Light, Lovely Light

Light is seen in so many lovely ways:


        --In ducks gliding across a pond,
                  Leaving long streaks of
                  Shining in their wake;


        --In a little child's happy eyes;


        --In a face glowing with love,


        --The setting sun in a forest.


        But exceeding all that God's
        Wondrous creation can show
        Is that light Jesus promises:


        "He that followeth me shall
          Not walk in darkness, but
          Shall have the light of life."

                           (John 8:12)

Keeping Thoughts Where They Belong

On, God, Mind -- Our source and being.

If my experience is any measure,

Problems arise when thoughts

Are not enough on Him --

Man's greatest treasure.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on thee"

Isaiah 26:3 points out:

"Stayed" on Him --

Not on earthly cares

And pointless pleasure.

One can keep things right,

By having our dear Father

More in our mental sight.

Safe On the Rock

                                             John Robert Howell



        Sometimes just remaining afloat on the turbulent ocean of material existence is a victory and cause for rejoicing, but eventually a vigorous effort will need to be made to get to the shore and the "Rock of Ages...Safe above life's raging sea."  (Hymns 293-95).  Some humble, receptive students of Christian Science may surf in on a wave hanging ten, if that's the correct term, with maddening ease while others may flounder and half drown for a time before being cast up like grateful Jonahs upon "Life's shore."

        One way to speed up the journey to the beach is to begin thinking much more deeply and prayerfully about every word and sentence in Science and Health.  Mary Baker Eddy's rich and precise vocabulary was not a prideful display of erudition.  She knew the difficulty of expressing pure metaphysics and Science in human language, and therefore chose her words with inspired foresight.  A failure to properly discern these shades of meaning and let them lead one on in their "Kindly Light" may have one adrift on the frothy whitecaps of opaque or meaningless expressions and sentences.

        To allow oneself to be happily deceived into a false sense of security about the requirements of obedience and way-marks of real progress is to risk being abandoned on the becalmed and dispiriting waters of that "Ancient Marriner" of whom Coleridge wrote, "Water, water, everywhere,/Nor any drop to drink."

        But this need not happen to the dedicated student of our Leader's inspired writings. How blessed we are to have them.

In His Care, Always

"God is with you,
In everything you do"* --
Words so very true,
Meant for me and you;
On a bookmark they are,
A friend sent from afar.
Whether night or day,
At home or when away,
Feeling up and cheery,
Or downhearted and weary,
A faith-lighted thought this --
That our loving Father is
Never apart from us.
Is this not glorious? --
That His care does surround,
His loving arms are around
All those we love,
Besides them always, above --
And not only those we greet,
But those we may never meet.
What would mankind do
If this were not true?
Oh, but this is the case,
Something no one can erase.
God with us  -- what a treasure,
Comfort beyond all measure.


*Genesis 21:22