Now faith means putting our full confidence in the things we hope for, it means being certain of things we cannot see. It was this kind of faith that won their reputation for the saints of old. And it is after all only by faith that our minds accept as fact that the whole scheme of time and space was created by God’s command — that the world which we can see has come into being through principles which are invisible.

— Hebrews 11:1-3  J.B. Phillips New Testament 

“Reaching For The Light”

What We’re 

Not Seeing … p 85

’Tis true for one

And true for all,

Happiness doth

The soul endow.

This gift of Life,

Tho veiled from sight

Lies deep within

Our Being.

’Tis here we look

With tender care

To see

What we’re not seeing.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

[ The walk to Emmaus ] Then on the same day we find two of them going off to Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they went they were deep in conversation about everything that had happened. While they were absorbed in their serious talk and discussion, Jesus himself approached and walked along with them, but something prevented them from recognizing him. Then he spoke to them, “What is all this discussion that you are having on your walk?”

—  Luke 24:13-17  J.B. Phillips New Testament 

“Reaching For The Light”

The Art 

of Conversation … p 84

We experience a magic moment when, in all humility, we give our full attention to what another is saying; not only to hear what is being said, but that which is unsaid such that we come to sense the other’s true inner Being — the immortal soul. In a mysteriously wondrous way a spiritual bond is forever forged.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

— Micah 6:8  New Living Translation

“Reaching For The Light”

Walking 

In The Way … p 82

Come, walk with Me.

You will know Me,

Truly know Me,

When you know yourself.

We’ll walk together

In Love’s inner light

In our Sunday

Go-to-meeting clothes.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. You must go on living in my love. If you keep my commandments you will live in my love just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and live in his love. I have told you this so that you can share my joy, and that your happiness may be complete. This is my commandment: that you love each other as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this — that a man should lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I tell you to do. I shall not call you servants any longer, for a servant does not share his master’s confidence. No, I call you friends, now, because I have told you everything that I have heard from the Father.

— John 15:9-15  J.B. Phillips New Testament  more 

“Reaching For The Light”

Happiness … p 81

I am happy.

I am happy because 

I am at peace within.

Looking back, I mistook

Feelings of pleasure and delight

For happiness, sensations

Soon forgotten.

Happiness, true happiness

Lives deep within me —

It never leaves.

I found happiness

When I found myself,

My true spiritual Being.

True happiness comes

From loving myself

And others, and, finally,

From loving and being loved

By another.

I am thus blessed.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

[ Above all things be loving, humble, united ] Now if your experience of Christ’s encouragement and love means anything to you, if you have known something of the fellowship of his Spirit, and all that it means in kindness and deep sympathy, do make my best hope for you come true! Live together in harmony, live together in love, as though you had only one mind and one spirit between you. Never act from motives of rivalry or personal vanity, but in humility think more of each other than you do of yourselves. None of you should think only of his own affairs, but should learn to see things from other people’s point of view.

— Philippians 2:1-4  J.B. Phillips New Testament 

“Reaching For The Light”

Selflessness … p 80

We give of ourself

To heal the soul.

The reward,

Though not sought for,

Is of transformative kind.

Not least, to be sure,

It quiets the mind.

And our Goodness within

That awaits but a call

Heaps blessings on us;

Heaps blessings on all.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

[The way out — new life in Christ ] No condemnation now hangs over the head of those who are “in” Jesus Christ. For the new spiritual principle of life “in” Christ lifts me out of the old vicious circle of sin and death.

— Romans 8:1-2  J.B. Phillips New Testament  more 

“Reflections From Infinite Mind”

Completing The Circle … p 68

Obscured in the veils of selfhood lies a key that, when unearthed, frees us to become who we are truly meant to be. Whence we come and whither we go are long acknowledged as life’s abiding mysteries. Even so, we are sure to be taken aback with wonder if we but use our natural abilities of reason and intuition, day in, day out, to get a deeper understanding of our oneness with God, of our intimate relationship with nature. In the doing we undergo a spiritual transcendence which reveals itself in a deep sense of humility and selflessness: We are at peace within. We now feel compelled to give freely of ourself to others, to complete the circle through showing by example what it is we’ve come to know: Thus do we manifest God’s goodness and love.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

[ I am thankful for your faith ] I am always thankful to God for what the gift of his grace in Jesus Christ has meant to you — how, as the Christian message has become established among you, he has enriched your whole lives, from the words on your lips to the understanding in your hearts. And you have been eager to receive his gifts during this time of waiting for his final appearance. He will keep you steadfast in the faith to the end, so that when his day comes you need fear no condemnation. God is utterly dependable, and it is he who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

— 1 Corinthians 1:4-9  J.B. Phillips New Testament

 

“Reaching For The Light”

Feel God’s Presence … p 79

Turn to God to calm

A troubled mind.

In the stillness of 

The moment let His

Presence be felt:

He is there.

We have but to 

Give thanks.

— Garry D. Kilbourn