Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Successive Stages of Progress

 
Long, long ago, perhaps in the 1980’s, I read a book called “Mary’s Message to the World”. It was purported to be a channeled writing in which Mary, Jesus’s mom, told us predictions for civilization. The only one which stuck in my mind was that this area of the country would become tropical. Judging from what has gradually happened with our weather, I would say that sounds accurate! We have practically no snow, and there is more rain along with moderately hot summers. I’ve always said if you don’t like the weather here, wait until tomorrow, because we’ve always been erratic in our little corner of the Ozarks. Perhaps abnormal is the new normal? Climate change is interesting in its intensity and unpredictability. During our metafizzie days, we had a number of folks who thought violent weather was caused by violent emotions. Whether or not this is true, we are all well-served to stay on an even keel in these tumultuous times, don’t you think? It feels like walking a balance beam, but I’ll keep on trying! 

"The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress." Mary Baker Eddy S&H 506:11-14

Monday, December 27, 2021

Heal the World -- Cook Dinner!

 

Penzeys Spices

Have you noticed that when you feel like cooking, the food seems to turn out tastier? When my boys were young, they joked that I should write a cookbook called “Just Barely Edible”. And they were correct! I was usually rushed, having other things I would rather be doing, and the meals were perfunctory at best. I heard one of my “gurus” talking about people’s emotions going into food, and one of the reasons so many people are angry is that their food is being prepared by fearful, angry people. There is only one place in town I truly enjoy eating out, and when I pause to think about it, the owner/chef is a very calm and joyous person. Our food supply chain is questionable, too, and it seems the vegetables from happy farmers taste better than mass-produced factory farm output. There is much to consider in this world we live in, but our health and happiness are a direct result of what we put into our bodies and our minds. I make a resolution to watch those last thoughts before sleep and the first hour upon waking. Have a beautiful day, dear Friends …


“Did the careless doctor, the nurse, the cook, and the brusque business visitor sympathetically know the thorns they plant in the pillow of the sick and the heavenly homesick looking away from earth, — Oh, did they know! — this knowledge would do much more towards healing the sick and preparing their helpers for the ‘midnight call,’ than all cries of ‘Lord, Lord!’” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 364:32-6

Sunday, December 26, 2021

Ridding Your Mind of Negativity

 


There are a large number of groups on Facebook devoted to self-improvement and/or spiritual understanding. I belong to Eckhart Tolle, Ram Dass, and David Hoffmeister’s groups — plus a few more. A recurring topic of conversation is people wondering how to release and rid themselves of negativity. We could go on and on with tips and thoughts about how to do this, but today I heard the simplest, most wonderful one I have heard: stop thinking about it. A thought will hurt you; a thought will heal you. BK Shivani gets right to the point without mincing words. She’s my kind of woman! If you’re interested in making some changes in your way of thinking, I highly recommend you look up her youtube videos. 



“There is no point in trying to change the world. It is incapable of change because it is merely an effect. But there is indeed a point in changing your thoughts about the world. Here you are changing the cause. The effect will change automatically.” A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #23

Saturday, December 25, 2021

A Happy Feeling ...

art by J. Clement Wall
judyclementwall.com

Poem by Mary Baker Eddy

"Blest Christmas morn, though murky clouds
Pursue thy way,
Thy light was born where storm enshrouds
Nor dawn nor day.

Dear Christ, forever here and near,
No cradle song
No natal hour and mother’s tear
To Thee belong.

Thou God-idea, Life encrowned,
The Bethlehem Babe—
Beloved, replete, by flesh embound—
Was but Thy shade!

Thou gentle beam of living Love,
And deathless Life!
Truth infinite—so far above
All mortal strife,

Or cruel creed, or earth-born taint:
Fill us today
With all Thou art—be Thou our saint,
Our stay, alway."
MBE

Friday, December 24, 2021

Merry Christmas!

 


“Observed by material sense, Christmas commemorates the birth of a human, material, mortal babe — a babe born in a manger amidst the flocks and herds of a Jewish village.


This homely origin of the babe Jesus falls far short of my sense of the eternal Christ, Truth, never born and never dying.” 

Mary Baker Eddy- Miscellaneous Writings 262:6-12

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Eternal Christ

 


"Observed by material sense, Christmas commemorates the birth of a human, material, mortal babe — a babe born in a manger amidst the flocks and herds of a Jewish village.

This homely origin of the babe Jesus falls far short of my sense of the eternal Christ, Truth, never born and never dying.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings 262:6-12

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Light and Joy and Peace

 

photo credit: Chip Ford

So-called hate groups have increased alarmingly all over the world. A man named Tony McAleer describes himself as being beaten and bullied as a child; bitter and isolated as a teenager. He became involved in one of these groups while seeking a connection with others. To quote him: "When you're starving and somebody keeps feeding you what you think are your favorite foods, even though it's junk food, there's going to be a while where you're not going to get up from the table." He continued to practice violence and anger until after the birth of his daughter. He said that was the first time in his life he had felt connected to another human being, and he started to want to change. He has now organized  a group called "Life After Hate" and is helping others to build relationships with people. He says if we are to counter these groups, we must get to a place where empathy outweighs fear. “Light and joy and peace abide in me" (ACIM) -- and in everyone!

“Light is a symbol of Mind, of Life, Truth, and Love, and not a vitalizing property of matter. Science reveals only one Mind, and this one shining by its own light and governing the universe, including man, in perfect harmony.." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 510:27-1

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