(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
Have been thinking about
something off and on --
the help Christ gives
His servants, His very own.
As John 8:36 makes clear,
"If the Son therefore
shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed."
How many times when in need
of circumstances adjusted --
and I have in Him trusted --
has this been proven true.
And what has worked for me,
will certainly work for you.
How often solutions can appear
in ways we couldn't have planned,
when we put our confidence in
our Deliverer ever at hand.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Gifts Unspeakable
Around Christmas time, I posted a poem on a Swedish website titled "Gift Unspeakable". It struck me as the raison d'etre of the whole celebration Christians observe, and it highlighted someone I have long admired for his nobility of character--American Civil War General, Robert E. Lee. I read once that he was often heard by his soldiers to say, "Have I thanked You enough today for Your unspeakable gift?" It was, of course, Jesus he was referring to. And I thought, just think of the influence for good on the people who heard him say it, and those who have read his heartfelt words since.
Being such a recipient of the blessings that have come to me and those I know through Christian Science, I have to add an "s" to the word gift. It just would not be possible to express enough thanks to God for what I believe He has given a world so in need of the truths Christ Jesus healed by--those found in the teachings of the Science of Christ, discovered and given to mankind by Mary Baker Eddy. How rich my life is because of Christ and Christian Science!
Being such a recipient of the blessings that have come to me and those I know through Christian Science, I have to add an "s" to the word gift. It just would not be possible to express enough thanks to God for what I believe He has given a world so in need of the truths Christ Jesus healed by--those found in the teachings of the Science of Christ, discovered and given to mankind by Mary Baker Eddy. How rich my life is because of Christ and Christian Science!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Turning to God for help
One evening a little girl I knew was happily building a castle with wooden blocks. She stopped, however, when the pieces wouldn't fit, and without a moment's hesitation called out, "Help me, Daddy." This plea brought her loving parent's immediate assistance.
As I observed this simple display of childlike confidence, I thought, "If adults would only turn as wholeheartedly to their heavenly Father, how much more easily would complex, challenging problems be resolved!"
Each one of us, regardless of circumstances or problems, can turn immediately to God, divine Love, our ever-present help.
Christ Jesus taught this. He said, "If y then, beign evil, know how to give good gifts unto you children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11)
In the chapter entitled "Prayer" in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes (p. 1), "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faiththat all things are possible to God, -- a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love."
I know many people who have gained this spiritual understanding of God which is the divinely effective "asking" of unselfed love. As one bases his prayer on a desire to know more of God's spiritual, perfect creation, he is seeking divine help in the most effective way possible. Christian Science shows that true prayer is the discernment, through spiritual understanding, of God's perfect universe, including man.
Acknowledging the truth of man's inseparable relationship with God, divine Mind, who knows and imparts only good, one brings his consciousness into line with spiritual perfection, and harmony replaces discord. The understanding of God's all-pervading goodness, of His constant love for all His children, is effective prayer.
Through my study and application of Christian Science, I have been able to demonstrate to a heartwarming degree the understanding of God's ever-presence and ceaseless love that sustains us under all conditions. And I have found peace, joy, ability and good health. The acknowledgement that we are spiritual, the reflection of infinite Life and Love, is prayer that heals.
In the Bible is this eternal assurance: "With us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles" (II Chronicles 32:8) How comforting to know that we always have instant recourse to our Father's ever-present love, that whatever our particular battle may be -- physical, financial, emotional, moral -- we may ask God for help, confident of obtaining the victory!
As I observed this simple display of childlike confidence, I thought, "If adults would only turn as wholeheartedly to their heavenly Father, how much more easily would complex, challenging problems be resolved!"
Each one of us, regardless of circumstances or problems, can turn immediately to God, divine Love, our ever-present help.
Christ Jesus taught this. He said, "If y then, beign evil, know how to give good gifts unto you children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11)
In the chapter entitled "Prayer" in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes (p. 1), "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faiththat all things are possible to God, -- a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love."
I know many people who have gained this spiritual understanding of God which is the divinely effective "asking" of unselfed love. As one bases his prayer on a desire to know more of God's spiritual, perfect creation, he is seeking divine help in the most effective way possible. Christian Science shows that true prayer is the discernment, through spiritual understanding, of God's perfect universe, including man.
Acknowledging the truth of man's inseparable relationship with God, divine Mind, who knows and imparts only good, one brings his consciousness into line with spiritual perfection, and harmony replaces discord. The understanding of God's all-pervading goodness, of His constant love for all His children, is effective prayer.
Through my study and application of Christian Science, I have been able to demonstrate to a heartwarming degree the understanding of God's ever-presence and ceaseless love that sustains us under all conditions. And I have found peace, joy, ability and good health. The acknowledgement that we are spiritual, the reflection of infinite Life and Love, is prayer that heals.
In the Bible is this eternal assurance: "With us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles" (II Chronicles 32:8) How comforting to know that we always have instant recourse to our Father's ever-present love, that whatever our particular battle may be -- physical, financial, emotional, moral -- we may ask God for help, confident of obtaining the victory!
Childlike
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
Puppy jumping all over
Delighted little boy --
Heartwarming picture,
Vividly impressive.
The warmth and affection
Of dog and child,
Radiating across the street to me.
No worry resting heavily,
No jaded view of life there,
Just sheer joy in the moment.
No wonder Jesus called for us
To be like a little child.
(Matthew 18:3)
Puppy jumping all over
Delighted little boy --
Heartwarming picture,
Vividly impressive.
The warmth and affection
Of dog and child,
Radiating across the street to me.
No worry resting heavily,
No jaded view of life there,
Just sheer joy in the moment.
No wonder Jesus called for us
To be like a little child.
(Matthew 18:3)
On writing poems for Christ
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
What motivates one in so doing,
If not to honor God's Son?
Is it not the hope that even any of
What our Master said and taught
Shall become dwellers
In the hearts of men?
And so lodged,
Lead an individual to obey,
And obeying God's Word,
Find the joy and purpose in life,
Obtainable in no other way?
Jesus said of his words that
They shall not pass away,
Though everything else perish.
And those adoring souls who do
What they can to pass along
Jesus' sublime teachings
Can see their poetry --
If they listen well to inspiration divine --
Reach the hearts of those now living,
And those lives yet to be.
What motivates one in so doing,
If not to honor God's Son?
Is it not the hope that even any of
What our Master said and taught
Shall become dwellers
In the hearts of men?
And so lodged,
Lead an individual to obey,
And obeying God's Word,
Find the joy and purpose in life,
Obtainable in no other way?
Jesus said of his words that
They shall not pass away,
Though everything else perish.
And those adoring souls who do
What they can to pass along
Jesus' sublime teachings
Can see their poetry --
If they listen well to inspiration divine --
Reach the hearts of those now living,
And those lives yet to be.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
On grasping opportunity
Too many people waste years waiting for opportunity to knock at the door of their lives, not realizing that bountiful good lies within their grasp now. Christ Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21) And this is just where opportunity is too.
This kingdom of good, this absolute reign of God, divine Principle, is not dependent upon people, places or events. It is intact -- within reach of human consciousness. It is attainable through spiritual understanding.
Christian Science, which follows the words and works of Christ Jesus, shows one how to overcome the belief that he lacks opportunity. Through the study of this Science he finds that man is actually the child, the spiritual reflection, of God, divine Love. This realization helps him to turn radically away from the discouraging human picture of inactivity or frustration. It encourages him to accept the spiritual fact that God, divine Mind, is ever active, and that man, His image, must also be continuously and happily engaged in meaningful, worthwhile activity.
In the Christian Science textbook, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, asks, "Shall we plead for more at the open fount, which is pouring forth more than we accept?" (page 21) Instead of mourning our lack of opportunity,we can rejoice in the constant unfoldment to us of all we need for a full, joyous life from our inexhaustible, divine source. Opportunity can never really be absent. As the Bible assures us, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." (II Cor. 9:8)
As one confidently claims his God-given right to satisfying purpose, joy, and achievement, he will find more and more occasions for being about his real business of reflecting God, good.
There are no closed doors to one whose consciousness is enlightened by spiritual understanding, eternal Truth. Because God has created His child as His own perfect expression, we know that we can reflect the divine intelligence and goodness in any human circumstance. No matter how despairing or desolate our circumstances may sometimes seem, they can be turned completely around, and we can be restored to our normal state of activity, joy, and purpose.
Finding out who we really are, beginning to grasp the glorious fact that in our true, spiritual being we are now the beloved, constantly cared-for expression of our heavenly Father, gives us the confidence and initiative we need to express more of good, more of God, in everything we do. This is where success lies.
Someone may say, "I've had occasions to lead a useful, productive life, but I let them slip by and now it's too late."
But it isn't too late! Mrs. Eddy writes, "Tireless Being, patient of man's procrastination, affords him fresh opportunities every hour." (Christian Healing, page 19) Think of it -- every hour!
Nothing brings opportunity to our door quicker than the desire to be useful to God and to our fellowmen. We don't even have to take a very long look about us today to see how desperately needed our efforts are. Endless opportunity abounds. We have only to take Jesus at his word that all good is already ours.
This kingdom of good, this absolute reign of God, divine Principle, is not dependent upon people, places or events. It is intact -- within reach of human consciousness. It is attainable through spiritual understanding.
Christian Science, which follows the words and works of Christ Jesus, shows one how to overcome the belief that he lacks opportunity. Through the study of this Science he finds that man is actually the child, the spiritual reflection, of God, divine Love. This realization helps him to turn radically away from the discouraging human picture of inactivity or frustration. It encourages him to accept the spiritual fact that God, divine Mind, is ever active, and that man, His image, must also be continuously and happily engaged in meaningful, worthwhile activity.
In the Christian Science textbook, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, asks, "Shall we plead for more at the open fount, which is pouring forth more than we accept?" (page 21) Instead of mourning our lack of opportunity,we can rejoice in the constant unfoldment to us of all we need for a full, joyous life from our inexhaustible, divine source. Opportunity can never really be absent. As the Bible assures us, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." (II Cor. 9:8)
As one confidently claims his God-given right to satisfying purpose, joy, and achievement, he will find more and more occasions for being about his real business of reflecting God, good.
There are no closed doors to one whose consciousness is enlightened by spiritual understanding, eternal Truth. Because God has created His child as His own perfect expression, we know that we can reflect the divine intelligence and goodness in any human circumstance. No matter how despairing or desolate our circumstances may sometimes seem, they can be turned completely around, and we can be restored to our normal state of activity, joy, and purpose.
Finding out who we really are, beginning to grasp the glorious fact that in our true, spiritual being we are now the beloved, constantly cared-for expression of our heavenly Father, gives us the confidence and initiative we need to express more of good, more of God, in everything we do. This is where success lies.
Someone may say, "I've had occasions to lead a useful, productive life, but I let them slip by and now it's too late."
But it isn't too late! Mrs. Eddy writes, "Tireless Being, patient of man's procrastination, affords him fresh opportunities every hour." (Christian Healing, page 19) Think of it -- every hour!
Nothing brings opportunity to our door quicker than the desire to be useful to God and to our fellowmen. We don't even have to take a very long look about us today to see how desperately needed our efforts are. Endless opportunity abounds. We have only to take Jesus at his word that all good is already ours.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Life Unending
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
"Whosoever liveth and believeth
in me shall never die"
John points out Jesus said.
The Master said it, not I;
Jesus' words, not mine.
And how they do put
us in touch--here and now--
with things divine.
And that word "liveth"
to me shows us how.
To not only accept
what Jesus says as true,
but to actually live His
teachings in daily life,
what purpose this
gives me, gives you.
It takes out of life
the gloom and sigh,
and brings instead
such incentive and joy;
makes our spirits soar,
and spreads before us
an adventure in living
that only gets better,
one that will go on --
just think about this
dear readers everywhere --
FOREVERMORE.
An almost staggering concept,
but since Jesus said it,
without a question true.
"Whosoever liveth and believeth
in me shall never die"
John points out Jesus said.
The Master said it, not I;
Jesus' words, not mine.
And how they do put
us in touch--here and now--
with things divine.
And that word "liveth"
to me shows us how.
To not only accept
what Jesus says as true,
but to actually live His
teachings in daily life,
what purpose this
gives me, gives you.
It takes out of life
the gloom and sigh,
and brings instead
such incentive and joy;
makes our spirits soar,
and spreads before us
an adventure in living
that only gets better,
one that will go on --
just think about this
dear readers everywhere --
FOREVERMORE.
An almost staggering concept,
but since Jesus said it,
without a question true.
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