Have you ever consented to disease? Accepted it for you or for someone else?
“Oh well, that’s life, people get sick, and it’s my turn now…” This is not a plan for staying healthy. We should never consent to something we don’t want to experience.
Today I was thinking about how diligent we must be to not agree with disease. The media is filled with reports of suffering, graphic pictures of it, descriptions and symptoms detailed to impress, and then there are neighbors who seem infatuated with talking about disease as if there’s little else to discuss. If we’re not alert, we might start agreeing with the general consensus that disease is real powerful and out to get us. Thanks to Truth, this is not true! But we have to prove it by keeping our thought free of its deleterious influence.
Don’t consent to disease!
No matter how many other people we see struggling with disease, we do not have to struggle with it too. We can help them and keep our thought free of believing in it.
Disease is in belief only. It’s not a physical reality that becomes contagious. Any contagion is in mind alone, and we have spiritual immunity to that mental contagion through Truth.
Our immunity is the spiritual truth about perfect God and perfect man. The man of God’s creating does not catch a disease. It’s impossible. God’s man is spiritual, immortal, healthy and well forever. The more we identify ourselves as spiritual, and not fallible vulnerable mortals, the stronger our defenses are against the suggestion of disease, and the safer our bodies from being affected by it.
There are probably many things you absolutely refuse to consent to. For example, I would never consent to smoking a cigarette. No matter how adamantly someone offered me a smoke, I would not accept. I absolutely refuse to have anything to do with even the suggestion.
We can apply the same rule to catching a disease. We can absolutely refuse to catch one by not consenting. Out of thought, out of body, is a rule any of us can demonstrate.
So, don’t consent! If you see disease in the news, down the block, at work, in your memory, don’t consent to its claims. Refuse to believe it’s real and know you are the immune and permanently healthy child of God.
Don’t give disease an inch, or it will become a ruler….
Consent to God’s absolute control over your well being, and stay healthy. Agreement with Truth makes a positive difference, and it’s a safe way to live.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Voice
I’ve never read or seen the book “A Voice is Calling,” by J. G. Marking, but this excerpt from the book’s introduction is intriguing:
"There once was a man who lay in his bed and couldn't fall asleep at night. No matter what he did, or thought in his head, nothing seemed quite right. So as he thought and wondered what could possibly keep him awake, His heart stilled and his mind silenced and he felt a gentle quake.
I want more.
And as his eyes opened wide his soul began to breathe, A gentle whisper in his ear: "I know what I heard with those simple three words, But something's troubling me here. However obvious those words may seem, Their message isn't clearly defined. Because I know, deep down in my soul... The Voice that spoke wasn't mine."
"There once was a man who lay in his bed and couldn't fall asleep at night. No matter what he did, or thought in his head, nothing seemed quite right. So as he thought and wondered what could possibly keep him awake, His heart stilled and his mind silenced and he felt a gentle quake.
I want more.
And as his eyes opened wide his soul began to breathe, A gentle whisper in his ear: "I know what I heard with those simple three words, But something's troubling me here. However obvious those words may seem, Their message isn't clearly defined. Because I know, deep down in my soul... The Voice that spoke wasn't mine."
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Life is the hot cocoa
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests something to drink, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot cocoa and an assortment of cups--porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, and some exquisite--telling them to help themselves to hot chocolate.
After all the students had a cup of hot drink in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress."
"Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the chocolate. In most cases, it's just more expensive and in somecases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups...and then began eyeing each other's cups."
"Now consider this: Life is the hot cocoa, and the jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are temporary tools we use to live by. The type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live.
"Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the cocoa God has provided us.
"God brews the cocoa, not the cups. Enjoy your hot chocolate!"
Offering his guests something to drink, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot cocoa and an assortment of cups--porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, and some exquisite--telling them to help themselves to hot chocolate.
After all the students had a cup of hot drink in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress."
"Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the chocolate. In most cases, it's just more expensive and in somecases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups...and then began eyeing each other's cups."
"Now consider this: Life is the hot cocoa, and the jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are temporary tools we use to live by. The type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live.
"Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the cocoa God has provided us.
"God brews the cocoa, not the cups. Enjoy your hot chocolate!"
Where to find health?
I was speaking to a group of youngsters all under five years old. We were talking about where health comes from.
I asked them, “Where does milk come from?”
Tiny Susie piped up, “The refrigerator!”
Aaron, who was a bit older, corrected her with, “No it doesn’t. My mom gets milk from the grocery store.”
Older Tommy had to straighten everyone out with, “Uh-uh. Milk comes from cows!”
How many of us make the same mistake concerning the origin of health that Susie made with her belief about the source of milk?
Medical theory teaches us to look for health in the body.
- Check your pulse
- What’s your red cell count?
- Your cholesterol level?
- How much do you weigh?
- …and on and on.
These material checks are supposed to tell us how much health we possess. But they don’t. They are effect of belief only, not cause.
If we don’t find any milk in the refrigerator, we don’t panic. We go to get more (right to the cow if we live on a dairy farm).
Same rule applies to health. If we look into the body and find little health, from a spiritual point of view, we don’t panic. We go to the source and find more. God is the source of health!
God gives us health like God gives us honesty, integrity, and love. Health is a spiritual gift and freely imparted through us.
Health is very similar to love. You may express love in the form of a smile, a hug or good deed, but the love you express is not in the muscle that expresses it. It is in the thought that inspires the affectionate action.
Health, too, is not in the body that expresses it. Health is in the thought that produces the fit effect.
So, if looking for more health, go to the source. Go to God, and there you’ll find it.
“Health is not a condition of matter, but of Mind; nor can the material senses bear reliable testimony on the subject of health.”
~ Mary Baker Eddy
Monday, January 29, 2007
The best friend
The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
~ Author unknown
A kind approach to troublemakers
Ever had to deal with a troublemaker at work, at home, or in the neighborhood?
John Izzo’s piece on “Bake a cake for the office troublemaker,” is a fun read filled with kind ideas for stilling storms at the office.
John Izzo’s piece on “Bake a cake for the office troublemaker,” is a fun read filled with kind ideas for stilling storms at the office.
Forwarding blog posts
Some of you have asked how to forward a blog entry to a friend. It's easy.
Look for the little envelope at the bottom of each blog posting. Click on it, and fill in the forwarding email information. Simple as that!
Look for the little envelope at the bottom of each blog posting. Click on it, and fill in the forwarding email information. Simple as that!
Fling yourself free
On Wings of Song
The boughs hang bare when the winter winds blow
But the little birds sing in spite of snow.
I like to believe that I, a man,
Can do as well as a little bird can,
But you have to have faith in the rightness of things
To fling yourself out on feathers and wings,
And sing when there seems to be nothing there
But icy winds and empty air.
Little bird, fly up to the top of the tree of my mind,
And sing your song in me.
~ James Dillet Freeman
The boughs hang bare when the winter winds blow
But the little birds sing in spite of snow.
I like to believe that I, a man,
Can do as well as a little bird can,
But you have to have faith in the rightness of things
To fling yourself out on feathers and wings,
And sing when there seems to be nothing there
But icy winds and empty air.
Little bird, fly up to the top of the tree of my mind,
And sing your song in me.
~ James Dillet Freeman
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Pioneer or settler?
Are you a pioneer or a settler?
Pioneers forge into new territory and explore frontier that others have not ventured into yet. They do not let fear, hesitation, caution or comfort hold them back from taking steps that could lead to great progress and advancement for mankind.
Settlers have good qualities, but may lack the fearlessness of the pioneer. They ask questions like, “Is it safe? Will I be in danger? Will I stay comfortable? What will happen to me?” Pioneers consider these questions too, but they don’t let the unknown prevent them from busting through barriers that would stymie progress and stop advancement.
The world needs pioneers and settlers. But pioneers have to do their work before settlers can do their’s. Pioneers break open new paths, and settlers come in behind them and build on the pioneers’ discoveries.
In the realm of spiritual healing, pioneers are needed more than ever today.
Materialism is running rampant. Consumerism has eaten up large portions of public thought. The threat of terrorism and violence has paralyzed many people’s enlarged perspective of Love and caused hope to falter.
To break the mesmeric grip evil would hold on public thought, statements of spiritual truth need to be courageously uttered and voiced. We cannot back down in the face of evil and give into despair.
Love is the most powerful weapon against evil in the world. Truth is the voice that will be heard above corruption, dishonesty and deceit. Principle will prevail, and hidden sin exposed to bring about its own destruction, but it is often through the pioneer that reformative activities take root and germinate.
Pioneers forge into new territory and explore frontier that others have not ventured into yet. They do not let fear, hesitation, caution or comfort hold them back from taking steps that could lead to great progress and advancement for mankind.Settlers have good qualities, but may lack the fearlessness of the pioneer. They ask questions like, “Is it safe? Will I be in danger? Will I stay comfortable? What will happen to me?” Pioneers consider these questions too, but they don’t let the unknown prevent them from busting through barriers that would stymie progress and stop advancement.
The world needs pioneers and settlers. But pioneers have to do their work before settlers can do their’s. Pioneers break open new paths, and settlers come in behind them and build on the pioneers’ discoveries.
In the realm of spiritual healing, pioneers are needed more than ever today.
Materialism is running rampant. Consumerism has eaten up large portions of public thought. The threat of terrorism and violence has paralyzed many people’s enlarged perspective of Love and caused hope to falter.
To break the mesmeric grip evil would hold on public thought, statements of spiritual truth need to be courageously uttered and voiced. We cannot back down in the face of evil and give into despair.
Love is the most powerful weapon against evil in the world. Truth is the voice that will be heard above corruption, dishonesty and deceit. Principle will prevail, and hidden sin exposed to bring about its own destruction, but it is often through the pioneer that reformative activities take root and germinate.
Settlers pick the fruit, but pioneers get the tree growing.
Are you a pioneer or a settler?
We all can be both at different times, depending upon the need. But don’t be afraid to pioneer spiritual truth in your home, your neighborhood, your community, or whatever thought-environment you travel through.
The voice of Truth needs to be articulated and heard. It’s not a time for shirkers or slackers. God will protect you as you forge new mental ground and advance the greatest cause known to mankind.
Fear not. Pioneer Christian Science healing fearlessly!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Who do you pray to?
A patient called one time and poured out a litany of distresses. He protested in utter agony
- I can’t figure out how to pray right.
- I’m never going to figure this problem out.
- I don’t have enough understanding.
- I can’t keep my thinking straight.
- I don’t know what to do.
- I’m….
And the litany would have gone on and on, I could tell. But being good friends, I interrupted his torrent of fears and jested, “Who are you praying to anyway? To God or to yourself?”
I had never seen the error of ego-worship so clearly before. I’ve done it before myself. You might have too. The error takes the form of us trying to figure everything out on our own as if God doesn’t exist.
In ego-worship, we lip service God’s help, but we ignorantly believe the burden of healing lies upon our shoulders. And eventually we fear failure if we don’t get the truth figured out just right, according to our sense of things.
Let’s think about this stumbling-block to success together…
If we have to figure everything out ourselves, what’s the point of having a God? This is an error of great proportions that saps faith and cripples progress.
God IS our helper. He is the one who gives us adequate understanding, who figures out solutions for us, who keeps our thinking straight and tell us what to do. God is our Mind, afterall.
We don’t have to figure out the solution to every problem alone. What we cannot do, God is doing, and we can rely upon His faithful help to preserve us.
Jesus said,
Jesus claimed to do nothing, yet, grand achievements were accomplished through him. He sought the will of the Father and put personal strivings aside. We can learn from his example.I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
As we yield the human ego and let God’s will be done through us, we’ll witness grand achievements at work in our life too.
So, if you’re getting distressed about the success of your prayers, be sure you’re praying to the right god. Not to the human self, which becomes a vain exercise because there’s no help there to be found, but to the divine Mind which has answered your prayer before you even lodge a request.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Affluenza virus
Excellent article on Yahoo today…
“Beware the Affluenza Virus. An epidemic of mindless consumerism is sweeping the world with the compulsive pursuit of money and possessions making people richer but sadder….”
"We have become addicted to having rather than being and confusing our needs with our wants," said Oliver James, author of a new book coming out titled, “Affluenza.”
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
A higher perspective on troubles
Have you ever made great spiritual leaps forward then suddenly hit a brick wall that gave you grief or got side-swiped by an unexpected problem and then wondered why the trouble?
“I was making so much progress,” refrains a common complaint. And then adds, “Why did this difficulty arise?”
It would be nice if we never had to face problems. If life on earth were as easy as strolling down the street on a sunny day, listening to happy birds singing in the trees, and looking forward to a peaceful dinner with pleasant company we could take it easy more frequently.
But this idealistic lifestyle doesn’t happen, very often anyway. Issues arise. Challenges present themselves. Conflict needs to be resolved. People suffer and need healing.
I’ve come to accept that earthly existence is constantly filled with opportunities to grow spiritually and be useful.
Some people might reword the above to “…earthly existence is filled with problems and troubles.” But I'd like to protest that sentiment. It seems a backward way of looking at the hills and valleys of the human experience.
Spiritually considered, life is good. God is our Life, our eternal Life, and the more we identify with God as Life, the better our experience with life on earth gets.
There is a spiritual demand on humans, though, to grow into a right understanding of Life as blessed. This spiritual demand presents itself as continuous opportunities to demonstrate Life’s goodness.
It’s like playing video games, which I rarely do, but have watched my son play. The more you master the game, the higher levels you attain, and are presented with more challenging conquests.
As we grow spiritually we are presented with increased opportunities to prove what we’ve learned.
So new challenges and opportunities should be expected, and looked at from a positive frame of mind.
They are not deep holes to stumble into, dread and complain about. They are mountains to climb and get higher views.
Relish the hike! Enjoy the scenery—the lessons learned along the way—and gain from the adventure.
If we get lazy and lethargic about our spiritual progress, heavenly law has a way of pushing us forward and making us move again. The “push” may feel like a trouble or pain, but the real thrust is to promote our spiritual mindedness—to keep us growing in our understanding of Truth, to leave a troublesome limiting belief behind and think more spiritual.
After we’ve successfully reaped the benefit of each opportunity to grow presented, we ultimately gain the final realization of Life in God where there are no troubles. And what a glorious day that is to strive for!
“I was making so much progress,” refrains a common complaint. And then adds, “Why did this difficulty arise?”
It would be nice if we never had to face problems. If life on earth were as easy as strolling down the street on a sunny day, listening to happy birds singing in the trees, and looking forward to a peaceful dinner with pleasant company we could take it easy more frequently.
But this idealistic lifestyle doesn’t happen, very often anyway. Issues arise. Challenges present themselves. Conflict needs to be resolved. People suffer and need healing.
I’ve come to accept that earthly existence is constantly filled with opportunities to grow spiritually and be useful.
Some people might reword the above to “…earthly existence is filled with problems and troubles.” But I'd like to protest that sentiment. It seems a backward way of looking at the hills and valleys of the human experience.
Spiritually considered, life is good. God is our Life, our eternal Life, and the more we identify with God as Life, the better our experience with life on earth gets.
There is a spiritual demand on humans, though, to grow into a right understanding of Life as blessed. This spiritual demand presents itself as continuous opportunities to demonstrate Life’s goodness.
It’s like playing video games, which I rarely do, but have watched my son play. The more you master the game, the higher levels you attain, and are presented with more challenging conquests.
As we grow spiritually we are presented with increased opportunities to prove what we’ve learned.
So new challenges and opportunities should be expected, and looked at from a positive frame of mind.
They are not deep holes to stumble into, dread and complain about. They are mountains to climb and get higher views.
Relish the hike! Enjoy the scenery—the lessons learned along the way—and gain from the adventure.
If we get lazy and lethargic about our spiritual progress, heavenly law has a way of pushing us forward and making us move again. The “push” may feel like a trouble or pain, but the real thrust is to promote our spiritual mindedness—to keep us growing in our understanding of Truth, to leave a troublesome limiting belief behind and think more spiritual.
After we’ve successfully reaped the benefit of each opportunity to grow presented, we ultimately gain the final realization of Life in God where there are no troubles. And what a glorious day that is to strive for!
Monday, January 22, 2007
What do you trust?
Have you ever glanced through an issue of National Inquirer or Star magazine? If so, did you believe everything you saw on their pages?
If you are a reader outside the US, you may be unfamiliar with these tabloids, but I imagine you have similar publications in your country. They are the type of magazine that frequently get sued by Hollywood stars they write about for falsifying facts, making wild and unsupported claims and drawing exaggerated pictures of reality.
While waiting in a grocery store line to buy food, I noticed the periodicals prominently displayed in a kiosk nearby. The pictures looked tampered with and the headlines were highly sensational.
I thought, “These magazines are an excellent example of why one cannot trust the material senses. They print pictures that are doctored to make a misimpression and they manipulate words that mislead the reader into believing a lie.”
In pondering the message further, I saw lessons for spiritual healing.
Mortal mind frequently tampers with the body to make it look sick and messes with human thought to create sensations of illness. If we are not alert to how mortal mind is mentally tinkering and creating sensations that misguide thought, we might start believing what we’re seeing through the eyes and feeling through the nerves, and thus conclude that we have to be ill when we do not have to suffer.
Like reading magazines of questionable content, from a strictly outward view, the altered pictures look real and the words are undeniably present in print. If you believe everything you see and read you are liable to get duped by misrepresentations. Experience teaches us to be wiser, to question the external evidence and seek out truth.
To succeed in spiritual healing, we cannot believe what the eyes tell us and what sensation reports. The corporeal senses are the agents of mortal mind which often get steered in a dangerous and harmful direction. We must go to Truth, to divine Science, and learn the spiritual facts of being in order to reason wisely and keep our mental defenses from being penetrated by error.
Christian Science explains what Truth is and how to rely upon it for protection. It's teachings are explained in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, a book that clearly defines Truth and distinguishes it from the errors of sense that lead to wrong conclusions.
Basically, Christian Science explains that we are spiritual beings reflecting a heavenly God that has permanently endowed us with health, harmony and life. As we identify ourselves spiritually,--as God’s ever-present manifestation of health and well being,--we keep ourselves from being duped by mortal mind’s suggestions through the material senses that we are vulnerable, victimized mortals who have to suffer.
We don’t have to suffer. We can stay well, and Truth is our faithful guide to this preserved state of being.
If you're looking out from a material perspective, don't believe everything you see! There's a better view to take in, and Christian Science helps you find it.
If you are a reader outside the US, you may be unfamiliar with these tabloids, but I imagine you have similar publications in your country. They are the type of magazine that frequently get sued by Hollywood stars they write about for falsifying facts, making wild and unsupported claims and drawing exaggerated pictures of reality.
While waiting in a grocery store line to buy food, I noticed the periodicals prominently displayed in a kiosk nearby. The pictures looked tampered with and the headlines were highly sensational.
I thought, “These magazines are an excellent example of why one cannot trust the material senses. They print pictures that are doctored to make a misimpression and they manipulate words that mislead the reader into believing a lie.”
In pondering the message further, I saw lessons for spiritual healing.
Mortal mind frequently tampers with the body to make it look sick and messes with human thought to create sensations of illness. If we are not alert to how mortal mind is mentally tinkering and creating sensations that misguide thought, we might start believing what we’re seeing through the eyes and feeling through the nerves, and thus conclude that we have to be ill when we do not have to suffer.
Like reading magazines of questionable content, from a strictly outward view, the altered pictures look real and the words are undeniably present in print. If you believe everything you see and read you are liable to get duped by misrepresentations. Experience teaches us to be wiser, to question the external evidence and seek out truth.
To succeed in spiritual healing, we cannot believe what the eyes tell us and what sensation reports. The corporeal senses are the agents of mortal mind which often get steered in a dangerous and harmful direction. We must go to Truth, to divine Science, and learn the spiritual facts of being in order to reason wisely and keep our mental defenses from being penetrated by error.
Christian Science explains what Truth is and how to rely upon it for protection. It's teachings are explained in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, a book that clearly defines Truth and distinguishes it from the errors of sense that lead to wrong conclusions.
Basically, Christian Science explains that we are spiritual beings reflecting a heavenly God that has permanently endowed us with health, harmony and life. As we identify ourselves spiritually,--as God’s ever-present manifestation of health and well being,--we keep ourselves from being duped by mortal mind’s suggestions through the material senses that we are vulnerable, victimized mortals who have to suffer.
We don’t have to suffer. We can stay well, and Truth is our faithful guide to this preserved state of being.
If you're looking out from a material perspective, don't believe everything you see! There's a better view to take in, and Christian Science helps you find it.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Don't fear germs
Have you ever feared germs?
A recent experience of mine proved the benefit of destroying a fear of germs.
A week ago I came home late one evening from a tennis match to find my wife battling an aggressive cold. I sat by her side and prayed with her for relief.
In my prayers, I knew she was a spiritual being governed by divine law that maintained her in a perfect state of health. Even though the human picture did not indicate health, I understood the whole purpose and intent of prayer is to improve the outward view, and that Christ was on the scene making the positive change for us through our prayers.
As I declared truth, I found my peace of mind about the permanency of her health and wellness. I felt confident that she was safe and well. She calmed down and began to rest.
But then I was deluged with suggestions about catching a cold myself from a bedroom filled with airborne germs.
This is almost comical because I rarely fear contagion, but nonetheless, the suggestions were running rampant in my thought, and I knew from past experience that you do not ignore aggressive suggestions if you wish to keep yourself free of their dire predictions. They have to be dealt with and eliminated.
To be protected, I metaphysically treated myself to not get a cold from germs.
How?
By affirming truth and denying error.
Truth: God is the only power of the universe and He causes only good things to happen. God governs and controls the health and well being of man. God is a good God and produces only a good effect. God did not create harmful environments, dangerous germs or unsafe conditions. I lived in the omnipresence of God, and was exposed only to health producing circumstances. Governed by God’s law of perpetual health, I remained healthy and well at all times.
Denial: Germs have no power of their own. They cannot impact me for good or for bad. They are mindless, harmless, and powerless bits of matter-belief that have no influence over my thinking, over my body, or over my health.
I rounded my prayers out by knowing I breathed in the omnipresence of good and that love and goodness alone circulated in the atmosphere of my life.
I fell asleep assured all was well and that I would not under any circumstances get a cold from my wife’s sneezing that evening.
My wife recovered quickly from the bout and I have remained cold free ever since. The germs were proved powerless to affect my health, and I am grateful.
Christian Science gives us wonderful tools to combat potential health problems and keep ourselves healthy. But we have to put these tools to use to receive their benefit. And one of the most powerful tools Christian Science provides is the ability to take proactive spiritaul action to prevent illness.
When mortal mind makes a suggestion like, “There are germs in the air and they are going to make me ill,” one must not ignore the suggestion. The very fact that one even thinks the suggestion proves a need to nullify it before it grows into a worse belief of “I’m ill.”
Mary Baker Eddy, a wise and successful Christian Science healer wrote, “Sin and disease must be thought before they can be manifested. You must control evil thoughts in the first instance, or they will control you in the second.”
We can take control of evil beliefs before they take control of us. Our conscientious prayers can prevent suffering. It may take vigorous effort to put down the initial suggestion, but the strenuous effort is worth the reward.
God never created a harmful germ. He created conditions of Love that bless and protect. This truth neutralizes a fear of germs, and in turn proves the microbes to be harmless.
Germs are no threat to a consciousness of spiritual truth.
A recent experience of mine proved the benefit of destroying a fear of germs.
A week ago I came home late one evening from a tennis match to find my wife battling an aggressive cold. I sat by her side and prayed with her for relief.
In my prayers, I knew she was a spiritual being governed by divine law that maintained her in a perfect state of health. Even though the human picture did not indicate health, I understood the whole purpose and intent of prayer is to improve the outward view, and that Christ was on the scene making the positive change for us through our prayers.
As I declared truth, I found my peace of mind about the permanency of her health and wellness. I felt confident that she was safe and well. She calmed down and began to rest.
But then I was deluged with suggestions about catching a cold myself from a bedroom filled with airborne germs.
This is almost comical because I rarely fear contagion, but nonetheless, the suggestions were running rampant in my thought, and I knew from past experience that you do not ignore aggressive suggestions if you wish to keep yourself free of their dire predictions. They have to be dealt with and eliminated.
To be protected, I metaphysically treated myself to not get a cold from germs.
How?
By affirming truth and denying error.
Truth: God is the only power of the universe and He causes only good things to happen. God governs and controls the health and well being of man. God is a good God and produces only a good effect. God did not create harmful environments, dangerous germs or unsafe conditions. I lived in the omnipresence of God, and was exposed only to health producing circumstances. Governed by God’s law of perpetual health, I remained healthy and well at all times.
Denial: Germs have no power of their own. They cannot impact me for good or for bad. They are mindless, harmless, and powerless bits of matter-belief that have no influence over my thinking, over my body, or over my health.
I rounded my prayers out by knowing I breathed in the omnipresence of good and that love and goodness alone circulated in the atmosphere of my life.
I fell asleep assured all was well and that I would not under any circumstances get a cold from my wife’s sneezing that evening.
My wife recovered quickly from the bout and I have remained cold free ever since. The germs were proved powerless to affect my health, and I am grateful.
Christian Science gives us wonderful tools to combat potential health problems and keep ourselves healthy. But we have to put these tools to use to receive their benefit. And one of the most powerful tools Christian Science provides is the ability to take proactive spiritaul action to prevent illness.
When mortal mind makes a suggestion like, “There are germs in the air and they are going to make me ill,” one must not ignore the suggestion. The very fact that one even thinks the suggestion proves a need to nullify it before it grows into a worse belief of “I’m ill.”
Mary Baker Eddy, a wise and successful Christian Science healer wrote, “Sin and disease must be thought before they can be manifested. You must control evil thoughts in the first instance, or they will control you in the second.”
We can take control of evil beliefs before they take control of us. Our conscientious prayers can prevent suffering. It may take vigorous effort to put down the initial suggestion, but the strenuous effort is worth the reward.
God never created a harmful germ. He created conditions of Love that bless and protect. This truth neutralizes a fear of germs, and in turn proves the microbes to be harmless.
Germs are no threat to a consciousness of spiritual truth.
Are you in need?
Do you need Me? I am there.
You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by.
You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.
I am at work, though you do not understand My ways.
I am at work, though you do not understand My works.
I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.
Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I AM, and then but as a feeling and a faith.
Yet I am here. Yet I hear. Yet I answer.
When you need ME, I am there. Even if you deny Me, I am there.
Even when you feel most alone, I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there. Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
I am in you, and you are in Me.
Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of "yours" and "mine".
Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me.
Empty your heart of empty fears.
When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.
You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all. And I AM in all.
Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.
I am there because I have to be, because I AM.
Only in Me does the world have meaning;
only out of Me does the world take form;
only because of ME does the world go forward.
I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded.
I am the love that is the law's fulfilling.
I am assurance. I am peace. I am oneness.
I am the law that you can live by. I am the love that you can cling to.
I am your assurance. I am your peace. I am ONE with you. I am.
Though you fail to find ME, I do not fail you.
Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers, because I know you, because I love you.
Beloved, I AM there.
~ James Dillet Freeman
You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by.
You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.
I am at work, though you do not understand My ways.
I am at work, though you do not understand My works.
I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.
Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I AM, and then but as a feeling and a faith.
Yet I am here. Yet I hear. Yet I answer.
When you need ME, I am there. Even if you deny Me, I am there.
Even when you feel most alone, I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there. Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
I am in you, and you are in Me.
Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of "yours" and "mine".
Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me.
Empty your heart of empty fears.
When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.
You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all. And I AM in all.
Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.
I am there because I have to be, because I AM.
Only in Me does the world have meaning;
only out of Me does the world take form;
only because of ME does the world go forward.
I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded.
I am the love that is the law's fulfilling.
I am assurance. I am peace. I am oneness.
I am the law that you can live by. I am the love that you can cling to.
I am your assurance. I am your peace. I am ONE with you. I am.
Though you fail to find ME, I do not fail you.
Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers, because I know you, because I love you.
Beloved, I AM there.
~ James Dillet Freeman
Friday, January 19, 2007
Amazing sidewalk art
Have you seen the amazing 3D sidewalk art photos of Julian Beever?
Beever’s displays attest to the truth that we truly live in a universe of infinite Mind where there are no limits to imagination and creativity.
Julian Beever short bio
More Beever photos
Beever’s displays attest to the truth that we truly live in a universe of infinite Mind where there are no limits to imagination and creativity.
Julian Beever short bio
More Beever photos
Thursday, January 18, 2007
How old do you think you are?
This quote caught my attention:
Some people claim they’re 49 going on 30. Others say they’re 60 and complain like they’re 90. Some are 50 and act like they’re 15.
It’s a thought provoking question.
If I were to answer the question, I’d say I feel around 27. After I do 30 sit-ups and 30 push-ups with my son in his exercise routine, I’m not sure I feel like I’m 27… :) but honestly, on the inside, I feel very very young.
Not far from hitting the half-century mark, many people my age think of winding down…of when they want to retire, slow-down their activity, and join the “sipping lemonade in the sun” club. But not me! I have so many adventures yet to embark on, discoveries yet to make and spiritual advancements to achieve, I see several decades of vigorous, productive, and profitable engagement ahead of me. I’ve barely begun…
Having said that, honestly, I shy away from the whole year-counting fascination anyway because I’ve received so much grief about my age in the past.
For ten years I lectured on Christian Science and spiritual healing across North America in front of hundreds of audiences, and to tens of thousands of people. Before an event, I would greet people as they entered the auditorium, shaking their hands and getting acquainted.
Many attendees would be surprised when I introduced myself as the speaker and pop out words like “But you’re so young.” Sometimes their comment indicated delightful surprise, but other times it felt like a disqualification for speaking with credibility. I had such a youthful look for my age that many people took me for 15-20 years younger than I was. It happened so frequently, I started to expect it.
At first it bothered me because it felt like my youthful appearance was a liability for my career. But fortunately I did not buy into that false line of reasoning.
I thought about Bill Gates and his youthful look. It didn’t stop him from forging ahead. Whether you agree with his tactics or not, he didn’t let outward appearances stymie the fulfillment of his vision.
So, I gave up concern about what age I appeared to be long ago. I cherish Mary Baker Eddy’s statement, “Man in Science is neither young nor old.”
Science is a term she uses to refer to how God governs the universe, including man. Under the laws of God, our capacity for success, our abilities, strengths and outlook have nothing to do with passing years, but everything to do with God’s ever-present ability to sustain, maintain, invigorate and prosper us.
God’s strength never wanes or wavers, never ages, or passes away. He is our source, and when we stay conscious of our at-one-ment with God, we feel the ageless power of Spirit sustain us day by day, regardless of what date the calendar reads. We grow stronger, happier and healthier, not the opposite.
So, back to the question, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”
The best answer I can think of is, “I’m neither young nor old, but ageless!”
Life is eternal. Years are irrelevant.
What do you think? If you had never counted birthdays and totally lost track of your birth date, how old would you think you were?How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
~ Satchel Paige
Some people claim they’re 49 going on 30. Others say they’re 60 and complain like they’re 90. Some are 50 and act like they’re 15.
It’s a thought provoking question.
If I were to answer the question, I’d say I feel around 27. After I do 30 sit-ups and 30 push-ups with my son in his exercise routine, I’m not sure I feel like I’m 27… :) but honestly, on the inside, I feel very very young.
Not far from hitting the half-century mark, many people my age think of winding down…of when they want to retire, slow-down their activity, and join the “sipping lemonade in the sun” club. But not me! I have so many adventures yet to embark on, discoveries yet to make and spiritual advancements to achieve, I see several decades of vigorous, productive, and profitable engagement ahead of me. I’ve barely begun…
Having said that, honestly, I shy away from the whole year-counting fascination anyway because I’ve received so much grief about my age in the past.
For ten years I lectured on Christian Science and spiritual healing across North America in front of hundreds of audiences, and to tens of thousands of people. Before an event, I would greet people as they entered the auditorium, shaking their hands and getting acquainted.
Many attendees would be surprised when I introduced myself as the speaker and pop out words like “But you’re so young.” Sometimes their comment indicated delightful surprise, but other times it felt like a disqualification for speaking with credibility. I had such a youthful look for my age that many people took me for 15-20 years younger than I was. It happened so frequently, I started to expect it.
At first it bothered me because it felt like my youthful appearance was a liability for my career. But fortunately I did not buy into that false line of reasoning.
I thought about Bill Gates and his youthful look. It didn’t stop him from forging ahead. Whether you agree with his tactics or not, he didn’t let outward appearances stymie the fulfillment of his vision.
So, I gave up concern about what age I appeared to be long ago. I cherish Mary Baker Eddy’s statement, “Man in Science is neither young nor old.”
Science is a term she uses to refer to how God governs the universe, including man. Under the laws of God, our capacity for success, our abilities, strengths and outlook have nothing to do with passing years, but everything to do with God’s ever-present ability to sustain, maintain, invigorate and prosper us.
God’s strength never wanes or wavers, never ages, or passes away. He is our source, and when we stay conscious of our at-one-ment with God, we feel the ageless power of Spirit sustain us day by day, regardless of what date the calendar reads. We grow stronger, happier and healthier, not the opposite.
So, back to the question, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”
The best answer I can think of is, “I’m neither young nor old, but ageless!”
Life is eternal. Years are irrelevant.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
An act of love
Want to read a story that warms your heart and melts your pride?...
Aviation History - Charlie Brown's Story
Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton, England. His B-17 was called 'Ye Old Pub' and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton.
After flying over an enemy airfield, a pilot named Franz Steigler was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17. When he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes. In his words, he 'had never seen a plane in such a bad state'. The tail and rear section was severely damaged, and the tail gunner wounded. The top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage. The nose was smashed and there were holes everywhere.
Despite having ammunition, Franz flew to the side of the B-17 and looked at Charlie Brown, the pilot. Brown was scared and struggling to control his damaged and blood-stained plane.
Aware that they had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to turn 180 degrees. Franz escorted and guided the stricken plane to and slightly over the North Sea towards England. He then saluted Charlie Brown and turned away, back to Europe.
When Franz landed he told his commanding officer that the plane had been shot down over the sea, and never told the truth to anybody. Charlie Brown and the remains of his crew told all at their briefing, but were ordered never to talk about it.
More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to find the Luftwaffe pilot who saved the crew. After years of research, Franz was found. He had never talked about the incident, not even at post-war reunions.
They met in the USA at a 379th Bomber Group reunion, together with 25 people who are alive now - all because Franz never fired his guns that day.
Aviation History - Charlie Brown's Story
Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton, England. His B-17 was called 'Ye Old Pub' and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton.
After flying over an enemy airfield, a pilot named Franz Steigler was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17. When he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes. In his words, he 'had never seen a plane in such a bad state'. The tail and rear section was severely damaged, and the tail gunner wounded. The top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage. The nose was smashed and there were holes everywhere.
Despite having ammunition, Franz flew to the side of the B-17 and looked at Charlie Brown, the pilot. Brown was scared and struggling to control his damaged and blood-stained plane.
Aware that they had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to turn 180 degrees. Franz escorted and guided the stricken plane to and slightly over the North Sea towards England. He then saluted Charlie Brown and turned away, back to Europe. When Franz landed he told his commanding officer that the plane had been shot down over the sea, and never told the truth to anybody. Charlie Brown and the remains of his crew told all at their briefing, but were ordered never to talk about it.
More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to find the Luftwaffe pilot who saved the crew. After years of research, Franz was found. He had never talked about the incident, not even at post-war reunions.
They met in the USA at a 379th Bomber Group reunion, together with 25 people who are alive now - all because Franz never fired his guns that day.
Research shows that Charlie Brown lived in Seattle and Franz Steigler had moved to Vancouver, BC after the war. When they finally met, they discovered they had lived less than 200 miles apart for the past 50 years!!
I love this story because Franz’s heart won out over the commanders’ instruction to shoot down enemy planes. When Franz approached Brown in his crippled plane, evidently Franz did not see an enemy, but a brother, and an inner desire to love his brother won out over the barbaric command to mindlessly shoot and kill.
Fifty years later, I suspect the joy that came to Franz from seeing alive the crew he spared was incredibly meaningful and a reminder that acts of love have a much deeper and long term beneficial impact on humanity than acts of mindless hatred.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Helping others because it matters
What drives people to volunteer at the local food bank or homeless shelter? What inspires people to collect thousands of items and prepare care packages to send to troops in the Mid-East? What gives mothers and fathers the courage to bring an orphan into their home and raise them as their own? What motivates strangers to unselfishly rescue their neighbor in times of distress?
A letter to the Editor of Time magazine in the January 15, 2007 issue I believe eloquently answers these questions in simple words.
Commenting on Time magazine's Person of the Year being “You,” Galen Panger of Stanford, CA, wrote
“People will help one another if they believe it matters…”
Whoa…this really resonated with me, hitting a deep chord.
Yes, I want to help people when I believe my help will matter, I agreed.
Is that a factor that drives you?
Has there ever been a time in your life when someone needed help and you raced to their aid because you knew your support would make a positive difference?
On the contrary, though, has there been a time that someone needed help but you weren’t sure you should be charitable? You hesitated, maybe even walked away?
Perhaps you feared being rebuked for extending a helping hand? Or having them turn on you like an angry dog ready to bite? Maybe you were concerned about your generosity being taken advantage of and the benefit of any help given lost? Or perhaps you didn’t know why you didn’t jump to help and shrugged your shoulders in apathy toward their want?
Millions of knowledgeable Web users are downloading programs and information free of charge onto the Web making it easier for other Internet users to utilize the Internet’s resources and grow in understanding. I’ve used these free resources myself, and have been grateful for them.
Why do they give freely? Often for future profits they hope to reap, but many, because they want to help others who can benefit from their contribution.
It just occurred to me that I started writing this blog because I hoped to help my readers gain a little more spiritual light in their life. I expected nothing in particular in return, and wasn't sure what to expect, except the joy that comes from knowing a burden may have been lifted somewhere, a load made lighter and a chuckle or peace settle into thought that might not otherwise be there.
Everytime I get an encouraging email or comment that someone's day was a bit brighter from something they read on this page, I am inspired to keep on writing. Why? Because I know my efforts made a difference.
I believe the same motivation inspires millions of other bloggers likewise.
I bet the same rule applies to your efforts to reach out and help too!
We give when we know our giving matters. A nice "thought for the day" to contemplate…
It also underscores the need to let other people know that when they give, it really did matter. Our gratitude encourages them to keep up their efforts so the world will continue to receive their blessing.
Sooo..., happy giving!
A letter to the Editor of Time magazine in the January 15, 2007 issue I believe eloquently answers these questions in simple words.
Commenting on Time magazine's Person of the Year being “You,” Galen Panger of Stanford, CA, wrote
“…Your story said Web 2.0 is ‘a tool for bringing together the small contributions of millions of people and making them matter’ and about people ‘helping one another for nothing.’ I just want to emphasize this point. People will help one another if they believe it matters…”
“People will help one another if they believe it matters…”
Whoa…this really resonated with me, hitting a deep chord.
Yes, I want to help people when I believe my help will matter, I agreed.
Is that a factor that drives you?
Has there ever been a time in your life when someone needed help and you raced to their aid because you knew your support would make a positive difference?
On the contrary, though, has there been a time that someone needed help but you weren’t sure you should be charitable? You hesitated, maybe even walked away?
Perhaps you feared being rebuked for extending a helping hand? Or having them turn on you like an angry dog ready to bite? Maybe you were concerned about your generosity being taken advantage of and the benefit of any help given lost? Or perhaps you didn’t know why you didn’t jump to help and shrugged your shoulders in apathy toward their want?
Millions of knowledgeable Web users are downloading programs and information free of charge onto the Web making it easier for other Internet users to utilize the Internet’s resources and grow in understanding. I’ve used these free resources myself, and have been grateful for them.
Why do they give freely? Often for future profits they hope to reap, but many, because they want to help others who can benefit from their contribution.
It just occurred to me that I started writing this blog because I hoped to help my readers gain a little more spiritual light in their life. I expected nothing in particular in return, and wasn't sure what to expect, except the joy that comes from knowing a burden may have been lifted somewhere, a load made lighter and a chuckle or peace settle into thought that might not otherwise be there.
Everytime I get an encouraging email or comment that someone's day was a bit brighter from something they read on this page, I am inspired to keep on writing. Why? Because I know my efforts made a difference.
I believe the same motivation inspires millions of other bloggers likewise.
I bet the same rule applies to your efforts to reach out and help too!
We give when we know our giving matters. A nice "thought for the day" to contemplate…
It also underscores the need to let other people know that when they give, it really did matter. Our gratitude encourages them to keep up their efforts so the world will continue to receive their blessing.
Sooo..., happy giving!
The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good.
~ Mary Baker Eddy
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Do you want to be great?
From a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr…. (click on link to hear him speak)
“He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Jesus ChristIf you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Amen) That’s a new definition of greatness.
And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, (Everybody) because everybody can serve. (Amen) You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. (All right) You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. (Amen) You only need a heart full of grace, (Yes, sir, Amen) a soul generated by love. (Yes) And you can be that servant.
Power of non-violent love
Monday, January 15th, is Martin Luther King Jr. day in the USA. King was a deep spiritual thinker and powerful speaker who moved millions to seek reform through unconditional love and non-violent action. For anyone interested in improving the world we live in, it’s worth studying the ideas he preached to discover why his ministry has had such a profound and long lasting impact on untold masses of people.
Here are some quotes on love by Martin Luther King, Jr….
Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars...Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word ini reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.
Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'
Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.
Not only did King talk about the power of love, he told his audiences not to hate:
Here are some quotes on love by Martin Luther King, Jr….
Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars...Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word ini reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.
Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'
Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But...the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.
Not only did King talk about the power of love, he told his audiences not to hate:
Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.
Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Don't repeat the mistake
This story reminds me of the old adage, “You can’t expect different results when you keep doing the same thing over again.”Two hunters from Chicago hired a pilot to fly them to Canada to hunt moose. They bagged six.
As they started loading the plane for the return trip home, the pilot tells them the plane can take only three moose. The two men objected strongly, stating; "Last year we shot six moose and the pilot let us put them all on board and he had the same plane as yours." Reluctantly, the pilot gave in and all six were loaded.
Unfortunately, even on full power, the little plane couldn't handle the load and went down a few minutes after takeoff.
Climbing out of the wreck, Ree asked Pete, "Any idea where we are?
"Pete replied, "I think we're pretty close to where we crashed last year."
Share generously
“If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”~ George Bernard Shaw
When we see our supply in life as X number of material things or dollars, we are afraid to share for fear of losing some of our substance. But when we realize our true substance is spiritual--ideas coming from God--we are not afraid to share for we know we lose nothing in the giving, plus we have blessed another with our riches. In essence, our supply of "apples" is endless.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
What bridge are you building today?
The Bridge Builder
By Allen Dromgoole
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide—
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head:
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.”
By Allen Dromgoole
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide—
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head:
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.”
No more time
“Time is not a spatial distance one must traverse,” I said to one inquirer who was stressed out about not having enough time to do things. “Time is a state of mortal mind that dissolves with an understanding of eternal Life.”To illustrate:
Have you ever had a boring job?
How fast did time pass while you were on the clock? I’d guess about as fast as a creeping glacier, from my past experience with monotonous tasks.
Now, to the contrary, have you ever had a job you really liked?
How fast did time pass then? You probably forgot about time for the joy of being happily occupied.
What was the difference between the boring job and the interesting work in terms of passing time? It wasn’t the number of minutes counted, but the state of mind during those ticks that made time feel like an onerous burden in one case, and non-existent in the other.
One of the lessons we gain from this illustration is a glimpse that time is not space in life, but a limited constricted view of life.
The more material our concept of life, the more a burden time appears to be. The more our understanding of life is spiritually inspired, the less time is a factor.
The life God created for us is eternal, without beginnings and ends, but involves one continuous flow of joy and love.
Life is more than 8 hours of sleep, 3 meals a day, commutes to work, and bills to pay. Life is more than blood rushing through the body, a body rushing through a day, and a person rushing through a schedule. Life is spiritual. It is love, peace, harmony, compassion, generosity in action. These are qualities of Spirit, and they are eternal. To express them is not a strain or stress, it’s a joy. The more our daily commitments are filled with activities of the Spirit, the more timeless our work feels.
Time disappears in eternity. The more our thinking is spiritually occupied, the closer to eternity we feel. We are governed by God rather than by a clock."Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity."
~ Mary Baker Eddy
Life is not X number of hours passed, but God’s qualities of love expressed.
Living by the clock is like owning a huge mansion, but residing in one small dark room in the corner of the building, and never leaving that spot. Our whole world becomes that itsy-bitsy space, to the exclusion of all the adventures we could have in the other rooms if we were to venture out and explore."Love vanquishes time. To lovers, a moment can be eternity. Eternity can be the tick of a clock."
~ Mary Parrish
Don’t get mentally stuck in the prison cell of time. You have an eternal Life to live and discover. It’s in Spirit, and is expressed in Love.
The more we think true to our spiritual life, the less time is considered, and becomes as nothing, even to the point of realization that John saw in his heavenly revelation from God that “there should be time no longer.”
Come out of the circle of time.
And into the circle of love.
~ Rumi
Have a spiritual day today. It’s the stress-free way.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
What does it take to get a hug?
In this frequently harsh world where people’s generous motives are often suspect and desires to help shunned, you may find this video, “Free hugs campaign” on YouTube bring out a chuckle or tear to your eye as it did for me.
Is your hut burning?
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could you do this to me!” he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could you do this to me!” he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
So, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, fear not, the substance that appears to be vaporizing before your eyes could be the very rescue action that is delivering you from your secluded island.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Reason to be grateful
Check out this flash movie, “Drinking from my saucer.”
When we measure our good in life in a spiritual way, we readily see our cup, too, overflowing from Love.
When we measure our good in life in a spiritual way, we readily see our cup, too, overflowing from Love.
There is no lack in Love.
Turn up your sound.
Nothing to agitate
Here’s a quote I found at the bottom of a recent email sent to me…Cool quote! Eliminate the impurities, and there will be nothing to agitate or get agitated."..it is not the agitation of the waters (but) the sediment at the bottom, which troubles and defiles those 'who sit in judgement'! Where no sediment is, no impurity will follow on their agitation."
~ R.C.Trench
Goals worth pursuing
I had a very enjoyable time this weekend getting obliterated in a doubles tennis tournament by some opponents far superior in tennis talent than to me and my partner.
Let me explain…
It was the Deep Freeze Doubles Tournament in Tri-Cites, WA this weekend. I wanted to enter a level higher than my rating to gain experience playing against tougher players. I found a willing partner at my same rating. As it turned out, the first match we played was against the team who went on to win the division. They were phenomenally good—compared to us!
We never considered winning, only learning.
During the match, which was not really a match for the other team, I was quite a happy bouncy fellow on the court rejoicing in the truth that I was not feeling defeated even the score was 1-6, 1-6, as it turned out. My goal was not to beat the other team, but to be fearless in the face of tough competition.
I had a spiritual goal of developing more poise and control on the court under pressure. And during the match, I saw clearly that no score, or lack thereof, could prevent me from reaching my goal.
And why? Because my goal was spiritual.
As is typical for me, my mind went off in a number of directions during the match about what I was discovering on the subject of goals.
If a goal is material, one may or may not reach it. A material goal sets one up for potential defeat and discouragement.
A spiritual goal, however, is always reachable, and no material condition can prevent us from reaching it.
I was striving to express more courage, confidence, dominion, and foresight in my game. Were there any obstacles to reaching this goal exterior to my own commitment and desire? No. None. There were no hurdles in the way, and thus the reason I was not feeling in the least bit defeated.
Wow! Think about it. A plan for reaching every single goal you set.
How? By setting spiritual goals, not material ones.
Many people spend decades pursuing a material goal they never reach. The cure for feeling like a failure is to not set yourself up to feel like a failure in the first place.
Set spiritual goals. They are the only aims worth achieving in the long run. Worldly success is temporal, fleeting, and shallow compared to the riches and wealth of Spirit.
It’s amazing what one can learn in a simple tennis game.
Even though many opponents have outscored me in tennis matches over the last three years, I’ve never felt like a loser. And I’m seeing more clearly why. It’s because my goal in playing tennis is fundamentally spiritual—to learn more about God and my relationship to Him. This is a goal that sets me up to always feel like a winner…because I know it is doable.
You can set goals that guarantee you to be a winner everytime too.
Let me explain…
It was the Deep Freeze Doubles Tournament in Tri-Cites, WA this weekend. I wanted to enter a level higher than my rating to gain experience playing against tougher players. I found a willing partner at my same rating. As it turned out, the first match we played was against the team who went on to win the division. They were phenomenally good—compared to us!
We never considered winning, only learning.
During the match, which was not really a match for the other team, I was quite a happy bouncy fellow on the court rejoicing in the truth that I was not feeling defeated even the score was 1-6, 1-6, as it turned out. My goal was not to beat the other team, but to be fearless in the face of tough competition.
I had a spiritual goal of developing more poise and control on the court under pressure. And during the match, I saw clearly that no score, or lack thereof, could prevent me from reaching my goal.
And why? Because my goal was spiritual.
As is typical for me, my mind went off in a number of directions during the match about what I was discovering on the subject of goals.
If a goal is material, one may or may not reach it. A material goal sets one up for potential defeat and discouragement.
A spiritual goal, however, is always reachable, and no material condition can prevent us from reaching it.
I was striving to express more courage, confidence, dominion, and foresight in my game. Were there any obstacles to reaching this goal exterior to my own commitment and desire? No. None. There were no hurdles in the way, and thus the reason I was not feeling in the least bit defeated.
Wow! Think about it. A plan for reaching every single goal you set.
How? By setting spiritual goals, not material ones.
Many people spend decades pursuing a material goal they never reach. The cure for feeling like a failure is to not set yourself up to feel like a failure in the first place.
Set spiritual goals. They are the only aims worth achieving in the long run. Worldly success is temporal, fleeting, and shallow compared to the riches and wealth of Spirit.
It’s amazing what one can learn in a simple tennis game.
Even though many opponents have outscored me in tennis matches over the last three years, I’ve never felt like a loser. And I’m seeing more clearly why. It’s because my goal in playing tennis is fundamentally spiritual—to learn more about God and my relationship to Him. This is a goal that sets me up to always feel like a winner…because I know it is doable.
You can set goals that guarantee you to be a winner everytime too.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
What to change?
"I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself."
~ Aldous Huxley
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Gracious giving and receiving
I'm not sure where I picked this up, but I like it...
Blessed are those who can give without remembering
And take without forgetting.
The lost restored
Click here for an awe-inspiring story about a lost dog that gets found 1300 miles from home.
I knew a woman many years ago who lost a favorite cat in the rural community she lived in. Figuring the coyotes got the feline; she never expected to see the pet again.
Five years later, she struggled with feelings of personal loss in her life, health issues in particular. One night she prayed to see to see the unreality of loss, that no good thing could ever be taken from her because all true good is spiritual, eternally tucked away in Mind.
The next morning she opened the front door of her home to go outside and sitting on the porch is her cat.
Under the government of God’s unchangeable law, what appears to be lost is found again.
I knew a woman many years ago who lost a favorite cat in the rural community she lived in. Figuring the coyotes got the feline; she never expected to see the pet again.
Five years later, she struggled with feelings of personal loss in her life, health issues in particular. One night she prayed to see to see the unreality of loss, that no good thing could ever be taken from her because all true good is spiritual, eternally tucked away in Mind.
The next morning she opened the front door of her home to go outside and sitting on the porch is her cat.
The miracle introduces no disorder, but unfolds the primal order, establishing the Science of God's unchangeable law. Mary Baker Eddy
Under the government of God’s unchangeable law, what appears to be lost is found again.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Choose to live
Yesterday, a new friend visited me in my office to learn more about Christian Science. When our meeting was finished, I gave him the December Christian Science Journal which is filled with powerful testimonies of spiritual healing. He went home and started to read the magazine, and soon emailed the following comment which I thought you’d be interested to read. He gave me permission to share.
I read the story about the gal with pneumonia. She was very close to unconsciousness and her husband told her she had to choose Life…she
did, and that choice helped her to be healed.
This reminded me of some 15 yrs ago when I got a call from mom that dad was in ICU and not expected to live. I took a flight to Seattle and was in thoughtful prayer about what to do. Before we landed, I had received an answer.
I went to Virginia Mason hospital and went to dad's bed. He had two Christmas tree stands, as they were called at that time, holding 15 different bags and medicines that were going into his arms. I ignored all of that paraphernalia and quietly whispered to dad. "Dad, I have a message for you."He awoke, and in a whisper asked what the message was.
I said, "You have a choice. It is your choice to live.”
That was radical thinking for him at that time and place, and he was surprised to hear what I said.
I again affirmed to him that this was true. I went out and told mom the same thing. I wasn’t sure if he would live or die, but knew for certain that life had not been taken from him and that his agency to choose was intact.
The next morning he had only three IVs in his arms, and the next day he came home. This was a dramatic change from what everyone else in the family was expecting as an outcome.
Hmmmmmm… I think the Principle we are discussing as taught in Christian Science has been in my life all along. I just hadn’t recognized it as such.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Be a diamond
You’ve probably heard it before:
If you feel like a chunk of coal, well, there’s hope. You have the makings of a diamond!
A diamond is a chunk of coal that stood up under pressure.
If you feel like a chunk of coal, well, there’s hope. You have the makings of a diamond!
Go higher
Someone asked me yesterday, “How do you conquer reappearing fear?” I replied, “Go higher!”
I explained that fear is a limited view of spiritual reality. As the familiar acronym states,
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
Take in the true evidence and the false evidence, or fear, disappears.
In our journey through the trials and tribulations of human life, when fear appears, it’s a sign that we’re taking in only a partial view of what is yet to be revealed.
More than once, driving on a back road on a mountain route, I’ve approached the crest of a hill and feared dropping off on the other side because I couldn’t see the road ahead. The path disappeared before my eyes where it turned down the other side of the hill out of my range of vision. Once I got to the top and saw the road continued, my fear went away, for I knew I was safe.
When fear surfaces, it’s time to go higher—go higher in thought to the spiritual view of reality that reveals a continuing pathway ahead.
When hiking a trail to the top of a grand mountain, we walk with expectancy of capturing a breath-taking vista when reaching the top. Along the trail we register the scenes around us, but what we see is only a small percentage of what we’ll take in when reaching the summit. It’s a demand to keep on truckin’ up the trail of spiritual understanding until the full vista comes into view.
As we go higher in thought to spiritual truth the lesser scenes of error are left behind. They diminish and disappear along with any fear associated with them.
I explained that fear is a limited view of spiritual reality. As the familiar acronym states,
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
Take in the true evidence and the false evidence, or fear, disappears.
In our journey through the trials and tribulations of human life, when fear appears, it’s a sign that we’re taking in only a partial view of what is yet to be revealed.
More than once, driving on a back road on a mountain route, I’ve approached the crest of a hill and feared dropping off on the other side because I couldn’t see the road ahead. The path disappeared before my eyes where it turned down the other side of the hill out of my range of vision. Once I got to the top and saw the road continued, my fear went away, for I knew I was safe.
When fear surfaces, it’s time to go higher—go higher in thought to the spiritual view of reality that reveals a continuing pathway ahead.
When hiking a trail to the top of a grand mountain, we walk with expectancy of capturing a breath-taking vista when reaching the top. Along the trail we register the scenes around us, but what we see is only a small percentage of what we’ll take in when reaching the summit. It’s a demand to keep on truckin’ up the trail of spiritual understanding until the full vista comes into view.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
As we go higher in thought to spiritual truth the lesser scenes of error are left behind. They diminish and disappear along with any fear associated with them.
"God is Love." More than this we cannot ask, higher we cannot look, farther we cannot go. Mary Baker EddyIn the omnipresence of Love, there is nothing to fear.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
True victory
I do not ask for any crown
But that which all may win;
Nor try to conquer any world
Except the one within.
~ Louisa May Alcott
Monday, January 1, 2007
Christmas week
My family and I got back Saturday from a 9 day trip to our cabin in the Blue Mountains in Oregon State, and as usual, the venture was packed full of spiritual lessons.
We had a great time—peaceful, fun, and spiritually progressive.
We always pray together for health, safety and wise decision-making before going on a trip. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as the old proverb goes. We can always find a cure when we need one, but preventing a problem in the first place is most desirable!
Except for one evening when Tyler came back severely limping in great pain and distress from bending his leg backward in a hole while running down a snow covered hill in the dark, all went well!
While sitting with him on the couch I reminded him that he was spiritual. He nodded his head in agreement between sobs and listened while I continued to talk to him about his indestructible and unhurtable spiritual self. He calmed down quickly and agreed that God was taking care of him and he would be fine. He favored the leg for a day, but was still able to drive a snowmobile and play with his friends. We are grateful for his rapid recovery. He has always been a very spiritually responsive kid.
Here's Tyler on Balloon Tree Ridge:
My sensationless fingers reminded me of the wisdom of not exposing oneself to elements one is not prepared to deal with. This happens frequently in mental environments. People too often naively enter situations they are not equipped to handle metaphysically, and get blind-sided by harmful surprises. We were dressed appropriately for the environment we were in, but were not able to endure without that protection!
“Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
On our last day in the hills, I said to my family while eating lunch around the cabin table, “This was one of the best Christmas vacations I can remember!” They nodded in agreement. It was a long stretch of time in one place removed from the busy-busy of the world, but with friends, children and neighbors in nearby cabins to enjoy the outdoors with. We came home rested, improved, and ready to begin a new year.
We had a great time—peaceful, fun, and spiritually progressive.
We always pray together for health, safety and wise decision-making before going on a trip. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as the old proverb goes. We can always find a cure when we need one, but preventing a problem in the first place is most desirable!
Except for one evening when Tyler came back severely limping in great pain and distress from bending his leg backward in a hole while running down a snow covered hill in the dark, all went well!
While sitting with him on the couch I reminded him that he was spiritual. He nodded his head in agreement between sobs and listened while I continued to talk to him about his indestructible and unhurtable spiritual self. He calmed down quickly and agreed that God was taking care of him and he would be fine. He favored the leg for a day, but was still able to drive a snowmobile and play with his friends. We are grateful for his rapid recovery. He has always been a very spiritually responsive kid.
Here's Tyler on Balloon Tree Ridge:
Many of you asked how my Christmas day went after I blogged my entry on Christmas eve telling how busy my practice was with emergency cases Christmas 2005.
This year was different! Much calmer than the previous year.
I prayed ahead of time for a day of balance so I could spend a healthy amount of time with my family. I had a dozen or so calls and emails for help, mostly early in the morning, so the holiday was very quiet practice-wise. I was able to cook Christmas dinner with my wife, play Skip-Bo in the afternoon and enjoy a movie with the gang in the evening. It was a bonding progressive day all the way around.
I cannot take a true vacation from my work. My wife knows this.
Whenever we go on a vacation, I take my practice with me. I have such a strong commitment to my patients that I can’t imagine not being available for longer than a half day if a patient expecting to get me calls for help and they really need help. So I’ve learned to set blocks of time aside that I devote wholeheartedly to a family activity, like in the evenings, on the weekends, or on our trips away from home, and then check in with my practice to be sure everyone’s needs are met.
To understand the logic of my work-style you have to understand that the work I do is not work in the traditional understanding of the word. Done rightly, it’s pure bliss and joy. It’s health inducing, happifying and strengthening. My work is to know Truth and Love. No one, in my estimation, can name a single activity in this world that is better for your health, happiness and well being than actively knowing the omnipresence of Truth and Love--which IS practicing Christian Science.
When I stop my work, I start to feel like I’m falling apart. I’m not kidding. That’s when things go downhill. When I keep my thought inspired with spiritual reality, I feel on top of the world, on top of error, and I’m ready to respond to whatever calamity is thrown in my direction. I’m strong. I’m well in a spiritual state of mind. So, to go on a true vacation, for me, is to vacate thought of materialism, disease, and sinful distraction. That’s when I feel my best.
We were particularly adventuresome this week with a pair of Polaris 550 RMK snowmobiles we recently bought. If you want to get a 13 year old boy excited, give him a snowmobile to drive…man, oh man… Thing is, Jenna, our 16 year daughter, had just as much fun as Tyler did riding those power machines.
Here's Jenna all bundled up on a trail:
One evening, we decided to have pizza at the Tollgate Country Store, and part of the fun would be driving our sleds five miles through the forest, at night, to get there. We paired up on each rig. I sat behind Tyler as he navigated his way through the woods. I enjoyed soaking in the scenery, with the stately evergreen trees drenched in the moonlit night, the feather-light layers of white from recent snowfall, and the tranquility of the quiet forest that had not a worry on its still mind.
When we arrived, I spewed out, “Wow! That was such a quiet, peaceful, beautiful trip through the woods.”
My wife retorted, “What quiet? How can you say it was peaceful while riding those loud noisemakers?” Humbled, I realized that I was so caught up in the beauty of our surroundings, I hadn’t noticed the noise of the machines.
Later, I realized there was a lesson there for shutting out the noise of the world to hear the voice of God. Material sense cannot overwhelm our spiritual senses. We must tune-in, like tuning our radio to the station we want to hear. When tuned into one station, we don’t pick up signals going to another.
Friday afternoon, Tyler and I sped the snowmobiles up to Balloon Tree Ridge, a crested hill at the 6000 foot elevation that was an out-of-the-way paradise for sled riders. It was glorious!
Wide open expanse, bumps and hills, dips and turns that would keep any snowmobiler in their element for hours. Whizzing across the open fields at 50 mph gliding over humps catching air over dips and plowing through down-soft snowdrifts is a thrill one doesn’t forget shortly.
Sunny but cold, one had to be dressed warmly to survive. I took off my gloves for a few seconds to maneuver a camera, and my fingers went numb before I could snap one picture. I could not feel the straps on my helmet to buckle it back on so left them dangling until we returned to warmer territory and I was thawed out.
Myself on Balloon Tree Ridge ready to put my helmet back on before I froze:
My sensationless fingers reminded me of the wisdom of not exposing oneself to elements one is not prepared to deal with. This happens frequently in mental environments. People too often naively enter situations they are not equipped to handle metaphysically, and get blind-sided by harmful surprises. We were dressed appropriately for the environment we were in, but were not able to endure without that protection!“Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
On our last day in the hills, I said to my family while eating lunch around the cabin table, “This was one of the best Christmas vacations I can remember!” They nodded in agreement. It was a long stretch of time in one place removed from the busy-busy of the world, but with friends, children and neighbors in nearby cabins to enjoy the outdoors with. We came home rested, improved, and ready to begin a new year.
Wishing you all a Happy and progressive New Year!
