Spiritual Facelifts

Write this large upon your heart: What we concentrate on manifests in our lives, mentally and physically. When we focus on fear, loss, anger, resentment, worry, envy or any of the whole host of negative thinking morbid reflection engenders, not only do we suffer mentally and emotionally, it alters our appearance. Worry lines on the face, bags under the eyes from lack of or restless sleep, twisted visage from a sour stomach, tight jaw and grinding teeth, well you get the picture. When you look in the mirror what do you see? Anything less than the radiance that emanates from a soul at peace demonstrates that we have strayed from the Spiritual Basis and there is work to do.

Take heart though, the good news is when we see it and feel it in our heart Living on The Spiritual Basis provides a clear course of action. We begin by gently turning to God in prayer and thank Him for knowing Him better, asking to be shown the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love in all areas of life but particularly in the area (person, place or thing) troubling us. We ask to be shown what action (patience probably the hardest) should be taken and finish with a statement of willingness to be of service in any capacity that He would have us be. Closing with “Thy will be done.” Of course, this is only suggested, change or alter the prayer(s) as it best fits you. The key is in the recognition and speed in which we turn to the Miraculous and choose to trust in infinite wisdom and love instead of our finite selves.

By embracing this way of living, we become more aware of the pain in the faces of those around us. When we see others in pain, we quietly pray for them as we would for ourselves for in so doing not only are they uplifted; the whole world is uplifted as well. All humankind will be raised to the Heavens if each of us adds our inch.
Miracles Of Recovery 


© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved
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Hard Selling God

Some time ago I had a conversation (a berating more accurately) with an adamant “my way or the highway” Christian. You have probably met one, within the first few minutes of conversation they ask if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and if you don’t answer to their satisfaction the hard sell begins. They matter-of-factually state that if you don’t buy their particular brand of belief you are doomed for all eternity and it is their job to save you. Considering there are tens of thousands of Religious Denominations worldwide, I find it difficult (okay, impossible) to believe there is only one true path, enlightenment packaged one size fits all.

We have all fallen into the cross hairs of an aggressive salesman, how did you enjoy the experience? Even if you purchased what they were selling, how did you feel? Would you then go out of your way to recommend or continue a relationship with this person? You may have even bought what they were selling just to get away from them.

Having turned my will and life over to the care of God many years ago, I have never seen the spiritual “hard sell” approach work in the long run. Though I applaud their passion and commitment, their approach truly does more harm than good. To be clear: To have a spiritual awakening the desire must come from within. The best sermons delivered quietly by our actions, an attraction to those seeking freedom from the bondage of self, our lives a demonstration of the Word. So, stand firm in faith and never shrink from flying your flag of belief, but do so with love, a smile, the Word emanating from a gentle heart, considering how you would want to be approached if the roles were reversed, leaving the hard sell to used car salesmen. Oh, and in my case as a Christian, though you may disagree, I believe the realm of Heaven is roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding, open to all who earnestly seek.
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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved

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Freedom In Spirit

Often, we fail to measure the words we employ or take the time to consider their ultimate impact, the unintended consequences. You have probably experienced the sick feeling when you have said something, you would give anything to have back; unfortunately, we cannot un-ring a bell. Conversely there are the times when we have failed to speak up and then rehearse what we wish we should have said, extending the discomfort of our inaction.

Words carry impact, reverberating with life far beyond the moment of their utterance. Fierce resentments have been born from seemingly casual remarks, birthed seemingly from something we felt was innocuous. Fortunately, the converse is true as well, our words have the power to provide hope, healing and solace far beyond our limited understanding.

Having chosen to live on a new basis, the Spiritual Basis, we speak from the heart, delivering the truth to the best of our current understanding, but always wrapping it in love. The goal is to always be of service, to stand for truth, to help and never harm, while realizing we all fall far short of perfection in speech, this lack of perfection humbling, leading ultimately to growth and greater understanding, for such is the path of Freedom In Spirit.
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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved

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Analysis Versus Action

A centipede was quite happy,
Until a frog in fun
Said, “Pray, which leg comes after which?”
This raised her mind to such a pitch,
She lay distracted in the ditch,
Considering how to run.

Living on the Spiritual Basis requires us to avoid over analyzing our beliefs, but live them while avoiding debate or arguing with anyone about them. We allow our actions to speak for our beliefs for no one is ever moved far spiritually by words alone. We convince others when we walk the way we talk, our actions speaking in ways words never can.

“There is a place for analysis, but it is apt to be quite fatal in prayer and meditation. Do not dissect the love of God, but feel it. Do not dissect Divine Intelligence, but realize it. Do not wonder how God can possibly solve this problem, but just watch Him do it in His own way-and He will if you give Him a chance.” Emmet Fox.

The principles of attraction not promotion, demonstration over intention, action over analysis are at the core of this new basis for living, the Spiritual Basis, and by practicing them we avoid the centipede’s fate of paralysis from analysis.

Miracles Of Recovery


© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved

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Today’s Headline (again): WE ARE DOOMED!

I comment on this Emmet Fox teaching a couple times every year, for it is always applicable in my life, the teaching timeless. I began following politics in 1968 and came of age politically during the election of 1972. Since then one truth has become abundantly clear: regardless of who wins the other side is always incredulous their candidate or issue lost, claiming all manner of reasons why, adding for effect the dire consequences to come from the electorate’s poor decision. Today, Living on the Spiritual Basis places secular issues and concerns in their proper perspective; politicians come and go, those in power today will not be forever and regardless of how we may feel about them, history demonstrates there really is nothing new under the sun.

To wit: The Captain Is On The Bridge
“The world is not going to the dogs. The human race is not doomed. Civilization is not going to crash. The captain is on the bridge. Humanity is going through a difficult time, but humanity has gone through difficulties many times before in its long history, and has always come through, strengthened and purified.

Do not worry yourself about the universe collapsing. It is not going to collapse, and anyway that question is none of your business. The captain is on the bridge. If the survival of humanity depended upon you or me, it would be a poor lookout for the Great Enterprise, would it not?

The captain is on the bridge. God is still in business. All that you have to do is to realize the Presence of God where trouble seems to be, to do your nearest duty to the very best of your ability; and to keep an even mind until the storm is over.” 

Emmet Fox wrote the above during the great economic depression of the 1930’s as war clouds were gathering over Europe and Asia, the precursor to WW 2 and the American heartland was gripped in a Black Blizzard, the greatest ecological disaster in this country’s history, as dust storms destroyed crops and displaced millions from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

The overriding truth is simply this: God has always been and will always be; our job to keep an even mind and proper perspective while remembering there will always be someone reminding us the sky is falling, again.
Miracles Of Recovery



© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved

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Vintage D.T.Y.T.S.

A while back an individual posted online that I needed medical help, based solely on my blog picture viewed on their mobile device. Pretty insightful. So, I immediately headed to the ER for help. The staff was waiting for me (since the government now reads all posts and follows everyone with drones) and I was rushed into a state-of-the-art diagnostic suite where I was subjected to a battery of tests of which I just received the results, in a tweet, on Snapchat, Instagram and Pinterest.

The Prognosis: first, I am terminal. It has been determined I am going to die, they just don’t know when or of what, but it is a certainty. Bummer. However, there was good news, my levels of D.T.Y.T.S. are all exceedingly high for a man my vintage. (You know, D.T.Y.T.S.: Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously).

So, a prescription was forwarded, by e-mail of course, that I just filled at Walmart. The directions read: Laugh at yourself daily, for you are the funniest person you know. Every time you walk into a room and forget why you are there, laugh. When the coffee cup, eyeglass, car keys gremlin moves them from the last place you are certain you left them, laugh. When you find yourself at the grocery store opening the glass doors in the frozen food section to “see” what is on the shelves, laugh. When you find yourself waiting for the light to change at a stop sign, laugh. And most importantly laugh when some know nothing self-important chucklehead chooses to point out your shortcomings and character defects uninvited. And then say a silent prayer for them.
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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved

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Today’s Gift and The Presence

When we find ourselves drifting out of the present moment, dwelling either in the past or projecting into the future, we open the door to morbid reflection. When thinking about the past what usually surfaces? Is it the overwhelming number of times when things went well, when we did the right thing or the times when we were less than our best, made a mistake or were treated poorly? When considering the future do we ponder along the lines of how great life will be, or do we drift into negative projections? Living on the Spiritual Basis alters our focus so instead of seeing only the carnal and secular, the finite, our vision is lengthened and broadened as we have begun to comprehend the infinite.

But Fear is a powerful adversary, forever trying to steer us from the light, with morbid reflection one of its’ favorite tools. When we reflect morbidly on the past depression becomes our traveling companion while reflecting morbidly into the future, we invite anxiety along for the ride. When used constructively our past is an asset, becoming a resource for instruction for those seeking a way out of the Fear driven life, demonstrating what life was like before and after choosing to Live on the Spiritual Basis. Our future is a promise, chapters unwritten, our lives the paper, faith the ink, the pen in our hand guided by a Power Greater Than Ourselves, if we but ask. God does not dictate the script, for of all creation we alone have free will in Spirit, so remember, He is a gentleman and will only be our partner if we ask. So:

The only time we can stand in the presence of God, the only time we can be present for God, the only time God can act in our lives is in the present moment. Living on the Spiritual Basis we now have a history of God’s love and direction in our lives, the past an asset, the future a promise, today the gift.

Miracles Of Recovery 


© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved
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Living The Consecrated Life

When we turn our will and life over to the care of God, we embark on living a consecrated life. Having taken this path by choice, our job now is to see the Presence of God everywhere, in everything and everyone, expressing our current understanding of spiritual principles to the best of our ability. Remember, we are forever growing and learning, and this new way of living is Simple but not easy, a price has to be paid and that price is the surrender of self. The equation is straightforward: the more time we spend thinking about ourselves, the less comfortable we become, opening the door to restlessness, irritability and discontentment. Conversely, the more time we spend focusing on the Presence of God, practicing the principles we have come to know and believe the more comfortable, at peace we become. Living this consecrated life is the true path of serenity, providing the peace of heart and mind we all truly crave.

Miracles Of Recovery


© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved

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Optimism Requires Commitment

“Cheap optimism is never spiritual.” We should never be satisfied or resign ourselves to live with anything less than the full expression of God’s love in our life. Never settle for any condition in your life that expresses lack or limitation. Divine Life wants all to be happy, joyous and free, so be honest about your circumstances, freedom from the bondage of self comes when we wholeheartedly, without reservation, believe God not only will, but wants to provide for our needs, His love all encompassing. By practicing the Presence of God and Divine Healing through prayer, meditation and selfless service, in our lives daily, remarkable things happen, amazing and unforeseen avenues of source and support appear, regardless of the secular condition of the world about us and we shall know peace and begin to comprehend serenity.
Miracles Of Recovery

© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved

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