Reading & Meditation (Now) by Rev. Teresa Stuefloten M.Div. 10/5/2025

Good morning! This is Rev Teresa. I have a reading for you this morning from today’s Divine Science Federation International Daily Study, by our friend Bishop Durrell Watkins, D.Min., Senior Minister of the Sunshine Cathedral., in Ft Lauderdale, FL., titled:

THE PAST IS PAST

Divine Scientist Larry Morris once wisely said, “No one keeps us in the past but ourselves.”

At the Sunshine Cathedral, we begin every worship service by saying, “Sunshine Cathedral is a different kind of church, where the past is past and the future has infinite possibilities.” That is our affirmation, our truth, our commitment.

Whenever I am tempted to dwell on a past event that left me feeling unappreciated or misunderstood, I can tell myself, “the past is past and the future has infinite possibilities.” That returns me to the present moment, which is the moment of power, the moment of perfection.

Whenever I remember some mistake or failure from the past, I choose to learn from it, to see how it contributed to a larger picture of forward movement and blessings; and in any case, “the past is past and the future has infinite possibilities.”

If I am reminded of a sad time, I can be thankful that I healed from it, and that I can create much better experiences going forward; after all, “the past is past and the future has infinite possibilities.”

Dear God, I give thanks that I need not ever stay stuck in the past. Amen.

I like Bishop Durrell’s affirmation! Let’s say that together now: “The past is past, and the future has infinite possibilities.” 3x

Meditation

My beloved Rev Mark Stuefloten said, “There are days when our thoughts are occupied with going over and over something, trying to resolve our problems or regrets. When this happens, we lose our feeling of well-being and can easily spiral downward into worry and fear. At these times what is happening is that our ego is telling us that it’s up to us alone to come up with all of the answers that will solve our problems, past, present and future. By taking a few deep breaths, closing our eyes and going within, reestablishing our awareness of the Divine Presence and power within us, peace of mind returns, and well-being is ours again.”

So, now I invite you to prepare to go within for a short time of meditation, letting go of worries or concerns for this time, getting comfortable, closing your eyes with your inner gaze raised to the center of the forehead, turning your attention to your breath, gently noticing the in-breath and the out-breath… feeling the coolness of the in-breath and the warmth of the out-breath… allowing the breath to sink down into the belly with each in-breath… expanding the belly with each in-breath and contracting the belly with each out-breath… coming into the present moment through the breath now, completely awake and aware…

As I go within, I focus on the present moment.

I am breathing in the present moment.

I am right here, right now, in the present moment.

The only moment I can truly be in is the present moment.

There is only now.

Everything is perfect, whole and complete in the present moment.

Breathing in, there is no where to go.

Breathing out, there is no where to go.

I am content in the present moment now.

I can let go into the present moment now.

I am resting in the Source of all that is in the present moment.

God is right here, right now, in the present moment.

Breathing in the now, I am supported.

Breathing in the now I am content.

Breathing in the now I am blessed.

I am always in the flow of good in the present moment.

All that I need flows to me effortlessly in the present moment.

I live and move and have my being in the fullness of the Divine present moment…

I let go into the silence in the present moment now…

We let go into one minute of silence now…

Now, having rested in the silence, I invite you to bring yourself back to awareness of the body, feeling gratitude for the Divine support that is always yours in the present moment. You are a Divine expression, always in the flow of grace. The peace that passes all understanding is in the present moment. Remember that the past is past and the future has infinite possibilities.

And so it is.