This session was a review of the twelve lessons between June and August. Topic included folding the eyes during meditation, personal magnetism as a means of harmonizing the Law of Attraction, how proverbs help men to be effective leaders, simple arts that greatly increase faith, the influence of the Haudenosaunee on the U.S. Constitution, using the armor of God to counteract evil, how to quickly remove impurities from your memories, and designing potent blessings, affirmations, and prayers. We also discuss preparing for the High Holy Days of Awe during the month of Elul.

The name of the sixth month of the Hebrew Calendar, ELUL, comes from an Akkadian word that means Harvest. Traditionally, this month is considered a time of introspection and stocktaking, a time to review one’s deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming “Days of Awe,” Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur. It is considered a most opportune time for teshuvah (return to God) through prayer, charity, and increased love for our fellowmen. In this session, we compare the traditions of Elul with Jesus’ instruction to be reconciled with your brother before you take your gift to the altar. We also discussed a home altar.

Small actions can act as mighty miracles to heal us by awakening and empowering the power of faith within us. In the fifth chapter of 2 Kings, we see a little ritual of washing heal Naaman of leprosy. Although he was looking to pay a great price and perform a massive act of repentance Elishia asked that he only wash himself seven times in the Jordan. Small actions are enough to activate our will power. They can move expectations from wishes to will. Wishes are often filled with doubt. To will something is a call for action.

The words of our prayers and affirmations should conform to the meanings of the Greek word logos and the Hebrew word dabar. By logos our words should have a meaning or an intent that supports our requests. By dabar our words should have a formalized mental structure that makes them first real in our minds, so that they may become real in manifested existence. In the life of Jesus the Christ, this type of trust in his word was demonstrated by a centurion who told Jesus to just say the Word and his servant would be healed. Jesus said that this was a greater faith than he had seen in all of Jerusalem. Our words can be busy like a bee (a Hebrew word that is derived from dabar) to manufacture honey blessings in our life experiences.

The Greek word for touch (haptomai) as used in the Bible comes from a root that means to fasten, to kindle, to light, and to set on fire. As we consider the story of Jesus the Christ being aware that a woman seeking healing power had touch the hem of his garment, we learn that healing power is both attracted and enhanced by the receptive faith of those in need of a blessing. In the Book of Matthew, the story of the healing touch comes after the parable of the patches and wineskins. For us, that means that faith can create a new spiritual container for our blessings that will last through growing and expansion like a new wineskin. We should not use old perceptions when we seek a new miracle in our lives.