Today’s Celebration will be a little different.  We have some ceremonies to attend, if you will. 

We have just taken a 4 week journey to Bethlehem.  It was a metaphysical journey of transformation.  And it’s a journey we can take daily, if we choose.

Today we are going to take that transformation a little further, through the Burning Bowl Ceremony, we’ll be releasing some thoughts, feelings, events, habits and maybe even people that no longer serve us and our journey.

We are not meant to carry with us our errors, the times when we ‘missed the mark’. We are meant to learn from them and use those lessons as a means to take the next step on our physical and metaphysical journey.  Our souls’ journey is not meant to be weighed down by the human emotion we attached to choices we made in our past.  We are to learn, to love, to serve, and to grow.

Then, since we have created a space by releasing via the Burning Bowl, we will write a letter to God, Goddess, our Higher Self, whatever title you wish to use to express your wishes, goals, desires for the new year.

And after that, we’ll meditate on our “new name”, as spoken about in the book of Revelation.

So, let’s get started.

 Burning Bowl

Today I honor what has been and welcome what is to come.  I give thanks for the year that is ending, for all my experiences, and for the growth of my soul.  I am ready to say good-bye to past events, the challenges that strengthened my faith, and the blissful moments that made me whole.

JoyBell C. said, “You will find that it is necessary to let things go simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them.

There is a saying that in order to get where you are going, you have to leave where you are.  This speaks to the need for us to be willing to release what needs to be released so that we may have the lives we desire.

Often we cling to what is, even when we don’t really want it in our lives.  We stay in places that no longer speak to us, we stay in relationships that no longer work, and we keep possessions that we no longer use.

True change, transformational change, is not like arranging the furniture; (although that sometimes helps move the chia, or energy in the house and that aids change), it is like moving to a new house.  Such significant change requires leaps rather than small steps.  It requires us to become a new version of ourselves.

Transformational change is not something that we need to be in all the time.  There are times in our lives when the soul sends a message that it is time for a leap.

If we do not pay attention, it will gradually increase the volume.  The soul will not be denied; it will not let us rest unless we are following its divine urges.

Affirmation #1: I am ready for change.  I open my heart and mind and create a space of invitation to transform.  My intentions are clear, and I sever all bonds that hold me in place.  I soar!

Did you know the word Repent means to think differently, change your mind.  So, what we wish to do now is change our minds…let go of those thoughts, feelings, memories, even people that no longer serve us.

We are never bound by our past.  We may bind ourselves with interpretations of our past that limit our receptivity to good in the present, but that is not being bound by the past; it is being bound by present thoughts based on a limited interpretation of the past.  That is a very different thing.

Jesus, the Master Teacher, said, “Behold, I make all things new.”  This passage means that the Christ Consciousness within each one of us is capable of beginning anew in each moment.

We do this through the power of our mind to pay attention to what is good, what is beautiful and what is possible to do right now.  The only thing that can limit us about our past is to think about it in a limited way.

Affirmation #2: Nothing and no one outside of us has our truth

I invite you to consider what is now within your consciousness that you would like to release, to place in the Burning Bowl and see transformed by the flame of spirit.  Now is the time to write on your little paper the thoughts, feeling, events, people that represents what you are ready to release.

When you have completed your list, review it…add feeling to the release; then when you are ready, take your list to the Burning Bowl and physically release it.

Be patient with those in front of you, some need time to let things go.  Please hold this time in reverence as we allow quiet time for all in this ceremony.

(After the Burning Bowl is completed)

 Affirmation #3: Peace surrounds me.  I am at peace with myself and others.  Love is my Divine heritage and peace is the way I claim it fully.

Letter to God

Our tomorrow is being created right now in our present thoughts and feelings.  Use those thoughts to see a bright future unfolding.

God promises that a new thing will be done through us, when we create an opening for Spirit to work with us, in us and through us.

Be willing to create a space of invitation within for good, for joy, and for peace.  We are already a success; let that reality express fully in life, beginning right now.

Daily Word – 12/30/14

A divine plan for good is at work in my life and in the Universe.  My dream is a part of that plan.  It comes from God-a vision and desire planted in my soul.

To out-picture this vision, I use my imagination.  With my mind’s eye, I see myself achieving my dream. I allow myself to savor how it feels to see it accomplished.

Close your eyes and imagine the best possible version of yourself.  From that point of reference, write your letter to God…what is it you envision for the next year?  IS there something you wish to accomplish?  What are your goals and dreams?  Something you want to do?  What does your Inner Christ tell you about the next year?  Does your Inner Child have anything to add?

Put these things in your letter to God.  Address the envelope to yourself.  We will mail it to you in June.  Then you get to check yourself, see what you have accomplished?  See if you’ve changed direction?

Again we ask that you keep this space held in reverence so all can access their inner Self to write this letter.  The letters will be collected along with the Love Offering.

(after the Letter)

Affirmation #4: Through the power of God within me, my dream comes true and blesses others.

 Love Offering – I Release and I Let Go

 White Stone

The White Stone Ceremony will give you the opportunity to hear the name which Spirit wants you to have this year.  It’s about starting off with a clean slate.  This is a ceremony about filling the space that you have just empties through the Burning Bowl ritual, with a fresh, new life.

Affirmation #5 – I am ready to welcome the new!

Today I honor what has been and welcome what is to come.  I give thanks for the year that is ending, for all my experiences, and the growth of my soul.  I am ready to say goodbye to past events, the challenges that strengthened my faith, and the blissful moments that made me whole.

I create a personal ceremony for letting go.  I imagine myself as a sacred vessel from which I pour out the past.  With each gentle breath, I release everything to God.  Reverently, I let go.  I feel lighter in mind, body, and soul.  I rest in the holy emptiness, trusting Spirit to fill it with Divine Love.  On the threshold of a new beginning, I am ready to welcome new growth.

Affirmation #6 – I am cleansed, refreshed, and optimistic. I am grateful and open to God’s good.

A new year is a time of beginnings.  And when we release, we create an empty space, which will be filled with something! This morning, I invite you to consider what will fill that empty space.

The White Stone ceremony is inspired by a quote from the Book of Revelation: chapter 2:17. Consider these thoughts: “Let anyone who has an ear listen: ….To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.”

This passage refers to a couple of actions and promises:

The first activity is listening: otherwise known as Meditation

An ear to hear is not an outer ear, but the ear of the soul; the ear that hears the “still, small voice”.  We develop this inner listening quality by getting out of our intellect and into our hearts, through meditation.  It is a tool to help us quiet our busy mind and listen to the Divine Voice of Wisdom.  We open our minds and hearts to a deep intuitive “knowing.”

Another activity or tool is surrender:

The passage says: “To everyone who conquers…”  The conquering is not an outer war, but an inner one. To everyone who takes the time to listen to the still, small voice; to everyone who practices release and affirms inner spiritual qualities….  We realize it requires surrendering personal will to Divine Will, and the paradox is that in that surrender of the egoic self is Victory. It is a birthing of the Essential Self, just as Jesus taught and demonstrated.

In this passage there are also 3 Promises:

It said, “To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.”

The first promise is “Hidden Manna:”

In the days of wandering in the wilderness with Moses, the manna was sent by God.  The people only had to go and collect it each day; they did not have to do anything to earn it. If they tried to save it, it spoiled.  When we are in “the wilderness” of our spiritual searching, we receive “hidden manna,” not visible to the world.  We are given spiritual energy and nourishment that sustains us. Some would call this Grace.   It nourishes the soul and the body.  It benefits the whole being.

The 2nd promise is a White Stone

Back in the time when Jesus was teaching and someone served time in prison or in bondage of any kind, they were given a white stone when they were released.  It served as a symbol that they had done their time and they had been given passage to live with all the rights of a free man. Each of us comes from the bondage of past nonsense – false limitations, old beliefs, error thinking that have been a prison.  With a release from bondage, comes a sense of worthiness:  we are beloved of God, one with the Divine, free and unlimited!

The 3rd promise is a New Name

In the Bible, we read of many name changes.  For example, Saul – was given a new name, Paul, at the time of his awakening.

Abram, as he grew in spiritual awareness became Abraham.  Sarai became Sarah.  Jacob was renamed Israel. Simon was renamed Peter.

So when we awaken to inner Spirit, we take on a new identity, a new name so to speak.  This refers to the new, higher realization of the I AM, a new awareness of our Christ Self.

So, I invite you to meditate on what you’re being called to in the new year, and claim that as your new name.  Rest in the stillness for a time…connect with that power of God moving in and through you.

Let us relax in this sacred time and place and recall-“If you listen, you will be given a new name”

And as the word becomes clear and you write it down”

Give thanks, feel gratitude”

Be assured that your essence will always be revealed, your life will always be filled with Goodness, you will always be love, embraced, honored, there is no moment in life where this is not the truth”

Keep the stone with you, it is yours to keep, keep it somewhere where you can connect, where you are guided to keep your new name.”

Peace Song and Prayer of Protection