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 

June 17, 2013 - Grace is Mine

"Illinois Sunset"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #168
“Your grace is given me. I claim it now.”

Today's topic sent me to Webster's in search of definitions for "grace". The one which seems to fit best is this: Divine Love and protection bestowed freely on people. I urge you to listen to and/or read the ACIM lesson in its entirety at www.acimessentials.com. Accepting the grace which is ours involves giving it at every opportunity. Mary Baker Eddy’s spiritual interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer includes this correlation to "Give us this day our daily bread": "Give us Grace for today, feed the famished affections." It seems everywhere we look, we see these "famished affections". By practicing kindness when faced with hardness of heart, meekness when those around us are aggressive, loving those who seem unlovable, and paying it forward in every action, we prepare ourselves to acknowledge the God-given Grace which is our true heritage. And we learn what it feels like, not just what it means.


Mary Baker Eddy quote: “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds. To keep the commandments of our Master [Jesus] and follow his example, is our proper debt to him and the only worthy evidence of our gratitude for all that he has done. Outward worship is not of itself sufficient to express loyal and heartfelt gratitude, since he has said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." [Those commandments being: Love God above all else and your neighbor as yourself.]

Science & Health Page 4:3-10

June 16, 2013 - Life is Divine Principle

"Principia Soccer Team"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #167

“There is one life, and that I share with God.”

I was in the grocery store check-out line. The kid sacking the groceries was trying on the checker's glasses. He says he doesn't know how anyone can see through them, and the checker tells him they're reading glasses and he'll find out some day.  He says, "I hope God comes before that happens." The checkout lady says, "That's horrible! No, that's wonderful. No ..." At this point, I also was somewhat speechless. We had interpreted his comment to mean he hoped he died before he lost his 20/20 vision. But upon reflection, he could have meant other things -- perhaps "the rapture"?? The whole conversation reflected muddled, confused thought in so many ways. For one thing, the assumption is being made that getting older requires a loss of close-up sight. Erroneous assumptions abound here! But ultimately the kid was right in hoping "God comes before this happens". This appearing of God doesn't require us to die, and it doesn't require some miraculous change in the way things are, it simply requires a change in our thought about reality. In this change, all sorts of things we thought to be law are seen to be illusion. I prefer to consider what Life is, rather than what it is not. After this event at the grocery store, I came home and watered my flower garden. The beauty of a sunset, combined with earthy scents, brought Life into focus. The fireflies began to come out and the scent of mint, anise hyssop, and wet earth took over my senses. I saw not only the unreality of erroneous material thought but how unnecessary it is. To be still and experience the beauty of this life is enough. All questions are answered in the stillness of yielding to All that Is. I Am that I Am. Amen ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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.”

Science & Health Pages 468:26-6

June 15, 2013 - Scatter Joy!

"Koi Pond"
photo by Dale Johnson

ACIM Workbook Lesson #166

“I am entrusted with the gifts of God.”

The action of happiness is profound. It affects everything and everyone around it. We all have stories of watching situations change when we touch them with peaceful joy. This doesn't mean we laugh in the face of misery. That is not compassion. But neither is being overly sympathetic while perpetuating the illusion. I hope to never lose the ability to empathize with others. But, also, I hope to always retain the ability to see past the form of sorrow and know the Truth of the situation. To carry a calm, buoyant feeling of happiness wherever we go is to bring healing to everything, everywhere. Whether it's a peaceful internal smiling or an outward giggling eruption, I invite you to join me today in the expression of Love, "giving living waters to the thirsty", and never fearing the consequences.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love--be it song, sermon, or Science--blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty.”

Science & Health Page 234:4-8

June 14, 2013 - Experiencing Divine Love

"Park City, Utah"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #165

“Let not my mind deny the Thought of God.”

Most of us "deny the Thought of God" without even realizing it. To understand that we are spiritual, right here and now, is to accept this Thought of God. I love this line from today's workbook lesson: “Sureness is not required to receive what only your acceptance can bestow." How cool is that??! We don't have to be sure of anything, we don't have to know anything, all we need do is be open to the Thought of God. There is no requirement, other than a desire to expand thought, to be willing to live Truth. When we actively set aside all supposititious material laws, another way of living opens to us. We experience divine Love as a palpable force, and it shows us a peace deeper than we ever imagined. A single glimpse of eternity is sufficient to show us that is what's been missing in this existence. Today I will demonstrate spiritual reality and glory in its every manifestation!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.”

Science & Health Page 514:6-9

June 13, 2013 - One With God

"Artrageous Parade"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #164

“Now are we one with Him Who is our Source."

With the understanding that we are one with God, glimmers of Truth start to shine in our thought. If we truly are united in goodness, wondrous avenues open for us! We needn't be victims of mortal mind and its manifestations. We can take a stand for goodness and harmony, knowing that it is our birthright as a child of God.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: 

"As mortals gain more correct views of God and man, multitudinous objects of creation, which before were invisible, will become visible. When we realize that Life is Spirit, never in nor of matter, this understanding will expand into self-completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness.”

Science & Health Page 264:13-19

June 12, 2013 - Life is Timeless

"Timeless Beauty"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #163 

"There is no death. The Son of God is free."

There are many meanings, both literal and metaphorical, which come to mind when thinking of the word "death". The first thought which came to me upon reading today's topic was the death we experience when we are born into this existence. Suddenly our spiritual sense is deadened by the deluge of materialistic stimuli which constantly bombards us. In this forgetting of the Truth of our Being, life becomes very uncertain. We vacillate between inharmonious circumstances, until we recognize our relation to divine Mind. Then we begin to see glimpses of eternity. We start to realize the unreality of time and space. I think we've always known this. Perhaps it's part of the dissatisfaction so often felt when "feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace." (Browning)  We know there's something more than this, and we keep grasping at what it might be. We search for freedom from the belief that we are victims of circumstance. We have the choice of waking up! Today's lesson gives many examples of how we allow death to be stronger than life. To wake up from this dream of erroneous thought, let's switch on the light of Truth. Then we are able to see that we have it backwards. There is no need to fear this life which can only end in death. Instead we'll allow ourselves to see through the veil we have hung to hide the truth of our being. With this sight will come the understanding of Life as timeless.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The chief stones in the temple of Christian Science are to be found in the following postulates: that Life is God, good, and not evil; that Soul is sinless, not to be found in the body; that Spirit is not, and cannot be, materialized; that Life is not subject to death; that the spiritual real man has no birth, no material life, and no death.”

Science & Health Page 288:20-25