Saturday, February 6, 2016

Give it up for Lent!

Lent begins on Wednesday, February 10, and ends on Saturday, March 26. What will you give up for Lent this year? What will you deny yourself?

It's almost trendy to sacrifice something for Lent. "What are you giving up for Lent this year?" we ask each other. Then we proudly brag, "I'm giving up chocolate." "I'm giving up always being late." "I'm giving up Facebook."

Jesus said, "When you fast…don't do it publicly, as the hypocrites do…but put on festive clothing, so that no one will suspect you are hungry" (Matthew 6:16-18, Living Bible). His message made clear that fasting is a transaction in mind, not in public displays. As we deny in our bodies, our minds are filled with higher thoughts.

Fasting—giving up something—teaches us not to worry about the material world. When we give up a luxury for Lent, we do more than show piety; we increase our spiritual power. We deepen our spiritual communion. In essence, we create within ourselves space to be filled with the presence of that which created us.


Deny and Affirm

Denial can be the first step toward understanding what we want to affirm in our lives. When we deny weakness, for example, we must be conscious that we are affirming strength. In denying poverty, we affirm abundance. This is because that which we deny actually has no existence in Spirit. By denying what the human sees as real, we realize what eternally exists: the unchangeable truth of Spirit.

This Lenten season, choose something important to you that you are going to sacrifice during the forty days. Then don't tell anyone. In this way, you will move through the season focused on self-transformation.

Equally important in the Lenten sacrifice, once you've chosen your denial, choose an affirmative action you will take in opposition to this. This is the "festive clothing" Jesus refers to when he tells us to act as if we are not in a state of lack or denial. For example, in choosing to deny yourself a particular food, you might then choose to donate a food item each day to a local food bank. Should you decide to give up a habit, such as watching news programs in the evening because of the constant barrage of negativity, use that time to give back something good in like deed to your community.

Then, make the giving from your denial an act that you commit every day of Lent. Forty days is a long time! We need the daily positive reinforcement to keep us moving forward. Take one item to the food bank each day. Do a good deed for a neighbor on each one of the forty Lenten days.

Practicing Lent in these ways, your question will not be "What will I give up for Lent this year?" but, "What will I give?"


A Daily Guide to Lent

Daily readings throughout the time of Lent keep your mind focused on your goals as you move through the season. Charles Fillmore’s Keep A True Lent is a valuable, gender-neutral guidebook for your personal journey through the Lenten season. 

The first half of Keep a True Lent explores the fundamental ideas and concepts of Lent from a spiritual and metaphysical perspective. In this section, Fillmore discusses such topics as Faith Thinking, The Affirmative Word, The Christ in You, Reincarnation, God’s Abundance, and more.

The second half of Keep a True Lent offers a daily reading for each of the forty days of Lent, each reflecting a unique aspect of the season. Corresponding with the time-honored Bible reading for that specific day, each day explores a different Lenten theme, followed with a series of questions for the reader, and ending with a personal affirmation for that day.



"The Lenten Sacrifice" was originally published at Antonia's Senior Moments.










Wednesday, February 18, 2015

The First Day of Lent

This is an excerpt from the updated, gender-neutral version of Charles Fillmore's "Keep A True Lent," available at Newt List.
 
Denial - 1st Day, Ash Wednesday

Reading for today: Matthew 5:1-16

Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is so-called from the ceremonial of ashes. Ashes symbolize repentance.

John the Baptist came, saying, “Repent ye; for the realm of heaven is at hand.” Repentance means denial. It is a relinquishment and should be made without too much vehemence. Therefore, deny out of consciousness old error thoughts, as if you were gently sweeping away cobwebs, and affirm positively and fearlessly that you are a child of God, and that your inheritance is from God.

As you follow this rule, you find that you are letting go of old mortal beliefs, and the Divine within is flaming higher and higher. Its pure white light is infusing all your surroundings with a delightful spirit of wisdom, dignity and peace. You realize more and more the law of righteous thinking that is bringing you into a consciousness of your perfect dominion.

In Christ, it is not difficult to eliminate belief in strife and contention. If petty quarrels, jealousy, uncharitable thoughts come into your life, you overcome them by a quiet but positive denial made in the realization that no error has any power or reality in itself. You turn away from the belief in negation, and your thinking changes. You rid your consciousness of limited thoughts that have encumbered and darkened your understanding. You break down mortal thought and ascend into a spiritual realm, the realm of the heavens.

In the spirit of divine love, affirm: “Forgetting the things that are behind, I realize I am strong, positive, powerful, wise, loving, fearless, free spirit. I am God’s perfect child.”

 Questions

1. What is denial?

2. What should follow denial?

3. How should denials be made?

4. How are quarrels and uncharitable thoughts overcome?


Affirmation

 I keep a true Lent by denying limiting beliefs of the past and by laying hold of positive ideas that are life-giving. Thus I spiritualize my thinking and transform my life.

http://newtlist.com/books/keep-a-true-lent/
 
A daily guide to your 2015 season of Lent.


 

 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Women of New Thought

Women authors have had an enormous influence on the New Thought movement, consistently propelling it forward and bringing greater clarity to its spiritual theology. From Mary Baker Eddy to Terry Cole-Whittaker and more, these spiritual leaders offer a vital and valuable voice to ideas and philosophies built around creating a healthy, holy life.

Even so, many of these women wrote in the masculine-based language of the time, for example, referring to God as "He" and "humankind" as "mankind." In the tradition of updating and gender-neutral editing that has defined Newt List for years, we are proud to offer the following ebooks from these great spiritual thinkers.

Click on the book cover to get more information on each title.
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In The Divine Art of Living, Divine Science instructor Kathleen Besly outlines a method of right thinking that consequently leads to right living. In order to do this, she shows how we must keep the realization of the omnipresence of God foremost in our minds.
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A collection of more than 150  inspiring vignettes, Spiritual Life Lines explores the trials and struggles of contemporary life from a spiritual, New Thought perspective. Based on the premise, “Change your thinking, change your life,” it offers a gentle treasury of thoughts, a pathway from darkness into light. In vignettes shot through with little gems of wisdom, readers will find prayers for animals, for the earth, reflections on the long road to gay marriage, and the courage to keep hanging on during times so tough they seem to shatter the spirit like glass.
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In the spiritual classic, Mysteries, New Thought teacher Nona L. Brooks deals with the so-called mysteries of God—life, suffering, old age, death, healing, wrong habits, human characteristics, human relationships, thought transference, power, prayer, success and individual unfoldment, showing that there is an answer to all questions in the light that the concept of Oneness throws on all things.
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H. Emilie Cady’s Lessons in Truth presents twelve lessons for spiritual growth and personal empowerment. In this book, Cady explores  spiritual concepts using biblical references, with chapters including  faith, personality and individuality, spiritual gifts, and denials and affirmations. Lessons in Truth also contains a study guide for each chapter and a glossary of terms.
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The Game of Life and How to Play It presents a clear game plan and guidelines for getting the most out of life through the correct use of positive thought. Incorporating quotes from the Bible with real-life anecdotes from the author’s experience as a spiritual teacher, Florence Scovel Shinn’s book offers instruction and evidence of proven information for lifting your thoughts and experiences into a higher stage of powerful living.
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Margaret Stortz now offers her unique way of looking at the world in Blogs on Everything. From the everyday to the richly philosophic, each topic is explored in relation to Stortz’ unique perspective as one of today’s truly spiritual thinkers. 
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These titles and more updated, gender-neutral editions of classic spiritual ebooks are available at

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Basis of All Metaphysical Work

http://newtlist.com/books/secrets-of-metaphysics/
All metaphysical work is based on a consciousness of the eternal power of God. “There is no power but of God” (Romans 13:1). No one knows what God is, but it is generally conceded that there is a power or intelligence behind the universe, and this power or principle of harmony is commonly called God. We know this power is not a person or super-person, so in order that we may have a basis for intelligent thinking, let us define the deity as Spirit, because in no sense can Spirit be conceived of as a person. Other synonymous terms are: Universal Life, Mind, Infinite Mind, Cosmic Mind and Cosmic Power.

The recognition of infinite, omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient Spirit, or Mind, admits of no opposing power. “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Habakkuk 1:13). If Universal Life is omnipotent and knows evil or disharmony, then evil or disharmony becomes a universal necessity, a thing we cannot combat. The finite cannot change, efface or affect the nature of reality. If evil is a thing of itself, we are lost because we are unable to cope with it. If evil were an entity, the universe would be self destructive. This is unthinkable. Our only hope of escape lies in the knowledge that evil has no power except in our human thinking.

- Excerpted from Secrets of Metaphysics, by Clarence Mayer, with a foreword by Ernest Holmes
A newly updated and gender-neutral ebook from Newt List.

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If you enjoy this book, you may also be interested in The Basics of Spiritual Mind Healing, by Ernest Holmes, with a foreword by Rev. David Bruner.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Monday, November 24, 2014

The Power of This Thing Called Life!

 The Power of This Thing Called Life

Brand new, never-before published, a new ebook by Ernest Holmes, the author of "The Science of Mind" and "Life Is What You Make It"



Advance praise for The Power of This Thing Called Life:
“This book has a simple, yet powerful message: One does not need to make things happen; one’s job is to make things welcome. The Power of This Thing Called Life will teach you how to make your good welcome.”
Rev. David Bruner, DD 
Senior Minister & Spiritual Director
The Power of This Thing Called Life brings the voice of a spiritual master to life once again. 20th Century American philosopher Ernest Holmes left a huge imprint on the world in the field of spirituality. His wisdom was timeless, and this revised version makes it fresh and relevant for a new generation. Use it as a study guide to happiness and success.”
Dr. Chris Michaels 
Author of The Power of You 
“Students of the world, searching for something to make them whole and something to bring joy into their lives, will find answers in The Power of This Thing Called Life. Here, Ernest Holmes shares basic truths of the universe and of God that will resonate with the reader. Every sentence is filled with wisdom, insight and ways to capture the love and happiness we all seek. We have all the tools, and we’re shown how to use them. The power is within us. I was reminded throughout the book of the simple nature of the feelings, thoughts and emotions that comprise all action and reaction, and the resulting consequences.
This is an excellent book to illuminate the pure nature of God in everything. The Power of This Thing Called Life is a beacon of power and strength in a sometimes rocky existence. Our course is made straighter and stronger.”
Antonia AlbanyAuthor, Golden Grace: Embracing the Richness of Our Later Years
“Newt List publications bring new life to classic works of metaphysics by revitalizing the language for the modern reader. In addition, by making the texts gender neutral, these exciting ideas about the creative power of mind become accessible in a potent new way because the barrier of antiquated writing conventions has been dropped. The Power of This Thing Called Life is beautiful, inspiring, and wonderfully engaging to read. This new book in the tradition of Newt Lists updated classics is a keeper and a must have for serious students of spirituality.”
Dr. Edward Viljoen 
Author, The Power of Meditation
This updated, gender-neutral ebook is now available from Newt List. To order this ebook, visit NewtList.com,  or click here.

Friday, November 14, 2014

How to Improve Your Personality


You are God’s good person, and you alone can decide whether your personality will be happy and whole, dynamic and creative, attractive or repulsive. You alone hold the golden key to a larger life. You hold it in your hand, but you cannot use this key until you first consciously connect yourself with that “something” greater than you are. This doesn’t mean that you are going to get lost or become submerged in a dream or a fantasy. It means that you are going to learn to live and think and act from the feeling that there is a limitless power behind everything you do—a power for good.

Somewhere in you is the same imagination that wrote every book ever written, the same creative genius who invented everything that makes modern life comfortable, the great artist who painted all the pictures, the composer who wrote all the songs. The very dance of life itself is in everything God ever made, and it is in you.

You may ask, “How am I going to bring all this out? How am I going to bring it to the surface? How am I going to become that wonderful, dynamic personality that I would like to be?” Perhaps the best way to begin is not to try to be so wonderful or so dynamic. Don’t strain. Don’t wear a mask. Don’t try to be anyone but yourself. All imitation is suicide. You are you, and you are real. Coming to know the real you is not so much something you develop or create or compel as it is something you discover.

Your first step, then, is as simple as this: Hook up your personality, your physical body, your environment and everything you do, say and think with what you really are—an individual living in pure Spirit here and now.

God didn’t make a mistake when God created you, when God implanted God’s own being in your life and breathed into you the breath of life itself. God made you to be happy and whole, complete and contented. You may start, then, by believing that at the center of your being there is a real person, a lovable person, a creative person. This should not be done with conceit or arrogance, but with the utmost simplicity. You must become acquainted with yourself. You must come to know that the real you is lovable, kind, happy and whole, and of course you can’t do this unless you believe the same thing about everyone else.

 
http://newtlist.com/books/how-to-use-your-power/