December 15, 2013 - The Miracle of Love

"Colorado Night"
photo by Mawuena Davies

ACIM 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."

When I was in my 20s, I read many science fiction novels, especially reveling in those written by Robert Heinlein. I remember one in particular where no one wanted or needed anything; where there was no room for anger or warlike behavior because all of their actions came from Love; where disagreements were settled by a "fair witness" who would listen and decide what should be done.This utopia seemed so simple to achieve. It feels as if these fictional dreams of perfection are here with us now. They are being realized in a myriad of ways. If you don't think so, do an internet search on subjects such as good deeds, or peaceful living, or pay it forward. The longing we feel for Good is expressed in multitudinous ways. Think of the major shifts in thought we've witnessed in our lifetime!  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 of Love 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, 2013 - Grace Suffices

"Bob, the Cat"

ACIM Workbook 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."

Our wonderful tabby-point cat, Bob, was an inspiration to me. While I'm not going to tell the Story of Bob in this writing, one part of his time with us stays with me, especially when thinking of having no cause for anger or 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, Bob's ear was ripped by a herding nip and he decided to live outside. When Chili was 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! 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 great miracle to human sense is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man. This goal is never reached while we hate our neighbor." 

Science & Health Page 560: 11-13

December 13, 2013 - Slow Down

ACIM Workbook Lesson #347

Photo by Aaron Springston

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

It is easy to ignore signs that the brain has blocked out divine Mind. This morning I made a minor, yet glaring, error in a social media announcement concerning an upcoming featured artist at the gallery. If I hadn't rushed through the process, I would have seen it. A few other things happened throughout the day, but I justified them. Then I discovered that my notice to the local Chamber of Commerce, sent in for a blast to more than 500 people, contained a personal letter which I had written to the artists I represent. I'll leave out all the gory details which ensued, but during a rushed time a few days ago, I had inadvertently added the email of a new employee for publicity to my artist list, rather than to the Chamber list. So reading this ACIM lesson caused some major laughter as I realized there had been indicators to slow down and listen all day, but I'd chosen to rush past them. This is yet another lesson I pray to remember! 

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, 2013 - The Gift of Love

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #346

"Today the peace of God envelops me,

And I forget all things except His Love."

Have you ever felt a moment when it seemed that time stood still? These sentences from today's ACIM lesson brought back a remembrance in me: "What I seek today transcends all laws of time and things perceived in time. I would forget all things except Your Love." A number of years ago I experienced a breach of time when I first saw a man who later became my very good friend. I was playing the organ at a Sunday morning service when he walked in and sat down. As I looked over at him, it was as though time didn't exist. Everything was still, and yet it felt like eons rushed through me. My material interpretation of this event was that I knew this man from forever; that he was the one I'd been waiting for. I see the event today as something different. Our meeting opened a portal, if you will. I became aware of a doorway I could step through where nothing existed other than the Love which is God. What a gift! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized."

Science & Health Page 468:26:30

December 11, 2013 - Giving and Receiving Miracles

"Eureka Springs B&B"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #345

"I offer only miracles today,

For I would have them be returned to me."

Today I received a phone call from a friend whose first words were, "Do you think we live in a police state?" Of course, said I. These are the types of conversations I walk away from face-to-face, but since he had just had this realization and was upset, I stayed with him on the subject. While I did express more strong opinions than I generally like to admit I have, the conversation was, for the most part, a cry for him to return to Love. I see our current mortal, mental state as a reflection of the fear we harbor; a fear which is fed by most everything in daily life. I talked to him of tipping points, and mass consciousness, and our true consciousness as an expression of God. We could banter back and forth for a very long time the material conditions, causes, solutions of this existence. But to get to the heart of it all takes spiritual sense, which cannot be gleaned from intellectual exercises. And that's where I see the miracle: the revelation which reveals the omnipresence of God, good. 

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, 2013 - The Gift of Love

"Harding Spring, Eureka Springs"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #344

"Today I learn the law of love; that what I give my brother is my gift to me."

For the past few days, I've been navigating the maze involved in setting up an on-line shopping site for my gallery. It's a fun and exciting project, but those times I've needed to phone tech support have been challenging. For the most part, I've kept in mind the precepts related in today's lesson, that the love and kindness I express to my brother is a gift to me. Being open-hearted has made most seeming impasses a mere stepping stone. But today, after hours of trying to set up payment methods, the last step seemed simple but the form I was filling out wouldn't cooperate! I was stymied by entering my birthday on an application. It kept telling me I needed to correct it when I was typing it exactly as they asked. While talking to Ray at Pay Pal tech support, we ascertained that this was a glitch in their application process. This time it wasn't me being tempted to throw up my hands in frustration, but the tech guy. Rather than join in his tirade about his company, I made a suggestion about how he might help them fix these problems. I told him he was important and he shouldn't be silent when he had solutions. We ended our chat with him talking about his plans for the holidays. What a lovely gift this was -- and not just because I got my form submitted!

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, 2013 - No Sacrifice Necessary

ACIM Workbook Lesson #343

"I am not asked to make a sacrifice

To find the mercy and the peace of God."

What if all I need do to find the peace of God is to stop thinking habitual limiting thoughts? Let's say someone wants to change a personal relationship which we've had for some time. 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 him. Why would he want to leave? What have I done to cause him to feel this way? Now we're 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 a situation from an egotistical standpoint. But with an acceptance and the 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 release of personal sense. All we need give up are long-held beliefs in the way we want situations to be. What a joy to give up personal agendas, preconceived notions of how things should be, and to welcome the Love which is God! I feel no sense of sacrifice in this trade-off!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

" The divine hand led me into a new world of light and Life, a fresh universe — old to God, but new to His “little one.” It became evident that the divine Mind alone must answer, and be found as the Life, or Principle, of all being; and that one must acquaint himself with God, if he would be at peace." Retrospection and Introspection Page 27:29-4