Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Such Good News

A dear lady -- a loved friend she has become to me -- just emailed me something that brings great joy to this heart of mine. She has been reading my blog, and has found some of the comments interesting and inspiring. So, she has ordered for herself a copy of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.

I, of course, emailed her right back, and said to her, this book may prove enlightening and helpful to you. I certainly hope that this is the case. Over the years as I've either mentioned this wonderful book to others, or given them a copy, not all have seemed ready for what it offers. And this is fine. In one case, the person who received a copy laid it aside for a time. And later, when a pressing physical condition arose, got the book and began reading, pondering the truths in it. His problem was healed, for which he and I thanked God greatly for His glorious healing power.

I've said in more than one blog post that Science and Health can do wonders for a person. It brings to those who are ready for its inspired teachings the holy experience of Christ-healing. And for someone who has yet to read this book, and may be thinking of getting a copy-- either at a local library, or bookstore, or Christian Science Reading Room, or ordering one on-line-- what have you got to lose?

Friday, December 17, 2010

Eyesight Restored

Before I get to the healing referred to in the title of this morning's posting, want to share with my readers something I came across from one of my favorite writers on the subject of Christian Science and the importance of living, practicing, its teachings. These words were written by an early worker in the Cause, Samuel Greenwood, a Canadian practitioner and teacher of Christian Science.

"There are those who outwardly acknowledge Christianity, but who do not accept it as the guiding light in their lives. Many of such persons would resent the charge that they are not Christians, and they pass for Christians in the world generally. But Christianity was introduced and established by Christ Jesus as a positive regenerative force in human life, lacking which one's profession of being a Christian would become void. And Christian Science is here to restore to Christianity its original vitality and inspiration."

Found myself saying Amen to his last sentence in this paragraph. And I thank God that I am able to have this wonderful religion in my life. My heart overflows with gratitude for Christian Science.

Now to some background on this early worker. He was an accountant in Victoria, British Columbia and found that his eyesight was failing. It became so bad, he had to leave his work. All he could do was sit in a darkened room, which he did for years, the light being so painful to his eyes. He traveled to England to see specialists, but his sight was not restored. One day, a lady came by and mentioned to him the Christian Science textbook. She knew of people who had been healed from just reading and pondering the truths in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. He got a copy of the book, and began to make his way slowly through it. He could still see dimly. Before he was finished, his eyesight was completely restored. One can only imagine the freedom and joy this brought him.

For the remainder of his long life, he devoted himself to establishing Christian Science where he lived, serving the Cause with inspired, crystal-clear writing on many topic and through healing others.

If there had never been any other healing from what the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science gave the world than Mr. Greenwood's, this alone in my view would be more than sufficient to validate what she wrote and taught. And there have hundreds of thousands of such proofs that Christian Science heals. What a privilege to be able to practice it. And a demand. As Jesus says in Luke (12:48): For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."

Friday, December 10, 2010

The Christian Science Textbook

I am referring to Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. And why I'm focusing on this book this morning is that I just got back from our local post office and chatting with one of my favorite workers. Paula is a dear girl, whose mother is battling "an ugly disease", in my friend's words.

Not only did listening to this make me extremely grateful for the teachings of Christian Science. But as I drove back home, I left inspired to take a copy of its textbook to her. Whether or not it will prove what her mother will be receptive to and/or helped by, isn't the main thing. Just one divine truth lighting up consciousness can do wonders for her mother. I feel from discussions I've had with Paula as she was dealing with my mail, she obviously has strong faith that God can heal illness.

A letter I intend to include with the book will be an account of how my own mother was healed from reading this book when doctors had given her no hope of cure. A neighbor, seeing the suffering my mother was going through, especially with 2 very young children to care for, told her that there was a book that had been healing others. Well, long story short, this compassionate woman gave my mother a copy of Science and Health. Thank God she did! Mother began reading and was dramatically and permanently (and I might add, quickly) healed of that condition. She withdrew from the Methodist church which she loved and began a deep study of the Bible together with the Christian Science textbook, put my brother and me in the Sunday School, and never looked back.

As for myself, I wouldn't part with my copy of this blessed book for the world, if I couldn't obtain another one. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures heals.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

A Great Woman

Just learned that a Tennessee magazine has picked up a poem from one of my books, "Heaven Where We Are" (2007) which contains a poem about the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science -- Mary Baker Eddy. Their focus is honouring women who have made a significant contribution to mankind. As there are new readers of this website who are unacquainted with what I think of this great woman, below the poem they will be seeing:



This woman I admire*


Rather than just retire,

Her heart on fire

To reach others with

What had set her free

From years of suffering --

God's divine method of healing --

She prayed and toiled, leaned on God,

Wrote down what He revealed.

This lady loved Christ Jesus

More than all the world, she said.

And her lifework to make clear

What he knew about God and man

Has made Christ's words and works

Understandable and potent for me.


*Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder
of Christian Science

Friday, December 3, 2010

Preventing Seasonal Suffering

(Written by John Wellsman)

On page 234 line 31 of the Christian Science Textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy states,

"Evil thoughts, lusts, and malicious purposes cannot go forth, like wandering pollen, from one human mind to another, finding unsuspected lodgment, if virtue and truth build a strong defence."

(The italics are mine in the above quote)

A couple of years ago I saw a very dramatic example of this statement in action. In the course of business, I was approached by a woman who began with great enthusiasm to tell me about how the "flu season" was going to be terrible that particular year and she had proof she wanted to share with me. No sooner had she launched into her story than I began to declare vehemently in my own thought that, "This isn't true and I'm not going to accept it!" as well as some other appropriate truths. Immediately it was as if a steel wall came between us. Although I stood facing her with what I hope was a polite smile on my face, none of her story was penetrating my consciousness. Truth had indeed built a "strong defence." Suddenly, she stopped, almost in mid-sentence with a rather puzzled look on her face, and immediately changed the subject entirely. Within a brief moment she was called away to answer the telephone. Allthough I remained in this place of business for perhaps another twenty minutes, this woman was constantly occupied with her own activities and as I left, I gave her a pleasant wave which she returned as I exited the building.

Interestingly, for the remainder of that so-called "flu" season, I noticed perhaps only one or two newspaper articles referring to the "flu." Obviously I really wasn't looking for such stories and perhaps missed them entirely. I certainly didn't read the ones which I noticed.

I am indeed grateful to Mary Baker Eddy and her gift to the world of the Science of Christianity and its daily practicality.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

God the Only Power

Had an interesting discussion Monday with a neighbor who has been studying Christian Science. This girl was brought up a Baptist and still attends a church of that faith from time to time. She finds the preacher to be quite compelling and likes what he has to say. However, as she has gotten more deeply into what the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science teaches, which she feels has transformed her life and brought many healings, she has had many questions and at times, not a little mental stirring.

The latest thing she wanted to talk about was hearing on one hand that Satan has all power and has to be battled all the time, and then learning from what Mary Baker Eddy brings out, that God is the only power and has it all.

Realizing that she will eventually have to settle this conflict in her thinking, and as help in that direction, got Prose Works, a compilation of Mrs. Eddy's writings other than Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The following is from "Unity of Good", pages 9 and 10 which I read aloud to my friend. "What is the cardinal point of the difference in my metaphysical system? This: that by knowing the unreality of disease, sin, and death, you demonstrate the allness of God. This difference wholly separates my system from all others. The reality of these so-called existences I deny, because they are not to be found in God, and this system is built on Him as the sole cause. It would be difficult to name any previous teachers, save Jesus and his apostles, who have thus taught."

I could see these words were sinking in, and as I saw her to the door, could see she would be turning them over in her thought.

How many times have I experienced God's supreme power by understanding that He alone is present and all-powerful, and that what was challenging me had no cause or power or place in His kingdom -- the only kingdom there is -- nor any right to prevail over me. In sum, that it was unreal.