God is infinite. God is infinite Love and infinite good. Is that just a trite phrase or is it law? I think that's an important question to answer. And, it's the one I am pondering today. Prayer, I believe, is not a human effort to try and get this human self to believe in a God that you can't see. It's an acknowledgment that God, good, is the source of the universe, that divine Love is the only lawmaker.
Today I am grateful that evil does not have a source. Without a source, it cannot have an outcome. It cannot disrupt. Is this a denial of evil? Yes. Am I ignorant that we encounter storms in life (disease, famine, loss, death)? Not at all. But, I look at the life of Jesus and see how he met those storms. "Peace, be still!" He commanded them to stop, be still. What would stop you from exercising the same authority? Hmm, perhaps you feel you can't because you are not Jesus. Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is within you." He also said, "Ye are the light of the world." So, you do have that God-given authority. What would stop you from using it? Fear? Jesus said many times to not be afraid. He said, "Fear not!"
An American woman Mary Baker Eddy, wrote "We bury the sense of infinitude, when we admit that, although God is infinite, evil has a place in this infinity, for evil can have no place, where all space is filled with God."
That is what I am pondering today. If all space is filled with good, with God, then evil has no place, no source. Then, this fact is a law of healing to humanity.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
You can do it!
I wonder if you have ever felt like you can't do something. I've had my share of those experiences. Often those situations are resolved when I get a better understanding of who I am, I improve my image of myself. Several times I have found healing for myself and others by letting go of false responsibility. Whose responsibility is it to restore your health, pay your mortgage, resolve your relationship with a friend or family member. Often false responsibility hangs heavily on us, impeding healing. I looked up the root of responsibility and it's core is the word able. Did you realize that the one that you thing is responsible is the one that you are claiming is able? In other words if God is responsible for healing a health problem, we are affirming that God is able to heal, to improve the problem. If we fear or feel that we are responsible, then we are claiming that we are the one that is able. If we do that, then we are thinking that we are the source of ability, of health. The Bible tells us that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. That's the model we need.
We recognize God as the Source of all ability, all capability and power. As the expression or reflection of that Source or Soul, we have limitless ability. Does this apply to financial problems? Yes. We realize that we are inseparable from the infinite Source, divine Love. As we acknowledge that the substance (that which is lasting and true and unlimited) in our lives is God, then we find that things come into our lives as we need them. If facing a dire situation, lift that situation moment by moment to Christ activity. Keep lifting it up into the divine economy where all needs are met and watch that human need be met. If you are despairing from lack or ill health, often that's a good indicator of false responsibility. God has the responsibility and your remedy is at hand.
Every time you think you can't do it, whatever it is, release yourself from false responsibility. Acknowledge that God is the source of all ability and power. Acknowledge that God-good has the responsibility for turning the situation around and watch how things start improving.
We recognize God as the Source of all ability, all capability and power. As the expression or reflection of that Source or Soul, we have limitless ability. Does this apply to financial problems? Yes. We realize that we are inseparable from the infinite Source, divine Love. As we acknowledge that the substance (that which is lasting and true and unlimited) in our lives is God, then we find that things come into our lives as we need them. If facing a dire situation, lift that situation moment by moment to Christ activity. Keep lifting it up into the divine economy where all needs are met and watch that human need be met. If you are despairing from lack or ill health, often that's a good indicator of false responsibility. God has the responsibility and your remedy is at hand.
Every time you think you can't do it, whatever it is, release yourself from false responsibility. Acknowledge that God is the source of all ability and power. Acknowledge that God-good has the responsibility for turning the situation around and watch how things start improving.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
You Have a Holy Purpose
Friend, God has called you to be Her presence, the Christ presence today. Wherever you go you are bringing Christ. Jesus Christ said that you are the light of the world. Whatever your vocation, being the light of Christ is your calling. And God would not give you an assignment without the means, the full capability to carry it out. Jesus said that you have the kingdom of heaven within you. Can you see that you already have the kingdom?!
Last summer counselors at a camp I was helping out at were having a struggle with a girl's sour attitude. I kept seeing her as God is seeing her, no matter what. At the end of my week there, this girl, looking radiantly happy, ran over and gave me a hug. Another time, I entered a meeting a few minutes late. After the meeting, someone took me aside and said that the man leading the meeting had been ranting and raving, including cussing, until I walked in the room. He immediately calmed down. Did I do anything? Not a thing. Was I special? Not at all. It was the Christ presence that is in us all. We're just recognizing the Christ (the action of divine Love) and giving it ample room in our lives.
The author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote, "For right reasoning there should be but one fact before the thought, namely, spiritual existence. In reality there is no other existence, since Life cannot be united to its unlikeness, mortality." So, you don't really have two lives. One human and one spiritual.
Your purpose is to love God with all your heart and soul and to serve only God.
Peace to the struggling heart!
Last summer counselors at a camp I was helping out at were having a struggle with a girl's sour attitude. I kept seeing her as God is seeing her, no matter what. At the end of my week there, this girl, looking radiantly happy, ran over and gave me a hug. Another time, I entered a meeting a few minutes late. After the meeting, someone took me aside and said that the man leading the meeting had been ranting and raving, including cussing, until I walked in the room. He immediately calmed down. Did I do anything? Not a thing. Was I special? Not at all. It was the Christ presence that is in us all. We're just recognizing the Christ (the action of divine Love) and giving it ample room in our lives.
The author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote, "For right reasoning there should be but one fact before the thought, namely, spiritual existence. In reality there is no other existence, since Life cannot be united to its unlikeness, mortality." So, you don't really have two lives. One human and one spiritual.
Your purpose is to love God with all your heart and soul and to serve only God.
Peace to the struggling heart!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
No Financial Flu
Today I was reading a magazine about the computer industry and came across something very, very insightful. It said that a few years ago the world was worried about a flu pandemic, and now it seems to be dealing with a financial influenza. That author hit the mark, didn't he? What is it that would have us believe that the world is coming with a financial flu? That this curse is spreading? We have a right to reject to reject evil and its news. We have a divine right to reject the manifestation of evil. Evil does not have substance. It does not have a source. God is the only source. If evil has no foundation, no substance, it cannot have a manifestation.
When we hear of plant closings, layoffs, declines in sales, and sorrow over these events, let's be wise that we are compassionate. That means that we keep a Christly expectancy of good. It means that with the love of Christ that we see only what God-good sees. It means that we rejoice that the angels of His presence are with us, protecting all from evil. Let's see that fear, sorrow, remorse, sadness are not our thought. When we do that we see that God has given us dominion and the right to experience goodness.
God, we want to see You and understand You. Open our eyes that you are real, that You are here, that You are speaking to us, that You are caring for us, that we are listening, and that the human economy pattern the divine economy. Thank You for showing us that we have nothing to fear and so much to rejoice in.
When we hear of plant closings, layoffs, declines in sales, and sorrow over these events, let's be wise that we are compassionate. That means that we keep a Christly expectancy of good. It means that with the love of Christ that we see only what God-good sees. It means that we rejoice that the angels of His presence are with us, protecting all from evil. Let's see that fear, sorrow, remorse, sadness are not our thought. When we do that we see that God has given us dominion and the right to experience goodness.
God, we want to see You and understand You. Open our eyes that you are real, that You are here, that You are speaking to us, that You are caring for us, that we are listening, and that the human economy pattern the divine economy. Thank You for showing us that we have nothing to fear and so much to rejoice in.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Always Employed
There is much discouraging economic news lately. (One of the few positive stories has been that here in St. Louis, a pasta factory is working double shifts, sometimes 7 days a week to keep up with demand.) There can be a lot of uncertainty keeping up with bills, economizing, saving for college and retirement, knowing what to spend and where to save for another day. There are many who are doing without, having lost house or job. The question begs, are we all alone in our quest to cope with the economic downturn?
It struck me with such force this morning that we are not at risk. Is such a claim irrational? Not if you put your hand in God's and realize that there is only a divine economy. Sometimes we pray for God to take troubles away, thinking that the troubles are reality and the healing is possible, but out of reach, likely, but mysterious, possible, but we don't know how to be worthy. Or even worse, we think we are in a deep hole and it's too late. Poppycock! (Nonsense!)
I have found we feel stuck down we think that evil expressed as economic downturn, marital problems, fear of lost job or house, is real. Actually, it is not real. It is an out of focus picture or perspective presented by what the Bible calls the carnal mind. This picture is not our thinking at all. We have dominion over it. We must reject it and see that when we do this the law of good, Christ, operating on man's behalf, destroys this false perspective and its accompanying troubles.
We are not at risk because there is only a divine economy, which is governed by divine good, governed by the Mind of Christ. In Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, it says that "Every function of the real man is governed by the divine Mind." It's no stretch to see that every detail of the real economy is literally governed by the law of the Mind of Christ. God-good, being all, there is only one economy. An economy governed solely by good can only be good.
And, that my friends is the economy we are at work in. In that economy, we are active for God's purpose. We are active for good. We are gainfully employed. Our efforts are blessing mankind. Those efforts are fruitful. Despite any material perspective we are safe and prosperous today and tomorrow. This week, we shall see that how God-good is employing us. We will actively embrace the work that Love has provided us. We will be blessed, incredibly blessed.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Christ Jesus
It struck me with such force this morning that we are not at risk. Is such a claim irrational? Not if you put your hand in God's and realize that there is only a divine economy. Sometimes we pray for God to take troubles away, thinking that the troubles are reality and the healing is possible, but out of reach, likely, but mysterious, possible, but we don't know how to be worthy. Or even worse, we think we are in a deep hole and it's too late. Poppycock! (Nonsense!)
I have found we feel stuck down we think that evil expressed as economic downturn, marital problems, fear of lost job or house, is real. Actually, it is not real. It is an out of focus picture or perspective presented by what the Bible calls the carnal mind. This picture is not our thinking at all. We have dominion over it. We must reject it and see that when we do this the law of good, Christ, operating on man's behalf, destroys this false perspective and its accompanying troubles.
We are not at risk because there is only a divine economy, which is governed by divine good, governed by the Mind of Christ. In Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, it says that "Every function of the real man is governed by the divine Mind." It's no stretch to see that every detail of the real economy is literally governed by the law of the Mind of Christ. God-good, being all, there is only one economy. An economy governed solely by good can only be good.
And, that my friends is the economy we are at work in. In that economy, we are active for God's purpose. We are active for good. We are gainfully employed. Our efforts are blessing mankind. Those efforts are fruitful. Despite any material perspective we are safe and prosperous today and tomorrow. This week, we shall see that how God-good is employing us. We will actively embrace the work that Love has provided us. We will be blessed, incredibly blessed.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Christ Jesus
Sunday, March 22, 2009
There Goes That Storm
Psalms 119:65 - "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." From this passage we can deduce that experiencing peace and being offended are polar opposites.
In today's world, is it possible to feel real peace? YES! One of my favorite ways to pray is "Peace, be still!" It is a quote from the Gospel of Mark when Jesus was out on a boat that was caught in a sudden storm. He commanded the storm to cease. And it did.
You know what? You have that same Christly authority. Mark's gospel records that "the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
When I pray for myself or others, I command the world's mental storm, "Peace, be still!" Then, I pray for this for the patient, and then I tell myself, "Peace, be still." Praying in this manner has proven very effective.
The author of the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, says that, "The lightnings and thunderbolts of error [evil] may burst and flash till the cloud is cleared and the tumult dies away in the distance. Then the raindrops of divinity refresh the earth. As St. Paul says: "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God" (of Spirit)." (S&H 288:14)
That's how Christian Science healings feel to me. I feel like we hear the storm dieing off in the distance, until it fades entirely. When this happens we think, I know that X seemed so serious, but now I wonder why I was fearful. I've seen this for healings of physical and mental problems.
It is God's law, Her law of Love, rather than any human effort that brings healing. God does the work! we watch Him work. We're just recognizing that the law of good is present and in operation.
Peace, be still! What an available companion that command is.
In today's world, is it possible to feel real peace? YES! One of my favorite ways to pray is "Peace, be still!" It is a quote from the Gospel of Mark when Jesus was out on a boat that was caught in a sudden storm. He commanded the storm to cease. And it did.
You know what? You have that same Christly authority. Mark's gospel records that "the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
When I pray for myself or others, I command the world's mental storm, "Peace, be still!" Then, I pray for this for the patient, and then I tell myself, "Peace, be still." Praying in this manner has proven very effective.
The author of the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, says that, "The lightnings and thunderbolts of error [evil] may burst and flash till the cloud is cleared and the tumult dies away in the distance. Then the raindrops of divinity refresh the earth. As St. Paul says: "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God" (of Spirit)." (S&H 288:14)
That's how Christian Science healings feel to me. I feel like we hear the storm dieing off in the distance, until it fades entirely. When this happens we think, I know that X seemed so serious, but now I wonder why I was fearful. I've seen this for healings of physical and mental problems.
It is God's law, Her law of Love, rather than any human effort that brings healing. God does the work! we watch Him work. We're just recognizing that the law of good is present and in operation.
Peace, be still! What an available companion that command is.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Our Individual Experience
You are unique, just like everyone else. :-) God instructs us and gently leads us.
Over the years I have had some nice experiences with prayer taking care teeth problems. I had a molar come into position solely through prayer. Issues have faded away. For example, on one visit to the dentist, the dentist remarked that there was a spot (a cavity forming?) on a tooth he would take care of on the next visit. But, on subsequent visits he never brought it up. I have not felt the need to go to a dentist for years because God has taken care of my needs. How did I come to that decision? Through a natural progression.
Several years ago, I went to a dentist for a cleaning. It had been several years since I had had any x-rays taken of my teeth. I could sense that my refusal to allow x-rays was bothering the dentist, so I prayed to God for direction. An angel thought came, "If they would feel more comfortable having taken an x-ray, let them!" I could see he wanted to provide good care and my refusal to allow x-rays was making him fearful. So they took xrays of my teeth. And, then I waited. I mentioned to the dentist that he should check the x-ray over good. He replied, "I've gone over the x-rays twice, and I can't find anything wrong!" He was intent on finding a problem and seemed a little disappointed that there wasn't anything to fix. After that, it seemed like it was time to stop going to the tooth doctor. That was four years ago. How are things? Just fine. Whether you or I go to the dentist is not the point. What matters is while we learn more about God, that we love God and love each other.
Teeth are symbols of our God-given substance. They are not subject to decay. They are sturdy, reliable, healthy and they are here to serve us. Remember, Christian Science supports you right where you are! It is the truth of God's allness and nowness. Can you feel it? You are in the presence of God's love and power.
Over the years I have had some nice experiences with prayer taking care teeth problems. I had a molar come into position solely through prayer. Issues have faded away. For example, on one visit to the dentist, the dentist remarked that there was a spot (a cavity forming?) on a tooth he would take care of on the next visit. But, on subsequent visits he never brought it up. I have not felt the need to go to a dentist for years because God has taken care of my needs. How did I come to that decision? Through a natural progression.
Several years ago, I went to a dentist for a cleaning. It had been several years since I had had any x-rays taken of my teeth. I could sense that my refusal to allow x-rays was bothering the dentist, so I prayed to God for direction. An angel thought came, "If they would feel more comfortable having taken an x-ray, let them!" I could see he wanted to provide good care and my refusal to allow x-rays was making him fearful. So they took xrays of my teeth. And, then I waited. I mentioned to the dentist that he should check the x-ray over good. He replied, "I've gone over the x-rays twice, and I can't find anything wrong!" He was intent on finding a problem and seemed a little disappointed that there wasn't anything to fix. After that, it seemed like it was time to stop going to the tooth doctor. That was four years ago. How are things? Just fine. Whether you or I go to the dentist is not the point. What matters is while we learn more about God, that we love God and love each other.
Teeth are symbols of our God-given substance. They are not subject to decay. They are sturdy, reliable, healthy and they are here to serve us. Remember, Christian Science supports you right where you are! It is the truth of God's allness and nowness. Can you feel it? You are in the presence of God's love and power.
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