Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
An eternal promise
Our beloved Master has said,
"I am with you always."
This being true,
Is there anything we can face
That Christ cannot see us through?
(A reader of these words just texted me)
"Yes, we are so blessed. His promises are so precious to me. He will never leave us nor forsake us. I look back and can see how he has been with me my entire life. He was my one 'for sure' everyday of my life. My Father, Best friend and Comforter thru it all. I am so thankful for all the times he's walked along side of me and his promise to do so until the end. I love him so."
"I am with you always."
This being true,
Is there anything we can face
That Christ cannot see us through?
(A reader of these words just texted me)
"Yes, we are so blessed. His promises are so precious to me. He will never leave us nor forsake us. I look back and can see how he has been with me my entire life. He was my one 'for sure' everyday of my life. My Father, Best friend and Comforter thru it all. I am so thankful for all the times he's walked along side of me and his promise to do so until the end. I love him so."
Monday, July 13, 2020
Christ's teachings
Just read in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 127) the following words,--another reason why I feel so blessed to be a Christian Scientist:
"On comparison, it will be found that Christian Science possesses more of Christ's teachings and example than all other religions since the first century."
(Mary Baker Eddy)
"On comparison, it will be found that Christian Science possesses more of Christ's teachings and example than all other religions since the first century."
(Mary Baker Eddy)
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
God's Healing Power Always at Hand
God, good is all-powerful and ever present. And because He is, we don't have to feel afraid when contagious diseases are going around. The fact that God is always with us is more than comforting, however; it is of practical benefit when we know how to avail ourselves of His healing power.
The purpose of Christ Jesus' unequaled example was not merely to inspire mankind but to show us what God is and how to avail ourselves of His power--how to be free from every material bondage, physical suffering included. The Master promised, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Christian Science teaches that, in accordance with Bible truths, man is spiritual and perfect as the child of God, divine Spirit, made in His image and likeness. This spirituality can be demonstrated now as we understand the divine laws underlying Jesus' words and deeds. These changeless laws are explained fully and clearly in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.
The Science revealed in this book is based on the understanding that God is the divine Principle of all that is real, the Principle of Jesus' healing and teaching.
The law of Spirit, God, is available for anyone to learn and use in his daily life. This law of God, which brings healing, is wherever we are and is applicable to any situation. This law isn't a formula; it is power, specific force. It rests on the supremacy of God and is enforced by His power. And when His law is brought into contact with one's particular problem--and it makes no difference whether the problem is physical or moral, financial, or emotional--the result is the restoration of harmony, healing and regeneration.
Mrs. Eddy writes, "The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation. Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural. They are the sign of Immanuel, or 'God with us',--a divine influence ever present in human consciousness and repeating itself, coming now as was promised aforetime,
To preach deliverance to the captives [of sense],
And recovering of sigh to the blind,
To set at liberty them that are bruised."
Your true selfhood and mine is never material; it is forever spiritual. And because it is spiritual, it is complete, harmonious, and whole. And because this is the way we are, the suffering and fear that may seem so real have no genuine power over us. They are misconceptions of God and man, false beliefs, not actual God-created conditions And the truth of our inseparability relationship to God, of our uninterrupted well-being as God's image and likeness, corrects them.
This Christlike understanding of Truth enables us to demonstrate that God's healing power is ever present and always available to us.
The purpose of Christ Jesus' unequaled example was not merely to inspire mankind but to show us what God is and how to avail ourselves of His power--how to be free from every material bondage, physical suffering included. The Master promised, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Christian Science teaches that, in accordance with Bible truths, man is spiritual and perfect as the child of God, divine Spirit, made in His image and likeness. This spirituality can be demonstrated now as we understand the divine laws underlying Jesus' words and deeds. These changeless laws are explained fully and clearly in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.
The Science revealed in this book is based on the understanding that God is the divine Principle of all that is real, the Principle of Jesus' healing and teaching.
The law of Spirit, God, is available for anyone to learn and use in his daily life. This law of God, which brings healing, is wherever we are and is applicable to any situation. This law isn't a formula; it is power, specific force. It rests on the supremacy of God and is enforced by His power. And when His law is brought into contact with one's particular problem--and it makes no difference whether the problem is physical or moral, financial, or emotional--the result is the restoration of harmony, healing and regeneration.
Mrs. Eddy writes, "The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation. Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural. They are the sign of Immanuel, or 'God with us',--a divine influence ever present in human consciousness and repeating itself, coming now as was promised aforetime,
To preach deliverance to the captives [of sense],
And recovering of sigh to the blind,
To set at liberty them that are bruised."
Your true selfhood and mine is never material; it is forever spiritual. And because it is spiritual, it is complete, harmonious, and whole. And because this is the way we are, the suffering and fear that may seem so real have no genuine power over us. They are misconceptions of God and man, false beliefs, not actual God-created conditions And the truth of our inseparability relationship to God, of our uninterrupted well-being as God's image and likeness, corrects them.
This Christlike understanding of Truth enables us to demonstrate that God's healing power is ever present and always available to us.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
A time for "Love Thy Neighbor"
Of course, it's always the time to obey what our beloved Christ Jesus taught. But it seems to me with the uncertainty and fear gripping too many in the world right now, our selflessness is especially needed.
Recently I read a book that describes the conditions facing humanity during WW2. This book focused on what my religion, Christian Science, did in Europe to comfort and help citizens What stood out to me strikingly was the degree of unselfishness that prevailed, not only across the sea, but in the United States as people volunteered to make sure clothing and food would reach those in need. Some of the accounts of putting self aside in sacrifices I can't even imagine brought tears to my eyes. Our Master's command was alive and well and practiced in circumstances most of us will never have to confront. And surmount.
A line from a prayer written by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science is something I've been thinking about this morning: "And may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them." (By Mary Baker Eddy)
Recently I read a book that describes the conditions facing humanity during WW2. This book focused on what my religion, Christian Science, did in Europe to comfort and help citizens What stood out to me strikingly was the degree of unselfishness that prevailed, not only across the sea, but in the United States as people volunteered to make sure clothing and food would reach those in need. Some of the accounts of putting self aside in sacrifices I can't even imagine brought tears to my eyes. Our Master's command was alive and well and practiced in circumstances most of us will never have to confront. And surmount.
A line from a prayer written by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science is something I've been thinking about this morning: "And may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them." (By Mary Baker Eddy)
Monday, March 16, 2020
The media and disease
Just because a certain disease is reported through the media doesn't mean that you and I have to get sick.
It's reassuring to know that we can remain healthy at a time when disease is being magnified and potentially multiplied by publicity. Many of the current reports about contagion are we'll intentioned and meant as a public service. There is, however, a side to all the media attention these days that thoughtful citizens should be aware of. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "The press unwittingly sends forth many sorrows and diseases among the human family. It does this by giving names to diseases and by printing long descriptions which mirror images of disease distinctly in thought." (pp. 196-197)
Fortunately, no one has to live with the worry, "Will I be next to get sick?" There is a way not only to eliminate fear of these maladies but to prevent them from occurring. Christ Jesus admonished his disciples, "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." (Mark 13:37)
Through the study and application of Christian Science, one may learn how to watch, how to defend himself from disease and suffering. The Christian Science textbook, referred to earlier, contains many things we can do mentally, prayerfully to safeguard our physical well-being. For example, it tells us: "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously. When the condition is present, which you say induces disease, whether it be air, exercise, heredity, contagion, or accident, then perform your office as porter and shut out these unhealthy thoughts and fears. Exclude from mortal mind the offending errors; then the body cannot suffer from them." (Science and Health, p. 392)
When a person learns that thought affects every aspect of his life, he sees the necessity of replacing fearful, sickly thoughts, with truths that uplift his understanding to the recognition that he actually is spiritual--the way God created his child and has maintained him. He sees the importance of conforming to the Christly standard Jesus established for all mankind. No matter what others may be falsely believing about sickness and disease, we don't have to abjectly surrender our peace of mind and harmony but may instead exercise our God-given power over suffering.
When we understand that man, under God's government, reflects divine power and ability, we are better able to control our thoughts and so our daily lives. Each one of us is a free moral agent, possessing the God-bestowed capacity to choose the spiritually true and reject the false, choose divine ideas, and reject mortal suggestions. No one can do this for us, and no matter how blatant and pervasive media coverage may be, no one can prevent us from doing it. Each one of us is responsible for our own thoughts regarding the subject of health.
A well-known verse from Psalms declares, "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." (Ps. 91:9, 10) The potent, spiritual truths of Christian Science make this Bible promise practical for us, provable right now.
It's reassuring to know that we can remain healthy at a time when disease is being magnified and potentially multiplied by publicity. Many of the current reports about contagion are we'll intentioned and meant as a public service. There is, however, a side to all the media attention these days that thoughtful citizens should be aware of. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "The press unwittingly sends forth many sorrows and diseases among the human family. It does this by giving names to diseases and by printing long descriptions which mirror images of disease distinctly in thought." (pp. 196-197)
Fortunately, no one has to live with the worry, "Will I be next to get sick?" There is a way not only to eliminate fear of these maladies but to prevent them from occurring. Christ Jesus admonished his disciples, "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." (Mark 13:37)
Through the study and application of Christian Science, one may learn how to watch, how to defend himself from disease and suffering. The Christian Science textbook, referred to earlier, contains many things we can do mentally, prayerfully to safeguard our physical well-being. For example, it tells us: "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously. When the condition is present, which you say induces disease, whether it be air, exercise, heredity, contagion, or accident, then perform your office as porter and shut out these unhealthy thoughts and fears. Exclude from mortal mind the offending errors; then the body cannot suffer from them." (Science and Health, p. 392)
When a person learns that thought affects every aspect of his life, he sees the necessity of replacing fearful, sickly thoughts, with truths that uplift his understanding to the recognition that he actually is spiritual--the way God created his child and has maintained him. He sees the importance of conforming to the Christly standard Jesus established for all mankind. No matter what others may be falsely believing about sickness and disease, we don't have to abjectly surrender our peace of mind and harmony but may instead exercise our God-given power over suffering.
When we understand that man, under God's government, reflects divine power and ability, we are better able to control our thoughts and so our daily lives. Each one of us is a free moral agent, possessing the God-bestowed capacity to choose the spiritually true and reject the false, choose divine ideas, and reject mortal suggestions. No one can do this for us, and no matter how blatant and pervasive media coverage may be, no one can prevent us from doing it. Each one of us is responsible for our own thoughts regarding the subject of health.
A well-known verse from Psalms declares, "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." (Ps. 91:9, 10) The potent, spiritual truths of Christian Science make this Bible promise practical for us, provable right now.
Saturday, March 7, 2020
No need to fear disease
I've been thinking a lot in recent days of this contagion fear, and have been so grateful for 3 things:
1) All the commands of our dear Master Christ Jesus on being not afraid, fearing not.
2) The teachings of Christian Science that hold to the Biblical truth of man created in God's likeness, who is divine Spirit, you and I therefore spiritual and perfect. God as I have been taught in my religion not only has made us in His image, but is holding us in His love- intact, beyond the reach of disease--whatever it's current name and description may be.
3) And as a hymn we sing sometimes in our church services says, "Everlasting arms of Love, are beneath, around, above." And what can get through that to make us ill?
1) All the commands of our dear Master Christ Jesus on being not afraid, fearing not.
2) The teachings of Christian Science that hold to the Biblical truth of man created in God's likeness, who is divine Spirit, you and I therefore spiritual and perfect. God as I have been taught in my religion not only has made us in His image, but is holding us in His love- intact, beyond the reach of disease--whatever it's current name and description may be.
3) And as a hymn we sing sometimes in our church services says, "Everlasting arms of Love, are beneath, around, above." And what can get through that to make us ill?
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Contagion
With the widespread concern about the Chinese virus these days, the following article published in the March 9th issue of the Christian Science Sentinel can be of help to my readers. It was written by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science -
CONTAGION
Whatever man sees, feels, or in any way takes cognizance of, must be caught through mind, inasmuch as perception, sensation, and consciousness belong to mind, and not to matter. Floating with the popular current of mortal thought without questioning the reliability of its conclusions, we do what others do, believe what others believe, and say what others say, Common consent is contagious, and it makes disease catching.
People believe in infectious and contagious diseases, and that any one is liable to have them under certain predisposing and exciting causes. This mental state prepares one to have any disease whenever there appear the circumstances which he believes produce it. If he believed as sincerely that health is catching when exposed to contact with healthy people, he would catch their state of feeling quite as surely and with better effect than he does the sick man's.
If only the people would believe that good is more contagious than evil, since God is omnipresence, how much more certain would be the doctor's success, and the clergyman's conversion of sinners. And if only the pulpit would encourage faith in God in this direction, and faith in Mind over all other influences governing the receptivity of the body, theology would teach man as David taught: "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."
The confidence of mankind in contagious disease would thus become beautifully less; and in the same proportion would faith in the power of God to heal and to save mankind increase, until the whole human race would become healthier, holier, happier, and longer lived. A calm, Christian state of mind is a better preventive of contagion than a drug, or than any other possible sanitive method, and the "perfect Love" that "casteth out fear" is sure defense.
CONTAGION
Whatever man sees, feels, or in any way takes cognizance of, must be caught through mind, inasmuch as perception, sensation, and consciousness belong to mind, and not to matter. Floating with the popular current of mortal thought without questioning the reliability of its conclusions, we do what others do, believe what others believe, and say what others say, Common consent is contagious, and it makes disease catching.
People believe in infectious and contagious diseases, and that any one is liable to have them under certain predisposing and exciting causes. This mental state prepares one to have any disease whenever there appear the circumstances which he believes produce it. If he believed as sincerely that health is catching when exposed to contact with healthy people, he would catch their state of feeling quite as surely and with better effect than he does the sick man's.
If only the people would believe that good is more contagious than evil, since God is omnipresence, how much more certain would be the doctor's success, and the clergyman's conversion of sinners. And if only the pulpit would encourage faith in God in this direction, and faith in Mind over all other influences governing the receptivity of the body, theology would teach man as David taught: "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."
The confidence of mankind in contagious disease would thus become beautifully less; and in the same proportion would faith in the power of God to heal and to save mankind increase, until the whole human race would become healthier, holier, happier, and longer lived. A calm, Christian state of mind is a better preventive of contagion than a drug, or than any other possible sanitive method, and the "perfect Love" that "casteth out fear" is sure defense.
Friday, February 21, 2020
The secret of achieving more
I used to wonder,
Why the disparity between
What I aspire to do,
And actual performance?
Then one day it dawned,
Why it's lack of conformance
To the guidelines Jesus gave:
"If any man serve me,
Him will my Father honor."*
When we shift from self to Christ,
We find life well worth living,
For ourselves and all mankind.
(John 12:26)
Why the disparity between
What I aspire to do,
And actual performance?
Then one day it dawned,
Why it's lack of conformance
To the guidelines Jesus gave:
"If any man serve me,
Him will my Father honor."*
When we shift from self to Christ,
We find life well worth living,
For ourselves and all mankind.
(John 12:26)
Sunday, February 16, 2020
How God cares for us
I had a very interesting experience on Friday when I had just left a busy shopping center with 3 bags of canned dog food. As I turned onto the road out, something happened with my car. Could be the battery I thought. Anyway, I called Triple A to come. The man said, with Valentine Day traffic, worse than Christmas, it might be a long wait.
A lady who was nearby came over and asked if she could help. She saw that the 3 plastic bags I had and was moving a bit to put into the tow truck, had broken and some cans rolled out. She said, "Here, take this backpack. They'll all fit nicely." I said, "Oh no, but thank you. I'll manage when the tow truck comes I'm sure." She insisted. I declined
Then a gentleman some distance away asked if things were ok. I stepped over to speak to him, and when I turned back, the lady's bag was right there and she had walked away! This met my need perfectly and I hope to see her again to not only thank her, but offer to pay her.
A lady who was nearby came over and asked if she could help. She saw that the 3 plastic bags I had and was moving a bit to put into the tow truck, had broken and some cans rolled out. She said, "Here, take this backpack. They'll all fit nicely." I said, "Oh no, but thank you. I'll manage when the tow truck comes I'm sure." She insisted. I declined
Then a gentleman some distance away asked if things were ok. I stepped over to speak to him, and when I turned back, the lady's bag was right there and she had walked away! This met my need perfectly and I hope to see her again to not only thank her, but offer to pay her.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Love thy neighbor
I was thinking the other night of Jesus' command to "Love thy neighbor", and wishing I had something meaningful to do to carry this out.
Well, in the space of less than a day and a half, 3 ways to do this came to thought:
The trash pick-up on our street was delayed from early morning to after dark. It occurred to me to go out and roll my next-door neighbor's trash receptacle up her long driveway to right in front of her garage. Such a simple thing to do. The phone rang almost the minute I got back in the house. She was just about to go out and get it herself She said, "Bless your heart for doing this!" It meant more to her than I expected.
Then, at Starbuck where I often go for breakfast, I asked the manager, "How is your daughter?" She and I had had a run-in much earlier over a botched-up order, and had not greeted each other too warmly. She beamed (as mothers seem to do) and got out her phone with a photo of her 2-year old. My asking pleased her no end.
And I felt led to email a friend in another state who had been worried about getting through the winter in a l25-year old farm house. My asking, "How are things?" meant way more to her than I thought it would. My reaching out to her apparently came at the right time as she was missing a family member no longer with her.
So, this all showed me we don't have to do something spectacular to love our neighbors.
Well, in the space of less than a day and a half, 3 ways to do this came to thought:
The trash pick-up on our street was delayed from early morning to after dark. It occurred to me to go out and roll my next-door neighbor's trash receptacle up her long driveway to right in front of her garage. Such a simple thing to do. The phone rang almost the minute I got back in the house. She was just about to go out and get it herself She said, "Bless your heart for doing this!" It meant more to her than I expected.
Then, at Starbuck where I often go for breakfast, I asked the manager, "How is your daughter?" She and I had had a run-in much earlier over a botched-up order, and had not greeted each other too warmly. She beamed (as mothers seem to do) and got out her phone with a photo of her 2-year old. My asking pleased her no end.
And I felt led to email a friend in another state who had been worried about getting through the winter in a l25-year old farm house. My asking, "How are things?" meant way more to her than I thought it would. My reaching out to her apparently came at the right time as she was missing a family member no longer with her.
So, this all showed me we don't have to do something spectacular to love our neighbors.
Saturday, February 1, 2020
To love and keep Jesus' words
Nothing is more crucial to mankind in God's scheme of salvation than loving and obeying the living words He gave His Son to give us. Our present and eternal well-being depends on it.
Jesus said, "If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him."
(John 14:23)
It's hard to think of anything more wonderful!
Jesus said, "If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him."
(John 14:23)
It's hard to think of anything more wonderful!
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Christ in our lives
I recently ran across the following words from Martin Luther's hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is our God":
"Did we in or own strength confide
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man at our side,
The man of God's own choosing;
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He"
And as a friend in Scotland says often,
With Christ we shall prevail;
Without Christ we're bound to fail
The religion I study and practice endorses all this and more. Through Christian Science which was established by Mary Baker Eddy to reinstate the words and works of Christ Jesus, we not only are taught to revere and follow Jesus; as He did with healing through God's power alone, we are inspired to do likewise. And the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" gives us the tools with which to do this.
"Did we in or own strength confide
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man at our side,
The man of God's own choosing;
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He"
And as a friend in Scotland says often,
With Christ we shall prevail;
Without Christ we're bound to fail
The religion I study and practice endorses all this and more. Through Christian Science which was established by Mary Baker Eddy to reinstate the words and works of Christ Jesus, we not only are taught to revere and follow Jesus; as He did with healing through God's power alone, we are inspired to do likewise. And the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" gives us the tools with which to do this.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
God with us
A friend sent me a bookmark that has a very comforting statement, and it's something we can hold in thought as we go about this day, and every day.
"God
is
with you
in
everything
you do."
(Genesis 21:22)
"God
is
with you
in
everything
you do."
(Genesis 21:22)
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
"Christ My Refuge"
(This poem was written by Mary Baker Eddy, the author of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"
O'er waiting heartstrings of the mind
There sweeps a strain,
Low, sad, and sweet, whose measure bind
The power of pain,
And wake a white-winged angel throng
Of thoughts, llumed
By faith, and breathed in raptured song
With love perfumed.
Then His unveiled, sweet mercies show
Life's burdens light,
I kiss the cross, and wake to know
A world more bright.
And o'er earth's troubled, angry sea
I see Christ walk,
And come to see, and tenderly
Divinely talk.
Thus Truth engrounds me on the rock,
Upon Life's shore,
'Gainst which the winds and waves can shock,
Oh, nevermore!
From tired joy and grief afar,
And nearer Thee, --
Father, where Thine own children are,
I love to be.
My prayer, some daily good to do
To Thine, for Thee;
And offering pure of Love, whereto
God leadeth me.
O'er waiting heartstrings of the mind
There sweeps a strain,
Low, sad, and sweet, whose measure bind
The power of pain,
And wake a white-winged angel throng
Of thoughts, llumed
By faith, and breathed in raptured song
With love perfumed.
Then His unveiled, sweet mercies show
Life's burdens light,
I kiss the cross, and wake to know
A world more bright.
And o'er earth's troubled, angry sea
I see Christ walk,
And come to see, and tenderly
Divinely talk.
Thus Truth engrounds me on the rock,
Upon Life's shore,
'Gainst which the winds and waves can shock,
Oh, nevermore!
From tired joy and grief afar,
And nearer Thee, --
Father, where Thine own children are,
I love to be.
My prayer, some daily good to do
To Thine, for Thee;
And offering pure of Love, whereto
God leadeth me.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
You are God's noblest work
To the person who finds himself wondering, "What is the purpose of my life", Christian Science replies, God's noblest work, man, has a noble reason for existing.
Walking across a college campus one day, I happened to glance up at a stately building and saw these words from the Bible carved on the side: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" "What indeed!" I couldn't help thinking of Mary Baker Eddy, whose discoveries about God and man make it possible for anyone to gain a life-transforming understanding of the unlimited, forever developing spiritual identity he in reality is.
Christian Science explains that man, whom Spirit, God, made in His image, is the nonphysical, eternal expression of God's nature. Therefore, spiritual man is Godlike--in full possession of every quality essential to joy, dominion, freedom, purpose, achievement. These qualities are not gifts occasionally bestowed upon certain individuals by a heavenly Father who loves some more than others. They are the reflection of God, impartial divine Love, and so the birthright of all His offspring.
The Bible tells us, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." As God's own child, HIs spiritual, perfect reflection, you and I simply must be useful, for man expresses the endless activity of God. The belief that are are not or cannot be useful is aggressive, erroneous suggestion and therefore can be scientifically overcome with the truth of being. Jesus was alway "about [his] Father's business." And so must we be--without frustration, fear, or limitation.
Neither employer, family, nor anyone else for that matter, can give us real purpose. God alone does this. Consequently, the changes that go on in the human scene cannot take away our individual worth or reason for being The passage of time, for example, can never make us obsolete to God. All there really is to what we call time is what God, divine Mind, measures as upholding good. Being God-given and infinite, good has no beginning or end Therefore our usefulness is as eternal as the good we know and do.
How does a person go about realizing his true purpose and usefulness? Through spiritually mental means, through prayerful utilization of the truths Christ Jesus taught and employed so successfully. When we find ourselves longing to express ourselves more fully, but every step we take dead-ends and there is nothing good on our horizon, we always have recourse to the truth of being. Jesus' revolutionary teaching on the whereabouts of all good can lift our thought to see the infinite possibilities ever at hand. He explained, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
Opportunity is within. It is not contingent upon human contacts or favorable circumstances, but on what we understand and bring out of that inner kingdom and of our spiritual relationship to God. Thus you and I ultimately determine our own advancing usefulness--and not people and circumstances, as is often believed. And we do this through communion with God, through what we realize and utilize of spiritual truths.
For example, realizing that man is God's noblest handiwork, we should increasingly free ourselves from the mesmerism of self-depreciation, which often poses as a virtue, as an aspect of humility. This self-restricting, limited thinking would circumscribe the good we can do for mankind by impeding our individual expression of God's infinite capabilities. Mrs Eddy point out in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: "One must fulfill one's mission without timidity or dissimulation, for to be well done, the work just be done unselfishly."
Divine Science inspires us to stand up for the real man, for the man we actually are, and to declare unlimited ability for this man of God's creating. In reality we exist as Mind's representatives. Consequently, each one of us is entitled to feel needed, to live confidently, to see his talents freed for creative function.
The Bible declares, "I have covered thee in the shadow of my hand." It's comforting to realize that God protects us and our purpose. As we grow in the consciousness of unity with our Maker as His indispensable man, each of us is assured our secure place and progressive activity. Understanding our individual place in His creation, we cannot be forgotten, lost in the crowd, swallowed up in a morass of policies, practices, and programs. Understanding our divine purpose to express God's nature, we find our careers are governed by God, directed and sustained by His unchanging, divine law.
As God's nobles work, we all have our God-appointed place and purpose. No one else can fill that place, nor can we carry out another's mission. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Each individual must fill his own niche in time and eternity." You and I have a divine right to purposeful, fulfilling activity--now and forever.
Walking across a college campus one day, I happened to glance up at a stately building and saw these words from the Bible carved on the side: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" "What indeed!" I couldn't help thinking of Mary Baker Eddy, whose discoveries about God and man make it possible for anyone to gain a life-transforming understanding of the unlimited, forever developing spiritual identity he in reality is.
Christian Science explains that man, whom Spirit, God, made in His image, is the nonphysical, eternal expression of God's nature. Therefore, spiritual man is Godlike--in full possession of every quality essential to joy, dominion, freedom, purpose, achievement. These qualities are not gifts occasionally bestowed upon certain individuals by a heavenly Father who loves some more than others. They are the reflection of God, impartial divine Love, and so the birthright of all His offspring.
The Bible tells us, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." As God's own child, HIs spiritual, perfect reflection, you and I simply must be useful, for man expresses the endless activity of God. The belief that are are not or cannot be useful is aggressive, erroneous suggestion and therefore can be scientifically overcome with the truth of being. Jesus was alway "about [his] Father's business." And so must we be--without frustration, fear, or limitation.
Neither employer, family, nor anyone else for that matter, can give us real purpose. God alone does this. Consequently, the changes that go on in the human scene cannot take away our individual worth or reason for being The passage of time, for example, can never make us obsolete to God. All there really is to what we call time is what God, divine Mind, measures as upholding good. Being God-given and infinite, good has no beginning or end Therefore our usefulness is as eternal as the good we know and do.
How does a person go about realizing his true purpose and usefulness? Through spiritually mental means, through prayerful utilization of the truths Christ Jesus taught and employed so successfully. When we find ourselves longing to express ourselves more fully, but every step we take dead-ends and there is nothing good on our horizon, we always have recourse to the truth of being. Jesus' revolutionary teaching on the whereabouts of all good can lift our thought to see the infinite possibilities ever at hand. He explained, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
Opportunity is within. It is not contingent upon human contacts or favorable circumstances, but on what we understand and bring out of that inner kingdom and of our spiritual relationship to God. Thus you and I ultimately determine our own advancing usefulness--and not people and circumstances, as is often believed. And we do this through communion with God, through what we realize and utilize of spiritual truths.
For example, realizing that man is God's noblest handiwork, we should increasingly free ourselves from the mesmerism of self-depreciation, which often poses as a virtue, as an aspect of humility. This self-restricting, limited thinking would circumscribe the good we can do for mankind by impeding our individual expression of God's infinite capabilities. Mrs Eddy point out in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: "One must fulfill one's mission without timidity or dissimulation, for to be well done, the work just be done unselfishly."
Divine Science inspires us to stand up for the real man, for the man we actually are, and to declare unlimited ability for this man of God's creating. In reality we exist as Mind's representatives. Consequently, each one of us is entitled to feel needed, to live confidently, to see his talents freed for creative function.
The Bible declares, "I have covered thee in the shadow of my hand." It's comforting to realize that God protects us and our purpose. As we grow in the consciousness of unity with our Maker as His indispensable man, each of us is assured our secure place and progressive activity. Understanding our individual place in His creation, we cannot be forgotten, lost in the crowd, swallowed up in a morass of policies, practices, and programs. Understanding our divine purpose to express God's nature, we find our careers are governed by God, directed and sustained by His unchanging, divine law.
As God's nobles work, we all have our God-appointed place and purpose. No one else can fill that place, nor can we carry out another's mission. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Each individual must fill his own niche in time and eternity." You and I have a divine right to purposeful, fulfilling activity--now and forever.
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