Resurrection of Thought

photo credit: 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."

What does the Easter story mean to you? I see it as a tale which illustrates the death of false beliefs and the resurrection of thought to the Truth of being. Jesus was here to teach us that we are all the children of God, that we are all capable of far more than we realize, and that we are all immortal. And he did teach these things, but people have diluted the message throughout the years. You would think such a lesson of power and freedom would grow in thought rather than dissipate, but it has not. At this point in time, we seem satisfied living a mortal life of fear and guilt. Perhaps it's easier than accepting the majesty of our Being. Truth is that we are not mortal sinners, but rather immortal reflections of divine Love. We crucify ourselves on the cross of belief and stay there because we don't know how to get down. Jesus told us to know the Truth and be freed. This Truth is that the kingdom of heaven is within! Today I want to celebrate a rebirth which is happening continually when I open myself to the Christ Idea within. And if you want to call it by another name, that’s just fine, too!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 593:20-21

Let the Light

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #85

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

A dear friend passed on recently. I feel she died of a broken heart. She, like you and me, had the light of the world in her, but it was hidden by grievances. She felt let down by people and held back by life's circumstances. As today's review reiterates, we must want to see in order to do so. At times I thought she was ready to lay aside past hurts, but it never happened. As we are told in Lesson 70: “Today I will recognize where my salvation is...I will not look for it outside myself. It is not found outside and then brought in. But from within me it will reach beyond, and everything I see will but reflect the light that shines in me and in itself." During this time of renewal and resurrection, may we all look past the circumstances, turning to the Truth of being, and find salvation!

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

Living Expressions of Love

photo credit:
Faith Pettit-Shah

ACIM Workbook Lesson #84

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

Pondering today's review, I'm thinking of all the people I know who are living expressions of Love. There is the local woman who makes others happy by dressing up as a beautiful clown for various events and, on the side, cares for the elderly.  Down the street lives a physically handicapped woman who participates in various ways to help feed the needy in our town. Organizations, such as a small independent school, provide children an education in a free atmosphere, allowing many to develop in a joyous way that may not have been possible otherwise. I'm sure you can name a multitude of people who are examples of Love's reflection. Let's spend this day noticing examples in others -- and in ourselves, too!

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

Affection and Purpose of the Heart

Flowering Quince - Richard Quick

ACIM  Workbook Lesson #83

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

One of my friends has experienced problems getting along with others. In the past, she has had someone she thought of as a best friend leave her in a parking lot declaring that she couldn't stand to be around her another minute. She had no idea what she had done wrong. And so when another such incident happened, I felt this good-hearted, clueless woman deserved to know what was going on and have a chance to examine her actions. She recently told me it was the best gift I could have given her and expressed her sincere gratitude. How did I know what to say to her and when to say it? I think one of the sentences from today's review provides the answer: "With one purpose only, I am always certain what to do, what to say and what to think." As I'm not always certain about this, it must mean that my purpose is not yet single. I've always loved challenges!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are.” Science & Health Page 9:28-30

One Light Brings Peace

photo courtesy of Aaron Springston

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.”

We all share the same light which brings peace to every mind. It's easy to forget this is true. Darkness often feels as real as light, but it's a mirage. We can go around telling people about light, but that doesn't take away the darkness in a room. By bringing light to a situation, no matter how small the flame, the darkness is dispelled as surely as if the sun were shining. We're like the rays of light from the sun. We are an emanation of the One light: the same essence, with the same function. Unhappy circumstances in life may cause us think we've lost our light, but that can't happen. An eclipse may cover the sun beams temporarily, but they are still there, shining as brightly as ever, although unseen by some. Our function is to remember our true being. We are Love with a capital "L"! By our remembrance of this Source, our function is fulfilled. Our light glows and grows, illuminating peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,--whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed.”

Science & Health Page 340: 23-29

The Bridge to Forgiveness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #81

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

I am currently revisiting a passion from the past: duplicate bridge. I think one of the reasons I have always enjoyed card games is because of the insight they offer into personalities. If you want to really get to know someone, either play cards with them or clean their house — and I know which one I would choose! Today’s lesson review points me toward two things I will utilize in my visits to the card table: extending peace to all and letting go of my belief in separation, otherwise known as forgiveness. This is wonderful practice in releasing the thought that I have a special, specific identify that puts me on another level, either higher or lower, from everyone else. Seeing myself in others can be a sobering activity, but it’s one I’m willing to undertake. What fun life is when I allow it to be a flow of Love and acceptance rather than a battle of beliefs!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 15:26-27

No Problem!

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #80

"Let me recognize my problems have been solved."

Yesterday we were told that our only problem is thinking we are separate from God. The understanding that it is impossible to be separated from our source solves that seeming problem! This topic caused a close friend to respond to yesterday's writing in the most perfect analogy, and I'd like to share it with you. "Oh that is perfect and just what is needed. I thought of it as a huge sigh...all tensions flowing away, and Peace returning. Our current situation, portrayed in a movie, would be like the moment when Luke Skywalker is led into the roots of that very large tree, meets Darth Vader, responds instantly with a lightsaber swipe and finds that the severed head is his own.  Observing without emotional reference to what we think we know would be a step in the right direction!" I love that she was inspired to write this! Let's all spread this knowledge by living it!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death. The perfect man -- governed by God, his perfect Principle -- is sinless and eternal." Science & Health Page 304:9-15