Love Has Everything to Do With It
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Rev. Diana Johnson, IM, RScM, with Chris Johnson, RScP.
Video Chapter Index
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| 12:32 | Guided Meditation | |
| 39:50 | Conscious Conversation |
Taizé
Call to Awareness – 3 Bells
Lucinda – Opening Prayer
9:35 Diana – Good morning and welcome. If you’re new with us here this morning, my name is Rev. Diana Johnson, and I am the Pastor and Spiritual Director here at Mystical Heart Spiritual Center. We are an Independent Interfaith Community that teaches Universal Principles and Practical Spirituality. I pray that as you listen, you will hear something that leads you to the Guidance and Wisdom of your own Mystic Heart. We move into deeper Connection and higher Vibration, joining our voices in musical prayer.
Rev. Diana & Chris – Taizé Chants
- Welcome Home to Your Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
- Greater Good of All, written by David Roth
Rev. Diana – Taking a deep breath in…and slowly releasing it as you let go of everything that has come before this moment, and anything that may come after…relaxing and settling into this one perfect moment…sensing the Life-giving Presence of the Divine. Breathing in…breathing out…feeling the Love that fills you and radiates throughout your body…and then consciously sending that Love out into the room, into the community, into the world…and feel the Love that returns to you, that flows to you and through you. With every breath, feel and know yourself as a conduit for love….sense your interconnection with All That Is, as your Love spreads to all beings. Know that offering your Love is a powerful way to share your Light.
In this enlightened state, we bring awareness now to our global community, reminded that as we are connected by Love, so are we connected by the very air we breathe…by the water that gives Life to all…by the soil that sustains us…
Sensing a radiant web of consciousness that surrounds and infuses the planet, and seeing every being as a point of Light in that web…every human and other-than-human creature, every plant…every rock and grain of sand…an intricate part of the web, radiating with God’s Light…the Living Waters, wherever they may flow, infused with Presence, Intelligence, and Sentience…the wind, the clouds, the stars, the planets, and all that lies beyond…an integral part of one Whole, one Light, one Life.
Acknowledging and feeling our connection with all of life, our collective Work here is empowered…We are creating an atmosphere of Wholeness, both within and without…Our communal prayer and meditation leave an imprint of Peace, of Love, of Grace, on the world, on the cosmos, for all time.
…This month our Practice is to Return to Love. Why do we make A Return to Love over and over again? Because Love is what it’s all about…the only thing that matters…the only thing that’s Real…we know that Love Has EVERYTHING to Do With EVERYTHING.
We are talking about Love in the Absolute sense…the Self-Givingness of Spirit, as all of Creation…and the One Source, by whatever name you call Them, becoming all that is. As self-reflective human expressions, we recognize ourselves as conduits through which God is becoming…through which Love is flowing. As we give of ourselves in the world, we are serving as channels for God’s Love. Our acts of Service may be big or small…I must agree with J.R.R. Tolkien when he said, “I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”
What small acts of kindness and love have you offered lately? (Pause) What small acts have been offered to you? (Pause) What can you do to help keep the darkness at bay? What is one act of kindness and love that you will share in the coming week? (Pause)
I know that Spirit can do for me only that which I allow It to do through me. You and I are vehicles through which the Infinite Universal flow of Love moves…the more I allow this flow to move through me, the greater my expression of Spirit in the world becomes. The more freely and lovingly I give of myself, the greater the flow of Love moving through all areas of my life. And yet, I do not give so that I might receive…I give from my sincere desire to Serve.
Chris – Guided Meditation
All theistic religions tell us that Love is a Divine quality… Buddhism sees Love as a fundamental, transformative power that is essential to achieving enlightenment… Bhakti Yoga is the Hindu path of unconditional Love and devotion… and in the Christian scriptures, John the Evangelist goes so far as to tell us that “God is Love…”[i]
Contemplating the phrase God is Love, we find that everything that God is, Love is… the omnipotent Creative Power of the Universe… omniscient Infinite Intelligence and Wisdom… fully present within and throughout all of Creation… Infinite in scope, capacity, and possibility… Unlimited, Unconditional Love is truly all there is…
Since Love is all there is, it is what you are… it is what I am… Love is who we are… Love is why we were born… we are the Presence of Divine Love on Earth… When we remember this great Truth, that Love fills our hearts… it inspires our thoughts and emotions… it guides our actions… and it transforms our world…
The term Apostle means one who is sent forth… Rabbi Yeshua sent the apostles forth to teach his message of Love… and God has commissioned all of us as Apostles of Love… We have been sent forth to Love everything and everyone… to drench this world in Divine Love… until all that is unlike Love vanishes into its native nothingness…
You are the Beloved One with whom God is well pleased[ii]… You are the Light of the world[iii]… We truly are the ones we’ve been waiting for… In our three minutes of shared, silent meditation this morning, I invite you to contemplate yourSelf as God’s Beloved… as one of the Creator’s Apostles of Love… sent forth to bring Heaven to Earth… You have within you an infinite wellspring of Love… bubbling up from that place in you where Spirit resides… find that spring, and let Divine Love flow out from you into your world…
Silence – 3:00
O Divine Beloved, thank you for this Gracious Gift of Love that you give to us, and through us… Thank you for this Beloved Community of blessed souls who share your Love with one another… May we always stay connected to that infinite wellspring of Spiritual Love within us, so that we may share it freely and never feel depleted…
Love is who and what we are… but we cannot stop there… It must also be what we do… for it is only when our every thought, word, and action are inspired and motivated by Divine Love that we can make a difference… and loving those with whom we most vehemently disagree often brings the most powerful transformations…
As Taizé continues, we open our hearts, minds, and souls to Rev. Diana’s inspiring message of Love… knowing that we are transformed by Love… that Love is all there is… and therefore, Love Has Everything To Do With It…
Rev. Diana In the words of Khalil Gibran, “Some of you say, ‘Joy is greater than sorrow,’ and others say, ‘Nay, sorrow is the greater.’ But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.”
Meister Eckhart had a different way of expressing the same thing: “Love is the root of all joy and sorrow.”
In other words, it is the depth of the Love we have felt for another…the many ways we have willingly given of ourselves to a Beloved…that determines the depth of our grief upon losing them.
There is an inherent sense of Balance and Harmony between the Love and grief experienced in a human life. Moving between the two again and again, we come to know our own capacities…we find our own strength, courage, and resilience…we sense the vastness of our own hearts…our willingness to give, and to Serve…we move into greater Wholeness as we move back and forth between the two…as we recognize the Love that dwells within us, even in the midst of sorrow…and as we choose again and again, in Service to something greater than ourself, to Return to Love.
Musical Meditation
- Love, Serve and Remember, by John Astin
Rev. Diana – Closing Prayer
Breathing in the moment, I recognize…
That there is One Power, One Presence, One Truth and Divine Energy…One Life that I call God, Great Spirit, Universe – an ever-abundant Source of pure Light and perfect Love, forever expressing as All That Is, seen and unseen.
It is experiencing Itself as me, as my life, on this earthly plane, right here and right now. I am one with the Spirit, serving as a conduit for Its Light and Love to be made manifest in the world. And I know this is true for every being. I acknowledge and honor the spark of Divinity in each precious one.
The Spirit of Love burns just a little bit brighter, in me and in the world, every time I choose compassion over judgement, caring over indifference, generosity over greed, peace over violence.
I am mindful of these choices as I am making them, trusting in the Power within to support and sustain me as I bring each one into action.
Over and over again, I Return to Love. And each time I do, it gets a little bit easier…easier to recognize when I have strayed, easier to put judgements aside, and easier to find the willingness to shift into the Flow of God’s Grace. I am so grateful for my growth in consciousness…grateful for the purification of my thoughts, words, and actions…grateful for the blessings that shower my life every day. I give thanks for the many Graces that flow throughout my days…those that are welcome and appear as good, and those that push me to grow in character, resilience, humility and faith.
Grounded in this deep gratitude, I release my Powerful Word, knowing that Spirit always responds by corresponding. My prayer is answered by God’s Loving and Lawful Presence even as it is spoken. And so I rest and leave it to Divine Timing and Process. It is done…and so it is! Amen!
I invite you to come back into the awareness of your body…notice the atmosphere in the room, and when you feel ready, gently opening your eyes and allowing your gaze to take in whatever is before you.
Feel free to look around and say good morning to everyone who is here celebrating with you this morning.
This is your Spiritual Family…one of your support systems. These are some of the people who care about you and who are there for you.
Rev. Diana – Love Offering
As we close our Taizé Meditation, we offer the opportunity for you to share your financial good in support of the work we do in the world.
If you’re joining us online, you can find a Donate Button and our mailing address at mysticheart.org. We thank you in advance for your gifts. We acknowledge and give thanks for the infinite abundance of Spirit.
Offertory Music Video
- Love, Cover Me, by Gary Lynn Floyd
https://youtu.be/bVY2adQae_U?list=RDbVY2adQae_U
Rev. Diana – Blessing for the Offering
Rev. Diana – Feel free to grab a cup of something warm in the coffee room and meet us back at 10:30 for a Conscious Conversation. And if you are leaving, thank you for being here. We’ll bless you on your way with a song.
Rev. Diana & Chris – Taizé Closing Song
A Soul’s Blessing, written by Chris Johnson
Conscious Conversation
Opening Prayer – Lucinda
Lucinda – Good morning…and welcome, or welcome back…and welcome to those joining online. If you’re new with us here this morning… my name is Lucinda Alton, and I am a Certified Practitioner here at Mystic Heart. We are an Independent Interfaith Community that teaches Universal Principles and Practical Spirituality. We open our doors in welcome, trusting that you will be led to the Guidance and Wisdom of your own Mystic Heart.
Rev. Diana & Chris – Music
- Welcome to the Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
- One Big Family, written by Robin Hackett & Gary Lynn Floyd
- It’s All There Is, written by Andy Anderson
Rev. Diana – Let’s keep that Powerful Energy going and growing as we join in the Sacred Practice of envisioning a Love-Soaked World.
We enter our Vision this morning, finding ourselves living in a world where all humans are living from their deepest Wisdom, their most generous and Loving nature…thoughtful of the impact their thoughts, words, and actions have on one another, on the community, and on the planet…
This is a world without greed…where there is abundance in having enough…where all needs are met gracefully and easily…where nutritious food, clean water, and pure, sweet air are readily available to all, no matter where you live or which family you’re born into…
…where warm, comfortable, and affordable housing is a given…where all beings feel a sense of safety, belonging, and contribution…where mental/physical health, education, and healthy relationships are ensured by social systems grounded in Integrity, honesty, and Wholeness…
Feel and know with me now, a world where all beings work and play at what feeds their soul and are well compensated for their Service…all are valued and respected for their inherent Goodness. Authenticity and vulnerability are not only welcomed but celebrated. The Peace we have cultivated within ourselves shows up as a world free of violence, hatred, or indifference. The Love that we are here to share is given freely to whomever our hearts are called to. We have moved beyond all lines of separation, and live as one human family, caring for one beautiful planet and all that she contains and sustains.
By the Power of our collective intention, powerful imagining, and inspired action, transformation is happening now…we are creating a world that works for all beings. We are not caught up in appearances…like the prophet of old, we are doing a Good Work and cannot come down…will not come down. It is through our hands, feet, hearts, and voices that positive change is happening as we align our actions with our Vision, living these changes in our own lives, with our families, friends, and neighbors.
This Community stands as an open and welcoming place for all who seek support, belonging, and a sense of Family…it redefines Church as a place of Self-Discovery, Authenticity, Kindness, Radical Inclusion, and Love, as we are Guided to the Truth that lies within every heart.
By the Creative Power of our deep Knowing, clear Vision, and inspired Action, this prayer is acted upon here and now. A prayer spoken and deeply felt is a prayer answered. In full acceptance and expectation of its Graceful unfolding, and with the deepest humility and soul-felt gratitude, we release our Word to the One Who Gets It Done…And so it is!…Amen!
Bringing awareness back to the body, to the room, to this beautiful life, and to the amazing beings who share this space with us this morning…look around to say good morning to your Spiritual Family. Take a moment to really see one another.
Our theme this month is A Return to Love, and the topic of Conversation this morning has been Love Has EVERYTHING to Do With It. If you were here for Taizé this morning, you’ll know that we contemplated these ideas: Spirit can do for me only that which I allow It to do through me…that You and I are vehicles through which the Infinite Universal flow of Love moves…that the more I allow this flow to move through me, the greater my expression of Spirit in the world becomes. The more freely and lovingly I give of myself, the greater the flow of Love moving through all areas of my life. And yet, I do not give so that I might receive…I give from my sincere desire to Serve.
Let’s pause here…does this ring true for you?
Another idea that we reflected on is that it is the depth of the Love we have felt for another…the many ways we have willingly given of ourselves to a Beloved…that determines the depth of our grief upon losing them.
Talk to me about that…what does it mean to you?
Finally, we said that there is an inherent sense of Balance and Harmony between the Love and grief experienced in a human life…that moving between the two again and again, we come to know our own capacities…as we recognize the Love that dwells within us, even in the midst of sorrow…and as we choose again and again, in Service to something greater than ourself, to Return to Love, we move into a greater sense of Wholeness.
Before we use this as a springboard for our Conversation, do you have any thoughts to share about the dance we do between Love and grief, and how it brings us into Wholeness?
Okay, now we’re going to make a right turn, still related to our topic, but based on something I read this last week. Are you ready?
Let’s start with this question: What is it that gives you hope?
Anybody familiar with Author John Pavlovitz? I really respect his work, even when his languaging carries negative energy…I understand what he’s trying to accomplish. This month wrote an article called “Stop Saying Love Wins.” The article opened with his asking the same question on his social media platform. What is it that gives you hope? I’d like to share some of what follows and then open it up for conversation.
Read Section One
Do you believe that love always wins, that all is always being used for, or turned to, Good?
What do you mean by that?
If you’re here very often, you’ll know that I use those phrases often, and I believe them. I thought I might clarify what I mean when I say that Love always wins, in case like the author, you think I am counting on some sky god to swoop in and save the day.
I believe that evolution in occurring…that Life is unfolding according to a framework of Spiritual Principles…and that evolution moves all of Life toward greater complexity and greater Unity. I believe in a Higher Power…a great Mystery…an Infinite Intelligence at work in all things. When I refer to God’s Love, I am talking about this Intelligence taking form, giving of Itself by becoming an infinite number of life forms. I believe that each life form is given a certain amount of sentience and agency, according to its type. I believe that those life forms that adapt in response to conditions and environments are the ones that survive.
So when I say all things are always being used for Good, what I mean is that ultimately, Life will go on…Love, or the self-givingness of Spirit, is eternal…it’s a constant. The question becomes, “Which life forms will continue to evolve and thrive, and which ones will not?” And that’s another conversation for another day.
So, going back to our article, I’d like to read a selection of related quotes.
Read underlined material, starting where you left off, pp. 25-26.
“Love is ornamental and worthless until it moves us from aspiration to incarnation.” That’s a strong statement.
Let’s pause again. What are your thoughts?
I’ll share one more section, then we can wrap up with our final thoughts.
Read underlined material, starting where you left off, pp. 26-27.
Let’s pause again. Let’s start with this quote: “Theology is embodied, or it is useless.” What does that mean to you?
Another quote: “We have proximity and agency.” What does this mean to us as individuals?
Is there anything more that wants to be said?
Let’s close in prayer.
There has always been, is now, and will forever be One Life…One all-Seeing, all-Knowing, all-Powerful and ever-Present Mystery from which all things come…from which all experience is born. There is nothing else.
I Am That…a perfect and intentional expression of the Divine, here on purpose, with a purpose uniquely mine…just as I Am, and just as I am not…nothing broken, missing, or out of place…made in God’s image and likeness, with the powers of self-reflection, choice, and creation.
I take full responsibility for the gifts I have been given. I consciously grow and polish them, humbled to know that each talent is an expression of Spirit moving through me, and is here to be shared. I show my gratitude by offering them freely, that they might leave the world a more beautiful place.
I Am so blessed…countless gifts and Graces flow through every moment of my life. I give thanks for each one…for this beautiful Spiritual Family…for this comfortable space where we gather many times each week…for the support, Love and sense of belonging that is offered to all who walk through the doors.
I recognize that not all Graces are comfortable, and so I give thanks for the many ways that Spirit, or Life, moves me, and our world, to grow in character, patience, resilience, and faith.
I move into a new week, listening for Divine guidance, and committed to acting on what is offered. I know that it may come from any direction, so I am watchful…curious…expectant.
With complete faith in the Power of my Word, trusting and knowing that a prayer spoken and deeply felt is a prayer answered, I let go and let God do Their thing. And so it is…Amen
Diana Offertory
I invite you to join in the celebration of the work we are doing in the world by sharing of your financial Good. If you are at home, you can go to mysticheart.org to use our Donate Button or to find our mailing address.
Offertory Video: Good Day for a Good Day, by Michael Franti & Spearhead
Lucinda – Blessing for the offering
Lucinda – Invitations
- The Mystic Heart Book Club meets every Tuesday from 3-5 We are reading A Politics of Love by Marianne Williamson.
- A Return to Love Book Study will return next week on July 9th. Please have a copy of the book in some form if you plan to attend.
- Fast Track to Wellness will return next week on July 10th. It will be a Community Cooking Day. Contact Rev. Diana if you are new to the group and plan to attend.
- Metaphysical Bible will return next week on July 10th. We are currently reading The Gospel of Mary Magdalene.
Looking Ahead…save the date:
- Dive and Survive: The Second Spoke on the Wheel Workshop
- Please join April Jimenez, Saturday, July 12th from 11am to 1:00pm.There are more details in the June Bulletin. Contact April for more information. Suggested Donation: $20 Snacks will be provided.
- It’s time to start clearing out those closets and cupboards, and cleaning out garages and sheds in search of no longer needed, gently used items. Mystic Heart will be holding its Summer Parking Lot Sale on Friday and Saturday, July 18th and 19th from 7:30am – 2:00 pm. You can bring clean items, in good repair, beginning Sunday, July 6th after the Sunday Gathering. Please let Rev. Diana know if you can help in any capacity.
- New Clairvaux is holding the 19th Annual Blessing of the Grapes in Vina, July 26th, 2025. Join Mystic OAKS as we take part in this beautiful celebration. There is no cost to attend the event. There are more details in the June Bulletin. Contact Chris Netto or Rev. Diana to sign up.
- Uniquely You: A Jewelry-Making Workshop with Kimberly McIntosh. Saturday, August 2nd, 10:30am-2:30pm. Bring a favorite stone, gemstone, or pendant…bring a couple…and join Kimberly in making a custom necklace and pair of earrings. Mid-way through, Rev. Diana will be providing a healthy and delicious lunch. All other materials will be provided. Payment of $30 is required in advance so that we have materials and food for everyone. You won’t want to miss this…bring a friend.
There is more information available in the June Bulletin and online at Mystic Heart.org.
Information Cards if new people
Prayer Requests: I am available after service for prayer, in the Practitioner Prayer room or if you like, fill out a prayer card and I will get your request to our Prayer Team for daily prayer.
Rev. Diana & Chris – Closing Song
- Love Be With You, written by Lainey Bernstein, RScP, & Gary Lynn Floyd
Notes:
[i] 1 John 4:8
[ii] Mark 9:7, Matthew 3:17, & Luke 9:35
[iii] Matthew 5:14
©2025 Mystic Heart Spiritual Center, All Rights Reserved
Permission is granted to duplicate for non-commercial educational use only.
All rights to music performed remain with the copyright owners.
Diana Johnson’s music is © by Barefoot Angel Publishing, ASCAP.
Chris Johnson’s music is © by SeaJay Music & Publishing, ASCAP.