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Different format on the Newsletter this
month - The one and only thing certain in our Universe is: CHANGE. .
In This Month's issue:
As A Man Thinketh by James Allen Foreword This little volume (the result of meditation and experience) is not intended as an exhaustive treatise on the much-written upon subject of the power of thought. It is suggestive rather than explanatory, its object being to stimulate men and women to the discovery and perception of the truth that - "They themselves are makers of themselves" - by virtue of the thoughts which they choose and encourage; that mind is the master weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance, and that, as they may have hitherto woven in ignorance and pain they may now weave in enlightenment and happiness. James Allen Chapter One Thought and Character The aphorism,
"As a man thinketh in his heart so is he," not only embraces the whole of a man's being, but is so comprehensive
as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character
being the complete sum of all his thoughts. . As the plant
springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could
not have appeared without them. This applies equally to those acts called "spontaneous" and "unpremeditated"
as to those which are deliberately executed. . Act is the blossom
of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits; thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry. . Thought in the mind hath made us. What we are by thought we wrought and built. If a man's mind hath
evil thoughts, pain comes on him as comes the wheel the ox behind . . . If one endure in purity of thought joy follows him as his own shadow - sure. . Man is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice, and cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating
in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things. A noble and Godlike character is not a thing
of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association
with Godlike thoughts. An ignoble and bestial character, by the same process, is the result of the continued harboring of
groveling thoughts. . Man is made or unmade by himself; in the armory
of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself. He also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself
heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace. By the right choice and true application of thought, man ascends to the Divine
Perfection; by the abuse and wrong application of thought, he descends below the level of the beast. Between these two extremes
are all the grades of character, and man is their maker and master. . Of
all the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul which have been restored and brought to light in this age, none is more gladdening
or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this - that man is the master of thought, the molder of character, and maker
and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny. . As a being of
Power, Intelligence, and Love, and the lord of his own thoughts, man holds the key to every situation, and contains within
himself that transforming and regenerative agency by which he may make himself what he wills. . Man is always the master, even in his weakest and most abandoned state; but in his
weakness and degradation he is the foolish master who misgoverns his "household." When he begins to reflect upon
his condition, and to search diligently for the Law upon which his being is established, he then becomes the wise master,
directing his energies with intelligence, and fashioning his thoughts to fruitful issues. Such is the conscious master,
and man can only thus become by discovering within himself the laws of thought; which discovery is totally a matter
of application, self-analysis, and experience. . Only by much
searching and mining are gold and diamonds obtained, and man can find every truth connected with his being if he will dig
deep into the mine of his soul. And that he is the maker of his character, the molder of his life, and the builder of his
destiny, he may unerringly prove: if he will watch, control, and alter his thoughts, tracing their effects upon himself, upon
others, and upon his life and circumstances; if he will link cause and effect by patient practice and investigation, utilizing
his every experience, even to the most trivial, as a means of obtaining that knowledge of himself. In this direction, as in
no other, is the law absolute that "He that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened"; for only
by patience, practice, and ceaseless importunity can a man enter the Door of the Temple of Knowledge. . NOTE:
- the remainder of this (public domain) book – is available at no charge on the internet - @ http://jamesallen.wwwhubs.com/think.htm
On Finances… . For the first quarter of 2009 we experienced Income of $2,934.00 and expenses of $4,583.16… It
is worth noting that hiring out-of-the-area speakers is more expensive than utilizing local speakers. It
is also the opinion of the board that Unity-Trained and other respected non-local speakers are a valuable asset to the congregation. . We do not have a full-time minister. This was the decision of the previous board and
there is no disagreement among the current members in this regard, we are currently spending (hundreds monthly) less for speakers
than the costs experienced with our past (very modestly compensated) pastor. . In all candor –
our core membership is a small group. Our Fund Raiser last week raised over $500 so we are not in dire
straights. Confidence is high we will continue to provide as much and be as successful (however that is
defined) as is Divinely orchestrated. It is worth noting that last year we held two fund raisers, each of which brought in
around $1,000.00. We will doubtless have another fund raiser this year as well, but we would be remiss
if we did not encourage everyone to consider the church in their financial planning. . We do not teach, nor require a “mandatory” tithe.
Our goal is to provide an environment of love, support, encouragement – and education – as best as we are
able. We are a group of like-minded people seeking to elevate and inspire ourselves and all we can reach.
. We are not funded by any government agency, nor are we constrained by our
affiliate organization to adhere to strict (read limited and outmoded) doctrines and practices. We are, in fact - on
the leading edge, and as such do not attract the crowds (and finances) of traditional churches... But - when you get
right down to it - neither did our Elder Brother. . But
we will ask – as you are led – please support the local Church.
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On April 26th…
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We held and Open House and Fund Raiser. Jerry Stefaniak brought
us an encouraging message, and the children helped assist with preparation for the afternoon during his talk.
Kudos and a hat tip to everyone involved, with special thanks to Susanna Davis,
George & Monica and the MAJOR contributions of Renee Duhon and Jimmy – or Sir Jimmy (the man’s a saint!) I
might say, working tirelessly the whole weekend to make it a success – which it was, resulting in additional income
(after expenses) of over $500.00.
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With an attendance
of 32 and offering of $452, the day was a success financially as well as spiritually.
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Looking
forward...
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We're still playing “catch
up” with the website and communications, transitioning from our former partner in all things digital, B.J. Kruse –
she was an invaluable asset and will be missed. We were truly blessed to have such an unselfish (and talented)
helper all these years.
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The speaking schedule is filled
through June. Upcoming speakers include Dr. Patrick Price (body detective), Trisha Keel (living heart
wise), and tentatively- Dian Williams (of Unity, Houston), a return visit from Debra (astrologer with Houston A.R.E.),
and Tim Romedy (on Psychic Protection), Johnny Keel (on heart victory) and Ed Jamail is continuing his series, the first Sunday
of each Month.
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We’re continuing the Laughter
Yoga series (first Wednesday’s @ 6:30) with Bernadette, we’ve started a study group on Abraham-Hicks material
(Michelle Romedy led Thursday night’s inaugural, which was a hit!), everyone’s always welcome at the ACIM group,
Tuesdays @ 5 - and we will be posting information on upcoming Movie Nights – or more likely Movie
Afternoons… soon.
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Coming up in the fall we’ll
likely be asking your help for another fund raiser – stay tuned for details on that one.
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As Always, your comments & suggestions are welcome. Whether
it be via email, snail mail, telephone or in person – And you’re invited to attend meetings of the board –
they happen the third Sunday of every month, after services.
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Thanks
for taking the time to check us out.
Please check the website – at least weekly– if
you can’t make it to services, to keep apprised of upcoming opportunities. And – in all candor – TAKE ADVANTAGE of what’s offered
– there are opportunities to learn every week –
it is axiomatic:
You don’t know what you don’t know.
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In times of change the learners will inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped
to deal with a world that no longer exists.
- Eric Hoffer
- Eric Hoffer
... As Joshua once said to Moses, one particularly challenging morning as they made their way through the
wilderness, “Onward through the fog.” -
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..to which Moses was reported to have replied,
“You COULD look at it as an adventure.”…
| Unity of Brazosport |
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| 507 So. Brooks St, (Hwy 36), Brazoria, TX 77422 |
