a positive path for spiritual living

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2 0 1 8  T A L K S   |   2 0 1 7  T A L K S   |   2 0 1 6  T A L K S   |   2 0 1 4  T A L K S

(Messages are in reverse order from most recent to oldest)

Rev. Jim Fuller and Guest Speakers, 2015

 

little-buddha-dotsSunday, December 27, 2015
“Connecting the Dots”

Guest Speaker: Rob Geyer

She’s back! Little Buddha would like to pass along another message, this time about “connecting the dots” in our lives. (See Rob’s “Little Buddha” message from Sunday, November 1)

Rob Geyer has been receiving wisdom and guidance through his spiritual journaling practice for the last decade and a half or so. He looks on it as a kind of two-way conversation with God along the lines of Neale Donald Walsh’s work. “Little Buddha” showed up for him as a fully formed story. And now there’s a new message!

Right-Click to downolad: Connecting the Dots


 

 

 

shine-your-lightSunday, December 20, 2015
“Shining the Light You Are”

Guest Speaker: Rev. Ginger Hannah

We are the Light – and that means a State of Consciousness or State of Being of whatever we choose: being caring, helpful, forgiving, trusting, generous, peaceful, joyful, loving or whatever other characteristic we choose to be.  Life supplies us with the opportunity to practice being the light and as we shine our light, it inspires others to shine theirs!

Begins with guided meditation by Rev. Ginger. Talk begins at about 6:35.

Right-click to download: Shining the Light You Are


 

 

love-fear-choose

Sunday, December 6, 2015
“Accepting Our Miracles”

Guest Speaker: Debra Burger

To accept the miracles that are all around us, we must move our attention from that which engenders fear, grasping and separation to that which inspires love and connection with each other and with all of life.

This talk includes a guided meditation using words from John O’Donohue, the Karen Drucker song I Have Faith and a performance of O Holy Night by Tyrone Smith.

Right-click to download: Accepting Our Miracles


 

 

frog-yogaSunday, November 29, 2015
“F.R.O.G. – Fully Rely on God”

Guest Speaker: Rev. John Frederick

When we put our trust in things like money, relationships, prestige and the like we eventually discover the uncomfortable truth they really don’t work for long if at all. We had best learn instead to place our trust and dependence on a Higher Power.

Right-click to download: F.R.O.G. – Fully Rely on God


 

 

glad-game

Sunday, November 22, 2015
“Gratitude: Revisiting the Glad Game”

Guest Speaker: Rev. Roger Mock

Living a more grateful life takes work and practice. Eleanor H. Potter’s 1913 book Pollyanna introduced the world to one such method of practice she called the “glad game.” To be a “Pollyanna” has come to mean to be naively optimistic. Yet Potter’s heroine faced immense challenges head-on. Maybe it’s time to revisit her attitude of gratitude.

Right-click to download: Gratitude: Revisiting the Glad Game

There’s a little slide show during the talk with pages taken from Fifty-Seven Reasons Not to Have a Nuclear War, a 1984 book by Marty Asher and Lonni Sue Johnson.

The two songs used in the talk are:
John Ed Hammet by Lou & Peter Berryman (Available on their album The February March)
7 Wonders of the World by Robert Anderson (Available on their album  Do All You Can)


 

 

 

begin-again-welshonsSunday, November 15, 2015
“Beginning Again”

Guest Speaker: “Ramananda” John E. Welshons

In a talk inspired in part by Suzuki’s book, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, John Welshons shows us that by releasing past burdens and old beliefs we can begin each day as though beginning our life for the first time – being “born again.”

Right-click to download: Beginning Again


 

 

little-buddhaSunday, November 1, 2015
“Little Buddha”

Guest Speaker: Rob Geyer

Rob shares an inspired story that “showed up” for him in his spiritual writing practice. A man encounters a young girl, wise beyond her years, on a beach.

Right-click to download: Little Buddha


 

 

littleprince-foxSunday, October 25, 2015
“The Wind in the Wheat: Treasuring the Joys of Friendship”

Guest Speaker/Musician: Jessica Roemischer

As a pianist, writer and and spiritual performer, Jessica Roemischer uniquely melds music and the spoken word “in duet” with those present. She reads from her writings and poetry, accompanying herself on the piano, highlighting themes of universal meaning. Jessica’s new book, In Duet with God, a spiritual memoir, is inspiring audiences with throughout the USA and internationally.
Visit www.pianobeautiful.com and www.induetwithgod.com

Right-click to download: The Wind in the Wheat: Treasuring the Joys_of_Friendship


 

 

H016MeditatorHeartBlue-5x7Sunday, October 18, 2015
“Embracing Your Divinity”

Guest Speaker:Rev. Phil Jones

Rev. Phil shares teachings, ecstatic poetry and song from the Eastern traditions he was initiated into by his teacher Swami Abinkananda in the 1970s, whose great devotion was to the Divine Mother.

Right-click to download: Embracing Your Divinity


 

 

lastsupper-dali

Sunday, October 11, 2015
“From Ritual to Spiritual: Embodying the Teachings of Christ”

Guest Speaker: Cary Bayer

Cary delineates four key teachings of Jesus that encompass the esoteric or spiritual aspects of his message, showing us how to more deeply embody and live them, rather than simply ritualize them.

Right-click to download: From Ritual to Spiritual


 

 

rev-julie-path

Sunday, October 4, 2015
“Grace, Wisdom, and Yes – There Is a Plan for Your Life”

Guest Speaker: Rev. Julie Montague

Love, Grace and Wisdom are always available to us, conspiring for our good and growth. If we “seek first the kingdom,” we need not worry about our life, trusting instead in the Divine Plan.
Note: Rev. Julie’s talks were varied enough at the two morning services, that we have decided to offer both here for your listening.
9:00 am talk:
Right-Click to download: Grace, Wisdom… 9:00 am message
11:00 am talk:
Right click to download:  Grace, Wisdom… 11:00 am message

 

 

flower-in-handSunday, September 27, 2015
“The How of Compassion”

Guest Speaker: Debra Burger

How do we live a life geared toward cultivating and offering compassion? Sharing wisdom from Ram Dass, the Hassidic and Buddhist traditions, teacher Sharon Salzberg and her own counseling practice, Debra offers us tools and insight to do just that. Included are two songs, Debra’s I Know You Can Get, based on a poem by Haffiz, and Libby Roderick’s How Could Anyone Ever Tell You.
Right-click to download: The How of Compassion

 

 

revcrystal_amen

Sunday, September 20, 2015
“Is It So?”

Guest Speaker: Rev. Crystal Muldrow

The “amen” at the end of our prayers may be the most important part of our prayer. More than just a perfunctory “let it be so,” our amen offers us the opportunity to make a conscious commitment to manifest that for which we pray.
Right-click to download: Is It So?

 

 

mountain-path

Sunday, September 13, 2015
“The Journey So Far”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

Rev. Jim gives his final Sunday talk, essentially part 2 of the talk he gave on March 22 when he announced his planned departure. We return again to the passage from 2 Kings 2 about Elijah and Elisha and their respective journeys forward. From the talk: “As timeless beings, we cannot be satisfied with anything less than total freedom.” Near the end Kay Fuller offers her own closing reflections.
Godspeed, dear friends!

Right-click to download: The Journey So Far


 

 

ripples3

Sunday, September 6, 2015
“Dharma, Karma & Divine Order”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

There is a loving, positive Order pervading the universe. The Eastern teachings of dharma (spiritual law) and karma (action and the returning energies evoked by action), combined with Unity’s understanding of the divine powers present within us, provide a powerful spiritual framework to help us live in union with that Divine Order.
Right-click to download: Dharma, Karma & Divine Order

 

 

Fox_Hole

Sunday, August 30, 2015
“Strangers in a Strange Land”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

 “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests; but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” Rev. Jim offers a fascinating and compelling interpretation of this saying of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke (9:58), paring it with a passage from A Course in Miracles. We are the “son of man” and we are not at home in this world. The Bible and other world scriptures and traditions provide the tools and teachings to lead us home.
..
Read the Course in Miracles section referred to here: ACIM Lesson #182
.. 

Right-click to download: Strangers in a Strange Land


 

 

Jesus_washing_Peter's_feet

Sunday, August 16, 2015
“Beyond Belief: Your Faith Has Made You Well”

Speaker: Rev. John Frederick

Unity’s “practical Christianity” provides tools and insight to help us move beyond the limits of our beliefs and belief systems, enabling us to live from a place of deeper faith and vision.
Right-click to download: Beyond Belief

 

 

Sunday, August 9, 2015
“It’s Not Far”

Speaker: Rev. Roger Mock

It is a hallmark of the human condition that we do not feel at home in this world. We feel separated from each other and from God and we long to return to a state of oneness and peace.

 

Note: This talk is presented in three parts with additional music and with the vintage animated film with which Roger began his talk.

 

Part 1:
Song: “It’s Not Far” (words music by Peter Mayer)
performed by Unity Albany Music Team;
& Talk introduction

 

Part 2:

Animated film: “Flebus”

 

Talk part 2 with song: “Kindergarten Wall” (words and music by John McCutcheon)

Part 3:

Song: “I Want to Go Home” (words and music by Mark Shepard) performed by Mark Shepard and Pete Furlong

 

Talk conclusion:

Right-click to download:
It’s Not Far – Part 1  |  It’s Not Far – Part 2  |  I Want to Go Home  |  It’s Not Far – Part 3


 

 

eye-is-single

Sunday, August 2, 2015
“Mindfulness”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

“Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is single, your whole body is full of light.” (Luke 11:34). When we employ mindfulness, focusing on the unchanging consciousness beneath the chatter of the mind, we can begin to experience the illumined state which Jesus refers to in this passage from Luke.
Right-click to download: Mindfulness

 

 

pray-together

Sunday, July 19, 2015
“Together We Pray”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

We can listen for the prayers God is praying and then work to align our minds and lives with these higher thoughts.
Right-click to download: Together We Pray

 

 

Bierstadt_A_Storm_in_the_Rocky_Mountains,_Mt_Rosalie

Sunday, July 12, 2015
“New Frontiers”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

Using a metaphysical interpretation of the life of Moses as a template, Rev. Jim talks about the spiritual journey. Every day is a new frontier. Will we step into it?

Right-click to download: New Frontiers


 

 

palms-up-circle-light

Sunday, June 28, 2015
“The True Church of Christ”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

What is the true church of Christ? Jesus taught his disciples to remain in communication with that inner place of holiness and guidance he called the Holy Spirit. When we come together and affirm and strengthen that inner goodness or “God-ness”, we are manifesting that Church of Christ.

Right-click to download: The True Church of Christ


 

 

starlings-mundy

Sunday, June 21, 2015
“Perfect Communication or Dancing With the Divine”

Speaker: Dr. Jon Mundy

A Course in Miracles calls us to a state of One-Mindedness where, since we are no longer in a conflicted state, perfect communication with the Divine occurs.

Right-click to download: Perfect Communication or Dancing With the Divine

During the talk, the following video of starling “murmuration” was shown:


 

 

abundance-carybayer

Sunday, June 7, 2015
“The Good Life & the God Life”

Speaker: Cary Bayer

We’ve been led to believe that spirituality and material abundance are mutually exclusive; that we “can’t have our cake and eat it, too.” Cary shows us that abundance is an integral part our true nature as creations of God.

Right-click to download: The Good Life and the God Life

Beautiful Person by Mark Shepard
Cary makes several references to this Mark Shepard song which was sung prior to the talk.
Listen to it and read lyrics HERE


 

 

let go

Sunday, May 31, 2015
“Let Go Lightly”

Speaker: “Ramananda” John Welshons

As our church moves toward a time of transition, John Welshons offers sage advice about letting go of the way things have been and embracing the new with grace.

Right-click to download: Let Go Lightly


 

 

give-receive

Sunday, May 24, 2015
“Giving & Receiving”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

“Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights in whom there is no variation and no shadow.” (James 1:17)

Right-click to download: Giving and Receiving


 

 

living-bravely

Sunday, May 17, 2015
“Living Bravely”

Speaker: Debra Burger

Times of change can bring discomfort and encourage our tendency to cling to old patterns. Debra helps us to embrace the new, aligning to what is highest within us and acting from that place.

Right-click to download: Living Bravely


 

 

madonna-and-child

Sunday, May 10, 2015
“Thank You,Mother”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

The demands of motherhood are so great, it can seem like a recipe for disaster, yet God is present in every mother and in every child. Recognizing this and accessing that Presence leads to wisdom, strength and great love.

Right-click to download: Thank You, Mother


 

 

banquet-of-heaven

Sunday, May 3, 2015 
“Engaged in the Banquet of Life”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

The kingdom of God is like a great dinner party. God is hosting it right now through us.

Right-click to download: Engaged in the Banquet of Life


 

 

book-heart-love

Sunday, April 26, 2015 
“The Heart of A Course in Miracles

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

In tandem with last Sunday’s message on the Heart of Unity, Rev. Jim explores the core teachings of this popular modern spiritual system which intersects well with the message of Unity.

Right-click to download: The Heart of A Course in Miracles


 

 

centurion

Sunday, April 19, 2015 
“The Heart of Unity”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

Using the Gospel story of the healing of the Centurion’s servant, as well as the life of Unity co-founder Myrtle Fillmore, Rev. Jim shows that healing is at the heart of Unity’s teachings.

Right-click to download: The Heart of Unity

Affirmation from a letter by Myrtle Fillmore:

The radiant life of Christ is my heart’s desire. The forgiving love of Christ now releases all error from my consciousness. I am willing to God’s will in all my ways, and so I am free from all remorse and secret grieving and sense of weakness. Through my faith in the healing, adjusting power of God the Good, divine order is now established in my mind and my body. My heart is filled with love and with the purpose of knowing and doing the Truth. The plan which the Holy Spirit of God is unfolding in me is now being fulfilled, and all is well. I know that I can do that which my own soul yearns to do, and I joyously enter upon this self-expression, in full assurance that all is well.


 

 

scribesSunday, April 12, 2015 
“After Easter”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

The writers of the Gospels, including several not contained in the New Testament, tell the post-Easter story and present the message of Jesus in often conflicting ways. Where does that leave us?

Right-click to download: After Easter


 

 

resurrection-BergognoneSunday, April 5, 2015 (Easter Sunday)
“Beyond Death & Fear”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

The story of Jesus’ resurrection is a powerful one yet most of us remain confined by our societal belief in death as a final reality. Rev. Jim explores the inner teachings of this story that can enable us to move beyond fear and embrace the fullness of life offered to us here and now.

[Note: due to microphone malfunctions, there is some increased distortion in the sound of this recording.]

Right-click to download: Beyond Death & Fear


 

 

entry-into-jerusalem-detail-pietro_lorenzettiSunday, March 29, 2015 (Palm Sunday)
“Entering Your Own Holy City”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

The story of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey colt provides us with a template for entering our own “holy city”, the sacred temple within.

Right-click to download: Entering Your Holy City


 

 

Jim-and-KaySunday, March 22, 2015
“Moving Forward”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

Beginning with the story of Elijah and Elisha from 2 Kings Chapter 2, Rev. Jim talks about the need to follow the path that life/Spirit lays out for us and then makes a big announcement about his (and Kay’s) own journey.

Right-click to download: Moving Forward


 

 

GitaSunday, March 15, 2015
“Overcoming Our (Inner) Enemy”
(Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, Part 2)

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

Rev. Jim continues his reflections on the message of the Bhagavad Gita. The great Hindu scripture shows us how to attain victory on the battlefield of the soul by first noticing the emotions and underlying thoughts that represent the “opposing army” and then calling forth our inner army of God-given powers.

Right-click to download: Overcoming Our (Inner) Enemy

On our music page: AcCent-Tchu-Ate the Positive – Roger Mock’s musical response to Rev. Jim’s message.

 

GitaSunday, March 8, 2015
“The Struggle Within”
(Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, Part 1)

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

The Hindu scripture the Bhagavad Gita provides an allegory of the internal battle that all humans face between their higher or spiritual nature and their lower nature rooted in the physical. In the Gita’s 12 chapters Krishna instructs the man Arjuna not to run from this battle but to fully engage with it from a place of right-mindedness.

Right-click to download: The Struggle Within


 

 

christ-breadlinesSunday, March 1, 2015
“Christ in the Community”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

What if Jesus had chosen to wait for the Messiah along with everyone else? Are we waiting for somebody to come and fix our world? Are we the ones we have been waiting for?

Right-click to download: Christ in the Community


 

 


welshons-fierce graceSunday, February 22, 2015
“The Fierce Grace of Change”

Speaker: “Ramananda” John Welshons

The winds of change can indeed be fierce. Often with hindsight (rarely in the moment of change) we discover the hidden grace that has caused us to grow and to deepen our connection with the Divine.

Right-click to download: The Fierce Grace of Change


 

 

water-464953_1280

Sunday, February 15, 2015
“God in Everything”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller
All that we are and all that we see and experience is, in its essence, “God stuff” – spiritual substance, Intelligent Living Energy.

Right-click to download: God In Everything


 

 

hands-seedlingSunday, February 8, 2015
“Loving Kindness”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller
In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us a “new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.”  The Buddhists can lend us hand with this tall order.  Their spiritual practice called “metta” offers us an excellent tool for cultivating loving kindness within ourselves.

Right-click to download: Loving Kindness


 

 

hands-energySunday, February 1, 2015
“Our Creative Power”

Speaker: Rev. Ginger Hannah
The story of Jesus healing the blind man, Bartimaeus, provides us with a template for manifesting our highest truth through the creative power of the Divine within us.
Affirmation: God within me blesses me with my heart’s desire.

Right-click to download: Our Creative Power


 

 

light-of-the-eyeSunday, January 25, 2015
“Vision and Light”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller
Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is single, your whole body is full of light.” Are we really seeing God’s creation or our own misperceptions?
Note: This talk provides a good introduction to the workbook section of A Course in Miracles.

Right-click to download: Vision and Light


 

 

motion-and-restSunday, January 18, 2015
“Motion and Rest”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller
Rev. Jim bases his talk on this enigmatic passage from the Gospel of Thomas:

Jesus said, “If they say to you, ‘Where have you come from?’ say to them, ‘We have come from the light, from the place where the light came into being by itself, established [itself], and appeared in their image.’

If they say to you, ‘Is it you?’ say, ‘We are its children, and we are the chosen of the living Father.’

If they ask you, ‘What is the evidence of your Father in you?’ say to them, ‘It is motion and rest.'”

To be in a state of inertia is to remain only in motion or only in rest; to remain unchanged. What can we do to allow a shift to occur?

Right-click to download: Motion and Rest


 

 


god-angry-or-friendlySunday, January 11, 2015
“Faith”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller
Is your God always compassionate or does your God sometimes punish? Do you believe in a God who “giveth and taketh away?” Rev. Jim makes the case for a Friendly God.

Right-click to download: Faith


 

 


machupicchuSunday, January 4, 2015
“Building Anew”

Speaker: Rev. Jim Fuller

Each day we are building our life anew. The teachings of Jesus show us how to build our house on a solid foundation of thoughts, ideas and practices founded upon Truth.

Right-click to download: Building Anew