God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

— Romans 8:29-30  
The Message (MSG) more 

“Reaching For The Light”
THE ESSENCE OF BEING 

We are, all of us, faced with the dichotomy of having an inner and an outer self, each distinct in its own way and yet each dependent upon the other.

Our outer, mortal, self is the face we show to others, while our inner, immortal, self is the true essence of our being. The former is an accumulation of life experiences and of how we react to them. The latter — our inner being — is Life itself, our life-giving soul: God who lives in us and we in Him.

We owe it to ourself to acknowledge the ephemeral nature of our worldly ways, while at once allowing our God-given humanity to play its proper role.

Excerpt from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hid you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand— shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.  

— Matthew 5:16  
The Message (MSG)

“Reaching For The Light”

A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN

There’s a Light that’s deep within me

The Light that sets me free

A little bit of heaven that is my soul

A little bit of heaven that makes me whole.

Lord, let me Love another

Become a sister and a brother

Your heavenly Light bestir my fellow souls

Your little bit of heaven make us whole.

’Neath your wondrous sun-lit bower

Every minute, every hour

Help us manifest your Goodness and your Love

Help us, Lord, do all beneath that is above.

Excerpt from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

God began to do a good work in you. And I am sure that he will keep on doing it until he has finished it. He will keep on until the day Jesus Christ comes again.

— Philippians 1:6 
Worldwide English 

“Reaching For The Light”
GOD-GIVEN GOODNESS

It’s true, there is a little bit of heaven in all of us, that which is Life itself: our immortal soul. Herein lies our True essence, our God-given Goodness.

Though seldom allowed to bloom to its fullest, to suffuse our very being in its divinely spiritual Light, the soul’s life-giving power is ever at hand. We have but to believe, nay, to know that God lives in us and we in Him. He alone will lead us to firm ground, to peace within and to the love of our fellow-man.

from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

Eternal One: I AM WHO I AM. This is what you should tell the people of Israel: “I AM has sent me to rescue you.”

— Exodus 3:14  The Voice (VOICE)

“Reflections From Infinite Mind”

BE THE ’THEY’ AND BE ‘I AM’

Be the “they”

In a loving way

While at once

Being true to “I am.”

Whence we come 

Is common to all;

The Breath of God

Free of the Fall:

Each an “I am”

In His image of love;

Each, by His grace

With His call,

While each, in his or her

Own way,

Is ever one

With God’s own ’they.”

from “Reflections From Infinite Mind” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

God began to do a good work in you. And I am sure that he will keep on doing it until he has finished it. He will keep on until the day Jesus Christ comes again. I have a right to feel this way about you all because I love you very much. God is good to me and you all share in this goodness. You share in my troubles in prison. You share in my work of staying true to the good news of Jesus.

— Philippians 1:6-7

Worldwide English (New Testament)

“Reaching For The Light”

CARE OF THE SOUL 

There are, to be sure, many things that need attending to in life, if we are to have a life. The human condition being what it is, we tend to overlook the one thing essential to “having a life” — the care of the soul; that which is Life itself. Were we to rectify this neglect of the soul, we have ever at hand the necessary tool: our God-given Goodness, the embodiment of every human virtue.

Goodness manifests itself through selfless behaviour; that which allows us to want and do for others as we judge best for ourself. It means loving ourself and others, all the while working for the common good.

Goodness liberates the soul, putting us on a path of inner peace.

Excerpt from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

If you hear My voice and abide in My word, you are truly My disciples; you will know the truth, and that truth will give you freedom.

— John 8:31-32

The Voice (VOICE)

“Reaching For The Light”

IN SEARCH OF TRUTH 

The human ability to reason is a form of mental introspection, its efficacy confirmed by experience. Through experience we acquire both knowledge and understanding. Alone or in concert, these basic human faculties serve as essential guidelines for our well-being. 

Reasoning, whereby we both question and reflect on life’s many vicissitudes, ever in search of the Truth, heightens our presence of mind and helps to keep us centred. It should be an ever-present companion. 

The act of reasoning demands that we be scrupulously honest with ourself. In the doing we have the opportunity to go within, to transcend reason and to get in touch with our intuitive sixth sense, that which enlightens the soul and gives access to truth.

from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

He created me in eternity, before time began, and I will exist for all eternity to come.

— Sirach 24:9

Good News Translation (GNT)

“Reaching For The Light”

THE SOUL KNOWS NO SEASON

Throughout man’s evolution on earth we have, without fail, and at our own peril, denied our place in the universe.

We learn from the Scriptures that man is made in the image of God, nature’s Supreme architect: Ipso facto, we are part of the universal condition. Like all else, we are subject to the laws of nature in that mortal man too has his season.

Being the inheritor of God’s image, man’s immortal soul, which in turn gives rise to our divine spirituality, knows no season but is forever one with God.

from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

His divine power has given us everything we need to experience life and to reflect God’s true nature through the knowledge of the One who called us by His glory and virtue. Through these things, we have received God’s great and valuable promises, so we might escape the corruption of worldly desires and share in the divine nature. To achieve this, you will need to add virtue to your faith, and then knowledge to your virtue; … 

— 2 Peter 1:3-5  

The Voice (VOICE)

“Reaching For The Light”

THE DIVINE PATH

Compassion, understanding and love are humans traits common to all. No less than all of this must we bestow upon those who, for reasons perhaps unknown even to themselves, are unable to honour their true inner self. 

Pretending to be something we are not is a dichotomy not easily resolved. Neither, to be sure, is our ever-present sense of hopelessness. That we are at a loss of how to cope with the problem serves only to deepen our despair.

Relief, no less salvation, from this seemingly hopeless plight is to be found, as always, within ourself. In all reverence and humility, we turn our inner demons over to God, at once freeing ourself of worldly ego and awakening our spirituality. Our soul is likewise awakened from its childhood slumber; its Light long obscured. Giving thanks, we again find ourself on God’s divine path of Goodness and Love.

Excerpt from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

Let there be no more resentment, no more anger or temper, no more violent self-assertiveness, no more slander and no more malicious remarks. Be kind to each other, be understanding. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.

— Ephesians 4:31  J.B. Phillips New Testament

“Reaching For The Light”

VULNERABILITY

Taking responsibility for our own conduct is itself an expression of character. In the doing, we as well reveal our vulnerability, an unintentional though equally beneficial factor.

Exposing our vulnerability, that is to say, our true self, demands trust in ourself and in others such that others recognize our state and respond in kind. Seldom, if ever, are we let down.

A necessary corollary of our being true to ourself is that of allowing others to be themselves. Again it becomes a matter of trust: that which we ourselves revere is no less deserving of others.

In simply being ourself — the person God meant us to be — we are at peace. Only thus may we share with others our manifold blessings. 

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience — it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance … Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.

— 1 Corinthians 13:4,7-8a  

J.B. Phillips New Testament

“Reaching For The Light”

GIVING FREELY 

OF OURSELF 

Our time is well spent when we take a moment to consider the two separate, though co-dependent, aspects of our being: spirituality and mortality.

Our mortal being we know. It is this, our physical demeanour, which at first blush identifies us to others. That which is so readily seen, however, ofttimes fails to reveal the whole.

The body is but the temple of our soul, the essence of our being; that which gives rise to our spirituality whereby we are enabled to become one with God.

Bringing balance into our life, whereby we achieve spiritual and mortal harmony, reveals our purpose: giving freely of ourself to others.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth.

— Romans 13:1  

The Voice (VOICE)

“Reflections From Infinite Mind”

TIME 

Time, let us be clear, is none other than an intellectual concept designed to serve all aspects of day-to-day life: Ours to do with as we will — for good or ill. Should we choose to live our life abiding by the Golden Rule (as it is our moral responsibility to do so) we tend to lose the sense of time as an all-consuming governance as it becomes subject to the will of God. We find ourself, consciously or unconsciously, allowing life to unfold before us, with no thought of “forcing the issue,” as we are wont to do.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Listen, your eye, your outlook, the way you see is your lamp. If your way of seeing is functioning well, then your whole life will be enlightened. But if your way of seeing is darkened, then your life will be a dark, dark place.

— Luke 11:34  The Voice (VOICE)

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“Reaching For The Light”

Personal 

Enlightenment

Whether or not the many and varied ills that beset us are of our own making is a moot point. What does matter is that we alone must find a way to deal with them. How we go about this is critical to our well-being.

However difficult it may be, we begin by acknowledging our state in life and accepting responsibility for it. In the very act of doing so our burden is made lighter.

Freeing the mind of idle thoughts is a necessary first step in this life-long process: such thoughts replaced by an abiding awareness of God’s presence in our life, of His Goodness and of His Love for all.

Our other, higher spiritual self thus becomes freed as well, to reawaken our bruised soul and to give balance to our being.

The whole purpose in pursuing this course of personal enlightenment is to achieve Harmony of mind, body and soul. Only then may we lay claim to that age-old-maxim, to thine own self be true. And only then will we come to know true happiness.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offences against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind.

— Colossians 3:12-13 The Voice (VOICE)

“Reaching For The Light”

Harmony

To say of ourselves, knowing it to be so, that we are happy, is to confirm the reconciliation of our inner being — our spirituality — with the mind. In short, we have achieved all that God wills for us — Harmony of mind, body and soul.

By its very nature, happiness cannot be contained: it must be shared with others. Its essence lies in our inborn goodness, such that we all have the potential to know happiness.

This state of everlasting bliss, as we well know, is not easy to come by. It demands that we subdue ego with humility, that we may come to love ourselves and others.

We are, each one of us by our very Birthright, divine Love. Our Purpose is to rediscover our Birthright, to know happiness and to glorify God’s Goodness and His wondrous Love.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Listen carefully to my wisdom; take to heart what I can teach you. You’ll treasure its sweetness deep within; you’ll give it bold expression in your speech. To make sure your foundation is trust in GOD, I’m laying it all out right now just for you. I’m giving you thirty sterling principles — tested guidelines to live by. Believe me — these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you.

— Proverbs 22:17-21 The Message

“Reaching For The Light”

A Moral Precept

Accepting responsibility for our conduct is a moral imperative. Above all else, it defines our character. 

Awareness of such a responsibility arises not from the mind, but from intuition, an inborn human trait.

Morality resides in the soul, the essence of our being. Unless veiled by worldly busyness, our divinely spiritual nature enables us to recognize and to embrace responsibility: conduct that ennobles character.

By its very nature, we early sense the need to accept responsibility, a sensation which may or may not be reinforced in our upbringing. Either way, it is our duty alone to honour this moral precept. Our personal well-being demands that we do so with cheerful readiness.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Another time Jesus was praying, and when He finished, one of His disciples approached Him. Disciple: Teacher, would You teach us Your way of prayer? John taught his disciples his way of prayer, and we’re hoping You’ll do the same.

— Luke 11:1 The Voice (Voice)

“Reaching For The Light”

Prayer

A ceaseless hum of electrical activity is a term used in science when describing the human brain. Electrical impulses, interacting with chemical neurotransmitters, originate in the brain and extended throughout the body.

Little wonder, then, that we have such close affinity with the whole of nature wherein the entire universe is in itself a natural electromagnetic force.

Conjecture leads one to believe that human fellowship, no less communion with God, is made possible through the medium of electromagnetic forces common to mankind and to all of nature’s wonders.

In coming to be with God we do well to ask His Grace through earnest, unselfish prayer, thus comforting ourself while at once giving aid to another. Prayer is not an expression of human will: rather, it is a quiet moment suffused with God’s Love while in a state of complete self-effacement.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Jesus answered him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’. This is the first and great commandment. And there is a second like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’. The whole of the Law and the Prophets depends on these two commandments.”

— Matthew 22:37-40  J.B. Phillips (PHILLIPS) more

“Reaching For The Light”

Nourishing The Soul

That we are mortal beings, everyone knows. What is less well-known or, all too often, given little attention, is our other “Higher” self — our divinely immortal soul.

We do well to make the distinction between the two, all the while cognizant of the fact that they are interdependent: The first having to do with our sensuous, or physical, being — that which is temporal. The second is none other than Life everlasting.

Bringing into balance both the bodily and spiritual aspects of our nature, such that we achieve harmony of mind, body and soul, is essential to our well-being.

Moderation in all things is the byword for a healthy body. That which nourishes the soul is a deep and abiding love of God, made manifest by a love of oneself and others.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

“And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.”

— Matthew 16:19 The Message (MSG)

“Reaching For The Light”

Spiritual Enlightenment

Young and old alike have long sought true meaning in life, that which gives purpose to our being. Often, however, we are at a loss, in not knowing how or where to turn. As though this were not enough, in our effort to unlock the seeming mystery, we tend to overlook the fact that the key to personal happiness, namely, a re-awakening of the soul, is ever at hand.

Veiled though it may be through mortal ill-use, the soul’s presence reveals itself to all of humble heart amid God’s wondrous inner Light.

Upon God coming into our life we at once sense His Goodness and His Love. We as well come to recognize the superficiality of worldly dross, ever an encumbrance to the soul.

Spiritually enlightened, we know ourself to be on firm ground. Thus too do we know true self-love and the love of others: We are at Home with our true inner self.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? 

— Matthew 16:24-26 The Message (MSG)

“Reaching For The Light”

Our True Self  

All too often, the person we portray to others is not who we really are, or would like to be. It is but an upside down image of the true “us.” Left unattended, it tends to become self-destructive.

To our own misfortune, we seldom seek remedy by going within to examine our life through mindful contemplation. Nonetheless, examine it we must if ever we are to come to know our true innermost self.

Very often, such self-examination is involuntary, coming at a time when we are at our lowest and no longer able, consciously or unconsciously, to deny the one thing most dear to us — our innately God-given Goodness.

In coming to terms with who we are, we at once sense a hitherto unknown lightness of being. At long last we are free, simply, to be “us.”

— Garry D. Kilbourn

"I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left — feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. “You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.

— John 14:25-28 The Message (MSG)

“Reaching For The Light”

The Common Good 

We have a moral obligation to live our lives with purpose, each in its own way.

A sense of one’s own purpose is at once a transcendence of thoughts of the mind, a spiritual revelation of self-awareness.

It means abandoning all pretence, that we may be honest with ourselves and become re-acquainted with our God-given Goodness. Only thus may we come to realize our own unique human potential in pursuit of the common good — that which defines our purpose.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven.

— Job 38:35-37 New Living Translation (NLT)

“Reaching For The Light”

Intuition

Our sixth sense, is a trait common to everyone. It is a supernatural sixth sense which, among other things, has the potential to give insight into one’s true inner being.

That we may truly know and bond with another requires, firstly, our being at peace within. In such a state, and in all humility, we look to our Higher spiritual self to convey our vulnerability and our trust. Thus are souls uplifted.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.”

— Genesis 1:26 Amplified Bible (AMP) 

“Reaching For The Light”

Walking in the Way

Were we to be ever conscious of the fact that we are born in the spiritual image of God, forever possessed of His Goodness, all the while walking in His Way with Love for our fellowman, we would at once be midst those Elysian Fields of inner peace that we so long for.

Our spiritual salvation — our very humanity — lies ever within. We alone, in all humility, must take firm hold of that which is divinely given; that which is ever so near.

— Garry D. Kilbourn