Month: April 2016

“God loves each one us…..

…as if there was only one of us to love.” * Isn’t this why we love God so deeply? We turn to Him in prayer, with trust that our needs will be met. We know we are each loved by God. Over and over the Bible promises us that all good comes from God to His creation, including man, at all times and in all ways. And this meets apparent individual needs.

David wrote many of the Psalms, knowing and expecting God’s protection and love to be present in his life. He had no doubt. Moses knew at the burning bush that he had a tremendous task ahead of him,- which was based on his faithfulness to right, his courage, generosity, humility.- loving and honoring God.

Consider the individual relationship of the woman healed of an issue of blood to Christ Jesus. It was Jesus’ love for God and his trust in God’s love for him and each one that brought healing to that individual life. And he wonderfully assured her that it was her faith that healed her. Individuals matter.

The truth is that, in fact, as we turn to God, our divine Principle, Love, we experience healing. And Mrs. Eddy takes the chapter on “Prayer” in Science and Health (p. 1-16) to show us that as man knows and understands his relationship to God, he finds healing.

Though it seems that God comes down to man, in fact it is man’s true spiritual nature that turns up to and naturally loves God, knowing that God is the true source of man’s existence. We are never outside of that Love. We feel our ourselves individually blessed, benefitted, protected and healed. One with God, we are blessed by God.

We feel cared for and loved by our heavenly Father-Mother, individually and collectively, because God is Love. Mrs. Eddy assures us, in one of her best-loved promises, “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.” Science and Health p.494. The presence and power of God, the All-in-all, is what always meets the human need.

She further explains, “It is not well to imagine that Jesus demonstrated the divine power to heal only for a select number or for a limited period of time, since to all mankind and in every hour, divine Love supplies all good.” Ibid.p 494

This tells us that every human need that has ever been met has been met by divine Love. That is a very profound, life-changing idea for the student of Christian Science! It is our recognition of this sublime statement that brings life, joy, expectancy of good, healing and correction to our individual experiences. If we understand and expect that divine Love is the source of our good, how great should be our expectation of good.

Divine Love met David’s need as he understood God. Divine Love met Moses need as he understood God. Christ Jesus knew his individual relationship to God met all human needs.

Be careful, then, to trust this promise. Strive to keep your opinions and fears aside, and instead begin to trust this assurance. All is God. All that is real is God’s.

Our individual needs have always been met by divine Love. And they always will be met by unchanging, everywhere always present, omnipotent divine Love. For all there really is, is divine Love.

What a holy moment when this understanding graces our consciousness. Watch it blossom! How deeply grateful are we for this revelation of God’s promised care?

  • William Barclay’s Book of Luke

“God has His own secret stairway into every heart.” *

What a perfect sentence. What a view filled with love. And understanding.

When I read this simple, tender insight, it brought me the assurance that Love is present and taking care, everywhere, of everyone, now, always.

We can, and need to, know and trust this. Trust this for our loved ones. Trust this for one who seems far away, or appears not interested in God. Trust this for one who struggles with judgment or criticism. Trust this for those who appear unwanted. (They are not. No one is. Let’s know this). Trust this for those who have done wrong and feel condemned. In truth and in fact, in their true being and nature they are loved of God. Though they must find their way through their mistakes, this is their truth as well as our own, and the one God is their God as He is our own.

I recently met a lady whose story stirred my heart and brought me a clear realization of right prayer. She told me of a doctor who always prays before he treats his patients medically. In his quiet prayer while he was with my friend, the doctor prayed that a man who had committed grave injustice towards her family would find his way to salvation. That was his prayer.

Think of the impact of that prayer. It is a prayer that recognizes eternity. It is a prayer of understanding. Of compassion. It recognizes man’s true ultimate worth, to whom salvation, redemption, is available. It leaves no one out of God’s care or God’s kingdom. But opens the door for that individual who seems outside to find his way home. That doctor knows, as Mr. Barclay assures us, “God has His own secret stairway into every heart.”

“********
*.William Barclay has a way with words and a love of the Bible and in particular, Christ Jesus, that resounds through time and makes us see today what he saw many years ago. If you ever want a view of the life, times, and surround of Jesus, you’ll do well to investigate. Mr. Barclay and his writings on the books of the New Testament.

My understanding is that in the 1970’s, on Sunday nights in Scotland, “everyone” turned on television to hear Mr. Barclay. Though I wouldn’t agree with all his insights and conclusions, I would still have been one of those viewers.

Have you ever been ungrateful?

What a question! I confronted it myself the other day. Actually, it was more like, “Are you grateful enough?” Or, “How grateful is enough?”

All leading to, Was I conscious of all the good there is, the good that we are surrounded by and provided with. Good is everywhere, in every corner, in every life. And even in the hardest of times, our lives can be transformed, healed, redeemed, revived, restored, knowing we can find the sunshine even in the storms.

As a matter of fact, that is an absolute requirement of our lives, – to find good. To look for it, discover it, recognize it, focus on it, and be grateful that we can see it.

There’s really not enough words to describe how essential “good discovering” is. It must be like those prospectors who searched for gold in the California hills. They knew what gold looked like. They focused their everything on mining for gold. Well, we should be mining for good, focusing our everything on discovering it.

Watch what happens when you mine your day with expectancy of good. You change your habits. You turn off negative TV, refuse to watch it, or be impacted by it. You choose good instead. You search the internet for that which is positive, not negative. You look for the good and expect to find it. You are simply grateful – in the grocery store finding an item you needed, or when a neighbor shows kindness, or for the telephone call of a friend.

Now then, for every grateful moment, add this. “Thank you, dear Father.” Or “Thank you, God.” Never be grateful for the smallest good without including gratitude to God, the giver of all good.

“…no good is but the good God bestows,” Mary Baker Eddy tells us. Actually, the whole sentence reads,”No wisdom is wise but His wisdom; no truth is true, no love is lovely, no life is Life but the divine; no good is, but the good God bestows.” (SH 275:17-19)

Know that God bestows all true good. Harmony. Joy. Strength. Intelligent activity. Honesty. Love. Provision. Health. Safety. Refuse to think that good is just luck. Or that you have to hoard it. You don’t. It’s forever yours. But it’s helpful to know this. See the source of your good, love it. And live from this view. It’s the view of the possible.

God is your Life. This means, good is your life. Think, then, of the effect in your life when you recognize the source of the good that you are discovering. Get the source right, and gratitude becomes bountifully beautiful, because you will always find good to be from God. Unlimited. Abundant. Permanent. Based in Love, it is poured forth from the divine to Love’s beloved ideas.

Start this, and with the deepest gratitude to God, the very source of your being, you will find expectancy of unlimited joy and provision and harmony, because your deep love for God, good, transforms you and how you see, and what you are looking for. You look first with gratitude to God. You’ll be mining good everywhere, knowing it is true and available for everyone.

.

Don’t focus on matter!

I know that’s tricky! But consider the facts: honestly, how much intelligence does your car have? Do you ask it how it is or how it feels? Hope not.

Yet it looks like there is literally tons of intelligence that make up the computers in there. But the intelligence isn’t in the matter, or material components,- it’s the expression of the intelligent design that originates and forever remains as an idea. Your car is the expression of an intelligent idea. No intelligence in the matter. A good idea expressed. We think we see it as matter, but it is always, forever, an idea in consciousness.

Think of Mary Baker Eddy’s seminal statement in Science and Health that sets the instruction for understanding our way out of focusing on matter. “There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter.” What a courageous statement of reality. Not leaving us to think long about what we should focus on, she next absolutely clearly explains, “All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation for God is All-in-all.”* Further, she defines God, divine Mind, as Spirit. Then Spirit, not matter, must be our right focus.

Every real true spiritual healing that has ever taken place through the study of Christian Science has, in some measure, turned from interest in, fascination with, or fear of, matter.

I guarantee that so long as we are drawn into checking matter bodies, or matter finances, or material conditions, our necessary focus, our great love and dedication will never be God who is Spirit. And because we are drawn down into material gullies (well worn trenches deep in earth), we’ll never love Spirit or understand spiritual reality, or see the effects of loving and trusting God, who is Love.

Small, to me significant healing to this point. When our very cute son was about four years old, he had a severe painful earache. I was very afraid of earaches for my children. As he cried in pain, I did everything i knew to comfort him, but nothing was helping. After a few minutes of trying to fix the matter, I took my Bible, sat on the floor in the bathroom across the hall from his room, and read the Psalms. (I had never done just that simple thing before.) But I became so close to God while I read, and felt such love for God, and care from God, that I lost all sense of fear for our son. About twenty minutes later, I became conscious that there was no more crying. I went to his room to find him sound asleep, and there was never another earache in our home.

No fixing or focusing on impotent matter. Focusing on Spirit, God,- and feeling all there is is God, good, – gets our focus right. And healing is the effect.

Try it, you’ll like it!

*p.468

Sitting in the car in the carwash

From Mary Ann
Recently, I stopped at an old-fashioned car wash, the kind where you sit in the car and the washing mechanism goes back and forth on the sides and over the top to clean. When it started, I felt like I was moving. It was such a strong sensation, I almost put on the brake but didn’t because I knew my car wasn’t really moving. It was just an optical illusion.

It struck me that this is a good illustration of what error does–it creates a convincing illusion of reality when, in fact, Truth is real and we are always safely in the divine presence. Just as I was safe, dry and comfortable inside my car as the machine crested a veritable storm outside, we are always protected.

A Prayer for the Christian Science Reading Room

Hi Pam, Here is the inspiration that came to me last week when I was praying about our upcoming open house at the Reading Room. Love from Dyan Wingard

 

It is a public sacred refuge to commune quietly with God. The place where the Pastor is joined together as one infinite whole.

No judgments, no exclusive rights–honesty, integrity, and peace seal the walls of its structure. Healing and joy are its windows and door. No one can resist the natural attraction to come inside and explore.

As doorkeepers, our job is to watch and pray. On duty in support of Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery, and to campaign on the side of Truth.

Clarity and precision guide our words and acts of kindness to all who seek the gift of salvation. We stand as witnesses for freedom.

The perpetual movement of Life  interwoven, intersecting our dreams, hopes, and desires, as we each sit humbly at the foot of the throne listening to His prayer for all:

“Go, take the little open book
From out the angel’s hand;
The word of Truth is there for all
To read and understand.”

-Christian Science Hymnal – Hymn 74

Thanks for being here!

I just want to say thank you and welcome, or welcome back, to each one of you who are finding your way onto this site.  It is such fun to be in touch, to have your participation, or just your viewing. We love your responses so much.

I have to admit that this began as a smple desire to write regularly, even just for myself, my own discipline.  I felt compelled to put down on paper, pen, or blpam (blog), ideas that stirred my thought and  deepened my prayer. Sometimes I wanted to examine thoughts about the healing practice, or concerns that should be pulled out, looked at, and then considered prayerfully. Sometimes, more often than anything else, I simply wanted to be grateful!  And say so  on “paper!”

The reception we have found for these gentle thoughts, insights, and healings is so good. It’s proving to be just a chance for folks to drop  by and perhaps feel more loved, or cared for, or encouraged by someone else’s experiences, healings, inspirations. We are being grateful together, regularly.

Each day we have more visitors, and it’s so good to know we are companioning together. It really is Love reflected in love.

If you find something helpful, just press the comment button and let us know. If you want to know when something new is posted, go up to the top right, hit those little lines, and scroll down. You will see a place to register. This is not a public site searchable on Google, etc. but if you want to let friends, or patients, or others know about it, please feel free to do that. Truly, sincere hearts are so welcome,- to visit, and to send ideas to post. Please do send along your healings or inspiratioms to be shared. With or without names! You can send them to me at pamdeboltcsb@gmail.com. I’ll be in touch with you and together we can share what is touching your life.

Just know this site is simply here to help and encourage, and bring healimg. That’s its pure purpose.  Please join in anyway that works for you. And again, thanks for being here!

Artichokes & Illusions

Sent by Jan

In my front garden I have several artichoke plants and due to the generous rains this year the plants are full of artichokes. One plant in particular was overflowing with artichokes and I had been happily making plans on what I was going to do with them. I thought I might make an artichoke lasagna with some of them and then maybe bring some of the overflow to church for members to take home. It was fun to have such a bumper crop to work with.

A few days ago I looked once again at the big overflowing artichoke plant and decided I would harvest the plant in the afternoon. When I returned home that afternoon from running errands, I found that the plant was void of all artichokes! I couldn’t believe it! Someone had come along and taken all of them. Not one was left. I was not happy. As I stood there surveying the empty artichoke plant, a few neighbors came over. I told them what happened and all three of us grumbled about how folks just help themselves to other people’s things. One neighbor suggested that she knew who had taken the artichokes because she had seen a neighbor taking flowers out of another neighbor’s garden and how that just wasn’t right. We parted not feeling very good about our neighborhood.

Fast forward a few days when I was once again tinkering in my garden which was quite over-grown. I was busily weeding and cutting down bushes to a manageable size when I could better see the artichoke plant. Lo and behold –  all the artichokes were still there! The plant had become so top heavy from the weight of the artichokes and the loaded branch had fallen over into the weeds and was hidden from view. Was I surprised! You bet. And chagrined (I had done all that complaining with the neighbors!). Nothing had been taken from me. All was intact. It was an illusion! I thought about how many times I have been taken in by something that wasn’t true – by an illusion. That is error’s sneaky way of trying to get us to buy-in to an illusion. All it needs to do is to get us to believe it – and that becomes our reality. But like the artichokes – it never happened, it isn’t real. This has been a great lesson to me to be more vigilant, to look more closely and not be fooled into believing a lie. I will also make sure to share with my neighbors that all is well, nothing ever happened. I’m sure we’ll all have a good laugh about it.

Sharing love and sweet potato fries

Recently I had an experience that showed me how easy and natural it can be to share what we love.  (sorry this is so long…..read it in chapters!!)

I had time for a lunch break one afternoon before an appointment at an office building near me. But first of all I wanted a BLT sandwich!  I thought of all my options where I could find one. Fortunately, I’d been praying all morning, and soon realized I could not set aside my prayer for two hours while I wandered around after food. So I began to listen for what would be the right step for my day. Soon it wasn’t about the food, but about receptivity to what was right.

Gently, the thought came that very near  my appointment was a little cafe.  I saw the logic to this more rational reasonable choice, set aside my willfulness for a willingness to respond to intelligent activity and went to the café, ordered my sandwich and settled into a sliver of sunshine outside on a picnic table.

Sitting, eating, and reading an article from JSH, I was feeling Love’s provision for all of us, and  I became aware I had way too many really good sweet potato fries! They really should be shared. This deeply sincere thought included a conscious appreciation of the effort that had gone into making these fries. How silly it was for someone else not to enjoy them.

As I turned back to my reading, to my complete surprise, a young man, probably twenty-something, quietly slipped onto the bench across from me, sharing my sliver of sunshine. He had a small bag of donut holes and a container of some pink-flavored milk.

With the sweetest face and gentlest manner, he look at my fries and said “What are those?” And I very naturally said “Those are sweet potato fries.” “Are they good?” I said, “They’re really good. Have some.” And I moved the dish of fries towards him.

He took some and said, so sincerely, “Thank you so much.” And for the next fifteen minutes or so, we exchanged how our day was going, that he was going to take the bus in a little while to perhaps an assisted living care place. We had a lovely congenial time, all based on our sharing what we were both enjoying.

Pretty soon I said, “I have an appointment. Would you like me to have these boxed up for you?” He said “Could I just sit here and enjoy these, and return the plate when I’m through?” Of course. And I left him sitting in the sun enjoying our very special sweet potato fries.

This experience has moved me in many directions.

I began to equate it with our willingness, not willfulness, to be responsive to be where we need to be in order to love, and as appropriately, as we can, meet the needs of others. I realized that what we, as Christian Scientists share, besides food (!) is a natural love for God as explained in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

Mary Baker Eddy wrote the book to be shared. Our love for it, and our willingness to be obedient, will give us the opportunities to share what she knew could change the world.

She wrote it to share it. She wrote it knowing the world would come to what she loved. And valued. And she did everything in her life to provide that this book be shared with the receptive heart. Ww have an essential part in tbis.

I think we need to challenge the temptation to stay home and just read the book ourselves. Which would’ve been like me eating my french fries alone. I must say those french fries tasted so much better and were so much more fun when shared with my young friend.

I noted that I didn’t have to go out and find somebody who needed sweet potato fries, put them in a bag and walk up and down the street trying to find them a home. I had to be obedient to be where I belonged.

I had to have a conscious thought there was something here that could be shared. I realized none of this would’ve happened had I been disobedient to my first selfish lunch desire  In fact  it was good to be out in a public setting with something of value to share.

I didn’t make the mistake of thinking I owned the french fries, or that they were my personal possession. The cook knew they were good. He didn’t know where his offering was going.  He simply valued and enjoyed the preparation and made it available.

I realized they were worthy of sharing. But they weren’t my possession. Science and Health is worthy of sharing. But it’s not our personal possession. It was written by someone who loved what she discovered and wanted to share with receptive hearts, everywhere.

One of the things I’ve also learned from this experience is that those who need what Love can provide them can come right to us if our love welcomes them. Without judgment. Without fear. Without deciding if someone’s worth it. Or if someone’s good enough.

When I told my Sunday school students about this experience, one of them said, “You were right where you were meant to be to share with that young man.” He is right.

And I recognize that’s how I want to live,  – to be right where I need to be to share something that I love so very much – which of course is going to be the healing truth, which gives us the life we love. Someone who loved or valued or knew of this Science of Christianity shared it with us. The author of the book expected us to repeat the activity.

So sitting in the sun, we can enjoy what we love so much, and folks will be drawn to the light and the love we’re willing to share.