One of the most profound spiritual teachers of our times once said, “Don’t ask what the New Year has in store for you, instead affirm what you have in store for the New Year.”  The first time I heard the late Eric Butterworth say this was at the beginning of the New Year in 1986, when I  started attending the Unity Center of New York City’s Sunday Worth-Ship Services at Avery Fisher Hall.  I had studied Unity’s spiritual teachings since 1974 in Detroit, but that New Year’s Service marked the beginning of my commitment to join a spiritual community.   My life changed forever.  Every year since 1986, I have reflected upon Eric’s prophetic lesson:  “You don’t need to go to a fortune teller.  You don’t need a crystal ball.  Instead of asking someone what the future has in store for you, you need to decide what you have in store for the future.” 

 Every year we need to remind ourselves of these words, to take charge of our lives.   Every year, we need a new spiritual tune-up.   We need to take stock of whether we are in alignment with God’s divine purpose — or simply going through the motions.  So this year, Spiritmuv members are spending the first few months dedicated to Spiritual Fitness.  We have a new Spiritual Fitness Journal to use as a tool to keep the promises that we make to ourselves this year. We plan to dig deep into our God-appointed goals and re-prioritize our lives like never before.  We will get focused by being obedient to the Holy Spirit. 

 We know that if we haven’t seen the changes that we want to take place in our lives, it is only because we haven’t chosen to do so.  We have asked Spirit to reveal our life’s purpose and have committed to moving forward in the direction of our goals.  We know that God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.  We are living witnesses that God will show us a way out of no way.  Spirit will bless us with the right people and resources and ideas to do the work that we are appointed to do.  No matter how old we are, if we are present in this life form, it is because God has anointed we are a blessing to others. 

 This is the year to stop second-guessing our divine potential; to stop spending our energy telling everybody else what we plan to do; to stop talking about what everybody else is doing; to stop being jealous of what someone else has; to stop doing anything that doesn’t contribute to our greatest good. This is the year to know that God is an awesome God that cannot fail.  This is the year to know that God’s Kingdom is not here or there; it is within us. 

 This is the year to stop being preoccupied with what you will wear and what you will drink and what you eat.  Jesus tried to teach us not to become lost in superficial things.  If we seek first the Kingdom of God — if we tap in and turn on the power of God within us, all that we need will be provided.  Let’s give our energy to God’s seeds of infinite growth and vision, live a life with integrity and purpose, and transcend the appearances of lack by giving thanks for the abundance of Divine Source. 

This is the year to not merely knock on the door of God’s Kingdom of unlimited good, but to go in — to drink from that well-spring of joy and carry its divine vibration in our heart.  This is the year to love.  Love like there was nothing else.  And we will find that God will meet us on the path of our faith.  The things that we once believed were impossible will come to fruition.  The dreams that we once whispered with caution will awaken us with praise.  This is the year to give with our heart, mind and soul to whatever we want to see take shape. 

 Have no doubt that when you exercise the love and faith of your divine will, the Universe will manifest your divine desires.  This is the future that we affirm for you:  one that realizes that Spirit is constantly moving to manifest your unlimited victory and infinite blessings of peace and success. 

Namaste,

Reverend Cecilia Loving

About SPIRITMUV:  Spiritmuv® is a trans-denominational church, which means that it transcends the confines of religion and teaches unconditional love for one another regardless of race, creed, culture, or religion.   At the heart of its teachings is what Jesus taught — that we love one another, as well as the community that Mahatma Gandhi inspired when he said, “I am a Christian and a Muslim and a Hindu and a Jew.”  Reverend Cecilia Loving is the founder and creator of Spiritmuv, which was formed in 2007.  Services are held for an hour every Sunday, from 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. at the Unity Center of NYC, located at 213 West 58th Street.

Rev. Loving, author of Prayers for Those Standing in the Edge of Greatness, is the sole owner, creator and administrator of God is a Brown Girl Too®, which holds annual retreats and workshops.  The next God is a Brown Girl Too Retreat will be held April 1-3, 2011, at the Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center.

None of the content herein may be copied or otherwise used except with Reverend Loving’s written permission.

 Join the Spiritmuv  Community at www.Spiritmuv.ning.com for special postings by Rev. Loving.

GOD IS A BROWN GIRL TOO® 

“CREATING  BEYOND THE  BOX  OF CONVENTIONALITY ” RETREAT
will take place in the Spring of 2011
from April 1 at 5:00 P.M. through April 3 at 1:00 P.M. 

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to enjoy the peace, serenity and creative consciousness of a like-minded group of women of color at the Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center, located at 299 North Highland Avenue, in Ossining, New York.   All rooms are single and surrounded by the loving prayers of the Dominican Sisters who own the facility. 

 The cost of the entire weekend, including rooms, workshops and three delicious meals per day, is only $450.00.  There is a $100 discount for senior citizens, so seniors pay $350.00. 

 Registration has already begun at http://www.godisabrowngirltoo.com/or you can mail payment directly to God is a Brown Girl Too, 376 President Street Unit 2H, Brooklyn, New York 11231.  But act fast because rooms are selling and there are now only 13 rooms left.