June 24, 2013 - Joy is Contagious!

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #175

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of: #159 "I give the miracles I have received."

#160 "I am at home. Fear is the stranger here."

I'll always remember a man who came in the gallery and told me that he thought Eureka Springs was stuck in a time warp. He seemed to think this was a detrimental thing. And so, I thought about that. Of course, it's not wise to be stuck in the past, so I asked him if that's what he meant. Yes, he said, but even more than that he found the people here to be oblivious to the "outer world". He actually asked if we watched television and had computers here! He said that everyone he had met was happy, and if we knew what was going on in the world we wouldn't be. Wow!! I really liked that he saw us in this way, but, as we know, it's more than that. I know lots of happy people who are aware of what's going on "out there". Perhaps this is what is meant by "being in this world but not of it". This happiness we exhibit is being shared unselfishly with all who wander into our world. We give our acceptance of Life to everyone we meet. With the understanding that God is love and so am I, there is nothing to fear. To live Love is to claim peace and express it in every action and thought. This man caused me to examine what it is which allows us to live this way, and I'm happy with what I see! And I'd be willing to bet he's had a few thoughts along these lines, too! He's probably out there scattering joy just like we're doing here in Eureka. It's contagious!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Beauty, wealth, or fame is incompetent to meet the demands of the affections, and should never weigh against the better claims of intellect, goodness, and virtue. Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.”

Science & Health Page 57:15

June 23, 2013 - Never Alone

photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #174

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of:

#157 "Into His Presence would I enter now."

#158 "Today I learn to give as I receive."

My thoughts are occupied by the palpable sadness expressed to me today by a woman. She is in a loveless relationship with a manipulative person. As she told me a short version of her story, it unfolded that she wouldn't leave because she didn't want to be alone. And she quoted Eudora Welty: "We are the breakers of our own heart." Looking back at my own life and how often I broke my own heart, I'm very aware of where she's coming from. I remember never leaving one man until I had another one waiting. I remember the restlessness and fear of loneliness that would drive me to the bars. By the understanding of our unity, by feeling the Oneness within, I'm no longer afraid of the silence. Whereas it used to be loud and fearful, it's now quiet and peaceful. I know some people think that to have God as your best friend is pretty boring. I don't!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

[This is from the glossary of S&H, where she gives spiritual interpretations to biblical things]

"Japhet (Noah’s son) A type of spiritual peace, flowing from the understanding that God is the divine Principle of all existence, and that man is His idea, the child of His care."

June 22, 2013 - Change

"Marsha During Christmas Home Tour"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #173

Central Theme: “God is but love and therefore so am I.”

Review of:

#155 "I will step back and let Him lead the way."

#156 "I walk with God in perfect holiness."

Oftentimes we realize change is necessary in our lives, but various reasons keep us from moving forward. There may be factors of fear, stubbornness, or hedonistic desires involved in our reluctance. Almost 20 years ago, I was prompted to make some major changes. I brought my children to Eureka Springs and started a new life. We changed everything from our furniture to our way of thinking and daily activities. The cleansing effect of this change brought happiness and peace where drama and turmoil had been before. Recognizing that "God is Love and so am I" allowed me to be led in perfect holiness, for which I am most grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"… we must first turn our gaze in the right direction, and then walk that way. We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives."

Science & Health Page 247:25-29

June 21, 2013 - Step by Step

"Wildfire Sunset"
photo by Arthus Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #172

Central Theme: “God is but love and therefore so am I”

Review of: #153 “In my defenselessness my safety lies.”

#154 “I am among the ministers of God.”

Our studies take us, step by step, into a new/old world. The spiritual consciousness within us is being opened, allowing new perceptions to become a natural shift in our lives. It's easy to slip back into discarded thought, and I've done so recently. I've been defending silly behavior on my part, lashing out if anyone comes close to exposing my foolishness. I must keep in mind that when I judge others, I judge myself. When I defend, I become defenseless. When I live in Love, I am among the ministers of God. One of my favorite statements from A Course in Miracles is, "Choose again!" And so I shall. Namaste'

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Teach your student that he must know himself before he can know others and minister to human needs. Honesty is spiritual power.”

Science & Health Page 453:14-15

June 20, 2013 - I Am Love

Unknown photographer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #171

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of: 

#151 "All things are echoes of the Voice for God."

#152 "The power of decision is my own."

We often wonder how to demonstrate in daily life the ideas we're learning about. To feel the love that I share with God, the Love that is our essence, it helps to feel the warmth of a puppy, to see a fawn with its mother, or to hold a newborn baby. From that point, it's an easy leap to open my heart to omniscient Love. Today let's concentrate on the Love which is God and all the ways in which we reflect that. Specifically, knowing that all things are the echoes of the Voice for God is a wonderfully comforting knowledge to relax into. It helps me to see God everywhere. In doing that, the decisions to be made are already made. Listening to these echoes leads us in paths of peace and right choice. There can be nothing else when surrendering my personal will, my so-called ego, to the perfection of divine Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Individuals are consistent who, watching and praying, can 'run, and not be weary; . . . walk, and not faint,' who gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement. Imperfect mortals grasp the ultimate of spiritual perfection slowly; but to begin aright and to continue the strife of demonstrating the great problem of being, is doing much.”

Science & Health Page 254:1-15

June 19, 2013 - Kindness is Our True Nature

"Three Generations of Love"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #170

“There is no cruelty in God and none in me.”

It often seems difficult to accept that cruelty is not a part of so-called human nature. We have heard for so long that certain behaviors are built-in and nothing can be done about it. There is a new traffic cop in Eureka Springs who seems to be mean-spirited and rude. I have been trying to see past his actions to his true Being, but without much success. Recently I saw him crossing the street, heading toward a woman, and immediately I thought to myself, What's he going to do to her? He walked up to her and gently reached out and petted a little dog she had in her arms. The expression on his face was that of pure love and kindness. Yippee!! There it was! A symbol of his real Self, expressed in a sweet act. As we learn that we are actually spiritual, we are able to see through the facade built by fear into the face of Love. If it's true that what we put our attention on grows, that's where I want to be!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.”

Science & Health Page 497:24-28

June 18, 2013 - Preparing the Ground

"Thorncrown Chapel in
Eureka Springs, Arkansas"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #169

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

A goal of these teachings we study is to clear our minds of learned beliefs and behaviors, preparing a clean page for grace to be written. We are told that the reception of grace is past learning, yet it is the goal of learning. It is explained that grace is inevitable for the prepared mind. And so we plow and turn, sow seeds and pull weeds, allow lots of light to enter, water lovingly, and expect high yields from our planting. Yesterday evening, I attended a musical performance in a splendid setting. A fellow attendee said of our experience that she felt cleansed and nurtured. These types of activities are integral to preparation for reception of grace. They enable me to say, "God is, and then cease to speak, for in that knowledge words are meaningless."

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "We should strive to reach the Horeb height where God is revealed; and the cornerstone 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." 

Science & Health Page 241:24-30