if your heart and mind were free of all sense of lack, fear or negativity. Then in prayer, ask Spirit to remove whatever might block the full expression of your Christ self.

All aboard!

Rev. Kurt

While parties, presents and pageants can be powerful experiences for giving and receiving God's love, if we look closely, we'll discover subtler reminders that Christ is born in us, as in Jesus. Delve deeply into even the most ordinary routines and you'll discover the journey is not unlike Joseph's and Mary's trek to Bethlehem: It can be arduous, messy and scary but inherent in every experience is a divine capacity for trust and hope to transcend outer circumstances.

For it is by birthing the Christ within that we harness the power to transform lack- and fear-based worldly conditions. Just as a humble birth in distressing circumstances more than 20 centuries ago continues to inspire millions, as we allow Spirit to be born in us, we become the peace that passes understanding. The question is, "How?"

For me, Spirit is born in the humblest, unplanned - even inconvenient - moments. I remember a Christmas past: Suited up for a candle lighting service, I found myself sitting on the floor of a church nursery as the proud father of a child I had Christened earlier that year coaxed his beautiful daughter - resplendent in green velvet and sparkly shoes - to show me some of her first steps while her mother and sister cheered. Witnessing that moment and sharing in their familial love is a gift I will never forget. This afternoon, a friend invited me to an impromptu lunch. Sipping soup and chatting about the week's events, I felt calm and connected, and was filled with a sense of peace and gratitude. And of course, silence is always pregnant with spiritual possibility.

My suggestion as Christmas approaches: Look for the Christ within to be born in your humblest encounters. Look with an expectant heart and open mind. For you are a shepherd with eyes to see. You are the Magi with faith to follow. The Christmas story is your story and mine, and we're called to live it fully... now.

Journey joyously.

Rev. Kurt

Asked to lead an impromptu prayer at a pre-Thanksgiving clergy meeting, I had difficulty naming the things that make me happy. Whatever came to mind seemed trite. Fully succumbing to ego's pull, I thought "I've been trained to deal with the profound questions of ultimate purpose. To suggest that giving thanks for pretty leaves and popcorn helps people experience God seems... lame."

And yet, often it's the simplest pleasures that touch the spirit most deeply.

Christmas shows up as lights, cards, trees and even tacky plastic snowflakes - like the ones that magically appeared on my door last weekend. Such outward signs of celebration can be catalysts for creating happiness, joy, peace and harmony. Watching light glistening through the polyurethane crystals, I'm touched by the thoughtfulness of whoever gave them. I'm reminded that I am blessed by neighbors who value beauty and selflessness. I'm remembering that it's precisely in those times when we're dealing with the biggest, most profound issues of life that a compassionate smile, a kind word, or a hug can make an unspeakably life-affirming impact.
Sometimes it's in those simple acts of love, that God shines most brightly.

Hit the high beams,
Rev. Kurt

My favorite prayers are those written to affirm a deeper understanding of God. My heart is most open when I'm praying for wisdom and understanding. It's in those moments that I am most aware of God in me and in all things. That's why I love the story of Solomon. My favorite passage is where God makes Solomon king and then asks what he wants. Solomon's humble answer: an understanding mind. God is so impressed with the request that He also gives what was not asked: riches and honor all of his life. (1 Kings 3:5-14).

Spiritual understanding - divine wisdom - trumps worldly success every time. If we have the sincere desire to serve God first, as Solomon did, blessings of prosperity, health, friendship and love are freely provided. As soon as we can remember to let go of how our lives, relationships, finances, bodies ought to be, the peace of God which passes understanding pours over us.

The serenity prayer is a powerful practice for accessing divine wisdom. I invite you to use it in your own prayer times. If you don't already know it by heart, try memorizing it. It's a great tool to employ whenever you find yourself struggling with how things ought to be.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Go Deep,
Rev. Kurt

Walking alone near the shore at Gillson Park, I explored a trail less traveled. I didn't feel alone, though. I felt...crowded. I sensed the presence of countless others - hikers from years past, perhaps? Native American scouts who dwelled here centuries ago?

Instead of the peace I sought, I felt overwhelmed. There were too many voices, too much beauty to absorb. The wind racing through the sparse remaining leaf cover roared like waves crashing on a storm-battered beach. The midday light was harsh and glared through wind-whipped leaves and branches. Geese crossed the horizon like sentries in formation. As I approached three huge spider webs, the creators scurried to the uppermost strands as the vibration of their movement made the webs shimmer. They seemed fragile but somehow enduring. All around me, the world prepped for winter. It was orderly, yes, but almost militaristic in its starkness.

There is a distinct rhythm to all life and if we take time to feel it, we align with it. Sometimes, I forget I am One with the divine rhythm reflected in the seasons. Nature's ceaseless evolutionary march has the power to lead us home to ourselves. As you experience these dwindling fall days, I encourage you to cultivate a willingness to listen, feel the beat of spirit moving through all things, and become One with the one rhythm that beats for us all.

Forward. March!

Rev. Kurt

Heading west on Central, the traffic signals at Gross Point and Crawford are just a few yards apart. And since the second signal (Crawford) changes first, reacting at the first flash of green lands you in the middle of the Gross Point intersection before cross traffic is signaled to stop. Trust me. I know first-hand. (No injuries. Small dent.)

Following divine guidance can be like that: Become too fixated on what we want to see, and we blow right past important signs in front of us. Staying present to Spirit's wisdom is not really different from safe driving habits. Stay focused on God (the road). Quiet the mind (no hand-held devices). Be fully present in the moment (signs, signals, weather, conditions). Be mindful of Spirit's activity in all things (traffic flow).

So I encourage you to consider time behind the wheel a mindfulness practice. Trust that your care and attention is not only making the road safer, it's conditioning your conscious mind for greater awareness of the spiritual dynamic underlying every activity of life. Plus, it's an effective strategy for protecting your rear quarter panel.

You're in good hands,

Rev. Kurt

Time was, I thought the easiest commandment to keep was the one about not worshiping idols. But the Israelites got in more trouble worshiping idols than for any other sin. Clearly, idol worship is about more than bowing to a statue of a golden calf.

Look closely, and it's not hard to discover how insidiously day-to-day experiences and desires can become false gods. We let time rule us. We look to a spouse, lover or friend to fulfill us. Work becomes our identity. Appreciation for beautiful things becomes a compulsion to acquire them. In those instances, we are forgetting that God is our Source.

The story of Elijah, who is charged with reminding the Israelites to put God first, provides a great spiritual remedy. Elijah proves God's unequaled greatness to followers of the false god, Baal, by dominating in a bonfire building contest. Just as Elijah helped the Israelites realize the power of the one true God, we're called to realize the immense power of God's activity in every facet of our lives.

We do it by living the spiritual qualities and principles we believe: We cultivate peace and serenity where time constraints might otherwise fuel stress. We nurture healthy relationships that are mutually empowering. We dedicate our work to greater good. We treasure what's beautiful without making it the object of our existence. Most importantly, we cultivate a grateful heart by consciously, prayerfully expressing appreciation for all of life's blessing - even those still emerging from the unseen.

Namaste,

Rev. Kurt

A former co-worker used to hum stupid jingles just to see if I would unconsciously parrot them back. When she realized there was no challenge to it, she'd keep switching tunes just to see how long it took me to realize I was being played.

I mention it because it's a great illustration of how easily we can get caught up in the consciousness of those around us. It's helpful if the vibes are uplifting and life-enhancing. But if the tone is gossipy or critical, we're only going to attract more of the same. The trick, of course, is discerning between the two and then consciously choosing to participate in that which enhances our connection to spirit rather than that which blocks it. That's a life's work in itself. Griping is a huge obstacle to spiritual growth. Not unlike the constant murmuring of the Jews as Moses led them toward the Promised Land. But discernment alone is not enough. Once we recognize the murmuring, our work is to claim the faith, strength, wisdom and courage required to act in concert with the divine.

So what tools can help get us through the wilderness? There's a great song by Heather Small called "Proud" with lyrics that inspire me. Here's the verse I recommend parroting:

I look into the window of my mind
Reflections of the fears I know I've left behind
I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I'm on my way
Can't stop me now
You can do the same
What have you done today to make you feel proud?

What a great affirmation, yes? Fears are just reflections we've already left behind. Our only task is to make choices of which we can be proud. So here's the assignment: At the end of each day this week, ask yourself what you've done that gives you a sense of pride. I guarantee you'll start to notice how truly powerful and wonderful you are. You'll start to notice where you've had the courage to ask for support. You'll tap the strength to take a risk. You'll access the wisdom to choose a different response from your usual pattern. You'll begin to challenge yourself to even greater works.

Shoulders back! Stand tall!

Rev. Kurt

Listening for the still small voice within can be like listening to the radio on a road trip: Sometimes there's static. Out of range, the signal weakens. Even when I feel dialed in, the station occasionally fades in and out - especially in isolated areas. If I'm really interested in a program, I'll try to be patient and wait out the static. After all, I know the station is still broadcasting. I know that once I get clear of interference, the reception will improve. Still, there are times I can't stand the noise. That's when I hit the "scan" button and sample whatever stations my radio picks up.

God's channels for communicating with us are limitless. Sometimes guidance is broadcast on unfamiliar stations. Sometimes we don't recognize the voice. Yet Spirit is always on the air. God is present, even in the static. Waiting on the Lord is always the right choice. But there's a difference between waiting on the Lord, and waiting to hear what we want to hear. So how can we distinguish between the two? Here's a suggestion: Be still and know. Be still and know that God always points to eternal truth. Divine solutions are not constrained by worldly facts. Heed the voice that calls you higher, and you find the journey is infinitely more rewarding.

You're on the air!
Rev. Kurt

“It’s gone,” I whined, frantically checking pockets for my cell phone a couple blocks from the Howard Street El station. “I must have left it on the train.” Looking back, I’m flabbergasted by the level of energy squandered over the incident.

The same thing sometimes happens with our connection to God. We all experience times when our prayers don’t seem to have an effect. We don’t feel a familiar sense of connection, or we don’t see evidence that our prayers are answered, and we freak out. We wonder what we’re doing wrong. We get ticked off at God for abandoning us. We may even reject the existence of an all-knowing, ever-present, infinite Power.

Truth is, our connection is not about a particular feeling or practice; it’s not about a particular outcome or manifestation. I believe that, when we feel disconnected, we are actually called to deepen our understanding of the nature of God, to broaden our capacity for recognizing Spirit’s presence, and to open our hearts to a deeper, more vulnerable level of trusting in the infinite. How?

Don’t focus on what’s missing; focus on God – and by God, I mean any good that’s expressing. It’s not always possible to see a blessing in the throes of feeling disconnected. While I believe God’s love does express even in the bleakest moments, we may not be in a frame of mind to discern it. In my experience, blessings that arise from difficulty tend to be much more apparent in retrospect. So don’t force it. I find it far simpler to shift energy and attention to blessings that are obvious, trusting in the power of the unseen to bring light to the darkness in due time.

Back to the cell phone analogy: Focus on the missing cell phone or the sailboards crisscrossing the horizon under a clear blue sky? Missing cell phone or dinner with an old friend at a dynamite new restaurant?

As we release our expectations about how prayers are to be answered, as we rein in our insistence that spiritual connection has to feel a certain way, we free ourselves to see past dichotomies of good/bad, right/wrong and experience Spirit in entirely new ways.

As for my missing cell phone? Not. Never was. Turns out I’d left it home to recharge. The same is true of our divine connection: Even though we may not be consciously aware of Spirit’s all-knowing, all-providing activity in us and in our lives, any separation is but a fleeting misperception.

Call now, the universe awaits.
Rev. Kurt

“Pretty bird. Pretty bird,” the exotic pedigreed parrot warbles in a lilting, sing-song voice. The claim is sadly ironic, though. By any standard of aesthetic beauty she is decidedly not pretty. Afflicted by some strain of ornithological eczema, the poor thing has stripped off most of her plumage. Though otherwise healthy, the few remaining frazzled feathers do little to cover the splotchy pallid baldness of her body.

Despite her beloved pet’s looks, my friend Ellie adores her pitiful-looking parrot. For those who know Ellie, this seems paradoxical: She’s an image consultant. Keenly attuned to the correlation between physical appearance and success, she prizes beauty in all forms. But Ellie’s bird has been a primary source of comfort through three marriages, a career change and a potentially life-threatening health scare. The love she extends to her feathered friend is as unconditional as it is boundless.

The love we give to, and receive from, a pet can draw us more deeply into the love of God. Those of us without pets can experience such connections through the magnificence of the natural world. As we embrace the grandeur of creation in all its forms, we’re better equipped to see the beauty of being beyond body. We’re less inclined to allow regrets or projections to rob us of the gifts inherent in the present. We’re more aware of a power greater than our selves, which is also within us, and within all things.

So here’s your practice for the week: Spot a critter, send a blessing. Make it a simple: “Bless you (squirrel, dog, bird, cat).” Then be reminded that God is active in you and in all things. I expect you’ll be delighted by how often God’s presence is made evident.

Here, kitty-kitty,
Rev. Kurt

The most powerful transformations are often born out of our greatest challenges. They're waiting at the point where universal truth and worldly conditions collide. They are latent in the gaps between our intellectual understanding of Truth and our mastery spiritual principles: I pray, "I am prosperous," even though the word "tithe" makes me squirm. I pray, "I am whole," even though I'm worried sick about my health. I pray, "I'm one with the universe," even though I can't stand the neighbor kid. I affirm, "Peace be still," even though Fox News infuriates me.

Our work is to hold space in consciousness for truth and stay fully awake to our own responses. If we stay present and make loving choices, if we're willing to trust in the goodness of the universe, Spirit will transform us, and through us, outer conditions align.

The rest is just processing. It's dancing on the edge of transformation. It's the prodigal son eating slop with the pigs. It's the Hebrew slaves murmuring in the wilderness. It's Jesus on the cross. And with no conscious effort, we suddenly come to ourselves. Our wandering in the wilderness halts. Our three days in the tomb conclude.

It really can be that easy: The simple realization that we're stuck marks the threshold between "stuckness" and transformation. To cross it, we need only allow Spirit's gentle power to awaken us to a higher plane of consciousness. As the processing quiets, thought forms transcend critical judgments and fruitless rehashing. We are free to experience the divine at a level not previously embraced.

So whatever is ripe for transformation in your life, my prayer this week is that you have within you all the faith, courage and desire to heal at depth, to return for the loving father's welcome home party, to reach the Promised Land, and to experience the glory of resurrection.

Transform joyously,
Rev. Kurt

Fair warning: I’m in a mood. All the prayers that usually shift me back into alignment with the divine make me wince. “Peace, be still.” “Listen to the still, small voice.” “All is provided.” Yeah…yeah…yeah. God’s within. But right now, it feels more like the freak within is running things.

So here’s my prayer…I’m asking the universe for guidance that’s thunderous, earth-shaking and roars. I want my next steps to be as clearly marked as an I-Pass toll crossing lined with runway lights. Oh, and for the record, I ask that it be exciting, fun and effortless.  After all, we teach that, “the Christ within does the work.”

Most Unity folks find “Christ within” a fairly easy concept to grasp and accept. It’s our innate goodness. It’s the aspect of self that’s one with the power and wisdom of God. It’s the facet of our being that connects us to all that is.  It’s our true nature; our wholeness, perfection and completeness. Call it Christ within, Buddha nature, higher self – whatever term for the divine you prefer. For most of us, it’s the concept that rang most true and resonated most deeply when we first discovered Unity’s teachings.

So if we accept and understand the concept of Christ within, the real question is, “What work is the Christ within doing?” Is it the transformative work in the spiritual realm that shapes all that exists? Or will it tackle challenges in the earthly, material realm and handle the concrete steps I don’t want to deal with?

As with most either/or propositions regarding Truth, the answer of course is, “Yes, depending on the choices we make.” Spirit can accomplish whatever we’re willing to allow. Our work is making choices that support our aspirations, and then making certain our deepest beliefs, feelings and emotions are aligned with those aspirations.

So if I want my life to be fun, exciting and grace-led, my work is to make it so. As long as I agonize over writing this message, I block Spirit from infusing the process with fun and excitement. As long as I consider it an arduous task, Spirit matches the vibration of my mood and writing will require great effort. By raise my vibration, my experience of writing is uplifted, too.

As for my prayer requesting unmistakable guidance? Driving into the office today, in the throes of wrestling with a decision about whether to stay the course or change direction, a construction crew blocked the way. Fluorescent orange flags and warning beepers clearly marked a detour. In that instant, the ground of resistance upon which I was camped shook and Spirit cleared the runway of thought patterns.

My affirmation for you this week: “You are ready for takeoff.”
Choose to soar.
Kurt

Sometimes it takes a whack with the proverbial cosmic 2-by-4 to motivate us to break free of patterns and beliefs that block us from fully expressing our divinity. But there is a better way: The breakthroughs and victories of others can be a powerful source of inspiration for our own soul growth. We learn how another becomes aware of mistaken beliefs and we recognize similar patterns in our own thinking. A fellow seeker breaks through a wall – or leaps over it – and we begin to see our own barriers as mere hurdles to be cleared with grace and finesse. When we witness miracles unfolding for others, we see the possibility for creating miracles in our own experience.

Those experiences only happen by connecting with others more deeply than much of our socializing allows. To know another and allow ourselves to be known at a level that feeds our souls means approaching our social liaisons differently. The 1,000 or so at Last Sunday’s Peaceable Cities Walk & Talk made the time and cultivated an openness to listen and speak from our hearts. Organizers encouraged us connect with folks we did not know. They even suggested questions to move our conversations beyond what we do, or where we live to who we are and what we value.

It’s this energy of deeper knowing that our current Sunday Series and Home Book Study Program is intended to cultivate. By making a commitment to share the stories and experiences evoked by David Arnett’s Messengers, we expand the aperture of our vision to capture a greater perspective on Spirit’s brilliance shining through our lives and our community. (If you haven’t got the book yet, click here to order. If you’d like to join a Home Group click here and we’ll email the list of meeting times/places, or call the office at 847-864-8977.)

As children of God, each of us has the capacity to bless others with clarity and support, and to remind one another of our own divinity and greatness.

May all whom your life touches today bless you as you are blessed.

On a prominent hilltop outside Kansas City, Missouri sits Unity Village, our movement's beautiful, tranquil headquarters. The south end of campus is anchored by its most distinctive structure, the Silent Unity Building, home to the beautiful cupola which radiates with "the light that always shines for you." Beneath that glowing beacon, in a room dedicated to constant prayer, Silent Unity prayer associates pray 'round the clock, just as they have for nearly 120 years. This is the work which inspired Unity's annual World Day of Prayer which begins Thursday, Sept. 8 at the stroke of midnight. This is the work I invite you to join now, across any span of time and space.

Imagine you are standing in the corridor on the uppermost floor of that sacred building. Before you are two massive, dark oak doors framing four rows of small glass panes that stretch from floor to ceiling. Light streams through the glass, gently illuminating the serene faces of prayer associates awaiting the chimes which signal the changing of the vigil. Even though it's quiet, there is a sense of lightness and joy ricocheting through the corridor. And when the chimes do sound, those massive doors swoosh open. Those who have just completed their 30-minute shift emerge, looking refreshed and renewed. In silence, they share brief hugs or friendly nods with those who are entering.

You enter, too, and discover an intimate chapel. It is simple and elegant, with a dozen chairs facing an altar tucked neatly into a domed alcove framed with heavy red velvet curtains. Over the altar, stenciled in gold leaf is the scripture, "Peace, Be Still". The doors click closed as you head for a chair near the window. Almost instantly, the rustling of people settling into chairs quiets and the affirmative scripture on the wall is manifest. You breathe deeply and gaze out the window, thankful for the magnificent view of the campus, the tree-dense landscape beyond and the vibrant colors of a Midwest sunset. You shift your gaze and look up into the dome's peak. You feel a sense of awe at the realization that the prayers you are about to offer beneath this cupola will be joined with the prayers of generations of others who've prayed here before you.

Everything about this moment becomes more vivid. Every sensation, every image, every feeling and thought seems more clear. You breathe in and allow your thoughts to quiet. You breathe out and simply observe your responses. Breathe in and allow your attention to shift inward. Breathe out and focus on the sensations around your heart. Breathe in, silently think, "in." Breathe out, silently think "out." Calm and at peace, affirm with thousands of others around the world, "We are peacemakers, one in the love of God. With hearts united, we establish harmony and peace in our lives and in the world." And in this moment, fully conscious of your true nature, know that it is so.

Just as America honors its workers with a day off on Labor Day, the Sabbath is an acknowledgment of the divine power that’s activated when we rest and simply allow Spirit to work in us. The Bible says God was busy creating the world in six days, called it very good and rested on the 7th. Resting is a crucial step in co-creating with the Divine. In the busyness of daily living, it’s also the step many of us often miss.

As we make space in our busy lives for R&R, we make space for God to express. Sure we’ve got plenty of spiritual tools to employ – prayer, meditation, devotional study, conscious action for expressing the divine in our lives. Yes, we’ve each got spiritual work to do on this path, and it’s important to regularly set aside the tools and work and simply “be.”

A Sabbath Walk is a great way to make space to be: a way to “let your soul catch up with you,” Wayne Muller says in his book, “Sabbath.” Sometime this week, set aside 30 minutes to walk.  Muller says don’t even think of it as a “walk.” It’s more like an amble. Set no goals. Don’t pick a destination. Just be completely in the moment and follow the urgings of your heart. If a particular flower or rock catches your eye, spend some time there. If your interest is piqued by a bug or a critter, watch it ‘til your curiosity urges you to move on. If you share the experience with a friend, resist the temptation to speak, and pay attention to the rhythm of your own being. When 30 minutes have passed, pay attention to your thoughts. Is your mind quieter? Is your sense of time less urgent? Is your thinking more expansive?

I’ll be away Sunday, spending my end-of-summer Sabbath wiling away the hours with old friends on a pontoon boat on Lake Travis near Austin. I pray you make time for aimless recreating, too!

Happy Labor Day!  -- Kurt

Maybe it wasn’t as impressive as Jesus’ feeding the crowd of 5,000 with a few loaves and fishes but it was a miracle, nonetheless. Our bank balance was running low before last Friday’s Italian Dinner. But our tasty feast of donated food fed 40 and raised just over $5,000. To our bankers, the additional deposit seemed to appear like manna from heaven. What doesn’t appear on the financial records is the incredible commitment of a dedicated board and the faith-filled generosity of all who support our ministry.

Miracles don’t just happen. They are not magic. We co-create them. Sometimes, we’re able to see them forming and explain their appearance. Mostly though, the infinite power of the universe shaping the substance of our consciousness in our day-to-day lives is beyond our comprehension.

The good news is we do know how to tap this miraculous power of the infinite. Jesus demonstrated it for us: “He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.” (Be still. Get grounded. Be aware.)  “He took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them.” (Pray. Give thanks. Be grateful.) “<He> gave them to his disciples and they distributed them to the crowd.” (Take action. Move your feet. Do what’s yours to do.)

So here’s the deal: To experience more miracles in your life, recognize the ordinary ones all around you: Take note of the joy of a funny story; the vastness of sky; the synchronicity of a helpful referral; the connection of a shared experience. Just the awareness of a blessing usually inspires a feeling of gratitude. Claim the miracle and give thanks. (Doesn’t have to be eloquent. “Thank you, God,” works fine.) Then get moving. Share it with others. Tell the joke to someone. Use your camera phone to send a photo. Share your wisdom. Open your heart to another.

The universe will respond. Like the crowds gathered around Jesus and the happy diners who gathered for spaghetti, meatballs and Florentines last week, if you’re willing to participate, your good will multiply. (Click here if you’d like to contribute to the safety and beauty of our building.)

Blessings, you maker of miracles, you!
Rev. Kurt

It still amazes me. When I’m fully cooperating with the flow of life, I’m awed by the serendipitous events that unfold. They’re not always mind-blowing miracles – though I’ve experienced a few of those. More often, a chance meeting becomes a valued connection, or a delay results in a divinely ordered outcome, or a wrong turn leads to a sacred appointment.

Often, we experience the signals as gentle nudges or even annoyances, easily missed or ignored. One strategy for aligning with guidance in those situations is a simple four-step process derived from a Polynesian prayer practice. (I shared this in last Sunday’s lesson.) Called Ho'oponopono, it can be an effective practice for tuning into guidance. Try directing each of these four steps to the divine within you.

1. I love you. –I love the good and the potentiality for greatness in this moment.
2. I’m sorry – (This is not about remorse or regret) I’m sorry I haven’t yet connected to my highest, most authentic self in this situation.
3. Please forgive me – (Again, not about guilt or shame) Forgive me, that I might now release anything blocking my ability to express the Divine.
4. Thank you – Thank you for the peace and blessings that are mine to claim now and always.

Divine guidance is constantly flowing. God is always drawing us toward peace, harmony, health and wholeness. Listen carefully. Heed the gentle nudges of intuition and you will find that navigating even choppy waters can be accomplished with skill and finesse.

Make it smooth, like glass,
Rev. Kurt

Resistance is sneaky a devil. He creeps into the most ordinary circumstances parading as procrastination, indecision and rationalization. He keeps us stuck in the mire of unhealthy patterns. He dooms us to repeating the dysfunctional cycles embedded in our subconscious by years of habitual routine. He pollutes our spiritual and physical energies and corrupts our awareness of God’s presence.

Think of a situation you don’t want to deal with. That’s resistance. It might be as innocuous as cleaning a closet or fixing a broken widget. It might be as important as working with a bill collector, confronting a coworker, forgiving a friend, or releasing a relationship. Now think of the energy you expend resisting such situations. Each time you pass the closet door or hear the dripping faucet, your attention is drawn to what’s undone. Every phone call you screen unleashes thoughts of lack, loss, or anger. Every mention of the adversarial coworker or estranged friend sparks flashes of guilt or resentment. Every thought of the hurtful relationship spirals into an internalized story of victimization. That’s polluted energy. It depletes our strength, faith and capacity to be love.

The good news is that what we resist persists. That means Spirit will present plenty of opportunities to transcend whatever we’re resisting. The really good news is that each time we overcome resistance, each time we face our fears and claim more of our divine power, our faith is strengthened.

So what are you resisting? What task is undone? What circumstance requires your attention? What messy situation is ripe for transformation? Check in with Spirit. Ask what’s yours to do and get someone to pray with you. You can request support online right now by clicking here. You can call Silent Unity at 1-800-NOW-PRAY (1-800-669-7729). You can phone our Prayer Line and leave a message asking our Prayer Team to enfold you in prayer for 30 days (847-328-6123).

When you invite the activity of God to support you in moving through resistance, you activate your divinity so powerfully that even the most obstinate blocks will be easily cleared.

Live strong, courageous one,

Rev. Kurt

This morning, a speaker on my computer was emitting a steady buzz of crackling static. It’s actually been happening for a while but today I couldn’t stand the annoying distraction any longer. I messed with switches and settings and checked the connections. No change. Then, forgetting it’s daisy-chained to its stereo mate, I pulled it toward me to check the wiring. The mate toppled off the desk and instantly the buzzing ceased. Apparently, the two speakers were too close together. With a bit of rearranging, peace and quiet now reign at my desk.     

Spiritual awakening can be much the same. As Sallye Taylor, one of Unity’s most imaginative Bible scholars, writes, “We’ve come into this life with lessons to learn, issues from the past to heal, and Divine Ideas to bring into expression.” Occasionally our lessons, issues and ideas show up as annoyances and distractions. We can try to ignore it. That sometimes works ... for awhile. More often, this brand of denial only exacerbates the problem. With God’s help we come to understand that making substantive, lasting positive changes, calls for a different response.

Having said that, metaphysically, the buzzing scenario shakes out this way: If we want more good in our lives (”peace and quiet”), we have to try on a new pattern of thinking (”mess with switches and settings”), walk through any resistance or frustration (check the wiring) and change our mistaken beliefs (“rearrange the desktop”).

May any distractions you face be overcome with grace and ease.

Rev. Kurt

As I write, Unity on the North Shore is embarking on a patio renovation project for the front entry. It's the first step in transforming a physical manifestation that's been cracking apart our literal and energetic foundations for years. Every phase of the project is being undertaken with mindful attention. The committee is prayerfully considering current and future uses. Members are working with designers to create a space that's open and inviting from all vantage points, even as it enhances a sense of sacredness and peace.

This undertaking is a beautiful metaphor for our own spiritual work: we recognize a pattern or behavior that's no longer life-enriching, make a decision to transform it, and then carefully evaluate our thinking and feeling, gently releasing whatever contradicts our objective and welcoming the new form wanting to emerge.

Still, it's work that can be bittersweet. We grieve as we're called to let go of what's familiar and release our attachment to form. In Unity, we also choose to honor and celebrate what has been while giving thanks for what's eternal. As plans for the new patio take shape, we'll celebrate the blessings that have unfolded there. We'll pray for all who've crossed its threshold, all who've gathered on its benches, all whose earthly lives are commemorated beneath its plantings, and for the sacred conversations and divine connections forged upon it. We'll claim the sacredness of the ground, express gratitude for the joy and rich memories that will continue to bless us for generations to come, and we'll give thanks for the new possibilities already emerging.

I am proud to be part of a community with the energy and willingness to embrace change and its divergent energies of grief and gladness in these financially uncertain times. I believe this physical renovation is a spiritual demonstration of our strength, courage and willingness that will greatly bless us as we embrace the changes shaping our personal lives, our community and most importantly our world.

Onward!
Rev. Kurt

You know the little bars on cell phones that indicate signal strength? Wouldn't it be great if there were an indicator like that to measure divine guidance? We'd never have to wonder if the voice we're hearing is the still, small voice of Spirit or the clever rationalizations of less-than-principled cravings. If in doubt, we'd just check the bars.

We do have a guidance system of sorts: Intuition. One of its most attractive features is a capacity to become stronger and more reliable with use. The biggest challenge to its efficacy in most arenas of life is our tendency to let facts and general consensus trump faith and new possibility.

So how do we build reserve in our intuitive power? How do we learn to recognize and trust the voice sourced in boundless love? Simple. Use it. Often. A dear colleague and mentor advises asking for guidance in the most mundane choices: Which shirt, Spirit? Which restaurant, God? Which book, Beloved? Then pause and listen...really listen for a preference, an inkling a subtle impulse. In time, that intuitive impulse becomes familiar, instantly recognized. Then when the stakes are higher, in the midst of life's bigger questions and issues, the conscious mind is so finely tuned to intuition's signal, everything else becomes white noise, easily filtered out.

In my experience, choices made within that realm are divinely inspired.

Go, God. Go.
Rev. Kurt

"This can't be good," I thought after learning I'd been assigned to work with a retired Marine Colonel at a volunteer gig for the Unity Church I'd just started attending. As a gay man seeking a spiritual home that would honor my wholeness, I desperately wanted to believe the congregation's weekly affirmation that I was loved and blessed just the way I was. But to my mind, in those early Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell days, retired + military = homophobia.

Since I'd made the commitment, I resolved to honor it. But I dreaded the inevitable chit-chat. Armed with buckets and squeegees, our task was washing windows in the foyer. Work started with the skylights -- simple dusting, really. Our initial topics were equally simple: career, where we lived, hobbies. As the conversation deepened (genealogy, church background), we had to get our hands wet washing the sidelights. Cleaning doors was the fussiest stage: We scraped scotch tape remnants and scrubbed off greasy hand prints. The topics got more intense, too: personal life, family, loved ones.

For gay folk, there are three approaches to such conversations: flat-out lie by switching tell-tale pronouns, evade by omitting gender references, or disclose by telling what is. Lying's never been a good strategy for me. And though weary of evading, I was adept at it. The colonel, however, was having none of it. Unsatisfied with the ambivalence coloring my responses, he pressed for details. Oddly, the gentleness of his pressing was refreshingly disarming. His manner was free of the judgmental energy of a closed mind intent on validating a moralistic condemnation. He seemed genuinely curious about my life. His only motive: an authentic desire to get to know me.

Washing windows with the colonel prompted a huge awakening: I realized my own fear of rejection was crippling me. I realized
my sense of isolation was was a reflection of my own prejudices. I realized that "telling what is" in a loving spiritual community has the power to heal, to free and to bless.

Of course, awakenings are possible anytime, anywhere. But working, eating and playing together creates a powerful field for divine transformation that simply isn't as accessible in other environments. As we serve others with willing hearts, we're blessed with opportunities to transcend perceived limitations. That's one side of a reciprocal experience. The flip side is we discover a facet of our greatness that supports others in knowing their own. Either way, everybody who serves, wins.

With gratitude for the colonels in our lives,

Rev. Kurt

I recently discovered my cousin Pat is a local favorite on the Twin Cities heavy metal music circuit. More head banger than pop star, he nonetheless consented to perform his sister's easy listening choice for the newly-wed bride's dance with their father at the reception. The poignancy of the moment he created singing "John friggin' Denver's 'Sunshine on My Shoulders,'" was as stirring as it was powerful.

It was one of those truly sacred moments: a precious instant in which the veil between self and others lifts and we recognize our own delight in the bride's realized dream, our own equivocation in the father's transformed role, our own devotion in the brother's authentic voice, our own desires in the guests' validated hopes.

It's what happens when we give of ourselves outside the boundaries of our usual spheres. Cooking for a soup kitchen involves the same skills as cooking for friends and family. Shopping for a food pantry is not substantively different from weekly grocery shopping. You just have to do it. Intention, while formative, is not sufficient.

Like my cousin's "Sunshine" gig, overcoming resistance awakens an intrinsic cognizance of the unity which connects us, and frees Spirit's power to bless both those served and those serving.

So...Who you gonna serve, today? Who's already served you?

Rev. Kurt

On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote his wife and predicted the Continental Congress' July 2 vote for independence would be commemorated as a great holiday for the new nation. He didn't foresee that Americans would instead celebrate Independence Day on the date the announcement of that act was finalized.

I like that bit of trivia because it aptly illustrates the process of spiritual growth. The work of consciousness-raising is seldom as predictable as we might like. America's evolution from loosely connected colonies to independent nation may have unfolded in simpler times, but it's clear the path to independence was convoluted and messy. Transformation is like that. Set an intention to shift a belief or behavior that zaps energy, and chances are you'll encounter a few setbacks along the way.

As we celebrate the extraordinary worldly freedom we enjoy as Americans this weekend, I'm also mindful we are blessed with divine freedoms. Just as colonists responded to King George's blockade of American ports with what Adams described as "compleat Dismemberment of the British Empire," we are free to choose our responses to anything that would block our ability to be God's power and love in the world. We are free to choose whether challenges will strengthen our faith or deplete it. We are free to choose between filling our hearts and minds with a vision for expressing compassion, joy and hope, or harboring bitterness and regret.

In my experience, Unity's belief in an omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent source of good provides excellent navigation toward greater freedom: Honor that power's activity within you, trust its guidance through you, cherish its expression as you, and freedom's reign will expand in you...and in our world.

Blessings,
Rev. Kurt

We react a couple ways when destiny comes knocking at our doors. Sometimes we peek through the peep hole and think, "Geez...I thought Destiny would be better looking." Sometimes we have a very different response: "Wow! Destiny's a knockout. Wonder what a hottie like that could ever see in me?"

Of course there is a better option. It goes something like this: "Thank you, God, for this date with Destiny. I recognize that whatever shows up today is a reflection of my own consciousness. It blesses me with another opportunity to experience you, God, and express as you. If what shows up is not to my liking, I check my expectations, then give thanks for the insight and clarity it yields. If what shows up fulfills my wishes and dreams, I give thanks for the joy and happiness it brings. Either way I win."

As you wait to see what Destiny looks like today, trust that you will be blessed. Know that you're divinely equipped to handle whatever appears with ease and grace, and welcome it with a sense of joy and anticipation.

Blessings,
Rev. Kurt

Last weekend I had a heated argument with a friend. Ironically, it was about authentic communication. His view: There is a tragic flaw developing, especially among the young, that's disintegrating their ability to participate in meaningful conversation. Tweets and texts, he asserts, are harbingers of younger generations mindlessly isolating themselves from authentic connection with others. I disagree. My sense is the whole spectrum of communications technology is the iceberg's tip of an entirely new paradigm of human connection, and the more vehemently we proclaim its failure to meet our expectations for conversational fluency, the more completely we separate ourselves from its unstoppable emergence. His solution: Insist they shut down their aps, put down their smart phones and actually talk to us. Mine: Shift perspective from social networking's current limits to how it might be a step toward more authentic connection and intimacy.

Seriously, I know it sounds utopian but it's not beyond the realm of current understanding that the human nervous system can integrate entirely new levels of sensitivity for communicating. In support of its premise that life is built on cooperation and connection, rather than survival of the fittest, "I Am" the movie nicely depicts the science explaining how birds and fish navigate in flocks and schools. It's remarkably similar to how social networking supported the Arab Spring Uprisings. Those of us behind the swell of the learning curve wave have a choice: Trust that the tech-savvy energy of the swell's crest is supported by the universe's propensity for cooperation and connection, or don't. We can't stop the wave from breaking. We can't control where or when it breaks. Short of evaporating ourselves, we can't even control whether we'll be affected by its wake.

That's true for all manner of change. Life and time and the world of matter evolve whether we approve of the means or not. That's not to say we're helpless droplets at the mercy of the elements and forces that shape our lives. Quite the opposite. We are one with those elements and forces. Just as each wing-beat helps shape the flock's collective instincts guiding overall direction, the caliber of our collective consciousness is shaped by the character of our individual thoughts. Our part, then, is to ensure our thoughts are in harmony with the infinite power of good expressing.

So what does harmony look like when a teen staffing the counter at 7-11 is thumbing text messages instead of providing excellent customer service? I'm not sure...but imagine what might happen if instead of righteous indignation we felt genuine curiosity about the world from a teen's perspective. It might yield new insights into what motivates the spiritual being on the other side of counter. And on our side? It could well be the genesis of an entirely new level of sensitivity for initiating human connection within the spiritual realm. Who knows? In that energy, the clerk might well be inspired to put down the phone, unbidden, and actually talk with us.

Blessings, Rev. Kurt

This week I 'm blessed to be at Unity Village, the tranquil, history-laden Eden near Kansas City, MO, that is our world headquarters. I'm serving with teams assembled to evaluate the progress of students on the path to becoming Unity ministers. Forgive the gross oversimplification but it feels like being a judge on a spiritual edition of "American Idol." As I watch myself engage in the work, I see me more like Rosie O'Donnell (kind, supportive) than Simon Cowell (cruel and snarky). That said, Spirit has made it crystal clear that it's time for me to embrace my inner Simon and the Divine expressing in those I've judged to be Simons.

In terms of spiritual mastery, seeing the Christ in self and others is a key step in expanding our capacity to be unconditionally loving. Within our fears and aversions, there is always a gift awaiting discovery. As we mine the fields of our resistance and commit to overcoming them, we open the door to raising consciousness. In my "Idol" case, it involves looking for the blessings Simon brings. However snarky I deem the former host's approach, he calls it like he sees it. He is firm in his convictions. His brand of truth-telling might well have motivated budding pop stars to hone their craft, others to redirect their energies to endeavors more fully aligned with their gifts and purpose. Divorced from my judgement of the personality demonstrating them, I can see how those qualities are admirable. From that point, I count on Spirit to lead.

Mostly that's about paying attention. Once we set an intention and commit to fulfilling it, the universe will present an abundance of opportunities for consciousness-raising. We attract the perfect experiences for either demonstrating the level of consciousness to which we aspire or shrinking from it. When those opportunities arise, lean into them. Face them. See them with new eyes. Center yourself in the conviction of your values. Claim your power to be love expressing. Respond confidently with courageous compassion. You may not achieve perfect results the first time -- most new learning is slow learning. But the faith, strength and wisdom for honing your capacity to be divine love expressing is provided, and your success is assured.

Blessings, Rev. Kurt

My nephew is learning to drive so his folks occasionally allow him to back the car out of the garage. Early on, there was a close encounter with a brick mailbox flanking their driveway. The story nicely mirrors how many of us incorporate new learning into our spiritual development.

"You're creeping right," brother-in-law calls out using corresponding hand signals clearly visible in the driver's rearview mirror.

Car accelerates slightly with no discernable course correction.

"Mailbox! Cut the wheel left!" brother-in-law commands forcefully, signaling emphatically.

"I see it!" driver responds, accelerating confidently without changing course.

"Brake! Stop!" brother-in-law shouts just as the car's longitude crosses the mailbox's latitude. Luckily, the right rear quarter panel misses the mailbox. The margin, however, is undeniably narrow.

Often, we have an intellectual grasp of mastery. We know brakes stop, accelerator goes. Meditation centers. Prayer aligns. But when it comes to changing a habitual pattern, embodying a new level of awareness, or creating a more prosperous life, our efficacy with the tools of spiritual mastery is always evolving. If we're too eager to demonstrate our prowess and reap the rewards of enlightened living, we can fool ourselves into believing we know all there is to know. Like my nephew's narrowly missing the mailbox, if we're dismissive of Spirit's guidance, we may succeed to a degree, but we miss the opportunity to embrace a deeper learning.

The Gospels tell the story of Jesus' evolution in consciousness. From the turning of water into wine to resurrection and transfiguration, he remains teachable. His example beckons us to do the same. That's why our Prayer Chaplains are trained to keep a "beginner's mind." It's with open minds that we most easily experience a fuller, freer expansion of the divine within us. With receptive hearts, Spirit can most mightily transform our thinking and believing. As we remain teachable, we're more easily able to see God in all things, the Christ in all people.

Buckle up, and remember, there's learning and growth even in the narrowest of margins.
Rev. Kurt

Navigating the complex layering of energies Memorial Day evokes is like tasting fine wine: The experience is shaped by our own preferences and histories. Most people recognize a dominant flavor or two: "berry" and 'chocolate," or "gratitude" and "patriotism," but for seekers there's a rich layering of subtle flavors that deepen and develop with age. Cultivate awareness of the subtleties and we foster a deeper appreciation for life, a more profound sense of our identity and how it's been shaped by those who've lived and died before us.

The holiday's history itself conveys its many facets: First adopted to honor the fallen on both sides of the Civil War, after World War I, Congress decided to commemorate all American soldiers who died in any war. By the early 20th century, according to Wikipedia, "Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as people visited graves of deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not. It also became a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family get-togethers, fireworks, trips to the beach, and the Indy 500."

So here's an invitation for further evolving consciousness of Memorial Day's purpose: Pray for the fallen on all sides of all wars. Pray believing that Spirit is active in all things, always drawing us toward a greater expression of Divine Love. Set an intention to be that love in expression. Then be willing to savor every nuance: the sweetness of celebration, the bitterness of grief, the tang of loss, the spiciness of forgiveness, the fruitiness of appreciation. Let Memorial Day be a celebration of our deep connection to all that is, has been, and is yet to be. Let it be a celebration of our unity.

Blessings, wise and perceptive connoisseur of life,
Rev. Kurt

Awhile back, I noticed my rear driver's-side tire needed air, so I filled it. Couple days later, it looked low again. I checked the pressure and filled it again. Clearly, there was a leak. I just didn't have time to deal with it. Then, while filling the same tire for the zillionth time, I noticed the problem: A large screw had punctured the tread and broken off. I made a mental note to get it fixed, but resisted making time to stop at a tire shop. I procrastinated for weeks. Never mind that I spent more quarters at air pumps and more time yanking on air hoses than would be required for a permanent fix. The 15 or 20 minutes it would take standing around a repair shop seemed like wasted time.

Sometimes meditation feels like that. We fidget. We keep opening our eyes. We think about what's in the 'fridge. We can barely sit still because we're so anxious to get busy "doing" something. Truth is, a small investment in stillness, however restless we might feel, always brings us into God's presence. Often, it's those occasions when our meditation seems most scattered that our spirits are most in need of refreshment. If we trust that God is present in our "wasted" moments as well as our peaceful ones, Spirit acts to plug any leaks draining our life energies.

I did finally get the screw removed...and invested my stint waiting at the tire shop in meditation. Here's an affirmation I trust will help you find peace in busyness: "Time expands to meet my every need."

Blessings,
Rev. Kurt

Walking the shoreline this week, I thought about a cantankerous old fisherman who used to hang at the end of the pier in Huntington Beach, CA. Every morning before dawn, he'd stake out his section of the concrete tongue that sticks out from Main Street more than a quarter-mile into the Pacific. He'd line up a half-dozen expertly baited and rigged poles, then strike what I see as the perfect balance between action (casting and reeling) and faith (trusting the currents and tides). The memory reminds me that the work of hooking fish demands a careful balance between patience and wisely focused deliberate activity. Achieving it is no simple matter – in fishing and in life.

And, wouldn't you know, it's most difficult when we're most passionately committed to a thing. We can become so intently focused on a goal that we sabotage our ability to see the divine rushing to support our success. Rather than expressing Spirit as it moves through us, we become obsessed with the need to arrive, to attain, to land that prize-winning fish. Usually, the more we want it to happen, the more we're compelled to do whatever it takes to bring it about. In that state of consciousness it's all-too-easy to forget about God's role in the co-creative equation.

Thing is, there is no magic formula. Just when we clearly understand what's ours to do and what we're to trust the power of the universe to accomplish, the balance often shifts. Like all aspects of spiritual mastery, discerning when to "be" and when to "do" will look different in different situations. It also shifts as our understanding of God and self evolves.

My advice: Look at your pattern. If your tendency is to "make it work" and the energy of your "doing" has a frantic, less-then-joy-filled quality to it, then resist the urge to act right away. Instead, choose to "be." Take a step back and remind yourself, "This isn't about me. It's about God." You might feel restless and uncomfortable. Trust that it's nothing more than compulsion's attempt to reel you in. Much of our most powerful spiritual work rises out of what Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore called, "The Silence." Cultivate that quality of being centered in God's love by affirming, "Peace. Be still." Learn to treasure it and you'll be amazed by the synchronicities that begin to unfold.

On the other hand, if your inclination is to claim, "It's all good," even though chaos and confusion abound, then summon the courage and will to take whatever action first comes to mind. An overly simplistic understanding of faith can mask a mistaken belief in our own powerlessness. Instead of allowing God to work through and as us, our faith is vested in an obsolete notion of God as beneficent rescuer. We're co-creators of our experience. That means we have a role to play. Our 5th Unity principle compels us to take concrete actions based on our belief. Affirm strength and wisdom, and remind yourself, "I am a child of God, powerful beyond measure and born to create heaven on earth." Then move your feet in the direction of your good. The manifestation of dreams and desires begins in mind, but it certainly doesn't end there. Step out fearlessly and you'll be astonished by the ease with which your accomplishments accrue.

Like our friend on the end of that pier, the wisdom for knowing when to act and when to be still is a gift we receive by mastering both.

Blessing…you spirit-led fearless visionary, you,
Rev. Kurt

I'm conflicted: I feel relieved because bin Ladin's demise seems to signal a turning point in the decade-long grip of fear that has fueled wars, eroded freedoms and perpetuated suffering. I feel anxious because I believe the only way to truly end terror's reign is to transform the prevailing paradigm of cyclical violence but I'm unconvinced that current events constitute progress toward a new paradigm. Transformation requires more than relieving symptoms. We can eliminate the leader who has become the symbol for all that we abhor. We can take guns away from kids. But unless, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ..."mankind evolves for all human conflict a method which rejects violence, aggression and retaliation," another leader will rise, more weapons will be wielded.

Dr. King said the foundation for this method will be love. So when I hear voices echoing Jesus' directive to love our enemies in addition to our neighbors and selves, I feel hopeful. Day by day, those voices seem to be growing stronger. I'm choosing to direct my thoughts and prayer energy toward the expression of a paradigm sourced in a love that seeks to understand; a love that, if unable to forgive here and now, is willing to be willing.

Our Movement's mission declares, "Unity stands for peace in the presence of conflict." Some would say our history suggests a tendency to sit on the sidelines. Others would say giving attention to conflict perpetuates it. While I believe it's true that energy flows where attention goes, I also believe there's an important distinction to be made between maintaining a consciousness of peace, and remaining in the world but not of it. Mastering that balance is the act I believe Spirit is calling us to perform, individually and as a spiritual community.

For finding our community's balance between prayer and moving our feet, I invite you to participate in three events May 14 and 15. (See details below.):
1) An offsite seminar to strengthen bonds with our Arab, Moslem and Sikh neighbors.
2) Sunday's service featuring my lesson on using divine power to raise global consciousness.
3) A Global Peace Forum & Meditation after service.

As for honing your own balance between "being" and "doing," here's an affirmation: "I bless the sacredness of life's unfolding, and I wield the transformative power of God within to shape it perfectly, as only I can."

Be peace, Rev. Kurt

While Unity has always regarded Jesus' resurrection as the main event in the Easter story, we can't ignore the necessity of crucifixion. True to our teaching, we don't focus on pain, suffering and death, but we do accept them as facets of life's fullness. Metaphysically speaking, we seek to surrender, even embrace, the death of any tendencies, behaviors or patterns that would separate us from fully expressing our own Christhood.

Monday at Space on Chicago Ave., I had my first Barn Dancing experience – basically square dancing in long lines with live music and an experienced "caller" shouting instructions. The energy is wonderfully supportive for novices: Skillful dancers gently steer beginners who veer off course, offer plenty of coaching, and radiate forgiving attitudes. Even so, the experience tripped an old trigger in me that can't tolerate fumbling or missteps and is petrified of looking silly. It shows up as a voice in my head that's as cruel as it is mocking: "You suck." "Go home." "This is not your scene."

Most of us have similar triggers or voices. They sabotage progress, undermine confidence, shatter dreams and stunt possibilities. If we are to attain any level of spiritual mastery, these voices must die. I know. Sounds harsh. But anything that blocks our capacity to see truth, to express our divinity, to be the presence of the Divine in the world, must die so that our Christhood may rise. My suggested modus operandi is simply let it die of benevolent neglect. "Keep your gaze upon the Light," our cofounder Myrtle Fillmore writes, "and you cannot possibly see any dark."

So in these last days before Easter, be mindful of any triggers that ignite harsh judgments or criticisms. If they arise, immediately refuse to entertain them. When mocking starts, dismiss it. When criticism surfaces, ignore it. Give such thoughts no energy or attention and instead, affirm what's true: "I am courageous." "I am confident." "I am safe." "I am free." Then by Sunday, you'll be ready for the most glorious aspect of the Easter's story: celebrating this same Christ energy expressing in, through and as all beings.

Rise up, you triumphant soul!
Rev. Kurt

For the last couple of weeks, an earthmover and a bulldozer have been reshaping the shoreline near Church St. and Sheridan Rd., moving sand deposits from one side of the breakwater to fill an eroded boat launch area on the other. At night, the drivers park the equipment just off the beaten path where it calls to my inner child. Quelling my adult resistance, this week I traipsed across the newly graded sand and climbed atop one of the gritty yellow sentries to check out the view from the driver's seat.

From a spiritual perspective, every event, relationship and experience of our lives is a construction site at one stage of infinite, ongoing, limitless development or another. Our work is either fueled by positive energies like gratitude, love, prosperity and wholeness or negative thoughts, feelings and beliefs based on lack and fear. The goal, of course, is to build on a foundation of truth. The most powerful practice we can undertake is to mindfully raise our perspective from the mess and toil of appearance and activity and slip into the driver's seat for clarity and vision. From there we can more easily see as God sees and remember that the co-creative process always involves clearing the ground for new growth and development.

Gratitude is by far the most efficient fuel for driving the machinery of co-creation. And since much of the fuel we use arises from our subconscious, the best way to make sure we're using high octane is to log plenty of time from the higher perspective of the driver's seat. That's the level of consciousness at which we can survey possibilities that still lie ahead while also appreciating progress already accomplished. It affords the perspective that generates a deep sense of appreciation so that we powerfully connect with the energy of gratitude that supports every level of our growth and development.

So here's a prayer to guarantee the fuel of your co-creative life is top grade:

Turning within I allow the grace, wisdom and joy of the infinite to fill my awareness. I release any conscious or unconscious agendas or attachments I might be holding. I affirm divine wisdom and guidance now express through me and through all involved. I understand that my soul's desire is already fulfilled in Spirit and trust that clarity, faith and divine order bring it into manifestation now.

Blessings…you earth-shaking creator, you,
Rev. Kurt

Riding into Jerusalem, greeted by adoring throngs waving palm fronds, Jesus certainly must have sensed he had arrived at a threshold in his journey. And even though he knew what steps lay ahead, and what would transpire, he also knew death was not the end. "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise," he assured another hanged on a cross with him.

That's our story, too. Heaven is at hand. Whatever void we seek to fill, whatever affliction we want to heal, whatever challenge we want to overcome, is already fulfilled in Spirit. I believe we stumble because we're unwilling to follow Spirit's lead. We pray for a demonstration of God's activity then block guidance to make a course shift. We pray for more money but resist an honest assessment of our fear-based relationship with it. We want more harmonious relationships but can't admit our role in the perceived transgression. We affirm energy and vitality but tune out when conversation turns to diets and exercise. We pray for more peace, then resist Spirit's urge to get up and meditate rather than hitting the snooze button.

The fix is simple: Like the man hanged with Jesus who confessed his guilt and asked to be remembered, we need only admit our mistaken belief patterns and remember our divine capacity to be the power of love and life in expression.

It's a process that frees Spirit to work in our lives. Our thoughts, feelings and beliefs come into more perfect alignment with the divine, and we are transformed. Our understanding of God grows and deepens, and our lives expand. It may not be easy, but it's always for our good. As we remain receptive to the power of Spirit's presence, each demonstration of that power becomes a stepping stone toward the greater expression and experience of our innate Oneness.

Rev. Kurt

The first time I ever attended a Unity church, I heard the minister say, "There is no one path to God. There is truth and beauty in every religion." It's what I had always believed but I never realized others shared that view, or that there were churches espousing it. To this day, I shrink from any teaching that smacks of absolutism. So when I sense a teaching presumes God's power and activity can be explained and harnessed in a simple formula, I get a little crazy - especially if it's a Unity teaching.

Take the law of mind action: It asserts that everything in the realm of form begins in consciousness. I totally buy that. But for me that beautiful understanding begins to break down with the assertion that we alone direct every event and circumstance of our personal lives by our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Really? So those who perish and suffer in natural disasters create earthquakes and hurricanes?

Certainly, our thoughts, emotions and beliefs have tremendous creative power to shape our life-experiences. And certainly our collective consciousness produces global effects beyond our understanding. That's my point: Creation is a divine collaboration with effects far greater than we can possibly know or predict. We make much of setting intentions and creating goals - often based on the arrogant assumption that we know what's best for our soul's growth, or - even more dicey, what others ought to experience. And yet most everyone I know has at least one story about a painful challenge - something they would never have chosen for themselves - ultimately proving to be one of their greatest blessings.

Don't get me wrong. Goal-setting and demonstration can be powerful components of a rich spiritual practice. In fact, demonstration is probably the single most effective faith-builder, particularly prosperity demonstrations. (That's what tithing accomplishes, by the way.) And... there's another level: We also need to create space in our lives and consciousness for that which lies beyond our comprehension. After all, God is greater than any circumstance, infinitely powerful and eternally present.

So what model can I suggest for incorporating this expansive approach into our understanding? Here's an affirmation a junior high teen once suggested when asked to set his intention before an overnight lock-in: Magitivity - a blend between magic, which for this purpose, I would define as the unknowable grace and goodness of God; and creativity, our conscious activation of divine power to create greatness.

It's within you. Claim it now... "I am magitivity powerfully expressing in the world."

Abracadabra. Amen.
Rev. Kurt

For months now, a giant crane 10 stories high, has hoisted building materials and equipment from a steady convoy of flatbed big rigs into a giant hole carved out of the street corner across from my apartment building. Behind cement barricades capped by a 10-foot curtain of dark green mesh, the sounds of jack hammers, generators, warning beepers and the gong-like clangs of beams being pounded into earth signal that heavy construction is in full swing. Visually, though, there has been little indication that a soaring structure is being erected.

Laying the foundation for spiritual growth can be like that. Spirit can do a mighty work within us. We know it. We feel it. We invest huge chunks of time to raising the caliber of our thinking. We direct considerable energy toward shifting our consciousness to a higher vibration. We pray. We meditate. And still, at the level of form, in our day-to-day experience, nothing seems to happen. The ratio of bills to income stays stuck. Aches and maladies persist. Tyrants and economies depress. Tsunamis and injustice crush. Chaos swamps any semblance of order.

Changing consciousness is the deepest and most powerful step in bringing about a changed condition. It involves clearing out unproductive thought patterns, casting out doubt and error thinking, and forging a foundation of faith. It happens below the surface. And it can take longer than we'd like.

So why keep going? Because the changes underway in the invisible realm will absolutely demonstrate in the visible. It's how spiritual law works. When we consciously seek spiritual mastery and skillfully act in accord with our divine nature, we lay a foundation for greatness to express in our lives and in the world.

Between July and mid-March progress on that new building was entirely subterranean. In just the past three weeks, three stories have begun to take shape behind the barricade. What was invisible is now concrete. All that transpired prior to this point supports the new form that's emerging.

So take heart. Trust that Spirit is doing a mighty work in you now. Events and conditions that may seem disconnected will prove to be foundational aspects of an emerging whole that is greater than current circumstances suggest. Our work is to trust that the Source energy creating and sustaining the universe is doing the same in and as each and every one of us.

Now, go leap tall buildings.
Rev. Kurt

Before dawn one Saturday each spring, a colorful crowd of 20,000 runners ranging from hard-core athletes to costumed, out-of-shape enthusiasts gathers near the foot of the Bay Bridge on the eastern edge of the peninsula that contains the city of San Francisco. They huddle in the chilly fog waiting for the starting gun to signal the start of the infamous Bay to Breakers 12k. More spectacle than race, it begins just a couple blocks from the wharves lining San Francisco Bay. The course bisects the city over intensely steep hills, then about halfway through, the 7.4-mile route flattens through the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park. Runners know they're in the home stretch when they see the windmills standing sentry over a sandy beach pummeled by the Pacific's breaking waves.

It's a joyous experience, more party than competition. Spectators cheer and participants joke and encourage one another all along the way. Years ago, I ran it. (Though friends say when I crested the Hayes Street Hill, my gait was more of a crawl.) Still, I count it a victory, because for me and I daresay most entrants, running Bay to Breakers is about being part of the spectacle and tapping into a collective spirit of fun and community powerful enough to ensure success for all.

To my mind, the benefits of participating in a spiritual community are the same. Would that we choose to live our lives with the same energy and attitude: To find beauty and joy in the midst of cold and dreary times; to huddle together communing over coffee and carbs in anticipation of the adventures that await; to meet the steepest, most grueling obstacles with confidence and visions of glory ahead; to be supportive when those around us stumble and to trust in the support of others when we falter.

At one point well into that long-ago race, the road narrowed and huge limbs of old cypress trees lining both curbs yearned to meet overhead in a canopy that nearly blocked out the sky. As we merged into a tightly massed group, the tiring crowd hushed. Foliage muted the city's sounds as we settled into a steady padded cadence of sneakers plodding over asphalt. Like a run-down clock that chimes out of tempo, our energy was heavy, depleted.

Then we noticed him. At the far end of the glen on a small grassy knoll, a massive figure dressed in black awaited our approach. As we passed, he brandished a whip directly overhead. The sound was like the thunder we heard during the intensity of this winter's record snowstorm...CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Instantly, our pace accelerated. Like horses under a wagonmaster's control, some deep instinctual response triggered a renewed alertness, unleashed hidden strength and determination, and pushed us to break free of a self-imposed limit that had overtaken us so gradually we hadn't recognized its hold.

Truth, shared and acclaimed in community, has that same power to transform. Even when we think we can go no further, perhaps especially then, the company and support of others can help us dig deeper and discover that through the power of God within, we are far more powerful and resilient than we believe ourselves to be.

May you know that power and trust those around you to help you recognize and transcend any limits frustrating your clear expression of the divine. And by your loving kindness and demonstration, may others recognize the power of God expressing in themselves, and instinctively release any limitations blocking them from realizing their own greatness. It's what I believe we are created to accomplish together. It's what I believe each of us is innately equipped to achieve.

Giddyup, you magnificent creature, you,

Rev. Kurt

We can all benefit from a little world view rocking once in a while - especially in areas of entrenchment. But we can only be rocked if we're willing to change our minds. Willingness to see from a perspective that is infinitely accepting and unconditionally loving draws us closer to God. In "Keep a True Lent", Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore writes, "When man wills the will of God to be done, he forms spiritual character....Spirit breathes into such an individual continually the necessary inspiration and knowledge to give him superior understanding." So this week, in your own journey through Lent, cultivate a willingness to see beyond your current understanding, particularly in situations that rile you. Be willing to ask, "What if the opposite were true?" "What if <fill in the blank>'s perspective were valid?" "What if the villain were really the hero?" "What if this challenge were really a blessing?" "What if this loss were really a triumph?" Follow it up with this affirmation of will written by Charles: "The will of God is uppermost in my consciousness, and I am glorified in my understanding." Even if your action plan doesn't change (though frankly, in my experience, that's often unlikely), I guarantee that the consciousness with which you undertake it will shift. In asking the questions and affirming divine will, we open to a broader perspective and align heart, mind and spirit with the Divine - the ultimate source of wisdom, compassion and power. And moving from those qualities? Always a good heading. Rock on, Rev. Kurt

My grandmother's voice - the one that used to trigger involuntary eye rolls - reverberates in my own thinking. Only instead of extolling the virtue and hardship of walking miles in the snow to school, I pine for the good ol' days when photography used light and chemistry instead of pixels and memory sticks. Traditional photography taught me to wait patiently with great expectancy. It taught me there is power and poignancy in the tiniest instants. It taught me to choose what I focus on with great care. Though I suppose that can be said for digital photography, I don't feel those dynamics using my camera phone. Mostly, I point and shoot. I take more pics but they aren't as carefully composed. And...I know that's a limited assessment which can block my ability to embrace the considerable benefits of digital imaging. After all, digital photographers manipulate and combine images in ways that were formerly inconceivable. They record, store and distribute their work globally in mere seconds. As evidenced by protesters' YouTube posts in the Middle East, they are literally changing the course of history. It's a beautiful demonstration of the evolutionary nature of divine ideas expressing in the universe. Focusing attention on what we hold to be old/new, good/bad and right/wrong can polarize our thinking and galvanize our behavior. In truth, there are blessings and gifts in every contradiction. Our challenge is to make space in our awareness for reconciling and even appreciating that which seems oppositional. That's the higher ground of Oneness. We reach it by staying present to the full spectrum of life's imagery, all the while watching intently for the underlying expression of love, compassion, peace and harmony that is Source. If, like Jesus, we cultivate the capacity to see from a perspective that is pure love, we look beyond pain and suffering born of conflict and recognize God's presence and power expressing in all things. In photography and in life, some of our most artful results are those created by choosing to embrace other perspectives. As we seek new meaning in the familiar and open our hearts to the infinite potential of the unknown, the ever-present greatness of God is revealed. Check your batteries, Rev. Kurt

I spent an hour today at the Apple store learning about a computer purchased last June. I wanted to pick up a few tips for moviemaking but my Genius (seriously, that's his job title) quickly realized I needed the most basic of basic training. We spent an enthralling hour on how to find and store files. I'm not being facetious - I was enthralled to discover a wonderful balance of form and function that is beautiful in its simplicity. I quickly mastered the skills of navigating subtle graphic cues and managing complex processes. Now I feel tremendously empowered to express my own creativity in entirely new ways. It's the same with our spiritual nature: The power of the infinite dwells within every one of us. It's part of our basic programming. Like an "ap" ready for launch, it's always available to free us from the limitations of mundane or unpleasant tasks. When we learn to access it skillfully, life gets better. What's required? Depends. Sometimes spiritual mastery involves a willingness to be shown a new way to live. Sometimes it means seeking counsel and support from others with more experience. Sometimes it means developing greater skill at following guidance, or developing an ability to recognize Spirit's presence. Regardless, growing in consciousness and more effectively directing our creative power can be enthralling. Luckily, there are Geniuses all around us. Parents. Kids. Loved ones. Co-workers. Colleagues. Friends. Even sales clerks and strangers. They're all in our lives to support the evolution of our own spiritual mastery. Question is, are you open and present to the wisdom they can share? Rev. Kurt

News from the Middle East and North Africa reminds me of the Buddhist farmer whose horse runs away. Neighbors bemoan the loss as tragedy but the farmer withholds judgment. Horse returns leading a band of wild mustangs. Neighbors declare it a miracle until farmer's son is crippled by one of the horses. Farmer resists judging either event. War comes but the son is exempted from military service. Calamity or miracle, which? In Egypt, Mubarak's abdication is proclaimed the end of tyranny but pundits warn extremists may seize power. In Libya, protesters raise hopes for a régime change but Gadhafi unleashes violence some characterize as genocide. Tragedy? Blessing yet to be revealed? I believe it's both. On the physical plane, it's appropriate that we mourn pain and suffering, doing what we can do to relieve it. It's appropriate that we celebrate the expression of freedom and triumph over adversity, doing what we can to sustain it. At the level of Spirit, though, we're called to see beyond facts and circumstances and know with the peace that passes understanding that there is a power and presence greater than any earthly condition. Like the Buddhist farmer, as we practice witnessing events and detaching from judgment about their worth, we cultivate a capacity to see beyond current conditions. We can begin to live from an awareness of Spirit's all powerful presence and make welcome a fuller, freer, more abundant expression of the divine in our lives, our communities and our world. You are the farmer, the change and the light.

I'm a fervent believer that the people we attract into our lives help us grow and expand our consciousness. It's a fairly easy premise to accept when relations are healthy and communication is clear. It's in those other interactions - the ones we find unpleasant or uncomfortable - that skepticism rears its stubborn horns. In those moments - when we're snorting and stamping and ready to either attack or run away - it's most helpful to recognize that the situation is an opportunity for overcoming. God doesn't need much of an opening to inspire us. In the space of one deep breath, we can allow the activity of Spirit to transform our response in a difficult situation. Somewhere beneath the snorting, stamping, hand-wringing and stomach knots, old fears usually lurk. Breathe into the discomfort and beneath it lies the guidance we seek. In the space of a breath we can open to the direction of Spirit that's always within. Breathe in again and access the incredible reservoir of strength and courage that allows us to respond as Jesus might. It's often not that simple. Breaking an habitual pattern can mean overcoming a life-long mode of operation. But here's the coolest part: Once the chain of a negative pattern is broken, the energy to attract similar experiences is broken, too. As we practice living in the flow of Spirit, we attract people who support our growth in positive ways. Energy once diverted to maintain defenses gets redirected and we begin building bridges that lead to miraculous and fulfilling lives. As we acknowledge the presence of God in all our relationships, we are changed ... for the better and for good. Be loved and loving, Rev. Kurt

With years of help from friends, family and colleagues who have a keen sense of how to push my buttons, I'm finally able to identify the grosser emotions when they sweep over me: fear, shame and anger, for instance. I've honed my coping abilities so I can now experience the feelings and be blessed by the gift of truth they disguise. It's an infallible roadmap to higher consciousness. Still, if I get caught up in the drama - and sometimes I get hooked in pretty fast - my coping ability goes subterranean. That's what's cool about Emotional Freedom Technique and Kinesiology. EFT and muscle testing can gauge consciousness even in the midst of the drama. It's like a "You Are Here" dot on the map of higher awareness. Once we've accurately identified our starting point, charting the way home becomes much clearer. Tom Mausbaum, a local teacher on the techniques, is facilitating a workshop Thursday. He's helped many people recognize fruitless behaviors and attitudes and make productive choices that bring more joy, love and fullness to their lives. Personally, I'm not completely convinced these modalities are infallible. But I do find them fascinating, especially when presented in a context that helps clear obstacles to awareness of God's activity. Like my own time-tested button-pushing technique, EFT and muscle testing are tools for aligning with the divine. As with any tool, using them skillfully can be a great blessing. Rev. Kurt Condra

I'm a little nervous over the sub-zero temp forecasts. Though my Land's End squall gloves and balaclava were delivered this week, it's my first encounter with polar-like cold front in many years. I'm affirming the experience will be spectacular and invigorating. Don't believe affirmations can affect the weather? There's a story known to every prayer room associate at Silent Unity, our movement's 24-hour telephone prayer ministry at Unity Village, near Kansas City, Missouri. That's tornado territory. Evacuations to the basement are not uncommon. Years ago, the story goes, May Rowland, an unflappable rock of faith who directed Silent Unity for nearly six decades, shouted down a twister headed directly for the Village. "Your Father has no need of you here," she declared, and the tornado veered off, harmlessly crossing vacant fields. What a marvelous demonstration of faith in the face of uncertainty. Best part is we all have the strength, courage and wisdom to meet the unknown assured of God's presence. It's how we set the scene for creating the conditions of our own lives. It's how we set our intention for experiencing the love, joy and good gifts that are our birthright as children God. Bundle up, be warm, be love, Rev. Kurt Condra

Every situation, every interaction, every moment contains within it the possibility for transformation, illumination and a freer, fuller expression of the divine. Most of the time, though, most people are oblivious to the infinite potential for goodness, freedom, truth and beauty to emerge. We got stuff to do, people to see, places to go. Take yesterday. Intent on getting in and out quickly, I ran into the grocery store to grab two items. I was doing well, too: resisted the urge to cruise the potato chip aisle (always major temptation), instead opting for a route through canned vegetables (never of interest). I briskly slid past an elderly lady who was intent on finding the lowest price for low-sodium canned corn, but turned back when she asked for help. I didn't want to stop -- too busy, too much to do. To my relief, she gave me an easy out when she saw I was loaded down with soft drinks. Then I remembered this week's Prosperity Plus assignment to be a "person of increase," and I realized this was an opportunity to be of service. I got down on hands and knees, poked around the bottom shelf and dug out the last remaining can of the sale-priced brand. She offered a cordial, "Thank you," and we went our separate ways. It was a perfectly mundane experience, and yet somehow I felt freer. In the two or three minutes spent helping her, the yoke of urgency driving me was loosed. I reawakened to the truth that I am the master of my day. It's true for all of us. We are free to choose when, where and how to direct our creative energies. Too often, though, we allow rote patterns, calcified routines and rigid agendas to limit our awareness of the infinite options available. Thankfully, there's an easy fix: Resolve to be a person of increase. Commit to serving others and, even if begun half-heartedly, in the course of supporting another, the infinite will rush to support you with previously unseen possibilities. Rev. Kurt

In services this month, we're working with oranges as a symbol for the universe's abundance. And since a significant component in building prosperity consciousness is noticing Spirit's infinite goodness already flowing into our lives, here's a suggested practice: Affirm, "I am prosperous," each time you eat an orange - or anything  that's orange in color: cheese doodles, Doritos, mac and cheese. (If junk food consumption as a spiritual practice is too weird, try this reframe: They're rich in flavors, if not nutritive value.) With all the oranges around, I'm reminded of another somewhat esoteric practice:  juggling. Author and spiritual coach Dan Millman, says it's a surefire way to instantly bring one's attention to the present. He's right. Turns out I can't fantasize about juicy cheeseburgers or obsess over my next talk when I'm focused on tossing and catching a couple oranges. (I know, juggling usually involves three objects but two days ago, tossing and catching one orange was a challenge. At this rate, I'll be proficient with three by week's end.) This notion of juggling as a form of prayer and meditation may seem silly, but the sense of accomplishment and the enjoyment I've derived is a great reminder that spirituality doesn't have to involve sitting cross-legged on a cushion. Connecting with the divine, establishing a sense of calmness and receptivity to God can be fun and engaging. If we view oranges as a metaphor for the abundant busyness of daily life, juggling them might actually prepare us for recognizing God in the midst of even the most hectic schedule. Know peace and plenty, Rev. Kurt

Seems 3-D's time has come. The technology for visual imaging that incorporates depth along with height and width has gone from, "that's so mid-last-century" to "like, the coolest thing in flat-screens." Personally, I think it's great. Not because I'm particularly geeky: Though I thoroughly enjoyed blasting through London's night sky with Harry Potter and Hagrid in the 3-D rocket-motorcycle sequence of Deathly Hallows, I won't be plunking down cash for a 3-D TV any time soon. Still, I'm following the trend because I see 3-D's popularity as a reflection of a growing desire for depth and dimension in our world. I believe there is a deep yearning within all people to discover and express our unique greatness. If we're in touch with that innate desire, Spirit within begins to see that life is greater than the appearances of this world, and we are called to inhabit another realm that's both infinite and inclusive. It's where Jesus invites us to dwell when he says, "In my Father's house there are many mansions." "Great!" you say. "When can I move in?" That's the best part. You don't necessarily have to pack up and move your earthly possessions (some of us occasionally have). The mansions we occupy are our own designs. We can customize for opulence, spaciousness, comfort, sustainability...whatever, by seeing the desires arising from our truest selves clearly. Think of it like putting on a pair of 3D glasses at a movie: As you watch the architecture of your life being formed, see it through the lens of your spiritual nature. Note what is positive and aligned with energies characterized by wholeness, gratitude, compassion, peace, harmony and love. Dwell there and you'll continue to discover ever-deeper dimensions of life lived greatly. Rev. Kurt

Our power to experience God and to make choices that express our divinity lies in the current moment. We can either use that power, or lose it. Too often, we make that decision more complicated than it really is. We complicate relationships by taking responsibility for the experiences of others or blaming them for ours. We complicate work by focusing on what's not done or what might go wrong instead of what's already been achieved and how to succeed. We compromise our health by ignoring our physical needs instead of heeding the body's cues for rest, nourishment and exercise. I believe that if we pay close attention, divine guidance is broadcasting loudly and clearly over many channels. It's available to us in every moment: The hesitation we feel when we're about to over-commit is guidance. That flash of self-righteousness may be a signpost on the road to playing victim. Stomach knots are guidance pointing to some need that's not being met or a boundary being breeched. That scratchy throat is a signal to slow down and eat well. Tightness in the neck and shoulders may well be Spirit saying, "Take a hike," or "Get your blessed assurance to the gym." Every choice is an opportunity to practice following guidance, to make life-giving versus life-depleting choices. So my invitation this week is to be conscious of how you're using and/or losing time. If you're experiencing a moment that's less than wonderful, gently call to mind the prayerful affirmation, "Be here now," then trust whatever's most alive in you to guide your actions. Enjoy the ride, Rev. Kurt

Today's headlines are trumpeting landslides and flooding in California, commerce-halting snowstorms in Europe, earthquakes in Iran, and nuclear sabre-rattling on the Korean Peninsula. It's scary stuff. We really need the hope, love, joy, and peace Christmas celebrates - right this very minute. I'm not just talking about parties, presents, and pageants, though they can be powerful experiences for giving and receiving God's love and reminding us that Christ is born in us, as in Jesus. I'm talking about delving deeply into our own lives and recognizing we are not unlike Joseph and Mary: Embarked on a journey that can be arduous and scary but with the divine capacity for trust and hope to transcend outer circumstances. For it is by birthing the Christ within that we harness the power to transform fearful worldly conditions. Just as a humble birth in distressing circumstances more than 20 centuries ago continues to inspire millions, as we allow Spirit to be born in us, we become the peace that passes understanding. The question is, "How?" For me, Spirit is often born in the humblest, unplanned - even inconvenient - moments: The chance to hold a newborn baby and remember the simple miracle of being; the unmatched beauty of snow fallen on a moonlit night and the peace its blanket brings, the delight of witnessing another's success. (Go Bears!) My suggestion as Christmas Day approaches: Look for the Christ within to be born in your humblest encounters. Look with an expectant heart and open mind. For you are a shepherd with eyes to see. You are the Magi with faith to follow. The Christmas story is your story and mine, and it's ours to live right this very minute. Journey joyously. Rev. Kurt

So far, during forays to downtown Chicago, my focus has been on not getting lost. But, while gazing out the wall of windows at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building during this week's New Thought ministers' luncheon, my perception shifted. Instead of seeing the city as a maze to be mapped and mastered, I had a thrilling sense that beyond the glass was an amazing playground waiting to be explored. It's not surprising. Seeing from a higher perspective is nearly always transformative. The key to creating such shifts is raising our focus above immediate concerns and priorities so the expansive nature of Spirit can renew our minds and hearts. Think of it as lifting your gaze from the cracks in the sidewalk to the impressive architecture towering overhead, and then beyond to the majesty of Chicago's unmistakable shore-framed skyline. It takes discipline. Too often, the inertia of day-to-day activity consumes our time and attention and we forget to look beyond appearances. We forget to explore the limitless possibilities Spirit is perpetually extending. So this week, as the rush of Christmas preparations accelerates, set an intention to look up from the schedules and lists, look beyond the parties and presents, and remember the Christmas story is essentially your story -- a thrilling tale of Spirit's boundless love born in you. Happy Christmas. Rev. Kurt Condra

Tapping the spirit season is like catching a wave: For surfers, the ideal is streaking through a rolling sun-sparkled tunnel of water bluer than sky. When it comes to Christmas Spirit, the ideal is riding the collective energy of millions who joyfully celebrate the possibility for peace on earth and good will to all. I'm no surfer, but I've spent enough time floundering offshore to know that truly enjoying the sport means appreciating the whole experience. Mostly you wait, watch and paddle. When you paddle too far, the wave crests behind you and you watch others who are better positioned to catch it. When a wave breaks ahead of you, you duck under it to avoid being pushed ashore. And it's no fun when a wave breaks on top of you. You get slammed against the ocean floor, then dragged and scraped up onto the beach, gasping and sputtering. As powerful as the ocean is, the power of God's love is greater - more subtle perhaps, because it's not outwardly visible, but greater nonetheless. Like surfing a wave, learning to surf the power of God's love means learning to appreciate the full range of experiences through which we engage that power. Too often, our expectations block our ability to appreciate Spirit's abiding presence. Sure there are peak moments when we know our Oneness and feel the joy, hope, peace and love of the season. They may be inspired by a favorite ornament, the gleam in a child's eye, a familiar carol, or a poignant celebration. But if we expect every holiday experience to inspire that level of intensity, we're loading Christmas with a whole lotta baggage. Surfing with baggage is foolhardy. So if at any point this season it seems the excitement of the season is passing you by, that everybody else caught a wave you missed, relax. Take time to appreciate the view from your own amazing perspective - then give thanks for the blessings that lie ahead. Another wave will come. If it's yours to catch, you'll be perfectly positioned when it breaks. If you feel rushed or harried, like the energy of Christmas is moving too fast to catch, let a wave or two pass. Consider ducking under it by declining an invitation or asking someone to help wrap gifts. Just allow the buzz and excitement to wash over you. Affirm you are renewed and restored and trust Spirit within to provide the energy for catching the wave that's yours to ride. If you feel you're caught beneath a wave, dragged by forces you can't control, then be especially gentle with yourself. My own gasping and sputtering experiences have instilled a profound appreciation for the infinite power of God within to overcome the pain of loss, loneliness or grief. Take time for meditation. Get support from those you trust and love, and know that the healing power of God within provides all the strength, courage and faith you'll need to dive back in and succeed. Throughout the coming weeks, no matter what surf conditions you encounter, know that the power and glory of God shines brightly in and as you. Cowabunga! Rev. Kurt

I'm a little freaked lately...ever since Mayor Tisdahl implored the congregation to teach me about "layers," I've been eyeing my wardrobe doubtfully. My consolation is that the folks keeping tabs on my preparations seem convinced this year's winter will be a "mild" one. I'm affirming that's the case. Don't believe affirmations can affect the weather? There's a story known to every prayer room associate at Silent Unity, our movement's 24-hour telephone prayer ministry at Unity Village, near Kansas City, Missouri. That's tornado territory. Evacuations to the basement are not uncommon. Years ago, the story goes, May Rowland, an unflappable rock of faith who directed Silent Unity for nearly six decades, shouted down a twister headed directly for The Village. "Your Father has no need of you here," she declared, and the tornado veered off, harmlessly crossing vacant fields. What a marvelous demonstration of faith in the face of uncertainty. Best part is we all have the strength, courage and wisdom to meet the unexpected assured of God's presence. It's how we set the scene for creating the conditions of our own lives. It's how we set our intention for experiencing the love, joy and good gifts that are our birthright as children God. It's how we choose to see beyond anxiety or fear to the pleasure of savoring our blessings as they unfold - no matter how cold or intense the circumstances. Rev. Kurt Condra

There's a great scene in the film Blind Side in which Leigh Anne Tuohy is showing "Big Mike" his new room. Leigh Anne, played by Sandra Bullock, is an affluent Memphis football mom whose family takes in oversized African American Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron. "Big Mike" is the homeless 16-year-old from across the tracks who goes on to become an NFL legend. When Mike explains it's not just the first room he's ever had, but the first bed he could call his own, the usually unflappable mom is overcome with emotion and bolts. We don't really know what feelings drive her from the room: Sadness for the kid's past? Compassion for his plight? Hope for his future? Immense gratitude for the blessings in her own life? What we do know is that her heart is opened to a deeper awareness of the power of lovingkindness and its effects on those it touches. It's an awareness that's available to all of us, especially over the holidays. Even better, if we're receptive to its energy, we can experience it as both giver and receiver. My prayer for you this Thanksgiving week is that the power of lovingkindness is made known in, as and through you in unmistakable ways. Rev. Kurt Condra

Walking alone on the lake shore at dawn recently, I didn't feel the serenity I sought. I felt something far more exhilarating: Wind racing through the few leaves still clinging to branches sounded like angry, hissing cats; I felt its tenacity. Reflections from light rays over choppy wind-whipped waters flashed like strobes; I felt their intensity. Geese in formation honked overhead like advancing sentries; I felt their camaraderie. Everything I noticed happening around me, seemed also to be happening within me. There is a distinct rhythm to the changing of seasons, to all of life. Its beating reverberates in all of us. If we take time to feel it, align with it, it has the power to lead us home to our highest, most powerful selves. As you experience these gorgeous fall days, I encourage you to cultivate a willingness to listen, to feel the beat of spirit moving through all things, and to claim your Oneness with the divine rhythm that plays in, through and as you. After all, you are, above all, divine. Rev. Kurt

Watching pundits and politicians recap last night's election results and what it portends, I recognize a familiar desire that's hooked me in the past: The desire to make someone else think, believe and do what I want. For years, I tried to recruit an erstwhile Southern Baptist buddy to Unity. He agrees with most of our teachings. But whenever I tried to explain we don't believe in a demonic force tempting us to do evil, he would shake his head ruefully and say, "I gotta have a devil in my religion." In a thick southern accent he adopts whenever he wants to be clear it's his last word on the subject, he would drawl, "Honey, I gotta have something to blame!" I used to find his view exasperating. For me, the belief that the one presence and power in the universe is good is tremendously freeing - and tremendously demanding. Sure, it means there's no one and nothing to blame for the bad stuff in our lives. But it also means we have the power and resources to transform any condition. That said, my Southern friend is one of the most generous people I know. He lives with tremendous integrity, clearly guided by a desire to be and do good in the world. However divergent our views on the nature of God and humankind, we recognize we're travelling different paths toward a common destination. As our friendship has cured over the years, I find the exasperation I used to experience has mellowed to a bemused appreciation for our differences. I pray the current political din mellows and that our common desire to be and do good for our country and our world fosters an appreciation for our differences. As with all transformative change, it begins within. It begins with us. Go on now, hug a Baptist. Rev. Kurt

Unity believes God is good -- always and everywhere present. It's probably our most powerful (and challenging) teaching because it calls us to seek Spirit's activity in all things. Not always easy, especially these days. Don't know about you, but believing Spirit is active in the polarizing energy surrounding the upcoming elections has tested my ability see divine order expressing in American politics. Of course, it's true, nonetheless. Even in the midst of strife and division, God is. Our work is to trust that embedded within the rabble-rousing is an immense potential for truth to emerge. Question is, how do we recognize it? "Wicked," the Tony Award-winning prequel to Wizard of Oz, reveals that our cultural condemnation of the Wicked Witch Elphaba is based on half-truths spread by the Wizard's press secretary to preserve the existing power structure. It's only in glimpsing Elphaba's struggles with Ozzian rabble-rousing, that we begin to see there is a higher perspective. Dichotomies of good/bad, right/wrong may eliminate ambiguity, but it is only in learning to recognize there are elements of truth and wisdom inherent in every perspective that we become whole. That's the premise we'll explore this Sunday. Through the music of "Wicked," we'll dig more deeply into this quest to find the good, even in the wicked. And since it is Halloween, you're encouraged to come in costume. We're changing - for better and for good! Rev. Kurt

In my days as an editor, I believed getting a magazine to press meant planning contingencies for everything that could possibly go wrong: If an advertiser cancelled - no worries; I already knew how to fill the space. If a reporter missed a deadline - piece of cake; we padded production timelines. If a photographer missed a shot, the graphics department had already prepared alternative artwork. It was a workable approach. Thing is, we basically doubled the workload (and the accompanying stress) compared to what actually appeared in print. Then I found Unity and learned that by imagining crises, I was actually using the power of my thoughts to create them. Like the classic Unity hymn says, "thoughts are prayers," so my predict-and-control approach was basically praying chaos and drama into existence. Turns out that's really good news: Once we understand that our thoughts, feelings and beliefs (prayers) activate Spirit's power to create in the material realm, we can redirect our prayer work away from energy-zapping thinking and toward what's highest and best for all. I began praying that my office was harmonious and orderly, and I found my days were less chaotic. I began praying that my leadership inspired others, and our office environment became more collaborative and creative. I began praying that our work prospered all whom it touched, and we won awards for editorial and design excellence. Try it. If there's a facet of your life that could be even more gratifying and wonderful, prepray its fulfillment into your experience. Facing a stack of bills? Prepray them paid: "I have abundant resources and ingenuity to provide for my every need." Feeling tired and achy: "I am one with the universe, filled with energy and vitality." Feeling bored and alone: "God's love enfolds and surrounds me with deep and fulfilling relationships." You've got the power. You're already using it to create the life you have. So go ahead...preprayer yourself for greatness. Rev. Kurt

The excitement of any new venture -- job, project, relationship, even a computer upgrade-can also evoke feelings of trepidation or uncertainty. Indulging those doubts, allowing fear to become dominant, is a sure road to spiritual bankruptcy. But stuffing them can be costly, too, as the energy they carry continues to shape our subconscious thoughts and beliefs. How then, do we best navigate the chaotic terrain of life's ceaseless opportunities to evolve? Simple: Start by breathing into the experience. Focus on the physiological effects. You'll find the physical sensations of anxiety and anticipation, fear and excitement, are remarkably similar. It's why so many of us like scary movies, roller coasters and Las Vegas. After a few breaths, you'll probably begin to feel an underlying sense of peace and calm. When you do, you're in the zone: fully alert, fully engaged and fully present. It's the state where the "still small voice", can be heard most clearly; where we connect with source, God, our innate divinity most profoundly. It's the dimension from which our prayer work is most powerful and effective; the perfect time to apply Unity's prayer practice of denials and affirmations. Here's one of my favorites: "Nothing disturbs the calm peace of my soul. All that I need comes to me." (I suggest 25 repetitions, as often as needed.) Enjoy the ride! Rev. Kurt