In The Celestial Songbook, writer Jim Cleveland offers a collection of narratives that celebrate the highest spiritual values, embodied in a personal relationship with our Creator God, who dwells within us. The linkage is made through the daily Stillness, with concerted worship, prayer, forgiveness and loving service.

These verses flowed rapidly through the author’s mind and fingertips and keyboard to express true spiritual values in poignant, humanized lyrical packages. The process has been called channeling, transmitting, and automatic writing. By whatever name, it is similar to taking dictation. Melodies for these narratives are developed in the same manner for those inspired to collaborate.

These and other celestial transmissions herald for all of us the enhanced creative energies that are coming to our world in a Spiritual Renaissance of personal religion. Celestial angels, teachers, guides and artisans are everywhere, ministering to us from the spirit world for the asking, encouraging us to make our own co-creative expressions that show the way to truth, beauty and goodness in our lives.

JIM CLEVELAND has had a long career in journalism, public relations, publications and marketing. He has a B.S. in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.A. from the University of Mississippi, along with years of theological and spiritual studies. He is owner and manager of lightandlife.com and its related periodicals, a charter director of The Stillness Foundation, and active with Urantia Book, Teaching Mission and A Course in Miracles organizations. 

THE PERFECT YOU

Would the sunshine seem so warm without the rain?
Would the good times be so glad without some pain?
If our lives were not a question,
Could we easily find the direction
That would lead us back to the Father’s house again?

Would coming home be sweet without some sense of loss?
Would all our victories be this good without a cost?
If answers came without a search
Would you prize them very much?
Would you try in life or just bear some dark cross?
CHORUS
Life’s a struggle.  That is true
That’s the Father’s plan for you
But not in fear.  It’s love
That’s sure to bring you through
Without the fear and foolish pride
It’s a long and joyous ride
And your life keeps building up
The perfect you.

Would the power of love be known without some hate?
If there were no more poor would success be all that great?
If we travelled on easy roads,
And lived high in plush abodes,
Would a growth in strength and purpose be our fate?

Would the springtime seem so joyous without the cold?
Would a life without some challenge just get old?
Will we always have both sides,
To help us grow in all that’s tried
As we watch our path to Heaven’s gates unfold?

Would day and night just be as one without the change?
Could we find our true romance if all were same?
And is it true that life’s no bore,
But such a chance to open doors
Can we smile and say we’re happy with the game?

Would our faith be quite this great if we had proof?
Would our deaths be tragic loss without the truth?
And what kind of mortal life
Would we have without the strife?
Without this time and space could we see how much we grew?