October 20, 2013 - Love Trumps Fear

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #293

"All fear is past and only love is here."

I love to watch the television show, Master Chef. In it, home cooks are called upon to compete in cooking a variety of dishes. They may be asked to cook something as basic as perfect sunny-side-up eggs. Or maybe they are given a box of exotic food and must come up with a palatable dish using ingredients they may never have worked with before. Now there is a show called Master Chef Junior. Children aged 8 to 13 compete in the same format. These fearless children are amazing! Recently they were given a box with "bad" foods in it. There was liver, kidneys, snails, brussel sprouts, blue cheese, and a few other smelly things. As they were making interesting creations from the ingredients, one 9-year-old was asked if she was afraid of the ingredients and cooking them. No, she most definitely was not. When asked if she was afraid of anything, she answered yes, that she was afraid of clowns! What a perfect illustration of trusting yourself and, alternatively, the fear of illusion! Love and fear are opposites. Which do you choose?

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The Apostle John says: 'There is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear. . . . He that feareth is not made perfect in Love.' Here is a definite and inspired proclamation of Christian Science."

Science & Health Page 410:17-21

October 19, 2013 - Happy Outcomes

"Romeo in the Birdbath"
photo by Randal Thompson

ACIM Workbook Lesson #292

“A happy outcome to all things is sure.”

In 1999, I took my young boys on a 3,000-mile road trip. We made no reservations at hotels and had no definite plans -- other than to attend women's World Cup soccer games and look for miniature golf courses. In preparation for this trip, I spent a lot of time studying the science of Mind and bringing thought into alignment with the metaphysical Principle. On this trip, we witnessed many happy outcomes, but the most dramatic was on the first day. I had worn glasses to see at a distance for more than 30 years and suddenly found I could see without them. I enjoyed this freedom until a number of years later. When renewing my driver's license, I found that glasses were needed again. Although I complied with the law and obtained glasses, I steadfastly refused to accept this prognosis as reality. The next time I applied for renewal, there were no restrictions as to sight. Instances such as this affirm my conviction to live single-mindedly, with God as my only goal, expecting happy outcomes.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The scientific unity which exists between God and man must be wrought out in life-practice, and God's will must be universally done.”

Science & Health Page 203:3-5

October 18, 2013 - Stillness and Peace

"Moonrise Over the Ozarks"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #291

“This is a day of stillness and of peace.”

This still and peaceful day is a perfect backdrop for the thoughts we are holding today. It's a beautiful day in the Ozarks.  The peace is easily felt in the splendor of a fall day. I am grateful for the words in A Course in Miracles. I am grateful for the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and her determination to demonstrate the Science of The Christ. These words point toward the Truth of our Being. They assure us that Truth is eternally discoverable by anyone willing to see. These writings show us how to move away from the learned behaviors of a lifetime. By living in Light, we share it with all -- especially children, who have not been indoctrinated in material belief as heavily as we have. The stillness and peace of nature aids in leading me to the door of Truth. Thank You greatly -------

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Certain moods of mind find an indefinable pleasure in stillness, soft, silent as the storm's sudden hush; for nature's stillness is voiced with a hum of harmony, the gentle murmur of early morn, the evening's closing vespers, and lyre of bird and brooklet." 

Christian Science versus Pantheism Page 3:8-13

October 17, 2013 - Happiness Now!

"Mongolian Shaman II"
created by Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #290

“My present happiness is all I see.”

The last ten lessons have been showing us how it's possible to live outside human belief systems. We have pondered the recognition and practicality of spiritual sense. It feels right that today we allow ourselves to be present with happiness! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Earth has little light or joy for mortals before Life is spiritually learned. Every agony of mortal error helps error to destroy error, and so aids the apprehension of immortal Truth. This is the new birth going on hourly, by which men may entertain angels, the true ideas of God, the spiritual sense of being.”

Science & Health Page 548:9-16

October 16, 2013 - Love Living the Present

"South Africa Sunset"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #289

“The past is over. It can touch me not.”

This is one of the reasons I love the business of selling art. Every day I meet new people. Knowing nothing about them when they walk in the door, when they leave we’ve made a mini-friendship based on what we have learned about each other in a few minutes. It’s pure and clean and nothing matters but the in-the-moment experience we've shared in this small Love-filled area.  Through these daily meetings, I’m seeing this now-ness being demonstrated time and again. It enables me to forget my past when I constantly live in the present. And when others try to take me to the past (whether it’s theirs or mine), I am learning ways of bypassing these trips. While in this present-moment bliss, I don't allow myself to wander through memory land. And I won't let others bring it into my existence while in the realm of Eureka Thyme. I love the serene otherworld we create within these walls. It’s helping me see the now in every moment, and the nothingness of moments gone by.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground. 

Science & Health Page 224: 4-7  

October 15, 2013 - No Blame

"Utah Sky"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #288

“Let me forget my brother's past today.”

During this time when the United States' government has "shut down", it's easy to develop a holier-than-thou attitude toward a great many public figures and politicians. And so when today's lesson tells us that our brother "cannot be less holy than can I, and you cannot be holier than he" -- well, there is much reason to pause and ponder before we point fingers. This is another instance where I will think of Mahatma Gandhi's famous words: "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." His example of non-violent civil disobedience was a wonderful example for us all. His words and Mary Baker Eddy's quote which follows will be my constant meditation as I go through this day -- and the next!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"One infinite God, good, unifies men and constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfills the Scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,--whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed."

Science & Health Page 340:23:30

October 14, 2013 - One Goal

"Basin Spring Fantasy"
photo by Gerry Toler

ACIM Workbook Lesson #287

“You are my goal, my Father. Only You.”

In the early 1900s, people flocked to Eureka Springs for the healing waters. Thousands of people in need found their way here, as they still do today. People are drawn to our town, often without knowing why. I love watching transformation of circumstance as people's thought changes from focusing on the problem to relaxing into Truth. In varying degrees, we are all realizing that true healing comes when we release our beliefs in things and open ourselves to feeling the presence of Love. When this is our only desire, when there is no other need or want, new perceptions become visible and viable. Often it takes extreme conditions to cause us to seek the understanding of our unity with God. But isn't it sweet when we skip that step and fall straight into the Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“All nature teaches God's love to man, but man cannot love God supremely and set his whole affections on spiritual things, while loving the material or trusting in it more than in the spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 326:8-11