For as He thinketh in His heart, so is He…
– Proverbs 23:7

… Life is a mirror, reflecting to us … the images of our thinking. Whatever one thinks tends to take form and become a part of his experience.
– The Science of Mind, page 320

Science of Mind tells us that everything we experience in our lives is an outpicturing of what is in our own consciousness. Even though I sometimes forget this, the Universe is very generous about continuously reminding me about it.

One morning when I awoke, I was really feeling bummed out. I said, “Good God, morning!” instead of “Good morning, God!” Everything seemed to be wrong! I went into work and met with my client, Patrick. He was even more bummed out than I was. He began complaining, “I don’t trust anyone. Everyone’s out to get you. Even when they’re nice to you, they’re only doing it because they want something.” I looked at him and asked, “Patrick, are you like that? My mother used to say, ‘The world is a mirror. The way you look at it, it looks back at you.’” He was silent for a while and then said, “Your mother sure was smart! That’s just how I am! I never thought of it before.” I went on to explain to him that we often can’t face our own insecurities, so we project them out onto others and then criticize them for having them. In that way, we don’t have to take responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The session began livening up. By the end, he had decided to go to Pharmacy School, and make something of his life.

Oh, yes, and I stopped complaining.

I look into the mirror of my life and I love what I see. I see acceptance. I see love. I see beauty, joy, and peace. I see God’s Light shining through every moment of the day!

Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister

I took it so high, so low, so low, there was nowhere to go…
-Patti LaBelle. “New Attitude”

Ms. LaBelle’s lament embodies the 1st step of the 12-Step Recovery Program which now applies to literally dozens of addictions in addition to alcoholism. That first step says: “We admitted we felt powerless over alcohol, drugs, food, emotions, situations, problems, finances, health, relationships – that our lives had become unmanageable.”

People tend to resist this step because at first glance it sounds like negative thinking. It is enormously difficult to admit feeling powerless because previously we have used our will to try to control our lives over & over again. After all, shouldn’t we know what’s best for us? However, when we come out of denial, we can see that our former way of doing things has not gotten us the results we so deeply desired.

Being the clergy counselor for a 12-Step Rehabilitation program, I see dozens of people recovering from drugs & alcohol each month. One of my clients, Mark, had literally been on every drug possible plus alcohol all at the same time! He was extremely distraught when I met him, yet somehow he felt comfortable enough to tell me his story. When I started talking to him about his Higher Power, he responded disdainfully, “Yeah Right!” When I pointed out that he must have a purpose because he was actually still alive, he gave me a quizzical look. By the end of the session, he was willing to admit he had a serious problem & said, “Well, I’m not promising anything but at least I’ll think about this Higher Power stuff because nothing else has ever worked for me!”

I was overjoyed because the big key to this step is the word “admit.” Only when we “admit” something is wrong, can we “commit” to doing anything about it! It is then, that we become open to change. & once we are open to change, we are ready to move on to joining God as our partner in our program of renewal, recovery, revitalization, & victory!

Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister

These things I command you, that ye love one another
– John 15:17

Perfect love casteth out fear…
– John 4:18

In almost all philosophies, belief systems, and spiritual practices, the central theme is “Love.” The Bible repeats the two great commandments numerous times. “Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with thy entire mind, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.”

Sheila and Carl have been in a very close and intimate relationship for over 12 years. Even though it has been mainly open, supportive, and loving, every once in a while, she gets one of her buttons pushed, and her feelings get hurt.

During one of these times, Sheila came to see me. “Rev. Rainbow,” she began, “some times Carl and I seem so close, we almost know what the other person is thinking! And then, at other times, it feels like we don’t know each other at all, and I get afraid that this relationship is over. I know with God all things are possible, but it sure doesn’t feel like that right now!”

After listening to everything, she had to say, I suggested we look at the situation from a spiritual point of view and proceeded to do a spiritual mind treatment. During the prayer, I heard myself say, “And Sheila is now embodying God’s Love. She is loving Carl one day at a time and letting the past go.” After the treatment, Sheila smiled broadly, took a deep breath and said, “I can do that!”

She called me in a few days and reported, “I’ve never felt so happy. I am seeing beauty and Divinity in Carl I’ve never before experienced. And all because I’m loving him one day at a time!”

Today, I make up my mind to release all past judgments, limiting beliefs, and destructive attitudes. I embody God’s Love as never before. I commit to living in the present, and loving the people in my life one day at a time.

Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister

…Thou couldest have no power at all against me…
– John 19:11

Nothing is real to us unless we make it real. Nothing can touch us unless we let it touch us … Refuse to receive anyone’s condemnation.
– Science of Mind, page 307

You’ll Have to Find Another Way to Communicate With Me!

In Religious Science we say that no one can make us feel guilty without our permission; no one can manipulate us without our permission, and no one can hurt our feelings without our permission. That’s easy to say, you might be thinking, but what do I say when someone is trying to control me? Where shall I get the strength?

Recently I met an amazing young couple who gave me a powerful answer to this conundrum. Both of them are awesomely integrated, vibrant individuals who have a live, active, spiritual relationship with God.

The husband had been married twice before, and was used to being in control. In fact, he had developed the skill of manipulation into a fine art. The wife was not used to this type of interaction, and the very first time he tried it on her, she gave him a classic answer that will inspire people throughout the ages. She went within for inner strength, looked at him calmly and lovingly and said, “I don’t do manipulation. You’ll have to find another way to communicate with me.” Their entire relationship changed and they entered a new level of truth and intimacy neither of them had ever known before.

As I share this tool with my numerous students and clients, they have come up with wonderful variations, such as “I don’t do guilt, anger, control, etc.” The main idea here is to go within, set a boundary of what you will and will not accept, and then add calmly, “You’ll have to find another way to communicate with me.”

Today, I dive to the center of my being wherein my Truth dwells. From this Truth, I lovingly communicate with others, and accept only loving and truthful communication in return. Thank You, God.

Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister

Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…
– Matthew 7:12

The Golden Rule is also known as The Ethic of Reciprocity! It appears in one form or another in almost every religion and philosophy known to humankind.

Each morning when I awaken, I create my day, and affirm that I can be of service wherever I am needed. And each day, I am given many amazing opportunities to do so.

For example, several weeks ago, I was about to leave for the airport, when all at once I remembered I hadn’t paid the rent. I quickly drove to my landlady’s house. She was thrilled to see me and beckoned me to come in. I tried to explain I had to catch a plane, but one look at her face, and all other thoughts vanished. She was in enormous pain from her breast cancer, heart stents, stroke reactions and more! I hugged her, and then took her hands and prayed with her, a spiritual mind treatment (5-step affirmative prayer). She burst into tears and thanked me profusely, saying she felt so much better. I hurried home and my friend informed me he hadn’t slept in 2 days, and could I give him a massage to help him fall asleep. “It would be my pleasure,” I responded. Then I received two crisis phone calls from clients. Of course I prayed with them. Time just disappeared as I was being of service.

Yes, I made my flight. And, that evening I received an email, inviting me to go to Russia and participate in the oral panel for 15 newly graduated Practitioners, fully funded!

AFFIRMATION
Today, I delight in discovering the many ways I can be of service, whether it be by smiling at someone, speaking an encouraging word, or just by being the Love that I am! My life is rich and full, and I am grateful!

Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Outreach Minister