Following the Star within and without

​Few saw the significance of the star that first Christmas. It's not that the Jews didn't want to. Most were praying for Emmanuel (God with us). But because of assumptions and distractions, they didn't have eyes to see how he would come or what he would be like. Most expected him to come dramatically on the clouds. They never expected him to first beckon as a quiet urge in the mangers of their hearts. Only the Wise Men had the wisdom to feel and heed the urge of the Spirit inside them. That's why they saw the significance of the star and were willing to make the trip of a lifetime.

Jesus taught people to start with the star within—the spark of God's Spirit in each of us. He taught his disciples to feel for and work with the Spirit – a lifestyle I call the rest that works. It’s an art that then employs things like science and practicality (rather than being ruled by them). It is a lifestyle governed by faith in God and unconditional love.

Jesus helped people to understand that loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength is first for us and then for others. It’s a rhythmic in-and-out-process, like a breath or a heartbeat. Valuing redeeming love is the key to the kingdom within. Acting on our desire to love with God turns the key and opens the door, unleashing the Creative Forces of God. As a lifestyle, the graceful rhythms of the rest that works invite the daily advent of Spirit that gives us eyes to see and work with the kingdom (or kindom) of heaven, within and without.

Jesus remains a shooting star. He continues to beckon from the mangers of hearts and minds willing to stay humble, open and faithful to loving. Wise people still follow his way and truth no matter what their "institutional religion" (including none). They find it sheds light on miraculous possibilities right under their nose. It sees the priceless value of every heart. That's where God seeks new birth daily. And that's how salvation comes, one heart at a time, time after time as love is truly valued most of all.

More power to you in seeing and following the star this Christmas—in Emmanuel (God with us), in you and in others.

Blessings,
Scott

​(P.S. Here's a link to details on the next class on the rest that works starting Jan. 6th: the rest that works -- events calendar. If you can't make that, sign-up for blog posts on this page and you'll receive information on how to get the e-course which will hopefully be done soon. E-book versions of the primer and main text are also now available from this website and Amazon.com. Thanks and I hope that you have a merry and meaningful Christmas!)

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