June 29, 2015 - Released by Grace

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #180 Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #169 "By grace I live. By grace I am released." #170 "There is no cruelty in God and none in me."

"By grace I live. By grace I am released." This spiritual truth was recently brought to worldwide attention by the president of the United States, Barack Obama. In giving the eulogy at a memorial service for nine people who were murdered by a lone gunman in a church in South Carolina, he twice repeated the words, Amazing Grace. Then he slowly started to sing the old hymn. The whole room began to sing along. In a lifetime political rhetoric and drama, it was the most moving and heartfelt moment I have ever witnessed from a public figure. It is grace which allows us to embrace those who persistently speak words with which we disagree. It is grace which permits us to look past the actions of those whose lives run counter to the standard we have set for ourselves. It is grace which keeps us looking inward for peace while others shout for revenge. "Twas blind, but now I see."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmRAxJIa0u8

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"As aforetime, the spirit of the Christ, which taketh away the ceremonies and doctrines of men, is not accepted until the hearts of men are made ready for it."

Science & Health Page Page 131:22-25

June 18, 2015 - Receiving Grace

"Thailand"
photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #169

“By grace I live. By grace I am released.”

We are taught today that grace cannot be learned, although it is the goal of learning. We are told that grace is laid at the prepared table. This preparation is what we are doing in these divinely metaphysical studies. It takes an open mind to be willing to wake up from the material existence we have accepted as reality. Most have heard the words, Let go and let God! Why is this simple, but not easy? I think it's because of the constant cacophony from physical senses, bombarding us every moment with how things are supposed to be.  Once again, we look for ways to tune in to Truth, God, and turn off the constant chatter. These studies, the practice of meditation, and other avenues, occasionally allow a clear mind in which to feel the Presence which we crave. Through our desire for rest in Oneness, the blissful quiet which has no purpose other than communion with the One, we live by grace and are released from the seeming reality around us, into our true Being as a reflection of divine Mind.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The fading forms of matter, the mortal body and material earth, are the fleeting concepts of the human mind. They have their day before the permanent facts and their perfection in Spirit appear. The crude creations of mortal thought must finally give place to the glorious forms which we sometimes behold in the camera of divine Mind, when the mental picture is spiritual and eternal. Mortals must look beyond fading, finite forms, if they would gain the true sense of things. Where shall the gaze rest but in the unsearchable realm of Mind? We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from [It] in whom we have our being.”

Science & Health Page 263:32-9