Dear Friends,

God is Love

My message, from a very cold southern hemisphere, deals with the Alchemy of Love. Before continuing let us investigate the meaning of the word, ‘alchemy.’ Briefly it is explained thus:

“Alchemy is an ancient practice shrouded in mystery and secrecy. Its practitioners mainly sought to turn lead into gold, a quest that has captured the imaginations of people for thousands of years. However, the goals of alchemy went far beyond simply creating some golden nuggets. Alchemy was rooted in a complex spiritual worldview in which everything around us contains a sort of universal spirit, and metals were believed not only to be alive but also to grow inside the Earth. When a base, or common metal, such as lead was found, it was thought to simply be a spiritually and physically immature form of higher metals such as gold. To the alchemists, metals were not the unique substances that populate the periodic table, but instead the same thing in different stages or refinement on their way to spiritual perfection.”

But………..back to the alchemy of love, where we are not looking at gold as the result so to speak, but rather, through a deeper understanding, using love as the “catalyst” to perform the transformation. And we are going to look at doing this firstly in our own individual experience, and by doing so, discover then, that we, ourselves automatically become active transformers by being (or becoming) the conduits for inevitable transformation. We cannot expect from others what we, ourselves are not prepared to give. In other words, if we are not showing love, forgiveness and understanding then what is it that will be reciprocated? Do we perhaps keep looking to others to make things right, for the world to come right, or for something out there to change first, to fulfil us??

Joel Goldsmith says: “You cannot have an insufficiency of any kind if your source is God…that makes the source of it infinite.” So when we realize God to be our capacity then we have infinite capacity to love.

We are all vitally part of the huge transformation that is taking place in the seeming chaos that is being experienced in the world right now. Alan Cohen states it clearly in these words:
“Old systems and paradigms have to break down before they can be replaced. Breakdown is the precursor of breakthrough. The darkest time is just before dawn.”

In Jeremiah 17, we read:
“Cursed is the man that trusteth in man……..”
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord….”
I understand this to indicate that it is up to us to choose whom we shall serve – God or man; it is up to us to decide to trust (get involved with) the material world of effects, and experience the consequences of that choice; or we can place our trust in our Source (whatever name we know It by) and experience the inevitable, unlimited, fruits of Spirit – the choice is ours. And I believe that through what is taking place around us now, we are being forced to sit up and take notice and realize – each one for him or herself: “I am responsible – it’s my turn to step up to the plate. And I am referring to stepping up to the plate in consciousness.

Let us take heed of what Goldsmith says along these lines in his book: “A Parenthesis in Eternity”
It is easy to be a human being full of trouble – that seems to be the easiest thing in the world to be. But it is not easy to be the child of God, spiritually free of troubles. The whole of the spiritual life has to do with an activity of consciousness, an activity of your consciousness and of mine.
To live as the son of God and not as a human being means to dwell consciously in the realization of an invisible presence; it means to live consciously in the awareness that God is the guiding and sustaining principle of our life. There must be a change of base; there must be a change of consciousness.

Every day we are faced with two powers, yet there is only one true power – the power of God, the power of Love. Interestingly, when we do focus on who we are – in truth, each one of us – offspring from the same Source of all Life, then we know that the love that we are responsible for giving, and sharing, is the love from that Source. It is the inherent love in all, and through our deeper understanding, we know it to be the pure, absolute love that is the most powerful force in the universe.
And we have a responsibility as (spiritual) alchemists to begin the process of transformation, using Love to purify and change fear and confusion so evident in the world around us.
What we are seeing largely in the media, in the struggle for power, between individuals, stems from titanic egos. Yet on the other hand we have the “iceberg” of Love; God’s Love. We know that two thirds of an iceberg is submerged, so the titanic egos do not really stand a chance. But it is up to us to wake up to the submerged gold of Truth within each individual; and bring this to the attention of all who are ready to embrace it.

As indicated in the initial simple definition of alchemy: “to the alchemists, metals were the same thing in different stages or refinement, on their way to spiritual perfection.” When acted upon, transformation takes place and the catalyst in question in this message, is LOVE.

Remember, God is being God, through you and me; and Love is using us as transformers; we are the transparencies for that Divine Love. The only separation from our Divine Source is in our own minds.
In Truth – in Spirit – all are one! It is only when we understand and know this for ourselves that we can understand and know it for another; and ultimately for all.

SUNDAY SERVICES: All are welcome to join us each week as we take time to Be Still, in Silent Meditation, and then share a Lesson in Truth Principles. NB. Childcare is available if you phone us on Friday before 10:00am to arrange.

Meditation – 09:30 to 09:45
Service – 09:45 to 10:30

SPEAKERS –August:
07 Sylvia van Zyl
14 Rev. Mallory Kretzmann
21 Rosemary Batchelor
28 Rev. Mallory Kretzmann

12:00 NOON – MEDITATION: We remind you that our Sanctuary is open Tuesday to Friday from 12 noon to 1pm for meditation. We invite you to come in, light a candle, and Be Still for any part of the hour. In this month of August, our candle will be lit for Love – Absolute Love flowing forth through individual consciousness.

ACT MEMBERS’ MARKET: The market this month will be held on Sunday 21 August. As previously indicated, due to the colder weather, the market will be held indoors. Members who have “wares” to sell are welcome to do so on the allocated Sunday, but need to set up before the Service commences. Should you wish to participate call us on 041-5813309 for details. Sellers to tithe 10% of their sales towards the renovation of the “new” venue space.

TRIVIA EVENING: By popular demand… the next one will be held on Friday 05 August. Time 6:00pm for 6:30pm. An evening of fun and laughter is promised as teams are quizzed on their general knowledge. R60-00 per person includes Hotdogs (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) with trimmings and a glass of sherry. Call us on 041-5813309 to book your space. To facilitate catering, we would appreciate an rsvp by 03 August.

HOLY WORKDAY: Saturday 20 August – a special workday to undertake maintenance activities at the Centre. This will not be an ordinary work party, but a morning of intentional and mindful activity where we work towards a common practical goal (restoring, cleaning and revitalizing material aspects of the Centre) while simultaneously practising “self-remembering”. There will be a theme for contemplation throughout the morning. An unconditional commitment to work together from 09:00 to 1pm will be required. You may phone in to be included and there is a notice on the board.

CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD: This 7-week course facilitated by Gillian Nutt begins Wednesday 31 August; time: 19:00 to 21:00. Cost is R500 for ACT Members; R600 for non-members. In this audio teaching and coaching course you will be guided in a step by step method in changing the way you speak to God. Book directly with Gillian on: 041-3655256 or dr.gillian@telkomsa.net and there is a list for names and all details on the notice board.

THE SECRETS OF SYMBOLS: (Part One: The Water Symbol). Join us for a Social/supper evening at ACT for a talk and power-point presentation by Louise Luders. Delicious simple meal, complimentary sherry, surprise dessert and at peek at some of the world’s most ancient and well known symbols. Book now for Friday 09 September; time 6:00pm for 6:30pm. R60-00 per person.

WEDNESDAY MORNING MEDITATION: Join Mallory over the next seven weeks for the follow-on of the next guided meditations in the tradition of the Kabbalah. The duration of the meditation is 45 minutes, to be followed by discussion and your donation includes tea / coffee. Commences: 14 September at 10:00am.

ACT LIBRARY: We are pleased to announce that some 30 “new books” are now available on our library shelves. These books were donated over the past few months, and we look forward to adding more in the next weeks. The list will be included / attached for your perusal, and we extend our thanks to donors and library volunteers.

DIVINE SCIENCE U.K. – Revs. Dave and Ishbel Bailey – e-mail: divinescienceuk@hotmail.com Ph: 01892 752085

In Closing …..
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbour as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37-39

Bountiful blessings,

MALLORY