December 15, 2011 - Miracle of Love

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #349

"Today I let Christ's vision look upon all things for me and judge them not, but give each one a miracle of love instead."

"Colorado Peace"
photo by Aaron Springston

Science fiction, the speculation of how life will be in the future, has always fascinated me. The serene surroundings of those who neither want nor need anything is very appealing! A place where there is no room for anger and warlike behavior because all actions are filled with Love, where the rare disagreement is settled through the decision of a "fair witness". The utopia which ensues in this atmosphere seems so simple. It feels as though these dreams of future perfection are here with us now. They are being realized in a myriad of ways. Do an internet search on something like good deeds, or Age of Aquarius, or peaceful living, if you feel the need for affirmation that this reality is with us here and now. I recently saw a movie in which a 102-year-old woman said these words: "We ain't what we should be, we ain't what we gonna be, but at least we ain't what we were." I agree that we have made extreme shifts in thought during the last few hundred years. I know that in the last 20 years my way of looking at things has done an about face. I see now that nothing can keep the miracle away, no matter how hard we try.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The Science Jesus taught and lived must triumph over all material beliefs about life, substance, and intelligence, and the multitudinous errors growing from such beliefs.”

Science & Health Page 43:23-25

December 14, 2011 - Bob "got It"!!

ACIM Lesson #348

"I have no cause for anger or for fear,

For You surround me. And in every need

That I perceive, Your grace suffices me."

 

Bob, the Cat

[Marsha's thoughts]

As these words have swirled through my head today, I keep coming back to a recent event which demonstrates this truth. Some of you know that our wonderful tabby-point cat, Bob, passed on recently. While I'm not going to tell the Story of Bob in this writing, one part of his time with us stays with me when I think of having no cause for anger or for fear. When our household welcomed a Corgi puppy, Chili, it wasn't an easy time for the cats of the house! After an encounter with Clili, in which Bob's ear was ripped by a herding nip, this cat called Bob moved outside. When Chili would go outside, occasionally he would challenge Bob by growling and rushing at him. Bob would flop over on his back, squirming happily, while purring and smiling at the dog! This was after he had been attacked by this young dog. Bob never exhibited any fear or anger; he never retaliated with his claws; he simply dissipated the anger with Love. Now this never happened in the house, but outside with his paws in the dirt, he seemed to be centered in nature, knowing what to do at all times in order to either avert or evaporate danger. Bob lived the Love which is God. There was only happiness and contentment surrounding him. Bob "got It"!!

 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The Science Jesus taught and lived must triumph over all material beliefs about life, substance, and intelligence, and the multitudinous errors growing from such beliefs.”

Science & Health Page 43:23-25

December 13, 2011 - Gratitude

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #347

"Anger must come from judgment. Judgment is the weapon I would use against myself, to keep the miracle away from me."

"Aaron in Colorado"
photo by Heather Magnan

There are many reasons I'm grateful to my children. When they were very young it seemed they could push all the buttons which brought forth anger in me. Through their instruction, I've learned that no one can make me angry. Anger is an internal emotion which has no cause other than within myself. And the ability to rid myself of anger is also within myself. Because of my dear children, the desire to be loving and free of destructive emotions was stronger than my need to have them. This realization freed us all from the negative and hurtful results which would boil up from time to time. There are so many wonderful things which have resulted from the interactions my boys and I experience. I am very grateful for the opportunity to love and live with them. Thank you, Aaron and Dylan, for everything!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Material man is made up of involuntary and voluntary error, of a negative right and a positive wrong, the latter calling itself right. Man's spiritual individuality is never wrong."

Science & Health Page 491:7-10

December 12, 2011 - Love is All

ACIM Lesson #346
"Today the peace of God envelops me,
And I forget all things except His Love."
 [Marsha's thoughts]


"Grotto Spring"
photo from Gerry Toler

It seems we usually have today's lesson backwards! It's so easy to forget that Love is all there is. It's so easy to be caught up in our daily activities which seem to preclude the peace of God. I occasionally find myself slipping away from a morning activity which centers me for the day, which I can return to at moments during the day to bring myself back to the space I want to abide. For me this starting point consists of prayer, study, meditation. I choose a citation from this morning meal to carry with me throughout the day. From this remembrance, much inspiration is with me at all times. And so any time (such as now!) when I've let these morning musings be shortened or pushed aside entirely, I redouble my dedication to making this space for myself. Even if it means getting up at 5 o'clock, I vow to do it!


Mary Baker Eddy quote:
Daily Prayer
"Thy kingdom come. May the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me. And rule out of me all sin, and may Thy word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them."
From the Church Manual

December 11, 2011 - Miracles

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #345

"I offer only miracles today,

For I would have them be returned to me."

"Montana Beauty"
photo by Aaron Springston

When I first began reading ACIM writings, the word "miracle" bothered me very much. As a Christian Scientist, I had learned that a miracle, as we think of it, is non-existent, because all these wonderful things are natural occurrences. And so there are actually no such things as miracles, only a revealing of the perfection that Is. But, as with many words, it is only the meaning we have placed upon them that makes them good or bad. Now I choose to think of miracles as anything which reveals the omnipresence of God, good. By this I can freely offer miracles to others and accept them in turn. God's goodness is reflected in my actions and everyone else's. This I embrace whole-heartedly. Giving and receiving; receiving and giving. What a lovely cycle!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Christian marvels (and marvel is the simple meaning of the Greek word rendered miracle in the New Testament) will be misunderstood and misused by many, until the glorious Principle of these marvels is gained."

Science & Health Page 474:11-15

December 10, 2011 - Scatter Joy

ACIM Lesson #344
"Today I learn the law of love; that what
I give my brother is my gift to me.''

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[Marsha's thoughts]

Today's lesson is the number one thing to keep in thought during our daily interactions with others. In my position as proprietress of an art gallery in a small tourist town, I am an information center, a museum, a drop off point for others, and sometimes a retail establishment. In the process of talking with hundreds of people on a busy day, I sometimes forget that giving is receiving. I sometimes forget that the law of Love is my only reason for Being. Sometimes I don't see myself as One with those wanting to know directions to the Beaver Bridge, or asking where is the best place to eat, or telling me how their aunt/sister/mother is a fantastic artist, or the multitudinous streams of consciousness that flows from them, through me, and back at them. Whew! It can seem overwhelming from a human standpoint. But on those days I manage to transcend this maze of materiality, then it's one large, swirling ball of joy. The interactions are enjoyed on a level invisible to me when I'm operating from egotistical ideology. Today I choose Love and receive as much joy as I scatter to others!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Finite mind manifests all sorts of errors, and thus proves the material theory of mind in matter to be the antipode of Mind. Who hath found finite life or love sufficient to meet the demands of human want and woe,--to still the desires, to satisfy the aspirations? Infinite Mind cannot be limited to a finite form, or Mind would lose its infinite character as inexhaustible Love, eternal Life, omnipotent Truth."

Science & Health Page 257:22-29

December 9, 2011 - No sacrifice

ACIM Lesson #343
"I am not asked to make a sacrifice

To find the mercy and the peace of God."

[Marsha's comments]

"Parked at Perkins"
photo by Randal Thompson

To give up our own personalized system of grief and blame sometimes seems difficult. On the surface, it appears that we would do anything in order to gain peace and satisfaction. But when it gets right down to individual events, we want to hold on tight. Let's say all I need to do to find the peace of God is to stop thinking the limiting thought to which I've become accustomed. Let's say someone wants to change a personal relationship which we've had for some time, and to which we've become accustomed. What comes to mind is when my son was 14 and woke up one morning and said he didn't belong here, in this town, going to this school. My first thoughts were ones of blame -- toward myself and to him. Why would he want to leave? What have I done to cause him to feel this way? Now it's ten years past the time this happened, and it's easy to look back and see that his going away to school was the best thing that could have happened for both of us, but at the time it felt devastating. This is the type of feeling we so often bring to our lives when we look at the situation from an egotistical standpoint. But with an acceptance and loving assurance that all is well, these relationships ebb and flow, yielding to the peace of God which is ever-present, and which is found with a letting go which gives without sacrificing, other than a long-held belief in the way we want the situation to be. And so this is a form of giving up personal agendas, preconceived notions of how things should be, and saying "Namaste'" to yourself!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"LAMB OF GOD: The spiritual idea of Love; self-immolation; innocence and purity; sacrifice."
Science & Health Page 590:9-10.