November 5, 2011

ACIM Lesson #309
“I will not fear to look within today.”

[Marsha’s thoughts]

Loving Friends

The concept of fearing to look within seems foreign to me. Although I know there must be lots of reasons that we fear this inner Self, I really don't know why this is. Now that I've said this, something will probably come up tomorrow to bite me in the behind and show me what I'm missing! And I welcome that. The most profound growth noted in this past year or so has come about because of beloved friends leading or pushing me in a new direction, or perhaps rubbing my nose in some mess I've left behind, or flat out telling me to get a grip!! I relish these prompts to look within and past whatever erroneous beliefs or habits have been guiding my actions! Every moment of this weeding out of distracting and unnecessary emotions is leaving more room for flowers and sweet herbs to grow. What a delight to find these inside, rather than hideous imaginings! Knowing that the only Truth to be found is in this inner space, gladly I look there today.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“When speaking of God's children, not the children of men, Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you;" that is, Truth and Love reign in the real man, showing that man in God's image is unfallen and eternal. Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick. Thus Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is intact, universal, and that man is pure and holy. Man is not a material habitation for Soul; he is himself spiritual. Soul, being Spirit, is seen in nothing imperfect nor material.”
Science & Health Page 476-28-8

September 2, 2011

ACIM Lesson #245
“Your peace is with me, Father.  I am safe.
 
Your peace surrounds me, Father. Where I go, Your peace goes there with me. It sheds its light on everyone I meet. I bring it to the desolate and lonely and afraid. I give Your peace to those who suffer pain, or grieve for loss, or think they are bereft of hope and happiness. Send them to me, my Father. Let me bring Your peace with me. For I would save Your Son, as is Your Will, that I may come to recognize my Self.”
 
[ACIM Prayer for today]
“And so we go in peace. To all the world we give the message that we have received. And thus we come to hear the Voice for God, Who speaks to us as we relate His Word; Whose Love we recognize because we share the Word that He has given unto us.”
 
[Marsha's thoughts]
Sometimes this peace seems easier to rest in than at other times.  We all have periods in our lives when everything feels fragile and our safety and peace are pushed aside by anxiety and fear and other vampire emotions. But perhaps there's something to be said for "fake it until you make it"! If I extend peace and Love to all I meet, whether I feel it or not, but simply go through the motions with a sincere desire to feel it and pass it on, at some point the mist of sadness lifts and true Love is being acknowledged within myself. I remember one day I was walking the dogs and met a new neighbor on the street. She immediately started telling me how horrible things were in her life, giving vivid examples, until she had started yelling at me. I wasn't feeling particularly happy at that moment and the temptation was to walk away or perhaps retaliate. But instead I thought: You've got to say something nice to this woman! And so I thought about what I truly admired about her and said, You have beautiful hair! Well, she burst into tears and we hugged and went inside and had tea and a nice, loving conversation. Now that's faking it until you make it!
 
Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.”
Science & Health Page 264:24-27