I don't talk much about messages contained within Christian Bible, mostly because I don't want anyone thinking that I am only a spokesperson for that religion. However, Christian Bible is a good source of information on Power and how to tap into it for effective prayers. One very powerful book of Bible is book of James. This is a relatively small book in back of Bible, not far from book of Revelations. Only 5 chapters long, but packed with some intriguing messages.

The book of James speaks much on proper focus of mind, to focus your mind on spiritual things and not on physical things. This is kind of focus necessary in order to tap into Spirit and its Power. Some people see this book as saying that we should give up all physical pleasure and welcome hardship and suffering in our lives. Although this is one possible interpretation, I do not believe that it is correct one.

The most basic principle of Power is that it flows from your spiritual essence and creates equivalent of your thoughts and feelings. This is way we humans were created. "And God gave man dominion over Earth".

One of problems that many people get into is that they focus on what they see; such as their problems, obstacles to success, and lack of what they desire; and by focusing on these things, they unconsciously direct Power to create more of these things. They do not realize that their focus of mind directs Power to create future events and experiences. James is trying to teach people to focus their minds on spiritual matters and on concepts of justice, fairness, generosity, and control. Anyone who focuses on these things will be directing Power to create these conditions in their own lives, whether they are conscious of process or not, and thus will have quality of life improved.

In first few verses of 4th chapter, James mentions something about prayers not being answers because of having 'wrong motives'. I think 'wrong motives' that James is talking about here is motive of gaining what is considered a limited supply. This is context in which passage was written. If you ask for money, thinking that there is a limited supply of money in world, then your request is not granted because you have come from a position of limitation. In Step by Step course, I refer to this phenomenon as underlying assumptions.

Every year I hear people say over and over again "I don't understand why Christmas had to get so commercialized." Behind this statement is usually an implied suggestion that it's "evil capitalists" that are to blame and that people should focus on other things during Christmas season.

But is this true? Should we focus on other things around Christmas-time, or is there some value in commercialization of Christmas?

If you remember story about when Christ was incarnated in Bethlehem, you'll also remember that gifts were presented to Christ child soon after His birth. What was purpose of those gifts?

The gifts given to Christ were a way to signify just how important those 'wise men' considered Christ to be. They felt that this newborn baby would be greatest of all, and they wanted to express their admiration of His mission on Earth through giving of gifts.

Isn't that what we do when we give gifts to those around us? Aren't we also expressing just how important these people are to us by gifts that we give?

Christmas is also one of few times of year when we specifically focus on message that Christ gave world, and work that He did while He was here.