...and there arose a great storm

Those prophetic words could have been written for today. Here in Texas there were dire predictions for dangerous conditions as the result of a cold front that brought with it freezing sleet and icy roads. Schools announced last night that they would be closed today and many businesses have told their employees to stay home and be safe. Looking outside, it is quite pretty with the flakes flying through the air. The heater is on in the house, our kitty is inside and all are safe and warm.

But that was not the case for the disciples one night as they struggled with wild winds and high waves on the Sea of Galilee. The gospel of Mark sets the scene. Jesus had been teaching a great multitude and he told them the parable of the Sower. Jesus himself is the Sower and the seeds are the Word of God. He illustrates how those 'seeds' fall on different types of soil, much as the Word of God falls on different hearts. His disciples must have soaked up every word he spoke but hours later they would be put to the test. Following his day of teaching and healing he told them to send away the multitude and go into a ship, probably one of Peter's fleet, as they were accompanied by a few other ships. A great storm arose with strong winds and high seas. These men were experienced fishermen and this was not their first encounter but this storm frightened them. The ship filled with water and they feared for their lives. Jesus was in the back of the ship, asleep on a pillow. Nothing about that storm seems to have disturbed his rest. But they awakened him saying 'Master, carest thou not that we perish?"
Had they grasped the full import of who he was, God's own beloved son, how could they have thought that God would let that boat sink with him aboard?
Rembrandt painted this scene in 1633. It shows Jesus calming the waves. It is the only seascape he ever painted. It is widely believed, because of the fourteen people in the boat, that Rembrandt painted himself into the boat along with the twelve disciples and Jesus. The crew member looking out towards the viewer of the painting may be a self-portrait.
Jesus arose. He lifted up his thought even as he lifted up his body. He was secure in His father's care and aware of his dominion over all the earth and the sea. He said, "Peace, be still" and there was a great calm.
Perhaps some of the tumult was a reflection of how the disciples were feeling, their shifting thoughts as they spent time with the Master hearing his words and seeing the miracles that he did.
Some 'storms' come upon us as we spend sincere time in prayer working out some challenge in our lives. We have read the many authenticated healings published in Science and Health and in the Christian Science periodicals for over 100 years. And yet, when faced with something that seems like an overwhelming force we cannot control or overcome, we fearfully turn to God for help. What we need to pray about is not the situation which seems so real, but our fear of it, as if something could exist that God could not and would not cause. God will never let you sink!
I recently came across a poem by Edith Mapes. One verse reads: When the thunder's roarin' and the torrents pourin' and sweeping in the tide, when we're rowin', rowin, and our courage goin', O Lord, support us, on the leanin' side."
That reminds me of the first line in Science and Health, "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings."
If a 'great storm' seems to loom over you, choose to lean on God, knowing He is there for you, loving you and keeping you safe by His mighty power and love.

Get a bar of DIAL soap

I was standing in the cosmetic aisle at my supermarket, staring at a wide array of soap products. Many of them were liquid but I wanted to replace my bar. As I ran my eye over the various brands, I saw one that reminded me of something and made me smile.
A few years back, a bought bars of Dial soap, wrapped them in festive paper, and put one in everyone's Christmas stocking, along with a note. "When you use this bar of soap, take a moment to look at what is written on it."
What is written on it are the letters "D" "I" "A" "L".
Divine
Image
And
Likeness
Let this be a reminder of who you are, your true spiritual identity as the true reflection of God, make in His image and likeness, as we read in the Creation story in Genesis One.
Divine. Some of the definitions of the word divine are sacred, supremely good or beautiful, magnificent, extremely pleasant. It should be part of our daily prayers for ourselves to claim those qualities because they belong to God and therefore to us by reflection.
Image and likeness. Something exactly resembling the original. A mental picture of something.
I also like the think about how truth washes away all error, removes anything that is not made by God, cleansing the body. Mrs. Eddy writes "We should strive to reach the Horeb height where God is revealed; and the corner-stone of all spiritual building is purity. The baptism of Spirit, washing the body of all the impurities of flesh, signifies that the pure in heart see God and are approaching spiritual Life and its demonstration." (S&H 241)
So, the next time you are buying a bar of soap, consider Dial, and let it be a friendly reminder of who you are, the divine image and likeness of God.

It seemed carved in stone...

I love the Christmas stories and specials. Every year I delight in reading Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. It never gets old. What a beautiful illustration of reformation and renewal. Near the end of his visit with the Spirits Scrooge finds himself in a grave yard. The brushes away the snow and sees his own name carved in stone. He had profited by the lessons shown him that night, looking back at the choices he had made in his life and he pleads with the Ghost for those words to be erased. Nothing can seem so inevitable as something carved in stone. He has had an altered thought, a new way of seeing himself and his fellow man, and is resolved to live his life with love and generosity.  This will change the outcome. To his new way of thinking, until his name was carved in stone proclaiming his death, it would be possible to live a more spiritual life. It would be possible to right wrongs. There could be friendship and fellowship. He could become a better a man, a better master,. He not only had a reformation...he had a revelation of his true nature.
A few days ago many religions celebrated the Epiphany, the Three Kings visit to the Christ Child to honor him with gifts. A time to put our worship first and recognize the wonder of the Christ. We should seek every day epiphanies. New opportunities to express our true identity as God's beloved child, made in His image and likeness. Ways to practice the Golden Rule of showing love as we would have love shown to us.
God is Life, without beginning or end. Each of us are the reflection of that Life. Our name is written in heaven, not in material stone. When Scrooge realizes he has been given that chance he literally jumps for joy. He revels in his childlike happiness. We can do that too.
There is plenty of time today to uplift thought, to take a fresh look at our family and friends, to appreciate our co-workers, to support our church activities, to show tenderness.

God bless us, every one.

ziggurats and the number seven

There are so many things to appreciate about our Christian Science Sentinel. Along with fresh new articles and testimonies they reprint some things from years past. In this week's issue they reprinted Lessons from a ziggurat by Kathryn Knox from February 2012. There is a reference to a ziggurat in this week's Bible Lesson, the one the people were building in Babel. That story is in Genesis 11:1-9.

A ziggurat is like a seven-story pyramid with each story slightly smaller than the one below it and this one would have been visible from anywhere in the city. I live in a smaller town in the hill country of Texas and if we had a seven-story building it would be easy to spot!

The writer of the article was reminded of the seven synonyms for God Mrs. Eddy uses in her writings. She wondered if she should examine her own thinking to see if she was building a mental 'tower' in her life that was getting her attention instead of God. What a wonderful idea! It got me  thinking about how easy it is to do just that. So today I am going to keep a closer eye on what is getting my attention. We almost don't realize what sneaks up on us, building up a case for seeing ourselves as material people plagued with problems and challenges about our health, wealth, relationships, etc.. Are we devoting one of those 'stories' to anxious or fearful suggestions instead of trusting God for our well being and being well? Is one 'story' a repository for old resentments? Are we accepting a picture of illness? Or aging? Or lack? Before you realize what is happening your personal ziggurat could be even more than seven 'stories'!

The Bible tells us that God has given us dominion over everything. And that everything that He created is good. He fills all space - more like a ziggurat describing those seven synonyms; Principle, Life, Truth, Love, Mind, Soul, Spirit. That is what we should be looking to.

Nothing harmful or frightening can build up on our thinking if we are turning often to our Father Mother God and seeing only His goodness present, seeing our oneness with Him as His image and likeness. That is a structure worth cultivating.

patience must have her perfect work

Do you know the story about the woman who had found a flask-shaped cocoon of an emperor moth? It had a narrow opening near the neck of the flask through which the insect forces its way out. The size of the opening does not seem to be wide enough to allow it to exit easily. This must be done with patience. To the onlooker it would seem a difficult process. One day the woman saw that the moth was now struggling to get out from its long confinement. Hours passed and it seemed unable to overcome its challenge. It could get so far and but no farther and it appeared to be exhausted. As an act of charity she took a scissor and cut just a few threads to help it. Immediately the moth crawled out with a swollen body but shriveled wings. She watched the rest of the day for the wings to strengthen. She longed to see it if flying free. It spent its short life span earth bound.

Have you ever felt you were in just such a confining situation? Or maybe someone you love appeared to be making a valiant effort to work through a problem but could only get so far? Sometimes stepping in with what we think is a perfectly good human solution does not really help them in their spiritual growth toward understanding their present perfection and divine Love's constant tender presence.

The Bible tells us "...let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."  (James 1:4) There was a time when I prayed daily to express more patience. I had three children under the age of 5 and some days seemed to demand that. A dictionary definition helped me than and continues to help me now .... patience is expecting good calmly.

Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health, "Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love." (p.66)  On that same page she says "Trials are proofs of God's care." I uses to struggle with that idea until I saw the beauty of it. It wasn't what seemed to be a trial that was real, it was God's tender loving ever-presence, caring for us at all times and under all circumstances.
Impatience is not trusting that divine care. Not trusting God. Thinking there is something else present to harm us or restrict our progress or hold us back from expressing perfection.

Today I will go about my day rejoicing in my ability to express patience, to face any negative suggestions with courage, confidence and strength. My success is assured and learning these lessons allows me to soar and fly free. Like a beautiful emperor moth.

My spiritual assignment for 2018

Well hello! It has been awhile since I kept up with my blog. I have missed writing up the inspirations and healing that have been a lovely part of my spiritual journey. A new year is a good time to set some goals and aspirations.
Serving as First Reader in our branch church gave me the opportunity to put together readings from the Bible and Science and Health about resolutions and the motives behind them. I once spent a year studying the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. It had been attacked by enemies who tore down the walls and destroyed the temple. Nehemiah wanted to help and was given permission and support from the king he served to do it. Is motive was a good one, an unselfish desire to help that demoralized community. rebuilding the walls was the result of their joint efforts to accomplish this despite the interference of their enemies.
Today I am grateful for Nehemiah's example. Knowing he was doing this to serve God he moved forward with confidence and compassion. He found a way to get everyone working together and he overcame all attempts to divert, intimidate and delay them. Those walls were back up in 52 days, a major achievement. But there was more to be done than just the physical reconstruction. the people needed to hear the word of God and be reminded of His laws. So Ezra was brought in to read aloud those passages of the Bible. It took all day and the people were downcast when they were reminded of their duty to God and each other.
Last year I dedicated time each day to pray with the Daily Duties Mrs. Eddy gave us in her writings. One thing I am going to do this year is set aside time each Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Eddy said that to her sense, "the Sermon on the Mount, read each Sunday without comment and obeyed throughout the week, would be enough for Christian practice." That Sermon is in Matthew's Gospel, chapters 5 - 7. It includes the Beatitudes, much guidance in loving others, the directive to be perfect, the Lord's Prayer, and the Golden Rule. It shows us how to build our 'house' (consciousness) upon a rock, a bedrock of spiritual Truth, Life and Love.
Listen quietly for direction for a spiritual assignment of your own. I'd love to hear what comes to you!

Cast off that false identiy - the Bartimaeus example

Blind Bartimaeus, living on the fringe of society, clothed in the garment that identified him as a beggar, realized this was not just another day sitting by the highway. A huge crowd was passing by and in its midst was Jesus. Even though he could not see Baritmaeus knew that this was the promised Messiah, the son of David, who had come to heal and save.

Bartimaeus raised his voice, shouted to be heard about the tumult. And his cry was heard. Always aware of the receptivity of those around him Jesus paused. When the cry was repeated he commanded that the man should be called to him. Those who had shushed him now changed their tune and said, "Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee."

Now Baritaeus arose, lifted himself from the dirt and cast away his beggar's garment. He was not going to identify himself with that belief but stand up and go to the Master just as himself.

Imagine the joy he must have been feeling. No self pity, only humble expectation. Although it had not been done before Jesus' ministry, others were being healed of blindness. So when Jesus asks him what he wants him to do for him, he asks to receive his sight.

His faith is rewarded and immediately he could see.

When we turn to the Christ for healing, do we drop away any sense of imperfection, any suggestion of lack, any troubling discord in our life? Do we leave it behind with a joyful heart, fully knowing that nothing is impossible to God and this challenge, this false suggestion about our experience has no part in our oneness with God, good?

Once we are aware of just how close we are to the Christ,  once we understand that healing is right at hand, we need to rise up, as Bartimaeus did and run joyfully and expectantly to meet him.

What a wonderful and practical experience is provided in this short passage in the Gospel. It should be studied and put into use without delay. Don't stay by the wayside asking others to provide for you. See that God is right here, right now, ready to supply all human needs.

Receive your healing.