Lent 2011, Let Go, Let God

As we begin our journey through Lent you may wish to use the Unity booklet Let Go, Let God as part of your daily practice. click here for the booklet. 

You can download it or it can be mailed to you.

God bless you on your Journey through Lent.

http://www.unity.org/publications/freeBooklets/lent2011LandingPage.html

Modern Art, The Four Gospels, Anniversary of the King James version of the Bible

Makoto Fujimura - The Art of "The Four Holy Gospels" from Crossway on Vimeo.

Jody Williams: A realistic vision for World Peace

Nobel Peace laureate Jody Williams brings tough love to the dream of world peace, with her razor-sharp take on what "peace" really means, and a set of profound stories that zero in on the creative struggle -- and sacrifice -- of those who work for it.


Jody Williams won a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to eradicate landmines. Now she’s teaming up with five other female peace laureates to empower women to fight violence, injustice and inequality.

Three Stages of Spiritual Practice

Three Stages of Spiritual Practice


Stage 1 Preparatory Stage. The student thinks that she is practicing, but actually she is preparing herself for the practice. Her  practice consists of collecting the necessary means and resources to begin and to stay on the path.

Stage 2:Intermediate stage: A student is fully equipped with all the resources he needs to practice. His time and energy are not involved in collecting means and learning methods, rather he spends his time in practice.


Stage 3 - achievement: At this stage, a student experiences the Truth. She may have only a momentary glimpse of the Truth, but at least it is a direct experience, which helps her understand the greatness of the Truth. Now, her practice consists of trying to maintain that state. As her practice matures, she becomes an adept; then she need not try, for the experience of Unity is maintained effortlessly and spontaneously. 

You really do not need to know many things, 

but you need to practice what you know. 

Kevin Spacey on Success

Years ago I had a chance to have a short conversation with Kevin Spacey and he was very gracious. Since then I have  followed his career and enjoyed his work.

As we review our year and plan for our next one listen to what he says about success.

Unity Long Island: Everyday The Oak Ridge Boys

Unity Long Island: Everyday The Oak Ridge Boys: "Here is the video we watched at our service on Sunday. Remember you are the love of God in the world. Have some fun today! Everyday..."

Everyday Lyrics

You know a smile
Never goes out of style
So brighten up the one that you wear
Let it shine
And you just might find
You'll lighten up the load that you bear.

Free Bible App for your phone

THE BIBLE APP

Now you can have the Bible in the palm of your hand, featuring 41 translations and 22 languages. Choose from dozens of unique reading plans to help you read the Bible consistently. Bookmark your favorite verses. Read contributions from other users from YouVersion.com.

Available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Palm, or any device with web browsing capabilities.

Go to our webpage here:   http://www.youversion.com/free-bible/unity-long-island

The Four Gratitudes

The Four Gratitudes

As we celebrate thanksgiving we remember & give thanks to all who have contributed to our lives.

In Aikido we are reminded of this daily. In our training we consider the principle of the Four Gratitudes.

Gratitude toward:
I. The Universe/Divine-the source of all life.
II. Our Ancestors & Parents who are responsible for our existence.
III. Nature which provides daily sustenance.
IV. Other human beings who help us in our daily lives as contributors to our society.

Thanks to all who have contributed to my life.


John

2 Minute video of Alice

Here is a two minute video of Alice. Catch what she says about the need for food and what is in your mind.

Alice Dancing Under the Gallows

E

Alice is the oldest living Holocaust survivor getting ready to celebrate her 107th birthday this month.

"As you change your thinking and bring it into line with Truth principles, a transformation will take place in your consciousness. Your mind will become keen, awake, alert, illumined, and your body temple will be filled with new life. You will be inspired with new and practical ideas that will enable you to succeed in a larger way."

Myrtle Fillmore

What would happen if money did grow on trees?

Check out this video to see what happens when money does grow on trees.

Pete Carroll Live Work & Play Like a champion

As the football season starts we can get some ideas for life from the sporting world.
Win Forever: Live, Work, and Play Like a Champion

10 tips on writing

As thought leaders our ability to write and share our ideas is critical. Some good ideas here.

10 Tips on How to Write Less Badly - Do Your Job Better - The Chronicle of Higher Education

chronicle.com

Most academics, including administrators, spend much of our time writing. But we aren't as good at it as we should be. I have never understood why our trade values, but rarely teaches, nonfiction writing.

http://chronicle.com/article/10-Tips-on-How-to-Write-Less/124268/

Benjamin Zander Classical Music with shining eyes

Conductor Benjamin Zander has two infectious passions: classical music, and helping us realize our untapped love for it — and by extension, our untapped love for all new possibilities, new experiences, new connections. (Recorded March 2008 in Monterey, California. Duration: 20:46.)

Simon Sinek How Great Leaders Inspire Action

I watched this video from TED and wondered what is the answer to the question "Why Unity/" as we begin our branding initiative.

Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different? | Video on TED.com

Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different? | Video on TED.com

Check out this video by Derek Sivers. It's just a few minutes long and makes a great point that the opposite may also be true.

Enjoy.

Walking on Water (Liquid Mountaineering)

Hi Friends are you ready to walk on water?

check out this 3 minute video you might find it inspiring and fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3St1GgoHQ

Rewriting Your Future

This is a 5 minute video of a presentation by Dave Logan discussing our default future and how to change it.
Enjoy it and share it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z3r9dw_Jso

Unity of Gulf Breeze Prayer Request

Please join us in prayer for Unity of Gulf Breeze:
Unity of Gulf Breeze is a family size church located on the road between Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. Yesterday the oil landed on our beautiful white beaches, there is no swimming allowed now due to the oil and other toxins that have washed in. While we are affirming a solution, we are experiencing first hand the loss of the lives of so many beautiful creatures . We need your prayer support. I am asking that you send written prayers to us words from your hands and heart are very powerful. We will post them on the walls of the church to lift us up. Many of us have completed the training to qualify as volunteers and are on standby. See us empowered by faith not constricted by fear. Help us with this process. We know the church walls will be filled soon. We will provide meditation and prayer services and recreational activities for the community. There are many church communities impacted by this event we affirm we are all surrounded by love and strength.
In Love and Grace
Beth Boilott
Spiritual Leader

Please mail to:
UNITY OF GULF BREEZE
#26
913 GULFBREEZE PARKWAY
GULFBREEZE FL 32561

Unity Convention 2010

Enjoy the video promo for the Convention next year. You'll see Linda Lowery, Licensed Unity Teacher and member of the Board.

Enjoy!

Creativity where does that special spark come from?

"Eat, Pray, Love" Author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

Link here.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86x-u-tz0MA

Prayer call of the soul

Heard this today. enjoy a swami's view of prayer.

Now there's Church on Facebook

now there's Church on Facebook

Not to be confused with the book titled "The Church of Facebook" by Jesse Rice, as of this weekend, there will be two churches that are on Facebook, with their own Facebook apps, hosting worship services there -- Flamingo Road Church and Northland Church. [links go to their Facebook apps]

read more

The Spiritual Journey of Charles Fillmore

Have you read The Spiritual Journey of Charles Fillmore: Discovering the Power Within?
It's a great look at Charles's Journey. I came across it while looking through my books.
I plan to do a review in June.

How do we explain what Unity is?

Check out this video by Dan Heath the author of  Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die and Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard
How do we explain what Unity is in a compelling way? if Netflix is like blockbuster +... or a car is a horseless carraige... You get the idea.
Enjoy Click here if the video doesn't show up.

Brain Rules for Presentations

Check out this presentation for some ideas on improving your talks & lessons  It is based on the book
Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School   Enjoy & I hope you get a few ideas you can use.

John

Brain Rules for Presenters

View more presentations from garr.

4 Stages of Economic Development.

Here's a handout for your next prosperity class.

Vision

Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.

Arthur Schopenhauer

Vesak (Buddha Day) – Buddhist

Vesak – also spelled Wesak - (pronounced way-sak) has come to be known as Buddha day. Vesak, which is named for the month of May, is generally acknowledged as the most important holiday of the Buddhist year.

In many ways similar to Christmas in the Christian faith, Vesak is a celebration that commemorates the Buddha’s birth. Additionally, in the United States Vesak has become an occasion for a common celebration to unite all Buddhist traditions and schools: Asian and non-Asian, immigrant and convert, Theravadin and Mahayana.
This year a majority of Buddhists will celebrate Vesak on May 9th; however, in any given year the exact date of Vesak varies according to the differing lunar calendars used in the various traditions.

Vesak day is a time to honor the Buddha, the Dharma (his teachings) and the Sangha (his disciples) . . . and to rededicate one’s self to the Buddha’s teachings and to practice.
Much as there is no one universal way in which Christmas is celebrated, the ways in which Buddhist’s celebrate Vesak vary widely. In most cultures, devotees are directed to make a special effort to avoid killing of any kind and to partake of only vegetarian food. Additionally, simple gifts are often exchanged on Vesak day . . . and gifts to the disadvantaged are particularly encouraged. Visits are often made to orphanages, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, blood banks, and other places of need.

While not necessarily universal, here are a couple of practices which we found particularly engaging:
In some traditions thousands of birds, insects and animals are released in a “symbolic act of liberation” – giving freedom to those being held in prisons or otherwise being held captive against their will.

Some temples display a small statue of the baby Buddha in a basin which is decorated with flowers and filled with water. In what serves as both a reenactment of the events following the Buddha’s birth and as a symbolic personal cleansing of bad karma, practitioners pour water over the statue.

Traditional Greeting: Happy Vesak! Happy Buddha Day!
Adherents.com places the number of Buddhists at 376 million and ranks Buddhism sixth, based on number of adherents, among the world’s religions.

On Vesak day, all Buddhists are reminded to live in harmony with people of other faiths and to respect the beliefs of other people as the Buddha had taught. On this, the most important celebration of the Buddhist year, we suggest that we each join with our Buddhist brothers and sisters in reminding ourselves to live in harmony with, and to respect those, whose beliefs differ from our own.
Shalom Salaam Peace Kay & Dave Corby, FoundersCommon Tables

This Prayer's For You

Check out this Silent Unity Video
Know you are in our prayers.

In Unity

John

Music for Holy week

Unity Teacher & friend Richard Mekdeci has some beautiful music from different artists for you on his Unity.fm show this week. Click here & enjoy the variety of music.

Blessings

John

Unity Association Annual Report

Licensed Teachers must file their annual report by March 1st.
Here is the link to the form.
You will need to print it out and then complete it.
John

http://www.unity.org/association/ministriesLeaders/leadershipTraining/pdf/LTAnnualReportforWeb.pdf

Changes in SEE Program

Important changes in SEE Program. Unified testing for credits in all courses began January 1, 2009. SEE instructors at remote locations are asked to request the latest syllabi and facilitator support material from the Institute, in order to assure consistent delivery. Click here for more details.
The following information is available:

SEE Brochure SEE Elective Course Application
SEE Extension Course Registration and Grade Report Form
SEE Extension Program Guidelines
SEE Field Packet
SEE Spiritual Development Curriculum Changes
SEE Standardized Testing Program Details and FAQs
Unity Field and Universal Testing
Unity In The Field Changes

Unity Teacher & Healer.

Charles Fillmore wrote that it was his desire to have students develop into Unity teachers and healers so that they may minister to their own families and to those in their communities.

In this month dedicated to love what better way to express our being as Unity Teachers than to be healers in our families and communities.

Divine energy enlivens my mind and body.

I am refreshed and renewed.

My body and mind are filled to overflowing with healing energy. I am a true reflection of the divine rejuvenation that is continually taking place within me.

Invigorated!

That's how I feel. I'm enthused with a renewed sense of exuberance and strength.

Refreshed, I am aware that divine energy is flowing to and from every cell, organ, and part of my being.

As an expression of unlimited life and wellness, I affirm that divine life and love are active within me. I celebrate and delight in my health and renewal. Vibrating with effervescent life, my cells function in wondrous ways to reflect my wellness. Thankful for the abundance of God's love and caring, I am vitally alive, energetic, and enthusiastic.

"With you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light."

--Psalm 36:9

Happy Thanksgiving

"I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want."
Philippians 4:12

Dave Ramsey on Podcast Episode 2

We've uploaded another podcast episode. you can listen to it here Unity Teacher Podcast

Dave Ramsey appears and gives us some thoughts on the current economic condition.

Dave is the author of Financial Peace & Total Money Makeover.

click here to listen.

I trust that this will give you some food for thought & conversation in your classes.

Blessings John

Video on Money From Saturday Night Live

This video from Saturday Night Live might be a good conversation starter at your next prosperity class.

Enjoy!

Click here to go to our blog and see the video

TVPA Reauthorization Needs Your Voice Today!

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) became law in 2000. It is the first major comprehensive U.S. legislative effort to combat modern-day slavery.
Not For Sale has been working in coalition with many other anti-slavery groups for the past year to advocate for important tweaks to the TVPA. These modifications include initiatives to increase victim identification, to provide survivors with much needed services, and to prosecute traffickers. We are happy to report that the bill passed in the House of Representatives last December in an overwhelming 405-2 vote.

However, with less than a week left before Congress adjourns for the year, the bill is still awaiting Senate action. It's important for your Senators to know that human trafficking is an issue you care about, and that you support the proposed changes within the TVPA.

Please make your voice heard by calling your Senators and urging them to cosponsor the reauthorization of the TVPA in the Senate, with important amendments:

1. Find your Senator's contact information.
2. Download talking points for your call.

Possibility-Emily Dickinson

What are the Possibilities for a Licensed Teacher?

I dwell in Possibility-

A fairer House than Prose-

More numerous of Windows-

Superior-for Doors-

Of Chambers as the Cedars -

Impregnable of Eye-

And for an Everlasting Roof-

The Gambrels of the Sky-

Of Visitor-the fairest-

For Occupation-This-

the spreading wide my narrow Hands-

To gather Paradise-

-Emily Dickins

Unity Teacher Podcast

Our Test podcast is here

Shownotes:

Music in this show, Standing on the Shoulders, by Harold Payne from his album Positively Live. Check out his website at http://www.haroldpayne.com/
Check out the changes in SEE classes & fees at http://www.unityonline.org/education/see/index.html http://www.unityonline.org/education/see/SEEChanges2008.pdf

http://www.unityonline.org/education/see/distanceLearning/webcam/index.html

I Choose Love

Here is a music video Richard Mekdeci turned me on to.
I hope you enjoy it.
John



If the video isn't in your email you can download it or go to the blog http://www.unityteacher.com/ to see it.

New Board Chair For Association

New Board Chair Named for the Association of Unity Churches International

Published Tuesday, June 17, 2008by Lisa Wittman
Reverend Marilyn Muehlbach has been elected chair of the board of trustees of the Association of Unity Churches International. The Association, headquartered in the greater Kansas City Missouri metropolitan area, provides services to some 1000 Unity ministries worldwide.
Reverend Muehlbach was ordained in 1985 and moved to Coeur d'Alene, ID, as minister of Unity Church of North Idaho. She currently travels as a consultant and workshop presenter internationally.

Active in the work of the Association since ordination, she has served on the board since 1995, longer consecutively than any other individual—including as a regional representative, and member of the former executive team. She served on the team that designed the reorganization of the board to a 12-member body. She also served as a member of the executive transition team for selection of a new CEO. Muehlbach has served on organizational teams in the areas of development, licensing and ordination, church growth and development, appeals, and peacemaking.

Muehlbach earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Denison University. Active in the Coeur d'Alene community, she has served as a hospice chaplain, on a task force for human rights, and the local interfaith group.

"The Association of Unity Churches International, in holding a high vision, training leaders, supporting churches and being the voice of Unity in the world, is uniquely positioned to impact the direction the world will take. I envision our ministries and the people who make up those ministries, shining like a beacon of light, illumining the hearts and minds of the people of this Earth, teaching spiritual principles and their practical application that will allow us all to thrive in the 21st Century," she says.

Others elected were: Julie Montague, 1st Vice Chair; David McArthur, 2nd Vice Chair; David and Jim Lee were elected to a second term; Lauren Bundy, lay leader at Unity in Atlanta, was elected to the Board; Diana McDaniel left the Board. Dan Holloway continues on the Board for one more year. Other members: Linda Lowery, Bonny Ashe, Miguel Corales, Eileen Goor, Donna Johnson, Julie Armour; Lei Lanni Burt, Keeper of the Flame.

Association Video on You Tube

The Unity Association video Thriving in Unity is now on You Tube. Check it out here.

We're in Arizona!!!

Hi we are at the Unity convention.

See you soon!!!

Something to think about

Hi Friends

I saw this quote and thought it was something worth thinking about.

The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem. –T. Rubin

Have a great day!!!!

No Problem Man!!

John

When is Passover?

Aramaic ThoughtsWeek of April 13 - 19, 2008
A Break for Passover

To borrow a joke, one Jewish man asks another, “When is Passover this year?” The second man answers, “14th of Nissan, same as every year.” The joke is intended to emphasize the point that the dates of the Jewish holidays are always the same in the Jewish calendar. However, the Jewish calendar does not match up precisely with our modern Gregorian calendar, so with regard to the modern calendar, the Jewish festivals occur on different dates every year.
The Gregorian calendar that is used by most of the world today is essentially a solar-year calendar. Thus, in general every four years an extra day is added in recognition of the fact that the solar year is actually about 365.25 days long.

The traditional Jewish calendar, on the other hand, takes three astronomical considerations into account. The first is, of course, that the solar year is 365.25 days long. The second consideration is that the lunar month is about 29.5 days long. The third consideration is that the solar year is approximately 12.4 lunar months long. The Jewish monthly calendar is a lunar calendar, so that all months in the Jewish calendar are either 29 or 30 days long, to match the lunar month. However, the Jewish years are sometimes 12 months long, and other times 13 months long. This latter fact is to take care of the “creep” that would otherwise occur in the Jewish year. In other words, if the Jewish lunar calendar were a consistent 12 months long, over time Passover, which is a spring festival, would gradually creep backward through the seasons, so that at some time it would occur in the winter, at some time it would occur in the fall, and at some time it would occur in the summer. In order to forestall this creep an additional month is added to the Jewish calendar about every fourth year. Another way of thinking about it is that for two or three years, Passover moves back (earlier) about eleven days each year. Then, in the year when the extra month is added, it jumps forward 29 or 30 days, and the backward creep then begins all over again. This explains why it is that Passover and Easter so rarely coincide. The two holidays are being located in time on the basis of different calendars.

In the Jewish ritual calendar Nissan (also spelled Nisan) is the first month of the year (think of it as January), and Passover occurs on the 14th of Nissan. The last month of the year, that is, the month preceding Nissan (think of it as December) is Adar. When a thirteenth month is added to the calendar, it is added before Adar, and is referred to as Adar I, Adar Rishon (beginning), or Adar Aleph (the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet). The “regular” month of Adar is referred to as Adar II, Adar Sheini (second Adar), or Adar Beit (second letter of the Hebrew alphabet). The Gregorian years 2007-2008 (the Jewish year overlaps the successive Gregorian years) parallel the Jewish year 5768, which is one of the years with a thirteenth month. Thus, Adar I began on February 7, Adar II began on March 8, and Nissan begins on April 6, thus putting Passover on April 19, 2008.

Those interested in more about the Jewish calendar can consult the web site: http://www.jewfaq.org/calendar.htm

Aramaic Literature - The Mishnah - Part 2

The Mishnah (Part 2)

The first of the six orders of the Mishnah is called Zera’im (Seeds). It is divided in eleven treatises. The first of these treatises is called Berakot (Blessings). It is concerned mostly with the rules for daily prayer, and begins with a discussion of when the Shema’ is to be said in the evening. For those who don’t know, the Shema’ is Deut 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” It is named from the first word of the verse in Hebrew. The following discussion is taken from the Wikisource Mishnah (http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Mishnah/Seder_Zeraim/Tractate_Berakhot/Chapter_1).

“From when may one recite the Shema in the evening?From the time when the Kohanim go in to eat their terumah.Until the end of the first watch – so says Rabbi Eliezer.And the Sages say: Until midnight.Rabban Gamliel says: Until the column of dawn rises.It once happened that [Rabban Gamliel’s] sons came from a house of feasting.They said to [their father]: "We have not recited the Shema."He said to them: "If the column of dawn has not risen, you are obligated to recite it."“[This is true] not only in this case; rather, in all cases where the Sages said that [some precept can be performed only] until midnight — the precept is [still in force] until the break of dawn.“[For example:] Burning the fats and organs [of the sacrifices, on the Temple altar] — this precept [can be performed] until the break of dawn.“[Another example:] All [sacrifices] which may be eaten for one day — the precept [of eating them can be performed] until the break of dawn.If that is so, why did the Sages say, "until midnight"?To distance a person from sin.”
This is an excellent example of the style of the Mishnah. The original question is posed, and answers are provided. As answers are given, additional questions arise, and these also are dealt with. Some of the connections between topics seem tenuous, but the connections reflect connections developed over the course of the rise of rabbinic Judaism.

The second treatise of the first order is called Pe’ah (Corner) because it deals with the passages concerning the corners of the field, such as Lev 19:9-10. “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge [corner] neither shall you gather the gleanings after the harvest.” (ESV). Since these passages also deal with the cause of the poor (that is, the corners are not to be reaped so that they are left for the poor), the treatise also goes on to deal with the causes and rights of the poor. This treatise begins as follows: These are the things that have no measure:

The Peah of the field, the first-fruits, the appearance [at the Temple in Jerusalem on Pilgrimage Festivals],acts of kindness, and the study of the Torah.These are things the fruits of which a man enjoys in this world,while the principle remains for him in the World to Come:Honoring father and mother,acts of kindness,and bringing peace between a man and his fellow.But the study of Torah is equal to them all.

Note in this how the study of the Torah is exalted relative to the importance of other works.

Author Bio:Dr. Shaw was born and raised in New Mexico. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of New Mexico in 1977, the M. Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1980, and the Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1981, with an emphasis in biblical languages (Greek, Hebrew, Old Testament and Targumic Aramaic, as well as Ugaritic). He did two year of doctoral-level course work in Semitic languages (Akkadian, Arabic, Ethiopic, Middle Egyptian, and Syriac) at Duke University. He received the Ph.D. in Old Testament Interpretation at Bob Jones University in 2005. Since 1991, he has taught Hebrew and Old Testament at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a school which serves primarily the Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, where he holds the rank of Associate Professor.

Quote of the Day

"Immortal men and women are models of spiritual sense,
drawn by perfect Mind, and
reflecting those higher conceptions of loveliness which
transcend all material sense."

-From Science and Health
by Mary Baker Eddy
247:15

Have a great day & weekend.
You are that immortal man or woman!!
John

Happy Easter!!

Today's Daily Word - Sunday, March 23, 2008

Resurrection

Life, love, and abundance are resurrected in me today.Just as the rising sun overcomes the dark of night, the Christ light reveals my way, allowing me to overcome any belief in limitation or lack. I act on the new possibilities that may have previously seemed hidden from view.With a Christ-inspired perspective, I view my world with spiritual vision, giving thanks for all creation.

In prayer and meditation, I allow divine ideas to rise in my consciousness and give them expression in my life and in my world.Life, love, and abundance are divine expressions of the Christ of my being that can never be denied me. As I experience the Christ Presence within, these God-given spiritual gifts are resurrected in me today.

"The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.'"-Luke 24:5

New SEE Class credit guidelines

FROM UNITY SCHOOL


Interested in teaching an Elective or Required course at your Unity Church? If so, we have made this process easier for you with our new SEE Extension Program guidelines and forms.


To request a copy of the new guide lines and forms please email the SEE Extension Recorder at xsee@unityonline.org or call 816.251.3535.

Walter Starcke: Made in the Image of God

I thought you might find this video of Walter Starcke of interest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oOnXICxg3I

See You in Phoenix!

Our Peoples Convention is scheduled for June 9-14, 2008.

There will be two dedicated sessions for Teachers. The Teachers Forum will be on the first day and include a session by Rev. Billings discussing the history of Teachers in the Unity movement.

On Friday the 13th we will have a second session looking towards the future and how Teachers continue to grow the Unity movement.

The session will include time for you to develop strategies to get the word out on your classes & activities. Part of the program New Media for New Thought, will explore how Teachers are and can use podcasts, blogs, and other social network technology.

I look forward to seeing you there. More to come.

John

Teacher Ministry Team

This is our team who attended the Mid Year meetings.

We had a great time reconnecting and discussing how the Strategic plan and new creative teams being started need input and participation from the Licensed Teacher Community.

This is your opportunity to be involved in supporting the Unity Movement and your fellow teachers.

Please pray about how you can be involved.

More to follow...

In Unity

John

Ash Wednesday

We begin our Journey through Lent. I have a blog for this journey check it out here.

What are you doing to deepen your journey in spirit?

John

Mid Year Team Meetings

Good Morning.

I am at Unity Village for the mid year meetings.

Today we we hear a presentation from James Trapp as he unveils the Strategic Plan for the Association.

Last night some members of the Licensed Unity Teacher Ministry Team got together for dinner.
we had a great time catching up. We begin our meetings this afternoon.

I'll Keep you posted.

In Unity

John

Happy New Year!!!

Best Wishes & Blessings For 2008!

John

Rob Bell Everything is Spiritual

This is a video of Rob Bell who we saw at Symphony Space.

He is now doing a talk The God's Aren't Angry which we well see next week.

Click here to order the DVD if you like this sample.

Shop amazon here! Thank you for your support

Shop Amazon here.

We appreciate your support.
John Zenkewich
Unity Long Island

Staying Close To God

If you fill your calendar with important appointments, you will have no time for God
If you fill your spare time with essential reading, you will starve your soul
If you fill your mind with worry about budgets and offerings, the pains in your chest and the ache in your shoulders will betray you
If you try to conform to the expectations of those around you, you will forever be their slave
Work a modest day, then step back and rest
This will keep you close to God.

Dallas Willard

The Mishnah Part 1

The Mishnah (Part 1)

According to Jewish teaching, the Law delivered to Moses consisted of two parts. The written law, now contained in the Torah, or Pentateuch, was one of those parts. The other consisted of oral teaching, which was then passed by tradition from one generation to the next. This oral instruction explained and clarified what had been written. This material developed over time, but was finally codified and written down around the end of the second century AD or the beginning of the third century (there is debate among authorities as to precisely when the Mishnah was reduced to writing). This was composed in Hebrew but differing somewhat from the Hebrew of the Old Testament. Hence, it is called Mishnaic Hebrew. Though the Mishnah was written in Hebrew, it formed the foundation of the later Talmud, which is essentially extended comment on, and discussion of, the material in the Mishnah, and which was written in Aramaic.

The Mishnah is made up of six parts called “orders” (the Aramaic word is seder in the singular or sedarim in the plural). These orders are further subdivided into treatises, the treatises into chapters, and the chapters into paragraphs. The first order is called zera’im (seeds), and it is divided into eleven treatises. The second order is called mo’ed (festivals), from the Hebrew word for “appointed times” (see both Gen 1:14, where the ESV translates it “seasons;” and Lev 23:2, where the ESV translates is “appointed festivals”). This second order is made up of twelve separate treatises. The third order is called nashim (women), and is divided into seven treatises.

The fourth order of the Mishnah is called either nezikin (injuries) or yeshu’ot (deeds of help) and contains ten treatises. The fifth order is called qodashim (holy things) and contains eleven treatises. The final order of the Mishnah is called tohorot (purifications) and is made up of twelve treatises.

The Mishnah is available in English translation. Perhaps the most widely known version is that of Herbert Danby. It is still available, but is quite expensive. A newer version is that of Jacob Neusner. In a certain sense, Danby’s version was done for the uninitiated. The translation is paraphrastic and reads like literature. Neusner’s is more literal and shows the Mishnah for what it is—a compilation of Jewish teachings. The introduction to Neusner’s version is helpful in sorting some of this out. Neusner has also published The Mishnah: An Introduction, and Learn Mishnah. These two works provide a way into approaching and beginning to appreciate the Mishnah without it becoming a daunting task.

Over the next few weeks I hope to present the reader a brief survey of the content of the Mishnah in preparation for a look at the Talmud.


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Author's Bio:
Dr. Shaw was born and raised in New Mexico. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of New Mexico in 1977, the M. Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1980, and the Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1981, with an emphasis in biblical languages (Greek, Hebrew, Old Testament and Targumic Aramaic, as well as Ugaritic). He did two year of doctoral-level course work in Semitic languages (Akkadian, Arabic, Ethiopic, Middle Egyptian, and Syriac) at Duke University. He received the Ph.D. in Old Testament Interpretation at Bob Jones University in 2005. Since 1991, he has taught Hebrew and Old Testament at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a school which serves primarily the Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, where he holds the rank of Associate Professor.

Podcasting your classes?

Have you considered podcasting your lessons? This might be of interest to you.

Let me know if you decide to podcast.

Thanks

John

Sharing audio and video files on the Web has been possible for most of the last decade. But in the past two years podcasting has exploded onto the scene.
This paper examines educational podcasting in three realms: the creation and distribution of lecture archives for review, the delivery of supplemental educational materials and content, and assignments requiring students to produce and submit their own podcasts.
From the Office of Technology for Education and Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence at Carnegie Mellon University, this is a 15 page PDF.
Podcasting: A Teaching with Technology Whitepaper

What Are You Reading?

As teachers we are constantly reading, studying and looking for insights to assist us in our classes.

What are you reading?

Comment on the blog or send an email to UnityLUT@gmail.com

I look forward to your sharing.

Independance Day

In my reading I came across this verse from Isaiah;

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back.” Isaiah 54:2 (NIV)

This struck a chord in me. How often do I hold back and limit myself and what I am trying to do. In refining the vision of our church I have wondered am I thinking too small.

Have you ever been asked “If you new you could not fail, what would you do? My mentors encourage me to plan a plan so big & audacious that it could not succeed without God being involved.

Today is the 4th of July Independence Day in the United States. What thoughts and attitudes do we need to release, in order to be all that we are meant to be? To let our classes and our message reach all those who need to hear what we are saying?

Let's Release those chains that bind us, today is our Independence Day!

Live & Play Large!
Enjoy the fireworks!

John

Aramaic Thoughts -Idioms in the Bible- Part 9

Idioms in the Bible - Part 9

Mark 16:17 says, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast our demons; they will speak in new tongues.” Lamsa identifies the concluding clause as an idiom meaning, “You will learn foreign languages wherever you go.” In our day, Lamsa’s claim sounds questionable, due to the widespread influence of the charismatic and Pentecostal movements. There is also further question about the concluding verses of Mark’s gospel.

First, most modern versions have a footnote on Mark 16:9-20 like this one from the ESV; “Some manuscripts end the book with 16:8; others include verses 9-20 immediately after verse 8. A few manuscripts insert additional material after verse 14; one Latin manuscript adds after verse 8 the following: But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Other manuscripts include this same wording after verse 8, then continue with verses 9-20.” What is the reader to make of this information? Do these verses belong in the gospel of Mark, or do they not?

These are not questions that admit of easy answers. In brief, there are three primary views. The first, and perhaps oldest, view is that the 12 verses (Mark 16:9-20) were part of the gospel originally written by Mark, and hence are to be retained. This is the view reflected in the KJV (Incidentally, the Syriac Peshitta includes these verses). This is due in large part to the fact that the manuscripts and texts available to the translators of the KJV all had that material included in the Gospel of Mark. The second view is that Mark ended at 16:8, and that the last twelve verses were added by someone who felt that the ending was too abrupt, and who thus compiled an ending from the concluding material of the other gospels and from the beginning of Acts. This is perhaps the most recent view to appear. The third view is that the last twelve verses are not original, but were later added because the original ending of Mark was somehow lost. This is the view that was adopted in the original edition of the RSV, where Mark 16:9-20 was placed in a footnote. It is perhaps the most commonly held view today.

The debate on the issue was begun in the latter part of the 19th century, due to the fact that a number of manuscripts of the New Testament had been found that did not include the material, or had other material in its place. The New Testament textual scholars Westcott and Hort adopted the view that these verses were spurious in their influential edition of the Greek New Testament. This decision affected both the English Revised Version of 1881 and the American Standard Version of 1901. Westcott and Hort’s view was vigorously attacked by the conservative scholar John Burgon in The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to Saint Mark Vindicated Against Recent Critical Objectors and Established.
(We will continue this discussion in next week’s column.)

'Aramaic Thoughts' Copyright 2002-2007 © Benjamin Shaw. http://www.studylight.org/col/at/

Aramaic Thoughts--Idioms in the Bible - Part 8

Aramaic Thoughts
Week of June 3 - 9, 2007

Idioms in the Bible - Part 8

I may have written on this one before, but there is so much misinformation out there about it that it’s worth addressing again. Matt 19:24 reads, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle." Lamsa, on the basis of the Peshitta, translates it "for a rope to go through the eye of a needle." The Greek text reads kamelos (camel), though a few texts of minor importance read kamilos (rope). The Syriac reads lgm (rope), while the Syriac word for camel is gml. The reader can easily see how, given the subject matter, someone could think "rope" was intended instead of "camel." Thus Lamsa explains this as an idiom meaning "with great difficulty (The rich man must give up something.)." However, the point is not that this is something accomplished only with difficulty, but something impossible. Jesus makes it clear with his statement recorded in vs 26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are impossible." If the word were "rope," one could see how with a big enough needle or a small enough rope it could be done. But with a camel, it is flat impossible. Jesus is engaging in the common Semitic practice of engaging in hyperbole (deliberate overstatement) to make a point in a forceful manner.

Mark 5:25-34 tells the story of the healing of the woman with the issue of blood. In that story, the woman has heard about Jesus, and determines that she might be able to be healed if she can only touch his garment. Lamsa considers this expression an idiom that means "an urgent need." It is true that, "Seizing the edge of someone’s robe was a gesture of fervent entreaty in Biblical and Near Eastern tradition" (Keener, Matthew, 303), and this may be all that Lamsa means. But the matter of literal touching is essential to the story. The woman would have been made unclean by her irregular flow of blood (see Lev 15:25-30). Thus her touching of anyone would have made that person unclean as well. She would have been a social outcast, and her act here is an act of sheer desperation, and an apparent certainty that Jesus not only can but will help.

The centrality of a literal touching continues, however, when her touch effects what she has hoped for, Jesus sensed that power had gone out from him. He then asks who touched him. To this question the disciples respond with astonishment. What does Jesus mean, asking who touched him? The crowd was pressing so close that it was impossible to avoid being touched. Thus there is a play on the sense of "touch," both the physical touch originally intended by the woman and the "psychical" touch Jesus felt as her faith drew upon his supply. In all this, the reality of touching is central, and without that reality, the story loses its power.

'Aramaic Thoughts' Copyright 2002-2007 © Benjamin Shaw. http://www.studylight.org/col/at/

Charts of World Religions

Hi Friends

I came across a sample of the book Charts of World Religions published by Zondervan which you may be interested in. Here is the link.

http://www.zondervan.com/media/samples/pdf/031020495x_samptxt.pdf

Let me know what you think of it.

John

Aramaic Thoughts

Reflections on the Dangers of Aramaic: Or a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing

Benjamin Shaw. http://www.studylight.org

I did not see the movie The Passion of the Christ. But my understanding is that the dialogue was done entirely in Aramaic, with subtitles. This arrangement apparently sprang from both Gibson's desire for realism or authenticity, and from his conviction that Aramaic was the daily spoken language of Palestine in the first century. The problem with that view is that it is not accurate. This conclusion seems difficult for Americans to accept, though a resident of any major city in the world would understand immediately.

Aramaic would have been one of the daily spoken languages in first-century Palestine. It would have been commonly used in Jewish households and in the synagogues, for example. But Palestine in the first century was much like the same area of the world today—truly multi-cultural and multi-lingual. Someone walking down the street or in the marketplace in a city such as Jerusalem or Nazareth would have certainly heard Aramaic. But he would also have heard Greek, which was the lingua franca of the Mediterranean world in the first century. He may have heard Persian or Egyptian. He would probably have heard Latin, especially if he passed near some Roman soldiers. He may even have heard some Western European languages, depending on where the Roman soldiers were from. Daily conversations were a smorgasbord of languages.

Acts 2 gives us some sense of the reality of the situation when it says, "Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. … Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians" (Acts 2:5, 8-11). The text goes on to say that each of these heard the disciples extolling the virtues of God in their native languages. This was Pentecost, and hence there were people in Jerusalem who would not have been there at other times of the year. Even so, first-century Palestine even in those cities or parts of cities populated almost exclusively by Jews was really multi-lingual.

It is important to remember this because in the past century there has appeared on the religious scene a mindset that understanding Aramaic, because it was the language that Jesus spoke, will give someone special insight into the meaning of the New Testament. This is essentially a gnostic conceit. That is, the gnostics (an elastic term if there ever was one) were of the opinion that there was a secret knowledge that admitted one to truths inaccessible to the unwashed masses. This is wrong.

'Aramaic Thoughts' Copyright 2002-2007 © Benjamin Shaw. http://www.studylight.org

Meditation Class starts Feb 8, 2007

Hi Friends

Are you staying warm? I thought it was cold last week when I was out at Unity Village but it was pretty cold this morning walking to the courthouse.

I just wanted to remind you that I will be teaching a meditation class starting tomorrow night at Unity of Hempstead @ 6:30 pm.

If you know anyone who would be interested please let them know. This class is a credit class. (Meditation Practices, required course).

I will also be speaking at the Sunday Service @ 11 am. At the Hempstead church as well.

They are located at 298 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead NY 11550. There is free (Evenings & Sundays) parking across the street from the church in a lighted parking lot.

Thank you for your support.


Stay Warm

John

Licensed Teacher Team Meeting next week.

On January 30th The Licensed Teacher Ministry team will be meeting at Unity Village as part of the Association Mid Year Meeting. Are there any areas or issues that you would like them to consider?

If you have any thoughts please send an email with your thoughts to Unityteacherteam@gmail.com

Thank you.

John

2007- Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!!


John

Jesus' sayings from the same source?

I thought you might find this of interest.
Enjoy!
John

Of Desires for Other Things, and the Pleasures of Life
Benjamin shaw

In modern New Testament studies, it is commonly assumed that the Gospel of Mark was written first. Matthew and Luke, according to this view, depended largely on Mark for the general order of events, and used much of Mark's material in their own writing. There are events recorded in Matthew and Luke however that are not found in Mark. The places in which Matthew and Luke agree are primarily in sayings of Jesus. It is assumed in those cases that Matthew and Luke both depended on a separate source of material that is no longer extant. This source is commonly called Q, from the German word Quellen, meaning "source." The reader can find more extensive treatments of this view in Donald Guthrie's New Testament Introduction (InterVarsity Press, 1970), pp. 143-157, as well as in An Introduction to the New Testament by D. A. Carson, Douglas Moo, and Leon Morris (Zondervan, 1992), especially pp. 34-36.

The differences among the gospels, particularly when they are recording the same events, can be a fruitful place to look for possible Aramaic background information or sources. One example of this is in the case of the parable of the sower (also known as the parable of the soils), as it is recorded in all three of the Synoptic gospels. The material regarding the seed that fell among the thorns offers some interesting differences. Mark 4:19, presumed to the earliest, says, "but the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word." Matthew 13:22 says, "but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word." Luke 8:14 says, "they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life."

All three gospels mention cares and riches, though Matthew and Mark are wordier than Luke. Mark and Luke have three terms, rather than the two that Matthew has, but they differ somewhat in the details of the third term. Mark has "the desires for other things" while Luke has "pleasures of life." There are a number of possibilities to explain these differences. First, the reader must recognize that in any case the gospel writers are presenting only a summary of Jesus' teaching on that occasion. It is clear from the gospel accounts that Jesus spent hours speaking to the crowds and instructing them. Thus, the gospel writers have preserved for us the meat of those messages. This fact in itself could explain the differences in wording among the gospel writers, as each sought to express the essence of Jesus' statements. In light of the common view the Matthew and Luke depended upon Mark, it is curious that neither Matthew nor Luke exactly replicates the words of Mark.

Carmignac, whose work we recently reviewed, suggests (p. 36) that the differences represent an original Hebrew text (an Aramaic text on this point would be identical). The original, in Carmignac's view read sheer (flesh), which the translator of Mark has read as shear (rest, or remainder). Thus, the original would have read (in Mark) "the desires of the flesh." While interesting, this does not explain either the Matthew text, which omits the phrase entirely, or the Luke text which says "the pleasures of life." Furthermore, bios (life) which Luke uses, is never used in the Septuagint to translate any word for "flesh." While it remains an intriguing proposal, just a bit of study shows it to be unlikely in the extreme. It does not explain how the translator of Mark managed to get it wrong, nor does it explain why neither Matthew nor Luke offer anything close.

Author's Bio:
Dr. Shaw was born and raised in New Mexico. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of New Mexico in 1977, the M. Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1980, and the Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1981, with an emphasis in biblical languages (Greek, Hebrew, Old Testament and Targumic Aramaic, as well as Ugaritic). He did two year of doctoral-level course work in Semitic languages (Akkadian, Arabic, Ethiopic, Middle Egyptian, and Syriac) at Duke University. He received the Ph.D. in Old Testament Interpretation at Bob Jones University in 2005. Since 1991, he has taught Hebrew and Old Testament at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a school which serves primarily the Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, where he holds the rank of Associate Professor.
'Aramaic Thoughts'
Copyright 2002-2006 © Benjamin Shaw http://www.studylight.org/col/at/

Quote for Teachers

“If we teach someone, we affect eternity; we can never tell where our influence will stop.”
—Henry Brooks Adams [adapted]