by rev. dan koeshall spiritual A-LISTS


“So, rather than hoping and begging God for favors and blessings for this New Year (which many doubt will not be given anyway), let’s take a moment to acknowledge the divine presence of Life within us and use the power of our own word to direct our thoughts and feelings in positive directions.”


HAPPY NEW YEAR! Have you made any New


Year’s Resolutions? What have you resolved as you start 2011? I don’t know about you, but I like to be realistic in my resolutions (goals) for a new year while, at the same time, pushing myself toward excellence. Maybe deep down inside I’m just afraid that I won’t live up to my resolution…or I’ll get started and won’t complete it. Yikes! Do you hear (or maybe feel) the kind of energy I’m putting out? As a pastor in a denomination founded on the concept


of affirming (that is, accepting, supporting, validating) people just as they are, I’d like to share with you some- thing about affirmations. Affirmations could be another way of putting your intentions out in the universe for this New Year—or whenever you want. It’s about the desire to change something in your life. And desire is just the beginning of seeing that change become a reality. A practical theologian, Durrell Watkins, talks about


why we use affirmations. He tells us that affirmations, positive statements or declarations that things are (or are becoming) a certain way—a powerful way to pray. If we can say something positive often enough, we start to believe that it is true, or at least that it could be true. We all like to feel good, and believing that something


positive is possible makes us feel good. And when we feel good, we are more likely to notice opportunities and to make the most of those opportunities. It is when we see and seize opportunities that things in life will improve. “Affirmations are not by themselves magical,” Watkins


says. “Using them is part of a process that helps us feel better, and when we FEEL better, things start to get bet-


BE AFFIRMED RESOLUTION FOR 2011:


ter. Affirmative self-talk is part of the process of feeling better. Once we feel better, our vibrations are higher and the blessings that are a vibrational match for our energy start to show up. Affirmations are a way of raising and focusing our energy—and what we consistently focus on, we will create, attract or move toward. So, rather than hoping and begging God for favors and blessings for this New Year (which many doubt will not be given anyway), let’s take a moment to acknowledge the divine presence of Life within us and use the power of our own word to direct our thoughts and feelings in positive directions. I think affirmative prayer is powerful prayer because it lets us take responsibility for our own lives. I wish you a year filled with powerful, positive affirmations. Why not start right now? Let’s affirm: I am a fabulous expression of divine Life.


I am filled with hope and happiness, peace and power. I am loving and wise. I am blessed! There are Metropolitan Community Churches all over


this country and world, including San Diego, Orange County and L.A. churches that are open, affirming and welcoming to all people. Whether in worship or fel- lowship, social justice issues or community outreach, our church in San Diego takes seriously its mission of bringing people closer to God (a loving, caring God, by the way) and one another. But at their very heart, our churches celebrate each


person as a unique, gifted creation of God. I hope you’ll resolve to visit one soon. We are everywhere! Happy New Year!


Rev. Dan Koeshall is the Senior Pastor at The Metropolitan Community Church (The Met) in San Diego. Visit themetchurch.org.


JANUARY 2011 | RAGE monthly 27


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