Dear Friends,

We have good news … in keeping with the spirit of this Advent season as a time of expectant waiting and preparation — we have been ‘seeking,’ ‘knocking,’ and ‘listening’ to which we heard — “you must close a door to allow a new door to open,” “STOP,” and “Know Me”.  

As of today we are ‘on sabbatical' so to speak. To this end, “with Faith in God a place to stand” we press on with great anticipation of newness and learning!

For the next season we invite you to visit our ministry blogs: Scripture and Reflection, http://bwfaithministry.blogspot.ca ;  WhimsiGals and Prose,  http://whimsiland.blogspot.ca.

Thank you, each and every one of you, for your encouragement and feedback over these many years of ministry !

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!

With our love and tidings of great JOY,

Bonnie and Garry 

“… Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold …”

— Proverbs 8:8-11 New Living Translation

My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.

— Proverbs 8:8-11  New Living Translation 

“Reaching For The Light”
PERSONAL AWARENESS

Life is not “a bowl of cherries,” and it is not made better when we simply accept all that befalls us without questioning its validity. This is none other than a state of mind nurtured by habit; that of letting life run its course with little or no thought given to the fact that we alone are in charge of our own destiny. Our very well-being demands that we free ourself of this habit by cultivating a sense of personal awareness and of consciously making choices that redound to our good.

from “Reaching For The Light” by Garry D. Kilbourn 

Jesus gave them this reply, “Go and tell John what you see and hear — that blind men are recovering their sight, cripples are walking, lepers being healed, the deaf hearing, the dead being brought to life and the good news is being given to those in need. And happy is the man who never loses faith in me.”

— Matthew 11:4-6  J.B. Phillips New Testament 

“Reaching For The Light”
SALVATION 

The Peace we O so long for 

Is ours alone to win

Be still, be still, and look within.

’Tis truth that gives us moorage

Faith in God a place to stand

The soul unveiled now Lights our way

To selfless Love, which saves the day.

from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

’Teacher,’ he said, ‘which law is the greatest law of all?’ Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart. Love him with all your soul, and love him with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest law.

— Matthew 22:36-38  Worldwide English (New Testament)

“Reaching For The Light”

O THE MIND 

Harmony of mind, body and soul begins with the realization that it is the mind — the incessant workings of the mind — that governs our well-being. Not a moment passes but that we may consciously choose our thoughts: they are ours to own and to act upon as we alone decide. Not surprisingly, the operative word is “to act,” ever mindful that for good or ill, so go our thoughts.

from “Reaching For The Light” by Garry D. Kilbourn

Reflection : “Stand porter at the door of thought,” a friend reminds me. She paints an image of a robber knocking at the door of my mind to rob me of my harmony, joy and peace. When I’m feeling doubtful, uneasy, sad, or judgmental I check in on my thoughts. I ask myself what ‘belief’ did I let into my mind to allow me to think this way, to harm my well-being? blw

Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.

— Psalm 97:11
The Message 

“Reaching For The Light”
EYES: THE LIGHT OF THE SOUL

It is said, quite rightly, that the eyes are the Light of the soul. When we, as a fellow human, pause to become an onlooker into that wondrously revealing Light of another’s soul we see aught but God-given Goodness, Purity and Truth. We become two souls enjoined.

Such unspoken intimacy provides insight into, and connects us with, our other being; our higher spiritual self: We are at one with all that is good within us. Secure on firm ground, our new-found purpose is to give freely of ourself to others with God-given Love, for which we are ever thankful.

from “Reaching For The Light” by Garry D. Kilbourn

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!

— Psalm 63:1-3
New Living Translation

“Reaching For The Light”
GOD IS MY SOUL

He changed me

Yes, He changed me,

And now I am whole.

On knees in my stillness

In meekness and hope

God said to me gently,

God is my soul.

Yes, I know

O, I know that

God is my soul

Within me

He ever abides.

Now, softly, with voice

O so clear

God speaks to me gently

That others may hear.

He uses me, O yes

He uses me, He

Lovingly guideth my soul.

Yes, I know

O, I know that

God is my soul

Within me

He ever abides.

from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn

HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

— Philippians 2:1-4  
New Living Translation (NLT) 

“Reaching For The Light”
GIVING

God’s gift of Life is one of abiding Goodness and unconditional Love. To our own good fortune, we need not look far to know this, and to bask in God’s wondrous Grace: We have but to go within, admittedly, easier said than done. Even so, no matter life’s circumstances we may, at any time and of our own choosing, mount God’s path of inner peace and spiritual enlightenment.

In stepping onto this higher plane, one that as well reveals the divine Light of our immortal soul, we must be quit of the first person”I” or, more specifically, our ego. Life, as we come to learn, is not about “getting,” but about “giving.”

New-found humility awakens in us a sense of compassion and a love for others. In always looking for the good in others, our “self” becomes “selfless:” We have found the path.

Excerpt from “Reaching For The Light” 

by Garry D. Kilbourn