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.
Showing posts with label Journey notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Journey notes. Show all posts
June 10, 2008
April 26, 2008
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? :)
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? :)
April 24, 2008
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):
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!
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!
March 21, 2008
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:
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...
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.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.
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.
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)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.
"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)
March 10, 2008
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.
--------------------------------------------
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.
February 16, 2008
Further thoughts re: NIU
I'm really struck by and pondering this quote from Mary Baker Eddy's book Science and Health today:
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.
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.
February 15, 2008
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:
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.
February 05, 2008
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:
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:
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?
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 unfoldingAh, 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.
b) the discovering of something secret or withheld from the knowledge of others
c) disclosure
d) full exhibition
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?
January 12, 2008
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):
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!
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!
January 08, 2008
The creating is in the saying
Okay, I am still thinking about the first chapter of Genesis. But there’s so much in these 31 verses! Probably a lifetime of learning that can be gathered from this chapter.
Here’s some of what I’ve been pondering the last few days.
1) “And God said.” Each step of spiritual creation detailed in this chapter begins with this phrase. As creation began and expanded, God declare more and more about Himself; revealed more of His infinite self in other forms of creation – light first, then heaven, earth, seas, vegetation, stars, sea creatures, birds, land animals and finally man – higher and higher. Of course, this statement might make you think of the first line of the Gospel of John, “In the beginning was the Word.” “In the beginning” was God expressing Himself, divine Love knowing Himself and expressing that knowledge. And for much of creation, this statement, “and God said …” takes care of the creating. God says, and it happens. Sometimes this is reinforced or the creation is detailed by the addition of “God made” or “God created.”
2) “And God saw ...” Regularly, there’s this statement. It’s like periodically God takes a step back and looks over what has been done, what He’s revealed of Himself. It struck me that this look had to have been filled with love, because God is Love (I John 4). Love was expressing Him/Herself in creation. He could only behold it with love because He is Love and because the reflection of Himself, creation, is made of Love, is expressing Love. God loves all of creation because it is an expression of Himself, an expression of Love that reflects back that infinite Love that created it.
3) “… that it was good.” Each time God sees His creation, He declares it good. Covered this some here, so I don’t think I’ll do more on this aspect today.
So God knew, and then He saw. The “Glossary” definition of God in Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy begins: “The great I AM; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal;” (587:5-6) A friend once shared that it meant a lot to her one time when she was praying for healing of a broken leg that the knowing came before the seeing. That comment struck me as interesting and has stuck with me. I think we see it here – “God said” and then “God saw.” His knowing is a revealing that He and all of His creation can see. It’s kind of comforting to think of God’s knowing something first, forming it in His thought – because that formation must be perfect because God is perfect. And as He knows, He sees – sees the perfection of this idea. And we can see it, too!
This all reminds me of MBE’s statement giving spiritual insight to Gen 1:5:
What do you think about these ideas? Would love to hear what your prayers and ponderings of this chapter have revealed to you!
Here’s some of what I’ve been pondering the last few days.
1) “And God said.” Each step of spiritual creation detailed in this chapter begins with this phrase. As creation began and expanded, God declare more and more about Himself; revealed more of His infinite self in other forms of creation – light first, then heaven, earth, seas, vegetation, stars, sea creatures, birds, land animals and finally man – higher and higher. Of course, this statement might make you think of the first line of the Gospel of John, “In the beginning was the Word.” “In the beginning” was God expressing Himself, divine Love knowing Himself and expressing that knowledge. And for much of creation, this statement, “and God said …” takes care of the creating. God says, and it happens. Sometimes this is reinforced or the creation is detailed by the addition of “God made” or “God created.”
2) “And God saw ...” Regularly, there’s this statement. It’s like periodically God takes a step back and looks over what has been done, what He’s revealed of Himself. It struck me that this look had to have been filled with love, because God is Love (I John 4). Love was expressing Him/Herself in creation. He could only behold it with love because He is Love and because the reflection of Himself, creation, is made of Love, is expressing Love. God loves all of creation because it is an expression of Himself, an expression of Love that reflects back that infinite Love that created it.
3) “… that it was good.” Each time God sees His creation, He declares it good. Covered this some here, so I don’t think I’ll do more on this aspect today.
So God knew, and then He saw. The “Glossary” definition of God in Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy begins: “The great I AM; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal;” (587:5-6) A friend once shared that it meant a lot to her one time when she was praying for healing of a broken leg that the knowing came before the seeing. That comment struck me as interesting and has stuck with me. I think we see it here – “God said” and then “God saw.” His knowing is a revealing that He and all of His creation can see. It’s kind of comforting to think of God’s knowing something first, forming it in His thought – because that formation must be perfect because God is perfect. And as He knows, He sees – sees the perfection of this idea. And we can see it, too!
This all reminds me of MBE’s statement giving spiritual insight to Gen 1:5:
(SH 504:6)So, perhaps no great final answers, mostly just some thoughts I’m pondering. But a good reminder to be looking to see more clearly and hopefully more consistently, as God enables me to see, the revelation of Himself, what He knows about me and the entire universe. This creation is there all around us, and it is good!
All questions as to the divine creation being both spiritual and material are answered in this passage, for though solar beams are not yet included in the record of creation, still there is light. This light is not from the sun nor from volcanic flames, but it is the revelation of Truth and of spiritual ideas. This also shows that there is no place where God's light is not seen, since Truth, Life, and Love fill immensity and are ever-present. Was not this a revelation instead of a creation?
What do you think about these ideas? Would love to hear what your prayers and ponderings of this chapter have revealed to you!
January 04, 2008
Tradition broken - Healing found
The readings from this last Wednesday’s testimony meeting at the branch church of Christ, Scientist that I attend remind me of a healing I had a few years ago that give a small example of how traditions can creep in and become a constraint, and how healing can be found when releasing them.
This happened almost ten years ago, and about this time of year (January). I was on a commuter train heading for a volunteer activity and was reading the Christian Science Bible Lesson. The topic was Sacrament. Suddenly, there was a sharp pain in my lower back. I jumped a bit and looked behind me. No, nothing sticking out of the seat cushion that poked me. But my back was no extremely uncomfortable. I shifted around in my seat for the rest of the train ride, trying to find comfortable positions, but didn’t find any. I kept pursuing my read of the Bible Lesson, just knowing that there would be something in it that would help relieve this discomfort.
But my back was still painful when I got downtown and remained so for the rest of the day and into the next couple of days. In addition, I developed some flu-like symptoms. I soldiered on with activities that needed to happen, praying as I went and asking God what I needed to learn that would bring relief.
A couple of evenings later, I was lying on our couch and picked up the Bible Lesson to read again. I really reached out to God to show me something that I needed to learn. The lesson that week contained a number of encounters between Jesus and the Pharisees and other religious leaders, all where he reprimanded them for their hardness of heart in holding for various traditions – mostly created over the years by the religious ruling bodies and not truly found in the writings of Moses – over the spirit of the Law and heart of worshipping God.
And that’s when it struck me – I’d been setting up my own little traditions in regards to my spiritual study. And, by these traditions, I’d actually been limiting my study and opportunity to grow and practice what I was or could be learning about God and my relationship with Him. One key example was the study of the Bible Lesson.
Now, I should mention that, because of my husband’s job (he is on-call 24/7), there’s not much opportunity for routine in our days. We never know when he’ll be leaving or returning home – day of the week or time of day. So things happen as they happen, and I’ve learned over the years to be very flexible. Had to or I’d go nuts! J But somehow, in all of this “flexible” lifestyle, I’d gotten into a mindset that if I was going to studying the Bible Lesson, it had to be in the morning. And if it didn’t happen in the morning, most likely it didn’t happen all day, and sometimes this would happen for many days of the week. (Feeling unwell was an exception to this self-imposed “rule” – that’s why I was studying the Bible Lesson in the evening this day.)
And so there’d been many days lately where I hadn’t gotten at this aspect of my spiritual study, and I find it a pretty important tool in my spiritual study and growth. Well, I fully realized what I’d been doing and that there is not really any rule about when and how to study the Bible Lesson. Why had I gotten this narrow-minded about this activity? I don’t know, but I knew I could change it right then and there. And I did. I fully immersed myself in the study of the Lesson that evening, grateful for the time – whether evening or morning – to spend thinking about God, to learn more about His Word, and to gain a deeper glimpse of my relationship with divine Love.
By the next morning, all back pain and flu symptoms were totally gone. And I enjoyed studying the Bible Lesson at whatever was the right time of day for that day ever since. No more restrictions to my study – or to my back! A small thing to get in the way, but a good lesson learned. I try to stay on the outlook for other non-rules that might try to creep in and bind me to routine and tradition and so hamper growth Spirit-ward.
As Mary Baker Eddy wrote in Science and Health:
"God expresses in man the infinite idea forever developing itself, broadening and rising higher and higher from a boundless basis." (258:13-15)
This happened almost ten years ago, and about this time of year (January). I was on a commuter train heading for a volunteer activity and was reading the Christian Science Bible Lesson. The topic was Sacrament. Suddenly, there was a sharp pain in my lower back. I jumped a bit and looked behind me. No, nothing sticking out of the seat cushion that poked me. But my back was no extremely uncomfortable. I shifted around in my seat for the rest of the train ride, trying to find comfortable positions, but didn’t find any. I kept pursuing my read of the Bible Lesson, just knowing that there would be something in it that would help relieve this discomfort.
But my back was still painful when I got downtown and remained so for the rest of the day and into the next couple of days. In addition, I developed some flu-like symptoms. I soldiered on with activities that needed to happen, praying as I went and asking God what I needed to learn that would bring relief.
A couple of evenings later, I was lying on our couch and picked up the Bible Lesson to read again. I really reached out to God to show me something that I needed to learn. The lesson that week contained a number of encounters between Jesus and the Pharisees and other religious leaders, all where he reprimanded them for their hardness of heart in holding for various traditions – mostly created over the years by the religious ruling bodies and not truly found in the writings of Moses – over the spirit of the Law and heart of worshipping God.
And that’s when it struck me – I’d been setting up my own little traditions in regards to my spiritual study. And, by these traditions, I’d actually been limiting my study and opportunity to grow and practice what I was or could be learning about God and my relationship with Him. One key example was the study of the Bible Lesson.
Now, I should mention that, because of my husband’s job (he is on-call 24/7), there’s not much opportunity for routine in our days. We never know when he’ll be leaving or returning home – day of the week or time of day. So things happen as they happen, and I’ve learned over the years to be very flexible. Had to or I’d go nuts! J But somehow, in all of this “flexible” lifestyle, I’d gotten into a mindset that if I was going to studying the Bible Lesson, it had to be in the morning. And if it didn’t happen in the morning, most likely it didn’t happen all day, and sometimes this would happen for many days of the week. (Feeling unwell was an exception to this self-imposed “rule” – that’s why I was studying the Bible Lesson in the evening this day.)
And so there’d been many days lately where I hadn’t gotten at this aspect of my spiritual study, and I find it a pretty important tool in my spiritual study and growth. Well, I fully realized what I’d been doing and that there is not really any rule about when and how to study the Bible Lesson. Why had I gotten this narrow-minded about this activity? I don’t know, but I knew I could change it right then and there. And I did. I fully immersed myself in the study of the Lesson that evening, grateful for the time – whether evening or morning – to spend thinking about God, to learn more about His Word, and to gain a deeper glimpse of my relationship with divine Love.
By the next morning, all back pain and flu symptoms were totally gone. And I enjoyed studying the Bible Lesson at whatever was the right time of day for that day ever since. No more restrictions to my study – or to my back! A small thing to get in the way, but a good lesson learned. I try to stay on the outlook for other non-rules that might try to creep in and bind me to routine and tradition and so hamper growth Spirit-ward.
As Mary Baker Eddy wrote in Science and Health:
"God expresses in man the infinite idea forever developing itself, broadening and rising higher and higher from a boundless basis." (258:13-15)
January 02, 2008
Very good
Still thinking about Genesis chapter 1 this morning, toady appreciating that statement at the end of most of the days of creation, "and God saw that it was good." (Gen. 1:12, 18, 21, 25) After each progressive step of creation, God pauses, looks at what He did, and confirms its goodness, its rightness, fitness, correctness, wholeness, etc.
And it struck me - hadn't really stood out to me before now - at the end of the six day, when all elements are done, God looks at the whole and declares that "it was very good." (Gen. 1:31) The whole is not just good, as He declared each stage, but exceedingly so. The whole is good to a high degree.
To me, this is saying that each element is needed and combines with the others to lift the whole to the highest sense of perfection and good. To the fullness of God's expression. Each element of God's creation is essential to support the others, to enable the others to fully express God in the way He created it to express Him. And to achieve this full expression of good, of harmony and perfection and health, we need that first element of creation - light - to shine on us all to help us see what God saw - harmony, order, good. We have to have light to see by and to reflect!
I'm praying with these ideas especially for all that is going on in the Middle East right now. Praying to know that each individual in this wonderful world of ours is essential, is needed to support and enrich the lives and experiences of others, and that the impact of each others lives can only bless one another because, as God's creation, we are good and upright. Affirming that each individual is so loved by divine Love, our infinite Creator and only experiences and expresses to all around him/her/it that infinite Love. I'm praying to realize that the ultimate seal of approval - that every thing that God had made was "very good" - ensures the harmony in our relationships, the moral excellence that we each express in our relationships with others, that everyone's actions are well-behaved and bless all those around us and that eveyrone can see and experience this spiritual fact now.
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ... And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. " (Phil 4:4, 7)
And it struck me - hadn't really stood out to me before now - at the end of the six day, when all elements are done, God looks at the whole and declares that "it was very good." (Gen. 1:31) The whole is not just good, as He declared each stage, but exceedingly so. The whole is good to a high degree.
To me, this is saying that each element is needed and combines with the others to lift the whole to the highest sense of perfection and good. To the fullness of God's expression. Each element of God's creation is essential to support the others, to enable the others to fully express God in the way He created it to express Him. And to achieve this full expression of good, of harmony and perfection and health, we need that first element of creation - light - to shine on us all to help us see what God saw - harmony, order, good. We have to have light to see by and to reflect!
I'm praying with these ideas especially for all that is going on in the Middle East right now. Praying to know that each individual in this wonderful world of ours is essential, is needed to support and enrich the lives and experiences of others, and that the impact of each others lives can only bless one another because, as God's creation, we are good and upright. Affirming that each individual is so loved by divine Love, our infinite Creator and only experiences and expresses to all around him/her/it that infinite Love. I'm praying to realize that the ultimate seal of approval - that every thing that God had made was "very good" - ensures the harmony in our relationships, the moral excellence that we each express in our relationships with others, that everyone's actions are well-behaved and bless all those around us and that eveyrone can see and experience this spiritual fact now.
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ... And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. " (Phil 4:4, 7)
December 24, 2007
Happy Christmas!
I do love this poem by Mary Baker Eddy - it has been in my thought for the last week leading up to Christmas day. It really brings to mind the eternality of the Christ idea, which Jesus exemplified in every aspect of his life - from the special circumstances of his birth to the way he lived his life and taught others to the gift of his resurrection and ascension. The Christ is here - always and in all ways. How wonderful to have this time to pause to appreciate and celebrate this great gift from God!
Much peace and joy to all during the holiday and through the new year!
Blest Christmas morn, though murky clouds
Pursue thy way,
Thy light was born where storm enshrouds
Nor dawn nor day!
Dear Christ, forever here and near,
No cradle song,
No natal hour and mother's tear,
To thee belong.
Thou God-idea, Life-encrowned,
The Bethlehem babe —
Beloved, replete, by flesh embound —
Was but thy shade!
Thou gentle beam of living Love,
And deathless Life!
Truth infinite, — so far above
All mortal strife,
Or cruel creed, or earth-born taint:
Fill us today
With all thou art — be thou our saint,
Our stay, alway.
Much peace and joy to all during the holiday and through the new year!
Blest Christmas morn, though murky clouds
Pursue thy way,
Thy light was born where storm enshrouds
Nor dawn nor day!
Dear Christ, forever here and near,
No cradle song,
No natal hour and mother's tear,
To thee belong.
Thou God-idea, Life-encrowned,
The Bethlehem babe —
Beloved, replete, by flesh embound —
Was but thy shade!
Thou gentle beam of living Love,
And deathless Life!
Truth infinite, — so far above
All mortal strife,
Or cruel creed, or earth-born taint:
Fill us today
With all thou art — be thou our saint,
Our stay, alway.
October 16, 2007
Test Time
It is that time of year again I think – midterms! I was remembering when I began taking classes for a graduate program about a decade ago. I was at an unfamiliar university. In a program that was new to me. I had an overload of classes. And I held a teaching assignment in an unfamiliar subject. And now -- tests!
I was scared. So scared, in fact, that I could hardly study. Every time I tried -- with my textbooks, notebooks, cue cards, handouts -- I got nowhere. I couldn't focus on anything except how hard these tests were going to be. How did I get into this graduate program anyway? Why was I doing this to myself?
Taking a walk on the Sunday morning before all of these exams, I really reached out to God for an answer. A Bible passage I'd always liked came to mind: "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7)
I thought about the statement, rolled it over and over in my mind. And then something about it struck me -- there's a distinction between fear and the three good things listed: power, love and a sound mind. God doesn't give us all four, but only the latter three. Fear doesn't come from God, and I didn't want anything that didn't come from God.
I sincerely believe that the only thing I can have comes from God's abundant love, the source of everyone's intelligence, including mine. It was giving me the strength, and the love, and the sound mind I needed to take the tests.
As I thought about these ideas that fall day, I started to feel joyful. My fear dropped off, because God's good was filling me up with a sense of goodness. I began to think more clearly. When I got home, I found I could focus on the work I needed to do to prepare for these tests. Any time the fear tried to sneak back in, I thought about that Bible passage and how fear and a sound mind cannot mingle. Soon the fear would go away again.
I took four tests that week. I did great on the three that were most important to my degree. The fourth, however, did not go so well -- but all was not lost. A couple of days later, my advisor called. He actually apologized for not realizing that I was so overloaded that semester! He didn’t understand that I was actually teaching a class on my own, not just assisting a professor with one. He strongly encouraged me to drop that problematic course, which I gladly did.
The next time tests came along (and you know they did!), I was off to a much better start. I didn't have to conquer fear again -- just the subject matter.
Here's a link to an idea from Science and Health, too, that describes what these spiritual views can do for us, whether a student or not, why the study of divine Science is so helpful in all ascpects of life.
I was scared. So scared, in fact, that I could hardly study. Every time I tried -- with my textbooks, notebooks, cue cards, handouts -- I got nowhere. I couldn't focus on anything except how hard these tests were going to be. How did I get into this graduate program anyway? Why was I doing this to myself?
Taking a walk on the Sunday morning before all of these exams, I really reached out to God for an answer. A Bible passage I'd always liked came to mind: "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7)
I thought about the statement, rolled it over and over in my mind. And then something about it struck me -- there's a distinction between fear and the three good things listed: power, love and a sound mind. God doesn't give us all four, but only the latter three. Fear doesn't come from God, and I didn't want anything that didn't come from God.
I sincerely believe that the only thing I can have comes from God's abundant love, the source of everyone's intelligence, including mine. It was giving me the strength, and the love, and the sound mind I needed to take the tests.
As I thought about these ideas that fall day, I started to feel joyful. My fear dropped off, because God's good was filling me up with a sense of goodness. I began to think more clearly. When I got home, I found I could focus on the work I needed to do to prepare for these tests. Any time the fear tried to sneak back in, I thought about that Bible passage and how fear and a sound mind cannot mingle. Soon the fear would go away again.
I took four tests that week. I did great on the three that were most important to my degree. The fourth, however, did not go so well -- but all was not lost. A couple of days later, my advisor called. He actually apologized for not realizing that I was so overloaded that semester! He didn’t understand that I was actually teaching a class on my own, not just assisting a professor with one. He strongly encouraged me to drop that problematic course, which I gladly did.
The next time tests came along (and you know they did!), I was off to a much better start. I didn't have to conquer fear again -- just the subject matter.
Here's a link to an idea from Science and Health, too, that describes what these spiritual views can do for us, whether a student or not, why the study of divine Science is so helpful in all ascpects of life.
October 12, 2007
Embraced by the light
I’ve still been thinking about that idea of all-encompassing light that I blogged about the other day, and wondering about how that would feel – to be so embraced by light. Perhaps this is trying to put a spiritual concept into physical terms, but it seems to me that this light would be the sum total of all the wonderful qualities that God is: good, love, joy, vitality, trust, wisdom, etc. Certainly there would be some response that we’d feel to that. Peace, the feeling of being so loved, warmth, and bliss are some that spring to my thought. Just an overwhelming sense of being in harmony with everything and so loved – and so able to love.
Have you seen the TV show “Saving Grace”? I think it is on TNT and was new this summer. I wasn’t going to watch it, but somehow ended up catching an episode, and then another, and soon was hooked. Anyway, in this show, Grace (played by Holly Hunter) is an Oklahoma City police detective who leads a pretty wild lifestyle. Not a strong moral compass and that doesn’t bother her. She is fiercely loyal to her friends and at least some of her family. She is also agnostic at best, perhaps atheist. One evening, after a pretty rough day and some heavy drinking and partying, she is driving home, way over the speed limit, hits a man walking along the side of the road, and crashes her car into a speed limit sign.
After trying to resuscitate him unsuccessfully, she prays, “Oh, God, please help me.” And that’s when Earl enters her life. Earl looks like an Earl, a bit rough looking, perhaps a biker, flannel shirt and jeans, but the thing is Earl’s an angel. Certainly not what most of us would expect to see when an angel came in answer to our prayer! ;-) But what would Grace expect (if anything)? Certainly Earl appears like the type of person she already relates to, would be comfortable with, in everyday life.
Well, Grace being pretty much a “non-believer,” Earl had some proving to do, and this is where light started to come in. And of course this involves angel wings – and boy does he have wings! Large, bright white and glowing. And when he envelopes Grace in those wings, or more correctly, the light from those wings, it’s like she melts. You can just see this amazing sense of peace, intense joy, pure happiness and love wash over the woman, and she absolutely basks in this feeling. Maybe this is a glimpse of how that light of God in that city at the top of the hill feels. (BTW, the man Grace hit is immediately healed – and gone – and her car and the road sign are unscratched.)
So do we need Earl to come along and spread his wings to feel the impact of God’s light? I think we have our Earls and that we have these moments (hopefully we all do!) and we get these glimpses in our lives. We get them when that special someone gives us a hug, when a friend says or does just the right thing at the right moment, when we are engrossed in a piece of beautiful music or art, when a physical or emotional ill is healed. Think what it will be like when we get to the top of that hill and experience that light full-time. Who wouldn’t want that or to do what it takes to get there?
The allegory in Miscellaneous Writings gives some examples on what prevents people from even trying, perhaps even noticing that light and the path to it, and hints at the dangers that challenge us along the way as we struggle to that city “four-square.” And I think Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy is a great guidebook to help us along the way, to help us overcome those roadside dangers and pitfalls, and to enable us to reach that holy city filled with the light of God.
Have you seen the TV show “Saving Grace”? I think it is on TNT and was new this summer. I wasn’t going to watch it, but somehow ended up catching an episode, and then another, and soon was hooked. Anyway, in this show, Grace (played by Holly Hunter) is an Oklahoma City police detective who leads a pretty wild lifestyle. Not a strong moral compass and that doesn’t bother her. She is fiercely loyal to her friends and at least some of her family. She is also agnostic at best, perhaps atheist. One evening, after a pretty rough day and some heavy drinking and partying, she is driving home, way over the speed limit, hits a man walking along the side of the road, and crashes her car into a speed limit sign.
After trying to resuscitate him unsuccessfully, she prays, “Oh, God, please help me.” And that’s when Earl enters her life. Earl looks like an Earl, a bit rough looking, perhaps a biker, flannel shirt and jeans, but the thing is Earl’s an angel. Certainly not what most of us would expect to see when an angel came in answer to our prayer! ;-) But what would Grace expect (if anything)? Certainly Earl appears like the type of person she already relates to, would be comfortable with, in everyday life.
Well, Grace being pretty much a “non-believer,” Earl had some proving to do, and this is where light started to come in. And of course this involves angel wings – and boy does he have wings! Large, bright white and glowing. And when he envelopes Grace in those wings, or more correctly, the light from those wings, it’s like she melts. You can just see this amazing sense of peace, intense joy, pure happiness and love wash over the woman, and she absolutely basks in this feeling. Maybe this is a glimpse of how that light of God in that city at the top of the hill feels. (BTW, the man Grace hit is immediately healed – and gone – and her car and the road sign are unscratched.)
So do we need Earl to come along and spread his wings to feel the impact of God’s light? I think we have our Earls and that we have these moments (hopefully we all do!) and we get these glimpses in our lives. We get them when that special someone gives us a hug, when a friend says or does just the right thing at the right moment, when we are engrossed in a piece of beautiful music or art, when a physical or emotional ill is healed. Think what it will be like when we get to the top of that hill and experience that light full-time. Who wouldn’t want that or to do what it takes to get there?
The allegory in Miscellaneous Writings gives some examples on what prevents people from even trying, perhaps even noticing that light and the path to it, and hints at the dangers that challenge us along the way as we struggle to that city “four-square.” And I think Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy is a great guidebook to help us along the way, to help us overcome those roadside dangers and pitfalls, and to enable us to reach that holy city filled with the light of God.
October 09, 2007
Everywhere there’s light
In Mary Baker Eddy’s book of collected writings, Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, there is an interesting six page article called “An Allegory.” I was reading it again this morning and didn’t make it past the end of the first sentence before I had to pause for a while. The sentence is: (323:2-6)
No sun, no moon, stars, street lamps, etc., just God giving light to the city. So the source of light is God, infinite Spirit, who I think of as omnipresent – everywhere present, always present. So the source is all around the city, not from some specific point and it is always “on”. And so it struck me, do you know what isn’t there? Shadows! The light is coming for all over; essentially is. You would need light to come from an object or point and then for it to shine on some thing that could block some of the rays in order to create a shadow. But this isn’t the case in the celestial city, the realm of God. God just shines and surrounds all spiritual creation in His light. Kind of cool, I think.
An image that this concept brought to my mind is from Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Don’t know if you ever watched this show, but periodically Captain Sisko would have encounters with a group of infinite beings called “the Prophets.” When he is with them, he is enveloped in light. Everything around him is white light. Hmm, don’t think he had any shadows, either. I think this might be a useful image to use to try to picture what this total surround of spiritual light might be like.
But what a great thought – to be shadow-less, to have no darkness on you or cast by you. This is what the true spiritual being is like. So to me this indicates that my role is to expect this light, see this light, and do what I can not to block it from shining purely, perfectly everywhere I go, in encounters with others – essentially to be expressing those good and wonderful spiritual qualities that reflects that light of Divine Being and helps to obliterate the shadows that cloud my own and others’ sense of life.
I think this is just the tip of the iceberg on this perspective of light and so I will be picturing for myself this "city that is set on a hill" awash in light for a while. What does that look like to you?
Picture to yourself "a city set upon a hill," a celestial city above all clouds, in serene azure and unfathomable glory: having no temple therein, for God is the temple thereof; nor need of the sun, neither of the moon, for God doth lighten it.Obviously MBE is indicating here chapter 21 in Revelation where John describes the holy city, New Jerusalem. Though I’ve read this part of Revelation many times and have read this allegory a few times before, this morning I really had to sit back and ponder this depiction of light.
No sun, no moon, stars, street lamps, etc., just God giving light to the city. So the source of light is God, infinite Spirit, who I think of as omnipresent – everywhere present, always present. So the source is all around the city, not from some specific point and it is always “on”. And so it struck me, do you know what isn’t there? Shadows! The light is coming for all over; essentially is. You would need light to come from an object or point and then for it to shine on some thing that could block some of the rays in order to create a shadow. But this isn’t the case in the celestial city, the realm of God. God just shines and surrounds all spiritual creation in His light. Kind of cool, I think.
An image that this concept brought to my mind is from Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Don’t know if you ever watched this show, but periodically Captain Sisko would have encounters with a group of infinite beings called “the Prophets.” When he is with them, he is enveloped in light. Everything around him is white light. Hmm, don’t think he had any shadows, either. I think this might be a useful image to use to try to picture what this total surround of spiritual light might be like.
But what a great thought – to be shadow-less, to have no darkness on you or cast by you. This is what the true spiritual being is like. So to me this indicates that my role is to expect this light, see this light, and do what I can not to block it from shining purely, perfectly everywhere I go, in encounters with others – essentially to be expressing those good and wonderful spiritual qualities that reflects that light of Divine Being and helps to obliterate the shadows that cloud my own and others’ sense of life.
I think this is just the tip of the iceberg on this perspective of light and so I will be picturing for myself this "city that is set on a hill" awash in light for a while. What does that look like to you?
October 04, 2007
What is the question?
The story of Jesus healing the blind man (John 9) that is in this week’s Christian Science Bible lesson has become a favorite in the last couple of years. What really did it for me was reading Peterson’s paraphrase in The Message Bible, especially the first five verses:
To me, it’s like Jesus is saying you are starting from the wrong premise – you need to start with God as I am showing Him to you – God as Life, Truth and Love. And so what you should look for are the effects that must result from God’s causation. And those effects must be good as God is good. Jesus is shedding a clear light on these old philosophies and revealing that they are not true. And this understanding, this higher perspective, removed the man’s blindness.
In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy wrote (476:32-5):
Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world's Light." (John 9:1-5)I love how in this edition, Jesus really turns around the disciples questions – makes them realize that they need to change the basis from which they are perceiving this man and making their query. And why even look for a cause, since the cause they were looking for was a popularly held theological belief: Something is wrong with this person so someone must have sinned. And it might not have even been this person who sinned. Maybe God was taking it out on the son of the sinner.
To me, it’s like Jesus is saying you are starting from the wrong premise – you need to start with God as I am showing Him to you – God as Life, Truth and Love. And so what you should look for are the effects that must result from God’s causation. And those effects must be good as God is good. Jesus is shedding a clear light on these old philosophies and revealing that they are not true. And this understanding, this higher perspective, removed the man’s blindness.
In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy wrote (476:32-5):
Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick. Thus Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is intact, universal, and that man is pure and holy.I think this explains perfectly what Jesus did in this instance to heal this man of blindness and what he was telling his disciples (all of us!) so that we can “be energetically at work for the One who sent” him. Right now in my life, I feel like this passage from Science and Health and that story from John reveal the crux of practicing the love of Christian Science. This view might change, but for now I am earnestly trying to ask the better questions, checking to be sure that the basis of the question is from the right view of God and Her pure and perfect creation.
October 02, 2007
Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!
Oh, what a beautiful Mornin'
Oh, what a beautiful day.
I've got a beautiful feelin'
Everything's goin' my way.
Rogers & Hammerstein
I woke up this morning with this refrain from the well known song “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” from the musical Oklahoma singing in my head. There was no logical reason for it to be there. I enjoy musicals, but they aren’t a big part of my life. I truly hadn’t thought about this musical in ages. So I had to take it as a sweet message from my Father-Mother God. Really it was a lovely way to wake up with this gentle melody running through my thought.
So, being a fairly curious person, I had to ask why. Why this song, Father? What am I supposed to get from its words? Well, I realized that I have had an urge to appreciate mornings more. I’ve never thought of myself as a “morning person.” Not that I wake up grumpy – I’m usually in a good mood, even my husband says so (phew!). But I don’t exactly look forward to waking up, getting up, and getting going on the day. And for me being up before 6:30 is pretty amazing! So this was a great message to get, to brighten my outlook on starting the day. As I lay in bed and thought about the words and began to pray, I really was feeling more positive about this day’s beginning.
In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy defined morning as “Light; symbol of Truth; revelation and progress.” (p. 591) Certainly only good things there! And I do want to progress, to be awake for revelation. A great reminder and something to continue to pray with as each morning comes along – whether it is at 6 AM or later in the day.
But I am thinking the message of this melody is more than that for me today. I have been thinking and wondering quite a bit lately about what I am doing with my life of late and about the mix of activities that I am participating in currently. There is a lot and it all takes quite a bit of my time, in addition to trying to finish fixing up our house (two-and-a-half years and counting!) and generally care for it. So I’ve been asking, “Am I supposed to be doing all of these things? Am I giving to each activity the care and attention it deserves?” They mostly all go together well in their focus, but… should something be dropped?
So the last two lines of the refrain feel significant to me in this regard right now. I can have a “beautiful feelin’” – a happy, secure, peaceful sense – that “everything’s goin’ my way” – because, as it says in Science and Health, “All is under the control of the one Mind, even God.” (p. 544) and I am learning more and more to trust this fact, and that the result of divine Mind’s or Love’s control is and must be good for all of Her creation, because God is Love. And this gives me a sense of peace, that I can trust that God will provide for me the opportunity and ability to do well for these activities, that She will help me see more clearly – in the light of the morning – what I should or should not be doing. I’ll know when I need to and don’t’ need to fret.
So I think I’ll be singing this song, or at least the refrain for today and the next few days. We know what hymn Laura Matthews is singing today. How about you? What song is in your heart and inspiring your day?
Have a beautiful morning!
September 27, 2007
Infinite capabilities
When a friend emailed me this morning with her giant to-do list, hoping for some spiritual uplift to help her face this growing mountain, I realized that this was why one of my favorite quotes from Science and Health was bouncing around in my thought this morning. Here's the story about how it became a favorite...
I’d been working for an employer for a couple of years, essentially in the same position, though the focus of the work had changed during that time. I loved the work, loved working for my boss, but was feeling like I needed to grow in other ways. After a discussion with my boss, we agreed I’d start moving into a new position which included activities I was already doing for the team plus some other projects to manage. The key to this transition was that we had to find a replacement for my current role. I really did dislike the idea of giving up that position as I loved the work, but I really felt like I needed something more at that point. A few months went by and we were not coming up with a suitable candidate to fill my current position. So I tried to work both of these jobs, the primary challenge being that these activities needed work environments that were essentially opposites. My then current position was an “on demand” response sort of activity while the new role needed quiet and thought. I became frustrated as I wanted to do well at both, especially at this new role, but felt like I was failing each, and my boss.
One day I was really struggling with frustration over all of this and reached out to God more earnestly than ever. I’d been praying but still felt stuck and stymied. What I got from this yearning was this quote: "We are all capable of more than we do." (89:21-22) Well, I had to laugh - and did! Can you believe it?! God has such a great sense of humor! There I was, wanting to divest myself of things to do, and He's reminding me that I really can do more! And I'm capable of doing more, not just able. Here are some of the definitions for capable:
Well, that laughter totally broke the mesmerized sort of feeling I was under induced by the feeling of burden. That feeling of being overwhelmed had kept me focused on feeling like I was overwhelmed and stopped me from seeing what was true - that, as God's reflection, as the expression of infinite Mind, I have “all the attributes required for accomplishment” and the “legal right to enjoy or perform.” I thanked God and was finally able to really pray about this issue, really open my thought and listen to what the divine Mind had to share.
My prayer then was, "Father, whichever role you want me to be in, that's what I'll do. If it’s this new activity, great. If it is staying where I've been and letting someone else take on the other, then I will be happy with that decision. What job do You want me to have?"
The answer I got was totally surprising - totally from left field! I distinctly heard this, "Person X's position."
I thought, "Yeah, right. Person X would never leave that job; it's perfect for Person X. Now, really, what do you want me to do?"
And I got the same answer, "Person X's job."
"Okay," I thought, "It would be a very good fit for me, and would mean doing something I'd love and have wanted to do, have studied about how to do, so would use my talents. But no way will Person X ever leave that spot. So, You figure it out, Father, and let me know."
So things continued for another month or two as they had been, except I felt at peace and was finding ways to work in both activities (One was just deciding that I was leaving work by 7 or 7:30 each evening. That way I could do the reading that I needed to do for the new position from the more quiet space of home. No phones ringing. No, "Hey, Bets, where's....").
Then one day my boss asked me talk to her in the conference room. The hairs literally stood up on the back of my neck! The way she phrased it, I knew something was up. It was a phrase we'd joked about a few times, that one should be a bit worried when your boss said this to you. Yikes! She’s saying it to me! So we sat down in the conference room, and guess what? She told me I was being asked to take Person X's position as Person X was being assigned to something new. I about fell over! Literally, I was reeling in my seat! Wow! God is awesome in how He works!
So the next few weeks were full to say the least as the transition was accomplished. I had to pass along activities from the new role I had been trying to take up, and, lo and behold, we never really did hire someone specifically for the old position! Another woman working on the team easily picked up the essential elements of that position. Another sentence from Science and Health added on to the one above as my guiding thought and prayer during the transition: "All is under the control of the one Mind, even God [variously inserting the different synonyms and qualities of God – such as Love, Truth, omniscience – as were needed by the moment]." (544:16-17)
I worked in this new position for about nine months, loving it and learning so much, and then new transitions came along. But the lesson about my capabilities – never limited – has stuck with me, thank Goodness!
I’d been working for an employer for a couple of years, essentially in the same position, though the focus of the work had changed during that time. I loved the work, loved working for my boss, but was feeling like I needed to grow in other ways. After a discussion with my boss, we agreed I’d start moving into a new position which included activities I was already doing for the team plus some other projects to manage. The key to this transition was that we had to find a replacement for my current role. I really did dislike the idea of giving up that position as I loved the work, but I really felt like I needed something more at that point. A few months went by and we were not coming up with a suitable candidate to fill my current position. So I tried to work both of these jobs, the primary challenge being that these activities needed work environments that were essentially opposites. My then current position was an “on demand” response sort of activity while the new role needed quiet and thought. I became frustrated as I wanted to do well at both, especially at this new role, but felt like I was failing each, and my boss.
One day I was really struggling with frustration over all of this and reached out to God more earnestly than ever. I’d been praying but still felt stuck and stymied. What I got from this yearning was this quote: "We are all capable of more than we do." (89:21-22) Well, I had to laugh - and did! Can you believe it?! God has such a great sense of humor! There I was, wanting to divest myself of things to do, and He's reminding me that I really can do more! And I'm capable of doing more, not just able. Here are some of the definitions for capable:
2 obsolete : COMPREHENSIVE
3 : having attributes (as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment4 : having traits conducive to or features permitting
5 : having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform6 : having or showing general efficiency and ability
Well, that laughter totally broke the mesmerized sort of feeling I was under induced by the feeling of burden. That feeling of being overwhelmed had kept me focused on feeling like I was overwhelmed and stopped me from seeing what was true - that, as God's reflection, as the expression of infinite Mind, I have “all the attributes required for accomplishment” and the “legal right to enjoy or perform.” I thanked God and was finally able to really pray about this issue, really open my thought and listen to what the divine Mind had to share.
My prayer then was, "Father, whichever role you want me to be in, that's what I'll do. If it’s this new activity, great. If it is staying where I've been and letting someone else take on the other, then I will be happy with that decision. What job do You want me to have?"
The answer I got was totally surprising - totally from left field! I distinctly heard this, "Person X's position."
I thought, "Yeah, right. Person X would never leave that job; it's perfect for Person X. Now, really, what do you want me to do?"
And I got the same answer, "Person X's job."
"Okay," I thought, "It would be a very good fit for me, and would mean doing something I'd love and have wanted to do, have studied about how to do, so would use my talents. But no way will Person X ever leave that spot. So, You figure it out, Father, and let me know."
So things continued for another month or two as they had been, except I felt at peace and was finding ways to work in both activities (One was just deciding that I was leaving work by 7 or 7:30 each evening. That way I could do the reading that I needed to do for the new position from the more quiet space of home. No phones ringing. No, "Hey, Bets, where's....").
Then one day my boss asked me talk to her in the conference room. The hairs literally stood up on the back of my neck! The way she phrased it, I knew something was up. It was a phrase we'd joked about a few times, that one should be a bit worried when your boss said this to you. Yikes! She’s saying it to me! So we sat down in the conference room, and guess what? She told me I was being asked to take Person X's position as Person X was being assigned to something new. I about fell over! Literally, I was reeling in my seat! Wow! God is awesome in how He works!
So the next few weeks were full to say the least as the transition was accomplished. I had to pass along activities from the new role I had been trying to take up, and, lo and behold, we never really did hire someone specifically for the old position! Another woman working on the team easily picked up the essential elements of that position. Another sentence from Science and Health added on to the one above as my guiding thought and prayer during the transition: "All is under the control of the one Mind, even God [variously inserting the different synonyms and qualities of God – such as Love, Truth, omniscience – as were needed by the moment]." (544:16-17)
I worked in this new position for about nine months, loving it and learning so much, and then new transitions came along. But the lesson about my capabilities – never limited – has stuck with me, thank Goodness!
September 11, 2007
Psalm 23
I woke up with this Psalm in my thought this morning, so posting it as a prayer for all remembering and affected by the events that occurred six years ago today. This version is from Science and Health, which substitutes "for the corporeal sense, the incorporeal or spiritual sense of Deity." (p. 578)
Psalm XXIII
[DIVINE LOVE] is my shepherd; I shall not want.
[LOVE] maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [LOVE] leadeth me beside the still waters.
[LOVE] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [LOVE] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for [LOVE] is with me; [LOVE'S] rod and [LOVE'S] staff they comfort me.
[LOVE] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: [LOVE] anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [LOVE] for ever.
A friend mentioned recently that he was reminded helpfully that this psalm says we are _walking through_ the valley - not stopping, camping out, building homes or otherwise residing there. It's just a part of the path and we do get by it or through it. So keep on journeying! Your Shepherd is right there with you.
Peace to you all.
Psalm XXIII
[DIVINE LOVE] is my shepherd; I shall not want.
[LOVE] maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [LOVE] leadeth me beside the still waters.
[LOVE] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [LOVE] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for [LOVE] is with me; [LOVE'S] rod and [LOVE'S] staff they comfort me.
[LOVE] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: [LOVE] anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [LOVE] for ever.
A friend mentioned recently that he was reminded helpfully that this psalm says we are _walking through_ the valley - not stopping, camping out, building homes or otherwise residing there. It's just a part of the path and we do get by it or through it. So keep on journeying! Your Shepherd is right there with you.
Peace to you all.
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