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Center for Spiritual Living (CSL), Chicago is a trans-denominational church dedicated to assisting people in awakening to their own love, passion and power through joy and celebration. Reverend Mark Anthony Lord is an author, founder and Spiritual Director with a radical message of self-love and acceptance. "CSL is the fulfillment of a twelve-year vision of a spiritual community where we consciously awaken to Spirit within - healing our beliefs in separation which allows us to experience our Oneness with all."

In This Issue

Rev It Up

Spiritual Practices

Featured Artist

Word Puzzle

Giving - The New Getting

SEVA Opportunities

Calendar

Save the Date!

Mark Anthony's Book Talk and Signing

March 21

Transitions Bookstore

7:00 pm

Practitioner II Student Workshop

March 30

1:00 pm

Body Wellness Retreat

May 29 - June 1

Aurora University Conference Center

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Macchu Picchu

July 14th - 24th

CSL journey to Peru

Meditation (Silent) Retreat
Sept. 26 - 28

Oakwood Retreat Center at Rainbow Farms
Selma, Indiana

Send Me the Museletter

Upcoming Classes

Spiritual Practices
Mondays - starts April 14

Wholeness Through Pride

Tuesdays - starts April 1

Click here for more info

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."

-- Mother Teresa

"I never would have been able to tithe my first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 a week."

--John D. Rockefeller
Am. Industrialist and Philanthropist

(1839-1937)

"We are rich only through what we give: and poor only through what we refuse and keep."

-- Anne Swetchine
Russian-French writer

(1782 - 1857)
.

"Money is a treasue that only increases as you give it away."

-- Lord Francis Bacon
English philosopher

(1561 - 1626)

"Stewardship is the act of organizing your life so that God can spend you ."
-- Lynn A. Miller
Author

"God is a verb, not a noun."

-- Unknown

Museletter Team

Reverend Mark Anthony Lord

Lillian Flowers

Madelon Guinazzo

Paula Hoffman

Joe D'Angelo

Linda Michaels

Brekke Anada Kraoutil-Mueller

Donna Pitz

Julie Pottebaum

Issue: # 3

March/2008

REV IT UP

Book Release

This is the month that my book, "The Seven Living Words" is released. I need to use this space to thank you, the amazing CSL community of Chicago. This book, seriously, could not have been written without you. I am eternally and especially grateful to those of you who took the class, "Journey of Transformation," which was the springboard for the book. We truly went deep together and took a leap of faith, since none of us, myself included, knew where we were going to land. As with all classes at CSL, we landed in the middle of our hearts, more deeply in love with ourselves and each other.

For an entire year, I was reluctant to write the book because I did not want to write about Jesus. There are already so many books out there...ya think? Who needed one more book about this guy who seems to be so misunderstood by so many? Well, I guess I did for one, and perhaps, there are others. (I am certainly praying that there are...)

I am a big Jesus fan. He's cool; he's the real deal. And, I assure you, he is not the guy who suffered for my sins or will send me to hell for eternity if I don't worship him. He was, to me, an amazing metaphysician and spiritual practitioner. He saw through all the lies, dis-ease and fears that were causing people to act in ways that were out of alignment with their intrinsic joy and wholeness.

Jesus taught us how to be in this world but not of it, meaning, that we can learn to see false concepts and fear-based creations and not be affected by them. Not only that, he showed us how to make them disappear. Anyone who can teach me how to do this is on my A-list.

He is, to me one of the most non-judgmental and unconditionally loving people who has ever walked this planet. He was enlightened. He spoke of and from Oneness, into a world that was committed to proving duality at all costs. He never blamed and was never a victim. He was master of his thoughts, feelings and, therefore, his world. And, I think he had really cool hair (come on...give me that one!)

This is the month of Easter. And so, I invite you all to open your hearts and minds to discover a new, fulfilling and empowering version of the story that makes your glorious light shine more boldly and brightly for that which is good and true to you.

Much Love,

Mark Anthony Lord

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

"These lessons are dedicated to that Truth which frees man from himself and sets him on the pathway of a new experience, which enables him to see through the mist to the Eternal and Changeless Reality."
-- SOM Textbook, Ernest Holmes

Tithing

Tithing literally means "tenth." In the Bible, it was mostly a requirement of taxation by the leading theocracy governement of the time. At CSL, we teach that tithing is not a practice we should do out of a sense of obligation, but someting we choose to do out of a generous spirit of love and giving.

CSL stands in the message that your tithe should be given freely and joyously to whatever feeds you spiritually. Most importantly, tithing is a demonstration of faith that God is our Source. Traditionally, it is the giving of 10% of your gross earnings. But, truthfully, any amount that makes you stretch, makes you examine and move through your beliefs around lack and limitation is the percentage we encourage you to use.

Begin your tithing practice with prayer to get the right percentage stretch for you. Be sure to consider, not only to where you are giving, but from where you are giving. It is absolutely necessary, no mater what the percentage, that tithing be given in love, in order to experience the gift and freedom of this amazing practice. I encourage you to give tithing a chance and allow it to prove that prosperity is your birthright.

CSL has many ways of supporting you on your journey of expanding your prosperity consciousness. Please check out the Power of Ten support group that meets once a month. And for those serious about becoming free from all lack and limitation, attend Forgiveness Fridays, every week from 7am-8am. Also, give yourself the gift of a Practitioner Session with one of CSL's licensed spiritual counselors.

There is one very important thread that runs throughout all the spiritual practices we promote and practice here at CSL - they all lead to a higher consciousness, a deeper love of self and a personal connection to the God of your Being. Tithing is no exception. Give it a try. You're worth it!

Linda Michaels, Practitioner II Student

Click here for more information.

FEATURED ARTIST

Turtel Onli
Featured Artist at CSL

Mr. Onli has worked for the Rolling Stones, the late Miles Davis, Motown, Playboy, and McDonald's. His works are in the collections of the Children's Museum of Chicago, the DuSable Museum of African American History, Alice Coltrane and many others. His art is on display at the CSL offices at 3036 N Ashland. The work is for sale and profits CSL. Please do come and see his exciting works.

*WORD PUZZLE*
Congratulations to February's Word Puzzle Winner: Hedi Perotto. INDEIV CIENHNIETRA Unscramble the words above and email your answer to puzzle@chicagocsl.org to put your name in a drawing for a fun prize.