Monday, July 15, 2013

July 16, 2013 - Clearing The Way For Truth

"South Africa Sunset"
photo by Heather Magnan
ACIM Workbook Lesson #197
“It can be but my gratitude I earn.”

Perhaps you think you should be appreciated more, or maybe you know someone who is always "fishing for compliments". Both of these fall under the category of expecting something which you already have. When you appreciate yourself, when you are grateful for the wonder which is you, that's all you need. And it is an all-encompassing gratitude! This recognition is one of the symptoms of loosing the bonds of materiality. The more we let go of expectations and beliefs, the more opportunity there is for Truth to take their place. We needn't do anything but clear the way. And that is what these workbook lessons are designed to do.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“When man is governed by God, the ever-present Mind who understands all things, man knows that with God all things are possible."

Science & Health Page 180:25-27

Sunday, July 14, 2013

July 15, 2013 - Only I Can Stop Me

"City Museum in St. Louis"
photo by Heather Magnan
ACIM Workbook Lesson #196
“It can be but myself I crucify.”

This is the point in this Course where we are repeatedly told that we are on the brink of realizing salvation, revelation, heaven. The belief systems we have put into practice throughout the years may begin to talk back to us in protest of our new way of thinking!  Fear not! We have the tools to stand fast in our knowledge. We have each other as reminders in support. We have inner knowing to tap into for verification on our path. We can move onward, upward, inward, fearless and secure in Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:


“Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. Belief is changeable, but spiritual understanding is changeless.” S&H Page 96:21-24

July 14, 2013 - I Walk With Love

"Overlooking South Africa"
photo by Aaron Springston
ACIM Workbook Lesson #195
“Love is the way I walk in gratitude.”

The previous lessons in this workbook have been helping us to see that we are the reflection of divine Mind -- and showing us what to do with that knowledge. We are gaining confidence in learning how to get out of our own way, relying on the wisdom which is heard through spiritual sense. Today is not about being grateful to God, but because of God! God is Love. To experience and demonstrate this Love, nothing is required of us other than our awareness of it. When facing circumstances which feel difficult, I will look at them under the microscope of Love, honestly wanting to know the Truth of the situation. In gratitude I open my eyes to whatever may be revealed.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are. If a friend informs us of a fault, do we listen patiently to the rebuke and credit what is said? Do we not rather give thanks that we are "not as other men"? During many years the author has been most grateful for merited rebuke.”

Science & Health Pages 8:28-3

Friday, July 12, 2013

July 13, 2013 - One Thing ...

"Milky Way Over Utah"
photo by Aaron Springston
ACIM Workbook Lesson #194
“I place the future in the Hands of God.”

It takes practice to let go. A mere 25 years ago, I still thought I was in control. It took a child's illness for me to realize I didn't have the power to make things all right. In the space it took to hear a diagnosis, I had a change of heart. I'm sure I went through all the emotions associated with this kind of thing: sorrow, anger, blame, and so on. But I knew deep down that there was only one answer. "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple." (Psalms:27:4) Sometimes I forget this. I'm happy to have this reminder today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Prayer cannot change the unalterable Truth, nor can prayer alone give us an understanding of Truth; but prayer, coupled with a fervent habitual desire to know and do the will of God, will bring us into all Truth. Such a desire has little need of audible expression. It is best expressed in thought and in life."

Science & Health Page 11:28-32

Thursday, July 11, 2013

July 12, 2013 - See Differently

"Great Wall of China"
photo by Aaron Springston
ACIM Workbook Lesson #193
“All things are lessons God would have me learn.”

What I am learning today is this: "Forgive, and you will see this differently." Today's lesson reinforces yesterday's plan to cast away the sword hanging over our heads. In other words, any grudges we are holding are keeping us a prisoner to them. We often hear people say they can forgive but they can't or won't forget. This forgiving spoken of in today's writings is total; forgetting what/whoever we think has wronged us. Happiness and Love will be the law of the land, and we won't need anyone to tell us what is right or wrong. Haven't we always known this?

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"The true Logos is demonstrably Christian Science, the natural law of harmony which overcomes discord, — not because this Science is supernatural or pre‐ternatural, nor because it is an infraction of divine law, but because it is the immutable law of God, good."
Science & Health Page 134:21-26


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

July 11, 2013 - Release Anger

photo by Aaron Springston
ACIM Workbook Lesson #192
“I have a function God would have me fill.”

Today we are advised to hold no one prisoner with our anger. By releasing them, we are made free. This is a perfect lesson for me today as I contemplate the words spoken in a town meeting. While I never felt what I would deem "active anger", I must admit some of the statements have replayed in my mind and caused a sarcastic chuckle or two. And so I have some feelings to release to fulfill my function. I have already written a letter to the editor and then discarded it. That was a nice release! If any words ask to be replayed mentally (as one woman's derogatory comment toward artists is doing right now!), I will replace it with the knowledge that we both reflect the same Love which is God. Any fearful illusions seeming to be true will be acknowledged and released, time and again if necessary, until they return to the nothingness from which they came. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Not to avenge one's self upon one's enemies is the command of almighty wisdom; and we take this to be a safer guide than the promptings of human nature. To know that a deception dark as it is base has been practiced upon thee, and yet not to avenge thyself, is to do good to thyself; is to take a new standpoint whence to look upward; is to be calm amid excitement, just amid lawlessness, and pure amid corruption."

Miscellaneous Writings Page 228

July 10, 2013 - I Am God's Child

Principia at the Great
Wall of China
ACIM Workbook Lesson #191
“I am the holy Son of God Himself.”

This day's lesson is such a tender affirmation of who we are. We think of our limited body and brain as this child of God, and then we begin to question why we are so unlike the Source which we supposedly reflect. Let's expand our mind beyond human assumptions of creation.By accepting ourselves as the spiritual idea of God, we claim our birthright as the "holy Son of God". To accept that we are really, truly spiritual allows us to put aside limiting beliefs and see through the illusions which have been created for us. This new-old thought cleanses the murky lens of our sight and allows knowledge to replace beliefs. Then we see our perfection as an idea of divine Mind, and live in the light of Love
.
Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“Immortal and divine Mind presents the idea of God: first, in light; second, in reflection; third, in spiritual and immortal forms of beauty and goodness. But this Mind creates no element nor symbol of discord and decay. God creates neither erring thought, mortal life, mutable truth, nor variable love.”

Science & Health Page 503:20-25

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