Studying this week's Bible lesson I found myself zooming through the parable of the Sower and the Seed. But a little voice cautioned me to pause and go back. This had been chosen for a reason and I needed to spend more time with it in the context of the subject. There are references all through the lesson to the Word of God and this parable is directly related to that with its explanation of the seed. I began to look deeply into how the Word of God, or the seed, affects each individual.
This Word is generously sown but we do not always seem to be receiving the blessings it promises. Error or mortal mind would try to confuse us or mislead us by saying the Word falls by the wayside. That our prayers are not heard or not effective, that we are dealing with something that Christian Science cannot heal or that we just aren't up to the level we should be. It would love to have us get discouraged and just it give up. Get tired. Fall by the wayside.
If that doesn't work, it tries to convince us that our prayers or the prayers of the practitioner have landed on rock. Perhaps that we are meeting resisitence, some problem that is just too hard for us. Or that we are too stubborn to give up a false idea about someone or something. Or even more subtle, that in our enthusiasm we feel some progress but when the full healing does not appear, we wilt. Our roots just don't seem to be deeply embedded in real understanding, just on the level of belief. When the sun beats down on seedlings, they cannot take the heat.
Just in case all that doesn't stop us, there is a third way error works. It would suggest that we are safe when we are sitting at home doing our studying, closed away from its temptations. Or that we can keep our thought on spiritual things during church services. But, once we are out 'in the world' we are vulnerable to the 'thorns' that seem to grow up around us, choking and stabbing. This can come in the form of criticism from family or friends as we choose to rely Christian Science . Those cutting remarks hurt! It can come in waves of trouble when things happen one after another and we feel overwhelmed. It is that 'what's the use' mentality. Why not just give in this once and take an easier route.
But the Sower keeps right on sowing the right ideas, nurturing us daily. The Word is accessible and right at hand. It is quick and powerful. Divine Love meets the human need. A clue is given where Jesus says that we must be patient in our efforts. A strong plant grows at the right pace, establishing good roots to give it stability and strength. It reaches upward to the light. It drinks in nourishment and refreshes itself with water. Then it is just natural for it to bring forth fruit.
I am so grateful for the gentle but persistent angel messages. It is easy to think we are so familiar with a passage or Bible story that there is nothing left to learn. But that is not true. We are in a new place than we were last time we worked with those ideas. So we are ready for new inspiration and growth. It is time well spent.
And fruitage will follow.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
This week's Bible lesson on Reality focuses on the Word of God and how we can make that relevant in our life. As I continue to study the idea of 'daily' communing with Him, I noticed that the Responsive Reading includes this thought: "O, how love I Thy law, it is my meditation all the day." All the day, or at least some part of it. I start the mornings with at least an hour of prayer, reading the lesson and other articles. Calls for prayer come later in the morning and during the day. I have conversations with divine Love often. Taking a moment to feel happy about something, to appreciate something I see or hear, to be grateful for a moment of peace or calm, to respond to a need knowing God is right there with me.
In this lesson there is a reference to the child, Samuel. His mother, in gratitude for bearing this boy after years of being barren, had promised to give him to serve the church, and she does that when he is still very young. He has not yet started his religious training when he hears his name spoken in the night. He gets up and goes to the priest, Eli, who sends him back to bed. This happens three times before Eli realizes that it is God who is calling the boy. Samuel would not have known that on his own. (How often has a thought occured to us several times before we realize it is a message from divine Love and heed it?) At that time there were no prophets, no one to speak to the people from the Lord. This boy would be special in so many ways.
I am giving a series of talks about Bible characters to the residents of a nearby assisted living facility. They are of many denominations and our discussions are interesting. I began with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The next session we went on to Joseph. Last time it was Moses. We are noting the journey these people embarked upon, traveling from Ur to the Promised Land. We are also aware of the journey as their concept of God and how He is to be worshipped grew more spiritual. Next time we will learn about Joshua, Deborah and Ruth. Before I get to David, we will spend time with Samuel, this important prophet, and study his life work.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if, like Samuel, we could become more aware of divine Love speaking so clearly to us each morning! If we could respond with childlike trust, communing with Him. Is God as real to you as your best friend? He should be.
with a grateful heart
Candace
In this lesson there is a reference to the child, Samuel. His mother, in gratitude for bearing this boy after years of being barren, had promised to give him to serve the church, and she does that when he is still very young. He has not yet started his religious training when he hears his name spoken in the night. He gets up and goes to the priest, Eli, who sends him back to bed. This happens three times before Eli realizes that it is God who is calling the boy. Samuel would not have known that on his own. (How often has a thought occured to us several times before we realize it is a message from divine Love and heed it?) At that time there were no prophets, no one to speak to the people from the Lord. This boy would be special in so many ways.
I am giving a series of talks about Bible characters to the residents of a nearby assisted living facility. They are of many denominations and our discussions are interesting. I began with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The next session we went on to Joseph. Last time it was Moses. We are noting the journey these people embarked upon, traveling from Ur to the Promised Land. We are also aware of the journey as their concept of God and how He is to be worshipped grew more spiritual. Next time we will learn about Joshua, Deborah and Ruth. Before I get to David, we will spend time with Samuel, this important prophet, and study his life work.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if, like Samuel, we could become more aware of divine Love speaking so clearly to us each morning! If we could respond with childlike trust, communing with Him. Is God as real to you as your best friend? He should be.
with a grateful heart
Candace
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Gratitude and defense
An article I was reading this morning included the thought that as we truly forgive, all memory of the wrong will disappear. So it you think you have forgiven someone or something but the memory of it keeps returning, there is more work to do. The good news is that every attempt we make at forgiveness is seeing the allness of God right where the offense seems to have taken place.
Mrs. Eddy wrote in the church Manual that 'gratitude and love should abide in every heart each day of all the years. Gratitude opens ours eyes to the presence of good. A grateful heart has no place for complaints.
Try knowing that each day is the unfoldment of God's good plan and that you are a part of that divine plan. God's day does not include dull routine, wearing frustrations, ill health, lack. It does include the knowledge that nothing can oppose or restrain the unfolding of His good. No danger is present or lurking. Nothing dangerous exists in His kingdom.
Examine the thoughts they would try to suggest something else is present and has the power to just ruin your day. That is certainly not God speaking. So you don't have to listen, believe it, or argue about it. Just dismiss it because God fills all space, so good fills all space, and there is no place for anything else to be going on.
Be at peace.
Mrs. Eddy wrote in the church Manual that 'gratitude and love should abide in every heart each day of all the years. Gratitude opens ours eyes to the presence of good. A grateful heart has no place for complaints.
Try knowing that each day is the unfoldment of God's good plan and that you are a part of that divine plan. God's day does not include dull routine, wearing frustrations, ill health, lack. It does include the knowledge that nothing can oppose or restrain the unfolding of His good. No danger is present or lurking. Nothing dangerous exists in His kingdom.
Examine the thoughts they would try to suggest something else is present and has the power to just ruin your day. That is certainly not God speaking. So you don't have to listen, believe it, or argue about it. Just dismiss it because God fills all space, so good fills all space, and there is no place for anything else to be going on.
Be at peace.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
recent healings
It might have seemed like I 'put down the chalk' as I haven't blogged in a while. Not at all. But I have gotten a bit busier. Let me share a few recent healings.
After many years of avoiding driving near big trucks, I discovered that fear had completely left. It started with something that happened when I was a toddler and stuck with me all these years. What a wonder to find myself free of it.
A recent unexpected car problem was resolved quickly and it very little expense. The healing was the fear that tried to insist I might have to wait hours for help (they took me immediately), that it would involve costly repairs (it didn't), that the repairmen might not be honest with me (they were), and that it would take hours to fix (I was out of there in 20 minutes). More fearful thinking overcome.
While fixing lunch I was spattered with hot cooking oil on my face and hands. It also filled one eye causing loss of vision. The pain was handled within seconds, the resulting blisters disappeared in a few days. I am continuing to pray about this one to see that there cannot be a scar or even the memory of the incident remaining.
How grateful I am to have Christian Science to turn to at all times and under all circumstances. It will work for you, too!
Be at peace.
After many years of avoiding driving near big trucks, I discovered that fear had completely left. It started with something that happened when I was a toddler and stuck with me all these years. What a wonder to find myself free of it.
A recent unexpected car problem was resolved quickly and it very little expense. The healing was the fear that tried to insist I might have to wait hours for help (they took me immediately), that it would involve costly repairs (it didn't), that the repairmen might not be honest with me (they were), and that it would take hours to fix (I was out of there in 20 minutes). More fearful thinking overcome.
While fixing lunch I was spattered with hot cooking oil on my face and hands. It also filled one eye causing loss of vision. The pain was handled within seconds, the resulting blisters disappeared in a few days. I am continuing to pray about this one to see that there cannot be a scar or even the memory of the incident remaining.
How grateful I am to have Christian Science to turn to at all times and under all circumstances. It will work for you, too!
Be at peace.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Don't put down the chalk!
I was just blown away by an example given in a recent Sentinel article by Betty Jenks. I just have to share it with you. She wrote about a story she heard years before that helped her face a lingering illness. It concerned a college professor on his first day with a new batch of freshmen students in a calculus class. He wrote a fairly advanced problem on the blackboard and wondered if anyone could solve it. One student eagerly raised his hand and went to the blackboard with confidence to show his stuff. He hadn't gone very far before the professor chided him by saying, "No, no, you are way off right from the start." The dejected young man put down the chalk and returned to his seat.
Another student came forward and began exactly the same way. This time the professor raised his voice and sarcastically asked, "Is anyone listening when I speak?" A third student volunteered, went to the blackboard and began the same way. The professor was fed up by now and in utter despair threw his book down on the desk. However, the student now at the blackboard ignored him, continued until she solved the problem, and sat down. The teacher said, "Perfect. Thank you." Well, now the other two complained that the student's solution was exactly what they were going to do!
Here's the punch line. The professor responded, "This will be the most important lesson you will ever learn - it's not enough to know something, you have to know that you know it." He then went on, "Why did you stop simply because I suggested you were wrong? Fear? Doubt? Confusion? Or were you so impressed with me that if I said something, you decided it must be true?"
Don't be influenced to believe in suffering or lack or frustration. Don't put down the chalk! Know the Truth and that Truth will make you free. God is good and He made all. That means all He made is good. God made you. You are His idea. What does that make you? Good and whole and complete and happy and healthy. Know this.
Be at peace.
Another student came forward and began exactly the same way. This time the professor raised his voice and sarcastically asked, "Is anyone listening when I speak?" A third student volunteered, went to the blackboard and began the same way. The professor was fed up by now and in utter despair threw his book down on the desk. However, the student now at the blackboard ignored him, continued until she solved the problem, and sat down. The teacher said, "Perfect. Thank you." Well, now the other two complained that the student's solution was exactly what they were going to do!
Here's the punch line. The professor responded, "This will be the most important lesson you will ever learn - it's not enough to know something, you have to know that you know it." He then went on, "Why did you stop simply because I suggested you were wrong? Fear? Doubt? Confusion? Or were you so impressed with me that if I said something, you decided it must be true?"
Don't be influenced to believe in suffering or lack or frustration. Don't put down the chalk! Know the Truth and that Truth will make you free. God is good and He made all. That means all He made is good. God made you. You are His idea. What does that make you? Good and whole and complete and happy and healthy. Know this.
Be at peace.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Mind - Living water or broken cistern
Jeremiah pointed out to the people of his day their great fault. Actually two things. The text has God wondering just what He has done (or not done) 'what iniquity' they found in Him that caused them to turn to other gods. Iniquity is defined as injustice. What injustice has they found in Him. Have you ever felt that God failed you, or simply did not give you something you had earnestly prayed for? Have you ever felt life was unfair?
Those people were the children of Israel, known throughout the Biblical world as those who believed in one God. That was the first of the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses. So what happened? Jeremiah had been mourning his people's sins. Elijah and Elisha, prophets before him, had spoken only to the Hebrews. Jeremiah is speaking to all of us. He tells his hearers the grossness of their conduct in deserting Jeremiah, and urges repentance - a change of thought.
God's blessing is shown as fresh water supplied by a spring. It is contrasted with the vanity of serving idols, which is as devoid of profit as a cracked resevoir.
How often we are distressed when we stop leaning on the sustaining Infinite and put our faith in material sources, places where we have set aside funds. Without understanding the true source of supply, a continually refreshed living source, we can find our funds draining out, suddenly being needed for an emergency, and no matter how hard we try to build up that reserve, it keeps dwindling. Another thing to consider is that the cistern is made of clay, the dust of the ground. Putting our reliance there, even worshipping it more than God, puts us squarely in the second account of creation, man made from the dust of the ground and cursed to toil for a living.
Take some time to appreciate the infinitely flowing ideas of good. The living water God provides for us. Be careful not to rely on broken cisterns.
Be at peace.
Those people were the children of Israel, known throughout the Biblical world as those who believed in one God. That was the first of the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses. So what happened? Jeremiah had been mourning his people's sins. Elijah and Elisha, prophets before him, had spoken only to the Hebrews. Jeremiah is speaking to all of us. He tells his hearers the grossness of their conduct in deserting Jeremiah, and urges repentance - a change of thought.
God's blessing is shown as fresh water supplied by a spring. It is contrasted with the vanity of serving idols, which is as devoid of profit as a cracked resevoir.
How often we are distressed when we stop leaning on the sustaining Infinite and put our faith in material sources, places where we have set aside funds. Without understanding the true source of supply, a continually refreshed living source, we can find our funds draining out, suddenly being needed for an emergency, and no matter how hard we try to build up that reserve, it keeps dwindling. Another thing to consider is that the cistern is made of clay, the dust of the ground. Putting our reliance there, even worshipping it more than God, puts us squarely in the second account of creation, man made from the dust of the ground and cursed to toil for a living.
Take some time to appreciate the infinitely flowing ideas of good. The living water God provides for us. Be careful not to rely on broken cisterns.
Be at peace.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Working with the synonyms
Two ideas are really helping me today. They are from this week's Bible lesson about God as Mind. The first is part of a verse from Isaiah 45 "I am the Lord and there is none else". I prayed with that substituing the synonyms Mrs. Eddy gives in her defintion of God (S&H 587) and used I AM as God gave His name to Moses.
I AM Principle and there is none else....no other laws but Mind.
I AM Mind and there is none else....no other consciousness or awareness.
I AM Soul and there is none else...no other senses, nothing but joy and peace.
I AM Spirit and there is none else...no other reality or identity, no other substance.
I AM Life and there is none else...nothing but vitality and strength and unlimited ability.
I AM Truth and there is none else...nothing ut honesty and integrity.
I AM Love and there is none else...nothing but pure affection, kindness, caring.
The second idea is similar. It comes from Mrs. Eddy and says in part "...evil can have no place, where all space is filled with God". I substituted whatever it is that needs healing for the word 'evil'. So lack can have no place in our human experience, because that space is already filled by God. I had several nice things happen yesterday that showed me this lovely truth about supply. Disease can have no place. Right where that 'space' seems to be crying out as a cavity or a shadow on a lung, right there and right then that space is already filled by God. Fear can have no place. In a moment of doubt or uncertainty, we can instead experience confidence and trust because at all times and under all circumstances God fills that space for us. Loss can have no place, no matter what form it tries to take. You cannot have problems remembering. God, Mind, is never absent so there is no absent-mindedness. There are no gaps in good.
Love knows you, is conscious of you, in all your perfection and wonderfulness. Trust God a little more each day to meet your daily needs. There is nothing else.
Be at peace.
I AM Principle and there is none else....no other laws but Mind.
I AM Mind and there is none else....no other consciousness or awareness.
I AM Soul and there is none else...no other senses, nothing but joy and peace.
I AM Spirit and there is none else...no other reality or identity, no other substance.
I AM Life and there is none else...nothing but vitality and strength and unlimited ability.
I AM Truth and there is none else...nothing ut honesty and integrity.
I AM Love and there is none else...nothing but pure affection, kindness, caring.
The second idea is similar. It comes from Mrs. Eddy and says in part "...evil can have no place, where all space is filled with God". I substituted whatever it is that needs healing for the word 'evil'. So lack can have no place in our human experience, because that space is already filled by God. I had several nice things happen yesterday that showed me this lovely truth about supply. Disease can have no place. Right where that 'space' seems to be crying out as a cavity or a shadow on a lung, right there and right then that space is already filled by God. Fear can have no place. In a moment of doubt or uncertainty, we can instead experience confidence and trust because at all times and under all circumstances God fills that space for us. Loss can have no place, no matter what form it tries to take. You cannot have problems remembering. God, Mind, is never absent so there is no absent-mindedness. There are no gaps in good.
Love knows you, is conscious of you, in all your perfection and wonderfulness. Trust God a little more each day to meet your daily needs. There is nothing else.
Be at peace.
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