...is what a wise friend said after I'd come through a hard time. "You're better off for having passed through the fire." (You could have fooled me!) This thought of expecting to be blessed by tribulation was something new. But I've seen since that what Romans 8:28 says is true, that it does cover me and you. As Paul put it confidently: "...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
So many of us haven't had good handed to us on a silver platter, but when we choose that thing that matters most -- loving and trusting our heavenly Father more, we do emerge from trials with a lasting gain. To me, it's worth more than gold itself to feel God's presence more, to be turning to Him first when hard-pressed by this or that. The spiritual (and human) blessings not evident at the time usually, but in retrospect crystal clear.
Mary Baker Eddy (who knew what she was talking about) wrote in her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, page 4l0: "Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger. The more difficult seems the material condition to be overcome by Spirit, the stronger should be our faith and the purer our love."
A high goal this, but one that can steadily be attained.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
What Jesus Says, Goes
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
It's a sin for one to doubt
That what the Bible says is true.
You must take Jesus at his word
And believe that all he said
Applies specifically to you.
"Son, thou art ever with me,"
(Words so reassuring, words so true)
"And all that I have is thine"*
Ought to make you rejoice.
These wondrous words,
Among so many others,
Are meant just for you.
For you are God's, His very own,
And all the good He has to give --
Just think about it! --
Now belongs to you.
*Luke 15:31
It's a sin for one to doubt
That what the Bible says is true.
You must take Jesus at his word
And believe that all he said
Applies specifically to you.
"Son, thou art ever with me,"
(Words so reassuring, words so true)
"And all that I have is thine"*
Ought to make you rejoice.
These wondrous words,
Among so many others,
Are meant just for you.
For you are God's, His very own,
And all the good He has to give --
Just think about it! --
Now belongs to you.
*Luke 15:31
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Staying Safe
With two house break-ins in our very neighborhood this past week, and seeing all the news reports of people doing bad things, I have naturally been giving a lot of prayer to staying safe. Not only for those I love, but for everyone. As a neighbor said, not only do I have to worry about going into a bank these days, but now I'm threatened in my own home?
There are things one can do to stay out of crime's way, I have found. It is to the wonderful assurances of God's care throughout the Holy Bible as well as the teachings of my religion that I have a growing sense of security and freedom to go about my daily life as usual.
The first verse of the ninety-first Psalm sets forth a solid basis for security in these comforting words: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." I love that image of having a spiritually secure "secret place" right in God's shadow. And an understanding of man's spiritual selfhood, a recognition of our unity with God, man's loving Father, enables us to find that "secret place" and dwell in it.
Jesus' conviction of being inseparable from his Father empowered him to demonstrate his dominion over evil. This is indicated in his words, recorded in John's Gospel: "He that sent me is with me; the Fahter hath not left me alone." And as we follow his example to the best of our ability, we, too, can rely on God's powerful protection. Jesus showed beyond a doubt that the Father never leaves us alone or unprotected; He keeps us continuously secure in His all-seeing, all-present, all-powerful care.
This isn't to suggest that we can blithely go about our daily activities unmindful of circumstances that would threaten our safety. We need to obey God's guidance in every aspect of our lives if we're to take the right steps to avoid danger in the first place. Staying safe involves listening for God's directing right through the day.
And in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures its author Mary Baker Eddy writes: "The history of Christianity furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by his heavenly Father, onmipotent Mind, who gives man faith and undestanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering."
Through prayer and Christlike living, we gain the wonderful assurance of being safe--wherever we are.
There are things one can do to stay out of crime's way, I have found. It is to the wonderful assurances of God's care throughout the Holy Bible as well as the teachings of my religion that I have a growing sense of security and freedom to go about my daily life as usual.
The first verse of the ninety-first Psalm sets forth a solid basis for security in these comforting words: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." I love that image of having a spiritually secure "secret place" right in God's shadow. And an understanding of man's spiritual selfhood, a recognition of our unity with God, man's loving Father, enables us to find that "secret place" and dwell in it.
Jesus' conviction of being inseparable from his Father empowered him to demonstrate his dominion over evil. This is indicated in his words, recorded in John's Gospel: "He that sent me is with me; the Fahter hath not left me alone." And as we follow his example to the best of our ability, we, too, can rely on God's powerful protection. Jesus showed beyond a doubt that the Father never leaves us alone or unprotected; He keeps us continuously secure in His all-seeing, all-present, all-powerful care.
This isn't to suggest that we can blithely go about our daily activities unmindful of circumstances that would threaten our safety. We need to obey God's guidance in every aspect of our lives if we're to take the right steps to avoid danger in the first place. Staying safe involves listening for God's directing right through the day.
And in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures its author Mary Baker Eddy writes: "The history of Christianity furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by his heavenly Father, onmipotent Mind, who gives man faith and undestanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering."
Through prayer and Christlike living, we gain the wonderful assurance of being safe--wherever we are.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Albert Schweitzer on Humility
(Along the lines of my previous blog post, want to share some beautiful words on the importance of humility written by Albert Schweitzer.--one of my heroes, next to Christ Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy)
"To content oneself with becoming small: that is the only salvation and liberation. To work in the world as such, asking nothing of it, or of man, not even recognition, that is true happiness. There are things which one cannot do without Jesus. Without Him one cannot attain to that higher innocence--unless we look to Him in the disappointments of life, and seek in Him the strength to be childlike and small in that higher sense. Whoever has gone through the world of smallness has left the empire of this world to enter into the kingdom of God. He has gone over the border as one goes over the border in a dark forest--without taking note of it. The way remains the same, the surrounding things the same, and only gradually does he realize that whilst everything is familiar, it is different, that life is the same and yet not the same because of the clarity which lights up in him, and because of the peace and strength which have taken possession of him because he is small and has finished with himself.
L'humilite est la gloire de toutest les vertus."
"To content oneself with becoming small: that is the only salvation and liberation. To work in the world as such, asking nothing of it, or of man, not even recognition, that is true happiness. There are things which one cannot do without Jesus. Without Him one cannot attain to that higher innocence--unless we look to Him in the disappointments of life, and seek in Him the strength to be childlike and small in that higher sense. Whoever has gone through the world of smallness has left the empire of this world to enter into the kingdom of God. He has gone over the border as one goes over the border in a dark forest--without taking note of it. The way remains the same, the surrounding things the same, and only gradually does he realize that whilst everything is familiar, it is different, that life is the same and yet not the same because of the clarity which lights up in him, and because of the peace and strength which have taken possession of him because he is small and has finished with himself.
L'humilite est la gloire de toutest les vertus."
Sunday, November 1, 2009
To Esteem Others Above Ourselves*
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
Real heroes conduct their lives
in the way Jesus would applaud.
Never themselves do they laud,
but turn the conversation
to their buddies, to others,
and what great things
they have done, are doing.
Of such stuff is a friend
of my parents--a WWII vet who
fought on Iwo Jima, battle hot,
yards away when the flag was raised,
and world-famous photo taken;
someone highly decorated, praised.
Does this man ever puff himself up?
A firing squad couldn't make him do it.
Willing to give his all for country,
he very nearly did.
And all these years, his
wonderful deeds he has hid.
(Or tried to, but those he
has helped have not.)
Self-sacrificing, Christ-following,
credit to others he gives out,
and takes none for himself.
Thankfully,
there are among us
such as he.
*Phil. 2:3
Real heroes conduct their lives
in the way Jesus would applaud.
Never themselves do they laud,
but turn the conversation
to their buddies, to others,
and what great things
they have done, are doing.
Of such stuff is a friend
of my parents--a WWII vet who
fought on Iwo Jima, battle hot,
yards away when the flag was raised,
and world-famous photo taken;
someone highly decorated, praised.
Does this man ever puff himself up?
A firing squad couldn't make him do it.
Willing to give his all for country,
he very nearly did.
And all these years, his
wonderful deeds he has hid.
(Or tried to, but those he
has helped have not.)
Self-sacrificing, Christ-following,
credit to others he gives out,
and takes none for himself.
Thankfully,
there are among us
such as he.
*Phil. 2:3
Friday, October 23, 2009
Just thinking...
Before I share some exciting insights that have just been dawning, want to say something about my not taking comments on my blog: since I identify myself, feel strongly those who have thoughts to express should do likewise. I understand that with a blog as widely read as this one is, there might be the desire to keep private one's identity. But the solution to this is, send me an email or call me up. What you have to say will, of course, be kept confidential. I would love to hear from you! And if comments are off the mark ( as some have been) or downright inappropriate, I know how to deal with them. So...
Now, have been thinking quite deeply about something our beloved Master said in the parable known as the Prodigal. "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." As never before, the thought of present tense has stood out. Is ours right now. How can our loving Father give to us His children more than all?And just last night was reading some lines from the Christian Science textbook when this jumped out. I have long known these truths, but obviously on a more intellectual level. Mrs. Eddy is speaking of error trying to assert its superiority over Truth and she writes: "I can open your eyes. I can do what God has not done for you. Bow down to me and have another god. Only admit that I am real, that sin and sense are more pleasant to the eyes than spiritual Life, more to be desired than Truth, and I shall know you, and you will be mine. Thus Spirit and flesh war." This is on page 530 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."
Like a thunderbolt, I saw why of course, the serpent or carnal mind or whatever we wish to call it, is trying to make us think God's work not already done. That somehow His work is incomplete, that if we only acknowledge another power--slander God in effect--then the good we need will someday, perhaps, come to pass. This insight alone make Christian Science a treasure to me.
Then, was recalling something an early worker who served in our Leader's household wrote. Martha Wilcox is well know to many in the Field as a marvelously clear expounder of divine metaphysics, and she said in essence--the reason why students of Science do not get results is that they are praying, working with the thought that what they are knowing will do the job in the future. They are not praying from the standpoint of God's work being done, of present perfection. They are not realizing what is the divine fact now and always.
And will give the words of Jesus that back this up. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." He did not say, know the error and you will find freedom, did he?
And to add one more statement from the textbook which ties this up better than I ever could: "Man is God's reflection, needing no cultivation, but ever beautiful and complete." (page 527)
Now, have been thinking quite deeply about something our beloved Master said in the parable known as the Prodigal. "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." As never before, the thought of present tense has stood out. Is ours right now. How can our loving Father give to us His children more than all?And just last night was reading some lines from the Christian Science textbook when this jumped out. I have long known these truths, but obviously on a more intellectual level. Mrs. Eddy is speaking of error trying to assert its superiority over Truth and she writes: "I can open your eyes. I can do what God has not done for you. Bow down to me and have another god. Only admit that I am real, that sin and sense are more pleasant to the eyes than spiritual Life, more to be desired than Truth, and I shall know you, and you will be mine. Thus Spirit and flesh war." This is on page 530 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."
Like a thunderbolt, I saw why of course, the serpent or carnal mind or whatever we wish to call it, is trying to make us think God's work not already done. That somehow His work is incomplete, that if we only acknowledge another power--slander God in effect--then the good we need will someday, perhaps, come to pass. This insight alone make Christian Science a treasure to me.
Then, was recalling something an early worker who served in our Leader's household wrote. Martha Wilcox is well know to many in the Field as a marvelously clear expounder of divine metaphysics, and she said in essence--the reason why students of Science do not get results is that they are praying, working with the thought that what they are knowing will do the job in the future. They are not praying from the standpoint of God's work being done, of present perfection. They are not realizing what is the divine fact now and always.
And will give the words of Jesus that back this up. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." He did not say, know the error and you will find freedom, did he?
And to add one more statement from the textbook which ties this up better than I ever could: "Man is God's reflection, needing no cultivation, but ever beautiful and complete." (page 527)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Our Oneness with God
All of us who love and revere Christ Jesus probably have those of his sayings that stand out to us. I know I do. And being a student of the religion that reiterates the great Teacher's words and words, there are statements in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy that really light me up.
One such is this: "Jesus of Nazareth taught and demonstrated man's oneness with the Father, and for this we owe him endless homage." (page 18)
This was illustrated to me in a homely incident one day. I was sitting at a window, looking out on some woods, when I happened to catch a glimpse of a ring in the reflection. Two were appearing in the glass, yet I knew there was only one there. This led to much pondering, and it caused me to think more deeply about what that statement I mentioned above.
Then, I recalled something a dear friend in Australia used to say. He was an ardent student of Christian Science, a poet and sculptor who had served His Majesty's government during WWII. He said the key thing he held to during the fierce battles was this truth: God and I are not two, but one, and that one is Him. I've never forgotten this. And not surprising, it has blessed me more than once when challenges have arisen that would make me think I'm separated from God. (Which of course you and I actually are not.)
This is a topic that will keep unfolding, but what it may be worth to some of you out there in the world, I give it. To go around believing--erroneously--that yes God is Spirit and All; I believe I'm made in His image, am His child yet am a material being cut off from Him, just will not cut it. One must come to see what Jesus knew about man's oneness with the Father. And God be thanked, anyone can.
One such is this: "Jesus of Nazareth taught and demonstrated man's oneness with the Father, and for this we owe him endless homage." (page 18)
This was illustrated to me in a homely incident one day. I was sitting at a window, looking out on some woods, when I happened to catch a glimpse of a ring in the reflection. Two were appearing in the glass, yet I knew there was only one there. This led to much pondering, and it caused me to think more deeply about what that statement I mentioned above.
Then, I recalled something a dear friend in Australia used to say. He was an ardent student of Christian Science, a poet and sculptor who had served His Majesty's government during WWII. He said the key thing he held to during the fierce battles was this truth: God and I are not two, but one, and that one is Him. I've never forgotten this. And not surprising, it has blessed me more than once when challenges have arisen that would make me think I'm separated from God. (Which of course you and I actually are not.)
This is a topic that will keep unfolding, but what it may be worth to some of you out there in the world, I give it. To go around believing--erroneously--that yes God is Spirit and All; I believe I'm made in His image, am His child yet am a material being cut off from Him, just will not cut it. One must come to see what Jesus knew about man's oneness with the Father. And God be thanked, anyone can.
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