The RevJerryTroyer's Podcast

Tomorrow

You remember the story of the Israelites' struggle with Pharaoh in Egypt, and Moses being the one, with the help of his brother Aaron, to go and bring the word of God that it was time for the people to be released. Pharaoh was less than cooperative, so God sent a number of plagues to try and change his mind. One of those plagues had to do with frogs.

Now, we are not talking about Kermit. Or a small family of cute little critters. We are talking about the place being overrun with frogs. In Exodus 8: 8, we read that Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and told them that he would let the people go, if they could get rid of the frogs. So Moses asked him when, and he replied "tomorrow."

Tomorrow? Why not right this red hot second? Can you imagine delaying getting rid of all those nasty frogs?

We don't know what was going through Pharaoh's mind, but I wonder if it was, "yes, this is a mess, but if I could just get a few more bricks made before the slaves are released..."

Do you have any frogs in your life? (If you have an affinity for frogs, feel free to use locusts or anything else that works, with the point being something you don't want to hang out with.) Yes, I know I need to forgive that but....Yes, I know I would feel much better if I lost the weight, or quit smoking, or took control of my spiritual life, or started, or stopped.....

We can wait until tomorrow, but what I have found is that tomorrow turns into next month and then next year, and I'm still hanging out with those frogs.

Thinking With The Mind Of God

If you were with me on Sunday, you remember that our theme for the month of January is the power of FAITH.  We talked about what happens after we do our affirmative prayer (spiritual mind treatment).  Do we still have a belief in two powers?  Is there something out there that can keep our good from coming to us?  Does God somehow withhold because of what we did yesterday or last year or twenty years ago?

The Upper Limit Problem

The State Of Our State

If you are familiar with The Trance of Scarcity by Victoria Castle, or were with us for Victoria's visit last Sunday, you remember that a large part of her message has to do with our "story."

Something happens. There are facts about what happened (the who, what, when, where, period). But then we tell a story about it.

If you were with me in church on Sunday, you know my Costco story. There on Saturday, buying food for a party and for a gathering with my family. Those were the facts.

But then....story number one was being there at noon on Saturday (can you even imagine), trying to find a parking place, maneuvering around the hoardes of people there for lunch, parked crossways in the aisles grazing on the free samples and / or talking on their cell phone. Etc., etc. etc.

Story number two was the opportunity to walk a little further in the warm and beautiful San Diego sunshine, Costco having exactly what I wanted, lots of people out having a great time, and checking out in record time.

If I stick with story number one, my state is struggle, lack, irritation and inconvenience. Story number two is all about ease, grace and joy. It's always my choice as to which story I want to tell.

The Spiritual Power Of Strength

Think about what you think about when you hear the word strength.  It might have to do with physical capabilities, but might also be the mental and spiritual abilities to walk through what is presented, knowing the truth of our being.

My book for March, The Twelve Powers by Charles Fillmore, states there are four spiritual aspects to strength:  patience, steadfastness, tolerance and balance.  We'll be looking at all of those aspects throughout the month.

To me, strength might also be the willingness to look at what no longer serves us; ask what we need to change--and then act on what we are told; and to get out of victimhood, limitation and struggle.

The Process Of Transformation

Remember the words of Jesus: "Unless ye become as a little child, ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven."

What is the kingdom of heaven? It is all our needs met in this moment, beyond what we could have imagined, without having to ask. Don’t need to pray for perfect health, it is already there. Don’t need to ask for greater financial abundance, we write a check or use a debit card for whatever it is. When we see a worthwhile project that we want to support, we do so. Relationships work—relationships with everything and everyone.

A little child trusts everyone. He or she knows that Life and all the expressions of Life are for him. In the book Smile for No Good Reason, Lee Jampolsky talks about "toddler wisdom—all gone, whoopsie and bye-bye." In joyful anticipation of the good that is next, not attached, curiosity. They get the sacredness and juiciness of the moment.

But as we grow toward becoming "smart" adults, we are taught to forget—that we are safe, and loved, and just fine, thank you. We pick up those truths that belong to someone else and make them our own because we think they know what they are talking about. But they don’t always.

Our society challenges us to become enlightened, to transform, to learn. But I suggest we also need to remember the truth of who we are.

The Power Of Joy

Think about the experience of happiness v joy.

A new car, fully paid for, makes us happy.  Spending time with dear ones makes us happy.  Chocolate cake (or our favorite dessert) makes us happy.  But eventually, the new car smell will wear off, our dear ones will have to go home, and we will have eaten all the cake.

In the book, Power, Freedom and Grace, Deepak Chopra says, "Joy is an internal state of consciousness that determines how we perceive and experience the world.  The internal source of joy--our connection to our Creator, our source, our inner self--is the cause, while happiness is the effect."

When we live in this foundation of joy, we can not judge by appearances, knowing that whatever is going on, there is always something more.

The Power Of Decision

Imagine the experience of going out for dinner.  You've looked at the menu, and looked at the menu, and looked at the menu.  But you just can't decide what to choose.  So when the server comes back, and it is your turn, you respond, "just bring me something you think I'd like."

So it is with Life.  Do we recognize that we are creating our experience every day, and so consciously choose our thoughts and words, or do we bounce along on the waves of life, just wishing and hoping for the best?

In the wonderful book The Power of Decision, Raymond Charles Barker says, "Decision is the most important function of the individual mind.  No creative process can begin until a decision is made...Having made the decision, every right idea will flow into my consciousness...The creative process awaits your decision and your calm acceptance of the necessary work on your part following the decision."

The Next Colt To Jerusalem

You probably remember the story of Palm Sunday, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. The people were surprised--they were expecting Jesus, who had been out and about healing people and talking about their power and oneness with God, to be the mighty warrior and save them from their oppressive government. But that was not what Jesus came for. In fact, it was written in the Old Testament that He would do this. Jesus was not what the people wanted, but exactly what they needed.

What is written about you?

The Lion's Journey To Oz

Remember The Wizard of Oz? In addition to just being a wonderful movie, it has great metaphysical lessons for us. Remember the team's discussion with the Wizard? They went on that long journey to find the Wizard, in order to get courage, a heart, the opportunity to go home, etc.

But the Lion, for example, was reminded by the Wizard that he already had courage.

It takes courage. To go through what we judge as the big stuff--the end of a relationship, or a major change in what a current relationship looks like; a job transition; a health challenge. But we also need courage for the small stuff--speaking our truth, staying out of the belief in lack and struggle, etc.