Isaac and Ishmael

With greater violence errupting in the Middle East, it is time to consider the true roots of brotherhood. Peace.

The Bible:
Mal 2:10
Gen 16:1,2,4 (to :),15,16
Gen 17:1,3-5,7,8,15,16,18-22
Gen 21:1-3,8-20
Gen 25:5-9,11,17,18 and
Ps 133:1
Heb 6:13-16
Gal 3:7-9,28,29
Acts 17:24-28
I Cor 8:6 to (to ;)

Science and Health:
516:9-13
276:17
337:7
60:24-31
264:24
96:12-23
226:14
256:1
202:3
58:2-11
12:10
576:31-4
31:4-8
586:9
16:26-29
332:4 Father
516:21
361:16
469:30-5
467:9-13

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 266
Hymn 126
Hymn 157

Christmas Joy

You hear so much about those who are sad, depressed or lonely at holiday time. These citations are an offering to counter those feelings and hopefully lift our thought to the joy of the Christ present with us now and always.

Happy Christmas!

The Bible:
Isa 60:1
Isa 7:14 Behold
Isa 29:18,19
Luke 1:26-35,37,38,46-50
Luke 2:1,4-17,20,25-32,40,52
Luke 8:1 he
Luke 15:1-7
John 10:10 I
Matt 28:20 lo (to .)
Matt 5:12 (to :)
I John 1:1,3,4
Phil 4:4,7

Science and Health:
vii:1-10
333:16-23 The
332:9-15 Jesus,23
333:9-13
18:3-9
270:31
316:21
15:25-26
285:32
261:2
481:3-4
337:7
265:23-28
266:6-17
60:29
57:18,23,32
140:8-12
565:13-18
21:9

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 222
Hymn 23
Hymn 417

Redeeming Babel

I heard someone mention recently that she thought of the Day of Pentecost and the apostles speaking in toungues in Acts as a healing of the tower of Babel. I thought this was a really interesting thought, so exploring that somewhat with these citations.

The Bible:
Gen 11:1-9 the
I Cor 1:3-6,10
I Cor 14:33
Acts 4:33 with
Acts 2:1-8,12-18,22,32,33,36-42,46,47 (to .)
Phil 2:1-3,5
Rom 15:2,5,6

Science and Health:
510:28
205:22-14
114:10-13,17
399:23
186:31-5
191:4
82:31
581:17-22
389:22
213:9-19,30
117:6-19,24
72:30
284:31
209:31
349:13-30
354:20
89:18
467:9
249:1

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 49
Hymn 177
Hymn 236

Making the Light of Truth known

The Bible:
Ps 105:1,2
Ps 145:10-12
Ps 67:1-3
Isa 60:1-3
Acts 3:1-19
Acts 4:1-6,16-21,23,32 (to :),33
Matt 5:14-16
Matt 10:26 for, 27
II Cor 4:1-6

Science and Health:
255:1-6
510:27-1
504:23
325:30
304:3-5
62:27-30
191:8-17
299:26
558:10-16
480:29-4
347:17
367:24
293:28
109:4
108:19
560:24
343:10
338:1
367:17

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 2
Hymn 172
Hymn 14

Ever waiting, never doubting

The Bible:
Ps 37:3-8 (to :),9 those
Ps 40:1,3
Gen 12:1,2,4,5,7
Gen 15:3-6
Gen 17:1,3-5,8,15-17,19
Gen 21:1-3,33,34
Mark 1:14 Jesus,15
Mark 11:22-24
Rom 5:1-5
Rom 8:24 we,25
James 1:3-6 the
James 5:7,8
Heb 6:10-15
Heb 12:1,2 (to ;)
Heb 10:36

Science and Health:
253:32-8
254:10
3:12
579:10-14
22:11-27
39:22
495:14
455:3-6
242:15 In
454:17
323:9
426:5-9
4:3-5,22
13:20-24
9:32
1:1-4,6,11

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 263
Hymn 350
Hymn 209

Food: not our God

As much as I act like it most of the time... :)

The Bible:
Deut 5:6-9 (to :)
Matt 4:1-11 Jesus,17,23
Matt 5:2
Matt 6:8 your, 9-11,22,24-26,31-33
I Cor 8:1-8 Knowledge
I Cor 10:22,23,25-27,31
I John 5:20,21

Science and Health:
340:15-16,20
169:29-31
170:3
174:4
62:13-16,20
220:22-30
221:1-4,10-22,29-10
222:14-17,26-28,31
170:7-17
232:19
197:21-22
175:16
176:11
388:12-30
389:13-27
253:32-2
254:6-8,16

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 12
Hymn 201
Hymn 161

Going forward

Many changes are afoot after this election in the US! Let's go forward fearlessly and with divine Love.

Much good!

The Bible:
Ps 23:1-6
Ex 13:17 it,18,21
Ex 14:5-31
Ps 139:1-3,7-11
I John 4:16-19 we

Science and Health:
291:12-13
256:1-5
240:18
68:2
323:6,28-4
596:21-27
454:18-19
426:5-11
239:16
224:8
15:18-20
233:1
326:16
566:1
496:9
410:14

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 81
Hymn 351
Hymn 288

Putting on our spiritual armour

The Bible:
Rom 13:12
John 1:1,2,4,5,9,11,12,14
John 7:14-18
John 8:12-16,20,25-28,31,32,36-40,42,43,45,47,59
John 18:1,3-8,10-13,28-30,33,36-38 (to ?)
John 19:10,11,16,41,42
John 20:1,14 she,16-20
John 21:25
Eph 6:10-13,17,18,24

Science and Health:
316:12-5
19:12
52:9-28
48:17-18,21-6
37:6-8
28:22-10
542:18-21
288:3
387:27
538:3-4,7
595:3 (to 2nd .)
130:15-19,26-11
225:5
458:20
145:16-20,25
216:9 On
324:7
571:15-19
21:1-4

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 5
Hymn 312
Hymn 264

Love fulfills the law

The Bible:
Ps 119:89,97,104-106,112,165 (to :)
Ex 20:1-11
Deut 6:1,2,4-6
Luke 2:42-52
Ex 20:12-17
Rom 13:8-10
Mark 1:14 Jesus,15,39-44
Luke 10:25-37
I John 3:11 this,18,19
I John 4:7,8,12,13,16,21 this
James 2:8

Science and Health:
330:19
167:17
9:17-21 (to .)
4:17-22
140:7-13
473:18-3
26:21-32
19:6
138:27-31
55:16-22
572:12-17
490:12
275:6
496:15
454:17-22
340:4-29

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 178
Hymn 179
Hymn 32

A Rock - one that's better than the Prudential one :)

Looking for some stable resources in these interesting financial times?? Turn to God as your Rock, your Resource, your Stability, your salvation.

Much good!

The Bible:
Deut 32:1,3,4
Num 20:1-11
Ps 62:1,2,8-12
Deut 8:6 thou,7,9 (to :),10-14,15-18 who brought
Isa 14:32
Isa 26:1-4
Isa 33:2,5,6
Matt 4:23 Jesus
Matt 5:1,2
Matt 6:19-21,26,28-31,33
Matt 7:24 whosoever,25
II Cor 1:3,4,21,22
I Pet 5:6-8 (to ;),10 the,11

Science and Health:
12:31
444:10
593:18 (only)
599:6-7
133:9-10,13-15
273:29-3
60:29
232:4
15:25
296:22-5
297:12
287:22
355:32-3
146:7
201:7
3:4
103:25
326:8-14
269:21
487:19-23
495:16
vii:13
vii:1-2

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 85
Hymn 293
Hymn 123

Too much on your plate? Turn to God!

Feeling a bit overloaded, too much to do, not sure what to do next or how you will get it all done? Think how Moses must have felt leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, through the wilderness to the promised land - hundreds of thousands of people, always complaining, aksing for more! Rhese readings take a look at some of what he faced and how God helped him through. I hope these ideas help you feel less burdened by the tasks at hand.

Much joy!

The Bible:
Ps 61:1,2
Ps 142:1-3 (to .)
Ex 3:1-4,7,10-14 (to :)
Ex 4:10-14 (to .),15,20
Ex 13:17,18
Num 11:10-18 Moses heard, 21,23-25,30-32 (to 2nd :)
Isa 45:18 thus,22,23
Isa 40:25-29
Matt 11:28-30
Matt 6:22
Jer 32:17,19,27

Science and Health:
587:5
13:20-24
279:22
89:18
128:4
260:13-20
248:12-29
261:4,27
264:7
322:3
288:27
392:7
393:12-18
180:25
215:12
428:19
410:14
426:5-9
449:8 (to 2nd .)
203:13
12:31
454:18-21,22

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 134
Hymn 291
Hymn 253

God's government - the only one in control

with all the tumult that is going on - in the weather with hurricanes and storms and in the economy with the collapse of financial giants - seemed like a good idea to affirm that God is really the only governing force and power, supreme over all.

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Num 6:24-26)

The Bible:
Ps 93:1,2,4,5
Ps 22:28 the kingdom
Ps 46:10 (to :)
I Chron 16:8,10,11,14,31
I Sam 30:1 it,2,6-8,10 David (to :),17-19
II Sam 2:1,2 (to ,),4 (to 1st .),5-7
II Sam 5:1-3,10,17,19,20 (to .),22-25
I Chron 29:10-13,26-28 (to :)
Ps 9:7 the,8,10
Ps 66:7 (to ;)
Isa 11:1 there,2
Isa 9:7
Mark 1:14 Jesus,15 (to :)
Mark 4:35-40 when
Rev 19:5 a,6

Science and Health:
295:5-8
427:23
171:12
206:28-30
544:16-17
588:11
465:17-1 Principle
203:3
128:4-6
130:9
228:25-27
184:16-18
378:8-10
225:11
371:30
91:5
9:17
327:17
423:24
73:10
106:9
151:20-21
393:16-18
122:1-7
536:8
590:1
476:28-32
208:20
16:30-3 (to .)

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 10:1-3
Hymn 82:1-3
Hymn 272:1-4

Peace from unity

Here's a little exploration of the 7th Beatitude.

The Bible:
II Tim 1:7 God
Ps 46:10 (to :)
Ps 133:1
Rom 8:14-17 as
Isa 9:2,6
Matt 4:23-25
Matt 5:2,9
John 14:27
Luke 8:1,26-35 (to :)
Rom 7:18-25
Eph 2:4-6,10,14-18
Eph 4:1-4,6,7,17,18,20-25
I John 4:7,18
II Cor 13:11


Science and Health:
19:2-3
329:26-2 If
144:14-16,19
202:3
571:19
469:30-5
365:31
57:24
96:12-20 np
167:20 The flesh
12:10
18:3-9
264:24-31
265:10,23
214:32
324:7-12
506:10-12


Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 157:1-3
Hymn 118:1-3
Hymn 32:1-5

Mercy for the merciful

through unselfishness we find justice...


The Bible:
Ps 103:2-4,6,8,11 as,13
Ps 145:8,9
PS 18:25
II Sam 9:1 David,2 (to .),3 And Ziba,5-7,13
II Sam 11:2-4 (to ;)
II Sam 12:1 (to .),13 (to ;)
Ii Cor 1:3
John 3:16,17
Matt 4:17 Jesus
Matt 5:1 (to :),2,7
Matt 7:1,2,12
John 15:9-12
Luke 6:32,33,35,36
Matt 20:29-34 as they
James 2:8,13
Col 3:12-14
Jude 1:2

Science and Health:
18:3-9
51:19-24,28 (only)
138:27-2
496:5
572:12-17
205:22-29,32
57:23-24
365:7
9:5
201:9
465:14
405:5
248:29
391:17-18,26
542:10
64:1-2
22:23-4
538:3-4
344:11
497:24 And
578:16


CS Hymnal:
Hymn 283
Hymn 79
Hymn 278

Forgiveness

Can lead to healing...

The Bible:
Ps 130:2-5
Gen 37:3,4,12,13 (to .),23,24,28
Gen 41:46,54 seven,57
Gen 42:1-3,8
Gen 44:1-4,6,11-14
Gen 45:1,4,5,9
Gen 46:5
Gen 47:28,29 (to :)
Gen 50:14-17,19-22
Prov 17:9
Matt 4:17 Jesus,23
Matt 5:1,2,22-24 I say,48
Matt 6:9 when, 10,12,14,15
Luke 17:3,4
Luke 6:28,29,31,35-37
Matt 22:35-40
James 5:15,16
Col 3:12-15

Science and Health:
467:1-16
560:13-19
289:9
454:9
43:32
374:5-6
571:18
242:15
419:2
407:6-20
327:8-13
405:5
445:19
68:6
8:28-30
9:11-24
264:24
57:23
17:6-7 (to ;)

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 179:1-3
Hymn 163:1-3
Hymn 31:1-5

In meekness and might

The Bible:
Ps 37:3-8,11 the meek
Prov 16:32
John 2:13-17
John 8:3-12 the scribes,21-23,28,29,50
John 5:30
John 10:30
Matt 27:1,2,12-14,27-31,46,50,57-60
Matt 28:1,2,5,6 (to .),8,18-20
II Tim 2:24 the servant,25
Titus 1:7-9 a
Titus 3:1-9
James 3:13-18
Eph 4:1-7

Science and Health:
26:10
316:20
49:14-25 np
315:3
270:22-24
39:1,18
54:8
343:21
322:3-7
6:29-6
234:26-27
379:6
4:3-16
30:26-28,30
272:3-5

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 352
Hymn 423
Hymn 88

Christian Healing

The Bible:
Mark 1:14 Jesus,15,21-33
Mark 5:22-43
John 5:17 Jesus,19-21
John 14:10-14
Luke 9:1,2,6,10 (to 1st .)
Luke 10:1,2,16 (to ;),17,21,22
Acts 5:12 (to ;)
Acts 3:1-8
Phil 2:5

Science and Health:
316:7-12
79:17
51:19-24
52:23
147:24
162:4-13
347:14-25
146:23-13
192:32-14 (to 2nd ")
193:17
194:2-9
109:4
135:20
112:32-3
145:31
423:8
390:4-6 np

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 175
Hymn 96
Hymn 392

A virtuous woman

Just thinking of a friend who passed on this week....

The Bible:
Prov 31:10-31
II Kings 4:8-37 it fell
John 13:31 Jesus,34,35
John 14:15
II Pet 1:2-8,10,11


Science and Health:
516:9-13,19
265:1-15
525:7-16,20-24
517:10
68:4
57:15-18
102:31-2
327:23-24
260:7-18
25:13
x:25-27,30
37:22
192:23-24
4:3-16

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 51
Hymn 41
Hymn 304

Gratitude list

Last night, I was feeling the need to review the healings and help I and my family have received from Christian Science treatment and wanted to share some of what I am remembering. It is good, as you probably know, to express gratitude to God for all His gifts. Certainly the correction of a physical problem is a gift. Only right to sing His praise for these blessings!

* When a toddler, a few warts apeared on my chin. These were gone by the next morning through the prayer-based treatment given by a Christian Science practitioner.
* Hayfever that I'd experienced annually since I was six years old has been eliminated.
* At 18, I had a fall onto a blacktop road from a horse. A practitioner was called for prayer-treatment. The only effect that was seen was a black eye and scab around it, which was all gone in a week.
* Colds and flu were such a regular occurance in my life that my husband said he could predict them. Many times, these were met through prayer-based treatment and ended very quickly. Now, it is extremely rare, if ever, that these health challenges occur in my life.
* My husband (who is not a student of Christian Science) hurt his knee badly a few years ago so that it was difficult to even walk. He decided to ask a practitioner for treatment. He was walking comfortably in a couple of weeks. The problem resurfaced a year later but was quickly stopped again in a day. He has not had problems with his knees since then.
* Since high school, the first day of my menstrual cycle would wipe me out physically - pain, fainting, extreme temperature changes. Through regular, deeper study of God's laws and applying them to this problem, as well as general spiritual growth, no more mentrual pain!
* Plantar warts on the sole of one foot removed through self-treatment.

Okay, that's what I am remembering right now. And that's just some of the physical help. Add to this the help for other challenges and just everday situations: relationship issues, grief, difficult driving conditions, financial needs, getting through school and tests, self-image, etc., etc.

And almost more so, is the preventitive nature of Christian Science. I think sometimes that this is not emphasized enough. But I really feel so grateful for the prevention of disease and other problems that leaning on God brings to my life. Those colds mentioned above are a good reminder to me. What used to be chronic is incredibly rare if at all any more.

I am very grateful to God for the example he gave the world in his Son, Christ Jesus, for His Word as expressed in the Bible, for the gift of Christian Science and for the opportunity to share His good news with others. Sometimes the road is challenging, but I remember that He is always there loving us in just the way we need. Christian Science has met this need for me over and over. And I know it does for many, many individuals around the world at whatever stage or religion or whatever they are presently.

Turning sorrow for sin into sinless joy

Okay, doing more on the Second Beatitude today. Until I was doing some research on this Beatitude for last week's readings, I'd never thought very deeply on this one. Though I really believe all the spiritual ideas in the Bible are infinite, so many meanings, ideas, insights can be drawn from a verse, psalm, story, parable, etc., I never really went beyond a basic sense of "mourning for the loss of those who have died" when it came to this verse. So it was cool to learn of some other perspectives - especially the idea (that some of the commentators that I read preferred) that Jesus was really referring to mourning or sorrowing over sin. So that's what these readings reflect - the beneficial effects of sorrow over sin, that turns us to divine Love to cleanse our sense of self from sin to find that sinless joy that is naturally ours as God's image and likeness, as Her loved children.


Much joy!


The Bible:
Eccl 7:3-5
Prov 14:10,13
Ps 34:17-19,22
Ps 51:1-3,7-12,17
Mark 1:14 Jesus,15
Mark 2:15-17
Luke 6:12,13 (to :),17-20 (to 2nd ,),21 Blessed are ye that weep,25 Woe unto you that laugh
Luke 18:9-14
Luke 7:36-50
James 4:7-10
Rom 5:1-5,11
Rev 7:9,10,13-17
Heb 12:1,2,5-7 ye,9,12,14
Phil 3:13-15

Science and Health:
66:9
265:23-2
5:3-11
14:16-22,25-28
125:12-16
324:2-5
362:1-12
363:1-9 (to .),25-19
364:25
405:22
8:28-30
9:17-24
19:17-24
242:1
76:22-29
20:27-14

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 40

Hymn 19
Hymn 300

The Second Beatitude

Continuing along in a look at the Beatitudes - time for #2! There is such mourning over loss lately - with the cyclones in Myanmar, earthquakes in China, and other more personal losses. I hope that the ideas in this selectiton from the Bible and Science and Health help to lift thought to find joy and peace that comes from the love of God and the understanding of Him as Life and of man as His reflection.

Much good.

The Bible:
Ps 116:1-5,8,9
Ps 30:10-12
Ps 119:76
II Kings 4:8 it fell,12,16-21,25-28,30,32,33,35-37
Isa 51:3,11,12 (to :)
Isa 66:13
Matt 4:23 Jesus
Matt 5:2,4
Luke 7:11-16
John 17:1-3
John 14:1,15-21,25-27
I Cor 15:19-21,51,52,54,55,57
I Thess 4:13 I,14,18
Rev 21:3,4
II Cor 1:2-4

Science and Health:
206:19-21,25
215:15-24
218:32-2
584:9-16
427:1-25,30-14 np
428:22
410:4-9,14-17
332:19 Jesus
44:9-10
69:13
324:32-19
266:29
164:17
585:9-14
304:9-14
386:16-2
55:27
271:20
57:23

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 174

Hymn 208
Hymn 101

The First Beatitude

I have been hoping to do a study of the Beatitudes at some point while reading at the branch church of Christ, Scientist of which I am a member, and the time seems right. So here is a look at the first one, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

As always, follow the links to see each citation, or cop and paste the whole thing into Concord if you have that program and view it from there (citation by citation or print it out).

The Bible:
Ps 34:1-3,6,8
Deut 6:4,5
Prov 15:33
Prov 22:4
Prov 3:5,6
Isa 57:15
Matt 4:17 Jesus,23,25
Matt 5:1-3
Matt 6:1,3-6,9,10,19-22,31 take,33
Matt 18:2-4
Matt 23:9-12 call
Matt 26:1,2,36-47,50 Then
Matt 27:1,35 (to :)
Matt 28:1,2,5,6 (to .),16-20 (to .)
Mark 16:17-20 (to .)
Phil 2:1-3,5-9,12,13
Heb 11:6
James 4:10

Science and Health:
20:14
586:23
33:18
51:19
316:3
202:3
205:22-9
242:15
590:1
323:28-4
2:8
8:10-30
15:25-6
261:31
7:18
1:6
12:10
467:13

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 291
Hymn 318
Hymn 162

Joy of salvation

Sharing a little joy with these readings! Blessing for much joy in your life!

The Bible:
Hab 3:18 I will rejoice
Isa 25:1,8,9
Ps 86:4,5,10-12,15 thou,16
Ps 13:5 I,6
Luke 4:14 Jesus,15
Luke 19:1-10
Ps 30:1-4
Ps 20:5,6
Mark 15:1,25
Matt 28:1,2,5-7 (to ;),8,16,18-20
Ps 95:12,,6,7 (to ;)
Ps 105:1-3
Ps 149:1-5
Acts 3:1-8
Ps 98:1-4
Rev 12:10 (to :),12 (to .)

Science and Health:
481:3-9
593:20
587:25
230:1
337:6
262:17
323:28-4
342:21-26
548:9
285:27
390:7
365:30
122:7
260:31
14:12-22
66:11
76:22
22:23-27
21:9
327:29

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 56
Hymn 168
Hymn 153

Mind and manifestation - part 2

I'd like to say, "part 2 of X," but I just don't know what X is or will be, so it will remain variable right now. Just keep learning little and big things about this statement, so we'll see where this goes. Thanks for bearing with me as I explore! (This first installment on this idea is here. Check it out if you haven't so the rest of this one will make sense. :)

There are a few little words that really pop out at me in all these definitions and weavings: "readily," "clear" and "plain." Such simple and comforting words! God making Himself readily, clearly, plainly perceived, understood, seen, etc. No hiding! Out there in the open for everyone to know and see. No tricks. Just revealing Himself.

I guess this is saying to me that God wants His creation to know Him, and He's putting Himself - all the wonderful aspects of his being - out there in the open for us to know Him, to understand Him, and so to understand ourselves as His creation, His image and likeness (ref. Gen 1:26, 27).

So I'm being more expectant to see evidence of God all around me - clearly and plainly - in myself, in my encounters with others, in the neighborhood as it springs into bloom. God's making this evidence clear, and, as He is omnipotent - all-power - who can change what He's done? And who would want to when what He has done is all good - all Himself? :)

Mind and manifestation

Seems like for a couple of weeks now, any time I've quieted my thought to pray and listen for ideas from God, this clause from the Scientific Statement of Being found in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy comes strongly: "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation," (page 468)

Well, I do try to take these ideas seriously, especially when they keep coming over and over as this one ahs and continues to do. I figure there is something I need to learn from the word, phrase, or whatever. And, boy, has there been some neat ideas I've been gahtering from studying and pondering this one more deeply! Here's some of where this study has taken me (probably more to come).

First, of course, being a student at heart, I had to grab my dictionary and be clear on one word especially: manifestation. The following is what I found in Random House Webster's: (Merriam-Webster's online version is pretty close if you want to do your own checking.)

1) an act of manifesting
2) the state of being manifested
3) outward or perceptible indication (pretty much the aspect of the definition I'd always thought about - was mostly aware of - especially in this context)
4) a public demontration, as for political effect (fun!)

Well, have to look up "manifest" next as it is laced through the above definitions ...

1) readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident
2) to make clear to the eye or the understanding

I also checked out "indication":

1) to be a sign of; betoken
2) to point to or point out
3) to demonstrate the conditions of
4) to show or suggest the suitability or necessity of

Wow - this all really broadened my thought on what this clause could mean. I think I've always just thought, okay, all is Mind, God, and its manifestation, man and the universe, creation. Not wrong - fits with the third definition of manifestation, but I think now it is a limited way of thinking of this statement given the rest of the definitions and how they can be interwoven.

So here are some ideas I wrote down as I thought about this statement with the various definitions of manifestation:

1) All is infinite Mind and Its infinite act of making Itself readily perceived by the eye or understanding, of making Itself evident (plain or clear to the sight or understanding).

2) All is infinite Mind and Its infinte state of being readily perceived by the eye (spiritual understanding), and Its infinite sate of being evident.

3) All is infinte Mind and Its inifinite outward or perceptible sign, Its infinite outward or perceptible sign of being necessary and suitable, Its infinte perceptible showng of the suitbaility and necessity of Itself, Its infinte perceptible sign pointing to Itself, Its infinte outward act of demonstratioing the conditions of Itself (intelligence, wisdom, common sense, etc., etc., infinitely).

4) All is infinite Mind and Its public demonstration of Itself (I really like this one - pretty cool).

Isn't that what creation is? God making Himself evident, perceptible, of God expressing His Word, making Himself known. Hmmm, typing this out, I'm remembering this passage from Science and Health (303:25-28):

God, without the image and likeness of Himself, would be a nonentity, or Mind unexpressed. He would be without a witness or proof of His own nature.

Hence, His need to manifest Himself - to demonstrate Himself, His real nature, the fulness of His being. And we, as His manifestation, are that demonstration, we are the perceivable evidence of God - infinite Mind - knowing, seeing, acting, loving. We point back to Him.

Oh, wow. This is just the tip of the iceburg on this one, I think, my friend! More later on where these ideas are going and what I continue to learn about this infinite Mind and its manifestation. It's such a great journey!

Friendship

A good friend with whom I haven't talked in a while called yesterday - I'm pretty sure that was the spark to this topic and resulting readings. The focus is the story of David and Jonathan, Saul's son. They were fast friends. I've loved the deep love and affection they held for each other as depicted in the books of Samuel since I first read it. So tender, so giving of each other, despite all the war and weirdness with Saul going on. Jonathan maintained his vow of friendship, knowing the pureness of it and David's innocence. Really heartwarming! I hope you enjoy this story and the other ideas of friendship below.



Much good!


The Bible:
Prov 17:17
Prov 18:24
Prov 27:10 (to ;)
I Sam 14:49 (to :)
I Sam 18:1-5 the soul,12
I Sam 19:1-10
I Sam 20:1-4,11-17,24,27-32,35,40-42
I Sam 31:1-3
II Sam 1:2-4,11,12,17,25-27
II Sam 9:1-8,13
Prov 22:11
John 13:1,12 he said (to 4th ,), 34
John 15:9,10,13,14
Rom 12:9,10
III John 1:14 Peace
Heb 13:1

Science and Health:
60:6-8, 29-9
147:29
451:16
57:10-30
68:9-11
65:7-8
21:15
386:16-2
82:2-3
248:3-5
8:30
266:6-16,18
467:9-13
469:30-5
276:4
518:15-19
17:4-5

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 105
Hymn 30
Hymn 178

A Very Present Help in Trouble

The Bible:
Ps 88:1-4,9,11,13,15
Ps 13:1-6
Ps 31:1-5
Ps 46:1-3 (to .),10,11 (to .)
Ex 3:1-4,6-8 (to ;),12-14
Ex 13:17,18,21
Ex 14:5,6,10-16,19-23,26-31
Ps 66:1,2,6-9
Ps 62:1,2,11
Mark 5:25-30,33,34
Rom 8:35,37-39
Rom 5:1-5

Science and Health:
12:31-3
473:7-10
587:5,19
471:18-19
256:13
72:21-23
469:25-30
186:11-27
202:24
218:19
180:25
130:26-32
103:6
66:9 Through
108:19-3
306:25
365:31
444:10
16:30-3

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 135
Hymn 53
Hymn 350

Rejoicing in the Lord

It felt like these readings needed to be about joy, and this is what resulted - the joy that results from seeking and worshipping Him. Love the images of harmony the came out in this, as well as the need for a higher spiritual sense to reach that permanent sense of joy that is ours as God's children. Click on the links to see the Bible and Science and Health passages. Or, if you have the software program "Concord" copy and paste the citation list into the Citation Document pane and view from there.


Much joy!


The Bible:
Phil 4:4
Zech 2:10
Ps 33:1-5,12,20,21
Ps 100:1-5
Ps 43:3,4
I Chron 15:1,3,14-16,25-29 (to :)
I Chron 16:1,2,7-11,23-25,31,32,36
Ps 16:2-11
Ps 119:1,2,111
Ps 32:1,2,11
Mark 1:14 Jesus,15,28,34
Luke 19:1-10
I Thess 5:16-19,21,28

Science and Health:
481:3-4
140:7-12
262:17
285:32
505:16
536:24
298:19
304:9
57:18-19
58:7
60:2,24-11
265:23-5
232:4
337:6
76:22-29
405:5-11
327:22
21:9
324:2-4
249:8-10

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 407
Hymn 16
Hymn 263

One Father, one source for peaceful relationships

I was thinking about the conflicts around the world, and how often the issues revolve around land and/or a perception that others have something you don't, more than your community does, etc. This got me to thinking about our father Abraham and how he dealt with conflict within his traveling family, when his accumulation of wealth and his nephew Lot's accumulation got so large the land couldn't sustain everyone and everything and fighting broke out. Abraham looked at the situation logically and said to Lot that they'd have to split up. And then, very graciously, gave Lot the first choice of where he wanted to take his family. What a lovely sense that God would totally sustain him and his family, no matter what direction they went! Abram could let Lot choose and new he wouldn't lose. He trusted God and His promise. And all was well. A good lesson for any age and family.

So these readings evolved from there - more about our brotherhood and how that understanding helps in all relationships, from familial to international.

Peace to you all!


The Bible:
Prov 28:25
Prov 17:14
Prov 20:3 (to :)
Gen 13:1-12 Abram,14,15,17,18
Isa 26:3,4 (to :)
Isa 32:17,18
I Cor 8:3,5,6
Matt 5:9,23 if,24,48
James 4:1-3
James 3:13-18
Titus 2:1 speak,11-15
Titus 3:1-9
II John 1:3

Science and Health:
516:9-12
586:9
31:4-6,10
231:12
576:31-4
329:26 If
140:7
475:7-9,14
63:5
276:4-16
60:29-11
467:1-16
444:13
469:30
340:23
518:15-21
361:16
16:26-29

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 58
Hymn 30
Hymn 72

Benefits of charity

In case you wondered, here's an article I saw in our local paper today: "Science and Bible agree on benefits of charity"

It starts out:

People who made gifts to others or to charities reported they were happier than folks who didn't share, according to a report in Friday's issue of the journal Science.
While previous studies have shown that having more money can increase happiness, the researchers at the University of British Columbia and Harvard University wondered if the way people spent their money made any difference.
Turns out, it does.

Researchers found that how people spend their time and money and how they shared their skills has a major effect on happiness. The more they gave, the happier they are.

Certainly not news to many, not even to the researchers on this project. And certainly we've all had good advice on this subject. Here are some ideas on the blessings of giving...

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38)

"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." (Prov 3:27)

"Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us. (Science and Health 79:31-32)

"We should measure our love for God by our love for man; and our sense of Science will be measured by our obedience to God, — fulfilling the law of Love, doing good to all; imparting, so far as we reflect them, Truth, Life, and Love to all within the radius of our atmosphere of thought." (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 by Mary Baker Eddy 12:28)

And this concept certainly must be behind Oprah's "Big Give"! I'm sure I'd agree, any day that I feel that I've really done something for another, really helped in some way, and especially in a God-directed way, is a much brighter and happier day for me.

One God - one law for our health

I'm not really sure what title to give these readings, but they hold a Bible story that is really significant to me - the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in I Kings 18. It just seems so profound to me on so many levels and important to consider in so many aspects of life. Are we choosing the one, true God? Are we honoring Him as God? If we are, then certainly one of the benefits is the experience of His protection for all harm - even disease. That's what these readings are getting at - and how that will help preserve our lives, prevent ills, maintain health, better than any human theories really can in the long run.


The Bible:
Isa 45:20-22
Isa 12:2,3
Isa 25:9
I Kings 18:21-39 Elijah
Lam 3:24-26
Prov 4:20-25
Ps 91:1-6,9-11,14,16
Matt 4:17 Jesus,23
Matt 6:22,24-33
Matt 15:1-3,7-11
II Cor 6:15-18 what concord
I Tim 6:11 follow
III John 1:2,3
Ps 67:1-3


Science and Health:
183:21-5
184:12-18
124:32
182:18-22
412:16-18
168:4-10,15-21
232:19
369:25
276:19-26
220:26-28 np
222:4-21
62:20-4
174:4
297:7
167:6-7,11-14,22-30


Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 12
Hymn 70
Hymn 77

The Truth

Here's an interesting video from YouTube sent by a friend today, and a good quote from Science and Health to consider along with it:

"Delusion, sin, disease, and death arise from the false testimony of material sense, which, from a supposed standpoint outside the focal distance of infinite Spirit, presents an inverted image of Mind [God] and substance with everything turned upside down." (301:24)






Here are some other ideas from Science and Health that relate:


"Science reverses the false testimony of the physical senses, and by this reversal mortals arrive at the fundamental facts of being." (120:7)

"In viewing the sunrise, one finds that it contradicts the evidence before the senses to believe that the earth is in motion and the sun at rest. As astronomy reverses the human perception of the movement of the solar system, so Christian Science reverses the seeming relation of Soul and body and makes body tributary to Mind. (119:25)

"The evidence of the physical senses often reverses the real Science of being, and so creates a reign of discord,--assigning seeming power to sin, sickness, and death; but the great facts of Life, rightly understood, defeat this triad of errors, contradict their false witnesses, and reveal the kingdom of heaven,--the actual reign of harmony on earth." (122:1)

"The higher nature of man is not governed by the lower; if it were, the order of wisdom would be reversed. Our false views of life hide eternal harmony, and produce the ills of which we complain. Because mortals believe in material laws and reject the Science of Mind, this does not make materiality first and the superior law of Soul last." (62:27)

"If you wish to know the spiritual fact, you can discover it by reversing the material fable, be the fable pro or con,--be it in accord with your preconceptions or utterly contrary to them." (129:7)

"We cannot fathom the nature and quality of God's creation by diving into the shallows of mortal belief. We must reverse our feeble flutterings--our efforts to find life and truth in matter--and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the God-like man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being." (262:9)

How important to begin with the real Truth - God and His creation - to come to the correct conclusions about ourselves, others and the world around us.

a great analogy

A friend sent this story in an email today. It really resonated with me and I wanted to share it with you...

--------------------------------------------

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the w! hole ni ght and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

----------------------------------------------------

Isn't that a cool analogy? And a good reminder - God, our Father-Mother is always right at hand no matter what is going on, no matter where we are. It is only that blindfold that prevented the boy from seeing his father right next to him during the night, and probably the fear he is feeling from all those creepy noises and the uncertainty that otherwise makes him unable to detect his father's presence. How often it is like that in our own lives! Get so caught up in the situation, the fear, the drama that we don't realize help is right there.

But once that light comes, the blindfold is off and the truth is revealed, the father is right there - Love is right there caring for His child. Always.

The healer

Last week's readings for the Wednesday meeting focused on healing. I thought it would be intereseting next too look at the healer - what are some of the qualities that help us all to be better healers. It's so interesting that Mary Baker Eddy started the chapter "Christian Science Practice" with the story of the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and annointed them with ointment - giving insight to key qualities needed by the practitioner or spiritual healer. So I started the Science and Health portion of the readings with her commentary on this Bible story and its accompanying parable, as well as of course including the story in the Bible portion.

What qualities do you find exemplified by this "strange woman"? How do you express these in your life right now? How can you express more of them or express them better? Could questions for everyone to ask themselves regularly, I am thinking!

Much good!

The Bible:
Ps 43:5
Ps 51:1,2,6,8 (to ;),10-13,15,17
Ps 10:17
Matt 4:23 Jesus
Matt 5:1-3,5-8,20 I say,48
Matt 18:2-5
Mark 16:15,17,18
Luke 7:36-50
Acts 9:1-20
Acts 20:7-12
James 5:13-16
Col 3:12-17

Science and Health:
362:1-364:31
365:19
592:25
366:3-23 np
241:19-20 np
270:22-24
326:23
403:21-23
410:14
419:28
3:12
4:3
248:29

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 151
Hymn 307
Hymn 109

some ideas on healing

These readings came from my own need for healing this week. Lots of great examples of Jesus' healing work - and some insights from Science and Health on how to heal. The result during our meeting waas the sharing of a couple of great testimonies. One individual shared a recent healing of liver cancer. Another shared a healing of poison when a child, the reminder of which aided a quick healing over the weekend of a stomach ailment. God does heal!!



The Bible:
Ps 6:2-9
Ps 103:1-4
Luke 4:14 Jesus
Luke 5:12,13
Luke 7:2-10
Luke 8:40-55
Luke 9:38-43 (to .)
Luke 18:27
John 14:6 (to :),12-14
John 9:1-7
James 5:16 The

Science and Health:
1:1
419:20-25,28
325:32-8
326:12
391:26
182:30
180:25-6
368:20-9
369:14
229:15-18 np
230:20-24 (to 2nd .),27-11
231:17-29
147:6,24-4
148:25-4
377:1-11,16
178:14
392:11-32
393:8-18
x:11-25
412:13

Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 175
Hymn 96
Hymn 253

No Disruptive Elements

The weather this winter has been very bizarre in our area of the US - and I think much of it. One day recently a friend mentioned that she was praying with this idea - that there are no disruptive elements in God's kingdom, only eternal and infinite harmony. Sounded like the seed for some interesting readings, and here they are. Hope you find them helpful. Hmmm, maybe this idea could apply to all the potholes springing up around here?? :)

Much good!

The Bible:
Isa 25:1,4
I Kings 19:1-6 (to .), 8-12
Ps 148:1-13
Ps 135:5-7
Ps 147:4,5,7,8,11,15-19
Matt 14:22-36 Jesus
Ps 97:1,2,4-6,9,10 he (to ;),11,12
Ps 46:1-3,10,11 (to .)

Science and Health:
479:21
280:1
210:30
293:21
183:19-21
134:21
135:6-8
192:11-26
392:7
463:12-13
183:4
119:17
240:1-6,10-14
355:11
124:32-2
125:21-2
83:6
97:5-28
470:32
481:3-4

CS Hymnal:
Hymn 93:1-4
Hymn 74:1,2
Hymn 172:1-3

Further thoughts re: NIU

I'm really struck by and pondering this quote from Mary Baker Eddy's book Science and Health today:

We cannot deny that Life is self-sustained, and we should never deny the everlasting harmony of Soul, simply because, to the mortal senses, there is seeming discord. It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony. Truth will at length compel us all to exchange the pleasures and pains of sense for the joys of Soul. (390:4)

(If you are studying the Christian Science Bible Lesson this week - topic of Soul - you've encountered it in the first section, except for that last sentence.)

I think this is popping out at me in light of the shootings at nearby Northern Illinois University the other day and the deluge of reporting on the news that has ensued. And especially because of the questions constantly put forward - Why did this happen? How could this happen?

It's kind of a tough idea Eddy put forward in this paragraph, especially for someone who is in the midst of a traumatic episode of some sort, such as this shooting incident. How can one deny discord has a reality when it seems soooo real, like it is hitting you squarely in the face, head and heart? Not sure I would out and out share this idea with someone going through this situation, but I'd pray with it, am praying with it, in support of those who are on campus or otherwise impacted by this event.

I think the answer lies in the statement "the right understanding of Him restores harmony." That's the key, isn't it - the RIGHT understanding of God, of divine Love? I truly believe that God, inifinte Love, did not "let this happen," did not decree it for His children. He loves us all and His love is a protection. Despite all of this apparent discord and trauma, God's love is still present with all of those students, with the faculty and staff, with the parents of those injured, killed and of the shootist. And that Love sustains Life. Those dear ones who are lost to their families here are still with divine Love, still living in His tender care. The qualities they expressed - I've read about each student who was shot and they were certainly all special to many! - are still present in their families' and friends' lives and will be cherished for many years. As individuals ponder that good those individuals brought to their lives, they'll find that peace and harmony again. As they feel the eternal nature (whether consciously or not) of those God-given qualities these children refleted, harmony is restored.

I pray that all will feel the comfort of the love, joy, peace, comraderie, quietness, gentleness, dedication, thoughtfulness, etc., etc., the six individuals who passed on that day expressed to others here and which they continue to express now. I know that this will help restore harmony to their lives, support them in the days ahead, and strengthen them as they continue to live full lives expressing the "everlasting harmony of Soul." I've experienced this when loved ones have passed, so I know others can and will. God will speak it to them in just the right way and at the right moments. And so many are standing by to lend that word of comfort, helping hand or strong shoulder. I am so grateful for all the good and support that is happening in DeKalb these last days. That will, must, does overcome the evil sense of the tragedy. "Love must triumph over hate." (SH 43:32)

Peace.

NIU

Another school shooting. Yesterday afternoon - Valentine's Day - at Northern Illinois University, a young man, a graduate student in sociology, walked into a classroom auditorium and opened fire then shot himself. A mirror image of the Viriginia Tech shooting last April, but this one so close to home. I know that campus. I did graduate work there. I know that building - though it is used primarily for undergraduate classes. I took the GMAT in that auditorium. It is stranger to think of this situation when you can really picture where it all occurred, unlike the Viriginia Tech incident, a campus I am totally unfamiliar with.

My heart goes out to those students who were there - who were shot, hurt, escaped. I feel for their parents, who heard the reports and must have felt so anxious for news of their child. I am grateful for the quick action of campus security - reports are that they were on the scene in 3 minutes from the first gun shots - and for the wisdom of the administration to alert the campus and lock things down until the situation was under control and needs assessed.

My prayers go out to all those touched by this event. I pray that they all may know the infinte love of our Father-Mother God. That each individual will feel Her tender arms comforting and embracing her/him in this strange moment. That everyone will feel loved, supported, strengthened by the infinite resources of divine Soul.

The images on the news show a campus uniting to help one another, to comfort and support however needed. That to me is a symbol of supreme Love's presence right there in the heart of what probably feels like a mess to those on campus. Some of the first messages of love and support came from students, faculty and administration at Virginia Tech. I am sure all campuses learned much from the VT incident, and I am grateful to see evidence of that in Thursday's shooting at NIU.

"Life and goodness are immortal." (Science and Health 246:28) The goodness that each of those students embodied goes on eternally, I believe. That is what is lasting and does last, no matter what the material picture may be. And this statement must be true for that shooter as well.

I heard a comment on the radio made by one student, something to the effect that it is too bad more people are wanting their final and lasting statement to be a mass shooting. It is sad that this thought may be creeping in. It can't be the final and lasting impression of that young man with the guns for his family and friends. I am sure he had friends - they were mentioned in one news report. And they were totally shocked by this action. All that can last of him is the good that he did.

It can seem difficult to pray for someone who committed such an act, but somehow that is where my prayers go first at these times - and for these individuals' families. It just seems like they need lots of extra love and protection in these situations. I know that God continues to love them and there son/grandson/brother/nephew/etc. That doesn't change. And it will support them through the next days, weeks, months as these events are sorted out.

Right now, this hymn - #278 in the Christian Science Hymnal:

Pilgrim on earth, home and heaven are within thee,
Heir of the ages and child of the day.
Cared for, watched over, beloved and protected,
Walk thou with courage each step of the way.

Truthful and steadfast though trials betide thee,
Ever one thing do thou ask of thy Lord,
Grace to go forward, wherever He guide thee,
Gladly obeying the call of His word.

Healed is thy hardness, His love hath dissolved it,
Full is the promise, the blessing how kind;
So shall His tenderness teach thee compassion,
So all the merciful, mercy shall find.

Development

In the “Glossary” of Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy defined Holy Ghost as “Divine Science; the development of eternal Life, Truth and Love.” (p. 588:7) Those of you who study the Christian Science Bible Lesson probably realize that this definition is in this week’s Bible Lesson on Spirit, that’s why its been on my thought these last two days.

That word ‘development’ in the definition really popped out at me. Really kind of seemed odd, especially given how I think of the word (unfortunately more as in ‘housing development’ any more!). So I had to look it up because, well, most likely, there are some aspects of the definition I’m not that familiar with and that might lend some light to its use in this case.

The dictionaries I checked first – Random House and Merriam-Webster – didn’t lend anything that seemed to really make sense, especially in a spiritual context. So I checked a dictionary I have that is supposed to be from the mid-19th century. Bingo!

Here are the meanings given in this older dictionary, one perhaps used by Eddy:

a) an unfolding
b) the discovering of something secret or withheld from the knowledge of others
c) disclosure
d) full exhibition

Ah, now this word ‘development’ is much more meaningful in this context. The Holy Ghost can be understood as the unfolding “of eternal Life, Truth and Love.” Certainly Jesus was unfolding or revealing the Holy Ghost to his disciples all the while he was teaching, preaching and healing; he was opening, expanding and disclosing what he knew of eternal Life, of infinite Truth and of supreme Love to all those that followed and still follow him and showing them what this knowledge does for everyone – gives them health, wholeness, joy.

And for the disciples, especially after their meetings with Jesus after his resurrection and on that day of Pentecost as described in Acts 1 and 2 (the Bible stories featured in this last section of the week’s lesson), their reception of the Holy Ghost, as described in Science and Health, enabled them to be:

… roused to an enlarged understanding of divine Science, even to the spiritual interpretation and discernment of Jesus' teachings and demonstrations, which gave them a faint conception of the Life which is God. They no longer measured man by material sense. After gaining the true idea of their glorified Master, they became better healers, leaning no longer on matter, but on the divine Principle of their work. The influx of light was sudden. It was sometimes an overwhelming power as on the Day of Pentecost. (46:32)

Surely this experience was a great example of the full exhibition of eternal Life, Truth and Love – a fuller expression of infinite Spirit. They went on to heal and to teach better then ever before, because they understood more. It was their discovering the fullness of that thing which was “kept secret since the world began.” (Romans 16:25) And they shared it!

We all have the opportunity now to have and experience this full disclosure, to be part of the unfolding of eternal Life, Truth and Love as Jesus taught and demonstrated. Jesus promised it; the apostles lived it – all for us to be able to do the same as God’s loved children.

So now, I’m looking for more of these “unfoldings” or “illuminations of Science” (SH 296:15) that reveal the spiritual facts of God, of eternal Life, Truth and Love, in my life. I’m sure there’s much more in this definition that will be helpful, but this is a start and where I am on it today.

What do you think?

The Crow and the Kitten

Had to post this video - a bit long at 7 minutes, but really interesting! A wonderful example of crossing perceived boundaries (in this case species), mothering, friendship, breaking down false concepts (here, "natural born enemies"). Hope you enjoy!

"Mark Twain & Mary Baker Eddy" a film by Val Kilmer

This weekend, I heard about this new project by Val Kilmer. Interesting.

Cast your cares on the Lord

for he careth for you...

The Bible:
Prov 12:25
Ps 37:1,3,4,7,11
Ps 55:22
Ps 94:19
Isa 58:4 ye shall,5 (to 2nd ?),6,8,9,11
Ps 46:10 (to :)
Matt 4:23
Matt 5:1,2
Matt 6:25-34
Matt 7:7,8
Matt 11:28-30
John 14:1
Matt 14:14-22
Matt 8:23-27
Matt 17:24-27
Luke 10:38-42
I Cor 7:32 I (to .)
Phil 4:4,6,7
I Pet 5:6,7

Science and Health:
96:12-30
170:22
234:3
444:10
62:13-16,20
487:27-6
510:2
495:16
548:9-15
238:19
567:3-6,7-8
66:6
2:23-2
12:27
248:3-5,8
322:26-12
323:24
236:17
506:10-12


Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 154:1-3
Hymn 57:1-3
Hymn 253:1-7

Getting our motives right

The Bible:
Ps 10:3-8,11-15,17
Ps 15:1-5
Ps 16:8-11
Heb 4:12
I Kings 3:5-22,24-28
Ps 17:3
Ps 26:1-12
Mark 1:14 Jesus,15,21-26 and straightway,28,40-42
John 7:12,16-18
John 5:30
John 6:38
Rom 12:1-3
I Pet 2:1-3
Col 1:9-12

Science and Health:
239:23
188:8
404:9-15
105:11 Can you
104:29
405:2-18
453:18-20
58:7-12
51:28-8
51:19
490:6 Christian
446:11-20
365:15-2
151:8
454:17-21
326:16
1:10-11
15:7
4:12-22


Christian Science Hymnal:
Hymn 423
Hymn 161
Hymn 324

Church-State divide - interesting interview

I was just reading today's post in Laura Matthew's blog about politics and religion and remembered a friend sent me a link to this NPR interview with Garry Wills, emeritus professor of history at Northwestern University and auther of a number of books including his latest Head and Heart: American Christianities. The focus of the interview was on the constitutional separation of church and state - the topic of this new book. I found the interview very interesting and learned a lot about the background of this basic principle of US government. There's an excerpt from the book along with a link for the 20 minute interview. Hope it stays up so you can check it out. Good food for thought during another election season.

Plants under God's care

The weather has been unusually warm this week here in northern Illinois. As I’ve sat in my chair near the window and gazed outside, it seems strange to see spring-like green tinges in the lawn in early January. It starts my thought wandering to summer gardening – looking forward to planting new flowers and seeing them bloom and grow. Ah, but it will be a few months yet before anything really can be done in that way around here!

But as I’ve been reading and contemplating that first chapter of Genesis over the last couple weeks, I realized there is a perfect idea there in verses 11 and 12 to help with gardening. Here are those verses (from NIV):

11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

To the regular gardener, it would seem like there are a couple of crucial things missing for plants to spring forth and bear seed: water (in the form of rain or irrigation) and sunshine. But, before God creates the sun, before rain has watered the face of the ground, there are plants – plants that grow and reproduce. All of them – in their infinite variety – growing at God’s command. And all with seed so there will be new growth continuing.

I think I’m going to enjoy pondering these verses more when I’m able to get the trowel out this spring and get some things planted.

Right now, though, I’m also feeling so grateful for a special “find” yesterday. About a month ago our homeowners’ association (we live in a townhouse complex) had work done on the drainage system around our house – essentially digging out all of the old and putting in new. This meant lots of digging and a lot of mess, and some surprisingly into the garden areas around the house (not much communication on details before the work began, unfortunately).

After the workers were done and we’d had an opportunity to scope out what was really done, I was feeling particularly sad because there was a clump iris plants near the front corner of the house that had been just gorgeous last year. The best blooms of any the irises around the yard. But it was right where they needed to dig for part of the new system. And so the irises were gone.

But yesterday, as I left the house to go do some errands, I noticed it – a clump of plants – long greenish leaves rising up – tucked in behind the lilac bush near the corner of the house. It was those irises I thought had been lost to the shovels! I just felt this wash of gratitude – one of the workers had very thoughtfully and carefully dug out those irises and tucked them in a safe place. I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed them before. I’d been by a few times. But there they were! The sight made me feel so happy. And I’m going to trust the truth in those verses from Genesis that indicate God as the impulsion for growth in all plant life, and that the kindness of the worker who took the time to safeguard those plants will ensure new blooms and sturdy growth for those irises this year and in the future.

Much joy!