Monday, December 04, 2006

Christmas Miracles


Here she is! Our newest member of the family!

Meet Jenna Elizabeth Audlin. Jenna is approximately -4 months old. We snuck up on her to take this picture in utero.

There's something about Christmas time that opens my eyes to miracles (if I pause long to see...). This year, with Jenna's impending arrival, it seems much easier to me to remember why we celebrate this time of year. I am alive with the blossoming of new potential. Add in a few raging hormones, and you can understand why every kid wearing candy cane Christmas socks, every Santa hat and every Christmas card brings a tear to my eye.

It truly is a wonderful life. We bring forth miracles every day, most of the time without even noticing. Wishing you eyes to see the miracles of the season...

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

The Buzz of Possibility

Oh, my. They are going to put me in the "Bloggers Hall of Shame..." Has it really been July since my last posting? Nothing about our new arrival due in March? Nothing about our rapidly expanding church? Our 34 new members? Our expansion into two services?

It might make you think things are pretty busy around here...

The truth is, I've been having a blast lately creating a foundation for the future... Laying the groundwork for the next level of abundance for myself, my family, and my community. Have you noticed how sometimes, when it seems like nothing is happening at all, that these are the times when the universe is truly aligning every intention so they can all spill out together in a wonderful climactic TA-DA!!!

That's where I am these days...

Yesterday, I had lunch with Joe Vitale to plan for our upcoming workshop "The Secret of Money." I got to meet Francine. She's his fiesty new car (car just isn't the right word - power machine??). You can see pictures on Joe's blog at http://www.mrfire.blogspot.com/.

Joe had just returned from a Hollywood taping where he was featured on Larry King Live. The energy was incredible... the possibilities endless... the miracles inspiring. If you want to FEEL the energy of prosperity, spend 10 minutes with Joe. Or better yet, spend the whole day with us. I'm buzzing from the memory of it, and the anticipation of what is yet to come.

What lights your fire? What gives you that "I love life" glow?

It's a fun question to play with... and it puts us on the path to greater and greater manifestation. Don't you just love every bit of the journey? Don't you??

P.S. I promise you'll hear from me more often!!

Monday, July 17, 2006

The Crowns We Wear...


"Deck yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor." - Job 40:10

I went on a field trip this weekend with our choir. We went into Austin to see the musical CROWNS as the Zachary Scott Theatre. What an incredible experience.

In case you haven't heard of it, it is the story of 6 African American women, and their hats. Specifically, their church hats. Each hat told a story, and each story touched me to the core.

It wasn't just the fact that purchasing a hat was a significant financial investment for these women. And it wasn't just the fact that they faced discrimination and indignity from storeowners during those early days of desegregation. It wasn't just the uniqueness of each hat and its owner. What touched me most was the pride and the dignity with which each woman had crowned herself.

Her hat spoke of her love of God. It spoke of her faith. And it spoke of her determination to look beyond the ignorance and prejudices of society to stand before God as a Queen.

I am thankful to these beautiful, powerful, faith-filled women for helping me remember that NOTHING can stop us from claiming the Queendom of Heaven. And so, in my own way, I deck my Spirit with majesty and dignity so that, like them, I may make visible the unwavering presence and power of God. Amen.

Monday, July 03, 2006

A "Highly Improbable" Week...


It's Monday morning, and I'm feeling tired and energized at the same time. Our Spiritual Education and Enrichment Retreat was last week, and I feel the exhaustion of completing something that we've been working toward for so long. At the same time, I feel the exhileration that is created from sharing our blessings with others, emersing myself in a spiritual learning environment, and basking in the glow of so many enchanting people.

The words of Rev. Tom Thorpe ring through my head, as he looked around at what has been created and noted that such a manifestation is "highly improbable" for a town of our size, a church of our age, and such a young congregation.

I love the idea of joining the ranks of other historically improbable events, such as turning water into wine, walking on water, and other manifestations that make us say, "Wow! What are the odds of that??!"

Thanks to all who graced my week last week. You have blessed me.
(Pictured above, participants of our first class, Metaphysics I with Rev. Paul Hasselbeck.)

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Heroes...


I am constantly inspired by the spirit of generousity that lives in the heart of people. This photo op was from last week when our dedicated team of painters spent 4 whole days sprucing up our fellowship hall. I love this picture because it captures the spirit of these lovely women, and ALL the incredible men and women who give with such love and joy.

These are my heroes:

Those who give with no expectation of reward.
Those who give with no expectation of acknowledgement or praise or recognition.
Those who give, not to "fix" situations that others have "messed up," but because they see a need and they know they CAN do something about it.

My heroes are those who know that giving is its own reward and so they do... with zeal and joy and passion and zest!

There are too many heroes in my life these days to fit in one picture. So I share with you a peek at Karen and Sandy and Denise as representatives of them all. Thank you, friends, for brightening my world.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Sunday Extras!

Every now and then, there are bits of a Sunday talk that end up on the editing floor. This week, I had to trim a bit so that you could all eventually go eat lunch. But I wanted to share a bit that was cut to give you online followers a little something extra.

The scripture is from Mark 6:5 and it refers to that fact that Jesus was having a hard time performing any miracles in his hometown of Nazarus. It reads: "He could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their disbelief."

Isn't it interesting? JESUS, in all his spiritual perfection, being UNABLE to perform a deed of power in his hometown. To what degree were the miracles of Jesus a CO-CREATION with those He blessed? What was the consciousness that limited His power and caused such disbelief?

It is, to me, a reminder to step outside the limitations I see in people based on my past knowing of them. Imagine if you grew up next door to Jesus. If 30 years from now, the kid next door showed up in your town and started saying he was divine, how would you respond?

What miracles do I miss because I expect something different?

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Nothin' but a Hound Dog...


Ted, our beloved church dog, is USUALLY a very sweet, spiritually grounded member of our welcome team. I was reminded yesterday morning, though, that beneath his gentle, unassuming facade, there lies a Hound Dog... and his inner hound dog became captivated in the early morning hours with the scent of a fox.

I saw the momma fox as I was tending to our labyrinth. She was keeping an eye on me. Ted saw her, too, and chased her into the woods before coming back proud and content. I was not too concerned about the fox. She was a fast mover and had a strong headstart.

After reporting back to me, Ted eventually wandered back into the tree line. That's when I heard it: the unmistakably terrifying sound of two wild animals hissing and yelping in a battle of life and death. One of them was Ted.

I now know the full depth of my vocal abilities as my screams of "No! No! No!!!" echoed past the church where Shawn heard me over the sound of his radio. But it did no good. Animal instincts has clicked in and Ted was completely oblivious to my presence.

As I trecked toward the commotion, I could see him shaking a small, furry body in his teeth. A baby fox. When he completed his task, he dropped the little one and headed back to me, proud and content.

It was a lesson for me in free will. It didn't matter how loudly I yelled, it did not matter. Ted was not listening. He was on auto-pilot doing his Hound Dog 'thang. Animal instincts. Total reaction. I've never been so frightened for him. If I could have thrown a blanket of safety around him, I would have...

I wonder how often in my life, God has been there on the peripherals shouting to me, "No! No! No!!! Don't make that mistake AGAIN!" And how many times I have been too much on autopilot to pay any attention. It has served as a reminder to be present, to listen, and trust that I DO have a safety blanket around me. It is called: Faith. The secret is in the remembering.

May you go forth today remembering...

P.S. Baby Fox was a bit dazed and traumatized, but seems to have pulled through. Ted still doesn't know what he did "wrong," and I am doing hot lemon water therapy to restore my tired vocal chords. Sounds like the makings of a good Disney movie...

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

The Upside-Down World

I had a dream last night that I traveled to a new world where everything was upside down. I was warned in advance that it was an upside down world, and that for me to arrive in this new world would be a bit dizzying. I would find the solution, I was told, upon my arrival.

When I stepped out of my vessel, indeed the world was upside down. So I stepped onto a special platform and it spun around with me clinging to it. Next thing I knew, the world looked normal again.

At first, I thought they had flipped the world right-side up for me. Once I woke up, I realized, that I was the one that needed to flip.

What's floating around in YOUR subconscious mind today?

Wishing you a day of new perspectives...

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

The Beauty of Impermanence


To see the creation of a Tibetan sand mandala is truly a gift. The colors are indescribably vibrant. The detail is exquisite. The patience required to perfect such an art form is awe-inspiring. It is truly a gift to see such beauty. Especially given the knowing that it will soon disappear.

As we begin our new series on Trusting the Process of Change, I am reminded of my lessons from the monks. And it helps me remember to appreciation the day that I am now creating. To experience it in all its beautiful colors and exquisite detail. To have patience knowing that there is beauty in the attention to detail. It is truly a gift to live such a day. Especially given the knowing that it will soon disappear.

We shall do it again tomorrow.