“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”  — Psalms 139:1, 2

King James Version of the Bible

from Reaching For The Light

Be Aware of Your Blessings … p. 159

Take heed;

Be aware of your thoughts.

Be they for good

Or be they for ill

Your outlook on life,

Your personal health,

Are profoundly affected

By choices made

In thought and deed.

Naught’s to be gained

In thinking ill:

It holds you in bondage

And forever will.

Turn to the light,

Of goodness and love;

Give thought to that from above:

Ours, scripturally and morally, is to

“Hunger and thirst after righteousness”

And to “Do as you would be done by.”

Be free of all judgment,

Look beyond what you see,

We’re children of nature,

Of God’s loving care:

Be aware of your blessings,

Be ever aware.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves …”

— Psalm 100:3

King James Version of the Bible 

from Reaching For The Light

On The Mighty Path … p. 158

I’m on the mighty path,

Oh yes I am,

I’m on the mighty path,

Oh yes I am,

With faith my guiding light

It leads me through the night

Along the Way,

And the light gets ever brighter

Day-by-day.

When I reach the mountain top

Even then I’ll never stop,

For the newness in my life

And the joy that You bestow

Keep me ever yearning

For the good that I now know.

Chorus:

Ninety-nine is mighty fine

Only one that’s to be won

I can see, Oh yes I see

An ever brighter day-by-day.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“ The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty …”

— Zephaniah 3:17

King James Version of the Bible

from Reaching For The Light

Selfless Love … p. 157

Stand on the firm rock

Of God’s own guiding hand;

Feel the lightness of His being.

Look for the good in others

That they may sense

And come to know

What we are seeing.

Thoughts of others

In selfless love

Guide us to the rock,

To peace of mind

And joy within:

’Tis God who leads us

In our walk.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“Through thy precepts I get understanding …”

— Psalm 119:104

King James Version of the Bible

from Reaching For The Light

Yield to God … p. 156

Ever strive

For the light within:

Naught else

Shows us the way.

In humble prayer

Thoughts of self deny

That God’s presence

May be known,

His light, our soul,

May be shown;

He who is first

In every thought,

In every deed.

’Tis faith that sustains us

In how little we know,

'Tis God’s guiding hand

In ours, we grow.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“ Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD “

— Psalm 25:15

King James Version of the Bible

from Reaching For The Light

Salvation … p. 155

Salvation,

With never a doubt,

Lies firstly within

And then without.

God, we know,

Abides ever within,

His goodness and love aglow.

’Tis He who frees us

From thoughts of the self;

He who unveils the light

Of the soul.

Thus it is

In our new-found self

Enfolded and trusting

In God’s loving care

We look only for good

In others, knowing,

From deep within,

It’s there.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“ Lift up thine eyes round about, and see …”

— Isaiah 60:4

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

God — Our Life-Force … p. 29

Be still for a moment, quiet your mind and visualize the small bright light within you. What you are seeing is life itself, that which Jesus, in the Gospel of Mary(1), calls the Good. We have come to know this spiritual life-force as God.

Goodness, which is the human manifestation of the Good, is the defining characteristic of life. It is our own misfortune and that of others, midst the vagaries of life, that we sometimes lose sight of our own goodness. Thus do we cause a disconnect from the Good, giving rise to personal unhappiness, mental disquiet and ofttimes a desperate search for life’s meaning.

Despite having lost our sense of the Good, we can reclaim control of our life by focusing our thoughts on our own goodness and that of others. Thought, in turn, becomes deed. Egotism, the bane of life, gives way to unselfishness and humility. Our whole being is stilled and suffused with love. We come to know and to live a wondrously spiritual reawakening: one that is never to leave us.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

(1)Papyrus fragments of the Gospel of Mary were found in Egypt in 1896, having been lost for some fifteen hundred years.

“… the former things are passed away.”

— Revelation 21:4

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

The Light of God … p. 28

The light of God is within us: we are born with it. We have goodness and love, human traits that never leave us. As well, we are gifted from birth with the capacity to reason, enabling us to distinguish between right and wrong. And, not least, we are given will power, that which molds our character and shapes our conduct—in short, our very life. All of these innate God-given senses are affirmations of God’s Presence and of our humanity.

There is never a time when God is not within us, no matter if we are at our lowest or at our best. Truly, God is our Shepherd. Believing and instinctively knowing this is spiritually uplifting. Thus do we walk in the Way, all the while enveloped in God’s abiding love and goodness.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen …”

— Romans 1:20

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

The Bedrock on Which We Stand … p. 26-27

Be yourself. Trying to be all things to all people hurts you more than anyone else. If you are to know any measure of inner peace you must find the way back to who it is you really are.

Find the rock that is yours alone to stand on. Ignore what others may think of you, accept who you are and give thanks for it. It is how you see yourself that matters. Know that there is none other like you, that the gift of life is yours to make of it what you will. Know too, above all else, that the very foundation of your being is your own innate goodness. Fundamental to the human condition is the fact that we are all born good, innocent of all that is soon to befall us.

For those who have lost touch with this innate sense of goodness the question becomes one of how to go about rediscovering it.

Rediscovery of our goodness is a two-fold process: at once a case of quieting while allowing the soul—the repository of goodness—to be heard. The mind stilled, even momentarily, allows us to think well of ourselves, and yes, even to love ourselves. Knowing self-love means being humbly honest with ourselves such that we are enabled as well to love others and to accept their love in return. Thus have we created the bedrock on which we may stand and rebuild our lives.

Loving another simply for who they are means opening up ourselves to that person and welcoming them into our life. Albeit, we are at once made vulnerable, allowing others to see who we really are. Nonetheless, it is only in this manner—this gift of giving freely of ourselves, a gift of our entire being and one without expectation of reward, that gives another the freedom to love us in all our humanness.

As we grow in self-respect and in self-confidence, all the while sharing our love and manifesting the goodness that wells up from within us, we come to know a compassion for others, As well, we come to know and respect the rights of others, and are less prone to judge. We have no trouble in making clear distinctions between right and wrong. We are offended by abuse of power together with the neglect and indifference shown to the poor and needy among us. Not least, we are emboldened to act without fear or favour for the common good: at one with our fellow beings.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”

— Isaiah 60:1

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

To Know Peace Within

— be in Touch with God … p. 24

We are, each of us, our own worst enemy. We allow ourselves to be imprisoned by the unending workings of the mind which are at odds with those thoughts—were we to honour and abide by them—that would set us free.

Our mind, like the rest of our body, is there to serve us, to do our will. In order that we may habitually think those thoughts which ultimately give us peace within we must literally turn our mind on itself. Through conscious effort we can still the unhealthy, self-centred workings of the mind, thus to begin thinking thoughts of love, to recognize the goodness within ourselves and to see the goodness in others.

Equally important, in coming to terms with our thoughts, as manifested by our conduct, we learn to get in touch with our soul. To be in touch with our soul is to be in touch with God, thus to know peace within.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… the things which are not seen are eternal.”

— II Corinthians 4:18

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

Goodness … p. 23

Goodness is a divine human character trait common to every new-born. It is the manifestation of God in all mankind.

Goodness is a transcendent force that ennobles us and enriches our soul. It is our light within that shines ever brighter with use.

Goodness takes us outside of ourselves, freeing us of selfishness and imbuing us with love and respect for all things living.

Goodness is an expression of our humanity, allowing us to love others as we love ourselves.

Goodness is free of judgment, allowing others to be themselves. It means treating others the way you want them to treat you.

Goodness begets goodness.

Goodness is recognizing another’s need and helping without being asked.

Goodness is that which comes of being a good person, one who is morally right. Coming from within, goodness reveals our true selves by how we think, speak and conduct ourselves. There is no mistaking goodness: It is a love-filled aura sensed by all.

All too often our homage to goodness is by way of lip service only. As long as our conscience is assuaged by professing our concern about another’s needs we feel that we have done our duty.

That goodness is so often neglected and cast aside in favour of other worldly pursuits is a denial of this most precious of human gifts. It is a denial fostered by greed that in turn gives rise to man’s senseless inhumanity to man, only to be stopped when each of us learns to embrace the innate goodness in others.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

— Psalm 107:20

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

Our Full Human Potential … p. 22

Our value as human beings lies in our goodness, this being an expression of our inner spirit, the soul. Getting in touch with our soul, enlivening it and allowing it to play its proper role in our life, is something freely available to all of us.

Goodness manifests itself in our relationship with others. It is that of freely giving of ourself to others with unqualified trust and love. Goodness is joyful and uplifting, freeing us from the errors of selfishness, jealousy and envy. Goodness enriches the soul and is the one path in life to our becoming fulfilled; at long last standing on firm ground and at peace within.

Goodness requires that we exercise our own human will to quiet the mind. It is essential that we free ourself of idle thoughts which impede spiritual growth. Only then may we consciously acknowledge our own goodness and that of others, all the while thinking well of ourself and of others.

Being open and honest allows others to see the goodness in us. In the doing we free others to trust in us while at once revealing their own goodness.

Hand in hand with our spiritual growth which enables us to acknowledge and to reveal our goodness, is the self-evident need to think for ourself and to accept responsibility for our actions; ever willing to listen and to learn.

Through goodness we become whole; it is this alone which saves us from ourself and enables us to realize our full human potential.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

      — I Corinthians 2:12

         King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

Faith … p. 21

Faith is none other than God’s presence in our life; a divine reality of the mind interacting with the soul.

Reason alone may engender the idea of faith, but faith is only made real in the soul, where it endures.

Faith walks hand in hand with God’s wondrous gift of love for all mankind, for without faith we can never know God.

Faith sustains us in earthly matters, offering hope for a better day. Faith in God enables us to be as One with Him, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“ Look unto me …”

     — Isaiah 45:22

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

Visualize … p. 20

I visualize God’s light within me at the very centre of my being and know that He is my soul, my everlasting life.

I lift up my head, rejoice and give thanks to God. I believe in God, asking always that I may do His will.

Thus do I come to know and to love God. And thus do I know myself to be standing on the rock, able to serve both God and my fellow man.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… we know that an idol is nothing …”

— I Corinthians 8:4

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

On the Road of Faith … p. 19

Believe in God and, with each passing day, travel the road of faith to know Him, ever mindful of His message of love to all humankind; a message made known to us by the spoken words of Jesus.

Simply by giving thanks to God for all that we do and all that we encounter in our daily lives strengthens our faith and makes His presence ever more real. God’s presence revealed within us is an act of faith, not a product of the mind. He makes His presence known to us when He alone knows we are ready to receive Him. This is a time for the mind to be still; to quell the sound of reason. We may earnestly seek Him, but we cannot will God’s presence: Only unwavering faith allows this, which in turn sets us walking in the footsteps of Jesus and gives us peace within.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… work with a smile on your face … serving God.”

— Ephesians 6:6-7

       The Message

from GOD THINGS

Presence of the Good … p. 18

Those in search of life’s meaning, hoping for inner peace and a sense of fulfillment, would do well to quiet the mind and to begin thinking about their own goodness and that of others. Goodness is within all of us from birth; it is our life-force, our very soul. In truth, goodness, or the Good, is that which we call God.(1)

If we truly come to know goodness, which is at once a function of thought and deed, then may we love both ourself and others. Then too do we realize that we are not alone in the struggle to find ourself, but that we are very much a part of a community of fellow beings on a similar quest.

In time we awaken each day filled with the Presence of The Good, acutely aware that our life has been transformed. Life’s meaning has resolved itself, while inner peace and fulfillment are at one.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

(1)Papyrus fragments of the Gospel of Mary were found in Egypt in 1896, having been lost for some fifteen hundred years.

“… he hath inclined

            his ear

          unto me …”

      — Psalm 116:2

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

Knowing God … p. 17

What if we feel a longing to have God in our life but are unable to sense His presence, to know with certainty that He is there within us giving meaning to our life? Life’s experience in general tells us that it is not for us to decide when God will make Himself known to us although, without knowing it, we do play a role in the matter.

God reveals Himself to us through our unconscious mind when, at a time in our search for Him, reason fails us, we are at our most vulnerable and may be likened as to a child.

God’s revelation touches us so deeply, such that we are humbled, instinctively knowing we will never again be the same. His light within us is our guidepost and shows us the way. Our faith sustains us and enables us to do His will with joy in our heart.

Talking to God throughout the day, while giving thanks for His goodness and His love, comforts us and puts us on ever more familiar terms with Him. Over time we become as one with Him. And we are at peace.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… the LORD shall guide thee

              continually …”

     — Isaiah 58:11

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

An Act of Faith … p. 16

Knowing God is an act of faith. It is not given to us to see or to touch God, but we know from the spoken words of Jesus that God is within and everywhere around us. Through faith we sense God’s presence and, when we are still, He speaks to us. Though inaudible, His words become real in the deep recesses of our mind. His message is personal, meant for us alone. To heed and to act on it changes us forever.

God speaking to us is, first of all, a humbling experience, for without the gift of humility we cannot know God. In knowing Him we become grounded, secure within ourselves and able to see the goodness in others. We know as well an abiding sense of love—God’s love—and, not least, a ready willingness to forgive. Forgiveness frees us of resentment and ill feeling toward others. We are at once liberated and made whole, all the while giving thanks to God.

Already, and without consciously knowing it, we are walking in the Way of Jesus. Our steadfast faith in God sustains us and keeps us ever on His path. Knowing God’s love is a wondrously joyful and liberating experience: We become, each one of us, a better person.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“…       one thing is needful: and

     Mary hath chosen that good part,

which shall not be taken away from her.”

     — St. Luke 10:42

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

God's Will : A Knowing … p. 15

Quite simply, doing God’s will is doing what is right for you and for others. We are all, each one of us, born with God’s all-encompassing love and goodness. From birth we know intuitively what is right and what is not right. No matter what befalls us in life, our inborn intuition—in truth God’s voice within us—lies at the ready. That we may hear His voice and respond as we should, we have but to listen and to allow His truth to override our ofttimes overactive mind; one that can be our best friend or our worst enemy, depending upon the choices we ourselves make.

If we are to honour God’s will in our day-to-day living it is well to be mindful of His presence within us, to revel in it and to give thanks for it. Thus are we able to believe in the goodness of others and to share with them God’s wondrous love. A very real part of this sharing is forgiveness, in itself an expression of love and a gift to the soul.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… he is thy life …”

    — Deuteronomy 30:20

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS 

God's Will : 

In Scripture … p. 14

We first learn of the term “God’s will” from the Gospel of St. Matthew, wherein we are told to do God’s will “on earth as it is in heaven.”

The question then becomes, what is God’s will and can we honour it in our day-to-day living?

In essence, and again drawing upon the Second Testament, God’s will is this:

1. Love God with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength;
2. Love thy neighbour as thyself;
3. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you;
4. Love your enemy.

Given that humankind are fallible beings, we may never attain God’s all-encompassing love and His goodness but, thanks to Him, we can “hunger and thirst after righteousness and be filled.” With this in mind, it is clear that we can do God’s will here on earth and, in the doing, come to know a wondrously God-given inner peace.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“ … I am the way …”

          — St. John 14:6

   King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

WALKING in the WAY … p. 13

God is indivisible spirit; He is within and everywhere around us; He is our soul, our very life.

We nourish our soul through faith in God, for His goodness and for His abiding love. Faith leaves no room for doubt. Faith is true and all-encompassing.

It fills our entire being: Our mind, our body and our soul. Faith, combined with a life lived that is a testimony to God, enables us to walk in the way of Jesus and gives us peace within.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“ Withhold not good from them

           to whom it is due,

      when it is in the power

       of thine hand to do it.”

             — Proverbs 3:27

            King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS 

LOVING GOD … p. 12 

Talking to God throughout the day, ever striving to do His will, quietens the mind, enriches the soul and, not least, comforts us. With each passing day His presence within us becomes more real. We come to know ourselves and to give thanks for who we are. We become less judgmental and more understanding of others. Confident that we are living testimony to God’s love, we are enabled through Him to enrich the lives of others.

Being as one with God is an uplifting and a joyful experience, one that abides with us always. Quite simply, we are very much a better person for knowing and loving God.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“… He that had gathered much 

           had nothing over …

      he that had gathered little 

           had no lack.”

     — II Corinthians 8:15

King James Version of the Bible

from GOD THINGS

The SOUL is LIFE ITSELF … p. 10

Only life itself is common to all things living. Otherwise, every one and every thing is different, each with its own identity. Insofar as humankind is concerned, given the fact that we are all born pure, how does it happen that each of us is so different from another? The answer is known to one and all. The sum of all that we experience, from cradle to grave, is what makes each of us different. Differences, to be sure, are good. Even more than that, they are necessary for our well-being. For it is this individualism that allows each of us to enjoy life to its full abundance in a manner of our own choosing.

Life’s multitude and diversity of experiences, day in and day out, etch the mind such that the mind commands our every action. This is both good and bad. Good to the extent that we use our mind to learn and to provide for our physical well-being and bad in the sense that all too often, consciously or unconsciously, we fail to nourish the soul. It is a truism that man’s inhumanity to man knows no bounds. We see this in our lives today, just as we know it to be so throughout mankind’s history. Such brutish and insensitive behaviour can but arise from a barren soul …

The soul is life itself, a life sustained by spirituality or, quite simply, by the presence of God. We know God only through believing in Him, in His love for us and for all of mankind. If our faith is true and unwavering we are transformed by His love such that our soul flourishes and blossoms into a love of oneself and of all others.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

God Things ... p. 8

“ Thy kingdom 

is an everlasting 

      kingdom …”

— Psalm 145:13

King James Version of the Bible

RICH BEYOND

    MEASURE … p. 8

Those who truly come to know God, who embrace Him with the fullness of their mind, their body and their soul, and who are a testament to His love and to His goodness, are those among many the world over who are rich beyond measure. Unlike worldly riches that are ephemeral and easily lost, theirs is a wealth that not only endures, but, through faith and deed alone, grows with each passing day.

Faith enriches the soul, quietens the mind and allows us to do that which God asks of us. The doing of God’s will which, in itself, embodies faith, is simply that of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. This wondrous duo of forces completes us; we are fulfilled.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

God Things ... p. 7

“… his greatness is

       unsearchable.”

— Psalm 145:3

King James Version of the Bible

The WORD of GOD … p. 7

Ask anyone who is a testimony to God, whose love of oneself and of others is unqualified, and you will find that God has spoken to that person. He or she will have heard the Word of God, a clear message intended for that person alone.

God’s spoken words, although inaudible to others, ring within us to penetrate every fibre of our being. In an instant we are changed forever.

Although ever present within us, God reveals Himself to us only when He knows that we are ready to receive Him. Often, God comes to us when  we are at our lowest, seemingly with nowhere to turn.

We may, and sometimes do, yearn for God, that we may know Him and, at long last, find peace within. An earnest desire to know God, however, is not of itself cause for Him to reveal Himself to us.

We must humble ourselves, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. Be aware of God’s presence within us. Talk to God, giving thanks throughout the day for His love and for His manifold blessings. Freely giving of ourselves to others with love in our heart enriches the soil of our lives that the seed of God may germinate and grow within us.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

God Things ... p. 6

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.”

— St. John 10:27-28

King James Version of the Bible

TO KNOW GOD … p. 6

To know God is to know ourself. And in the knowing we are at once transformed. The face that we now show others no longer hides a life of quiet desperation, a life without meaning. That which bound us binds us no more. Ours is a face at peace, shining the Light of God’s Love, a love for all humankind. Equally, it is a love that frees us of worldly encumbrances, allowing us, with a joy-filled heart, to do His will. And we know that we will walk with Him always.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

God Things ... p. 5

“… your unfailing love

           fills the earth …”

— Psalm 119:64

New Living Translation

TOUCHED by GOD … p. 5

You will know if you have been touched by God to do His will. That which was so important to us before becomes as nothing. Save for the necessities of life, worldly possessions lose their importance. What becomes important is to give freely of ourselves to others with love in our hearts.

This relationship with God is one that involves our entire being: Our mind, our body and our soul. We become as One with God, talking to Him throughout the day, giving thanks for His love and for the new-found love that we know because of Him: Love of oneself and of others.

God’s love for us, which we know deep within to be so, enables us to walk a path hewn by Him for us alone, and one from which we neither wish nor need to stray. For the first time in our life we are free — free from all that bound us to keep from becoming that which God meant us to be. And oh, what a joy it is!

— Garry D. Kilbourn

God Things ... p. 4

“… but now

     mine eye

     seeth thee.”

— Job 42:5

King James Version of the Bible

LOVE OUR ENEMIES … p. 4

Admittedly, it is not easy for us to embrace the concept of loving our enemies. But this is precisely what Jesus requires of us. Were we to stop and think about it we would remember that Jesus condemned the sin, but not the sinner. For our own good and for that of others it is therefore incumbent upon each of us to make the distinction in our own mind between the person and the deed.

Jesus makes it clear that we are born in the image of God. That is to say, God within us; His spiritual light, our soul and, indeed, our very life.

We are, all of us, born with God’s all-encompassing love and goodness. These are innate human characteristics: More so, they are divine gifts of God. They are what make us human.

Being human we tend to stray from God’s path, some more and some less, as we busy ourselves with life. It is only when we become un-busy, when we are still, our mind at rest that we sense God’s overwhelming presence; an aura of love and inner peace that frees us of our self-centredness.

Attesting to God’s love in our daily life uplifts us, making us feel good about ourselves and others. As human beings we are all of us kindred spirits. To look for the goodness in others and to honour it enriches our soul and, indeed, is no less than that which God requires of us.
— Garry D. Kilbourn

“ The Spirit of God

     hath made me …”

— Job 33:4

King James Version of the Bible

GOD THINGS
WE ARE NOT ALONE … p. 3

God is ever-present within us. That so many fail to embrace Him is the cause of untold suffering and unhappiness.

Coming to know God is not something for us alone to decide; initially it is not a conscious decision. God makes Himself known to each of us in His own way when we are ready to receive Him. There is no mistaking when this happens, for it is a profound, life-changing experience, if we choose to listen.

If we truly seek to know God, we can help to prepare the way. We have firstly to believe in Him, knowing that He is a loving God and is real within us. Thus fortified, we look for the innate goodness in others, ever cognizant that we are a living testimony to God’s love. God’s manifold blessings reveal themselves in all that we do, inviting our thanks and bringing us ever closer to Him. Our sincere love of others carries with it compassion and understanding, making us less prone to judge. We become enriched while enriching the lives of others.

Along The Way, in moments of quietude, God speaks to us, and as we listen, we know that all is well.
— Garry D. Kilbourn