Rev. Tony Ponticello

Studying ACIM since '80. Led 1st group '83. Cofounded Community Miracles Center '87. Currently Executive Minister of CMC. MC & frequent speaker at CMC's Sunday.

[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

Projecting Peaceful Thought Vibrations Into the World – with Rev. Tony
Via Zoom - Sunday 06.14.26 - 11:00 a.m. Pacific **

The world may be ready to end the war between Iran, USA, and Israel. I want to add our peace extending energy to that situation. I (Rev. Tony) certainly want to be a force for peace. The Community Miracles Center, as a whole, has always been a voice for peace. "Yet peace is stronger than war because it heals. War is division, not increase. No one gains from strife." (Tx.5.25) I forgive all the leaders, on all sides, who have believed that something positive was to be gained from violence and confrontation.

These ideas about "productive" violence have held sway in the world through out the entire history of mankind. However I have experienced things now which indicate to me, these war ideas are fading and becoming less prominent in the long arc of history. Terrific! "I seek a future different from the past." (WkBk.314) Obviously these war ideas are not totally gone yet. Peace movements have come and gone in waves. I sense that there is a big peace wave swelling up now, and I want to be part of that growing peace energy.

I remember in the Bible story of the night in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was taken into custody by soldiers from the Jewish priesthood, and Roman soldiers too. The apostle Peter drew his sword to defend Jesus. Peter cut off the ear of one of the interlopers, the High Priest Caiaphas' servant Malchus. However Jesus told Peter to put away his sword, and then Jesus healed the ear of Malchus.

Many historically great, religious texts have passages that give permission for violence, condone it, and even command it. The Bible, the Koran, and the Bhagavad Gita all do this. In the Bible these are primarily in the Old Testament ,but the New Testament book of Revelation has a few questionable passages about war and violence as well. In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, God apparently commanded the Israelites to wage war in Canaan. I question if this was truly "God," or perhaps just the "religious" delusions of Moses, Joshua and other spiritual leaders at the time.

Regardless, in the New Testament, God – especially through Jesus' teachings – is a lover of peace and through Jesus rejects violence as demonstrated by Jesus telling the apostle Peter to put his sword away. There is a funny story about a young boy who once said while receiving religious instruction in the Bible, "Wow. God sure got a lot nicer as he got older!"

There is certainly no call to violence in ACIM and Jesus' New Testament teaching certainly rejects it. "The Voice for God is always quiet, because it speaks of peace." (Tx.5.25) We also have, "... we give these times of quiet to the Teacher Who instructs in quiet, speaks of peace, and gives our thoughts whatever meaning they may have." (WkBk.Rv.6.10)

I see peace spreading across the world today, and I want to only foster and project the inspiration for peace. I see and feel all of our leaders tuning into the peaceful thought vibration we are projecting. I am affirming these ideas of peace today and always.

** Sunday Gathering - Sunday
Eastern - 2 p.m.
Central - 1 p.m.
Mountain - 12 noon
Pacific - 11 a.m.
Alaskan - 10 a.m.
Hawaiian - 8 a.m.

Click on link below:
https://t.co/ydv2N8EBzl
Meeting ID: 973 303 958

Full Sunday Gathering stays on YouTube for 1 month after it was live. If you miss the Gathering live go to our YouTube channel and click on the "Live" tab: CMC YouTube Channel

[Quotation references are all the Original Edition (OrEd) unless otherwise specified]

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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

"The Infomercial Path to Enlightenment" by Rev. Deb Canja
Miracles Weekly #504 – 06.09.26

Does anyone remember Kevin Trudeau? He was all over late night TV in the 1990s with infomercials on getting rich with real estate, “the weight loss cure they don’t want you to know about,” healing yourself with natural cures, and improving your life by improving your thoughts. Thanks to his marketing genius, he became a billionaire.

A lot of what he promoted, and still promotes, sounds like the Course. And it hasn’t been an easy ride. His “thoughts create your reality” approach, packaged in slick marketing and reaching huge audiences, has been controversial. Maybe if he hadn’t made so much money no one would have cared. But Wikipedia says it this way: “His late-night infomercials, which promoted unsubstantiated health, diet, and financial advice, earned him a fortune but resulted in civil and criminal penalties for fraud, larceny, and contempt of court.” In 2013, he received a 10-year prison sentence for violating a court order that prohibited false advertising. He spent 8 1/2 years in prison and was banned from making infomercials for 5 years.

But it’s what happened next that’s most interesting. In online “infomercials” he practices what he preaches. “I haven’t gone through any adversity,” he says. “You may think it’s adversity and for you it may be adversity, but for me it was a gift. In every challenge or adversity or bad thing, I knew there was gold to be found. The Universe doesn’t do things to us; it does things for us.”

As the Course teaches, "Nothing occurs but represents your wish, and nothing is omitted that you choose. Here is your world, complete in all details. Here is its whole reality for you. And it is only here salvation is." (WkBk.152.1)

It seems Kevin Trudeau understands. It’s his best infomercial yet.

Rev. Deb Canja
CMC Minister #122 – Associate Minister

[All quotations from ACIM reference the Original Edition published by CIMS unless otherwise specified.]

There's a lot more to issue #504. Click link below. It's FREE!!
https://t.co/hmIQJBQHPp

[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

05.10.26 [VIDEO] "'Here I Am' – Reporting for Duty" with Rev. Tony Ponticello

I am so grateful that we now have access to the earlier edits, and unedited material, of *A Course in Miracles*. There is a prayer given to Helen and Bill by Jesus early in the scribing. In the *Complete Edition* this shows up in Chapter 2. It is missing in both the *Foundation for Inner Peace* and the *Original Edition.* It is too long to include in its entirety here. It may be what Jesus refers to later as the "Atonement Prayer." Noted *ACIM* author and teacher Robert Perry posits that theory.

The final stanza says this, "I accept the divinity of the messages I have received, and affirm my will in both accepting and acting upon the Atonement principle. Here I am." (CE.Tx.2.IX.14) Since this message was given to Helen and Bill, the interpretation of Robert Perry is that "the messages I have received" is a reference to *ACIM* itself. So the act of accepting the Atonement for ourselves means a surrender to the teaching of *ACIM*, and then an open philosophical stance in the world of "Hear I am" or "Here I am, Lord" as the same statement is referred to later, "Perhaps you are not too sure of this, and for this reason we suggest that you concentrate on “Here I am, Lord.” (CE.Tx.3.IX.12)

We don't know in advance what the Holy Spirit has in store for us today, or any day. All we know is that we are to show up with an active willingness and report for duty. This stance is illustrated in what I will call *The Three Great Miracle Questions.* Jesus tells us in the *Workbook* we should always be asking of the Holy Spirit. "What would You have me do? Where would You have me go? What would You have me say, and to whom?" (WkBk.71.11) I can rest in that stance.

I can also rest in knowing that I am doing my best, and in the awareness that I do not know all the details of any challenging appearance that is presenting itself to me in my life. However, I have within me a mind and an inspiration which DOES know. "In order to judge anything rightly, one would have to be fully aware of an inconceivably wide range of things, past, present, and to come. One would have to recognize in advance all the effects of his judgments on everyone and everything involved in them in any way. ... Who is in a position to do this? Who except in grandiose fantasies would claim this for himself?" (Mn.10.3) I have no such grandiose fantasy. I can only know that every day, I am reporting for duty. "Here I am, Lord." I stand ready today, and every day, to serve the Atonement.

I am very grateful that we now have this Atonement Prayer from the early material. "Reporting for duty."

23 min.
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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

Ordination Ceremony: Paul O'Leary & Julie Stout
Via Zoom - Sunday 06.07.26 - 11:00 a.m. Pacific **

We are happy to once again be ordaining 2 new CMC, ACIM Ministers. We will be welcoming Paul O'Leary as CMC Minister #135 and Julie Stout as CMC Minister #136.

ACIM tells us, "I am among the ministers of God, and I am grateful that I have the means by which to recognize that I am free." This ceremony will be an unique time to hear from 9 different CMC Ministers who will all relate to being an ACIM Minister of God very differently. We love these events because they show off the diversity of our fellowship.

Being a Minister of God takes devotion. "From this day forth, your ministry takes on a genuine devotion and a glow that travels from your fingertips to those you touch and blesses those you look upon." (WkBk.157.5) We all have a ministry to fulfill. For Paul and Julie this will be the start of a new chapter in it.

Paul & Julie both qualify for this ordination by virtue of the CMC's rigorous 2 year ordination program. They have devoted the considerable time and the attention for 2 years to get through this program and we are happy to welcome them into the CMC family of ACIM Ministers. "This is a course in mind training. All learning involves attention and study at some level." (Tx.3.1) They have done the work, they have given the attention, and can now claim the title. "[The teacher of God] cannot claim that title until he has gone through the workbook, since we are learning within the framework of our course." (Mn.16.3)

Seven current CMC Ministers will be taking part in the ceremony. Thank you Reverends: Dusa Althea #21, Paula #125, Wendy #25, Diane #130, Rudy #15, Tony #20, & Kim #85. We are blessed by our wonderful active fellowship. Don't miss this unique and inspiring event. All are welcome to the Ordination Ceremony and there is no cost.

** Sunday Gathering - Sunday
Eastern - 2 p.m.
Central - 1 p.m.
Mountain - 12 noon
Pacific - 11 a.m.
Alaskan - 10 a.m.
Hawaiian - 8 a.m.

Click on link below:
https://t.co/ydv2N8EBzl

Meeting ID: 973 303 958

Full Sunday Gathering stays on YouTube for 1 month after it was live. If you miss the Gathering live go to our YouTube channel and click on the "Live" tab: CMC YouTube Channel

[Quotation references are all the Original Edition (OrEd) unless otherwise specified]

CMC serving A Course In Miracles Students since 1987.

https://t.co/KmydDxk87K

[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

05.03.26 [VIDEO] "The 'Celestial Speed-Up' Is Happening!" with Rev. Tony Ponticello

I have felt an increase in healing activity on the physical plane. I've also heard several Teachers of God talk about this. It makes me wonder is we are getting closer to that "sufficient number" which Jesus tells us about in ACIM. "We have frequently noted that the miracle is a device for shortening but not abolishing time. If a sufficient number of people become truly miracle-minded quickly, the shortening process can be almost immeasurable." (Tx.2.107) Progress can be slow and steady – but at a point I expect it to speed up considerably. "Effect and cause will be far better understood from this time on, and we will make much faster progress now." (WkBk.108.13) I think this is an advanced part of the "celestial speed-up."

This was apparently a "controversial" idea and was taken completely OUT of the Foundation for Inner Peace (FIP) edition. However we DO find it in the Original Edition. "The 'chosen ones' are merely those who choose right sooner. This is the real meaning of the celestial speed-up." (Tx.3.50) Can we all affirm that we want to be a part of the "chosen ones?" I know I do. Apparently all it takes is for US to make the right choice. All are chosen, or in this passage it also uses the verb "called." "'Many are called, but few are chosen' should read, 'All are called, but few choose to listen. Therefore, they do not choose right.'" (Tx.3.49) Let us all make the dedication to choose to listen today. Listen to the Voice for God telling you of your perfection. Don't attend to the lying voice of the ego which offers nothing – literally. Listen to the Voice of the Divine which offers everything.

I remember when I first heard the term, the "Celestial Speed-Up." It was in the documentary movie *The Story of ACIM* which was produced by the FIP in 1987. This 2.5 hour documentary was a staple for educating people about how ACIM came into being for many years, and it also featured wonderful interviews with very prominent people in the greater ACIM community. The very final interview takes place in the Jerusalem Chamber of the famous Westminster Abbey in London, England.

Present were Judith Skutch Whitson, Dr. William Thetford, and the wife of the Dean of Westminster, Lilian Carpenter. She was very prominent in the Abbey and with its many functions at this time. The British version of ACIM had been launched there in Westminster Abbey itself two years prior, and Lilian Carpenter seemed to be an avid student and promoter of it. William Thetford talked to her about how Jesus told him and Helen Schucman that the scribing and publishing of ACIM was part of a "celestial speed-up" that was being introduced by Heavenly forces at this time. She had him repeat the term and expound on the thought. She seemed enraptured by the idea.

I wondered where this term was in ACIM as it seemed unfamiliar. I presumed I must have just missed it and vowed to be more diligent on my next read through to find it. It was not easy to search ACIM in those early, personal computer days. Later when I could search ACIM, at least the FIP version which is all we had, I found that it was NOT in the book at all. It wasn't until the earlier edit was found at the Cayce library that the "Celestial Speed-Up" appeared in the material. I immediately wondered why it had been edited out – and I knew it should not have been. It's an important idea. Apparently Bill Thetford also thought is was and Lilian Carpenter immediately recognized it significance. I think we should too.

Be part of the "Celestial Speed-Up," not the worldly slow-down. There were more incidents of the "celestial speed-up" edited out of even the Original Edition. This is a large topic. Here's one we see only in the Circle of Atonement edition. "You do have special talents which are needed for the celestial speed-up at this time." (CE:Tx.1.48.6) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your needed special talents to you. Apart of all this discussion about the editing, I do feel an accelerated "speed-up" happening now. It's almost overwhelming. Do you feel it?

30 min.
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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

"The Architecture of Freedom: Shifting the Mind to Break Any Dependency" Rev. Paula

ACIM Sun. Gathering 05.31.26
Free Via Zoom - 11:00 a.m. Pacific **

Join us this Sunday for the CMC Virtual Zoom Service with Rev. Paula Carpe, featuring an empowering 20-minute presentation on reclaiming our physical and spiritual sovereignty. Drawing deeply from the transformative principles of *A Course in Miracles*, Rev. Paula will challenge the world's fear-based narratives surrounding aging, wellness, and habitual patterns.

At 70 years wise, she shares her profound personal journey of stepping outside the cultural script, by spiritually and naturally tapering off a lifetime of prescription medications. "Sickness is a defense against the truth. I will accept the truth of what I am and let my mind be wholly healed today." (WkBk.136.17)

This talk provides a universal spiritual blueprint and practical grounding tools for anyone ready to break free from any binding external dependency – whether it be prescription drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. Come discover how shifting the mind allows your physical temple to respond to the ultimate Divine Healer.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

** Sunday Gathering - Sunday
Eastern - 2 p.m.
Central - 1 p.m.
Mountain - 12 noon
Pacific - 11 a.m.
Alaskan - 10 a.m.
Hawaiian - 8 a.m.

Click link below for Sunday Gathering at appropriate time:
https://t.co/ydv2N8EBzl
Meeting ID: 973 303 958

[Quotation references are all the Original Edition (OrEd)
unless otherwise specified]

More Information:
https://t.co/vUvkSZOPaP

[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

"How to Get Your Business Funded" by Rev. Deb Canja – Miracles Weekly #503 – 05.26.26

*Shark Tank* Judge Kevin O’Leary often shares the three ingredients that 100% of successfully funded businesses present:
1. A clear, 90 second explanation of their product or business and what it does;
2. A clear explanation of why they are the right person(s) to bring it to success; and
3. All the numbers: How big the market, how fast it is growing, how many competitors, the gross margin, what month they will break even, and when the Shark will get paid.

But before that, in the two minutes before the cameras roll, he says he can tell who will be successful by their posture, their focus, and the confidence they project.

He also shares something he learned from Steve Jobs. “Kevin ...” Jobs said, “... the 3-5 most important things you have to accomplish in the next 18 hours are your ‘signal’ for success. Devote 80% of your time to working on those 3-5 things; tuning in and responding to the signal. All the rest is ‘noise.’”

Forgive me for noticing it’s typically men who have wives at home handling the “noise” that allows them to spend 80% of their attention on “the signal.” But, in the end, doesn’t it really come down to the nature of our “business” and what defines success? In Robert Perry’s ACIM *Complete Edition*, he recounts the story of “Mrs. Albert, Miracle Worker” who worked miracles simply because she saw others as herself and communicated that with words and actions.

So, if our business is manifesting the “real world,“ maybe the two minutes before the action starts shows the extent of our confidence in Lesson 94, “I am as God created me,“ and the 3-5 most important things might not be something we decide in advance. Because maybe all of the noise is really the signal.

Rev. Deb Canja
CMC Minister #122 – Associate Minister

[All quotations from ACIM reference the Original Edition published by CIMS unless otherwise specified.]

There's a lot more to issue #503. Click link below. It's FREE!!
Click here: https://t.co/JumgDZp5OV

[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

04.26.26 [VIDEO] "We Are the Healing of the World – Be Certain" Rev. Tony Ponticello

Last week I spoke about how the words "salvation" and "healing" can be used interchangeably. This also means that their meanings are actually identical. Salvation means healing, and healing means salvation. Holding onto these ideas let's look at the following Workbook lesson, "I will accept my part in God's plan for salvation" (WkBk.98) which then becomes, "I will accept my part in God's plan for [healing]." (WkBk.98)

The physical world is sick. It is sick on many different levels because its foundational premises are unreasonable. However God has a plan to heal the world – and WE are that plan. "I came for the salvation of the world." (WkBk.319) of course then means, "I came for the [healing] of the world." (WkBk.319) We didn't come bringing the plan for healing to the world – we ARE the plan for healing. It is our very essence, our core. Jesus embraced this identity thoroughly and acted accordingly. It was his enlightenment. Perhaps there are other paths to enlightenment. I assume there are. However identification with total healing was Jesus' path, and this is the same path he is offering now to us.

Apparently which path we are to take is not something we are free to choose now. One way to think of this is, it was chosen by and for us before we incarnated here. "Perhaps you think you did not make the world but came unwillingly to what was made already, hardly waiting for your thoughts to give it meaning. Yet in truth you found exactly what you looked for when you came." (Tx.132.5) Now all we can do is accept our "chosen" plan. It was made for us. "You are not making use of the course if you insist on using means which have served others well, neglecting what was made for you." (Tx.18.68) Other paths may indeed work well for others, but these other paths will not work for us.

It is a common misperception that all the paths are "equal" and that it doesn't matter which one we choose. This is not so. It does matter. We must choose the path that will work for us. "Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum." (https://t.co/e6hLxNUyMB.1) We have chosen the Jesus path, the path of being the salvation, the healing of the entire world. We have a wonderful model and teacher, Jesus himself. The most popular book in the world, the Bible, gives us the story of Jesus' life to illustrate the model, the example life.

We also have a guarantee of success. Here's Jesus himself reassuring us, "My chosen receiving and sending channels cannot fail because I will lend them my strength as long as theirs is wanting." (Tx.4.89) We know the path. We have a clearly illustrated teacher, a model, an example life to follow, and we have a guarantee of success. Let's just rest in these certainties for a while and accept our grand destiny.

25 min.
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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

"Memorial Day Weekend & The ACIM Student" w/ Rev. Tony – ACIM Sun. Gathering 05.24.26

Free Via Zoom - 11:00 a.m. Pacific **

This is Memorial Day Weekend. In the USA we have a 3 day holiday plus Memorial Day Weekend is usually thought of as the beginning of the summer travel and recreation season. There are some who believe that making Memorial Day always on a Monday to create a 3 day weekend has secularized the day, and deprived it of its traditional meaning. They have a valid point.

Memorial Day started over 150 years ago with what was called “Decoration Day.” It was a day when people went to cemeteries to put flowers at the graves, they decorated the graves, of soldiers who had died in the Civil War. This started as a grass roots movement and spread quickly all through the USA. The first national observance of Decoration Day was May 30, 1868. In 1972 the Federal holiday was officially declared as the last Monday in May and the name was officially changed to "Memorial Day."

In Arlington National Cemetery small American flags will be put on all the headstones, as they are every year. This is done at all 173 National Cemeteries all throughout the country. I visited Arlington National Cemetery some years ago when I visited Washington DC. I watched the ceremony of the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was impressive. Watching that at least one time would be a good item for the “bucket list” for any USA citizen. I’m sure Monday’s ceremony will be especially well attended and meaningful.

Reconciling Memorial Day for the ACIM student is a special challenge since war and certainly the "ultimate sacrifice” (dying in a war) are profoundly challenged in ACIM. We are told that death accomplishes nothing, quite literally. "Many think [knowing you will last forever] is accomplished through death, but nothing is accomplished through death because death is nothing. Everything is accomplished through life, and life is of the mind and in the mind." (Tx.6.61) We are also told that war never brings gain to anyone, even the so-called winner. "Yet peace is stronger than war because it heals. War is division, not increase. No one gains from strife." (Tx.5.25)

Still, as a Miracle Healer, as a Teacher of God, it is our job to bring peace and comfort to the hurt and sorrowful, and I want to do that this Memorial Day. "For all the hurt that war has sought to bring, the broken bodies, and the shattered limbs, the screaming dying and the silent dead, are gently lifted up and comforted. There is no sadness where a miracle has come to heal." (Tx.27.46) Perhaps the first step is simply to be still and stand in silence with those who grieve for loss – to honor their experience. The second step is to know that this need not be, and that we ACIM students are here to usher in a new, Real World of peace for all.

Perhaps the best an ACIM student can do with Memorial Day is to approach it from this point of view. "Look about the world, and see the suffering there. Is not your heart willing to bring your weary brothers rest?" (WkBk.191.12) Let me answer for all of us this Memorial Day. “Yes” my heart IS willing to bring all my weary brothers and sisters rest, and that is what I am doing.

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** Sunday Gathering - Sunday
Eastern - 2 p.m.
Central - 1 p.m.
Mountain - 12 noon
Pacific - 11 a.m.
Alaskan - 10 a.m.
Hawaiian - 8 a.m.

Click link below for Sunday Gathering at appropriate time:
https://t.co/ydv2N8EBzl
Meeting ID: 973 303 958

[Quotation references are all the Original Edition (OrEd)
unless otherwise specified]

More Information:
https://t.co/NsoCGKE9RN

[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

04.19.26 [ VIDEO ] "'Salvation' = 'Healing'" with Rev. Tony Ponticello

I shared with my Healing Team this week the important implication in the following ACIM teaching "My holiness is unlimited in its power to heal because it is unlimited in its power to save." (WkBk.58.4) This teaching is equating healing with saving. The verb "to save" comes from the Latin "salvare" and therefore is directly related to the words "salvage" and "salvation." If "to heal" and "to save" are synonymous, that means healing and salvation are also the same thing.

Because of negative early religious experiences some people have problems with the word "salvation." The word "healing" can be easily substituted for "salvation" just about every place it occurs in ACIM. "Salvation of the world depends on me." (WkBk.186) then easily becomes "[Healing] of the world depends on me." (WkBk.186) Let's look at another case. "Would you not rather look upon yourself as needed for salvation of the world instead of as salvation's enemy?" (Tx.31.73) then becomes, "Would you not rather look upon yourself as needed for [healing] of the world instead of as [healing's] enemy?" (Tx.31.73)

When one considers all the many times the world "salvation" appears in ACIM – in the Original Edition there's 647 – one can see that the teaching about healing is actually much more grounded and ubiquitous than one may have realized when they first picked up the ACIM book. Although I didn't try it with all 647, with every quotation that I looked at the word "healing" worked just as well in the sentence when I replaced "salvation."

Getting back to that first quotation which I shared with my Healing Team this week, our power to save and thus our power to heal is unlimited. That is why we can heal literally EVERYTHING, and why I frequently talk about healing ALL the appearances of war and violence in the world, regardless of how big they are, or how far away they may seem to be happening. It is also why I don't have any trouble looking at the appearance of them and identifying them as something that needs to be healed, something that the world needs healing from.

That healing is coming from me, and through me. It is the reason why I am here. "I came for the [healing] of the world." (WkBk.319) Okay. I get it. I accept it. I hope you do too. We can all be saying, "Here we are Jesus. Use us!"

21 min.
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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

"Do You Want Everything or Nothing?" with: Rev. Elaine – ACIM Sun. Gathering 05.17.26

Free Via Zoom - 11:00 a.m. Pacific **

I listen to Carol Howe’s YouTube every day and her rendition of the Lesson of the Day. One morning I heard her commentary, and I was left with the following. What do you want? Everything or Nothing? Is it that simple? The lesson was titled “I will not value what is valueless.” (WkBk.133) That would mean all the temporary, earthly illusions. I will focus on eternal divine love. This lesson teaches that the real value lies in what lasts forever which is God, spirit and his gifts. It goes on to say that we have only two options; either we choose everything (which is God/Love), or nothing (the ego’s illusions). How is this applied in a practical way?

I could understand putting aside worldly pursuits: winning, social status, financial freedom, bodily goals like weight loss, physical fitness which the Course identifies as “sorrow” rather than joy. But how do we live day by day? I still get energized by going to the gym and maintaining a healthy weight. I like to win at scrabble. I also enjoy organizing community events and ensuring their success. Planning a cruise with my loved one and setting up my wardrobe is fun! But Jesus is telling us we seek for what we value and we value it because we think it will give us something we want even if it is temporary. If I value a world of separation, I will seek for it and I will find it. Is there a simpler, more clear approach without valueless distractions?

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** Sunday Gathering - Sunday
Eastern - 2 p.m.
Central - 1 p.m.
Mountain - 12 noon
Pacific - 11 a.m.
Alaskan - 10 a.m.
Hawaiian - 8 a.m.

Click link below for Sunday Gathering at appropriate time:
https://t.co/ydv2N8EBzl
Meeting ID: 973 303 958

[Quotation references are all the Original Edition (OrEd)
unless otherwise specified]

More Information:
https://t.co/j1ijNkRRDR

[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

"A Slave Trader Redeemed" by Rev. David Colburn
Miracles Weekly #502 – May 12 2026

John Newton was born in London in 1725. When he was young his mother taught him about the Bible. After his mother died, when he was 7 years old, his father sent him away to boarding school.

As he grew older Newton's life took a dark turn when he joined the slave trade. He worked on slave ships eventually working his way up to becoming a captain. During this time, he was known for his bad behavior. He drank heavily, used foul language, and treated slaves harshly.

While sailing his ship the Greyhound, Newton faced a terrible storm. The storm was battering the ship leaving the crew helpless and hopeless. In desperation Newton cried out to God for mercy. He later wrote that this was the day that he first felt that God's amazing grace had touched him. ACIM lesson #168 is "Your grace is given me. I claim it now." In speaking of God, Lesson #168 paragraph 2 goes on to say "If you but knew the meaning of His Love, hope and despair would be impossible, for hope would be forever satisfied; despair of any kind unthinkable. His grace His answer is to all despair, for in it lies remembrance of His Love.” (WkBk.168.2)

After feeling God's amazing grace, John Newton left the slave trade, became a minister and went on to write the hymn "Amazing Grace.” The song spoke to him about God's forgiveness and redemption. Newton was describing his journey from guilt to peace through God's love.

In his ministry Newton began to fight against the slave trade and with his help in 1807 the British Empire finally abolished slave trading.

"Amazing Grace" continues to inspire people and reportedly is the most popular song in the world being performed approximately 10 million times a year.

Rev. David Colburn
CMC Minister #122 – Associate Minister

[All quotations from ACIM reference the Original Edition published by CIMS unless otherwise specified.]

There's a lot more to issue #502. Click link below. It's FREE!!
Click here: https://t.co/MH10uKYhWs

[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

04.12.26 [ VIDEO ] "Demonstrate the: Good, Beautiful, & Holy – Don't Be a Parody" with Rev. Tony Ponticello

God did not create a weak and vulnerable Child. The self that could be sick and then die because of disease is not the Self which God created. It is our own manifestation. It is a mockery of our true creation. Or, as Jesus calls it in one place, "a parody." "You see yourself as a ridiculous parody on God's creation — weak, vicious, ugly and sinful, miserable and beset with pain" (WkBk.95.1) "parody: an imitation or version of something that falls far short of the real thing; a travesty."

We must choose to represent ourselves as we were created to the best of our ability. We should never choose to be a parody of our true selves. We should always choose to show each other our wholeness, our power, our divinity. Perhaps this divinity is only a dim reflection of the truth at this moment, however a dim reflection of divinity is always preferred over a clear reflection of hell. "Whenever you consent to suffer pain, to be deprived, unfairly treated, or in need of anything, you but accuse your brother of attack upon God's Son. You hold a picture of your crucifixion before his eyes that he may see his sins are writ in Heaven in your blood and death and go before him, closing off the gate and damning him to hell." (Tx.27.3)

The world has been trying to teach the masses that it is okay to wear your wounds like a badge of honor, and people frequently lead with them, and announce them at the onset of every new interaction. ACIM teaches us that these tendencies are pitiful and deprecating. Lead with strength; lead with wholeness. Lead with joy. Do not lead with your wounds. Don't wear your wounds on your sleeve. Regardless of how real these wounds may seem, they are but illusions in our minds and we should not want to reinforce them.

We have another mission here. "Child of God, you were created to create the good, the beautiful, and the holy. Do not lose sight of this. The love of God for a little while must still be expressed through one body to another, because the real vision is still so dim." (Tx.1.105) Even while in bodies we can extend the love of God. We can choose to be content with that, even while in a world where the light is still dim. To the best of your ability, always reflect the beautiful truth of who and what you are.

27 min.
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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

03.29.26 [ VIDEO ]"Palms to Lilies / Victory to Innocence" with Rev. Tony Ponticello

If you ask a long term ACIM student what religious holidays are referred to in ACIM, they will probably tells you Christmas and Easter. This is not a wrong answer, but it is incomplete. Palm Sunday is also referred to in ACIM. "This is Palm Sunday, the celebration of victory and the acceptance of the truth. Let us not spend this holy week brooding on the crucifixion of God's Son, but happily in the celebration of his release." (Tx.20.1) Palms obviously symbolize celebration. The local people in Biblical times waved palm branches in front of their celebrated heroes, frequently military ones, processing through the city.

This passage also refers to what we usually call “Holy Week,” named "Semana Santa" in the Latin tradition. The Spanish speaking world makes a bigger event of their Holy Week than we usually do in the English speaking world. “Semana Santa” celebrations will often include processions, parades, with floats and elaborate costumes. The Latin world likes a good party.

There is another reference to palms and Holy Week too in ACIM that I find provocative. "This week begins with palms and ends with lilies, the white and holy sign the Son of God is innocent. ... This week we celebrate life, not death. And we honor the perfect purity of the Son of God and not his sins." (Tx.20.2) If Holy Week is a progression from palms to lilies, then we are progressing from celebration, to innocence and perfect purity. It is a common belief that purity and innocence are achieved through sacrifice and austerity rituals of purification. Apparently purity and innocence may be better achieved through loud celebration and joyful exuberance.

ACIM is a happy spiritual discipline with a firm foundation in joy and rejoicing – not sacrifice and austerity. "Why are you not rejoicing? You are free of pain and sickness, misery and loss, and all effects of hatred and attack. No more is pain your friend and guilt your god, and you should welcome the effects of love." (Tx.29.12) So Palm Sunday is about celebrating victory over pain, sickness, misery, and loss ... well that's a victory I'm happy to rejoice about. Let’s borrow a little celebration energy from our festive Latin brothers and sisters. Let’s start our "Semana Santa" with the pure energy of a victory celebration. Let’s move from victory to innocence and perfect purity this holy week.

26 min.
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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

"'Here I Am' – Reporting for Duty" with: Rev. Tony – Sun. Gathering 05.10.26
Free Via Zoom - 11:00 a.m. Pacific **

I am so grateful that we now have access to the earlier edits, and unedited material, of *A Course in Miracles*. There is a prayer given to Helen and Bill by Jesus early in the scribing. In the *Complete Edition* this shows up in Chapter 2. It is missing in both the *Foundation for Inner Peace* and the *Original Edition.* It is too long to include in its entirety here. It may be what Jesus refers to later as the "Atonement Prayer." Noted *ACIM* author and teacher Robert Perry posits that theory.

The final stanza says this, "I accept the divinity of the messages I have received, and affirm my will in both accepting and acting upon the Atonement principle. Here I am." (CE.Tx.2.IX.14) Since this message was given to Helen and Bill, the interpretation of Robert Perry is that "the messages I have received" is a reference to *ACIM* itself. So the act of accepting the Atonement for ourselves means a surrender to the teaching of *ACIM*, and then an open philosophical stance in the world of "Hear I am" or "Here I am, Lord" as the same statement is referred to later, "Perhaps you are not too sure of this, and for this reason we suggest that you concentrate on “Here I am, Lord.” (CE.Tx.3.IX.12)

We don't know in advance what the Holy Spirit has in store for us today, or any day. All we know is that we are to show up with an active willingness and report for duty. This stance is illustrated in what I will call *The Three Great Miracle Questions.* Jesus tells us in the *Workbook* we should always be asking of the Holy Spirit. "What would You have me do? Where would You have me go? What would You have me say, and to whom?" (WkBk.71.11) I can rest in that stance.

I can also rest in knowing that I am doing my best, and in the awareness that I do not know all the details of any challenging appearance that is presenting itself to me in my life. However, I have within me a mind and an inspiration which DOES know. "In order to judge anything rightly, one would have to be fully aware of an inconceivably wide range of things, past, present, and to come. One would have to recognize in advance all the effects of his judgments on everyone and everything involved in them in any way. ... Who is in a position to do this? Who except in grandiose fantasies would claim this for himself?" (Mn.10.3) I have no such grandiose fantasy. I can only know that every day, I am reporting for duty. "Here I am, Lord." I stand ready today, and every day, to serve the Atonement.

I am very grateful that we now have this Atonement Prayer from the early material. "Reporting for duty."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

** Sunday Gathering - Sunday
Eastern - 2 p.m.
Central - 1 p.m.
Mountain - 12 noon
Pacific - 11 a.m.
Alaskan - 10 a.m.
Hawaiian - 8 a.m.

Click link below for Sunday Gathering at appropriate time:
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Meeting ID: 973 303 958

[Quotation references are all the Original Edition (OrEd)
unless otherwise specified]

More Information:
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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

"Forgiveness and Coffee – A Dynamic Duo" by Rev. Tony Ponticello
Miracles Weekly #501 – May 5 2026

I often have more work to do than there seem to be hours in the day. I often am functioning on 5, or 4 hours of sleep. This has been going on for many years. I’m rather used to it. I don't "like" it – but I do my best to follow my guidance, and when the guidance is stay up to get work done I stay up.

As I go about my day sometimes extreme fatigue comes up. With it are all the attendant thoughts about not getting enough sleep. When that happens this ACIM teaching comes to my support, "When you have given up this voluntary dispiriting, you will see how your mind can focus and rise above fatigue and heal." (Tx.4.62) So that is what I do. That is what I experience. Sometimes I feel Jesus put that in ACIM just for ME! "Thank you Jesus." What else is fatigue but a weakness and a limit. How can weakness and limit define God's Holy Child?

There is another wonderful ACIM teaching about fatigue, “being tired,” “You are not really capable of being tired, but you are very capable of wearying yourselves. The strain of constant judgment is virtually intolerable." (Tx.3.65) Here is the teaching no "sleep deprived" person wants to hear. The attendant fatigue is not being caused by the limited sleep at all. It is being caused by our constant negative judgement, our constant condemnation.

Along with my next cup of coffee, I need to think about who am I negatively judging. Who do I need to forgive. I don't need to put sugar in my coffee, I need to put forgiveness into it. (Forgiveness is "sweet," isn't it?) I need to forgive with every sip. That and the coffee, sound like a dynamic duo for healing.

Rev. Tony Ponticello
CMC Minister #20 – Executive Minister

[All quotations from ACIM reference the Original Edition published by CIMS unless otherwise specified.]

There's a lot more to issue #501. Click link below. It's FREE!!

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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

03.22.26 [ Video ] "Flying Advice Should Come Only from Eagles" -Rev. Tony Ponticello

I love how the Course uses the analogy of an eagle as a powerful teaching device. It contrasts the eagle with the sparrow. "It is of them who learned of freedom that you should ask what freedom is. Ask not the sparrow how the eagle soars, for those with little wings have not accepted for themselves the power to share with you." (Tx.20.31) "Sparrows" may be able to give you all the right words, but there is so much more to teaching freedom than receiving the right words. Let me declare right now that achieving the high flying freedom of an eagle is a healing of the low, short flying of the sparrow.

I know some people who object to this actual ACIM metaphor because they see it as demeaning to the sparrow. To this I say, let it go. It's just a metaphor. Embrace it for the message it is trying to communicate, and don't make it into something it is not. I am not embarrassed to say that I intend to fly like an eagle in my life, and not just hop a few feet above the ground from bush to bush like a sparrow.

Honestly, if you want advice on how to have wealth and abundance do you ask the poor person who is always struggling to make ends meet? "No." However, that doesn't mean they don't offer wealth advice. I see many people with very modest means giving advice on how to bring wealth into one's life.

Relationships is another area where this is painfully obvious. The people you should get relationship advice from are the ones who HAVE fulfilling, wonderful, powerful, relationships ... not the ones who are often alone and unhappy. And ... the lonely are often just the ones to offer relationship "guidelines" the LOUDEST, because they have so many important "rules" about them. They don't see that it is those rules themselves that are keeping the relationships away. Again, "Ask not the sparrow how the eagle soars," (Tx.20.31)

We go to medical doctors for healing advice. However medical doctors are statistically one of the sickest demographics there is. Does this really make sense? Instead of inquiring what degrees and training a medical doctor has, we should really be asking how healthy they are.

The eagle / sparrow metaphor is used in another place in ACIM too. "Who would attempt to fly with the tiny wings of a sparrow when the mighty power of an eagle has been given him?" (Mn.4.4) Perhaps it is time to the logical and reasonable truth of this. It is from those who achievement that one should ask how to achieve. Take your "flying" advice only from eagles.

31 min.
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[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

"The 'Celestial Speed-Up' Is Happening!" with: Rev. Tony Ponticello

Free Via Zoom - Sun. Gathering 05.03.26 - 11:00 a.m. Pacific **

I have felt an increase in healing activity in the physical plane. I've also heard several Teachers of God talk about this. It makes me wonder is we are getting closer to that "sufficient number" which Jesus tells us about in ACIM. "We have frequently noted that the miracle is a device for shortening but not abolishing time. If a sufficient number of people become truly miracle-minded quickly, the shortening process can be almost immeasurable." (Tx.2.107) Progress can be slow and steady – but at a point I expect it to speed up considerably. "Effect and cause will be far better understood from this time on, and we will make much faster progress now." (WkBk.108.13) I think this is an advanced part of the "celestial speed-up."

This was apparently a "controversial" idea and was taken completely OUT of the Foundtion for Inner Peace (FIP) edition. However we DO find it in the Original Edition. "The 'chosen ones' are merely those who choose right sooner. This is the real meaning of the celestial speed-up." (Tx.3.50) Can we all affirm that we want to be a part of the "chosen ones?" I know I do. Apparently all it takes is for US to make the right choice. All are chosen, or in this passage it also uses the verb "called." "'Many are called, but few are chosen' should read, 'All are called, but few choose to listen. Therefore, they do not choose right.'" (Tx.3.49) Let us all make the dedication to choose to listen today. Listen to the Voice for God telling you of your perfection. Don't attend to the lying voice of the ego which offers nothing – literally. Listen to the Voice of the Divine which offers everything.

I remember when I first heard the term, the "Celestial Speed-Up." It was in the documentary movie *The Story of ACIM* which was produced by the FIP in 1987. This 2.5 hour documentary was a staple for educating people about how ACIM came into being for many years, and it also featured wonderful interviews with very prominent people in the ACIM community. The very final interview takes place in the Jerusalem Chamber of Westminster Abbey in London, England.

Present were Judith Skutch Whitson, Dr. William Thetford, and the wife of the Dean of Westminster, Lilian Carpenter. She was very prominent in the Abbey and with its many functions at this time. The British version of ACIM had been launched there in Westminster Abbey itself, and Lilian Carpenter seemed to be an avid student and promoter of it. William Thetford talked to her about how Jesus told him and Helen Schucman that the scribing and publishing of ACIM was part of a "celestial speed-up" that was being introduced by Heavenly forces at this time. She had him repeat the term and expound, and she seemed enraptured by the idea.

I wondered where this term was in ACIM as it seemed unfamiliar. I presumed I must have just missed it and vowed to be more diligent on my next read through to find it. It was not easy to search ACIM in those early, personal computer days. Later when I could search ACIM, at least the FIP version which is all we had, if found that it was not in the books at all. It wasn't until the earlier edit was found at the Cayce library that the "Celestial Speed-Up" appeared in the material. I immediately wondered why it had been edited out – and I knew it should not have been. It's an important idea. Apparently Bill Thetford also thought is was and Lilian Carpenter immediately recognized it significance. I think we should too.

Be part of the "Celestial Speed-Up," not the worldly slow-down. There were more incidents of the "celestial speed-up" edited out of even the Original Edition. This is a large topic. Here's one we see only in the Circle of Atonement edition. "You do have special talents which are needed for the celestial speed-up at this time." (CE:Tx.1.48.6) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your needed special talents to you. Apart of all this discussion about the editing, I do feel an accelerated "speed-up" happening now. It's almost overwhelming. Do you feel it?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

** Sunday Gathering - Sunday
Eastern - 2 p.m.
Central - 1 p.m.
Mountain - 12 noon
Pacific - 11 a.m.
Alaskan - 10 a.m.
Hawaiian - 8 a.m.

Click link below for Sunday Gathering at appropriate time:
https://t.co/ydv2N8EBzl
Meeting ID: 973 303 958

[Quotation references are all the Original Edition (OrEd)
unless otherwise specified]

More Information:
https://t.co/LdwCavH6rF

[Rev. Tony Ponticello @Reverend_Tony]

03.15.26 [ VIDEO ] "Who Actually Wrote ACIM?" with Rev. Tony Ponticello

There is a tendency, when students start embracing the idea they are manifesting the phenomenal world they are experiencing, to react negatively to what they perceive as "bad" in the world. "That war? How did I manifest that? I have nothing to do with that?" "That tragedy my sister just went through? She lost her husband to cancer, and he was only 58. How did I manifest that?" "Perhaps you think you did not make the world but came unwillingly to what was made already ... Yet in truth you found exactly what you looked for when you came. There is no world apart from what you wish." (WkBk.132.5)

How we manifest the severe problems of the world is an interesting discussion, but let's leave it for another time. How often do we pause to take credit for the beauty, joy, and goodness we see in the world? Outside the room I am in is a beautiful flowering tree. It is full of small, waxy green leaves and clusters of little, pale yellow flowers. I can see it out the large window. It's only about 10 feet away. From my second floor apartment my entire window is filled with this wonderful image of green and yellow. Minutes ago the morning sun started to shine on it and so it is bright now, with sunrise golden light. It's gorgeous! Well ... I did that. It's coming from my Divine mind. Instead of pushing that off onto God's creation, we should first, at least, take co-creative credit for it.

About 10 years ago I visited Niagara Falls, Canada. Standing right next to that natural wonder is very impressive. It's an awesome, unique and powerful sight. Well ... I did that too, along with all of you. When ACIM tells us we are projecting the entire physical world, why do we always get stuck on the negative things? Sure sickness and problems come from our mistaken thinking. However, so do all the healings and solutions as well.

Let's apply this truth to something else. What about ACIM itself? We like to think of the Course as coming from Jesus, and that is certainly useful for a particular stage of our study. However, since it is appearing in our dream of the world, we actually put it there ourselves. Who wrote ACIM? Jesus? Helen Schucman? At a higher level we all wrote it for ourselves, and placed it in our lives at the exact right place and moment when we would embrace it and be healed. "Of all the messages you have received and failed to understand, this course alone is open to your understanding and can be understood. This is your language." (Tx.22.10) We wrote ACIM for ourselves to discover. It's our healing message to ourselves. It's in our language.

22 min.
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