Just have to share some exciting Good News. And I capitalize these two words as they refer to a cd I listened to in my car a couple of days ago. Lifted me right off the seat (almost). I fortunately became aware of this devoted Bible scholar several years ago through friends in Melbourne, Au. Her name is Pamela Calver and she gives classes/lectures/talks all over the world. Currently she's headed to Tasmania to help awaken a love for the Word of God which is the most thrilling thing anyone of us can ever contemplate. The cd I heard was an Introduction to the book of Mark, and I can scarely tell my readers what it did for me. It's rare for me to find something that stokes the fire I feel for our Lord and Master, but the discussion I listened to, did just this.
Pamela has such a deep reverence for Christ's words and works, it comes through in her teachings, and I can highly recommended your sending for some material on ordering a tape or tapes. I do not take to "selling" per se, but given the blessings that await the listener, it would not be a waste of time or money. Her email address is: pamelacalver@gmail.com.
Lastly, the starts this cd off with the most arresting statement by an Alec McCown (I think this is the way you spell his name) who, I recall, once gave a stage production on one of the Gospels. Memorized the whole thing and electrified the audience. A British actor I think but will look it up. At any rate, he says (and I'm paraphrasing here) the greatest opening line to anything ever written is this: "The beginning of the gospel according to Jesus Christ, Son of God." Just think about this!
May God prosper this activity, and I have no doubt that He will.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Loving Jesus as I do
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
Loving Jesus as I do,
Can't help wanting for Him
What His Father wants --
Honor, obedience, love.
Do you want this
for Jesus, too?
Loving Jesus as I do,
Can't help wanting for Him
What His Father wants --
Honor, obedience, love.
Do you want this
for Jesus, too?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Our Father richly supplies
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
(Written for a friend in Poland
who's worried about income)
"Fear not, little flock;
for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the
kingdom", Jesus does assure.
(Luke 12:32)
Is not this promise for
money worries the cure?
For those of us who keep Him
closer than the problem;
on Him wholeheartedly rely,
the loving Father of us all
does all our needs supply.
God gives us the kingdom!
Can we ask our Father for more?
Think about these words,
my friend. They cover you.
In fact, all the Word divine
brings out about God's love
for all that He has made
are promises--let me repeat--
that apply, right now, to you.
Does this not make your spirits soar?
(Written for a friend in Poland
who's worried about income)
"Fear not, little flock;
for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the
kingdom", Jesus does assure.
(Luke 12:32)
Is not this promise for
money worries the cure?
For those of us who keep Him
closer than the problem;
on Him wholeheartedly rely,
the loving Father of us all
does all our needs supply.
God gives us the kingdom!
Can we ask our Father for more?
Think about these words,
my friend. They cover you.
In fact, all the Word divine
brings out about God's love
for all that He has made
are promises--let me repeat--
that apply, right now, to you.
Does this not make your spirits soar?
Friday, February 12, 2010
The power of Truth
While looking at the news last night, a segment on the upheaval in Iran caught my attention. It has caused further thought on something I've been thinking about over the past few months and that is the Internet and its impact on people. I composed a poem which was just posted on another website, and I give it below. As Mary Baker Eddy says, we know when Truth first leads because of the fewness and faithfulness of its followers. My paraphrase of her words. And the events in Iran and China bear this out.
"Truth will out"
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
Of late,
Two things of interest great
Have been turning over
In my mind:
Is the Internet a gift divine,
And can it bring people freedom?
In the yes/no column
I would have to mark
A big black "yes".
In how many ways
Does this invention bless.
Just take China and Iran
For two illustrations -
How would I,
Sitting safe and free
In my own living room
Learn the full extent
of the gloom,
The arrests, the evil acts
That tyrants do
To bottle up vital information,
To self-expression quell,
To make the rest of us think
Things in their domains are well?
Never mind the lesser ways
You and I possess
To post our thoughts dear
(Not always mind-blowing,
In my case, I must confess,
From politicians in the USA
Who have hoped to
Direct communications' flow,
To keep facts in that
Need to come out,
To countries around the globe
Whose citizens are determined,
Whatever the cost, to be free,
To say what they think is right,
I say, a rsounding shout
Of thank God, the Net is here.
"Truth will out"
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
Of late,
Two things of interest great
Have been turning over
In my mind:
Is the Internet a gift divine,
And can it bring people freedom?
In the yes/no column
I would have to mark
A big black "yes".
In how many ways
Does this invention bless.
Just take China and Iran
For two illustrations -
How would I,
Sitting safe and free
In my own living room
Learn the full extent
of the gloom,
The arrests, the evil acts
That tyrants do
To bottle up vital information,
To self-expression quell,
To make the rest of us think
Things in their domains are well?
Never mind the lesser ways
You and I possess
To post our thoughts dear
(Not always mind-blowing,
In my case, I must confess,
From politicians in the USA
Who have hoped to
Direct communications' flow,
To keep facts in that
Need to come out,
To countries around the globe
Whose citizens are determined,
Whatever the cost, to be free,
To say what they think is right,
I say, a rsounding shout
Of thank God, the Net is here.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Keeping our cool
Was just discussing with a friend in California, not a Christian Scientist, the ups and downs of posting our words on the Internet, and the sometimes flak we catch from readers, (whatever their reasons may be.) Some just seem to want to cause trouble, be naughty, as it were. Shared with her a couple of experiences from two individuals I admire who exhibited grace under fire in their own lives. The first I mentioned was Albert Schweitzer who once wrote: if we expect to do good in this world, we can't be surprised if people don't roll stones out of our path; we must not be surprised if they roll a few more upon it. Not his precise words, but the essential message. I do not have that book in front of me where I read it.
The other and earlier hero of mine involved John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. At one point he was speaking outdoors on his favorite topic, Jesus Christ, when someone in the unruly mob hurled a brick at him, knocking him out cold. Before long, his brother picked him up, and according to several eye-witnesses, this is the way this saintly little man behaved. He remained calm and loving, did not retaliate, did not become angry, but kept his sweet and Christly disposition. I have thought of this so many times and have felt awe at a person's being to do this. I know I could not have, and don't think I'm up to that today. But what an inspiration to me and to thousands of others over the years.
Lastly but not the least, Mary Baker Eddy is a hero, heroine I guess, to me. The way she stood up to opposition more than I probably could imagine and carried through with the mission God had entrusted to her--establishing the Science of Christ--is something I shall always be grateful for. And in line with conducting ourselves in a mature manner in this Christian work we're about, the following lines from something she wrote might be of help to someone somewhere. This is from "Miscellaneous Writings", page 28l: "Admiral Coligny,in the time of the French Huguenots, was converted to Protestantism through a stray copy of the Scriptures that fell into his hands. he replied to his wife, who urged him to come out and confess his faith, 'It is wise to count the cost of becoming a true Christian.' She answered him, 'It is wiser to count the cost of not becoming a true Christian.' (Italicize not, sorry this is not working right now.) So, whatever we meet that is hard in the Christian warfare we must count as nothing, and must think instead, of our poverty and helplessness without this understanding, and count ourselves always as debtors to Christ, Truth."
The other and earlier hero of mine involved John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. At one point he was speaking outdoors on his favorite topic, Jesus Christ, when someone in the unruly mob hurled a brick at him, knocking him out cold. Before long, his brother picked him up, and according to several eye-witnesses, this is the way this saintly little man behaved. He remained calm and loving, did not retaliate, did not become angry, but kept his sweet and Christly disposition. I have thought of this so many times and have felt awe at a person's being to do this. I know I could not have, and don't think I'm up to that today. But what an inspiration to me and to thousands of others over the years.
Lastly but not the least, Mary Baker Eddy is a hero, heroine I guess, to me. The way she stood up to opposition more than I probably could imagine and carried through with the mission God had entrusted to her--establishing the Science of Christ--is something I shall always be grateful for. And in line with conducting ourselves in a mature manner in this Christian work we're about, the following lines from something she wrote might be of help to someone somewhere. This is from "Miscellaneous Writings", page 28l: "Admiral Coligny,in the time of the French Huguenots, was converted to Protestantism through a stray copy of the Scriptures that fell into his hands. he replied to his wife, who urged him to come out and confess his faith, 'It is wise to count the cost of becoming a true Christian.' She answered him, 'It is wiser to count the cost of not becoming a true Christian.' (Italicize not, sorry this is not working right now.) So, whatever we meet that is hard in the Christian warfare we must count as nothing, and must think instead, of our poverty and helplessness without this understanding, and count ourselves always as debtors to Christ, Truth."
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Coincidence?
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
More and more I'm coming to see,
if we for God's guidance pray,
and earnestly want to stay
in tune with things divine,
seek counsel from the One Mind,
whether involving circumstances
or events seemingly brought
about merely by man,
we find there is at
work in our lives God's plan.
And how approriate it is
to seek His right-on direction
the way our Lord and Master did.
Thus doing, less and less we'll
wake up one day to find
our footsteps, alas, have slid.
So, in matters material or ethereal,
I'm learning it's worth the bother
to get guidance from our loving,
always-with-us, all-knowing Father.
As Isaiah 30:21 assures us,
"And thine ears shall hear a word
behind thee, saying, This is the way,
walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right
hand, and when ye turn to the left."
Identifying ourselves with the Mind One
(the only Mind we've ever had)
we're sure to see this promise done.
More and more I'm coming to see,
if we for God's guidance pray,
and earnestly want to stay
in tune with things divine,
seek counsel from the One Mind,
whether involving circumstances
or events seemingly brought
about merely by man,
we find there is at
work in our lives God's plan.
And how approriate it is
to seek His right-on direction
the way our Lord and Master did.
Thus doing, less and less we'll
wake up one day to find
our footsteps, alas, have slid.
So, in matters material or ethereal,
I'm learning it's worth the bother
to get guidance from our loving,
always-with-us, all-knowing Father.
As Isaiah 30:21 assures us,
"And thine ears shall hear a word
behind thee, saying, This is the way,
walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right
hand, and when ye turn to the left."
Identifying ourselves with the Mind One
(the only Mind we've ever had)
we're sure to see this promise done.
Why I'm still doing this blog...
...and why I foresee being at this work for a long time to come. The motivation for it is this:
To help mankind know even a little bit of what Jesus knew about God and man. A person just getting into Christian Science and what Mary Baker Eddy revealed in her inspired witings has no idea of how his or her life can be changed to the good.
I speak from experience here. Just can't imagine how I would have come through the challenges that come to us all in some form or another without the sublime words of my Lord and Master as well as the spiritual truths revealed through Mrs. Eddy's writings. Instead of having to rely on people, I have been encouraged to take my problems to God who is all-powerful and always present to help His loved children.
To help mankind know even a little bit of what Jesus knew about God and man. A person just getting into Christian Science and what Mary Baker Eddy revealed in her inspired witings has no idea of how his or her life can be changed to the good.
I speak from experience here. Just can't imagine how I would have come through the challenges that come to us all in some form or another without the sublime words of my Lord and Master as well as the spiritual truths revealed through Mrs. Eddy's writings. Instead of having to rely on people, I have been encouraged to take my problems to God who is all-powerful and always present to help His loved children.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Cool winds of spring
While out walking just now, found the cool almost-March-like wind delightful. Next month is one of my favorites, especially here in the South when forsythia, crocuses, daffodils to name just a few are bursting out all over. Why do I love crisp, clean air? Probably because of having lived many years in New England and coming to love cool weather. Then growing up in hot old Texas gave me my fill of stifling heat. But why do we need to hear about your weather-preference you may ask? You don't, and I'll get right to the purpose for this blog post.
Being a student of the teachings of Christian Science, there are so many things in Mary Baker Eddy's book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" that have been such a help. One of these is her statement about wind found on page 597 where she writes: "That which indicates the might of omnipotence and the movements of God's spiritual government, encompassing all things."
This definition has only added to my enjoyment of cool winds, and lifted thought higher, to God's everpresence.
Hope it gives you something new to think about.
Being a student of the teachings of Christian Science, there are so many things in Mary Baker Eddy's book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" that have been such a help. One of these is her statement about wind found on page 597 where she writes: "That which indicates the might of omnipotence and the movements of God's spiritual government, encompassing all things."
This definition has only added to my enjoyment of cool winds, and lifted thought higher, to God's everpresence.
Hope it gives you something new to think about.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Saved to Serve
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
God sometimes has to remind me,
"I have not brought you through,
just so you can take up space,
but that you may help others face
whatever they may be encountering,
hold their hand,
till they can stand,
confident that freedom will come."
Oh, what a holy work is given
to us servants of the Lord.
So, herein my prayer for this day:
let not even one
opportunity get by me
to feel another's need,
but let me go out of my way
to show them Christ's power,
and help them on to victory --
not for anything I may gain
but simply for their dear sakes.
God sometimes has to remind me,
"I have not brought you through,
just so you can take up space,
but that you may help others face
whatever they may be encountering,
hold their hand,
till they can stand,
confident that freedom will come."
Oh, what a holy work is given
to us servants of the Lord.
So, herein my prayer for this day:
let not even one
opportunity get by me
to feel another's need,
but let me go out of my way
to show them Christ's power,
and help them on to victory --
not for anything I may gain
but simply for their dear sakes.
Sticks and stones...
You know what they say, that words cannot actually hurt us. Especially when we're engaged in Christ's work is this true. It just isn't possible to be allying ourselves with Christ Jesus and Christian Science in this world, and not have detractors at times, if not downright hostility. Sometimes we get called names. At least, I do. But you know what? What matters to me is the Name above every other name--Jesus. Can't hear this Name, or read it in the Bible without feeling my heart flame. And my chief interest in blogging, in contributing to other blogs, is that others may feel as I do and give reverence, if not love, for God's Holy Child. Truly is the divine warfare glorious!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
"Give, and it shall be given unto you..."
Many of the readers of this blog will recognize that these words were uttered by our Lord and Master, Christ Jesus. They are found in Luke 8:36. Let me give this Bible verse in full: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be masured to you again."
I couldn't help thinking of this statement--command actually--when a friend spoke to me about a problem her grandson was having. It seems this boy feels left out of social activities and thinks the other kids don't like him. As she and I talked about how to help him not be so miserable, it occurred to me that a shift in focus was the need here. Instead of worrying so much about was he getting enough attention and invitations from his classmates, he would do well to think about what he could give. Giving -- not getting was the direction to go. They talked about this, and she thinks he's beginning to see the light on this. Of course, it takes maturity and experience in life to get to the point where we conduct our lives in line with what God expects of us. But a beginning she feels has been made.
The woman who discovered and established my religion, Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in First Church of Christ, Scientists, and Miscellany on page l65: "Goodness never fails to receive its reward, for goodness makes life a blessing. As an active portion of one stupendous whole, goodness identifies man with universal good. Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inqluiry, What am I? to the scientific respone: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing."
Precisely. As one (if he or she is fortunate) finds out soomer or later, we aren't taking up space in this world just to cater to our own needs and wishes, but to express our heavenly Father, infinite, inexhaustible divine Love. Regardless of what our place in society may be, our real reason for being is to bear witness to God, to bestow upon our fellow beings -- whether living next door to us or on the other side of the globe - the love God is unconditionally pouring out to us.
Christian Science, which closely follows the teachings of Jesus, shows that it is this same irresistible, liberating, obedience to our Master's command to give out divine Love - the greatest force in existence - that everyone needs today. For no matter how sore society's ills seem, unselfish giving is the answer. For us and for others.
We find such satisfaction in our own lives as we thus live to give instead of get. This is Christ's answer to not only lack of friendship but lack of worthwhile employment. Yes, it actually has a direct bearing on unemployment. How could it not, given that what God gave Jesus to give to us is powerful, corrective, applicable to all areas of human endeavor. The motive to bless instead of primarily receive will do wonderful things in our daily lives. God will see to it.
I couldn't help thinking of this statement--command actually--when a friend spoke to me about a problem her grandson was having. It seems this boy feels left out of social activities and thinks the other kids don't like him. As she and I talked about how to help him not be so miserable, it occurred to me that a shift in focus was the need here. Instead of worrying so much about was he getting enough attention and invitations from his classmates, he would do well to think about what he could give. Giving -- not getting was the direction to go. They talked about this, and she thinks he's beginning to see the light on this. Of course, it takes maturity and experience in life to get to the point where we conduct our lives in line with what God expects of us. But a beginning she feels has been made.
The woman who discovered and established my religion, Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in First Church of Christ, Scientists, and Miscellany on page l65: "Goodness never fails to receive its reward, for goodness makes life a blessing. As an active portion of one stupendous whole, goodness identifies man with universal good. Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inqluiry, What am I? to the scientific respone: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing."
Precisely. As one (if he or she is fortunate) finds out soomer or later, we aren't taking up space in this world just to cater to our own needs and wishes, but to express our heavenly Father, infinite, inexhaustible divine Love. Regardless of what our place in society may be, our real reason for being is to bear witness to God, to bestow upon our fellow beings -- whether living next door to us or on the other side of the globe - the love God is unconditionally pouring out to us.
Christian Science, which closely follows the teachings of Jesus, shows that it is this same irresistible, liberating, obedience to our Master's command to give out divine Love - the greatest force in existence - that everyone needs today. For no matter how sore society's ills seem, unselfish giving is the answer. For us and for others.
We find such satisfaction in our own lives as we thus live to give instead of get. This is Christ's answer to not only lack of friendship but lack of worthwhile employment. Yes, it actually has a direct bearing on unemployment. How could it not, given that what God gave Jesus to give to us is powerful, corrective, applicable to all areas of human endeavor. The motive to bless instead of primarily receive will do wonderful things in our daily lives. God will see to it.
Monday, February 1, 2010
"Why, income is within"
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
Were these words said to me
When just about to depart
From a steady income,
To the uncertainties
Of self-employment,
And expressing to a friend
My engulfing fear.
Was his remark just
So many airy words?
No, no, not at all.
This man, a former
Hollywood film director
Had heard the call
To enter the full-time
Practice of Christian Science,
Had proved his statement
In spades, with two children
In college, no less.
His intent was to bless,
To turn my thoughts to
What Christ Jesus taught,
That the kingdom of God
Is within me and you.
Nonetheless, was I still scared?
You bet.
And yet, take it from me,
All you who believe
Jesus meant what he said,
(As we certainly ought),
You can discover as I did,
That God has countless ways
To meet our needs,
That despite some dark days,
We belong to Him,
And He always sees us through
When we to Christ's indispensable
Teachings remain true.
Were these words said to me
When just about to depart
From a steady income,
To the uncertainties
Of self-employment,
And expressing to a friend
My engulfing fear.
Was his remark just
So many airy words?
No, no, not at all.
This man, a former
Hollywood film director
Had heard the call
To enter the full-time
Practice of Christian Science,
Had proved his statement
In spades, with two children
In college, no less.
His intent was to bless,
To turn my thoughts to
What Christ Jesus taught,
That the kingdom of God
Is within me and you.
Nonetheless, was I still scared?
You bet.
And yet, take it from me,
All you who believe
Jesus meant what he said,
(As we certainly ought),
You can discover as I did,
That God has countless ways
To meet our needs,
That despite some dark days,
We belong to Him,
And He always sees us through
When we to Christ's indispensable
Teachings remain true.
Like garlic to a vampire
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
What is?
Christly love to the prince of this world.
Just like the fiend I've seen
In films and have read about,
Who the smell of this
Protectorant cannot stand,
So that love Jesus enjoins upon us,
If we take our Lord and Master
Seriously, and live it,
Will do for us things most glorious.
Love is grand!
It saves/heals/enriches,
Keeps us out of evil's reach.
While Christlke love, imbibed,
All selfish materialists eschew
Let me say again,
There is nothing
That that Love great men and women
Through the ages have written about--
Love no one can afford to be without --
Will not do for me and you.
What is?
Christly love to the prince of this world.
Just like the fiend I've seen
In films and have read about,
Who the smell of this
Protectorant cannot stand,
So that love Jesus enjoins upon us,
If we take our Lord and Master
Seriously, and live it,
Will do for us things most glorious.
Love is grand!
It saves/heals/enriches,
Keeps us out of evil's reach.
While Christlke love, imbibed,
All selfish materialists eschew
Let me say again,
There is nothing
That that Love great men and women
Through the ages have written about--
Love no one can afford to be without --
Will not do for me and you.
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