Grand and Noble Lives - June 22, 2017

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

Cosmic Storage

"In the Flow" created by
Sandy Wythawai Starbird

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 wake up in a new world every day.” Usually this is said when I can’t remember someone’s name, or perhaps don’t recall having ever met them before. And then we can have a chuckle while they tell me if we know each other. Waking up to a new world, letting go of so-called mistakes, releasing long-held beliefs -- what's wrong with that?! This type of release doesn’t negate who you are, but rather (I feel) you are enhanced by it as you expand thought. What if we truly are One? We would all be a reflection of the one divine Mind and would be accessing all which ever was or is. In this reality, nothing true would or could ever be forgotten. It’s all One, awaiting our recognition. Some call this cosmic storage space the Akashic records: the knowledge of everything that ever was. It's mine today -- even if I don't remember your name!

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

Being Here Now

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM 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."

“Wild” is the title of a book and a movie I thought were great.  It's the story of a confused and sad young woman who hikes the 1000-mile Pacific Crest Trail. She’s not sure why she's doing it, but knowing she can't go on with the destructive way she's been living. In the past, there have been many times I've wished I could change parts of my life, but I don't feel that way anymore. A line from this movie exemplifies why that is: "What if all the things I did are the things that got me here?" There's no place I'd rather be; there are no other children I'd rather have; I love my friends; I love my pets! If I had the chance to go back and take out parts of my life -- parts which I wouldn't want put up on a movie screen -- I wouldn’t do it.  I am learning the differences (and the sameness) in and between loving and being Love. I’m learning how being the experience of divine Mind is as individual as I Am. What an adventure!!

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

Merciful, Just, and Pure

"Moab"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #170 “There is no cruelty in God and none in me.”

The belief in separation fosters fear. 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 both 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, 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

Amazing Grace

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #169

“By grace I live. By grace I am released.”

“Grace is acceptance of the Love of God within a world of seeming hate and fear.” [ACIM] In having an anything-goes conversation with a group of friends, it became apparent that we have different ways of talking to people with whom we disagree. In recent months, I have made an extreme effort to listen to others rather than immediately responding with admonitions and corrections of what I deem to be erroneous thought. I’ve written in the past that a favorite statement in such situations is, You may be right about that. This is something I don’t say anymore. Usually in the face of “alternative facts” I will say something like, If that’s true, we need to do something about it. And then I’ll suggest we research the topic and begin a dialogue about it. This has opened up a whole world of communication I would not normally be willing to have. “By grace I live. By grace I am released.” [ACIM] These conversations feel like amazing grace to me!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love.” 

Science & Health Page 494:15

Claiming Grace

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #168

 in Miracles“Your grace is given me. I claim it now.”

I remember a young woman who came in my gallery one evening and told me that she loved art, but that she didn't have any talent because she had been sexually abused as a child. I smiled at her and she said, No, really, every day for years and years! I told her I wasn't smiling about what she had said or what had been done, but I was smiling at the part of her which had never been touched by any of this. I told her everyone has tons of talent and for her to continue trying things until she found something she really loved -- and then keep on doing it! Her eyes lit up as she listed things she loved and wanted to do. By practicing kindness when faced with hardness of heart, meekness when those around us are aggressive, loving those who seem unlovable, and paying it forward at every opportunity, we acknowledge the grace which is our true heritage. By this, we learn what it feels like, not just what it means.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds." Science & Health Page 4:3-5

One Life

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #167 “There is one life, and that I share with God.”

This topic reminds me of being in the market check-out line when the kid sacking groceries was trying on the checker's glasses. He says he doesn't know how anyone can see through them, and she tells him they're reading glasses and he'll find out some day.  He says, "I hope God comes before that happens." The checkout lady says, "That's horrible! No, that's wonderful. No ..." At this point, I also was somewhat speechless! She had interpreted his comment to mean he hoped he died before he lost his 20/20 vision. But upon reflection, he could have meant other things -- perhaps "the rapture"?? The whole conversation reflected our muddled, confused thought. He was assuming that getting older requires a loss of sight, she was assuming he wanted to die before he was old, he was believing God was somewhere separate from him — well,  erroneous assumptions are rife.  Rather than wonder what their conversation meant, I looked at my Life, realizing that to relish every moment is enough.  Using the word Life as a synonym for deity helps me see that there is no separation and I can relax into the ever-constant wonder of Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens, — all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Suns and planets teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful, and the leaflet turns naturally towards the light.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Pages 240:1-9