Pastor's Corner at The Virginia Beach Fellowship of the Inner Light

Pastor's Corner

“Thankfulness” by Pastor Angela Jones

November, 2009

"He that is thankful in all things shall become glorious."

Many years ago, when I was still a practicing Catholic, bringing up six children in a faith that I was questioning, I met someone who was to become my dearest friend. "When the pupil is ready, the teacher appears."

My friend gave me a book called The Sons of God by Christine Mercie. The theme of the book—thankfulness—a story of a woman who lost her beloved husband at an early age and how thankfulness changed her life and it certainly changed mine. The words "thankfulness in all things" are just as true today as they were then—truth is truth.

Gratitude is the single most important attitude, the single most powerful tool in the universe. With it, we can make miracles happen, with it we can change lives, with it we can open the gates of heaven.

There was a story told about a woman Zen Master named Sono who taught one very simple method of enlightenment. She advised everyone who came to her to adopt an affirmation to be said many times a day under all conditions—the affirmation was, "Thank you for everything, I have no complaint whatsoever."

Many people from all arenas of life came to Sono for healing. Some were in physical pain, others were emotionally distraught, others had financial troubles, some were seeking soul liberation. No matter what their distress or what question they asked her, her response was always the same. "Thank you for everything, I have no complaint whatsoever."

Some people went away disappointed, others grew angry, others tried to argue with her. Yet some people took her advice and began to practice it. Tradition tells that everyone who practiced Sono's Mantra found peace and healing.

Conversations with God says that gratitude is the most effective form of prayer.

God does not want us to supplicate, but rather to appreciate. Prayers of supplication are okay as far as they go, but prayers of gratitude go much further. This is true because all statements of any kind are prayers whether we know it or not.

We are praying constantly, with every word we speak, with every thought we think, with every deed we do. This is true because we are all Divine Creators, using the tools of creation Which God has given. These tools are powerful—most of us use them unconsciously thus creating unintended results.

When we think a thought, we produce creative energy sending it forth to do its work. Think the same thoughts or the same kind of thoughts often enough and you will produce enough similar energy to create a particular result in your life.

Jesus Christ said, "As you believe, so shall it be."

One of the most powerful prayers I have ever heard uttered is—"Thank you God for helping me to understand that this problem has already been solved for me."

When you appreciate, you make larger. Your experience of it becomes larger because you have appreciated it. So, when you want to experience something in your life appreciate the fact that it is already yours, and you will make that experience a larger part of your life.

Being grateful for an experience ahead of the experience is the highest expression of belief. Make every day a Thanksgiving Day for giving thanks for what has already come, that which is here now and that which is on its way to you, especially that which is on its way to you.

Conversations with God teaches that the past is not real, the future does not exist, and all things that have happened or ever will happen are happening right now. That means that the results for which you are waiting have already arrived. All that is missing is your awareness of it.

So let's remember, with every problem, every stumbling block, with every interaction with our brothers and sisters, to let thanksgiving resound in every fiber of our being, and we will harness the heaven within and open to the love that we are.


	Pastor's Corner “Thankfulness” by Pastor Angela Jones November, 2009 "He that is thankful in all things shall become glorious." Many years ago, when I was still a practicing Catholic, bringing up six children in a faith that I was questioning, I met someone who was to become my dearest friend. "When the pupil is ready, the teacher appears." My friend gave me a book called The Sons of God by Christine Mercie. The theme of the book—thankfulness—a story of a woman who lost her beloved husband at an early age and how thankfulness changed her life and it certainly changed mine. The words "thankfulness in all things" are just as true today as they were then—truth is truth. Gratitude is the single most important attitude, the single most powerful tool in the universe. With it, we can make miracles happen, with it we can change lives, with it we can open the gates of heaven. There was a story told about a woman Zen Master named Sono who taught one very simple method of enlightenment. She advised everyone who came to her to adopt an affirmation to be said many times a day under all conditions—the affirmation was, "Thank you for everything, I have no complaint whatsoever." Many people from all arenas of life came to Sono for healing. Some were in physical pain, others were emotionally distraught, others had financial troubles, some were seeking soul liberation. No matter what their distress or what question they asked her, her response was always the same. "Thank you for everything, I have no complaint whatsoever." Some people went away disappointed, others grew angry, others tried to argue with her. Yet some people took her advice and began to practice it. Tradition tells that everyone who practiced Sono's Mantra found peace and healing. Conversations with God says that gratitude is the most effective form of prayer. God does not want us to supplicate, but rather to appreciate. Prayers of supplication are okay as far as they go, but prayers of gratitude go much further. This is true because all statements of any kind are prayers whether we know it or not. We are praying constantly, with every word we speak, with every thought we think, with every deed we do. This is true because we are all Divine Creators, using the tools of creation Which God has given. These tools are powerful—most of us use them unconsciously thus creating unintended results. When we think a thought, we produce creative energy sending it forth to do its work. Think the same thoughts or the same kind of thoughts often enough and you will produce enough similar energy to create a particular result in your life. Jesus Christ said, "As you believe, so shall it be." One of the most powerful prayers I have ever heard uttered is—"Thank you God for helping me to understand that this problem has already been solved for me." When you appreciate, you make larger. Your experience of it becomes larger because you have appreciated it. So, when you want to experience something in your life appreciate the fact that it is already yours, and you will make that experience a larger part of your life. Being grateful for an experience ahead of the experience is the highest expression of belief. Make every day a Thanksgiving Day for giving thanks for what has already come, that which is here now and that which is on its way to you, especially that which is on its way to you. Conversations with God teaches that the past is not real, the future does not exist, and all things that have happened or ever will happen are happening right now. That means that the results for which you are waiting have already arrived. All that is missing is your awareness of it. So let's remember, with every problem, every stumbling block, with every interaction with our brothers and sisters, to let thanksgiving resound in every fiber of our being, and we will harness the heaven within and open to the love that we are. Previous Months in the Pastor's Corner... April 2006 - Sarah Anderson May 2006 - Cynthia Funk June 2006 - Larry Jennings July 2006 - Angela Jones August 2006 - Kathryn Kenyon September 2006 - Robert Krajenke October 2006 - Anthony Reese March 2008 - Anthony Reese April 2008 - Susan Thomas June 2008 - Larry Jennings July 2008 - Robert Krajenke October 2008 - Dick Dinges April 2009 - Robert Krajenke June 2009 - Dick Dinges For more information please call the Fellowship at: 757-428-5782