This Sunday, we were blessed to receive an inspiring message from Rev. Jan Seward, on that great, unifying Power we call Love.  Her message was entitled, "Find Your Strength In Love," and it was truly one to remember.  Thank you, and bless you, Rev. Jan!

During that talk, she admonished us that, while we may in the moment be inspired by a message about Love, and by the story she shared, "You Are Special: A Story For Everyone," by Rev. Max Lucado, within hours - or even minutes - after the conclusion of a service, we may slip right back into old practices, old ways of thinking, etc. that do not serve us or our neighbors.  In the culmination of this divisive political season, with a myriad instances of friends, neighbors, and family members turning against one another, it can certainly be helpful to receive reminders such as these.

When we "find our strength in Love," we find the power to change the way we relate to our fellow human beings.  In Unity, we understand that Love is the One Presence and Power we call God.  In Dynamics For Living, Charles Fillmore writes,

"Love, in Divine Mind, is the idea of universal unity.  In expression, love is the power that joins and binds in divine harmony the universe and everything in it...

"The love current is not a projection of the will.  It is a setting free of a natural, equalizing, harmonizing force that in most persons has been dammed up by human limitations."

So, how do we practice Love?  For the answer to this, we turn to scripture.  Throughout human history, we have made many rules of conduct to promote peace and harmony in our affairs, but there is one rule that has come from Divine Mind through us; we have called it, "The Golden Rule."  All other rules would be rendered unnecessary, if it were to be obeyed in Spirit and Truth by all persons.

In each of the Bibles of the seven great religions that still move and mold the lives of men, women, and children in the modern world, there is a version of "The Golden Rule," startlingly similar:

In the sacred text of the Hindu, we read: "The true rule is to guard and do by the things of other as you do by your own."

In the scripture of the Buddhist, we read: "Seek for others the happiness one desires for oneself."

In the "Bible" of the Zoroastrian, we read: "Do as you would be done by."

For the Confucian, we have: "Is there one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one's whole life?  Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: What you do not wish done to yourself, do not do to others."

In the Bible of the Mohammedan, it reads: "Let none of you treat your brother in a way he himself would dislike to be treated."

In the Bible of the Hebrew, we read: "Whatsoever you do not wish your neighbor to do to you, do not unto him."

And, of course, in the Bible of the Christian, we have the Word of the Nazarene, "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them."

Living by this Universal Rule Of Gold brings peace, health, happiness, and prosperity to our world.  It is a simple rule, yet far-reaching in its application.

In human relationships, to paraphrase Emerson, if you want a friend, you must be a friend.  We must be to others all that we expect them to be to us.  Speak the way we would like to be spoken to.

On the other hand, when we give critical, unforgiving, and dictatorial thoughts and words to others, trying to force them to do our will, we stir up an inharmonious attitude in them.  When we feel angry and critical towards someone we believe is unfriendly and unkind to us, we are simply adding the inharmony of our own negative feelings to the other person's unfriendly, negative feelings about us, thus doubling the consciousness...  This creates a barrier, one that can be very difficult to break out of.  Moreover, when we violate this Universal Rule, we create disharmony and "dis-ease" in our own minds and bodies.  We hurt ourselves more than we can possibly hurt anyone else through our thoughts, words, and deeds.

Starting now, I lovingly invite all persons reading this message to change our attitudes towards those who we believe are in opposition to us - from one of condemnation to one of blessing.  Bless the other person.  In Unity, we often say, "I behold the Christ in you."

When you feel concerned about the ill treatment of someone else, remember: Evil methods are destructive and will eventually destroy those who use them.  Also remember that, in Truth, there is no evil, as a power unto itself.

At all times - before you think, before you speak, before you act - stop and ask yourself, "Is this an expression of the action and the real relationship that I want to attract from others?  Is this what I really want to do?  Is this the way I really want to relate to the world?"

So then, think, speak, and do, and be that which will attract good reactions from others, and all the facets of The Golden Rule will work for good in your life.

Apply the Universal Rule Of Gold, friends...  And start right now, today!


Abundant Blessings,