March 28, 2015 - Love Without the In

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #87

Review: “I will there be light.” and “There is no will but God’s.”

My thoughts turn today toward the holy relationship. We have many relationships in this life and, if you're like me, you prefer to think of all of them as holy! If God is Love, and we express that Love, then isn't every thing we do coming from that Love which is our essence? Unfortunately, this is not true. What we think of as love is often colored with human emotions such as guilt, jealousy, lust, and fear. This is a hard admission for any of us to make. A dear friend has been talking to me recently about a relationship he is ending. I have been thinking back over relationships I could have stayed in to this very day and how that would have led my life in different paths. The thing that keeps coming back time and again is that each and every relationship I have ever had was based in some way or another on the words, "I want". Maybe I wanted to be loved, maybe I wanted to be IN love, maybe I wanted a love affair like the movies and songs tell us is the be-all, end-all. My friend is feeling sad for the loss of this relationship. He liked so many things about this woman, but there were some basic differences which caused their incompatibility. He could have stayed and been contented, but there was something missing: It wasn't a holy relationship. It was based on expectation of change and other material desires. My friend innately knows there is more than settling down with someone because it's easy. And I know he will recognize, within himSelf, what it is he's waiting for.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The admission to one's self that man is God's own likeness sets man free to master the infinite idea. The understanding and recognition of Spirit must finally come, and we may as well improve our time in solving the mysteries of being through an apprehension of divine Principle. At present we know not what man is, but we certainly shall know this when man reflects God.”

Science & Health Page 90:24-32

March 27, 2015 - One Thing Have I Desired

"Mongolia Trip"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #86

Review: "Only God's plan for salvation will work." and "Holding grievances is an attack on God's plan for salvation."

Once a month I attend a gathering of remarkable women. We have met for a number of years, there are around fifteen of us, and we love and support each other through any and everything. We share good food and drink, laughter, and discuss interesting books. One of these women and I play an online word game similar to Scrabble. She has mentioned that I always get better letters than she does, and that I once told her that I draw these letters to me. Although I don't remember saying this, perhaps I did. Maybe I said it in jest, or it could have been a moment of egotistical mania. I don't know. Something I do in this game, or any other, is not to have expectations. I also don't care if I win or lose -- really, truly! My goal is to make fun words and get the highest score possible, yes, but I couldn't care less if someone else gets a higher score. It's all about what I do, not someone else's actions. This all falls under the same caveat as not holding grievances, not making assumptions, and not having strong opinions. I truly do have one desire: to listen and follow the inner voice of divine Mind. If this brings me better letters in word games or keeps me out of harms way when on the highway, great! But that's not what I'm asking for. I only want one thing: to know God.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Salvation: Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all."

Science & Health Page 593:20-21

March 26, 2015 - Grievance Hides Light

"March Sky in the Ozarks"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #85

Review: "My grievances hide the light of the world in me." and "My salvation comes from me."

Cynicism hides the light of the world very effectively. As a small child, I freely expressed joy in everything and to everyone, but slowly and thoroughly this joy was quieted by rules and other forces of conformity. By the time I was a teenager, cynicism had taken over my every action. This is a definition of cynicism: "An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others." During the 60s and 70s, although it was heralded as the Age of Aquarius, the free love that permeated our atmosphere was actually a charade of the Love I had felt as a small child. We made fun of those who weren't like us, and by doing so became unsure of what we were. There was an attitude of disdain which came with our superiority. We knew our government was wrong, as were our parents, most teachers, and the majority of our peers. It's no wonder that a major magazine's cover declared that God was dead, because materialism and cynicism had killed any expression of real Love. I was convinced that to have children would be a travesty, as this world was no place for humans to be. Nearly half a century past those turbulent times, I see wonderful changes in all of us. Everyone I know realizes that Love is a force within us which can't be quieted; that fear can never be as powerful as Love; that there is no reason to pretend only the foolish think this way. More people every day are waking up to the Truth of their being, living the salvation of this realization, and not allowing anything to hide this light. Any day now everyone will awaken to their function as a living ray of this Love, and we won't be afraid of it. It is our heritage! We have denied it as long as we can. The Truth is alive within us and it only takes recognition to bring it to fruition. Let's live our salvation today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Ignorance of the divine idea betrays at once a greater ignorance of the divine Principle of the idea — ignorance of Truth and Love. The understanding of Truth and Love, the Principle which works out the ends of eternal good and destroys both faith in evil and the practice of evil, leads to the discernment of the divine idea."

Science & Health Page 560:28-4

March 25, 2015 - Love Holds No Grievance

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #84

Review: “Love created me like Itself.” and “Love holds no grievances.”

Most of us have a list of grievances we can call up in thought at the slightest provocation. In the past, I've held grievances which ranged from deeds of ex-husbands to actions of politicians. I've resented neighbors’ words and blamed friends for perceived betrayals. As I pause and ponder what grievances I may be presently nurturing, only a few come to thought. I'm in the process of asking myself why I feel the need to hold on to these feelings of discontent. I don't think I do have a reason for these resentments; it's just a habit. I do not want to attack Love with these grievances. "Love created me  like Itself" we are told in part of today's ACIM review. If I attack Love with grievances, I am attacking myself. If I am attacking myself, I'm attacking you. I think I'll just stop it!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality-- infinite Life, Truth, and Love."

Science & Health Page 518:18-22

March 24, 2015 - Forgiveness Equals Happiness

"The Junes"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #83

Review: “My only function is the one God gave me.” and “My happiness and my function are one.”

My function is to forgive, and through that function I am happy. Often we look forward to events and are disappointed if those plans do not come to fruition. I am schedules to have a fitting for my new prosthetic device today, but yesterday I fell down while filling the bird feeder and my leg is too swollen to go forward with the fitting. I am disappointed. But today is supposed to be a warm, sunny day and I am looking forward to the car trip as much as anything. So I will go forward with happiness, enjoying the company of my friend who is driving. We will take my Chili Dog along with us and have a nice lunch somewhere. I often refer to pointless car trips as "joy riding". So I will forgive myself for not paying attention and tipping over, and we will go forward with a joy-filled day, being happy all the way!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.”

Science & Health Page 106:7-10

March 23, 2015 - At Peace With Life

Ozark Night
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #82

Review: “The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness” and “Let me not forget my function.”

Years ago, I knew a young man who was diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer. In the two or three months he had to live, he and his family never talked with each other about his condition. It was the oddest thing, but everyone pretended he was getting well until the day he passed on. Recently a sweet woman I know has been told she has a brain tumor and doesn't have long left with us. She is at peace with the situation and is attempting to experience every moment of joy and love that is possible. Unfortunately, her only child has been unable to face what's happening and has not been visiting her. Finally, today he did. What a blessing to everyone involved! By facing life's situations, even when they are interpreted as death, we give ourselves the opportunity to discover something far deeper than the mindless chatter we may have been using to fill up time and space. Every time I reach out to a person in need, I am remembering my function of allowing the light to bring peace to every situation. I pray to not be afraid of anything that presents itself, as I use this as an opportunity to fulfill my function.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Death and finiteness are unknown to Life. If Life ever had a beginning, it would also have an ending.” Science & Health Page 469:5-6

March 22, 2015 - What is My Function?

Photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM  Workbook Lesson #81

Review: "I am the light of the world" and "Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world."

I made a mistake. I never, ever post political things to my Facebook page. There was a post someone else had made about an unloving point of view one of Arkansas’s elected officials had voiced, and I was so astounded that I “shared” it without thinking of the consequences. Almost immediately, others began to share their thoughts. Then a distant cousin of mine wrote that he would vote for this politician for president because he was better than who we had — and he gave reasons why he thought so. I read it. Then my thought was inflamed with things I wanted to say to my dear relative. Actually, my first thought toward him was very rude — rude enough that I shan’t quote it here. Without hesitation, I deleted the entire post from my page. I’ve said before that I try not to have strong opinions because it closes my mind to anything else. By the same token, I do not serve my function as a reflection of Love if I post unlovely things about others — even if I deem their words to be ignorant and inappropriate. Especially so!! What is my function? To shine the light of forgiveness within. Namastè.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers."

Science & Health Page 15:26-27