June 27, 2015 - Answered Prayer

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #178 Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #165 "Let not my mind deny the Thought of God." #166 "I am entrusted with the gifts of God."

How surprised would you be if your prayers were answered? I have a friend who tells me she's given up on God because she's never seen any proof. Upon questioning her, it turns out she has a laundry list of things she asks for regularly, and none of her wishes have come true. Once again, I feel we often confuse divine Love with Santa Claus. We may be asking some guy in the sky for special dispensation, rather than recognizing that this Principle is an eternal activity which we can plug into at any time. It's kind of like electricity: It's there, but it doesn't supply our needs unless we know how to utilize it. And the secret to plugging in is to not want anything! By not delineating what we think we need, but rather keeping our thoughts tuned to the divine Mind, all our needs are supplied. The nature of this Oneness insures that what we need comes to us, and goes out to others, and we needn't tell It what that need is!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“How empty are our conceptions of Deity! We admit theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite, and then we try to give information to this infinite Mind. We plead for unmerited pardon and for a liberal outpouring of benefactions. Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.”

Science & Health Page 3:17-27

June 26, 2015 - Mary Would Be Pleased

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #177 Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #163 "There is no death. The Son of God is free." #164 "Now are we one with Him Who is our Source."

Often I hear people talking about the melding of science and religion. In their traditional meanings, this would be impossible. Religion has taken on too many facets to be purely the knowledge of God. On many levels, it has become more political than spiritual. Science, on the other hand, means knowledge. But since its definition includes rational explanations and predictable results, it has long been left out of spirituality. While typical religion may never qualify under this definition, the knowledge of God certainly does. When Mary Baker Eddy discovered the science of the Christ in the 1860s, she first called it moral science. In her 600 pages of explanation, this science is shown to meet all the criteria to be called such. In this time of rapidly shifting perceptions, many people are grasping what this means and embracing the beauty and perfection of it. Mary would be pleased!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When the final physical and moral effects of Christian Science are fully apprehended, the conflict between truth and error, understanding and belief, Science and material sense ,,, will cease, and spiritual harmony reign.”

Science and Health Page 288:10–14

June 25, 2015 - Child of God

"Maya Angelou"
unknown artist

ACIM Workbook Lesson #176 Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #161 "Give me your blessing, holy Son of God." #162 "I am as God created me."

I recently posted a Maya Angelou quote to Facebook along with a beautiful portrait of her. Her words were in reference to being a child of God and the tough time she has seeing everyone else as the same. Almost immediately someone I don't know posted that we are not all children of God and gave biblical citations to prove this. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" John 1:12-13. I didn't respond because I didn't post the quote to create controversy, but to help bring peace to many who are deeply hurt by the horrid murder of people at church in South Carolina. So I didn't say that the key part of this Bible quote is "...not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Divine Mind, God, did not create material man, but the "real" man, which is spiritual. When I say things like this in social media, I always start a brouhaha, and that's not what I'm going for. Peace is given to all willing to receive. Namastè!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual."

Science & Health Page 414:26-31

June 24, 2015 - Sharing Happiness

"Blue Spring"
photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #175 Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #159 "I give the miracles I have received." #160 "I am at home. Fear is the stranger here."   

I have a friend who lives on the other side of the country who delights in taking an idea and ripping it apart, reveling in looking at it from all sides and discrediting it gleefully. It's interesting that I nurture this friendship, as these types of discussions are not something I usually find engaging. But for some reason, he intrigues me and I love watching the way his brain works! He is very intelligent, but insists on declaring that he's not, along with disagreeing with almost everything I have to say, He scoffs at my talk of Spirit and is often speechless when I throw a statement down like "there is no intelligence in matter". He sent a note today telling me all the reasons god doesn't exist -- and I agree with most of his thinking -- as the god he's talking about doesn't exist for me either. But I can't resist hearing more and so I ask him questions that I know will bring on a barrage. I just sent him a note asking: "What do you think eternity is?" I'm sure he's having fun tearing that one up!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.”

Science & Health Page 57:18-21

June 23, 2015 - Let It Go

Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #174

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #157 "Into His Presence would I enter now." #158 "Today I learn to give as I receive."

I have a dear friend who just returned home from an 8-month camping trip to remote regions of the United States. She’s 74 years young and she jumped into her car with a pup tent, a few blankets and changes of clothing, her sketch pad — and not much else! She slept under the stars, when possible by a river, and met many interesting people and got quite an education about Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Arizona, and Utah. As I related some of Lizzy’s adventures to a mutual friend, she said she could never do anything like that until she “conquered her fear”. Hum, what an interesting concept! I suppose we are taught that fear is something to be overcome, but I think of it as something to be replaced. I suggested she start by ceasing to listen to or watch the news, and definitely not to watch any crime dramas on television or horror movies. She thought I was joking, as she can’t imagine life without any of those activities. I could have given her a lecture, but I let it go with a smile. :)

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 589: 8-11

June 22, 2015 - Perfectly Led

photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #173 Central Theme: “God is but love and therefore so am I.” Review of: #155 "I will step back and let Him lead the way." #156 "I walk with God in perfect holiness."

Oftentimes we realize change is necessary in our lives, but various reasons keep us from moving forward. There may be factors of fear, stubbornness, or hedonistic desires involved in our reluctance. Almost 20 years ago, I was prompted to make some major changes. I brought my children to Eureka Springs and started a new life. We changed everything from our furniture to our way of thinking and daily activities. The cleansing effect of this change brought happiness and peace where drama and turmoil had been before. Recognizing that "God is Love and so am I" allowed me to be led in perfect holiness, for which I am most grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"… we must first turn our gaze in the right direction, and then walk that way. We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives."

Science & Health Page 247:25-29

June 21, 2015 - Would I Rather Be Right or Kind?

"Beaver Bridge in Fog"
photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #172 Central Theme: “God is but love and therefore so am I” Review of: #153 “In my defenselessness my safety lies.” #154 “I am among the ministers of God.”

I’ve been married three times. I used to have a seeming need to speak my mind. It didn’t matter if it was a holiday dinner or family function where everyone was supposed to be having a good time, if I disagreed with someone, I was sure to let them know exactly why! At some point in the last twenty or so years, I’ve lost that desire. If I disagree with someone now days, I’ll most likely say something like, “You may be right about that”, and smile and wander away. One of my favorite sayings is, “If you have a choice of being right or being kind, be kind.” Not having a desire to defend myself or others is my ministry. And there are always lots of opportunities to practice it!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Teach your student that he must know himself before he can know others and minister to human needs. Honesty is spiritual power.”

Science & Health Page 453:14-15