Thanksgiving

Dear Spiritual Family,

Happy Veteran’s Weekend and Happy Thanksgiving (a little early!) In this week’s video message, we honor the life of a dear friend, John Camden, who made his transition on November 8 in Texas. He and his dear wife, Kay, were a rich part of our lives while we served at Unity Church of the Hills. 

And as I (Rev. Steve) write this on Veteran’s Day, I am filled with gratitude for those who serve and have served our great Nation over its long history.

I was impressed this morning to call one of my best friends in the Navy over fifty years ago aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5). Matt and I were there to lift each other up, often poking good-natured fun at his heavy Chicago accent and my Southern version. We had not been in contact recently other than Christmas cards that his sweet wife, Pat, would send. When I called, she shared with me that he had passed on due to cancer, some months back. My immediate response was “I’m so sorry but I know he is in a good place.” “Yes,” she said, without hesitation, “I know he is.”

Such is the beauty of the truth of eternal life! Much of the focus of this video message is about the deep freedom we can experience when we really get this great truth. “There is no death. The Son of God is free,” we read again and again in A Course in Miracles. You might like to see the poem, Live Without Thought of Dying by St. Catherine of Siena whom I reference in my talk:

We work so hard to fly and no matter what heights we reach
our wings get folded near a candle at the end,
for nothing can enter God but Himself.
Our souls are some glorious substance of the Divine
that no sentry wants to stop. 
Live without thought of dying for dying is not a truth.

We have swayed on the sky’s limbs there together, many years there the same leaves grow. But then they get that look in their eyes and bid farewell to what they disdained or cherished.

This life He gave the shell, the daily struggles we know,
sit quiet for a moment dear, feel the wind, let Light touch you. 
Live without thought of dying for dying is not a truth.

Thanksgiving, then, for the “truth that sets us free,” for God’s Love for us and from us, to Him and to each other. And gratitude for the gift of each other, even when love doesn’t seem so apparent. Gratitude for learning that Love is truly ours, now and always and through it, we find our Oneness!

We love you dear, dear sisters and brothers,

Rev. Steve and Mary

Going Deeper

1. Have you found that a deeper understanding of the eternality of life has helped you in times of loss?
2. What represents true freedom to you?
3. What are you deeply grateful for, at this time in your life?

We would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

God bless you. We love you,

Rev. Steve and Mary

Going Deeper on Zoom – Wednesday, November 16

This group meets on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:15 pm CT following a new video message. To learn more, Email Mary McIntosh.