December 18, 2013 - Love, not Judgment

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #352

"Judgment and love are opposites. From one Come all the sorrows of the world. But from The other comes the peace of God Himself."

Did you know that colors appear differently when placed on different background colors? I recently read an article about this which explained that the way we perceive a color is based on our education about color perception and how we've been conditioned to see color. Who knew?? As I struggled to grasp this fact, I realized it's the same with our perceptions of what reality is. Spiritual perception allows us to see beyond the seeming reality of our material senses. Interactions with others may be full of judgments and suppositions when we look at the situation with by-rote, learned behavior and the immediacy of emotions. But the Truth which comes from seeing from a different standpoint, from a spiritual perspective, allows an improved interaction with others. This is true because our human experience is the visible expression of our thinking. To see the world and others through the eyes of Love frees us to love as God Loves: purely, without a skewed view of the color and fabric of everything we see. Now I know what the expression "showing your true colors" means!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Thought will finally be understood and seen in all form, substance, and color, but without material accompaniments."

Science & Health Page 310: 6:8

December 17, 2013 - Guide to Peace

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"Perceptions"
Photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #351 "My sinless brother is my guide to peace. My sinful brother is my guide to pain. And which I choose to see I will behold."

An old friend whom I hadn't seen in quite some time came in the gallery following a joyous Christmas parade. She told me about taking care of a friend of hers who is very ill. In the telling of this, she mentioned that this woman had been very hurt and upset by a rescue organization here in our town; that they had done many things which caused her anguish, including telling lies about her. In telling this tale, she wept many times and said divisive things about this group of people. My first impulse was to stand up for them. I see them as a wonderful organization, compassionate and caring. My old friend does not. As I hugged her and reassured her the best I could, I realized, once again, that we have choices in perceptions. Feeling compassion for her pain, I didn't defend this group nor try to refute her accusations, as I realized that seeing "my sinless brother is my guide to peace." Namaste' -----

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Final deliverance from error, whereby we rejoice in immortality, boundless freedom, and sinless sense, is not reached through paths of flowers nor by pinning one's faith without works to another's vicarious effort. Whosoever believeth that wrath is righteous or that divinity is appeased by human suffering, does not understand God."

Science & Health Page 22:23-28

December 16, 2013 - The Miracle of Grace

"Christmas Tour of Homes Performance"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #350

"Miracles mirror God's eternal Love. To offer them is to remember Him, And through His memory to save the world."

While acting as a docent at the Christmas Tour of Homes, our lovely almost-100-year-old church edifice was graced with an 8-piece brass ensemble which played carols. This performance could have been considered rather pedestrian by many, but I was reminded that "miracles mirror God's eternal Love" when they did something unexpected in the first number they played. They had launched into "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" when, on the last verse, suddenly everyone stopped playing except the baritone horn and the flute -- and the remainder began to sing. I'm not sure why this particular combination moved me so, but suddenly I found tears streaming down my face as I watched this group performing under the words "God is Love". I can think of many reasons why this happened, but they all fall under the heading of experiencing divine Love. We can see this mirror in everything, when we clear the way for it. I ask to remember this today and every day.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love. 

Science & Health Page 494:15

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