June 9, 2015 - No Fear in Love

"Thailand"
photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #160

“I am at home. Fear is the stranger here.”

When we are afraid of a situation, we often want someone to be with us to comfort us and, perhaps, share in that fear. When I was admitted into the hospital last year, I was repeatedly asked if I wanted to call someone to be with me. I assured everyone I was fine. Remaining cheerful throughout the whole stay was also an anomaly to the staff. I haven’t thought about those days very much, but today’s topic brings it to mind as I look for a time of fear in order to write about it. But I really think “I am at home and fear is the stranger here”. As an expression of divine Love, there is no need to ask for more. And so it is! 

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

June 8, 2015 - Giving/Receiving Miracles

"Thai Joy"
photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #159

“I give the miracles I have received.”

A quote attributed to Albert Einstein, paraphrased, says something like this: We can live as though nothing is a miracle or as if everything is a miracle. I’ve always leaned toward the side of wonderment, looking at life with rose-colored glasses and being tickled pink at the ever-changing miracle of  life as witnessed by trees and flowers and flowing water and the like. Today I’m pleased to enjoy the miracle of driving a car! It has been almost six months since I’ve driven, because of a lower leg amputation. Today, while starting my car for its daily engine revving and 6 inches of movement back and/or forward, I thought to myself, I can drive! Interestingly enough, I can feel my invisible foot. Some people may think of that as phantom pain, but I believe I'll look at it as a gift of Life. I'll nurture the feeling, knowing Truth in all its forms and functions as I continue to recognize the miracle so I can give it away!

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."  

Science & Health Page 560:11-16   

June 7, 2015 - Learning to Receive

Adventures in Thailand
photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #158

“Today I learn to give as I receive.”

A dear friend, Jim Young, did an interview today on a radio show called Reality Spirituality. The woman who interviewed him told us that at one point she went for 40 days without speaking. I think this was a lovely exercise in learning to give what she was receiving. Bypassing words, which can so often be misinterpreted, she was communicating purely with the energy of her Being. At one point during the program Jim asked us what if, rather than try to tell someone how much we love them, we simply sit and BE love, and through this sharing of energy we impart our true feelings. Opening ourselves to Love allows this transfer of energy to occur naturally with no misunderstanding by another.  

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life and recognizing no mortal nor material power as able to destroy.” 

Science & Health Page 249:6-8

June 6, 2015 - Transforming Thought

"Monkey in Thailand"
photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #157

“Into His Presence would I enter now.”

"Practicing the Presence" was the first book I read by Joel Goldsmith. In it, he reminds us that we already are and always will be "in his Presence", as this Course in Miracles lesson is reminding us today. The space "I enter now" is a shift in my perception, a change of my thought. This shift allows me to realize that I always was and always will be the experience and expression of God. I Am that I Am. If good news were reported in the media, they would be proclaiming instances of this yielding to Truth, because we're seeing it everywhere! That's what it's all about, huh? We are being "renewed by the transforming of our mind". We're transforming our mind into Mind and entering into the kingdom of heaven which is within. How wonderful to know we have that choice!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity.”

Science & Health Page 598:23-25

June 5, 2015 - I Give Up Nothing

photo courtesy of Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #156

“I walk with God in perfect holiness.”

I've always had a resistance to yielding. Walking with God in perfect holiness implies a yielding, don't you think? How else could you walk this walk without giving up what you think of as yourself? You can't. What finally got through to me was the realization that what I was giving up was NOT myself, but a mishmash of everything I had ever been told was true, combined with an erratic belief system I had decided was me. Add to that the hypnotism of media and the pull of mass consciousness and we're left with a pretty convoluted idea of what we are. Little by little, I'm letting go of beliefs and learned behaviors. Being present in the moment, giving my full attention to whatever may be in front of me, loving myself and all in Its oneness -- this is what I see as walking with God. Accepting myself and everything as holy becomes easier when viewed without judgment. Simply witnessing events, perhaps with amusement, is certainly more fun!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from [It] in whom we have our being.”

Science & Health Page 264:10-12

June 4, 2015 - Smile and Enjoy Peace

"Strawberry Full Moon"
photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #155

“I will step back and let Him lead the way.”

When to speak, when to act, when to remain silent and listen? It’s not always easy to stay quiet about something we have passionate feelings toward. Sharing what we’ve learned is a good thing, but pushing our attitudes on others, particularly if they’re not ready to hear them, serves no purpose other than furthering conflict. I recently had a lovely day with old friends who have very strong opinions about a number of things in this life. It was quite an opportunity to step back and ask myself what I’m looking for. If I want a life of strong opinions and sport-arguing, I could join in the banter. If I choose to be led by divine Mind, I can enjoy listening to the conversations of strong-minded individuals and still maintain inner peace. I don’t feel the need to make my views known or to correct what I feel is wrong. What fun to smile and enjoy the peace!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual sense, contradicting the material senses, involves intuition, hope, faith, understanding, fruition, reality." Science & Health Page 298:13-15

June 3, 2015 - Simple Seekers For Truth

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #154

“I am among the ministers of God.”

As I ponder what it means to be a minister of God, many thoughts come to mind. First I think of my half-brother, Little George Havens, traveling evangelist. He was quite short and very flamboyant! I can still hear him singing, to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, "The circuit ridin' preacher traveled through the mire and mud; preached about the fiery furnace and of Noah and the flood". What a character he was! He spend his life spreading the Word of God as he knew it. And he helped countless people find hope along the way. But did he ever listen for the voice for God, or did he just recite what he had come to believe as Truth? That, I can't say. We can only know our own heart, not others'. And so today I will examine my motives in my interactions. Am I truly listening for that still, small voice when I respond to life's situations? That's a question I'll ask more than once today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences.”

Science & Health Page 570:14-17