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The Bulletin Board is for gratitude for Christian Science and the Church, as well as timely excerpts from the Bible, the works of Mrs. Eddy, and the early workers that help and encourage. We are very grateful for all posts that conform to these guidelines, but will edit or remove anything that the Practitioners feel is not in complete accord with pure Christian Science or in any way disrespectful of it.
We also ask that you keep your postings as concise as possible. If you quote the Bible, please use The King James Version, as this is what Mrs. Eddy used. Thank you!
Thank you for these definitions! Makes clear what Mrs. Eddy is teaching us!
Thank you! Hence we work, watch and pray!!
Thank you Jacob for your post and thanks for how you wrote about it. Many have questions; Others wonder the same….Grateful for all responses.
As I understand it Mrs. Eddy is not condemning sexuality but says it is one of the things that fall away as we gain the reality of our spirituality. I understood that the need to seek (completion, satisfaction)in another fades away once we become aware that we are already the reflection of both male and female qualities. Eating and drinking is referenced above; all materiality will yield as we progress spirit-ward. The beautiful qualities of joy, love, are here forever.
SH 64:17-25 in this Jesus declared that in the resurrection there should be no more marrying nor giving in marriage but man would be as the angels. Matthew 22 and Luke 20 both reference this. On pg. 509 of SH God forms and peoples the universe….what does that say about human procreation? Man will awaken from the Adam dream of materiality and no longer be dominated by it.
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
In healing “dis-ease” of any kind, Jesus is healing the sinfulness of the belief of a self apart from God. Whether animal magnetism is presenting as a physicality or in another form, what is being healed is the sinfulness of a self other than God. He told the adulterous woman too to go and sin no more….
The image and likeness of God, the reflection of that God being is the only real selfhood, the individuality we must know ourselves and all to be.
Well said, thank you!
Beautiful, thank you!! What a perfect “goal” we pursue. No wonder this Statement can heal so much.
It needs our commitment to ponder what it means in practice to us. I am spiritual, not material!
Beautiful discernment!
Thanks for posting……”we gonna do my Love” I think is what one worker said!
Shows nothing is too important to stop each one to show we love each day.May be “tough” Love at times but nevertheless show each other that we care! We can never forget Jesus commands and Mrs Eddy’s example….
Thank you so much for posting this. This is our time to prove our loyalty to God. Christ Jesus was loyal and Mrs. Eddy was too and they’ve left us what we can each do to increase our faith and absolute reliance on our EVERPRESENT Father-Mother. Many screams of false beliefs try to pound us with their lies to get us to give them life and go under their influence; but let’s not forget THE FIRST COMMANDMENT AND 91ST PSALM.
“All we have to do is one thing; keep the First Commandment, ‘thou shalt have none other gods before (beside) me’ – infinite Mind and that is infinite Love. There is no evil mind; that sweeps away error; there is infinite Mind – good. Infinity is all. There is no other intelligence, life or love. Now work out your problem from this standpoint.” Bluebook pg.19
“Know that you – your God-reflected self – has God-health, Godpeace, God-happiness, etc. and that the evil one or devil cannot take
this from you.” BB pg. 95
“Abide in the 91st Psalm and know that such abiding is treatment and protection.” BB. pg. 222
Beautiful! It’s always how long it takes for us to “come to ourselves” as in how long it takes to stop denying God’s ALLNESS which then exposes the nothingness and powerlessness of every discord!
Thank you Parthens! What wonderful depiction of Our Father’s unfailing Love and Compassion!
Beautiful!! Thank you!
Thanks for this post, explaining this crucial insight. Denying God’s Allness is the sin/wicked way that can be so subtle and not recognized for so long and thus can keep any evil/claim/suggestion going for years. If anything denies God’s Allness is it not sinful and wicked as pointed out above? That is anything that suggests imperfection in God’s own child.
One who had been in severe pain for 35 years, only having temporary relief in other methods, finally found his “healing” when this very point was made clear to him and he accepted it.
This must be the reason for this question and its very direct answer: When a long time sufferer asks, How Long? The answer is, “As long as you deny my Allness.” Let’s be awake and no longer be deceived by error which keeps us seeking a healing for a claim instead of steadily realizing our perfection which has not a single element of error. We can be working in the wrong direction for so long while the only correct direction is seeking God, patiently realizing our true being in Him and finding our rest in Love!
There is only one permanent answer to all human woes, it is the Christ Truth of Life in Spirit, God!
The most effective vaccination has always been here and perhaps it takes times like these for the overall need to turn to the perfect Laboratory/Divine Source, to find it. As Mrs. Eddy says from the Bluebook pg. 269:
Regarding vaccination; there is only the mental vaccination; I
would take the point of Spirit which is Truth and prick the human
affections, then inoculate with divine Love, circulating the system
of thought, and the liability of contagious disease, sin, or sickness will
cease.
Perfect! And that would not “break the bank” in the least!!
Thanks for your post! God’s blessings are simply INEXHAUSTIBLE! I love to think of Her goodness and mercy that way because its proof in all areas of my life!!
Beautiful, thank you! The whole idea of having on the “right garment” is imperative! The garment of Divine Love alone is in accord with our true being…as sons and daughters of royalty! The King of Love our Father.
Thank you for your post on this valuable trait PATIENCE and temptations. I have learned that with patience one can overcome much!! Not many can tolerate being around impatient attitudes. One can also lose friends, opportunities and others things, it never helps solve any problem, nor is it ever a help in treading temptations down.
From The Law of Love by Ann Beals’ she says:
Impatience:
This false trait usually comes from thwarted self-will that is intolerant of delay, opposition, or obstacles to what it wants or expects of others. Impatience can go from irritation to anger to rage over having to wait for any reason. It puts pressure on others by being aggressive . restless, agitated, ill-tempered with them. An impatient mentality is often impetuous or impulsive. This trait is seldom classified as sin , yet it is deadly sin. Habitual impatience can lead to difficult, stubborn, even seemingly incurable, physical problems.
With such a description of what impatience includes shouldn’t we all prayerful ask and do our part to be patient?
Thank you for the various citations of caution to make us aware of the liars’ many ways! We have also learned that it comes tailor made; all of which helps us to be onto its deceiving methods.
I learned to be patient with myself and to not join the self depreciating suggestions that come from the same evil source which tries to discourage as you mention above. After all living Christian Science is a new way of life, a new way of thinking and that discipline needed is cultivated over time when we are not fooled by error’s tricks but steadfastly persist for the priceless goal!
Mrs. Eddy counsels us to “Abide in the 91st psalm, and know that such abiding is treatment and protection.” Also to “Ever keep the fact of the Allness of God and nothingness of error before us:” Bluebook pgs. 102 and 222
Thank you for the various citations of caution to make us aware of the liars’ many ways! We have also learned that it comes tailor made; all of which helps us to be onto its deceiving methods.
I learned to be patient with myself and to not join the self depreciating suggestions that come from the same evil source which tries to discourage as you mention above. After all living Christian Science is a new way of life, a new way of thinking and that discipline needed is cultivated over time when we are not fooled by error’s tricks but steadfastly persist for the priceless goal!
Mrs Eddy counsels us to Abide in the 91st psalm, and also to “Ever keep the fact of the Allness of God and nothingness of error before us:”…..
Thanks Joanne. I love your choice of the word stimulus.. This part of the meaning from Webster is more appropriate to me :that which rouses the mind or spirit (s).
In addition to courage and conscious power should be what these commands from the Almighty Father-Mother of us all requires; humble obedience to God’s laws!
Deuteronomy 6:18 And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers,
19 To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the Lord hath spoken.
He also made us CAPABLE of hearing and obeying Him!
Deuteronomy 4:36 (to :), 39
36 Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee:
39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
The answer to all our ills and confusion is “blowing in the wind” in these verses above…. Let’s HUMBLY OBEY the ONLY LAWGIVER.
Thanks Peter! A diligent and beautiful way of making this precious Psalm your own.
It blesses all….
If God made us free and we continue to live enslaved,
by whatever, does that not deny God’s Parenthood?
This is one of the reasons why I feel I should live now fully aware of the
rights God has given me and all His own. And I have also learned that if I
live with the desire to please God first in all areas of my life then I will
live the freedom He alone bestows. “Please God and you will please
all who count!” I learned that too from this Church some years back. The freedom God
gives includes the courage to voice the Truth and the ability to do the right things that are yours to do!
“Am I doing your will Father?” It makes me feel very good asking this question as often as possible…..
It helps me to obey Mrs Eddy’s instruction to pray often, “Lead me not into temptation.”
Thus, the ancient wordsmiths likened truth to the sturdiness, endurance, and faithfulness of a trusty oak.
Must be why Truth is Always The Victor!SH p 380. While all other methods falter Truth marches on. A good reminder why we should cling to the Truth we’ve been given to take us to where the false claims are clearly nothing and powerless!!
Thank God Christian Science teaches correctly what Truth IS!
This story always moves me and often makes me think of Horatio Spafford, a God fearing businessman, who after losing his only son, losing his business during the Chicago Fire, then losing all four daughters as the ship they were sailing in to Europe sank, could pen words that now comfort people all over the world in desperate times. “It takes courage to utter Truth,” Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health, such is the courage that proves a mind, a heart, a soul, inseparable from our Mother Love. The hymn is titled “It Is Well With My Soul.” . Here is the first stanza:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
The story can be found here
Oh may we all cultivate such great faith and trust our oneness with God to the extent that we too can declare such words when there appears to be no light in our circumstances since behind the dark clouds is ALWAYS the great Light!
SH 180 To reduce inflammation, dissolve a tumor, or cure organic disease, I have found divine Truth more potent than all lower remedies. And why not, since Mind, God, is the source and condition of all existence?
This phrase the source and condition of all existence, stood out strongly from this Lesson. If so then the obedience to God all, and man having nothing unlike God makes perfect sense and is our saviour.
Have only One God and one man and you have every problem solved. Herbert Eustace
What you realized about having the correct view of man is something that escapes many, thus does not help us work from the correct premise.
I am sure many have started working from the premise of “imperfect, material me with such and such illness,”now let me voice some Truths to change what I am seeing. Thanks for sharing your insight to help others.
Beautiful inspiration! Thank you.
Welcome!! Thanks for sharing your inspiration! The Bulletin board (link to that is on the left side of the home page)
would be more appropriate for this post. However feel free to share your inspirations from current Lesson Sermons on that week’s Forum.
Am I holding to this spiritual fact of unchanging perfection, as the Truth about me consistently?
What a valuable, unceasing healing prayer!
Very true and as a medical nurse I gave per physician orders sterile water injection to substitute Morphine and saw it have the same effect as a morphine injection would have. So go figure to what extent our false beliefs control us!!
So why not choose the right, the real, the true, especially when we come to know better, that man is the manifestation of God!
Thanks for your post. Beautiful and moving….Indeed this is what Love does.🤗🙏
Thank you Melinda for this thread and welcome to the Forum!!
Thanks for the posts how timely and reinforcing what we should all be doing at this time. The conscious active knowing of Truth is our defense and armour as well at this time. The army of error is raging but it feels good to be firm in the truth and stand on the Rock of salvation, unmoved by the lies. Thank God, Christ Jesus, Mrs. Eddy, praying the Truth about God and man is being revealed everywhere and real freedom is being gained.
Thanks for this striking Golden text….; thanks for your post.
Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord
This is a powerful command to shut up the lying suggestions that come to tempt… Have had some use it with effect!!
Yes, enough, be quiet, Christ is in command!
From Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
13. Be silent, O all flesh—(Hab 2:20). “Let all in silent awe and reverence await the Lord’s coming interposition in behalf of His people!” The address is both to the Gentile foes, who prided themselves on their power as if irresistible, and to the unbelieving Jews, who distrusted God’s promises as incredible. Three reasons why they must be silent are implied: (1) they are but “flesh,” weak and ignorant; (2) He is Jehovah, all-wise and all-powerful; (3) He is already “raised up out of His place,” and who can stand before Him? [Pembellus], (Ps 76:8, 9).
Emphasis added!
I love the sense of how being a supplanter of the “right thing” becomes a blessing. It is of great importance that Mrs. Eddy admonishes, instructs, counsels us to adhere to the Truth of Being. That is our saviour, our starting point, our premise for demonstration. We should as often as possible identify ourselves with God daily. Soul as God has helped me with this, although not easy at first.I have learned to become stubborn with that Truth of Being and it is a blessing….
Thanks for this post! It is a very helpful caution to check what I am beholding since this other citation confirms, “If thought yields its dominion to other powers, it cannot outline on the body its own beautiful images, but it effaces them and delineates foreign agents, called disease and sin. ” SH 485. (Emphasis added)
Must keep the window of thought clean!!
‘Love one another;’ This command is worthy of all the prayers and study in order to understand and live all that that summation of our Master’s mission entails. Yes the clip above is beautiful and so true!
Thanks for your post!
I have found that when I take the premise or proposition of “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” seriously , it gives me a lot to ask myself and make clear how ridiculous the claims of mortal sense are! I have found these questions and counteracting Truths helpful:
Could God send me fear, pain, discomfort, distress? God is Love….1 John 4:8
Is God All powerful only today? I am All there is none else and God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent…Isa. 45:5 and SH 465
Will He not be with me next week or during that test, as His promise says? Lo I am with you alway…Matt. 28:20
Does He not have the best plan for my life? God is Omniscient …. and Behold I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it…Rev 3:8
How can I lack anything good? He is my inexhaustible source and does not withhold any good thing…..Ps. 84:11
With every question I can find a divine promise that completely wipes the lies out. If I consistently practice/use the antidotes of Truths, soon the awful unreality of the tormenting claims lose their supposed power. I like to never lose sight of the Truth that,”No power can withstand divine Love.” SH 224; I find it a great comfort!
Thank you for your post!
I love this, “Truth IS, falsehoods are not!” (Bluebook p.282) It is this established distinction between what is Truth and what is false that makes Truth always the victor.
This scientific fact is enlightening and encouraging. As man is really the manifestation of our unchanging Father-Mother God, we can know that the appearances of discord of any kind is only transient, “they appear to disappear.” Physical claims, emotional turmoil, any form of discord, unrest or discontent, has no permanency if we do not give them any life by making them “something.” Whether likened to the eclipse of the sun (the moon’s shadow blocking the sun) or to the thick clouds of false beliefs and negative thinking, these do not change the spiritual substance of true being. They do not have the capacity to alter what is eternally true. When the passing eclipse is over, or the clouds move away, we see that wonderful light again shinning so bright.
As when the brightness of our true being is seen again shinning even brighter when those clouding false beliefs are gone.
Thank you so much for this post! Mrs. Eddy’s discourse on Character in 1893 is worth revisiting. It gives a humbling analysis of what this word means, from which all can learn. She commences the sermon with this from the Bible “Be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man.” 1 Kings ii. 2.
The whole discourse can be read here: https://articles.plainfieldcs.com/mary-baker-eddy/character/
It says Christian Science exists for more than healing : There is nothing on earth so valuable as Character. You will notice that no adjective is prefixed to this word, character; thus, I do not say Christian character, for the evident reason that there can be no character which is not Christian. Here in this world and in all worlds swinging in space, nothing is so grand, so Godlike as character. Certainly the trend of thought on this one point is moving in the right direction. Christian Science extends its hand in friendly greeting and welcomes this advance step onward and upward. This is what Christian Science exists for, — to promote every worthy and spiritual effort, to attain unto a higher realization of what character surely is. What is called the Christian Science healing is not the “end-all-and-be-all,” of Christian Science teaching. It is simply a means towards an end. That end is the production of better lives, or in other words, the promotion of character.
There is certainly much much more for our lives in this talk than what that word is generally accepted to mean.
Thanks for the post and for the Lessons many reminders about obedience… Unless we are complying or practicing the rule or law we cannot say we are obeying it!
Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
OBEY other definitions:
To submit to: To be submissive; to yield without murmuring.
To yield to: To surrender
To comply to: To fulfil; to perfect or carry into effect; to complete; to perform or execute;
Divine Mind rightly demands man’s entire obedience, affection, and strength. No reservation is made for any lesser loyalty. Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength. Submission to error superinduces loss of power.
SH vii: 17-20
Ignorance of God is no longer the steppingstone to faith. The only guarantee of obedience is a right apprehension of Him whom to know aright is Life eternal.
SH 20: 14-23
Jesus bore our infirmities; he knew the error of mortal belief, and “with his stripes [the rejection of error] we are healed.”
How wise to obey (practice) what Christ Jesus did….it was His stripes, the rejection of error that healed...Hence our instruction to persistently and as earnestly as possible reject the errors that tempt us in varying cloaks.We are not to accept the lies as ours and then try to use the truth to “fight” them.
he swerved not, well knowing that to obey the divine order and trust God, saves retracing and traversing anew the path from sin to holiness.
The last two paragraphs of the resource above, sounds like what Christian Science commends as a way to help someone. It says, “when the enemy is treated as a friend, when good is returned for evil, then there is a chance evil will be overcome.”
That sounds like what we are taught to impersonalize error and destroy the error while seeing and knowing man’s true self right where the lie appears to be. Remember, “Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man….”
It appears a whole lot of condemnation and malpractice was going on with Nabal. He is described as churlish, son of Belial.
Churlish 1828:Rude; surly; austere; sullen; rough in temper; unfeeling; uncivil. Selfish; narrow-minded; avaricious; Unpliant; unyielding; cross-grained; harsh; unmanageable.
Such thoughts about him couldn’t have given him any chance. True, it’s difficult to see through stubborn behaviour but that is our challenge when we choose to walk in this narrow path. We do not have to like or live with stubbornness but love, that is to separate the evil from the man, and see as Mind sees His image and likeness we must do!
Great example of how one can be fooled into breaking this commandment. If our journey Spiritward is unending then better understand what the commandments mean and all their implications in order to do my best now to not break them in anyway.It’s important what I do now, while here as well as what will be continued hereafter….After all death does not transcend us, the work continues from when and how we left here…
Three words tell us what IS: I AM ALL. Infinite All meaning if not good it is the counterfeit appearing of what is.
GOD IS EVIL IS NOT
God is All; there is no evil.
All is harmony; there is no discord.
All is health; there is no sickness.
All is Spirit; there is no matter.
All is joy; there is no sorrow.
All is Truth; there is no falsehood.
All is faith; there is no fear.
All is Life; there is no death.
All is Love; there is no hate. Bluebook pg. 282
Thanks for your post, wonderful reminder!!
Thanks for sharing this! Awesome proof again that He dwells among us even TODAY, and nothing is impossible to HIM!!
OMNIPOTENCE, OMNIPRESENCE, OMNISCIENCE AND OMNIACTION!!
How much more wonderful when each meal is given with the thought that God’s idea does not lack, and everyone is seen in that correct view!
Awesome post!! Thanks for sharing this link… speaks to having God with us at work everywhere and ready to bless.These young men are an example of the “natural Christian Scientists” Mrs. Eddy referred to in SH 483:19; they demonstrated “the spirit of Christian Science!”
Thanks for these posts. I love the simplicity of this caution; obey and do as God wants and be blessed or willingly keep friendship with wickedness and be cursed(which from my understanding of Science means to me,let wickedness as it destroys itself take you along with it due to your attachment to it). Thus we should all strive towards righteousness…
A couple of citations from the Bible and Science and Health completely destroy evil’s seeming victory over Truth:
Psalm 34:21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
From Science and Health, p.239 : The wicked man is not the ruler of his upright neighbor. Let it be understood that success in error is defeat in Truth. The watchword of Christian Science is Scriptural: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.”
Many Bible stories affirm the victory of those who walked humbly with their God trusting all to Him and doing as He directs.From Divinity Course and General Collectanea, The Bluebook pg 228 :
Never resent a wound from anyone, but always leave it to God to avenge and heal. He will rightly reward; you cannot. Forgiveness is forgetfulness of sin, disease and all error in others and in ourselves. No wrong is forgiven until it is forgotten. If this is not done, it works like remembering disease; it makes you a sinner; it grows chronic and incurable. If we do not do this, it does us more harm than our enemies.
I love the fact that when we leave things to God after doing what is only ours to do, there is healing!
Thanks for the posts giving clarity to what would appear contradictory. And a perfect example is in these two verses from Matthew 4:
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.(Emphasis Added)
It is God first always, no matter who and no matter what……..In doing that we trust God with All too.
It would be easy to cherish “hidden sins” without them ever being brought into the Light, to be challenged, rebuked and so destroyed. How important it is that we have each other, for how can you love God if you can’t love your brother as the Bible teaches us? Being part of “church” enables us to do this. And as we have been taught here from the beginning, “one stick you can break, a bundle you cannot.”!
A Church can only be a true Church if it allows and fosters the spiritual growth of its members. Where there is enough Love to chasten, rebuke or correct with the motive to help someone maintain that necessary structure of Truth and Love, i.e reflect Principle, there is the right sense of Church, which is found here. This has always been one of the most important qualities of this Church, for those who are humble enough will take the correction and grow because uncovered error will not be ignored. Whereas other examples I have witnessed is the “talking behind peoples’ back which rather fastens the error on one and precludes the maintaining of one’s structure of Truth and Love.
It is such an opportunity to be a part of a Church where there is enough care to be alerted when being distracted by error. It is also comforting that all are humbly working TOGETHER to best glorify God with what we have each been given to do; and are not afraid for the light to shine out what does not belong to any of God’s children here or anywhere.Thanks for this post!
Thank you for this beautiful post!! It sums up the feeling of one powerful source who MADE ALL, CONTROLS ALL and GOVERNS ALL!! Our Father-Mother God is present everywhere, the whole of creation must gather unto Him.
This from Psalm 19 struck me: Psalm 19 : 1-3
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
This gives me a very deep, beautiful reassurance that somewhere, everywhere God’s voice is being heard,and that there are “natural Christian Scientists” who are joining in watches in obedience to Christian Scientific Principles. To me that time is now, which Mrs Eddy foresaw when “those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check,” SH pg 97 not only in the usual sense of crime, but in the worst forms of teaching or exemplifying misleading beliefs and principles that turn peoples’ faith away from gathering unto the only true God!
Thanks to the Lesson writer. Thanks for your citations in your post above.
This everywhereness of the Christ, still somewhere buried in the hearts of even those who do not love me, is so powerful when it finally feels real. It is the Divine manifestation of God…what shall I fear? Thanks for this post. I love the way this thought is expressed below:
“Everywhere the Christ, the indisputable evidence of God’s presence and power, is to be found. In a den of lions, in a fiery furnace, in any seeming valley of pain or fear, there God’s allness may be demonstrated, for there His Christ is, there His irresistible law of good is operating to deliver us from evil.” Jeanne Roe Price
“God is unfailing, unchanging, irresistible Love. The vainglorious claim of evil to reality fades into nothingness before the radiance of divine Love. Doubt not! The great Physician, divine Love, is beside every bed of pain, ready to wipe away all tears, dispel all fear. Nothing is too tenacious, too “old,” or too hard for Love to dissolve; nothing is impossible to God.” Jeanne Roe Price.
Thank you so much for both posts!
Eustace page 448:Darkness (the belief in evil) is only and always the absence of Light.
This video https://www.math.lsu.edu/~hongyu/Does_evil_exits.pps tells us Einstein’s take on evil, which is exactly what Eustace states and clearly what separates Mary Baker Eddy’s revelation of the source of mankind’s SALVATION from all ILLS.
To the question are Sin, Disease and Death Real, is the resounding answer NO! They cannot be that BECAUSE GOD IS ALL. That is our starting point in Christian Science. And that is why for every form of evil that appears we are to pause and humbly ask the ALL KNOWING. He does and will gently, even if at times slowly shine His light which will lead us back to the total reversal of every sin, as well as the frightening scenes, feelings, or hearings to prove He never created ANYTHING to disturb His offspring!! HENCE EVIL DOES NOT EXIST.
THIS TO ME IS THE TRIUMPHANT TRUTH that separates Christian Science and makes it what truly saves and can heal ALL our woes. Let’s pray for more light to see Mrs. Eddy correctly, in her true light, so we can heed her message and bless ourselves and all others we are led to help.
GOD IS ALL;there is no evil. Blue Book pg. 282
Thanks for your post!
From Gethsemane to Golgotha, Jesus subjected himself to the worst possible discord – physical, mental, emotional – that sense could possibly bear. This was the price he paid in order to demonstrate for us the unreality of personal sense experiencing unreality of discord. Regardless of the great flood of error relentlessly poured out upon him, regardless of the jarring harshness and dissonance clamoring for his attention, Jesus kept himself in tune with Harmony, attuning himself to the chord of Truth that the world had lost, having attuned itself to everything out of tune with that chord.
So grateful that after many years of persistence and obedience to Christian Science practice as taught here, even the smallest degree of emulating Christ’s example(staying at one with God) gives the dominion to overcome evil’s temptation with immense grief of a dear one’s passing. There is no better staff to lean on than the assurance of God’s great Love; the awareness of His Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience and Omniaction!! It is wise to strive to stay in tune with Principle.
The punishment that should NEVER be used I feel, is any correcting without LOVE!! Mrs. Eddy is also talking about the “Wisdom in human action begins with what is nearest right under the circumstances, and thence achieves the absolute.” Miscellaneous Writings P. 288
I do know that if a child is “running towards a cliff” and they do not listen to your words, the right human action, which is the nearest right under the circumstances, would be taken because you Love enough to save the child.
I have also heard of many cases where words alone have had such an imprinted gross effect on children than if an occasional correcting had been done with Love and a “rod.”
Mrs Eddy gives the best way, to teach them to Love good to begin with!! We learn to have Love conduct our homes!!!
This is such a Beautiful and Powerful Easter message!!
May each feel the great Love of Our only true parent, God!!
I love what Mrs. Eddy says makes us a law unto ourselves. She makes this thorough list:
Nothing can come to me except that which comes from God, and that is always good.
I am a law unto myself. There is no ignorant, malicious, willful,superstitious, sympathetic, intentionally directed malpractice from theosophy, palmistry, phrenology, occultism, witchcraft, necromancy, black or white magic, spiritualism, animal magnetism, hypnotism, mental science, free love, malpractitioners, trustees,directors, laymen, occultists, materia medica, or from Roman Catholicism, neighbors, friends, enemies, acquaintances or relatives,that can mesmerize me or influence me or confuse my spiritual continuity, or interfere with my spiritual work, or cloud my vision (mental), or darken my consciousness; neither can it impede my progress in my true understanding of God. The Blue Book pg. 266.
Thank you Mrs. Eddy for this marvelous complete list!
This citation stood out to me also. Part of the beginning states that: Fear never stopped being and its action. The blood, heart, lungs, brain, etc., have nothing to do with Life, God. SH p. 151. This is a resounding reminder! The point that God is LIFE, and from the synonyms of God we are taught that SPIRIT is God should make me start, if I have not, and continue in humility and obedience yielding to the power of this TRUTH. If consistently, persisting I will gradually come to know my life in Life/Spirit just as I learned the multiplication tables.
This spiritual fact is repeated many times in this process so we can heed its importance. When I wasn’t declaring, claiming my right mind, The Christ Mind and not staying alert to resist the false thoughts this sounded so confusing, difficult, even impossible according to the false temptations. Thank God we are also shown how to walk this walk, humbly following the footsteps of Truth.
Thanks for these posts. This is what Mrs. Eddy teaches about self abnegation being a rule in Science……..
A little less of self, every day, does much in revealing my Christ selfhood, with the Christ mind. The Christ Mind cannot be mesmerized, helps me live unselfishly, and do good, without selfish ambition but to honor God and bless mankind.
This is the striving to be better, with diligence, perseverance and persistence in daily “dying to self.” All the gospels and Paul talk about this imperative step: John 12:24, Colossians 3:5, Luke 14:33, 1 Peter 4:22. Luke 9:24, Eph. 4:22-23.
John 3:30: He must increase, but I must decrease.
Gal 5:24: And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
1 Cor. 15:31: I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Mrs. Eddy taught and explained self-abnegation so that we may resist the temptation of material-mindedness, know ourselves truly and find our God-given freedom. SH 266:16-19 Thus He teaches mortals to lay down their fleshliness and gain spirituality. This is done through self-abnegation. Universal Love is the divine way in Christian Science. And SH 568:30-32 Self-abnegation, by which we lay down all for Truth, or Christ, in our warfare against error, is a rule in Christian Science.
Doing this effects the death to all “the little foxes” as well as “the creeping things” and the false physical and emotional claims will have to yield to the supremacy of God/Spirit!
Thanks for these posts.The Lesson citation from:403 : 14-23 supports this post:
You command the situation if you understand that mortal existence is a state of self-deception and not the truth of being. Mortal mind is constantly producing on mortal body the results of false opinions; and it will continue to do so, until mortal error is deprived of its imaginary powers by Truth, which sweeps away the gossamer web of mortal illusion. The most Christian state is one of rectitude and spiritual understanding, and this is best adapted for healing the sick. (Emphasis added)
From Webster’s 1828
Rectitude:In morality, rightness of principle or practice; uprightness of mind; exact conformity to truth, or to the rules prescribed for moral conduct, either by divine or human laws. rectitude of mind is the disposition to act in conformity to any known standard of right, truth or justice;Perfect rectitude belongs only to the Supreme Being. The more nearly the rectitude of men approaches to the standard of the divine law, the more exalted and dignified is their character. Want of rectitude is not only sinful, but debasing.
Thank you for your post. This however makes me ask myself that if so much is given me am I showing my genuine gratitude by obeying these:
1st Mark 12:29-31
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
2nd Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
It feels to me that the more I obey the above the more I feel the spirit of the great bounty that awaits us all.
Daniel had real/true immunity because he never wavered in obeying THE LAW, the highest one. He lived a life which proved his obedience honestly and wholeheartedly, as mentioned above. Am I doing the same? Am I living close to what he did, with a predominant desire to obey THE LAW which when obeyed makes the spurious laws, all forms of deception and temptations less likely to enslave! In all of these Bible stories which have so many saving experiences we find that obedience to the greatest of all commandments was first in the hearts of those involved.
Is this not the result of heeding, James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you….” Or as we learn through Science that “You stand with Principle and Principle stands with you?” Perhaps the question that should be asked when required to obey some law is: Whose Law, whose verdict? Because even “the right laws” of the land should have their source in God’s laws!!
These translations give a more likely understanding or use of the word terribleness…
ESV 21 And who is like your people Israel, the one[b] nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt?
Message 21 And who is like your people, like Israel, a nation unique on earth, whom God set out to redeem as his own people (and became most famous for it), performing great and fearsome acts, throwing out nations and their gods left and right as you saved your people from Egypt?
Hope that helps!
I have found the different sections of the Daily Treatment in the Prayers section of the Blue Book, starting from pg 60
Under Morning Prayer in Mrs Eddy’s Household pgs 63, 64 is quite a lot of the content in the Daily Treatment.
And to become aware that in Truth no one is in bondage even now!! This is the gracious wonder that spurs the enthusiasm to share this Truth. I am grateful to learn along with that zeal not to cast pearls before swine, but to keep a selfless heart willing to help those who God lead my way to help…. ever praying to not lose the Love for the Christ idea, which enriches the desire to do this work for the glory of God and to bless mankind!
Beautiful, thanks!
Thank You! It’s either this Eternal Road of Life or we forfeit all the good that are ours from our loving Father-Mother God!
VAL’OR, noun [Latin valor valeo, to be strong, to be worth.] Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; intrepidity; prowess.
This quality is seen in only those humble or meek enough to reflect God! Since all power belongs to God only such can be the reflection of God’s qualities. When puffed up and reliant on self we forfeit this power. Christ Jesus, the greatest man that ever trod this earth, was a great example. Mary Baker Eddy demonstrated such valour. Moses, David and others demonstrated this, as well; none of these were full of themselves, boasting any power of their own; rather they thought themselves unable to do what God used them to do for His glory. Paul in humility took that new name and was able to go forth with power to spread the gospel the way he did!
God sees and knows who He can use, and it is certain they are those who can reflect Him, even though they may not be aware of the ability that their humility/meekness allows.
Command (from Webster’s 1828)
COMMAND, verb transitive
1. To bid; to order; to direct; to charge; implying authority, and power to control, and to require obedience.
2. To govern, lead or direct; to have or to exercise supreme authority over.
COMMAND, noun
1. The right or power of governing with chief or exclusive authority; supreme power; control; as, an officer has a brigade under his command;
It is obvious I was not taking God’s commands as commands, perhaps not those from Christ Jesus nor Mrs. Eddy’s. The “Must” statements are not just suggestions,or advice? They are COMMANDS. No wonder the suffering that went on with such disobedience. I did not even see it as disobedience but now I do and I am grateful!! If you want more peace, obey God’s commands,live to please Him and the peace that only He gives will be yours.
And so must we be careful that the Truth about our spiritual individuality be not perverted by the false suggestions of sickness, sin, wrong thoughts and everything that would seek to distort our perfection!
It was an awakening to understand that to be able to rebuke with Love is in obedience to that command to Love one another.
Invincible Truth is working in us if we are seeking Truth diligently. One of the most beneficial effects of this is the courage gained to Love Truth coupled with the ability to act when God directs. Prior to this greater conviction of the need to Love divinely, I only loved selfishly; I was too conscious of what someone might think or say about me because of my actions. But to love in the way we are commanded to love one another includes the ability to rebuke error and correct wrong behavior with unselfed intent. To awaken one to their folly in allowing “the deceiver” to lead them into temptation or deceive them into believing they are what God did not create; e.g. that they are a fearful sick person, selfish, depressed, greedy, egotistical, impatient, angry, irritable, proud etc., all qualities non- existent in the real man, the man God created in God’s own image and likeness.
This Truth inspired way of loving our brother, as Jesus demonstrated, in how He rebuked and corrected, in order to bring people back to what is their true being, is much needed everywhere. Christian Science gives the courage to live that way because it makes God, all that matters.
“We love because He first loved us”
How can I afford to love less than I am and have been loved; just the same as how can I not forgive when I have been forgiven. Hence the continuous striving to love more divinely! Thanks for your post.
Thanks for your posts; I saw the same matter based “caring” calling itself Christian Science Nursing. The latter demanded the Spiritual affection you talk about with empathy or compassion to the bedside loving divinely. This way the nurse’s own Divine Love (seeing the patient as an idea of God ) would help uplift the false senses and focus on body for receptivity and replacement with the Truth of Love’s nature and bless.
Once I had a patient tell me it benefits her most when the nurses do more to help her think rightly and love more divinely, than the unbalanced focus on all the material things that had to be so right! And I know she was not lying!
Thanks for your post. Love indeed is what is supreme. It is wonderful that there is no form of evil that Love’s supremacy cannot destroy and remove! Thank God for Christ Jesus(the Fatherhood of God’s) inclusive commandment to “Love your neighbor as thyself.”
He gave up much to prove this Love, And for Mrs. Eddy (the Motherhood of God’s) explanation of this powerful and true sense of Love. She sacrificed and loved much in explaining how we can all live this greatest quality right here and right now!
This statement implies that God’s likeness, perfection, is not something that will come at some undisclosed future time, but is a present reality, and that it is something to be awake to.
Thanks for this post. This is such a valuable reminder since it is easy to think that we declare the Truth etc. for something to be changed in the future. What has helped me is the premise which Mrs. Eddy reminds us to begin from, from Perfection! Also the spiritual fact that Perfect God, Perfect man is the basis of thought and demonstration, S&H. This leaves us then with the awakening to, the realization or the revealing of the present perfection to become clear for us as a result for the work we do. God made everything already, and perfectly, so. All the “purifying of thought” allows the transparency of thought for the correct view of things to appear.
Since God is Truth, falsehoods, His opposites make us unsettled! The conflict in what we think or our motives and the lies we talk create a friction enough for us to feel bad… It is a good thing because it helps us check and be honest. Thank God!
No one is left out of His kingdom, a kingdom of joy, peace and fulfillment. The belief that there are those without employment, without hope, without health etc., those who are homeless, or on drugs – is simply not the truth about God’s creation.
This Truth is needed the world over, since it is the false and wicked sense of being separated from God, unworthy, and all the self depreciating thoughts that come that can and does keep many in bondage of a false heritage. This Truth plus the teachings of the Bible correctly explained and made practical through Science and Health’s message will change much.
This Spiritual Being is the Truth of Being she refers to and emphasizes in Science and Health pg 418:5-6 Stick to the truth of being in contradistinction to the error that life, substance, or intelligence can be in matter.
After many years of obeying this Truth about who “man” is, as God’s image and likeness, knowing myself as a Spiritual Being started to become more “normal,” and the opposite of being, as a material being began to yield. It is what helps us overcome the material laws that present as dominating us.
Mrs. Eddy also gave us the Treatment For Everyday to help us think rightly about who we are..an excerpt from it is:
1.Every time you declare you are perfect in God, there goes through the body a health giving power.
When you realize this truth of truths, that you are now, not will be perfect in God, without a single doubt, wonderful changes will come to pass.
But let me urge you, however difficult it may seem, to declare times without number, that you are perfect, joyful, triumphant and complete.
What is perfect in God is our Spiritual Being, our True Being, that which is of God.
Thanks for your cautionary post. Mrs. Eddy admonishes alertness to duty( as mentioned above) to be careful we are not hypnotized by what we hear; and we can prevent such mesmerism if we are always careful with our loyalty to the things of God. This means I have to ask often:
Is this of God? Father what do you say? These should be my ready tests for all that comes to my thought, what I see or hear; since without these measures one can be influenced to believe the repeated lies that come about health, politics or anything else from the News and elsewhere.
This caution is why we are encouraged to keep our conversations in heaven. How easily we can become mesmerized with evil thoughts if we keep listening to them.
Philipians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
How wise and protective these Bible admonitions are and thanks to Mrs. Eddy who says in SH p 103: The malicious form of hypnotism ultimates in moral idiocy.
Each day, God is guiding me to what I need. He is giving me “my daily bread.” I used to believe I needed to keep every article, note and piece of paper I studied. This resulted in an unhelpful, cluttered mess, which cause frustration and disappointment instead of joy………It is now a pleasure to read new material without the stress of trying to figure out how to keep that information for next time.
Thank you. I have had a somewhat different experience in that the “old” articles notes etc. that I have felt led to keep have been in many instances the new “daily bread” that I have been led to on particular days or led to share with someone in different situations. Yes, All-knowing , All-wise God, Mind, will always guide us to the ever-present answers. I have also found that His wisdom has guided me to make “radiant room” where there was clutter before. Truly HE does have all our answers and we can keep turning to Him!
“…..the standard pitch set by the concertmaster, Christ.”
That is inspiringly beautiful Parthens! Hence no “discords” from the belief of a self apart from God. All in obedience and in one accord as the concert master’s signal. Powerful reminder to always strive to realize more of my Christlikeness,by living it, in tune with the perfect model, the Truth of man’s Being. Thank you!
Mark 11:23 makes it clear that I am actively to rise up and speak to any mountain that needs to be removed from my life, not simply to remain passive, beseeching God to remove it.
“…God is the only Intelligence and cannot believe because He understands. There is neither substance nor Intelligence, in the mountain mirage that seemeth what it is not, and such is mortal man;
Thank you so much for this post Parthens! It speaks to all our suffering because the understanding that whatever phase, however incessantly error screams at us or pounds us (in belief), if we could but for even a moment gain the clear realization that we are overcoming a mirage, and nothing real or powerful, that would help us realize our strength from God to use the Truths we know.
This is why Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health on pg. 418″ “Speak the truth to every form of error. Tumors, ulcers, tubercles, inflammation, pain, deformed joints, are waking dream-shadows, dark images of mortal thought, which flee before the light of Truth.” To every form of error means every form, inharmonious relationships, work situations etc. I love that thought of removing every “mountain mirage” from my life! I can feel the power with which Mrs. Eddy gives this admonition, it must be the kind of strength Elisha gained after pacing the floor for however long to build up his faith. Thank God Mrs. Eddy has given many arguments in Science and Health and the Blue Book to help us do this work!
“Dear Lord and Father of us all, forgive our foolish ways; reclothe us in our rightful mind; in purer lives Thy service find, in deeper reverence praise.” (Hymn # 49)
Thank you, I love this hymn particularly because of the selfless sense of it, including ALL mankind just as the Lord’s Prayer’s selfless sense. The selfless demand of the true practice of Science brings James 5:16 to thought: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Pondering this I found a line in a Spurgeon devotional on that verse: “Believer, thou hast a mighty engine in thy hand, use it well, use it constantly, use it with faith, and thou shalt surely be a benefactor to thy brethren.”
These prayers do not have to be any lengthy petitions, but to declare even short truths with faith to contradict presenting false beliefs have been very helpful. An example is to declare, “there are no accidents in Mind,” when I see an ambulance, “there are no fires in Mind,” denouncing the belief of fires in God’s kingdom with faith, and knowing that God’s law of perfect harmony and Love is governing all has been very useful for me. This discipline clears my thinking and keeps me “acquainted with Him.”
One thing is sure and we are all experiencing this, that when we use what we are learning to help, awaken, and comfort others we are truly blessed ourselves!
Thanks Sharon, this has always been one of the simple truths that are so vividly practical! It has helped me a lot. I must be eager to give up the material senses in order to gain the only real sense, spiritual sense, that allows correct and true vision to help me see the true things of God.
This is beautiful, what Mrs. Eddy says in Misc. p 179, “We must lay aside material consciousness, and then we can perceive Truth, and say with Mary, Rabboni”- Master!
As we all were asleep until awakened by the Truth that makes free, the Pharisees and the rest were also blinded by those illusions that can keep one asleep and in bondage keeping him from seeing correctly and thus embracing what saves.
SH p 95:28-32 Lulled by stupefying illusions, the world is asleep in the cradle of infancy, dreaming away the hours.
Material sense does not unfold the facts of existence; but spiritual sense lifts human consciousness into eternal Truth.
This is why Jesus commanded the Truth to be “preached” (better still be lived or practiced) in all nations.
“Never was there a more solemn and imperious call than God makes to us all, right here, for fervent devotion and an absolute consecration to the greatest and holiest of all causes. The hour is come. The great battle of Armageddon is upon us” (emphasis added; see CS Journal, August, 1886; also, Miscellaneous Writings, page 177).
Enough is “appearing” on the world scene for us all to heed this call! Thanks for your post. So grateful for Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy makes this clear: “You must feel and know that God alone governs man; that His government is harmonious; that He is too pure to behold iniquity, and divides His power with nothing evil or material.” (Rudimental Divine Science, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 10)
Thank you for the post! This is so true and worse still is when a pregnant woman is asked the same questions about family history of illnesses. This is insensitive, since it can create needless fears and worry about other false beliefs. How wonderful it would be, if instead of all these “matter laws” the emphasis was on what God is; the Creator, the giver of all good and the true Father-Mother of all. Science indeed is the Comforter, teaching what the real man is and what our true substance is.
Whatever Mrs. Eddy repeats and emphasizes must be a demand. She repeatedly states “Stick to the Truth of Being.” SH What is this Truth of Being? Our spiritual individuality, that we are the spiritual image and likeness of God (See Glossary def’n of Man p.591)
SH 91 : 16-21 Absorbed in material selfhood we discern and reflect but faintly the substance of Life or Mind. The denial of material selfhood aids the discernment of man’s spiritual and eternal individuality, and destroys the erroneous knowledge gained from matter or through what are termed the material senses.
I do not remember this being an imperative requirement to me earlier in my study; so to a large extent I was merely improving matter?
Only as I consistently rejoice in my “New Birth,” as the Christ idea, can I gain the true sense of my perfection. The perfect man Jesus beheld is the spiritual man, that which is the reflection of all that God is. Mortal selfhood can never be that perfection, that expression of Soul.
Beautiful, in God it is from Glory to Glory not Glory to doom!
#46 “Day by day the promise reads, daily strength for daily needs: cast foreboding fears away; take the manna of today. Lord my times are in Thy hand: all my sanguine hopes have planned, to thy wisdom I resign, and would mold my will to Thine….”
There is a beautiful sense of surrendering to God’s Omnipresent, unfailing care in this hymn that always comforts me.Thanks.
I love to hold in thought that : The Gabriel of His presence has no contests! I find that very powerful!
SH p.567 Gabriel has the more quiet task of imparting a sense of the ever-presence of ministering Love. These angels deliver us from the depths.Truth and Love come nearer in the hour of woe, when strong faith’ or spiritual strength wrestles and prevails through the understanding of God. The Gabriel of His presence has no contests. To infinite, ever-present Love, all is Love, and there is no error, no sin, sickness, nor death.
Thank you for the post! I love to revisit the word supreme. The sense of only-ness reiterate the first commandment. Plus Webster’s 1828 also has these meanings: Highest in authority,….In the universe, God only is the supreme ruler and judge. His commands are supreme and binding on all his creatures.
2. Highest, greatest or most excellent; as supreme love; supreme glory; supreme degree.
Thank you! Wait upon the LORD. This stood out again this week with a deeper sense of living closely with God, listening for His voice, trusting His loving care and following when His direction comes. It is a wonderful feeling when I put this in practice and feel that I am doing God’s will.It is not a passive waiting or waiting for God to come from somewhere but it is feeling “the strength of Spirit”and gaining the revealing of ever-present spiritual perfection. God’s work is already done! “Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus’ be fitted to receive more.” SH p.3
Beautiful! How awesome that we can go to these inspired hymns and songs to quietly listen to God speak to our hearts.
I have found such times most moving especially in the middle of the night when it appears there is no one to talk with.
Psalm 146:9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Thanks for your post. Since I read this from the Lesson it has come to thought frequently to counteract all so called power of the false testimonies presenting in our world. It is a powerful Watch statement! I also like the preservation of strangers and the fact of God’s Love for all His children. God does take care of all. Whatever is ungodlike, we can take back to God’s kingdom for the realization of its true sense. In this way it becomes clearer and clearer that indeed God is ALL, Good IS, Evil is NOT.
“This individual blessedness and blessing comes not so much from individual as from universal love: it emits light because it reflects; and all who are receptive share this equally.”
Thanks for this post! It is so true that to resolve to live a life of blessedness, keeps one grateful, reflecting the true joy that only comes from God. Each day I pray to be able to see correctly others I come across, to know that each has the Christ within and to follow as best as I can Christ’s example of living this universal Love.
So much more amusing to me is the fact that with so much effort and trust in their human intellect, some scientists think they really have it all figured out!
Thank you ! What a simple but powerful short statement to keep us awake to what we truly are.
Thanks for this! I love how Abram was in total control with the spiritual fact that he could not be denied of any good that God would give him. When sure of your true source of supply the fear of lack is gone and you are ready and confident to receive only the good God gives; which is all that will satisfy and truly bless.
When this example is learned the true brotherhood of man will be more visible. Individuals as well as nations will not dwell in fear, competition, injustice, selfishness and greed which motivates sinful actions to deprive another of their good! Thanks Father Abram.
And when the false temptation comes that I don’t see or have anything to be grateful for; I can ask myself Mrs. Eddy’s question for us all: Are you grateful for Life, Truth and Love?
This from the Bible stood out this morning:
Job 12:10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
Thank you for this. From glory to doom was a false sense I entertained for a long time. So grateful to be free of it through the understanding that in God, who is the only Life, it is from glory unto glory. He does not give today and withhold tomorrow nor does He give anything less than perfect! We have to trust in God’s Love for us all.
Thank you for this post! SH 5 A great sacrifice of material things must precede this advanced spiritual understanding…..
This required sacrifice must include relinquishment of past material history, selfish indulgences, habits, material sense of sense of self. Some of these we hold on to so tightly as they keep us in bondage and increase our false sense of separation from God, the Love present, and what we most need.
Mrs. Eddy cautioned on page 242 of SH: Self-love is more opaque than a solid body. In patient obedience to a patient God, let us labor to dissolve with the universal solvent of Love the adamant of error, — self-will, self-justification, and self-love, — which wars against spirituality and is the law of sin and death.
Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:31…….I die daily; meaning the self renouncing (sacrificing self) he did each day as He wholeheartedly worked for God. And on page 238 of Misc. Mrs Eddy asks: “Have you renounced self?”
With the above understanding , we can do our work with a strong stand on the spiritual fact that “perfection ….is the law of Mind to the idea, Earth. ( Address 1934 by Bicknell Young) Thanks for these posts.
When I started to participate at Plainfield I was searching for a deeper relationship with God Emphasis added.
Yes, this searching is going on the world over, even for those who seem to have “everything.” If God is Infinite and we are His reflection it is clear we cannot be satisfied with anything finite including our knowledge of who we are.
Thus we read in the Lesson:
SH 257 Who hath found finite life or love sufficient to meet the demands of human want and woe, — to still the desires, to satisfy the aspirations? Infinite Mind cannot be limited to a finite form, or Mind would lose its infinite character as inexhaustible Love, eternal Life, omnipotent Truth.
8. 258: 3-6, Hence the unsatisfied human craving for something better, higher, holier, than is afforded by a material belief in a physical God and man.
From Webster’s 1828: FI’NITE, adjective [Latin finitus, from finio, to finish, from finis, limit.] Having a limit; limited; bounded; opposed to infinite, as finite number, finite existence; applied to this life, we say, a finite being, finite duration.
Hence we seek and find God, find our true selves and are satisfied.
Thank you for this post! A wonderful reminder to help us keep the correct view of ourselves ever in thought. Mortal mind is a robber and would have us “forget” what we are learning as our true selves. Mrs. Eddy’s counsel to Judge Hanna is for us all, an invaluable discipline. If we obey it helps us maintain our conscious oneness with God.
Matthew 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
To me this also means that my gratitude should be in action; meaning I must have faith enough in the simple Truths (which we have all been given) to use them, or I cannot really say I am grateful for them. If I appreciate something I use it, trust it, take care of it and Love it enough to make sure I do not lose it.
So when any claim comes up do I at least start with the simple Truths, the fact that I am the expression of Life, Truth and Love and any others that comes to mind? Or do I affirm mortal mind’s words saying, oh, I don’t know enough,I am not worthy, I doubt and be tricked into not using what I know. If I consistently apply even the simple spiritual facts, I am saying “I have” and more will be revealed to me because I am receptive to God’s word. If I “bury” what I have come to know, I am saying “I have not,” and will lose (it will be taken away) what ever I had!
And how wonderful to live our lives in a way that our lives will tell the truth about His righteousness. Thus we are given many occasions to share this awesome way of life. I am grateful to learn and understand more and more of what Christ Jesus taught and Mrs. Eddy explained further; a way to live doing the best one can to have God in all we do.
Thank you for this post!There is only ONE WAY!
Thanks for these posts; many a hymn, sang aloud on my walks has brought me much comfort when just silent declarations did not seem to work. I am so grateful for the inspired words /prayers in the hymns and psalms! Nothing should keep us from sharing them with the world from wherever we are.
Thank you! Webster’s 1828 dictionary gives one of the definitions of Cloud 5. A great multitude; a vast collection.
Seeing we are encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 12:1.
Beautiful, that to me means a multitude of witnesses, as the names referred to in your post suggest.
How true! I remember having to learn the multiplication table consistently and being tested several times until they became “my own,” something a part of me. And even then it is the consistent use of them and persistent knowing of them that makes me keenly aware of what they are and therefore cannot be fooled by their opposite. I find that is why persistence, consistency are emphasized here in this Church.
An article 3 C’s and E by Doris Evans has always been helpful with persistence and expectation. Here is the link: https://articles.plainfieldcs.com/doris-w-evans/three-cs-and-an-e/
The teaching through Christian Science has taught me to ask: How can I make these Truths the foundation of how I live? With understanding persistence they become how I think and hence how I live.
The words “looking up” stood out to me too.It is mentioned at least three times. It emphasizes the need to rise above the material senses; use our spiritual sense/spiritual discernment. Mrs. Eddy in some instances “looked away” from the material sense testimony in order to get the clear view which revealed the present perfection.
What wonderful examples for us to follow.
This is a beautiful prayer since it was Jesus’ correct view of man that healed the sick! We must all desire this view so that we can see ourselves correctly and see others in the same true light. As one author put it: Father you were there, what did you see?
This is a wonderful question to ask ourselves when animal magnetism presents its false pictures; we can always expect that what God reveals to us is the opposite harmonious view contrary to the lies of mortal mind!
So I can know that God’s laws, the laws of health, holiness, harmony, right activity, right accomplishment, justice all things good and Love govern me. How wonderful is that? This is why Christian Science understood should make us extremely grateful and joyful as we journey for even greater conviction of the Truth.
Thanks for this post! It shows Spirit’s supremacy. Spirit is my substance.
JOB 33 : 4 “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” This from the lesson clearly states I am made from Spirit and Spirit is what gives me life. I must therefore learn to accept this, think this, know this and understand that I am spiritual! My spiritual substance is incapable of destruction, disease and death; that which makes “being” is health, holiness and immortality.
The conclusion to all this to me is :”Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” This me is Spirit.
Beautiful! wonderful example of the selflessness/love which Christ taught! Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you for these posts; and indeed how awesome is that? Where SH states p. 487 : 27-1 The understanding that Life is God, Spirit, lengthens our days by strengthening our trust in the deathless reality of Life, its almightiness and immortality..
How often am I reminding myself of that, so that I can be firm in my conviction that sin, dis-ease and death are not a part of that eternal Life. We can all KNOW this if we persist in it and stand ready to shut out the mortal senses and their false capacities; they do NOT tell us anything real!
This from the Lesson seals what needs to be done: SH p 276 If God is admitted to be the only Mind and Life, there ceases to be any opportunity for sin and death. When we learn in Science how to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect, thought is turned into new and healthy channels, — towards the contemplation of things immortal and away from materiality to the Principle of the universe, including harmonious man.
I am immensely grateful to learn that!!
Thank you for posting this. The concept of God’s infinitude is most helpful in understanding ONENESS and also appreciating more deeply the first commandment. It has helped me obey the Truth that there is NOTHING else. All His creation is included in Him!
And it is wonderful that as we live His Truth, as best we can, we gain more spiritual understanding, which makes God KNOWN to us, as we feel His presence and power. What felt intangible gradually becomes a tangible Father-Mother, one we can talk and listen to. One we can make our all,find our true selves in and LOVE.
Paul did teach as Jesus did that 1 Cor 15:50 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; we cannot understand God through material knowledge!
Beautiful!
Thank you! It is impossible that a loving Father-Mother would give such a saving Truth to only those who can read the letter of it and use their human intellect with it. That is why the Spirit of the word is even more important; and this is proven when its simple Truths given to a humble heart who treasures and loves them, is blessed repeatedly with healing and comfort.
SH 144 It is a question to-day, whether the ancient inspired healers understood the Science of Christian healing, or whether they caught its sweet tones, as the natural musician catches the tones of harmony, without being able to explain them. So divinely imbued were they with the spirit of Science, that the lack of the letter could not hinder their work; and that letter, without the spirit, would have made void their practice. (Emphasis added) This is more encouragement to gain the spirit of the word.
When we can study the letter and imbibe the spirit, we have the solemn responsibility to spread this Holy Gospel as far as God directs. Humbly we are taking that responsibility to heart. The Spirit of Truth is working in every sincere heart; a beautiful example is the Shunammite woman who refused what called itself death and persevered till Elisha raised her son. A natural Christian Scientist is that example!
From Webster 1828: CREED, noun [This word seems to have been introduced by the use of the Latin credo, I believe, at the beginning of the Apostles creed or brief system of Christian faith. See creed ]
1. A brief summary of the articles of Christian faith; a symbol; as the Apostolic creed
2. That which is believed; any system of principles which are believed or professed; as a political creed.
No wonder the spiritual essence and its practical application to daily life is missed when Christianity is not understood and practiced as Christ Jesus lived it and Mary Baker Eddy further explained how it is a way of life. Thanks for all the examples that show us how NOT to just profess but live this reality.
Thanks for these references as they affirm that all our studying, striving to understand should lead us ultimately to KNOW this Truth: God’s Allness and therefore the nothingness of all else; as in the first commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” Exodus 20.
And yes He is the only one running the real show. Sometime, as promised, the Christ rule of all nations will be revealed!
This consistent care should encourage us that as reflections of God we possess the ability to be consistent! Being aware of that spiritual fact shuts up the evil whispering that it is so difficult to be consistent!
The qualities of “a culture that values God, unity, and service,” listed above are that which express God and must be represented as any society’s primary culture. Many times the excuse of following “my culture” is used to indulge in materialism. Many of these are gross materialism leading to the worship of idols, personal sense in relationships, unbalanced attention to things other than God; none of which “elevates the race.” God’s culture, one that has divine laws of harmony, health, abundance, compassion, love governing man cannot but elevate the race!
For the most part “the culture excuse” contribute to man’s enslavement. SH 373 The fear of disease and the love of sin are the sources of man’s enslavement.” We can ask ourselves how many of these “cultures” help move us away from fear of disease and love of sin?
The good fight is so that we are not blinded anymore from what is the Truth…our perfection in God. All the striving is so that we can attain a fuller view of our glorious heritage. Hence the admonition to stick to the Truth of being even if it is only a glimpse of what is true about us! We cannot allow the false concepts and senses to dominate.
I have been thinking about the ministry of reconciliation and what it means.In simple terms what comes to thought is to do this work with the tenderness, love and compassion with which He draws all to Himself. To be diligent in being an example to help others find the true understanding of God and thus find what is true about themselves,to love God and be willing to live His laws. God loves all His children and is ever ready for us if we turn with our hearts to Him.
It is interesting that in most of these cultures it is the women who are holding the households together in more ways than one!
Thank you! This is a profound truth we must be awake to.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”—Matthew 11:28-30. From Our master whose mission on earth none can compare and whose example is above all.( Emphasis added).
To be meek is this quality of heart and mind that made Him the greatest man because there was nothing of himself but all of what God wanted Him to be and do. He fit the “mold” for God’s purpose through Him.
This is what Moses also did after he gained total confidence in God’s power and assurance to be with him. In total obedience to God and yielding of self for God’s purpose he reflected God’s power and was able to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt.
This quality has little to do with whether one can speak or not, nor does it have anything to do with any form of physical “defect.” It is the state of thought or heart that is empty enough (humble) of self, for God to shine through. There is no self-depreciation here, but rather the buoyancy of inner confidence, love and moral courage all from our Father –Mother God!
I was alone in a strange city, in a boarding-house, with nothing but the entrance on a most difficult position; yet I knew that the fault was all my own, — that my Father-Mother God had not taken anything from me, — that it was now my time to drink “the cup of sorrowful effort” (Science and Health, p. 26).
Thanks for this article,it will be good for one of our periodicals. The fault is always ours! This honest admittance that it is my thinking and view of existence that needed changing was not clear and was very difficult at times. But understanding through Christian Science, that we live what we hold in our consciousness has helped me work more effectively. Only I can change my thinking with God’s help; that is why the admonition says:Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
“Thou (God) wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16)
Thank you; this is a beautiful thought to start the day with and remind ourselves throughout the day when wrong thoughts attempt to steal our joy!! Thanks for the post!!
It is wonderful that so much goes on at this Church to help us gain the needed understanding of Science in order to live it….
What we learn disciplines our thinking which in turn changes our view so that we may realize the present “dawn” perhaps faster than we would otherwise!
Thanks for this post! When I learned that it is sinful to fear, and understood why, that did something for me. To be sinful was not okay, but somehow to be fearful was something I tolerated for so long. That understanding contributed to my effort to claim the Truth of God’s love more and to stay with it until fear went away to its nothingness.
Yes, we can change our false senses as we go though our trials, our “so -called ” delayed healings and find ourselves whole! All errors are from the distorted views of human mind. All good is here now for us all. Great lesson affirming the authority of ” And God saw everything that He had made, and it was very good!” Genesis
Thanks for this post! For a long time I did not understand that in Science I must embrace the only man (spiritual man) as my true identity since from that standpoint could I work to realize what that true selfhood is. Without that understanding, I used to struggle with material identification trying to be what my spiritual nature includes; like spiritual man being immune from sickness.
313 …he and the Father were inseparable as God and His reflection or spiritual man.
This is the Perfect God, perfect man which is “the basis of thought and demonstration.” Is that the man I am knowing I am in Truth? I cannot stop striving for the REALIZATION of this right identification; since material man will never be the perfection inseparable from God, Spirit.
Beautifully said! Thank you.
Thanks for this post. I once heard the question asked if Christian Scientists believed in the Holy Ghost. Mrs. Eddy’s definition of the Holy Ghost from the Glossary chapter in Science and Health answers that question.
Holy Ghost: Divine Science, the development of eternal Life, Truth and Love. This shows that Divine Science has always blessed and continues to do so now. It must be the awareness, acceptance or acknowledgement of this Holy power and presence that makes it seem more prevalent in Acts? We must also be aware and acknowledge this power and presence in order to feel it more.
This is Christly love which is tough and tender. It is safety. It is the best place to be, dwelling in the love of God, dwelling together in unity.
There is no who is the greatest; it is that selfless, humble accomplishing of GOOD which is so beautiful and so rare…..
Thanks for all these posts!
Thanks for this post!
When at first we cannot take in this precious identity, we must at least be willing to accept and obey what has been given, until we understand and take it into our hearts. Past history does argue and dissuade but our obedience to God is required for our own sake.
Through strong, consistent and persistent correct identifying we then take possession of the dominion that is ours and with it we begin to see the aggressive lies’ for what they are. We gain greater conviction of what is true about us and that reveals the nothingness and powerlessness of evil of every sort; physical, financial or mental. The constant reminders here about who we are is invaluable, since without it what would we be defending when error rears its ugly head? It is a wonderful motivation to know that doing our part is blessing the whole of humanity.
It has been good for me to remember that GOOD has to be present first for the lie to be told about it.
Hence no matter what evil’s boasting appears to be, the world over, it is heartening to know that
The good that is truly supreme is of God, which is ever present, is all powerful.
Thanks for the post!
“with an equanimity so settled…….”
EQUANIM’ITY, noun [Latin oequanimitas; oequus and animus, an equal mind.] Evenness of mind; that calm temper or firmness of mind which is not easily elated or depressed, which sustains prosperity without excessive joy, and adversity without violent agitation of the passions or depression of spirits!
This word fits in so well with what was discussed on our last Roundtable about the importance of remaining calm so that we do not loose our Science.
What comes to mind as false landmarks would be, pride of possession, pride of achievement, pride of position, reliance on people, ingratitude,
“a closed heart,” due to the fear of being hurt, all false concepts that lead us away from our walk with God and the falsity that we can do anything without God.
From Science and Health pg 3:22-24: Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.
pg 3:27-32 If we are ungrateful for Life, Truth, and Love, and yet return thanks to God for all blessings, we are insincere and incur the sharp censure our Master pronounces on hypocrites. In such a case, the only acceptable prayer is to put the finger on the lips and remember our blessings. While the heart is far from divine Truth and Love, we cannot conceal the ingratitude of barren lives.
These citations are powerful instructions about gratitude. In all our striving we can work to remain consistent in reflecting Life, that is, to be more lively, vivacious, joyful, active; to be the expression of Truth, that is to be honest, faithful, reject falsehoods, and to be Love manifested, that is to be compassionate, be quick in separating false claims of all sorts from God’s children, His creation, express kindness, be selfless, slow to anger etc. in order to feel more of our God given completeness and satisfaction.
Beautiful Jeremy, thanks!
Yes, God’s love does flow freely to all mankind without any “material requirements.” The requirements are spiritual; since as we understand God more and do His will the more we realize the good He already has in store for all His children. As we are learning, only false education, opinions, so -called human laws would make anyone think otherwise.
Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Our loving Father gives freely of all our needs.
From Webster’s 1828 dictionary to cultivate: to till, to improve by study or labor, to refine and improve by correction of faults.
The “cultivating” is the eternal striving for deeper understanding and knowing of God’s nature and our true being, which teaches our freedom from all ills. No one has finished this eternal work! But the continual persistence, joyous or painful finding out, knowing and loving what is true leads us on!
Yes, the simple words that goes to the heart and turn our gaze! Thanks for the post. ( Parts can be used in other periodicals, thanks)
From this Lesson on Life:
James 1:25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
SH 248 Do you not hear from all mankind of the imperfect model? The world is holding it before your gaze continually. The result is that you are liable to follow those lower patterns, limit your life-work, and adopt into your experience the angular outline and deformity of matter models.
These citations go with the constant reminders we get here to check where we are looking or ask Consciousness where art thou? A great deal in the world today can turn us looking the wrong way and thinking wrongly. I love as part of daily protection what Bicknell Young writes about day: This is God’s day. The present moment and every moment of this day is one of CONSCIOUS CONTACT with infinite good. 1937 College, p.20 (Emphasis added). We are all benefited if we each stay the course of “looking rightly!”
Thank you for this post! Adhering to these practical instructions can assure “self-government” at its best; the fruits of which would be peace, health, love, all that belong to God and we have by reflection.
Thank you!Great Lesson, wonderful reminders!
Nothing comforts more and calms more than the constant awareness of GOD WITH ME and GOD LOVES ME (and all)!!
Resisting all false beliefs that come is a mighty purpose for all of us with the wonderful effect of making holier our world’s thought!
Where ever we are, and whatever our tasks, this, resisting false beliefs, must be included. Thank God again and again for Christian Science.
We cannot allow mortal mind to deceive us into thinking we truly understand some of these important words; since a reminder of the spiritual meaning of some words such as purity can motivate a revisit to Psalms like:
Psalm 51:
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 19:
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Thank God we can discover these faults as NOT a part of our being or anyone else’s and be free from them!
Christian Science is here, are we doing our part to feel the love and freedom its message awaits to give?
That unseen force, moral law or power is the supreme spiritual force that keeps all under God’s infinite perfect control!I like to think that this force or power is ever operating and has all being, all of creation under the laws of perfection, completeness, harmony and love.
Rev. 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Every time I read that second part of that verse, a very deep loving feeling fills my heart; I am so grateful for the Bible’s inspired words that makes God so real and bring the loving sense of God so close.
Thank you, so beautifully and practically stated. We really do not have to suffer once we catch a glimpse of this Truth and follow how to apply it as explained frequently in this Church.
We can give up the panic state of thought and turn to God always, trust and have faith enough to expect an answer to every problem. Yes, thank God for Christian Science.
Thanks for the watching point this week; it clearly refers to error’s powerlessness despite its bullying appearances.
This is why we must “Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.” II Chronicles 19 : 11
The Matthew Henry commentary on this verse:
They must act with resolution. “Deal courageously, and fear not the face of man; be bold and daring in the discharge of your duty, and, whoever is against you, God will protect you: The Lord shall be with the good.’ Wherever he finds a good man, a good magistrate, he will be found a good God.
It helps to remember that in challenging the claims that come we must know that the Truth we are declaring is the Christ with us, which has all the power! I remember how helpless and hopeless I used to feel years ago when confronted with error because I did not have that deeper conviction of never being separated from God. The sense of God with us gives courage.
The joy of the Lord is my strength… Nehemiah. This was a calendar post last week as well. It had me thinking that, the false sense of fatigue can be overcome with such a simple statement taken into the heart. If I am joyful first it means I know all good has already been done; it really also affirms my trust in God’s Allness; His Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience and Omni-Action.
And so those qualities have No place anywhere else; in our homes, all levels of government, businesses, schools and certainly Churches. If Christ Jesus himself was that humble,it is enough for us all to follow His example. He is our Exemplar, The Wayshower right?
Step by step we are all still learning.. Patiently and in humble obedience to Truth!
“ Isn’t it an insult to God to think He has anything to do with “this?”
Yes it is the “wrong” understanding of God that perpetuates that He, a good God, can send disease, bad weather etc. to punish His own children. This can lead one to think that a great deal of Christian life is in profession only but not in practice. What even we would not do to our children, we have the audacity to think God is capable of doing. Interesting how many times we hear, “God is good all the time.”
Does the “all the time” mean anything or it just sounds good?
Only God, as understood through Christian Science is logical and makes sense; This is why Mrs. Eddy says in SH 390:7-9 “It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony.” The leaven of Truth is leavening, so we can trust Truth’s work!
I love the fact that each day we each have opportunities to prove our progress through how we handle the false claims that come up. As we get better at mastering error we discern more of the present Christ in us. A continuous process well worth engaging in. SH 21:12-14 If honest, he will be in earnest from the start, and gain a little each day in the right direction, till at last he finishes his course with joy!
By pleasing God and doing right we gain a little more understanding each day. That patient and consistent attaining of the Truth would lead to the full appreciation of what we are to understand.
Beautifully stated Jacob!
How so beautiful all of this!! The synonym Principle often listed in the middle of the rest reassures of what we’ve been given. Principle with its attributes of firmness, stability, surety, certainty, reliability and permanence means unchanging foundation. Thank God!
It is in this Church that I learned how practical Christian Science is, and that it is to be applied to all areas of our lives.
On page 427 of SH Mrs Eddy states that “Nothing can interfere with the harmony of Being.” This statement should tell me that anything disturbing must be a signal for me to use the Truth, “the might of Mind” to see its powerlessness.I must know that I am under the control and influence of God, His laws govern me and I cannot allow any other suggestions to take that place.
Yes, it is impossible to lose what God has given or what He wants us to have. Not losing Abigail is such a beautiful proof of this.
God protected the families of all his men as well. When we work wholeheartedly for God, and put all else in His care, He does protect us in more ways than we could ever imagine..
I am not the Lesson writer but I have found that many times parts of an unchanging Truth has been so inspiring and fitting even for a different context.
I feel the inspiration of the Truth, being only a part or not has not failed to be an answer to a prayer. For that I see it as Truth doing its work, comforting by removing a lie.
“Wednesday’s can be very tough that way.”
At first I was not clear on why I felt bad on certain days of particular importance for Church activities. Realizing this to be seeming opposition to Wednesday/Sunday activities makes me more vigilant, first to deny any control or influence affecting any day. God is supreme and His law of Love alone surrounds and governs all. There are NO evil Wednesdays/Sundays, as mortal mind would have me believe and I am not fooled by it and will no longer be controlled by it,No More. I will send out Love, the most potent weapon. I feel that recognizing fear as powerless has been the most helpful for me ; since it rendered all those negative thoughts powerless and thus NOTHINGNESS! Yes, “Why criest thou for thine affliction?” When I know now that THOU ART HERE!
I love to think that He shows forth these attributes as Psalm 146 states:
He executeth judgment for the oppressed:
He giveth food to the hungry.
The Lord looseth the prisoners
The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind:
The LORD raiseth them that are bowed down:
The LORD loveth the righteous
The LORD preserveth the strangers;
He relieveth the fatherless and widow:
He turneth the way of the wicked upside down.
The LORD shall reign for ever….. therefore HE, MUST I seek first!!
As I seek I should not ask “HOW LONG” but work steadfastly to gain more trust in our everlasting King!
How superior our Divine Rights are! They need to be taught so all can remain aware of our true birthright, our true heritage which is completely devoid of sin, sickness and death! Then no one can accept the falsity of being second class, the false sense of lack or feel so dominated by the false senses of sin, sickness and death; all errors that need challenging and destroying at all times!
I cherish Mrs. Eddy’s desire that someday this Science will have its rightful place in the schools! She writes in No and Yes p11:15-18 If the Bible and Science and Health had the place in schools of learning that physiology occupies, they would revolutionize and reform the world, through the power of Christ.
Thank you. And yes great Lesson with much for our own lives. As you’ve mentioned real substance cannot be lost, neither can it can it fade, wane, or dim.. This helps a lot in learning that our true being cannot be tainted even when the material senses scream the opposite.If I keep the thought of my spiritual perfect being, I could more readily see a rash, a cut, wound etc. as having no part in my true being and can demonstrate the unreality of the claim.This is how practical Science is when we gain the understanding. What blessed assurance that our spiritual perfection is indestructible!
Thank you!
This destruction of error is to see its total nothingness; important not to ever give it any reality and then work to destroy it.
God is All, good is All so error is nothing, no power, action, substance, history or channel to work through, a total non existent lie!
It is only a changeable belief which Truth’s light exposes as Nothing and obliterates!
When we find the Truth do we tell ourselves we will go all the way as Ruth did?
What an important reminder , thank you!
I love Bicknell Young’s ” The law of harmony and love is the law to everything that I shall think, say, or do that shall occur within
the radius of my thought or experience, this day or any day forever.” From 1937 College pg.21. It’s a great starting point each day.
To answer the post’s question: can we overcome evil? is No we cannot BUT THE TRUTH can! Hence the emphasis on our understanding the TRUTH of Spiritual REALITY and the falsity or UNREALITY of matter. To Mind Nothing is incurable nor is sin unforgivable because when Truth is understood as stated above these are uncovered as UNREAL anyway!
This from the Lesson is helpful:
SH 450 The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good. Sickness to him is no less a temptation than is sin, and he heals them both by understanding God’s power over them. The Christian Scientist knows that they are errors of belief, which Truth can and will destroy.
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12) This verse caught my attention too; especially in relation to this week’s news! Science and Health has the answers; hence the importance of our efforts to understand and live what has been given to the whole of mankind.
SH 587 GOD. The great I AM; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise , all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence.
Yes, only what pleases God must come first, that is why we also make a law that He (All-wise) governs what we think and say… thus the right words at the right time can come out for the needed effect. I love to use this: “the law of harmony and love is the law to everything I’ll think and say or do that shall occur within the radius of my thought or experience this day or any day forever.” Bicknell Young 1937 College p. 21
And also from the Bible, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps. 19
I find that subjecting myself thus, prevents the use of “mistaken” words at wrong times and avoids tainting what is going on or adding to the many misconceptions about Christian Science. I must remember that the impersonal nature of error, especially when being rebuked, is largely misunderstood. I must see what animal magnetism tries to do and not allow it! Try to always get “self” out of the way. The All-wise is NEVER mistaken.
Love the phrase: Father Mind, as in Father Mind is not the father of matter SH 257. In a nutshell it implies we are NOT material, a very important point as a basis/beginning of our work and one to remember constantly.
We must accept our spirituality, cherish it be grateful for it so that we can work/live according to it to gain the freedom we desire to see. These citations affirm this necessary step:
SH 264 Spirit and its formations are the only realities of being. Matter disappears under the microscope of Spirit.
SH 516 …and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.
When healing appears delayed we can ask: Am I consistently knowing Spirit is my origin?
It is essential to be aware that it is faith that progresses into understanding; thus as we seek God we cannot keep our “double-mindedness.”
At some point we have to decide what we feel is the way and become single minded in our pursuit to understand God. Trusting both material things and the spiritual doesn’t do it.That is why Jesus must have said on occasions after healing: “Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole.”
Beautiful Carol; running errands the thought kept coming to acknowledge the Christ in myself and see it everywhere I go!
This I feel does protect my “demonstrating thought.”
Just as no one can tell me 2+2 =5 because I know/understand that 2+2=4, no one can convince me that I am not a child of God(free), because I understand the Truth better now. Error tries to convince us wrongly, hence our striving to throw off its lies. This is why I feel that God’s Truth revealed through Mrs. Eddy, as the message Science and Health teaches, when correctly understood, has to be the best liberating message to mankind. This must be why she only used the inspired sections of the Bible; since certain parts of the Bible, literally understood or misunderstood, could suggest that certain people are not as close to God. SH tells us God is everywhere, the Christ is inherent in everyone; one creator, one creation! What has been done to this TRUTH through false education is the big challenge.Freedom is our birthright!!
Virtuous :1. Morally good; acting in conformity to the moral law; practicing the moral duties, and abstaining from vice; as a virtuous man.
2. Being in conformity to the moral or divine law; as a virtuous action; a virtuous life.
Certainly a quality inherent in the real “man” hence demonstrable by both men and women. Good to ponder what is naturally us to help put off the errors about man.
“Embracing our true nature (Abigail) of wisdom, humility, generosity, honesty, and love for God…..” I love the thought that our true nature NEVER changes because it is God’s nature. We are the manifestation of this nature preserved by Him.
As a reminder the definition of Preserve: To save from decay; to keep in a sound state; as, to preserve fruit in winter. Salt is used to preserve meat. …to keep in order to prevent decay of original qualities.
I should remember this and when the lies of mortal mind says I am imperfect in any way (physically or otherwise) resist the lies from that basis. Nothing discordant ever happened to God’s nature nor to my true being.
How true!!
This singleness of eye to me means to have the single desire to know myself as God knows me, to desire NOTHING but what He wants and has planned for my life and to work to listen to hear His voice and obey as He directs. Our rewards come from standing “unflinchingly” with what we know is true. An example is knowing and therefore declaring that God loves me, I am forever His child, cared for, loved and protected by His ever-present Love.
Thanks for this post. God’s Allness means our completeness. If we know this and strive to understand how we are complete as God’s likeness, we can then understand that any pull for something outside to make us complete or to satisfy or give real pleasure, is the snare of evil FOOLING us with empty false suggestions. Only when we find and identify with our true being, do we find lasting contentment, since in God there is nothing lacking. We can make the effort to refuse to be fooled any longer.
Whenever we are focused on “self” we must know we are losing something. On page 365 of SH Mrs. Eddy states: but if the unselfish affections be lacking, and common sense and common humanity are disregarded, what mental quality remains, with which to evoke healing from the outstretched arm of righteousness? Unselfish affections cited as part of the required qualities in healing. (emphasis added).
Thanks for your post!
I like to think that the “future” mentioned is not a distant time, but an ever-present spiritual sense that in here now and can be realized instantly when the mist, layers of false belief is lifted off.
Science and Health 14 : 9-15
To be “with the Lord” is to be in obedience to the law of God, to be absolutely governed by divine Love, — by Spirit, not by matter……..
Become conscious for a single moment that Life and intelligence are purely spiritual, — neither in nor of matter, — and the body will then utter no complaints.
If we are daily maintaining the Truth of our being in consciousness, in humble obedience to what Christian Science teaches, we can realize this earnest of spirit, which is already ours more readily. Thank God it is part of our true heritage.
Yes going the extra mile could mean your own conviction in what is true and in that case your light can shine through their darkness and help someone. To me it is like the patience that awaits the awakening of one in a dream of mortal thinking; while through it all one gains increasing conviction of the Truth and a full realization of error’s NOTHINGNESS!
It is wonderful that we are reminded of this caution in many ways during our Bible studies and Roundtable sessions. Unless we gain the discipline of “catching” all negative thoughts as FALSE SUGGESTIONS there is the tendency for their repetition and rehearsals in our thinking. Pretty soon a picture of sin, disease or the discord is formed which becomes part of our imagination and thinking. That is when the error becomes master in our home (consciousness) and requires much more effort to uproot it. Obedience to these commands saves us all the time.
Thinking this way takes the false sense of responsibility away, establishing the Truth of God’s supremacy that gives us peace!
So right!How can I see myself as this temple which shows forth God’s nature and at the same time entertain as true the lies of sense testimony; be it pain, inflammation, rash etc. The latter just cannot be true. We don’t have such things where God is, sorry error!
420 Instruct the sick that they are not helpless victims, for if they will only accept Truth, they can resist disease and ward it off, as positively as they can the temptation to sin. (Emphasis added)
I love this citation because that helpless (fearful) feeling that comes when error looms up can cause us to think we know nothing and can do nothing. Because Truth is unchanging we all can ALWAYS turn to God (our present MIND) for its might to banish the lies. We must welcome and accept the Truth, allow it to be master in our homes (consciousness), make it the law of our lives and see if those lies of mortal mind do not flee before Truth’s might!
This verse supports the need for humility: Job 22: 29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.
Claiming and staying in the right Mind is huge in our growth. I have found this a great help in keeping thought uplifted and that helps in the recognition of mortal mind’s lies. I am the manifestation of Mind, there is no other real Mind. In the right Mind we can do what this citation says p 419 Meet every adverse circumstance as its master. Observe mind instead of body, lest aught unfit for development enter thought. Think less of material conditions and more of spiritual.
Another quality worth cherishing is patience, “patience in well doing.” It proves one has faith in the healing power of Christ even if results are not evident yet. We wait not doubting but trusting God’s comfort and might forever near to see us through.
I am grateful to learn that without the humility which acknowledges no self apart from God, we cannot be the reflection of the Love which is always compassionate.
If we in obedience and humility accept the Truth that GOD IS ALL, we benefit greatly from God’s constant and loving care.
This brings to mind what Mrs Eddy says about the might of Mind which is ours to acknowledge when faced with claims. Science and Health, p.391:7-16 Instead of blind and calm submission to the incipient or advanced stages of disease, rise in rebellion against them. Banish the belief that you can possibly entertain a single intruding pain which cannot be ruled out by the might of Mind, and in this way you can prevent the development of pain in the body. No law of God hinders this result. It is error to suffer for aught but your own sins. Christ, or Truth, will destroy all other supposed suffering, and real suffering for your own sins will cease in proportion as the sin ceases. The sin referred to is our own trust in material sense testimony, instead of allowing Truth to destroy the false senses). The might of Mind is forever present to move the dense falsehoods that would prey on us if allowed! This clears our view so we can discern what is REAL and what is UNREAL.
It’s wonderful learning about the Christ through Christian Science!The Christ IS here, present everywhere. SH p 583 Christ: the divine manifestation of God, which has come to the flesh to destroy incarnate error. How often do I think of the Christ as my real spiritual being, hence impossible to have all the false claims as real? To think any discords, imperfections, defects, etc are real is to dishonor the Christ(my Christ, everyone’s Christ as having no power to destroy incarnate error). That is unreal, far from the reality of the Christ’s ever-present healing power! To prove this reality each time with our demonstrations is blessing ourselves and blessing the whole of mankind.
I understand now that humility is an imperative quality for all who live this Science, it is to acknowledge our oneness with God. We are not separate nor can we do anything on our own. And we certainly cannot heal without humility. This is where the First Commandment, if obeyed handles the thought of idols. There is NONE BESIDE ME, NOTHING OF ANY KIND. This I find very helpful when material sense testimony tries its assertion of false beliefs. THERE IS ONLY GOD!!
Thank you. I am so grateful for all who contribute their inspiration, that is what makes it work. Missing your contributions on the Forum. Trust you’ll start contributing again. This is calling all to action blessing the world.
This topic caught my attention too. Nothing should be more important in what we are doing here than our love for the one purpose that unites us here. It demands our love and respect for each other and each others’ work as members of the one body (the whole) working for God. Differences in opinions should be guarded not to mar why we are here.
1 Tim 6:20 Keep that which is committed to thy trust. To keep anything and not lose it requires attention and love. How I keep what is in my trust (love for God and man) is to nurture my spiritual growth, through inspiration from study and the use of even the smallest spiritual enlightenment I gain so that I can make it my own. What is going on here (the constant reminders, Bible study, Roundtable, resources etc.)is truly valuable in keeping our lamps trimmed and shinning bright to attract and bless others; and to not lose the “savour” or saltness so that our work will bear fruit.
In our completeness,(already existing wholeness) are both the talents plus the opportunities for us to improve those talents.If we desire to obey God’s laws and trust His supremacy, doing our best to do His will; we can be certain that His laws are always governing us to where we find ourselves in “places” with opportunities to bless and glorify His name with our given talents. Every idea of God (everyone) has been given some talent.
I have also found that article “A MUST READ;” because without that correct identifying with the Christ, what self-hood would we be speaking about as being impossible to have an illness or any claim when we do rebuke error. Only the Christ-self (not the material body) is perfect and remains untouched by all the material laws etc. It’s extremely important to acknowledge this unity and live by it.
As the Lesson says:496 : 15-19
Hold perpetually this thought, — that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being.
To ask God is always the right way, that questioning is really asking God, Mind. It is to have a right motive for doing some of the things that come to us to do. The question should help us obey God’s will for His plans each day. It’s about keeping our motives pure.
Absolutely! Thank you.
Unchanging Mind always has the right answer to be revealed at His time.
I find at times the answer comes when I have learned a lesson, when I
have given up my will, when I have taken my thought off the “problem”
or when I have continued to be grateful and happy.No matter what the
answers always come when we expect them from the All-knowing.
390 : 9-11 Truth will at length compel us all to exchange the pleasures and pains of sense for the joys of Soul.
Truth is certainly compelling us all to find our happiness in Soul. Thanks to Mrs Eddy for her revelation.It is
indeed what will save all mankind.
Yes, when “the things of God” preoccupy thought there is less space for error.
I was thinking about what Mrs. Eddy says about Jesus’ humble conscientious
protests of Truth and wondering how quickly and how consistently I could do
the same at “the gate” when error tries. This citation could be one Truth
of protest to use to shut out evil suggestions:
SH p 215
Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light
and might of intelligence and Life.
I thought about this citation too. At first glance tenderness seemed not to go with “might”
From the 1828 dictionary tenderness is:
3. Kind attention; anxiety for the good of another, or to save him from pain.
4. Scrupulousness; caution; extreme care or concern not to give or to commit offense; as tenderness of conscience.
These definitions makes tenderness and might a perfect fit. Perhaps like Mercy and Judgement.Grateful for the
practice of looking up words for their expanded meanings.
Yes, how comforting to remember His presence. To go with this is always the assurance
that God ALONE is power.These simple spiritual facts really do give strength in those
times when error’s taunting can give a false sense of helplessness,weakness, or
discouragement. The following are helpful to commit to heart:
Luke 9 : 43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.
Ps 62:11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
109 : 32-12 The three great verities of Spirit, omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience,
— Spirit possessing all power, filling all space, constituting all Science.
SH 192 Evil is not power!
Next time all appears to be “down” may we remember the POWER of God which is everywhere!!
This verse sounds so obvious but to think that we can go on suffering at times or feel distressed for periods shows we do not use all that we have been given nor do we trust or obey enough.
If the All-knowing, All-seeing, All-wise and All-loving is our Father, then we can turn to Him for ANY HELP, or even turn to HIM for direction as to what help we may need; and with certainty expect sound direction, no matter where and when.
This blessed assurance is our strength for as the hymn 195 says…..” I lean on thee, in weakness I am strong.”
And to know that this Truth is invincible takes its power to another level; this gives us confidence to rely on something unchangeable. .
And how right to stay right there since “Truth is always the victor!”
Science and Health, p572: 12-17 Love fulfils the law of Christian Science, and nothing short of this divine Principle, understood and demonstrated, can ever furnish the vision of the Apocalypse, open the seven seals of error with Truth, or uncover the myriad illusions of sin, sickness, and death.
Jesus gave the Law of Love which fulfills all the other commandments:
Matt 22:37-39 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Furthermore Mrs Eddy says: Love for God and man is the true 18 incentive in both healing and teaching.p 454
Surely, life in God is the only Life, because He is Life. This from the Lesson spells out what we do to experience it: Deut. 30: 20. That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days.
Love:
Obey:
Cleave:
Do the above and we will gain a clearer realization of our present spiritual perfection ( where we are NOW and have always been).
How about that? At least we had the same answer, One Mind at work!
It is hymn 108, it is very inspirational
I feel it captures what the spiritual essence
of sacrament is.
Thanks for these fresh inspiring insights.