Love Rules the Universe

The interconnectivity of everything is showing itself everywhere, don’t you think? I take it as a sign of hope in this age of madness, watching consistently higher thought and its many manifestations, knowing the numbers of those speaking out for truth are, even now, increasing. This effect is a product of all the joyous energy we can individually muster! Our passionate expressions are conduits for this Love, shouting it out with our every action, every day, never being less than that. I’ve always been fascinated by the power of collective thought, and am watching in excitement as goodness and beauty manifest in sudden bursts. The more we love passionately, in truth, the more it spreads. I think that’s how Love conquers all, don’t you?

"The government of divine Love is supreme. Love rules the universe, and its edict hath gone forth: 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me,' and 'Love thy neighbor as thyself.' Let us have the molecule of faith, that removes mountains, -- faith armed with the understanding of Love, as in divine Science, where right reigneth. The revered President and Congress of our favored land are in God's hands." Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellany Page 278

The Giver

photo credit: Aaron Springston
On the John Muir Trail

Imagine a world with no pain, no war, no lack. This is the world presented in a thought-provoking movie called, "The Giver". The scenario seems Utopian on the surface, but no one sees colors, or feels love, or knows joy. This world of sameness is calculated to eliminate envy and greed, as these are feelings which lead to conflicts and war.  Jeff Bridges plays the giver of memories, and no one else knows the memories of past horrors or wonders. What do you think? Would it be worth it to have a perfectly comfortable and predictable world with no highs nor lows? Is this what we're trying to create for ourselves in giving drugs to anyone who steps outside of the so-called norm in society? What are we creating in our efforts to make everyone socially acceptable? I feel like I'm asking you questions in an Oprah book club or something similar! This movie asks us: Is all the pain worth the glimpses of love we may experience? I know many of us are willing to give up our belief in a hellish world of pain and reach within for heaven and harmony. I can see that many of us are finding bliss no matter what the outer circumstance, but a lot of people are frightened and resistant. We can't change anyone else, but we can change our own thought. If we really are One, this makes a difference!

“Life is reflected in existence, Truth in truthfulness, God in goodness, which impart their own peace and permanence. Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 516:9-13

Fess Up and Go On

When did “sticking to your guns” and a single-minded refusal to consider any other viewpoint, or fact — when did these personality traits become admirable? I grew up believing that life is an experience of growth, learning, examining, choosing what works for the good of all. Many of us seem to be afraid to admit we could be wrong about anything. How many parents will say to their children, “I was wrong. I’m sorry.”? It can be difficult to admit a mistake to a business partner, but it’s foolish to try to cover it up. Interpersonal relationships would naturally improve with an understanding flexibility, don’t you think? Growing through these errors of thought can be aided by learning from others. I often remind myself of The Four Agreements or Ho’oponopono. There are many tools we can use to jolt us into an awareness as to how we are reacting to different situations, but those are two of my favorites. Let’s hope more people can become confident enough in their innate goodness to admit where they are wrong in any given situation. I see a peaceful world coming about with this shift in thought!

"Millions of unprejudiced minds -- simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert -- are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name [or Mohammed, or Buddha, or any name you want], and never fear the consequences." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:14

Made a Difference to That One!

The devastating fires in Australia have caused my thoughts to go to Steve Irwin. For those of you who are unfamiliar with him, he was known as the Crocodile Hunter and had a show by that name on Animal Planet. Steve was a major environmentalist and worked to save animals and make the world a better place for all to live. He was killed in 2006 by a stingray, but his family has continued his mission with the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and other organizations. They are working hard to save as many animals during these fires as possible. Bindi, Steve's daughter, states that their hospital has treated 90,000 animals to date and they are working night and day to save animals during this terrifying time. This is but a drop in the bucket for the almost half of a billion -- yes, billion -- animals which have perished. But I'm reminded of the story of a little boy on the beach throwing starfish back into the ocean, when hundreds are stranded on the sand. A man asks him if he really thinks he can make a difference, as there are so many in need. The little boy picks up a starfish and tosses it into the ocean, happily shouting: Made a difference to that one! And that is, after all, what we must do: make a difference where we can. Love out loud, my Friends!

"Question. -- What is Life?

Answer. -- Life is divine Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit. Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized. Time is finite; eternity is forever infinite. Life is neither in nor of matter. What is termed matter is unknown to Spirit, which includes in itself all substance and is Life eternal. Matter is a human concept. Life is divine Mind. Life is not limited. Death and finiteness are unknown to Life. If Life ever had a beginning, it would also have an ending." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 468:25

Child of Love and Truth

photo credit: Aaron Springston

If you tell someone they are made from divine Truth and Love, you may get a number of reactions, few of which would be in agreement with your statement. It doesn't bother me to think I am made from Love, or Truth, because I've always thought of these two words as synonymous with Deity. Now imagine someone you don't like or respect; perhaps he/she even seems repugnant to you. While it can be easy to see those we love as lovable, it's not easy to imagine someone who seems mean and cruel as being made by Love and Truth. So here is a point which must be addressed over and over, we needn't like what someone does to love their true incarnation as a child of Love, Spirit. I'm working on my thoughts about this tonight by researching writings about it. I leave you with some of these. Things are shifting quickly now. Don't be surprised if your thoughts are erratic. Be prepared to bring them back to Truth! 

"I have stated that the basic concepts referred to in this course are not matters of degree. Certain fundamental concepts cannot be understood in terms of opposites. It is impossible to conceive of light and darkness or everything and nothing as joint possibilities. They are all true or all false. It is essential that you realize your thinking will be erratic until a firm commitment to one or the other is made. A firm commitment to darkness or nothingness, however, is impossible. No one has ever lived who has not experienced some light and some thing. No one, therefore, is able to deny truth totally, even if he thinks he can." A Course in Miracles T-3.II.1.

"Today we go beyond the grievances, to look upon the miracle instead. We will reverse the way you see by not allowing sight to stop before it sees. We will not wait before the shield of hate, but lay it down and gently lift our eyes in silence to behold the Son of God." A Course in Miracles  W-pI.78.2.

"Question. -- What is the scientific statement of being? 

Answer. -- There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 468:8

Trying to be Good

You may recall I’ve mentioned the writing of Robert Klose. He’s a novelist and, also, a feature writer for the Christian Science Monitor. He recently had an essay in that magazine where he told of his house being robbed by a neighborhood teenaged boy. He asked the authorities if he could offer the thief an alternative to court-ordered punishment. He asked the boy to pay back the money and meet with him one day a week for an hour. During that hour, they would work on his homework first, and the other 30 minutes would be spent talking about anything the young man wanted. It was a good experience for them both but, even though the boy learned many valuable things from these encounters, he has occasionally lapsed into illegal behavior and spent time in jail. But when he’s back in the neighborhood, he is respectful and visits his mentor. Last time they met, Mr. Klose thanked the young man for thinking enough of his neighborhood to let it continue in peace. The kid said, “I’m trying to be good.” “Aren’t we all”, said Klose. Yes, aren’t we all trying to be good? Happy New Year!! Be a mentor!

"The incarnation of Truth, that amplification of wonder and glory which angels could only whisper and which God illustrated by light and harmony, is consonant with ever-present Love. So-called mystery and miracle, which subserve the end of natural good, are explained by that Love for whose rest the weary ones sigh when needing something more native to their immortal cravings than the history of perpetual evil." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 501:8

The Best of Times

photo credit: Heather Peters

It’s always an exciting time, this year’s end; this new beginning full of hope. Even though I know every moment is a chance to choose again, it seems so different on New Year’s Eve and Day. The possibilities are infinite, as are we. I wish you all the Love in the universe, and the peace to see it, today and always.

“We will not end this year without the gift our Father promised to His holy Son. We are forgiven now. And we are saved from all the wrath we thought belonged to God, and found it was a dream. We are restored to sanity, in which we understand that anger is insane, attack is mad, and vengeance merely foolish fantasy. We have been saved from wrath because we learned we were mistaken. Nothing more than that. And is a father angry at his son because he failed to understand the truth?

“We come in honesty to God and say we did not understand, and ask Him to help us to learn His lessons, through the Voice of His Own Teacher. Would He hurt His Son? Or would He rush to answer him, and say, ‘This is My Son, and all I have is his’? Be certain He will answer thus, for these are His Own words to you. And more than that can no one ever have, for in these words is all there is, and all that there will be throughout all time and in eternity.” A Course in Miracles W.fl.in.5-6

Set Your Table With a Spotless Cloth

Art of Denise Ryan

Flat Earthers, Hoarders, Agoraphobics -- I've been thinking about people who exhibit what could be called aberrant behavior. I have friends who are afraid to lose their past because they wouldn't know who they are; then there are those afraid of the future, hence they're afraid of everything. I think about personas I've tried on -- a survivalist in the early 80's, my mother said the only thing that "saved me from being a hippie" was that I liked to be clean (little did she know it has nothing to do with outer accoutrements!), for a summer I even wanted to be a go-go dancer -- ha! There are many identities we can cling to, and it's certainly difficult to keep from mentioning one or more when asked "who are you?", don't you think? In the new year, my word for the decade is "truth". I've said it doesn't matter to me what horrible things happen as the result of truth telling; I simply want everything to be out in the open. While pondering that, I realize that the proclivities we identify with are part of what we have decided upon as our personal truth. As part of my new more-open thought, I resolve to not fault anyone for thinking in ways I find to be odd or disconcerting. We all have different expressions of the divinity we are, and it is not my place to pass judgment. Although I'm not sure what's up with people who think the earth is flat! Happy New Year's Eve to everyone. Here's to Life!

"Love, too, would set a feast before you, on a table covered with a spotless cloth, set in a quiet garden where no sound but singing and a softly joyous whispering is ever heard. This is a feast that honors your holy relationship, and at which everyone is welcomed as an honored guest. And in a holy instant grace is said by everyone together, as they join in gentleness before the table of communion. And I will join you there, as long ago I promised and promise still. For in your new relationship am I made welcome. And where I am made welcome, there I am." T-19.IV.A.16. A Course in Miracles 

Hardwired for Goodness

Family Fun 

I read a review of the book, “Blueprint, the Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society”, written by Nicholas Christkis, a professor at Yale. His basic premise is that love, friendship, cooperation, and teaching have been hardwired into human beings, but we tend to deploy these qualities selectively, only toward those who are like ourselves. He says America is an unprecedented social experiment, testing whether we humans can share these behaviors more broadly. This statement of his feels especially true: “The less segregated we are — not just racially, but by ideology, religion, income, and education — the stronger the democracy.” His conclusions I’m sure are many, but one discussed in this review is that we need to overcome the urge to tribalism, if we are to have a diverse democracy. He believes that political tides can push against our innate desire for love, friendship, and cooperation, “but only for a while.” I am thrilled to read of this and other messages of hope! 

"It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man wlll be established." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 467:9

Coexist

When I began to play organ for the Methodists and keyboards for the Catholics a few years back, I had never been exposed to mainline religion. Growing up as a Christian Scientist was more like being a lifelong Course in Miracles student than a Disciple of Christ devotee. We look at God and things like forgiveness, and salvation, and even sacrifice in a totally different way than your typical Christian. So when I first began attending these services, I was a bit taken aback at some of the ways they talked about Jesus, and even how they changed the Lord’s prayer from the St. James Bible version. But I clung to the things we had in common: the desire for peace and love to be expressed in all things we do. At this time of the year, the Methodists are re-dedicating themselves to their faith, and the Catholics are at the height of their rituals. Three years ago, I might have rolled my eyes about either of these services, but now I smile and am glad they are working toward loving everyone, not just people of their own tribe. May we all be so expansive!

"​Of old, the Jews put to death the Galilean Prophet,​ ​the best Christian on earth, for the truth he spoke and​ ​demonstrated, while today, Jew and Christian can unite​ ​in doctrine and denomination on the very basis of Jesus’​ ​words and works. The Jew believes that the Messiah Christ has not yet come; the Christian believes that​ ​Christ is God. Here Christian Science intervenes, explains these doctrinal points, cancels the disagreement,​ ​and settles the question. Christ, as the true spiritual idea,​ ​is the ideal of God now and forever, here and everywhere.​ ​The Jew who believes in the First Commandment is a​ ​monotheist; he has one omnipresent God. Thus the Jew​ ​unites with the Christian’s doctrine that God is come an​d ​is present now and forever. The Christian who believes​ ​in the First Commandment is a monotheist. Thus he​ ​virtually unites with the Jew’s belief in one God, and​ ​recognizes that Jesus Christ is not God, as Jesus himself​ ​declared, but is the Son of God. This declaration of​ ​Jesus, understood, conflicts not at all with another of his​ ​sayings: ​'​I and my Father are one,​'​ — that is, one in​ ​quality, not in quantity. As a drop of water is one with​ ​the ocean, a ray of light one with the sun, even so God​ ​and man, Father and son, are one in being. The Scripture reads: ​'​For in Him we live, and move, and have​ ​our being.​'​”​ Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 360:27​

Did Anyone Say That?

Unknown Origin

At duplicate bridge, two days before Christmas, someone adamantly stated he didn’t care if anyone else said “happy holidays”, but he was going to say “merry Christmas” and nobody was going to tell him not to do it. Never one to keep my mouth closed, I asked him if anyone had ever challenged him when he used this greeting. He admitted no one ever had. I asked if he knew of anyone who had experienced chastisement because of it: he did not. Then he told me he heard on television about plenty of people who “got in trouble” for saying it. Of course, that set me off because I knew exactly where he was hearing about the fictitious war on Christmas. Why must we be angry at others over anything, much less something which isn’t even true? When I think about how we have been set against each other by outlandish claims, I wonder how we came to such a state — but, more importantly, how we can leave it behind. I would like to get rid of any righteous indignation I may be harboring, as I can’t change that other guy, but I can certainly change me. But that doesn't preclude my speaking truth to error!

"Speak the truth to every form of error." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 418:28

Start Anew

photo credit: Aaron Springston

How do allegations of misconduct affect people, whether founded in truth or a malicious lie? We watched the 2019 Christmas special from Garrison Keillor, complete with his Prairie Home Companion entourage. I realized that this man is one of the best storytellers of all time. His delivery, his voice, the way he gives us outlandish details in an impromptu fashion, never boring us with these additions. But in the back of my mind, making itself known now and again, was the thought that he had been accused of sexual harassment. How could such a funny, friendly guy be a jerk? I examined it from many angles, and feel all right enjoying his show, although I won't forget he may be in disguise. I’m reminded of the ancient ritual of surrounding a criminal and telling the person about their good deeds and other fine things about them. Everyone can become as innocent as the day they were born, make amends for the illusions which they perpetrated, and go forward a new person. Happy Christmas and New Year!

"Be not afraid. We only start again an ancient journey long ago begun that but seems new. We have begun again upon a road we travelled on before and lost our way a little while. And now we try again. Our new beginning has the certainty the journey lacked till now. Look up and see His Word among the stars, where He has set your Name along with His. Look up and find your certain destiny the world would hide but God would have you see." A Course in Miracles -C-ep.3.

​

I Wish You Truth!

photo credit: Jodie English Brown

I have loved resting on this beautiful, 70-degree Christmas Day -- and I trust you've been doing exactly what you want, too! I've always heard people complain about doing things they don't want to do on the holidays: spending time with people when they'd rather be alone, spending time alone when they'd rather be with people, etcetera. I wish you a new beginning based on what works for you! Truth is my guiding word for this time of rebirth. I wish you Truth in your every action and word. All the rest will follow happily along! Namaste, Love, Light, all that is good and true, I wish for you!

​"The advent of Jesus of Nazareth marked the first century of the Christian Era, but the Christ is without beginning of years or end of days. Throughou​t all generations both before and after the Christian Era, the Christ, as the spiritual idea — the reflection of God — has come with some measure of power and grace to all prepared to receive Christ, Truth.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 333

Merry Christmas, Friends!

About Christmas

Some thoughts from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy

Certain occasions, considered either collectively or individually and observed properly, tend to give the activity of man infinite scope; but mere merry-making or needless gift-giving is not that in which human capacities find the most appropriate and proper exercise. Christmas respects the Christ too much to submerge itself in merely temporary means and ends. (My. 259:23-39)

Observed by material sense, Christmas commemorates the birth of a human, material, mortal babe — a babe born in a manger amidst the flocks and herds of a Jewish village.

This homely origin of the babe Jesus falls far short of my sense of the eternal Christ, Truth, never born and never dying. (My. 262:6-12)

In Christian Science, Christmas stands for the real, the absolute and eternal, — for the things of Spirit, not of matter. Science is divine; it hath no partnership with human means and ends, no half-way stations. Nothing conditional or material belongs to it. (My. 260:9-13)

Christmas to me is the reminder of God's great gift, — His spiritual idea, man and the universe, — a gift which so transcends mortal, material, sensual giving that the merriment, mad ambition, rivalry, and ritual of our common Christmas seem a human mockery in mimicry of the real worship in commemoration of Christ's coming. 

I love to observe Christmas in quietude, humility, benevolence, charity, letting good will towards man, eloquent silence, prayer, and praise express my conception of Truth's appearing. (My 262:20-30)

More To Silence Than Silence

PC: Richard Quick
Eureka Springs, AR

Today I got a handwritten, two-page letter from an old friend. I’ve been pondering something she said: “I thought I’d get a glimpse of the finish line when I discovered the silence. Now I’m finding that there’s more to silence than silence. That’s alright. I’m parked right where I want to be. Is there anything more powerful than God’s grace?” I love this so much! It brings me peace to know my old friend is right where she wants to be. It’s a Christmas miracle that she’s telling me these things about her journey. This has brought me such joy that I encourage all of you to let your brothers and siste​rs​​ in Spirit know what’s going on with you on this deeply personal level. Merry Christmas everyone!

​"Scientific pathology illustrates the digestion of spiritual nutriment as both sweet and bitter, -- sweet in expectancy and bitter in experience or during the senses' assimilation thereof, and digested only when Soul silences the dyspepsia of sense." ​Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellany Page 230

Say What You Mean

Communications are difficult. Face-to-face talking can be confusing, but we have a chance to ask questions and clarify points. Today I’m thinking of the confusion which comes about even when people are working together, but someone misunderstands and doesn’t speak up. A situation I’m watching from the inside is increasingly sad. Two people began not speaking to each other, even though they work together at least once a week. This is happening within a choir in a church which teaches tolerance in what is called a “reconciling ministry”. I watch in disbelief while one person becomes increasingly sure the other is wrong in decisions about leading the group. And the director is so hurt by these actions that he has become sensitive to the smallest questioning of his leadership. Communications are non-existent and folks have begun taking sides. As usual, I didn’t notice there was a problem until it erupted today with a couple of choir singers walking away from their seats and sitting in the audience. Everyone feels bad, yet not many people even know why — including myself! This is yet another of many wake-up calls I’m having these days. Bringing thought back to Love rather than condemnation, understanding instead of self-righteous indignation, compassionate acknowledgement of what is — these are the traits I will strive to demonstrate as we end this year and begin anew. The Christ is being reborn in every moment. We need but acknowledge it! 

"Fear not to recognize the whole idea of sacrifice as solely of your making.  And seek not safety by attempting to protect yourself from where it is not. Your brothers and your Father have become very fearful to you. And you would bargain with them for a few special relationships, in which you think you see some scraps of safety. Do not try longer to keep apart your thoughts and the Thought that has been given you. When they are brought together and perceived where they are, the choice between them is nothing more than a gentle awakening, and as simple as opening your eyes to daylight when you have no more need of sleep." A Course in Miracles T-15.XI.1.

If -- by Kipling

If

By Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

   Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,   But make allowance for their doubting too;

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

   

Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,   And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

   If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;If you can meet with triumph and disaster   And treat those two impostors just the same;If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken   Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,   And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

   And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,And lose, and start again at your beginnings   And never breathe a word about your loss;If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew   To serve your turn long after they are gone,And so hold on when there is nothing in you   Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

   Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch;If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;   If all men count with you, but none too much;If you can fill the unforgiving minuteWith sixty seconds' worth of distance run—   Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!

Does God Choose Presidents?

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

Those of you who read these writings know that I found out I had brothers and sisters about three decades ago. One of these siblings had some nasty habits in his early years, but has reformed and thinks of himself as a messenger of God.  He recently made a Facebook post about Donald Trump being "selected by God Almighty" to be president of the United States, which got me to thinking seriously about this idea. First, I do not think that God makes choices for us. We have free will and we can choose to follow a path which blesses everyone, or we can wallow in our baser desires and allow those to lead us down that drain. Whatever the case, I am not going to blame God for problems we the people have created. By the same token, I won't say a situation is ordained by this deity in the sky. While it would be hurtful to say these things to him -- and perhaps they shouldn't be said to you either! -- this is a work in progress and I'm using you as my test kitchen. Haha! But this issue is one in which I cannot be silent, so I shall continue to ponder and pray, knowing the right thing to say is waiting to be heard. Namaste to all, and to all a good night...

 

"Led by a solitary star amid the darkness, the Magi of old foretold the Messiahship of Truth.  Is the wise man of today believed, when he beholds the light which heralds Christ's eternal dawn and describes its effulgence? Lulled by stupefying illusions, the world is asleep in the cradle of infancy, dreaming away the hours." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 95

Who Is Your "Them"?

​World Cup South Africa
Photo Credit: Aaron Springston​

I read an editorial in the Christian Science Monitor this week which discussed this question: Who is in your sense of "us"? While politics has many lines drawn around ideology, gender, race, and such things, democracy itself is really about finding where the "us" is in all of these beliefs. When we're growing up, maybe "us" is our family, or the people we go to church with, or a small clique of friends. If you've been strong in these leanings, perhaps you go to college and root for your football team, join a fraternity or sorority, and continue on with these superficial ties throughout your life. And usually they're harmless -- or so we think. But when they turn into bonds like the Ku Klux Klan and other such societies, there is something wrong. Most of us are realizing the harmfulness of gangs of people who think they and only they are right. These things are obvious. But the rift brought about from a righteous belief that certain things, such as abortion, should not be allowed -- well, that's something which bears examination and compromise. To quote an article by Ryan Strickler, "A key -- the key -- to the deliberative democratic ideal is mutual respect. Not any political discussion will do; discussion and debate must be marked by open-mindedness, recognition of the legitimacy of moral differences, and a goal of achieving consensus." In conclusion the editorial by Mark Sappenfield states: "In short, effective democratic politics must be perpetually reforging a new 'us'." So who is my "us"? Anyone who loves rather than hates; who open-heartedly looks at others and does the best he/she can in every situation. Feel free to tell me about your us and them! (the blog link below is a good place to do this)

"Both anatomy and theology define man as both physical and mental, and place mind at the mercy of matter for every function, formation, and manifestation. Anatomy and theology reject the divine Principle which produces harmonious man, and deal -- the one wholly, the other primarily -- with matter, calling that man which is not the counterpart, but the counterfeit, of God's man. Then theology tries to explain how to make this man a Christian, -- how from this basis of division and discord to produce the concord and unity of Spirit and His likeness." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 148

Released From Our Burden

Bryce Canyon - Aaron Springston

I remember a wonderful story which relates to choosing joy rather than pain. In this story, we are asked how much a glass of water weighs. Then we are told it doesn't matter what its weight is, it matters how long we hold it. If we hold it a minute, it's light. If we hold it an hour, our arm and/or hand may become uncomfortable with the weight. If we hold it all day, our arm will feel paralyzed. This scenario is a metaphor for holding onto worries and fears. If we keep them with us, we become convinced that they are impossible to overcome. We are paralyzed from the carrying of this weight. All we have to do is put the glass down to be released from our burden! Then we are free to feel the joy which is innately ours as a child of Love.

“Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 265:23-30