The Emperor Has No Clothes!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

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."

There’s an article making the rounds on social media concerning a public school in Tennessee which is forcing children to participate in Muslim practices. The comments to this article range from mildly ignorant to wildly speculative. Finally, someone named Doug calmly recited all the reasons this is not happening, stating that the article is a satirical joke, and nicely asking if all the responders feel silly for believing it. In other words, The Emperor has no clothes!!  We see this same scenario take place numerous times a day, in some form or fashion, and usually we look the other way — probably because it’s happening on the television news! We must speak truth to error of all sorts. With the ease of sending messages through emails and Facebook pages, I encourage everyone to refute lies which are “going viral”. May the calm voices of reason prevail!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Erroneous belief is destroyed by truth. Change the evidence, and that disappears which before seemed real to this false belief, and the human consciousness rises higher.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 297:12-15

Shifting from Fear to Love

photo credit: Heather Peters

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'm listening to Eckhart Tolle's classic book, A New Earth. It seems very appropriate at this time of changing values and the fearful actions we're witnessing as consciousness unfolds into form. Living from Love should be as easy as pie, but apparently mortal mind can misinterpret anything in any number of ways. Eckhart has reminded me that every one of us who accepts this shift from fear to Love helps to pave the way for others to move into this space. While every thought we have is important, let's not beat ourselves up when we feel we have failed -- because thoughts of failure and guilt are once again the ego jerking our chain. Let's learn to laugh at ourselves as we choose again and go forward with joy!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Erroneous belief is destroyed by truth. Change the evidence, and that disappears which before seemed real to this false belief, and the human consciousness rises higher.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 297:12-15

One Moment of Divine Consciousness ...

photo credit: 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 friend who went on an eight-month solo camping trip to remote regions of the United States. At the age of 74, 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, 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 giving up sensationalized news in the media, surrender her addiction to crime dramas on the television, and stop reading horror stories. She thought I was joking, as she can’t imagine life without 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 with Key to the Scriptures Page 589: 8-11

Paths of Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

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."

Often 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. Over 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" helped me to begin walking on the path of "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

Safely Living Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

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.”

People often talk about childhood experiences of playing freely in their yards, streets, and parks, with no fear of dangerous people or circumstances. It is thought by many that those days are gone, never to be revisited. I am reminded of an international news reporter who stated that in many war-torn countries life goes on peacefully outside of particular areas where violence is occurring. We all have the desire to be safe, to be happy, to be secure and loved. We cannot change others, but we can change ourselves. By replacing fear with the armor of Love, we can live without defense. By living Love, we are acting as the ministers of God, spreading truth with our actions. It all comes back to Love. "God is but Love, and therefore so am I". I will be led by this Love throughout this day. Namaste ---

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“People go into ecstasies over the sense of a corporeal Jehovah, though with scarcely a spark of love in their hearts; yet God is Love, and without Love, God, immortality cannot appear.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 453:14-15

Reflecting Love

unknown photographer

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #171

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of: #151 "All things are echoes of the Voice for God." #152 "The power of decision is my own."

The central theme of our review is that God is Love and we are a reflection of that Love. We may wonder how these ideas fit into our daily life. Feeling the warm, fuzzy love which comes when holding a puppy or seeing a newborn baby with its mother — from that point, it's an easy leap to open my heart to omniscient Love. Today let's concentrate on the Love which is God and the infinite ways in which we reflect that. The understanding that all things are echoes of the Voice for God is a wonderfully comforting knowledge to relax into. There are no decisions to be made when listening to this Voice which leads us in paths of peace and harmony. There can be nothing inharmonious when surrendering my personal will, my so-called ego, to the perfection of divine Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Individuals are consistent who, watching and praying, can 'run, and not be weary; . . . walk, and not faint,' who gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement.”

Science & Health Page 254:1-5

No Cruelty in Love

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #170

“There is no cruelty in God and none in me.”

The belief in separation fosters fear, and fear and cruelty go hand in hand. We think we’re defending ourselves, our loved ones, values which are of importance to us, our way of life. To this defensive end, we are willing to attack others in our words and actions, not listening to the voice of sanity which divine Mind is forever supplying. This sentence from today’s workbook lesson explains many actions: “It is their enemies who are unreasonable and insane, while they are always merciful and just.” As I witness attack thoughts around me today, I will remember that those propounding such ideas believe they are justified in their defenses, and I will see them as a child of Love, knowing it is true, and praying they realize it, too.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.”

Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, Page 497:24-28