Sheltered Under God's Canopy...

There are no exceptions:  We are all sheltered under the glorious canopy of God’s boundless goodness and love.  That many are plainly unaware of this divine blessing is nothing short of human tragedy.  To our own good fortune, however, the key to awareness lies ever within us.

                   

     In all earnestness, we have but to replace mundane thoughts with those of God, by their very nature unselfish and loving.  Honesty of purpose begets transcendental purity of thought, which in turn transports us into the wondrous realm of our own spirituality: a oneness with God.

Garry D. Kilbourn

bwfaithministry

Sheltered under God’s Canopy…

You know when you keep thinking about someone… it feels like something is going on in their life… you think about calling… and then they get in touch with you. 

Gina emailed sad news and asked for prayers.  Her Mom is in a hospice room at the hospital.  She is sleeping most of the time now.  Gina and her Dad sit silently at her bedside, daily.  When words can’t convey our feelings, it’s comforting to know that we are sheltered under God’s canopy of Love.  blw

Moral Integrity...

Honesty, truthfulness, trustworthiness, humility are exemplary human characteristics which connote moral integrity.  Such character traits are not ephemeral — a product of the mind — but are inborn: in a word, providential.

We alone bear responsibility for honouring these moral imperatives. Thus do we honour as well ourself, our fellow-man and our very humanity.

Garry D. Kilbourn

bwfaithministry

“…moral integrity…”

With the *Spring Bereavement Education Program workshop completed, forty participants received their certificates!

As one of the volunteers, during the two weekends, I was privileged to get to know the participants and meet the presenters.  Some participants are from Parish Bereavement Teams, Health Care facilities, and some are on their grief journey.  The presenters are professionals who work and teach in Health Care specializing in Responses to Grief & Loss; Self Care; Anticipatory Loss & Grief; Suicide & Sudden Loss; Children’s Grief & Loss; and Spirituality in Loss. 

The participant’s shared how much they appreciated the compassion, honesty, integrity, truthfulness, personal stories and knowledge of the presenters.  The closing celebration is always joyful, emotional and so worthwhile !  blw

*Health Care Apostolate, Diocese of Calgary http://www.calgarydiocese.ca/health-care-apostolate.html

Providential Guideposts...

With but little thought it should come as no surprise that we are, each one of us, unlike any other: each destined to find his or her own way in life. To be sure, there is a path that unites us; one that acknowledges our own God-given goodness.

Though not visible to the naked eye, life’s many providential guideposts are there for all to see were we to look within.

Fundamental to our embracing ever-abiding goodness is that of self-honesty, all the while paring away layer upon layer of worldly habits that obscure the diving light of our life-giving soul. Bit by bit we free ourself of crippling ego. Selfishness is overcome by concern for others, ever looking for the good in each person. We learn to give thanks for that which befalls us and to trust in others, which, of itself, invites trust. Life’s setbacks are viewed as but stepping stones to even greater heights. Self-doubt becomes self-confidence, while self-importance falls prey to humility. Not least, we learn to love ourself and others. The transformative power of goodness abounds within us.

Garry D. Kilbourn

bwfaithministry

“…providential guideposts…”

During this morning’s *meditation class Judi shared a story… she, at one time, attended art school.  At a certain point during the year each student was to meet with the teacher to discuss their art portfolio. As the teacher was commenting on the art work she noticed how uninterested Judi appeared to be. The teacher stopped talking, looked at Judi and said, “You don’t believe you can draw.”

With this example, Judi looked at our class and said, “You don’t believe you are a Soul.”   I… felt… exposed…  

Judi said, “what can God say to help you understand that you are a soul?”  I just didn’t know what word or thought would break the code of my stubbornness to fully realize Spiritual Truths for me.

This question didn’t leave my mind.  Driving home, I boldly said, “God, what can you say to make me believe… ?”  I don’t remember finishing my sentence… I heard,  “I love you, Bonnie.”

My providential guidepost… I will forever remember this moment… life changing.  blw

*Brahma Kumaris | Calgary Centre

"...in favour of Godly thoughts..."

What does it mean “to be saved ;” “to give ourself to God ;” “to surrender to God ?”  These and other such praiseworthy terms are made real, not by whim, but when we succumb—mind, body and soul—to that higher power from within; our divine spirituality.

Each of us experiences this spiritual transformation in his or her own way.  The one factor common to all, however, is this: We must cease the turmoil of the mind in favour of Godly thoughts.  Giving ourself over to God in this manner fills us with the freedom and the joy of Walking in His Way.  Blind pursuit of worldly ways is revealed as aught but an empty promise.

Garry D. Kilbourn

bwfaithministry

“… in favour of Godly thoughts.”

Thursday evenings I look forward to meeting up with Alice.  Just shy of eighty years and living in a nursing home, Alice struggles with debilitating thoughts.  She is in the process of updating her will, estranged from her siblings and her children.  Alice’s emotions range from fear to anger and all that could have been but is not. 

This is a story with a silver lining.  Alice enjoys a friendship with Brenda, who is also a Christian Science Practitioner.  For days after a visit with Brenda, Alice feels loved and calm.  Brenda prays with Alice and gives her *Godly thoughts to fill her mind.  

* ”Stand porter at the door of thought…control yourself harmoniously…shut out these unhealthy thoughts and fears.”  Pg 392 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy

"... compassionate humility"

Those who forever question life’s purpose tend to reach a time when the struggle to understand so exhausts the mind that the subconscious—our higher, spiritual, self—takes over.  This divinely self-protective measure at once frees us of crippling egoism and blesses us instead with compassionate humility.  Our soul is laid bare: we are again one with God, alive in the fullness of His love.

Instinctively we know this new-found sense of spiritual empowerment is not in itself enough.  With no thought of resting on our laurels, we discover the joy of giving freely of ourself to others, all the while manifesting God’s goodness and His love.  In the doing we are even further blessed in that we awaken to the fact that we have become part of a community of like-minded souls.

Garry D. Kilbourn

bwfaithministry

“… compassionate humility”

In my heart of hearts, I know I’ve not always given freely of myself. 

Unaware of my ego in full flight, I thought I was the ‘perfect’ volunteer, friend, sister. 

In today’s *meditation class these words stirred my soul… “God melts me and turns me into gold”.  I am forever grateful.  blw

*Brahma Kumaris | Calgary Centre

Suite 100, 206 10A Street NW Calgary, AB, T2N 1W6
403-209-2988  |  calgary@ca.bkwsu.org

www.bkcalgary.org  |  www.bkwsu.org

LENT...

"Giving up 'things' does not work well for me.  I prefer to give up things like not having the last word, or not raising my voice in an argument, or not complaining about what I have to do etc... There is so much out there that I'll never exhaust it all!  Lent needs to give us a sense of joy in cooperating with God's plan for our lives."

Sylvia

Thank you,

Sylvia!

bwfaithministry

...ye have done it unto me...

These few words of God, “…inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me,” warm the heart and uplift the soul.  When placed in context they are words fitting all aspects of our life.

We are all God’s children, loved equally by Him.  God is ever-present in our life, and yes, He speaks to us when showing us His way.  Not always do we hear, but when we do we are transformed—not least the humble.

If we are to reclaim our God-given goodness, whereby we learn to love ourself and others, it but stands to reason that we listen to and follow God’s directives.

Garry D. Kilbourn

bwfaithministry

“…inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me,”…

While enjoying friendship over mugs of tea, this ‘spring’ afternoon in Calgary, my friend shared that later today she’d be visiting a dear friend who is now in a nursing home.  These visits are sometimes worrisome for both.  The friend’s memory, mood and behaviour show signs of a life becoming affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.  The unknown brings fear.  We thought of ways to make their conversation flow with ease when we realized the answer was ever the same…  just be the friend you’ve always been.  blw