"Truth" Bible Lesson, January, 2011

Find de-light and endurance in Truth!
Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden, Germany

Printable Version | PDF
| |
[Find de-light and endurance in Truth!]
CedarS "Met", Metaphysical Application Ideas, for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
"Truth" for January 17 - 23, 2011
By Rick Stewart, CS, Dresden, Germany [bracketed italics by Warren Huff, Cedars Exec. Director]

[Editor's Note: The following application ideas for this week, and the Possible Sunday School Topics that will follow, are offered primarily to help CEDARS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study and application of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! You can sign up to have them emailed to you free -- in English by Monday each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French thanks to Pascal, in German thanks to Helga or in Spanish thanks to a team of Ana, Erick, Claudia and Patricio. YOU CAN SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]

This week's Bible Lesson repeatedly reminds us to remember the everlasting works of God. We are told that these works endure forever, that they are wondrous and glorious, and that these works are "Truth." (See this week's Responsive Reading.)

There is another aspect of God's works that we also will discover in this week's Lesson. These works are not something of a historical nature, something to remember from the past, but our actual participation in God's works being revealed here and now. And playing an important role in this present unfoldment is a good teacher. For example, Jesus not only encouraged a remembrance of God's historical works, he also encouraged a life that continuing in the word and continuing to "know the truth." (See Section 4, B-11)

How do we usually find out about God's works? Well, of course lots of us have had experiences or observed wonders in our own lives that show us some of God's works. Or we have read a passage in the Bible that recounted God's wonderful works. (The recounting of God's works or acts is a major theme in the Bible.) And then perhaps we have had teachers, wonderful examples of individuals who have unlocked the glory of God's works. (E.g. Christ Jesus, Paul, [or a Sunday School teacher] or a counselor at CedarS!)

I was reminded of a recent Sunday School class. My son, Noah, and I were discussing one of the sections in the Lesson on Sacrament. Noah said, "Papa, let's find our "gold nugget" for this section." Noah had learned that term in his daily study of the Bible Lesson with his fellow campers and his counselors at CedarS. So we began the search for our "gold nugget" (a favorite idea or quote to apply from the Lesson.)

Teachers can be so important. Do you or did you have a favorite teacher in school? A teacher that really reached you, inspired you, or encouraged you in your learning? Someone that may have impressed you with the depth of their understanding, but who also awakened your own desire to learn? Isn't that the most important function of a teacher? Not to impress students with their own knowledge, but to share that knowledge in a way that the student can comprehend and hopefully duplicate in practice what they have learned!

When I look back I have to say I am really grateful for a multitude of great teachers. But there is one teacher that truly stands out; her name was Ruth Urquhart. Some might remember that I wrote about her in an earlier CedarS MET. (February 22-28, 2010) She was my teacher for 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades. [Nothing's ODD about that.] What was the thing that made Mrs. Urquhart so special? She inspired her students to put into practice what she was teaching. When I was in the second grade of elementary school (6-7 years old) she encouraged me and another student, Barry Mitchum, to forge ahead in our arithmetic studies. As soon as we finished our 2nd grade workbook, she gave us another. By the end of the school year Barry and I had completed the arithmetic workbook for the sixth grade!

And it is that same spirit that I love about this particular Bible Lesson on Truth (all 10 Sections!). We begin by remembering all the "works of God," the Truth, that endures forever, and then we get actively involved in the demonstration of Truth. And isn't that the most effective way to "know the truth" (B-11). Pilate either sincerely, facetiously, or sarcastically asked, "What is truth?" (B-20) Mary Baker Eddy with heartfelt sincerity and obedience answers in Science and Health (S-26), "The question, What is Truth, is answered by demonstration..." Or as our Master puts it (Section 4, B-11), "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." That's what we are going to be learning about in this Lesson.

Golden Text:
Psalms 117:2 "...the truth of the Lord endureth for ever." "His truth endures." (The Living Bible, LB), "the Lord's constancy is everlasting" (New English Bible, NEB)
[To strengthening endurance in every area of your life, try looking to the light from each section of this week lesson on Truth to set you free-free from the friction of thinking and living like a mortal. Today's "Daily Lift" by Susie Jostyn on treating everyone "Like Family" brings new light, not heat, to our daily interactions. Without constantly fighting the friction of lies, your endurance will be multiplied immensely!]

Responsive Reading:
Psalms 33:4 "works are done in truth." KJ "everything he does is worthy of our trust." (LB) "The word of the Lord holds true..." (NEB)
Ps. 111:2 "The Lord has done many wonderful things! Everyone who is pleased with God's marvelous deeds will keep them in mind." (Contemporary English Version, CEV)

Section 1: Truth thinking!
What was I thinking? Years ago I climbed to the summit of a mountain that is one of the Collegiate Peaks in the Colorado Rockies. There are five 14,000 foot (4,300 meter) mountains named after famous universities. A friend and I were climbing on New Year's Day. We climbed part way, camped in the snow, and then completed the climb the next day. But we were both from Florida; and we were not experienced climbers. So the route we chose, the one that looked best to us actually turned out to be an old avalanche path! I guess not the wisest or safest path in mid-winter. But I am grateful to say that we arrived at the summit safe and sound. It was only afterward when describing the climb to a local experienced climber that I uncovered our folly.

I was reminded of this experience as I read this section: a section that encourages a willingness to meekly learn and be led. B-1, B-2. "Lead me in thy truth and teach me...The meek will he guide...and the meek will he teach his way." "The entrance of thy words....giveth understanding to the simple." There is not much wisdom in being a "know-it-all." After all there is only one "Know-it-all," and that is God!

Comedians can joke all they want to about "men" not being willing to ask directions! But what did I learned from my ignorant climb up an old avalanche path? Ask directions. And I have even found it important to continue to ask directions, more than once if necessary. And who do I ask directions from? God is always first! I consult Him continually during the day. And I also pray for Him to guide me to those individuals who can lead me to the information I need at the moment. And I can say it is amazing, absolutely amazing, the wonderful, knowledgeable individuals he has repeatedly placed in my path.

Thinkers, true thinkers are always willing to learn. Paul encouraged "good" thinking; (B-3) and our Leader coined a classic phrase, "The time for thinkers has come." (S-1) A willingness to know God, Truth is indispensable to our upward climb! Let's be willing to be educated by Truth. "Ignorance of God is no longer the steeping-stone to faith." (S-1)

Section 2: Prayer brings us to Truth!
Prayer is a way of life, a way of thinking. In citation B-7 Jesus teaches us to pray to our Father. Jesus teaches us to "enter our closet, close the door, and pray to our Father in secret, and our Father that seeth in secret will reward us openly." In citation S-5 Mary Baker Eddy points out that entering that closet and closing the door is an instruction to retreat from the testimony of the material senses. We mentally extract ourselves from the roar of materiality that surrounds us; we listen for the Father's voice; we commune with the one and only Great Spirit; and we remind ourselves of God's omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience.

We can pray unceasingly. We can pray and wash dishes; we can pray and cook a delicious ginger pudding; we can pray and scrub the floor. (I have done all those today.) We can pray as we read and study. Prayer is a commitment of our heart to hear God's voice. So whatever we are doing we can keep doing, AND continue to pray unceasingly. In one sense prayer is a commitment or consecration of our thought, our lives, our every action to God, to the Truth.

A few days ago I spoke with a family friend, a mom. She shared that they were thinking about getting a dog, and wondered where we found our dog, Theo. I explained that we had seen Theo several times with his fellow puppies; that Noah asked if we could get one of the puppies; and that I had simply said to Noah, "Pray." If he was willing to pray, not for a puppy, but to pray to know that God was unfolding what was right for him, our family, and the puppies, that he could trust what God would do. And Noah did pray. Our first word after Noah (and me too!) had been praying was a negative response from the owner of the litter of puppies we had been visiting. All puppies were spoken for. And then almost immediately after the negative response, I got a call from the owner of the puppies. He had decided that it was not right for one of the puppies to go the promised individual. We ended up with what I like to call "God's pick of the litter." We named him, Theo. ("Theo" comes from Old German and means "God's gift.)

So I told this family friend about our experience and encouraged her to ask her daughter to pray about the desire. And they all prayed. And a few days later when we were talking on the phone she joyfully told me that they had found the perfect dog. They were so happy. And one of the wonderful things about this answered prayer was that the father in the family since a childhood incident had actually been scared of dogs all his life. This man's willingness to let the family consider getting a dog, and his unselfed love had to be a key part of their finding a wonderful dog. Both the dog and the family were blessed. We met their new family member the other evening, and she is an absolutely beautiful, jet-black Labrador/German Shepherd mix.

Answered prayer is beyond anything we can come up with alone. Answered prayer is God revealing Himself, Truth in our hearts and in our experience.

We should learn to pray about everything. [After all, "God ... guides every event of our careers." Unity of Good, 3:28] Followers of the Master learned to pray about everything; and they did everything prayerfully. When the earlier followers of Jesus got together for a meal, they prayed. Everything they did, they did with prayer. We can do the same thing. Prayer takes the greatest challenges of human experience and turns them into holy events. Great tragedies become great victories. Great hurts turn into great comforts, comforts that stay with us our entire lives. The pain is not remembered, only the presence of the Comforter wiping away the tears, the "Spirit of Truth, leading into all Truth."

Section 3: Truth, coming to light!
This section is a beautiful statement that sensitivity to the "Light" cannot tempt us to dwell in darkness. "The rays of infinite Truth" cannot afflict! (S-6) Coming to the Light, the Truth, can only bless. Dwelling in the darkness of "human doctrines, hypotheses, and vague conjectures" (S-6), is never a path to Truth. "Truth and Love enlighten the understanding..." (S-7)

A few years ago I awoke one day to a painful eye condition. I did not seem to be able to bear the slightest light, without extreme pain. I had no idea of what this condition was, or where it had come from. A house guest at the time, Johannes, was quite patient with me, since I could not attend to any normal acts of hospitality. Since I could not read, or even open my eyes, I simply was still and prayed. And I remember a statement came to thought, "Nothing can close man's eyes to the Truth." I prayed with that thought and then at some point during the day I remembered that Johannes had witnessed a wonderful healing of sea gull a few years earlier.
We had been on a surf trip together, and what had appeared as a fatal accident for the sea gull was reversed in minutes. Johannes and I had been the only ones present. Immediately after the healing Johannes was dancing with joy and gratitude.

I realized the statement ["Nothing can close man's eyes to the Truth"] had come to me like a rebuke to any skepticism that may have crept into my friend's and perhaps my own thought. As I affirmed that nothing can close our eyes to the Truth, the seeming aggressive physical picture with my eyes just faded away. And then in talking with Johannes, I found out that he had begun to rationalize about that healing of the sea gull. Although at first he had rejoiced at what had taken place, now a couple years later, he had begun to think that perhaps the injury was not as serious as we had first believed.

We must remind ourselves that no darkness of doubt, distrust, doctrine, or dogma can close our eyes to the infinite light of Truth revealed.

Section 4: Continue in the Truth
Did you notice who Jesus was talking with in this section of the Lesson? (B-11) Jesus had been speaking with "those Jews which believed on him," John 8:31. He had told them, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." And then he had shared a powerful statement that we all love, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
(Students of Christian Science are very familiar with the last part of that quote since it is displayed on the walls in many Christian Science churches.)

The Jews he was speaking with seemed to take offence when he talked about "knowing the truth" as the key to freedom. They immediately referred to their human heritage as "Abraham's seed." (B-11) John 8: 32 They had never been in "bondage to any man." But Jesus pointed out, "I tell you for certain that anyone who sins is a slave of sin!" (CEV)

How could this relate to you and me? Wouldn't we consider ourselves as among those who "believed on" Jesus. Don't we see ourselves in somewhat of a "heritage of Christ" situation? Perhaps our great-grandmother, grandmother, of grandfather was a Christian Scientist? Or maybe even a Christian Science Practitioner? Perhaps our mothers or fathers are Christian Scientists? Don't we have the connections, the credentials we need to be able to demonstrate Christian Science? Shouldn't we be able to heal, since "after all Christian Science has been in our family for four generations?" And there is sometimes a little frustration when we have studied Christian Science for so long, or our family has been in Christian Science for so long, and we still have challenges or problems!

What is the key here? Science and Health citations, (S-8) to (S-12) are so helpful in reminding us where our belief is placed. Is freedom found in human heritage or credentials, or in the Truth? (S-10) "Love and Truth make free, but evil and error lead into captivity."

For about 15 years my mom kept as pets Ring-Necked Doves (also known as Cape Turtle Doves or Half-Collared Doves). The first pair had been a Mother's Day gift from my brother, Scott. At one point the male dove escaped from the cage and was out for several days. He was not doing well, but he did not seem to be able to get himself back where he belonged. He obviously wanted to be back home, but was having a hard time getting there. My mom began to pray with the concept from John 10:9 when Jesus identifies himself as "the door." "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Mom prayed to know how to overcome the seeming fear and reluctance of this dove to come home. And then she devised a way to make the door easier to get into, a place for the dove to land, and securely walk right home. And in just a little bit, there was the male dove in the cage and very happy to be back home. [Good ideas for forgiving and welcoming back our non-feathered friends can be found in Bev DeWindt's reprinted Sentinel article "Seventy time seven".]

Our Master promised to pray to the Father for a Comforter, the Spirit of Truth that would lead into all Truth. As my mom's dove was finally led back home, where he really wanted to be, so we can find our way home, sometimes from places and lifestyles that we have wandered into where we don't belong.

This section of the Lesson helps us identify the means for freedom, "continuing in the word," and "knowing the truth." We cannot be free and abide or continue in belief in mortal error, mortal heritage, in sin, in an existence apart from God, Truth. As we are willing to let go of a belief in evil's reality; as we begin to see through the temptation to believe in two opposing powers, evil and good; then we are ready to see that, "Christian Science brings to light Truth and its supremacy, universal harmony, the entireness of God, good, and the nothingness of evil." (S-12)

Section 5 and 6: Truth uncovers error and grace and truth put it of business!
There is such a relief when Truth uncovers error. (B-12) "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." (New International Version, NIV)
"Truth uncovers and destroys error" (S-13) Then we don't have to labor under false pretenses or put up with something we know is illegitimate.

As error is uncovered we then allow the sunlight of Truth to shine in all of its gentle warmth. The result is an experience, a condition, a relationship that normalizes and adjusts. "Let Truth uncover and destroy error in God's own way, and let human justice pattern the divine." (S-13)

Years ago I got a call from my brother; he needed help finding his horse, Shiloh. He had left Shiloh at the home of some relatives of his wife. This family lived in the country and my brother thought it would be fun for their kids to have a horse to ride. Then Shiloh found a hole in the fence and had wandered off. No one knew where she was, and it was about 75 miles from my brother's home. My brother had to work, but I told him I would be glad to head up right away and begin the search.

At that time I rented an office for my practice, so I put a note on my office door, took along my new cell phone and headed out. Today my practitioner's office was going to be on the road. I prayed as I drove the hour and half to the area where Shiloh was last seen. It had come to me to post signs all around the little country town nearest to the relative's house. As I posted the sign at a small store in the center of the little town, a group of teenagers came in. A young woman spoke to me in a very disrespectful and unkind way, and said something like, "You ain't never gonna see that horse again." And then a fellow about 15 or 16 said something in a very mean way, but it made me think he knew where Shiloh was. To put it kindly the attitude of this group of young people seemed very confrontational and antagonistic. So I headed out into my car, and quietly prayed. In Section 6, (B-13) speaks of God as "longsuffering" and "gracious." At that point I was praying with my whole heart asking God to let me express those qualities of true thought. Longsuffering means slow to anger, and patient. I was trying my best, but it did not seem easy to not react.

The young people came out of the store and headed down a country road; and then turned into a small sand road. I had continued to watch them and then was prompted to start my car and follow them. The young man that spoke to me headed into a small house. And right then I saw a man that I recognized as an insurance salesman going to the same house. I approached him, told him what my problem was and asked for his advice. He immediately said, "Oh, that's a good kid, he was probably just showing off for his girl friend. Go ahead and talk to him." When I talked to the young man, there had been a real change of attitude. He agreed to go with me to show me where the horse, Shiloh, was. We got there only to discover that a friend of his that had been keeping Shiloh, had let her go a few hours earlier. When they told me where they let her go, I went there and began to follow her tracks. After about an hour of tracking, with my new young friend at my side, I found Shiloh, safe and sound. She had gone into a pasture with an open gate. I closed the gate, called my brother, and waited for him to get there with the horse trailer. The young man waited with me. He had spent several hours helping me look and waiting for my brother. The qualities of God, "compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy," that I had been trying to embrace, this young man ended up showing in full measure. It was a complete contrast from what had first been displayed! [See also a spirituality.com article by April Mattson, "A stolen car - and the power of prayer".]

As you know prayer is often an affirmation of the divine Truth. Prayer can be a knowing that God is governing all, and a remembrance of His, God's works and deeds (see the Responsive Reading). But prayer also can include an uncovering of lies, the seeming opposite to Truth. (See Section 5.) And a faith in Truth, faith in the true nature of an individual or situation, is also a powerful form of prayer. And of course a key element to effective prayer almost always includes reversing fear. Fear would try to convince us that there is something other than God, Truth governing a situation. How glorious to see the Truth come to light, remove the effects of error, and truly "make man free." (S-16)

Section 7: Crumbs of Truth........more than enough!
The experience of Jesus and the Canaanite woman is related in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. (B-15) The woman is identified as from the [Mediterranean] coast of Tyre and Sidon. (These important towns are located within the present day boundaries of Lebanon.) She was a "gentile." Not a Jew. Mark‘s gospel refers to the woman as a Syro-Phoenician. In both Gospels her story follows a discussion of what true "purity" means. Remember purity for the Jewish thought had to do with many aspects of daily life and allowed no mixing of cooking utensils or of eating with "gentiles," and even had restrictions about talking with or associating with anyone other than Jews. This woman's background sprang from some of the traditional enemies of the Jews. ["The disciples wanted to send her away. But with persistence and quick thinking, she got Jesus' attention. Perhaps she even impelled him to acknowledge that his healing mission was universal". Kat Collins words in her article "Practicing Truth" on this week's lesson as carried in the January 17 & 24, 2011 Christian Science Sentinel.] While it may initially seem that Jesus is being restrictive in his questions and comments about this woman, I found myself thinking that maybe Jesus was asking questions that he knew she could already answer. Jesus was very perceptive regarding individuals and their faith. And he eventually commended the woman for her "great" faith. The result: her daughter was healed immediately.
Citation B-16 clearly states the Psalmist's view: "The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth." "Sincere seekers of Truth" never need to worry about God's answer. (S-17) "Unbiased" thought, ran both from the Master and the woman, with both being willing to reach out to the universal Truth.

I remember a story my mom shared. She had the opportunity to introduce a well-known Christian Science lecturer, George Channing. They were chatting before the lecture and Mr. Channing told of a special healing he had had. He had been in a very severe automobile accident. He was taken to the hospital where he said he received very loving attention. And he was busy praying. He had a complete healing in the hospital and was very, very grateful for the way he had been treated. And then he told my mom, "And my dear, I must tell you that was a "Catholic" hospital. His emphasis was made because of so many Christian Scientists that might think such was not possible. Don't we have to watch "bias" running in both directions?

The first time I heard the song, "That's Just the Way It Is," by Bruce Hornsby I remember thinking, "Wow, that sounds just like something Jesus might say." Bruce sings about someone in a welfare line and someone making a rude comment. The refrain, "That's just the way it is..... But don't you believe it." I could just hear Jesus saying, "But don't you believe it." Since this song was a hit at the time, and playing on the radio I gave a testimony that Wednesday about it. There were two almost-teenage cousins in the congregation and I thought they could relate to the song and how it applied to Jesus' thought. That was Wednesday. On Thursday I drove to Virginia to give a lecture in Newport News. I loved the opportunity to share the lecture and to speak with several folks from the audience. The introducer stayed by my side and introduced me to the people that came up. As a man approached, she said, "Oh Rick, I would like to introduce you to Dave Hornsby, his son is nominated for a Grammy award this year." In absolute joy I said, "Hornsby, as in Bruce Hornsby?" "That's right, he's my son." As the saying goes, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I was so thrilled, so in awe of the moment. As Mr. Hornsby and I talked, I found out that Bruce's mother was a Christian Science Practitioner.

I could not think of a better illustration for citation S-22: "Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love - be it song, sermon or Science - blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty."

Section 8: Rejoice in the works of Truth
The Bible Lesson includes Ps. 33:1, 4 (B-17) but I could not resist Ps 33: 1-5 from The Message:
Good people, cheer God! Right-living people sound best when praising.
Use guitars to reinforce your Hallelujahs!
Play his praise on a grand piano!
Invent your own new song to him;
give him a trumpet fanfare.

For God's Word is solid to the core;
everything he makes is sound inside and out.
He loves it when everything fits,
when his world is in plumb-line true.
Earth is drenched
in God's affectionate satisfaction.

Isn't that cool. Cheer God, Truth because He is doing the work (S-23) "Truth does the work, and you must both understand and abide by the divine Principle of your demonstration."

If you buy a cruise ticket, if you pack your bag, and if you get on the ship, are you surprised when the ship sails away from the dock and you have a great vacation? God's Truth certainly must be more certain, more reliable, more guaranteed than the "Love Boat" or Carnival Cruise Lines!

Section 9: What is Truth? Demonstration.
In citation B-20 Jesus tells Pilate why he came: "To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice." When one sees what Jesus demonstrates in his life, you are left with no doubt as to the effectiveness of his bearing witness to the Truth. But what about his call to you and me?
"He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do..." John 14:12
Citations S-24 through S-27 give our Leader's take on what is required of you and me.

Section 10: Truth wins.
Would you like to have some fun? Read the rousing Bible and Science and Health citations in this section. When you get through take Hymn 82, written by Arthur C. Ainger, from the Christian Science Hymnal and sing it with all your heart. If you are concerned about what others might think, then get in the shower and belt it out. Everyone sings great in the shower!

"God is working His purpose out
As year succeeds to year
God is working His purpose out
And the time is drawing near.
Nearer and nearer draws the time
The time that shall surely be
When the earth shall be filled
With the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

"What can we do to work God's work,
To prosper and increase
The brotherhood of all mankind,
The reign of the Prince of Peace?
What can we do to hasten the time,
The time that shall surely be,
When the earth shall be filled with the
glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.
"March we forth in the strength of God
With the banner of Christ unfurled
That the light of the glorious gospel of truth
May shine throughout the world
Fight we the fight with sorrow and sin
To set their captives free
That the earth may be filled
With the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea."

[This hymn is also a wonderful affirmation of the importance and certainty of our work as parents, as Sunday School teachers -and as child care providers at camp. For more great insights on "Inspired Parenting" tune in to a spirituality.com chat by that title tomorrow, January 18, at 2-3pm EST with Mark Swinney, C.S.B.]

Öffne den Vorhang, um die geistige Wirklichkeit

Öffne den Vorhang, um die geistige Wirklichkeit, hier und jetzt, zu sehen!
Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden, Germany

Druckbare Version | PDF
| |
Öffne den Vorhang, um die geistige Wirklichkeit, hier und jetzt, zu sehen!

Rick Stewart, C.S. Dresden, Deutschland
CedarS MET, metaphysische Ideen zu Anwendung zum Thema: Wirklichkeit
der Bibellektion der Christlichen Wissenschaft für die Woche vom 19. bis 25. September 2011
von Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden, Deutschland
RickStewartCS@aol.com + 49-351-312-4736
[Anmerkungen in eckigen Klammern von Warren Huff, CedarS Direktor und Herausgeber des Newsletters]


Der Goldene Text und das Wechselseitige Lesen: Psalm 48: 1, 2, 8, 9-14
Diese Wochenlektion wird mit dem 48. Psalm eröffnet - sowohl im Goldenen Text als auch im Wechselseitigen Lesen. Ich habe mich selbst gefragt: „Warum der 48. Psalm?" Wovon handelt dieser Psalm, und was hat er mit dem Thema „Wirklichkeit" zu tun?

Man betrachtet die Psalmen 46-48 meist im Zusammenhang. Man weiß nicht genau, von wem und wann diese Psalmen geschrieben wurden. Aber das Thema dieser Psalmen ist klar. Es hat etwas mit der Rettung der Stadt Jerusalem zu tun. Einige Bibelwissenschaftler glauben, dass sich diese Psalmen auf die Zeit des Assyrischen Königs Sanherib beziehen, als dieser Jerusalem angegriffen hatte (s.a. 2. Kön 19). Das war 701 vor Christus, zur gleichen Zeit als der Prophet Jesaja seine Bücher schrieb. Und weil es gewisse sprachliche Parallelen gibt, halten viele Jesaja für den Verfasser dieser Psalmen. Zu dieser Frage gibt es im Internet einen interessanten Artikel (www.easyenglish.info/psalms/psalm046-048-taw.rtf - englisch)

Die meisten Kommentare, die ich zu Rate zog, stimmen darin überein, dass das Thema des 48. Psalms Jerusalem ist („die Stadt Gottes") und dass der Berg Zion keine andere Örtlichkeit ist, sondern sich auf das ganze Jerusalem bezieht. Dieser Psalmist (und möglicherweise ja der Prophet Jesaja) bezieht sich nicht nur auf die geographische Lage sondern auch auf die symbolische Bedeutung dieses Ortes. Das alte Jerusalem war wohl eine sehr schöne Stadt und das besonders, wenn man sich ihr vom Norden her näherte. Und aus dieser Richtung kamen auch die Angriffe der Armeen und Könige, hauptsächlich, weil auf der anderen Seite tiefe Täler waren, und aus strategischen Gründen greift man selten aus einer niedrigeren Lage aus an. Also wurden Angriffe immer vom Norden aus geplant. Und was diese Angreifer von dort aus sahen, hat einige von ihnen direkt zur Umkehr veranlasst. Die Nordseite vom Berg Zion war sehr beeindruckend - eine mächtige Zitadelle mit Befestigungen und Bollwerken. Wer mehr darüber wissen will, benutze diesen Link: http://bible.cc/psalms/48-2.htm (englisch!)

Auf dem Berg Zion gab es aber auch noch eine andere Verteidigung, die Gegen wart eines rettenden Gottes. Hier war etwas untergebracht, was die alten Juden als das Herz ihrer Beziehung zu Gott betrachteten, die Bundeslade. Hier war das, was die Juden an den Gott erinnert, der sie in Ägypten erhalten und verteidigt hatte und der sie aus der Sklaverei dort befreit hatte, sie durch die Wüste auf ihrem Weg in das gelobte Land geführt hatte. Diese Verteidigungslinien lagen in der Anerkennung und Erinnerung an die rettende Macht der Gegenwart Gottes [und an Seine liebevolle Aufmerksamkeit].

Doch statt lediglich eine historische Lektion über das alte Jerusalem zu sein, bringt uns diese Lektion eine andere, noch viel eindrucksvollere Ansicht. Eine Ansicht der ewigen, universalen Stadt Gottes, auf die die göttliche Wirklichkeit der Schöpfung Gottes. Durch diese Wochenlektion zieht sich die Ansicht oder Vision, die Johannes hatte, als er sich auf der Insel Patmos befand. Diese Ansicht ist eine Offenbarung, eine „Öffnung des Vor­hangs" vor der Wirklichkeit. Statt der Betrachtung eines jüngsten Gerichts, einer „Apokalypse", wie sie in Hollywoodfilmen dargestellt wird, finden wir in dieser Wochen­lektion eine klarere Darstellung der ewigen Wirklichkeit. Wir werden in die Betrachtung der „Stadt Gottes" eingeführt, die über die sterbliche Betrachtungsweise hinausgeht. Wie Johannes von Patmos können wir durch die Öffnung des Vorhangs der Materie die geistige Wirklichkeit erkennen - hier und jetzt.

Und wie dankbar können wir für Mrs. Eddys wunderbares Kapitel über die „Apokalypse" sein (Griechisch: apokálypsis; „den Vorhang heben" oder „Offenbarung"). Es ist das Offenlegen von etwas, das der Mehrheit der Menschen verborgen ist - auf einem Gebiet, das von Falschheit und Missverständnis beherrscht wird, das ist der Vorhang (oder Schleier), der gelüftet wird. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apokalypse

1. Abschnitt: Johannes auf Patmos, die Offenbarung der Wirklichkeit

In Offenbarung 1: 9 heißt es: „Ich, Johannes, euer Bruder und Mitgenösse an der Bedrängnis und am Reich und an der Geduld in Jesus, war auf der Insel, die Patmos heißt, um des Wortes Gottes willen und des Zeugnisses von Jesus."

Diese Reihe von Visionen der Offenbarung Jesu Christi wurde Johannes gegeben, als er in der Verbannung auf der Insel Patmos war. Die kleine Insel liegt etwa 50 km vor der Küste Kleinasiens im Ägäischen Meer. Sie ist nur zehn mal sechzehn km groß - ein von Schlangen, Eidechsen und Skorpionen verseuchter Felsen. Da sie keinerlei wirtschaft­lichen Wert hat, haben die Römer dort eine Strafkolonie für hoffnungslose Verbrecher, politische Gefangene und dgl. eingerichtet. Und hier befindet sich jetzt Johannes.

In dieser menschenfeindlichen, unfreundlichen und öden Gegend erhielt Johannes also einen Schimmer der Wirklichkeit. Wie wir im Zitat S1 in Wissenschaft und Gesundheit lesen, ist hier
„Alle Wirklichkeit ... in GOTT und Seiner Schöpfung, harmonisch und ewig."

Wie Johannes, so haben viele andere Menschen in der Gefangenschaft [oder im Alleinsein, (im Eins-sein) - einer Solo-Erfahrung] die tiefe, geistige Wirklichkeit gefunden. Ein Bekannter von mir aus Brasilien fand die Christliche Wissenschaft, als er im Staats­gefängnis in den Vereinigten Staaten war. Er hatte als junger Mann sehr erfolgreich damit begonnen, mit Waren zwischen den Vereinigten Staaten und Brasilien zu handeln. Dann brachte ihn jemand dazu, verbotene Drogen einzuführen. Seine Kunden waren erfolg­reiche Geschäftsleute und Gewerbetreibende. Aber er wurde dabei ertappt und einge­sperrt. Während dieser Zeit fiel ihm ein Christian Sciene Sentinel in die Hände. Der Artikel eines zwölfjährigen Mädchens handelte von der „wirklichen" Identität. So bekam er eine ganz neue Vision seiner selbst, die ihm sehr gefiel. Auch im Gefängnis sah er jetzt eine geistige Wirklichkeit.

Als er weiter las und diese neue „Offenbarung" studierte, fingen andere Gefängnisin­sassen an, ihn um Gebetshilfe zu bitten. So fanden viele, viele Heilungen statt. Er begann, Gottesdienste zu halten - manchmal mit 200 Teilnehmern. Als er entlassen wurde, erhielt er die Auflage, direkt nach Brasilien zurückzukehren und die Vereinigten Staaten nie wieder zu betreten. Das schmerzte ihm im Herzen, denn er kam gerne in die USA. Etwas später bekam er eine Arbeit als Reiseleiter angeboten. Dafür brauchte er aber ein Visum für die USA. Zuerst wollte er sich nicht bewerben, aber weil der neue Arbeitgeber darauf bestand, beantragte er das Visum und bekam es. Als er dann in den USA war, ging er zum Büro der Bundesbehörde, um seine Akte einzusehen. Was er da feststellte, war, dass sein Akte vollkommen gelöscht worden war. [„Die menschliche Geschichte bedarf einer Überprüfung, und der materielle Bericht muß daraus gestrichen werden." Rückblick und Einblick S.22:1] Es gab weder eine Akteneintragung noch eine Komputerdatei über irgendeine Straftat seinerseits. Seine neue „Vision der Wirklichkeit" hatte seine wahre geistige Identität begründet, seine vollständige Unschuld in den Augen Gottes.

Als ich in Brasilien Vorträge hielt, sprach ich auch für die Kirche, die er zu gründen geholfen hatte. Eine geistige Vision der Wirklichkeit manifestierte sich in einer gegen­wärtigen Realität, die für viele ein Segen war.

2. Abschnitt: Unseren Weg finden „aus der großen Trübsal" in die Wirklichkeit
Vor vielen Jahren hatte ich in meiner Heimatstadt ein Zeugnis gehört, das ich niemals vergessen habe. Die Zeugnisgeberin, Mary Beth, berichtete von einem Autounfall. Der Wagen war ein Totalschaden, ein richtiges Wrack. Sie war körperlich unverletzt aber tief im Herzen getroffen. Sie wandte sich an einen Ausüber, dass er für sie betete. Der Ausüber sagte zu und sagte nur, „schau auf den Segen!" Mary Beth in ihrer „großen Trübsal" (B4) fand diese Aufgabe nicht sehr verheißungsvoll. Aber gehorsam begann sie zu beten, um den Segen zu erkennen. Zunächst war sie dankbar, dass sie und auch der andere Fahrer unverletzt waren. Dann fand sie noch andere Gründe für ihre Dankbarkeit und bald änderte sich, was man für Trübsal halten konnte. Schließlich bekam sie ein viel besseres Auto und die Gewissheit, dass man auch „in Trübsal" den Segen sehen „kann" [und so in ungetrübter Freude „mit weißen Kleidern" (Unschuld) stehen kann. B4 und Lied Nr. 19]

Im Zitat B6 sehen wir, wie Jesus einen Menschen aus der Blindheit erlöste, indem er jedes Gefühl der Schuld, der Verdammung und der Beschuldigung abwusch. [Als er von seinen Jüngern im Multiple Choice (Unsinn-)Verfahren getestet wurde, („Wer hat gesündigt, (A) dieser Mensch, (B) seine Eltern, dass er blind geboren wurde? da verweigerte sich Jesus dieser Wirklichkeit der Unvollkommenheit und schuf die Antwort (C) beides falsch oder Trifft Nicht Zu.{englisch: Does Not Apply entspr. DNA} Macht diese DNA-Übersetzung (trifft nicht zu) immer dann, wenn von einer Vergötterung der Genetik die Rede ist, die von DNA bestimmt wird! Mit diesen Heilverfahren zeigte uns Jesus, „der wissenschaftlichste Mensch, der jemals auf Erden wandelte", wie man hinein taucht in das geistige Heilen, statt nur die Symptome zu behandeln. „Er tauchte unter die materielle Oberfläche der Dinge und fand die geistige Ursache." (W&G 313: 27) Jesus zeigte uns die geistige Ursache als er in den Staub spuckte, wie der Bibelwissenschaftler Cobbey Crisler sagte. Cobbey sagte, dass er durch das Spucken auf die Erde seine Verachtung zeigte für den angenommenen Staub (oder die Erde) als Ursprung des Menschen nach dem 2. Schöpfungsbericht (ein Brauch, der sich im nahen Osten noch heute findet). Indem er damit die Augen des Blinden ‚salbte‘, - weit entfernt davon, die medizinischen Eigenschaften von Spucke anzuwenden -, zeigte uns Jesus den wahren physischen Zusammenhang mit der wirklichen Ursache der Blindheit, die mit ein wenig der D.I.A.L. des Menschen abgewaschen wurde, (DIAL ist eine Seife und hier die Abkürzung für Divine Image And Likeness = göttliches Bild und Gleichnis) dem Ursprung nach dem ersten Kapitel der Genesis (1. Mose 1:26)]

Im Zitat S6 erklärt Mrs. Eddy, wie Christus Jesus die Menschen zu einer höheren Selbstvorstellung erhob, wo sie einen Schimmer von ihrer wahren Identität als Bild und Gleichnis Gottes bekommen konnten.

3. Abschnitt: „Josua bei der Schlacht um Jericho"
Die großen Mauern der Materie können manchmal ziemlich hoch über uns stehen. Wer von uns hat nicht schon erlebt, wie scheinbar unüberwindliche Hindernisse unserem geistigen Fortschritt im Weg stehen? Das kann eine Krankheit, eine Diagnose, eine finanzielle Last, ein Familienproblem oder eine nationale Katastrophe sein. Wenn wir dem einfachsten Gebot oder der kleinsten Führung Gottes gehorsam folgen, dann kann uns das aus dem Problem herausführen, und dann stürzen die Mauern der Materie ein.

Im Zitat B8 beschreibt Johannes sieben Engel, die sieben Posaunen blasen. Mit B9 ermahnt uns Jeremia, auf den Ton der Posaunen zu achten. Und im Zitat B11 lesen wir die inspirierende Geschichte über den Fall der Mauern von Jericho, und wir erfahren, wie der Gehorsam Josuas Gott gegenüber die Stadtmauern von Jericho zum Einsturz brachte. Gleich wie wirklich uns der materielle Widerstand erscheinen mag, Tatsache ist, dass der Gehorsam gegen Gott uns geradewegs hindurch bringen wird. Indem wir den Ruf der Wissenschaft beachten, den Klang der Posaune, erheben wir uns über die Materie in die geistige Wirklichkeit. In Grundzüge der göttlichen Wissenschaft schreibt Mrs, Eddy: „Stellt das Heilen der Kranken alles dar, was die Wissenschaft in sich schließt? Das Heilen von körperlicher Krankheit ist der kleinste Teil der Christlichen Wissenschaft. Es ist nur der Weckruf zum Denken und Handeln im höheren Bereich der unendlichen Güte." (Grundzüge der göttlichen Wissenschaft 2: 30-35)

Auch wenn Mrs. Eddy sagt, dass das Heilen der Kranken nur der Weckruf ist, dann müssen wir doch sichergehen, dass wir den Wert dieses Weckrufes erkennen.

Hier ist ein interessantes Beispiel aus der Geschichte, das aus dem Spanisch-Amerikanischen Krieg stammt: Die 10. US Reiterdivision war in Lakeland in Florida ausgebildet worden. Sie wurde in Tampa eingeschifft und kamen am 22. Juni 1898 vor der Küste Kubas an. Die Überfahrt war für Pferde und Maultiere schwierig gewesen. Die einzige Möglichkeit, sie an Land zu bringen, war, sie über Bord zu werfen. In der Verwirrung begannen viele Pferde, auf das offen Wasser hinaus zu schwimmen. Ein schnell reagierender Bläser blies das Signal: „nach rechts". Die Pferde drehten nach rechts und erreichten den Strand. (http://www.spanamwar.com/10thcavhist.htm)
Das Heilen mag „nur der Weckruf zum Denken und Handeln" sein, aber oft bringt es uns in die richtige Richtung. Und wenn der Ruf im Gehorsam gegen Gott gemacht wird, dann bringt er die Mauern des materiellen Widerstandes einfach zum Einsturz. Vielleicht gefällt Euch dieser Link zu dem Gospel Song von Mahelia Jackson:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPZuWzZvoYQ

4. Abschnitt: Johannes sieht und hört das „stille, sanfte Sausen"
(In der englischen Bibel: die „stille sanfte Stimme")
Die Offenbarung Jesu Christi entfaltet sich weiter für Johannes. Seine Isolierung auf der Insel Patmos hat sein Hören auf keine Weise beeinträchtigt. Genau so beginnen wir zu lernen, dass uns kein körperlicher Umstand, keine Bedingugen der Materie, keine geographische Lage darin begrenzen kann, die Stimme Gottes zu hören, die Stimme der Wahrheit.

Als mein Sohn Noah zwischen zwei und vier Jahren alt war, verbrachten wir den ganzen Tag zusammen. Ich bekam meine Anrufe von Menschen, die um Gebetshilfe baten, und dabei war Noah oft an meiner Seite. Viele Male, wenn ich mit Patienten sprach und geistige Ideen mit ihnen austauschte, sagte Noah ziemlich direkt zu mir: „Papa, sag ihnen doch, sie sollen auf die stille sanfte Stimme hören"! Und das tat er sehr deutlich. Wenn ich einfach weiter redete, ohne seine Botschaft weiterzugeben, drängelte er mich, das zu tun. Da lernte ich, auf ihn zu hören, und wenn ich schließlich gehorchte, dann war die Reaktion der Patienten gewöhnlich: „O, das ist genau richtig, danke!" Und oft waren dann auch die Heilungen sehr schnell. Ich lernte, die Botschaft selbst aus einer kleinen unerwarteten Quelle zu akzeptieren.

Über die Jahre habe ich viele Berichte von denen gehört, die die Botschaften der Wahrheit „gehört" hatten, die in Wissenschaft und Gesundheit enthalten sind. Manchmal, wenn die Menschen dieses „kleine Büchlein" erst einmal zurückgewiesen haben, wurden sie später zu dieser Botschaft zurückgerufen. Eine Bekannte hatte Wissenschaft und Gesundheit als Geschenk bekommen. Sie stellte das Buch gleich in das Bücherregal, wo es erst einmal ungeöffnet eine Weile stand. Sie hatte viel durchzumachen, aber das Buch blieb dort stehen. Und dann, als sie in eine besonders schwierige Lage kam, scheinbar ohne Hoffnung für eine Lösung, ging sie am Bücherregal vorbei, und das Buch fiel ihr buchstäb­lich in die Arme. Jetzt las sie im Buch und fand die Hilfe, die sie brauchte. Und sie hat bis heute nicht aufgehört, in dem Buch zu lesen.

Ein besonders anrührender Bericht findet sich in der Familie von Doris Henty, einer langjährigen Ausüberin der Christlichen Wissenschaft. Diese Familie war in großer Not, sie brauchte dringend Heilung: Ihre Mutter konnte nicht arbeiten und verbrachte die meiste Zeit liegend auf dem Sofa. Ihr Bruder hatte Tuberkulose und keine große Lebens­erwartung. Doris selber hatte ein verwachsenes Gesicht und war jederzeit von Tod bedroht. Jemand hatte ihrem Vater Wissenschaft und Gesundheit geborgt, und der hatte es ungelesen zurückgegeben. Später hatte er irgendwie ein schlechtes Gewissen und kaufte sich das Buch in einem chrislich-wissenchaftlichen Leseraum in Manchester in England. Kurz darauf griff sich seine Frau das Buch, las darin und fing sofort an, das Gelesene in die Praxis umzusetzen. Als Ergebnis wurden alle in dieser Familie geheilt. Und viele Jahre öffentlicher Praxis folgten für Doris Henty. Ihr könnt den wunderbaren Bericht über diese Familie in meinem Blog lesen: http://rickstewartcs.blogspot.com/2011/09/doris-dufour-henty-cs.html

5. Abschnitt: Der Vorhang im Tempel geöffnet.
Das Buch der Offenbarung wird oft als ein Brief des Johannes an die Kirchen seiner Tage betrachtet, ganz besonders an die sieben Kirchen in Kleinasien. Wahrscheinlich wurde es im zweiten Teil des ersten Jahrhunderts geschrieben. Über den genauen Zeitraum gibt es verschiedene Meinungen. In dem Stil, wie das Buch mit Symbolen geschrieben ist, sieht man eine Möglichkeit, die Botschaft für die christlichen Kirchen verständlich und für die Behörden verborgen zu machen. Eine Art des Schutzes in Zeiten der Verfolgung. Schließ­lich befand sich Johannes in der Verbannung auf der Insel Patmos, einer römischen Strafkolonie.

Interessant, sich vorzustellen, dass das Buch, das etwas enthüllt oder offenbart, auf eine Weise geschrieben wird, die beabsichtigt, die Botschaft zu verbergen. Und die besondere Botschaft dieses Abschnitts befasst sich damit, den Vorhang in einer Zeit der Verfolgung, zu öffnen.

Ist das wohl paradox? Eine Offenbarung oder Enthüllung, die gleichzeitig schützt und verbirgt? Bedenkt, das ich in einem Teil Deutschlands lebe, der früher zur Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, zur DDR gehörte, wo die Christliche Wissenschaft 40 Jahre lang verboten war. Doch kann eine Regierung, die andere verfolgt, die Ausübung einer Religion wirklich unterbinden? Man kann Versammlungen verbieten, aber gibt es nicht noch andere Wege, um mit einem Glauben weiterzumachen?

Vor gerade zwei Wochen haben wir von vielen Beispielen gehört, wie man inmitten von Verfolgungen an der Bibel festhalten und die Christliche Wissenschaft praktizieren kann. Christliche Wissenschafter aus der alten DDR waren zu einem Treffen mit der [neuen] Präsidentin Der Mutterkirche, Marta Greenwood, CSB, geladen. Bei zwei Treffen in Magdeburg und in Dresden berichteten Christliche Wissenschafter Marta ihre Geschich­ten, die sie inmitten von Verfolgungen gelebt hatten. Es war spannend zu erfahren, wie die Kirche tatsächlich in einer verbotenen Zeit „lebte". Aber auch, wie sie im Leben der Christlichen Wissenschafter heute weiterlebt. Doch jetzt in Offenheit und in freiem Austausch!! Ihr könnt einige davon in Martas Blogspot lesen: https://community.christianscience.com/community/church-alive/presidentsblog

[Zur Bestätigung davon] steht im Zitat S19: „Gerade den Umstand, den dein leidender Sinn für bedrohlich und schmerzlich hält, kann Liebe zu einem Engel machen, den du ohne dein Wissen beherbergst." W&G 574:29-31

6. Abschnitt: [Beachte die höchste Autorität Gottes und Seines Christus]
In diesem Abschnitt wird gezeigt, wie das Evangelium, die Botschaft Christi, die Kirche inmitten der Verfolgung lebt. Nicht alle „Herrschenden" sind blind für die Kraft und Gegenwart des Christus.

Zitat B18 im Matthäus 8 berichtet von einem Römer von der Besatzungsmacht, einem Centurion, der Heilung für einen geliebten Diener suchte. Ein Mann der herrschenden Autorität wendet sich an die höchste Autorität des Christus, und das Ergebnis - eine Heilung. Auf diese Weise kann Heilen zur Einheit führern, ohne Debatte und ohne Bürokratie. So kommt inmitten eines Konflikts ganz einfach Trost und Harmonie zustande.

Bei unserer Zusammenkunft mit Marta hörten wir auch von einem solchen Beispiel der Heilung beim Kontakt mit Behörden. Das war für mich ein besonderes Beispiel dafür, wie man die Christliche Wissenschaft selbst in Zeiten der Verfolgung leben und mitteilen kann. Elisabet berichtete uns von einer Erfahrung, die sie und ihr Mann mit der Stasi gemacht hatten. Ein Stasi-Agent hatte sie schon mehrmals aufgesucht. Sie bekamen diese Besuche, weil sie als Christliche Wissenschafter geführt wurden. An einem Punkt klagte der Stasi-Agent über starke Magenschmerzen. Er fragte Elisabet und ihren Mann, wie sie auf „ihre" Weise mit einer solchen Sache umgehen würden. Was könnte er in diesem Falle lesen? Weise antworteten sie ihm, er habe doch nun alle ihre Bücher. „Wenn Sie das wissen wollen, dann lesen Sie doch darin!" Sie waren sich sicher, dass der Mann die Bücher noch hatte, die er ihnen weggenommen hatte. Als derselbe Agent bei einem anderen Besuch wieder über Magenschmerzen klagte, sagte Elisabets Mann nur: „Ob Ihr Ihr Magen wohl Ihren Beruf nicht mag?" Einige Wochen später wurden sie im normalen Verkehr von einem Polizisten angehalten, den sie als ihren Stasi Besucher erkannten. Es ergab sich, dass er in den Polizeidienst gewechselt war und durch die Christlichen Wissenschaft geheilt worden war. Heilung? Das ist unsere Geheimwaffe gegen jede Verfolgung durch die Materialität. Und sie wird durch die wirkliche Autorität, den Christus, vollbracht.

7. Abschnitt: [Siehe hier und jetzt das Geistige]
In diesem Abschnitt wird dargestellt, wie wir hier und jetzt die Öffnung des Vorhangs, die Offenbarung des neuen Jerusalems erleben können. Eine Vision einer Stadt, die von Gott regiert wird, wo das Licht niemals ausgeht. Diese Vision, diese Offenbarung, kann nicht durch geographische Gegebenheiten begrenzt sein, durch soziale Umstände, durch die Gesellschaft, durch Furcht, falsche Annahmen oder Böses irgendwelcher Art. Liebe ist ihr Licht. Liegt nicht im Gebet für unsere Städte und Gesellschaften eine machtvolle Botschaft? In einem früheren Blog teilt Marta ihre Gedanken zu den Unruhen in englischen Städten mit: https://community.christianscience.com/community/church-alive/presidentsblog/blog/2011/08

Zitat S26 erinnert uns daran: „Der Offenbarer befand sich auf unserer Daseinsebene, während er doch schon erblickte, was kein Auge sehen kann - was für den uninspirierten Gedanken unsichtbar ist. Dieses Zeugnis der Heiligen Schrift stützt die Tatsache in der Wissenschaft, dass Himmel und Erde für das eine menschliche Bewusstsein, für das Bewusstsein, das Gott verleiht, geistig sind, während für das andere, das unerleuchtete menschliche Gemüt, die Vision materiell ist. Das zeigt unmissverständlich, dass das, was das menschliche Gemüt Materie und Geist nennt, auf Zustände und Stufen des Bewusst­seins hinweist. Dieses wissenschaftliche Bewusstsein ging mit einer anderen Offenbarung einher, nämlich der Verkündigung vom Himmel, der über allem erhabenen Harmonie, dass Gott, das göttliche Prinzip der Harmonie, immer bei den Menschen ist und dass sie Sein Volk sind. Dadurch galt der Mensch nicht länger als elender Sünder, sondern als das gesegnete Kind Gottes. Warum? Weil Johannes' körperliche Auffassung von Himmel und Erde vergangen und an die Stelle dieser falschen Auffassung die geistige Auffassung getreten war, der subjektive Zustand, durch den er den neuen Himmel und die neue Erde sehen konnte, die die geistige Idee und das Bewusstsein der Wirklichkeit einschließen." Wissenschaft und Gesundheit S. 573

Manchmal spielen wir in unserer Familie das Spielchen: „Ich sehe was, was Du nicht siehst und das sieht ... aus." Könnten wir nicht zu dem Verfasser der Offenbarung sagen: „Ich sehe, was Du siehst, und es ist geistig? Die geistige Wirklichkeit von Himmel und Erde wie Gott sie offenbart, offen, hier und jetzt und immer!!"
Met Posted : 9/19/2011

Lift the "veil"of matter to see spiritual reality

Lift the veil to see spiritual reality, here, now.
Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden, Germany

Printable Version | PDF

Lift the veil to see spiritual reality, here, now.
CedarS MET, Metaphysical Application Ideas, for: Reality
The Christian Science Bible Lesson for September 19 - 25, 2011
by Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden, Germany
RickStewartCS@aol.com +49-351-312-4736
[bracketed italics by Warren Huff, CedarS Director and Newsletter Editor]

[Editor's Note: The following application ideas for this week, and the Possible Sunday School Topics that will follow, are offered primarily to help CEDARS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study and application of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! You can sign up to have them emailed to you free -- in English by Monday each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French thanks to Pascal, in German thanks to Helga and Manfred or in Spanish thanks to a team of Ana, Erick, Claudia and Patricio. YOU CAN SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]

Golden Text and Responsive Reading: Psalm 48:1, 2, 3, 8, 9-14
In this week's Bible Lesson on Reality we are introduced to the lesson by Psalm 48 in both the Golden Text and the Responsive Reading. I found myself asking continually, "Why Psalm 48?" What is the subject of that Psalm and what does it have to do with our lesson on Reality?

Psalms 46 - 48 are often associated together. It is not known exactly who wrote these Psalms or when they were written. But the subject of these Psalms is clear; it has to do with the saving of the city of Jerusalem. Some Bible scholars think these Psalms may refer to the time the Assyrians under King Sennacherib attacked Jerusalem (2 Kings 19). This was 701 BC and was the same time the Prophet Isaiah was writing. And since some of the same language is used, there are some who say Isaiah was the Psalms' author. Here you can access an interesting article on this topic.
www.easyenglish.info/psalms/psalm046-048-taw.rtf

Most commentaries I looked at agreed that the subject of Psalm 48 was Jerusalem ("the city of God), and that the Mount Zion referred to was not a separate location, but also referred to the whole of Jerusalem. This Psalmist (possibly even the prophet Isaiah) refers to the actual physical locations and also the symbolic nature of these locations. Ancient Jerusalem was evidently beautiful and especially when approached from the north side. And this is the direction that attacking armies or kings would come from, mainly because deep valleys were found on the other sides of Jerusalem. Strategically armies seldom attack from a lower position. So they would plan their attacks from the north. And what these attackers saw made some of them just turn around and go home. The north side of Mount Zion was awe-inspiring, a mighty citadel, fortifications, bulwarks. For more information see the following link:
http://bible.cc/psalms/48-2.htm

There was also another defense residing in Mount Zion, the presence of a saving God. Here resided what the ancient Jews saw as the heart of their relationship to God, the Ark of the Covenant. Here was where the Jews remembered the God that had sustained and defended them in Egypt and that brought them out of slavery there, in the desert, and in their trek to the Promised Land. These defenses were to be found in acknowledging and remembering [giving loving attention to] the saving power of the presence of God.

But this week's lesson rather than just a history lesson about ancient Jerusalem, actually introduces us to an even more impressive view. A view of the eternal, universal City of God, the divine reality of God's creating. Woven through the lesson this week is the view or vision that John had while on the Island of Patmos. A view that is a "revelation," a "lifting of the veil" regarding reality. Rather than the end-time doom and gloom view of the "Apocalypse" often portrayed in Hollywood movies, we find in this week's lesson a clearer view of eternal reality. We are introduced to a view of the "City of God" that transcends mortal vision. Like John of Patmos we can learn from the "lifting of the veil" of matter to see the spiritual reality, here and now.

And how grateful we can be for Mrs. Eddy's wonderful chapter on
The "Apocalypse (Greek: ἀποκάλυψις apokálypsis; "lifting of the veil" or "revelation"). It is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse "

Section 1: John on Patmos, the revelation of reality.
Revelation 1:9 says: "I, John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

This series of visions of the Revelation of Jesus Christ was given to John while he was banished to the Isle of Patmos. This small island is thirty miles off the coast of Asia Minor in the Aegean Sea. It is only about six miles by ten miles. It is rocky, infested with snakes, lizards, and scorpions. Since it had little commercial value; it was used by the Roman Empire for a penal colony where were housed the more desperate criminals, political prisoners, etc. And in this case, John.

Here in this hostile, unfriendly, barren environment John got a glimpse of reality. As Science and Health tells us, in citation S-1, this reality "is in God and His creation, harmonious and eternal." [Click here for a glimpse of CedarS new Mediterranean (Ski) Sea. The spiritual-insight Isle of Patmos is the closest island in the upper body of water (Mediterranean) that wraps around the camp and features Cable Skiing, kayaking, island hopping, and other watersports.]

Just like John, there are many individuals who have discovered a deep, spiritual reality while imprisoned [or being alone (or all-one) with God in a solo experience.] A Brazilian friend of mine found Christian Science while he was in Federal Prison in the United States. He had begun as a young man bringing different products back and forth between the US and Brazil. He was quite successful. And then someone suggested that he bring in some illegal drugs. His clients were successful business people and professionals. But he was the one caught and arrested. During this time he happened upon a Christian Science Sentinel. An article by a twelve year old girl talked about our "real" identity. He loved the new vision he was gaining of himself. He was seeing a spiritual reality right there in prison.

As he continued to read and study this new "revelation," other inmates began to ask him to pray for them. Many, many healings took place. He began to hold church services. Sometimes there would be 200 in attendance. When he was released he was told to return to Brazil and never come back to the United States. This was heart-breaking for him; he loved visiting in America. A little while later he received a job offer as a tour guide. He needed a Visa to visit the States. At first he refused to apply and then at the insistence of his employer he applied for a Visa and it was granted. While in the States, he visited the Federal Building to check on his record. What he discovered was that his record had been completely expunged. ["The human history needs to be revised, and the material record expunged." Retrospection and Introspection 22:1] There was no paper or computer record of any criminal offense. His new "view of reality" had established his true spiritual identity, his complete innocence in the eyes of God.

When I lectured in Brazil I lectured for the Christian Science branch church that he had helped establish. A spiritual vision of reality was manifest in a present reality that has blessed many.

Section 2: Seeing our way from the tribulation in matter to reality.
I have never forgotten a testimony I heard in my hometown church years ago. The testifier, Mary Beth, told of an auto accident. Her car was totaled, a complete wreck. She was unhurt, but heartbroken. She called a Christian Science practitioner to pray for her. The practitioner agreed and simply said, "Look for the blessing." Mary Beth in her "great tribulation" (B-4), did not find that assignment promising. But obediently she began to pray to see the blessing. She first was grateful that she and the other driver were unharmed. She found other things to be grateful for and soon what looked like tribulation changed. Eventually she ended up with a much better car, and a certainty that even "in tribulation" we can "see" the blessing [and so with never-waning joy, "stand in robes of white" (innocence) B-4 and Hymn 19.]

In citation B-6 we see how Jesus was able to lift a man out of blindness as he washed away all sense of guilt, condemnation, and blame. [When tested by his disciples' Multiple Choice Nonsense question, ("Who did sin (A.) this man (or B.) his parents that he was born blind? --John 9:2) Jesus refused to buy into the false premise of the reality of imperfection and instead created and chose "C. None of the above, or Does Not Apply." Make this mental DNA translation (that it Does Not Apply) everytime you hear the deification of genetics as supposedly determined by DNA! By his healing method Christ Jesus, "the most scientific man that ever trod the globe" shows us how to "take the plunge" into spiritual healing instead of just alleviation of symptoms. "He plunged beneath the material surface of things, and found the spiritual cause." (S&H 313:23) Jesus was showing us the spiritual cause for disease when he spat on the dust according to Bible scholar, B. Cobbey Crisler. Cobbey said that by spitting on the dust he was showing contempt (as one still shows it today in the Middle East) for a supposed dust (or material) origin of man as described in Genesis 2. By anointing it on the eyes of the blind man, far from advocating the medicinal properties of spit, Jesus was showing us a physical connection to the real cause of the blindness that needed to be washed away with a bit of man's D.I.A.L (Divine Image And Likeness) origin from the 1st chapter of Genesis. (Gen. 1:26)]
In citation S-6 Mrs. Eddy explains how Christ Jesus lifted people to a higher self-image, where they could catch a glimpse of their true identity as the image of God.

Section 3: "Joshua fit (or at) the battle of Jericho!"
The great walls of matter can sometime loom very large. How many of us have faced what seemed as an insurmountable obstacle to our spiritual progress? It might be an illness, a diagnosis, a financial burden, a family problem, or a national emergency. Obedience to the simplest command or guidance from God can bring us right out of that problem and the walls of matter can just tumble down.

In citation B-8 John writes of the seven angels sounding seven trumpets. In citation B-9 Jeremiah cautions us to listen to the sound of the trumpets. And in citation B-11 the inspiring story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho tells us it was in Joshua's obedience to God that caused the walls of the city to come tumbling down.
The fact is no matter how real the material resistance appears before us, obedience to God brings us right through. In heeding the call of Science, the sound of the trumpet, we rise above matter to spiritual reality. In Rudimental Divine Science, Mrs. Eddy writes:"Is healing the sick the whole of Science? Healing physical sickness is the smallest part of Christian Science. It is only the bugle-call to thought and action, in the higher range of infinite goodness." [Rud. 2:22]

Even though Mrs. Eddy does state that healing the sick is not the whole of Science, but just the bugle-call, we need to make sure that we see the value of bugle calls.

Here is an interesting historical example: During the Spanish-American war, the 10th US Calvary had been training in Lakeland, Florida. They were dispatched on ships from Tampa arriving off the coast of Cuba on June 22, 1898. The ship voyage had been difficult on the horses and mules. The only way to off-load the horses was to shove them over board. Confused, many of the horses began to swim out to open sea. A quick thinking bugler sounded the Bugle command, "Right Wheel." The horses then turned right and began to swim toward shore. http://www.spanamwar.com/10thcavhist.htm

Healing might only be the "bugle-call to thought and action," but it often is what gets us going in the right direction. And when the call is made in obedience to God, walls of material resistance just come tumbling down. You might enjoy this link to a historic rendition of "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho", from Mahalia Jackson:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPZuWzZvoYQ

Section 4: John sees and hears the "still, small voice."
The Revelation of Jesus Christ continues to unfold to John. His isolation on the Isle of Patmos in no way limited his ability to hear. Just so we begin to learn in Science that no physical condition, no condition of matter, no geographic location, can limit us from hearing God's voice, the voice of Truth.

When my son Noah was between the ages of two and four, he and I were together all day long. I would receive telephone calls for prayerful help and often Noah was right by my side. Many times I would be talking with patients and sharing spiritual ideas with them and Noah would tell me directly, "Papa, tell them to listen to the still, small voice." And he was quite insistent. If I continued to talk to the patient and had not passed along Noah's message he would once again insist. I learned to listen to him on this because when I did finally listen, usually the patient would say, "oh, that's just right, thanks." And often healings were very quick also. I did learn to accept the message even from a small, unexpected source.

Over the years I have heard many stories of those who have "heard" the message of Truth contained in Science and Health. Sometimes even when first rejecting this "little book," the individuals have been called back to its message. One friend had been given a copy of Science and Health as a gift. She immediately put it on a shelf in her library. It stayed on the shelf unopened for some time. She passed through many trials and the book stayed there. And then, in one particularly challenging situation, with no seeming hope for solution, she walked past the bookcase and the book literally flew from the shelf into her hands. This time she read the book and found the help she needed. And she has never stopped reading the book to this day.

A particularly moving account is found in the family of long-time Christian Science practitioner, Doris Henty. The family was in great need of healing: her mother could do no work and spent most of her time on a couch, her brother was not expected to live because of tuberculosis, and Doris herself had a facial affliction and growth that threatened her death at any time. Her father was loaned a copy of Science and Health and returned the gift unopened. Later feeling somewhat guilty he purchased his own copy at a Reading Room in Manchester, England. Some time later his wife picked up the book, began to read and put the truths into practice. The result, healing for all. And years of public healing practice in the life of Doris Henty. You can read the wonderful account of this family on my blog: http://rickstewartcs.blogspot.com/2011/09/doris-dufour-henty-cs.html

Section 5: The temple veil opened.
The Book of Revelation is often seen as a letter written by John to the Christian church of his day, especially the seven churches of Asia. It was probably written in the latter part of the first century although there is some discussion about dates. And the style of writing in symbols is recognized as a way of making the message understandable by those in the Church and hidden from the authorities. A form of protection in a time of persecution. After all, John was in exile on the Isle of Patmos, a Roman penal colony.

It is interesting to think of this Book as an unveiling, a revealing when it is actually written in a way to hide its intended message. And the specific message in this section actually deals with doing away with the veil in a time of persecution.

Is there a paradox here? A revelation or unveiling while at the same time protecting and hiding? Perhaps not such a mystery after all. Remember I live in what was formerly a part of the German Democratic Republic, known here as the DDR, and in the west as East Germany. Christian Science was outlawed and churches and church meetings were outlawed during this forty year period, 1949 - 1989. But can a persecuting government actually stop the practice of a faith? Public meetings perhaps can be stopped, but aren't there ways to continue a faith?

Just two weeks ago we heard lots of examples of how it is possible to hold on to the Gospel, or to the practice of Christian Science even in the midst of persecution. Christian Scientists from the former DDR were invited to meet with the [new] President of the Mother Church, Marta Greenwood, C.S.B.
Two meetings were held, one in Magdeburg and one in Dresden. Many of those gathered had lived Christian Science in the midst of persecution and they shared their stories with Marta. It was thrilling to hear how Church had actually "lived" in the forbidden times. And also to see how it continues to live in the lives of Christian Scientists today. But now with openness and free sharing!! You can read some of Marta's thoughts regarding these meetings at her blog spot: https://community.christianscience.com/community/church-alive/presidentsblog

[In reinforcement of this, citation] S-19 states: "The very circumstance which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares." S&H page 574.

Section 6: [Honor the Ultimate Authority of God and His Christ]
This section shows how the Gospel, the message of the Christ, Church lives in the midst of persecution. Not all "in authority" are blind to the power and presence of the Christ.

Citation B-18 in Matthew 8 tells of a Roman authority, a Centurion and his search for healing for a beloved servant. A man in authority recognized the ultimate authority of the Christ. And the result, healing. In this way healing can actually serve as a unifier, avoiding debate and red tape, it simply brings comfort and harmony in the midst of conflict.

We heard of an example of the power of healing and contact with the authorities in our meeting with Marta. It was an example that stood out to me of how one can live and share Christian Science even in a time of persecution. Elisabet told us the experience of she and her husband regarding Stasi visits. (Stasi were the secret police, the state security police.) A Stasi agent had paid them several visits. These visits were only because they were listed as Christian Scientists. At one point the Stasi agent complained of a very painful stomach situation. He asked Elisabet and her husband how they would deal with this in "their" way. What could he read? Elisabet and her husband wisely replied, "You already have all of our books. If you want to find out, read them." They were certain this man had kept the books he had confiscated. The same agent paid them another visit and complained further about his painful stomach. Elisabet's husband simply said, "Perhaps you do not have the stomach for the job you are doing?" Several weeks later Elisabet and her husband were stopped by a normal traffic policeman and they recognized him as their Stasi visitor. It turned out that he had changed his police service and that he had been healed in Christian Science. Healing? Our secret weapon against the persecution of materiality? And accomplished through the recognition of the real authority, Christ.

Section 7: [See the spiritual here and now!]
This section clearly illustrates how we can see this lifting of the veil, this revelation of the "New Jerusalem," here and now. A vision of a city governed by God, in a Light that never fails. This vision, this revelation is not and cannot be limited by geography, by social situations, by society, by fear, false belief, or evil of any kind. Love is the light thereof. Isn't this a powerful message in praying for and rebuilding our cities, our societies? In one of her earlier blogs, Marta Greenwood shared her thoughts as regards the rioting in some of Britain's cities: https://community.christianscience.com/community/church-alive/presidentsblog/blog/2011/08

Citation S-26 reminds us: "The Revelator was on our plane of existence, while yet beholding what the eye cannot see, -- that which is invisible to the uninspired thought. This testimony of Holy Writ sustains the fact in Science, that the heavens and earth to one human consciousness, that human consciousness which God bestows, are spiritual, while to another, the unillumined human mind, the vision is material. This shows unmistakably that what the human mind terms matter and spirit indicates states and stages of consciousness. Accompanying this scientific consciousness was another revelation, even the declaration from heaven, supreme harmony, that God, the divine Principle of harmony is ever with men, and they are His people. Thus man was no longer regarded as a miserable sinner, but as the blessed child of God. Why? Because St. John's corporeal sense of the heavens and earth had vanished, and in place of this false sense was the spiritual sense, the subjective state by which he could see the new heaven and new earth, which involve the spiritual idea and consciousness of reality." Science and Health, page 573

We sometimes play a game in our family, "I see what you don't see, and it is....." Couldn't we say to the beloved author of Revelation, "I see what you see and it is spiritual? The spiritual reality of heaven and earth as God reveals it, openly, for all to see, here and now and always!!"

Marta Greenwood, CSB Visit to Dresden

What an absolute joy to have the President of the Mother Church, Marta Greenwood, C.S.B. visit with us in Dresden. We had a great group of eager seekers share the time with Martha. Christian Scientists from Chemnitz and Zwickau joined us in our Saturday afternoon conversation. Martha fascinated to hear stories of how Christian Science was practiced in East German times. She was touched by the courage and steadfastness of Christian Scientists who lived through that period. And she shared generously from her own experience and inspiration.

Marta then joined us in the Sunday School as a guest teacher. My boys Noah and Johann had a delightful time discussing the concept of following the light, just like a sunflower. And she loved our rousing hymns accompanied by Paul Ashley on guitar and Noah Stewart on violin.

For more detail in Marta's own words be sure to visit the Blog of the President of the Mother Church. https://community.christianscience.com/community/church-alive/presidentsblog

Doris Dufour Henty, C.S.

Doris Dufour Henty CS was a Christian Science Practitioner in England. When her family was first introduced to Christian Science many of them were extremely sick and Doris was not expected to live very long. When the book,Science and Health, found her family it changed their lives forever. After this transformationi, Doris dedicated herself to the healing ministry of Christian Science. I here share an excerpt from the Foreword of the book that has compiled many of Doris’ talks and articles. Mrs. Henty's book is published by Mulberry Press, Carmel California.


From Addresses and Other Writings on Christian Science of Doris Dufour Henty C.S:

Foreword to the book, written by Doris Henty’s sister.

"It must have been about the year 1910 that Christian Science was first introduced to our family; I know Mother was disappointed that she had just missed seeing Mrs. Eddy. Certainly no family could have been more in need of the truth. Our home was a "hospital ship." We had never known what it was to see Mother well. She had no strength; her days were spent lying on a couch and no medicines had helped. My brother Ronald had consumption--it was hereditary-- and it was thought a miracle that he had reached the age of fourteen, even though he had not been able to attend school. My father suffered from liver complaint and periodic attacks of migraine. And my sister Doris-- Doll, as we called her-- was a shocking sight. She had had multiple operations on her face and head for carious bones. Her face was constantly bandaged, and a nurse was in attendance to do this. One side of her face was paralysed; her mouth was at an angle and one eye was shut. The surgeons said they could do no more for her as the facial nerve was severed, but they offered the scant comfort that, before long, she would know no more as the disease would reach her brain.

One day a friend came to see my father at the mill which he ran. To the question "How are you?" my father replied as usual, "Just fair." On hearing this, the friend asked if he could tell my father about his "faith," which had changed his life. My father agreed with some reluctance, as he held office in the Wesleyan church, and he learned that his friend's faith was Christian Science. The friend lent my father a copy of Mrs. Eddy's book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, setting a time limit of two weeks for its return. However, when my father got home with it, Mother said, "We don't want any of those newfangled ideas," and the book was put on the piano, where it remained unopened until it was returned a fortnight later. I can see it there to this day!

A little later my father visited Manchester; and, feeling he had perhaps been a little discourteous about the book, he went to a Christian Science Reading Room and purchased a copy of Science and Health. One day shortly after that, Mother was feeling particularly weak. She had been reading the Bible and then turned to Science and Health, and her eyes fell on the words (page 135), "There is today danger of repeating the offence of the Jews by limiting the Holy One of Israel and asking: `Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?´ What cannot God do?" She jumped up, went into the kitchen, and started giving orders. My father returned home for lunch, saw Mother was up and about, and asked what had happened. Mother answered, using a Yorshire expression, "I've been reading the book: I feel made over again." Father said, "Do be careful." But Mother replied, "I know what I am doing. I'm all right."

Shortly after that, Mother went into the schoolroom and said to Ronald and Doll, "There's no need to be ill any more. I have found a book that tells us that Life is spelt with a capital L, and what we thought was life was just a mistake. I wish I had known about this before." Ronald began to improve at once and soon attended school. He had a long and active life before he passed on at the age of ninety years. My mother said to Doll, "Now we have heard of Christian Science, we shall not take you to Manchester (where the specialist was) anymore." Nor were there any more bandages.

My parents began to attend church services some miles away. One day, my father had a severe attack of migraine and retired to bed. My mother read Science and Health for a short time and then went to him and said, "Get up: you are healed!" He was. Doris also began to improve, even though there was at that time no practitioner locally. She soon started to attend school, which was a great step, and one day, not long after, she suddenly said to the schoolmistress, "I can feel my face!" Feeling had indeed come to her face for the first time. Father took Doll to the specialist in Manchester, who looked at her and said, "The age of miracles is not over. The nerve has joined."

It was about this time that, as Doll recalled, two things happened. She made contact with James Neal in Boston. He had been in Mrs. Eddy's last Class and was the one whom Mrs. Eddy had referred to as the "perfect practitioner." She asked him what time he worked for her each day so that she could be working too! Then one day, she read in a local paper that a cousin had won a beauty competition. Rather sadly she said, "I could never do that," but then she added, "But I have the beauty of holiness." She went to her schoolroom and all morning she thought about the beauty of holiness. At lunchtime, when she came down, Mother exclaimed, "Doll, have you seen your face?" Doris replied, "God cannot see a mortal face: He can only see the beauty of holiness." By the evening, her whole face had moved round to a normal angle.

Doris could not have enough Science, and soon she decided to go to Boston, where she was determined to meet those who had known our Leader. She met with James Neal and expressed her desire to practice. He said that she should just wait as there was evidently something to do with her mouth that still needed healing. "In that case," said Doll, "you heal me!" He gave her one treatment and she was healed. During her visit to Boston, as well in subsequent visits, she spent long times with members of Mrs. Eddy's household, and in particular with Laura Sargent and Daisette McKenzie, learning many things that our Leader had told them. When she returned to England, she started her practice, and for over sixty years I never knew her without a full practice. Services were started in our home and Mother began to worry that Doll was doing too much!"

The numbers attending services increased. For a time they were held in the local Sobriety Hall, but this was inappropriate and a search was made for a site on which to build a church in the local Yorkshire town of Todmorden. A businessman heard of the search. He was a flamboyant character, and when he was seen to attend a local Christian Science lecture -- given by Bliss Knapp -- it was something of a seven-day wonder! However, his daughter had been healed of hip disease by Doris and was able to walk again, and one day Doris took a telephone call from him in which he expressed his gratitude for all she had done for him and his family. He then said, "I hear you are looking for a building for your church. If you can make something of my residence in town, you can have it. I'm giving it to you." This became the local church, and it would be true to say that its membership was drawn in large part from those whom Doris had healed. One of those early members writes of this time: "Our son was returning from an international car rally and his car went over a precipice. Doris was contacted and her statement was, "This accident has no more touched Olivier than the crucifixion touched the Christ." In spite of several severe injuries, within six weeks he was driving again, completely healed." Another healing of those early days is recorded in A Century of Christian Science Healing, on pages 84-86.

.It was not long after this that Doris moved to London, and her work from then on is known to many. So, too, are her Association addresses, which have been of such help to those who have had them. I was very happy to learn that some of her friends had decided to collect these papers from many sources so that the pure Science they express might be preserved in book form and circulated to those who knew her. I went with her to many of these Association meetings and know many of those whose lives have been touched by her work. She was a great giver. She was so sure of what her real substance was that she never ceased giving. Everyone was precious to her. Nothing was allowed to get in the way of her Science, even though she managed her home efficiently and with a constant sense of abundance. Few have succeeded in dropping the human concept and its demands more than she did, but she once said, "It was so easy for me: there was nothing worth keeping!" She was as I have always said, an amazing child."
To those who originated the idea of this book and cherished it until it took form, as well as for the work and time (so happily given) that it has involved, I wish to express my gratitude.

Flora Nelson Ogden
West Sussex, England
January 1989

Life is eternal.

Time to pull out the secret weapon. The main issue, the end all and be all. And as you will see it is by no means some "secret weapon" at all, but it is fact, and lives have proven it, now it's time for you and me to prove it.

And we do this with the little things.
We prove this fact, “Life is eternal,” through practical demonstration relating to the little lies (and what sometimes seem big lies) that we each face today. We accept the challenge to prove the ultimate, by living the fact in our moment to moment existence.

What you face today, whatever problem, no matter how seemingly large or small, is your opportunity to prove the fact of existence, Life is eternal.

"Life is eternal." That's it. That is the fact. That is the truth. And that is the truth for all time and eternity

King James Bible

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

What lasts? What endures? Suffering? No, suffering does not last forever. Disease and sickness? No, disease doe not and cannot last forever. Matter? No matter is not eternal, but temporary and fleeting. Discord, conflict, fear, doubt, worry, mistrust, pain, disease, death? Nope, all are temporary.

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy:
324:32 “ Jesus said substantially, "He that believeth in me shall not see death." That is, he who perceives the true idea of Life loses his belief in death.”
426: “ If the belief in death were obliterated, and the understanding obtained that there is no death, this would be a "tree of life," known by its fruits.”

It is comical, tragic, and very revealing that every attempt to discredit our Saviour, Christ Jesus, was built upon lies, false witness, and witnesses that had been paid for and had their own agenda.

It is equally comical, but also tragic and revealing that attacks on the credibility of Mary Baker Eddy, and the message of her discovery, Christian Science, are all based on already refuted lies, rehashed misstatements, and self-serving remarks of critics.

The proof is in the pudding.

Matthew 7:20 “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

The fruit of Life is life, not death. The fruit of Life is harmony, not discord or disease. The fruit of Life is life harmonious, (See page 495 in Science and Health).
“Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious—as Life eternally is—can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not.”

And this could actually be thought of as the punch line for this week’s Bible Lesson on Everlasting Punishment, “Of course punishment is not everlasting, because only God, Life is everlasting.”

Find Home even in a Black Hole through the reflected light of Soul!
Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden, Germany

English | Français | Español | Deutsch
Printable Version

Find "Home" even in a "Black Hole" through the reflected light of Soul!
Metaphysical Application Ideas the Weekly Bible Lesson for May 17-23, 2010,
"Soul and Body" by Rick Stewart, C.S., of Dresden, Germany [italics by Warren]

[Editor's Note: The following application ideas for this week and the Possible Sunday School Topics that follow are offered primarily to help CEDARS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study and application of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! You can sign up to have them emailed to you free -- in English by Monday each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French thanks to Pascal, in Spanish thanks to Ana or in German thanks to Helga. YOU CAN SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]

[Don't forget this afternoon to check out and "share ... as widely as possible" some wonderful ideas and "sound bites" for spiritual growth in today's live Chat: The Christian Science Sunday School is a "School for Healers"
With Susie Jostyn, Robin Hoagland, C.S.B, and guests from around the world
Monday, May 17th, 2010, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern (Boston) Time ...
We'll ... be joined via Skype by representatives from an entire team of Sunday School teachers in Atlanta, Georgia, who have been thinking together about this topic. The chat will be hosted, and questions can be sent in, live online in English at www.tmcyouth.com. If you can't join the chat, you can post questions beforehand in the Sunday School Discussion Forum on the website http://tmcyouth.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=6and listen to the recorded chat afterwards. For more information, visit http://tmcyouth.com/sunday-school/roundtable/ ]

"A bite for you and a bite for me, a bite for you and bite for me....."
That is what my Uncle Keith said my mom would say as she doled out spoons of fudge or frosting. He explained that every Sunday after Sunday School all seven of the Lafferty kids had to join in house cleaning while my grandparents were at church. My mom was second oldest, Uncle Keith the youngest; there were about 12 or 13 years between them. According to Uncle Keith, my mom would organize the cleaning duties, and while the others cleaned, she would make a batch of fudge or a bowl of frosting. Then when everything was clean, she would line up the whole gang, and go down the line, "A bite for you and a bite for me, a bite for you and a bite for me...." And the process would go on until the bowl was clean as a whistle.

Since I studied Journalism I felt I had to check my sources on this story. My Aunt Betty Lou said, "Well Ricky, that is the story we jokingly told. But you know your mother always insisted that she didn't take a bite every time. And spooning out the fudge or frosting sure was a good way to get us all working together."

I was glad to hear my aunt's clarification because the generosity of spirit that I had witnessed in my mom's life, over 40 years in the Christian Science healing ministry, didn't quite fit with the "bite for you, bite for me" story. Even though it was lots of fun to hear it, Aunt Betty Lou added: "You know that is the story that was always told. And Keith is just repeating what he had heard."

You might even say that that story is a good way to describe the prevailing views regarding "soul." Has God, Soul somehow divided Himself throughout a material creation in the form of lots and lots of "indwelling souls?" This week's Bible Lesson seeks to make clear the relation of God, Soul, to His creation.

How important is it to understand "Soul" and "Body"? Well, it has a lot to do with understanding who you are, so that is pretty important indeed. Mary Baker Eddy knew the ongoing religious debates about Soul were often based on a mistaken view of what "Soul" really is. And she likens this mistake to a famous "mistake" in human history. She refers to this mistake in her book Science and Health and it is in this week's lesson, Section 1, Marker 2.

She refers to the "Ptolemaic blunder." [S&H 123:4] This was the theory presented by Greek Philosopher, Ptolemy. He described a solar system where the sun and the planets orbited earth. And although this theory was always false, it was believed for over 1400 years as an accurate description of how the solar system functioned. But the science of astronomy eventually proved this theory inaccurate. http://www.astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses/astro2201/ptolemy.htm

How does that relate to our view of Soul and body? Is our relation to God by way of an indwelling spirit or soul, "Here's a little for you, and for you, and for you."

Let's see what this lesson can teach us about how God, Soul, relates to you and me and all creation. How is God identified and how does God identify creation?

Look for answers to the questions: Where does God live? In temples, churches? Does God live in our physical bodies by way of an "indwelling spirit or soul"?

Do we have to live 1400 years in mistaken darkness or can we embrace the glories of the Science of Soul revealed and practiced by our Master 2,000 years ago and rediscovered in Christian Science?

The Golden Text, our key to unlock the Bible Lesson, beautifully describes the relation between God, Soul, and man as spiritual reflection.

Golden Text: II Corinthians 3:18:
From the New English Bible translation: "And because for us there is no veil over the face, we all reflect as in a mirror the splendour of the Lord; thus we are transfigured into his likeness, from splendour to splendour; such is the influence of the Lord who is Spirit."
J. B. Phillips' The New Testament in Modern English: "all of us who are Christians have no veils on our faces, but reflect like mirrors the glory of the Lord. We are transformed in ever-increasing splendour into his own image, and this is the work of the Lord who is the Spirit."

Basking in this "splendour," letting the glory of Soul bathe us in light, will fulfill a request that Jesus shared with us in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:16 (King James Version): "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

You could say that this reflected light shows us the way home in darkness.

My son, Noah, has just finished reading a book he got for his birthday, George's Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy & Stephen Hawking. It is a science fiction novel by the famous physicist and his daughter.

Noah had an interesting idea after he read the book. He talked and explained to me about "black holes." And Noah concluded that although it appears there is nothing in a black hole because light does not come out, that God would be in a black hole!

Black Hole is the term coined by Physicist John Wheeler in 1967. Also in 1967 physicists Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose showed that black holes were a direct result of general relativity. Put rather simply, a black hole is a region of space from which nothing, including light, can escape.
http://physics.about.com/od/astronomy/f/BlackHole.htm

As Noah patiently explained to me his understanding after reading this book, I was reminded of an old Sunday School story.

A teacher thought he had a difficult question for his Sunday School students: "If you were on the planet Mars, would you find God there?" A young boy immediately replied, "Yes." The teacher was puzzled why the boy was so quick and certain in his answer. So he inquired how the boy knew God would be there.

"Well, you said, 'If I were on the planet Mars,' and if I was on the planet Mars, God would be there because I am God's image and likeness, God's reflection."

As Noah explained to me his theory the other day, I found myself combining two elements from this week's Bible Lesson. If one found himself in a black hole, of course he would be "in the Light" and "home" because as we learn in this week's lesson, we find our home and God's home by dwelling in the reflected light of Soul.

And if the black hole we are in at the moment is extreme pain, a life-threatening disease, a deep depression, or any other of the myriad dark beliefs of materiality, we can find our way home and into the Light through the ideas in the this week's Bible Lesson.

Responsive Reading: Psalms 84: This Psalmist wanted to be home in the Temple
Where does God live? Psalm 84 is a beautiful song written by someone that is a long way from the Temple, a long way from home, but who would love to be there. He affirms and rejoices in the Tabernacle, the house, the dwelling place of the Lord. And there is something very sweet about his affirmation that even the little birds, sparrows and swallows, are at home, or welcomed in this dwelling place. And the Psalmist ends with the assurance, "no good thing will he (the Lord) withhold from them that walk uprightly." Or as The New English Bible puts it: "The Lord will hold back no good thing from those whose life is blameless." We should conclude that no good thing is ever withheld from us, including: home, family, health, belonging, security....

Section 1: The nature of God as infinite, not contained in finite dwellings
The selected Bible passages reveal a God that creates and maintains creation. And there is an unfoldment reflected in Solomon's thought. Solomon yearned to fulfill his father's wishes to build a "dwelling place" for God, and eventually asked, "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?"--B-3

B-2: Ps104:24,30: King James version: "...and thou renewest the face of the earth."
The Living Bible: "O Lord, what a variety you have made!"
The New English Bible: "...when thou breathest into them, they recover; thou givest new life to the earth." (This is a wonderful prayerful treatment in support of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico!)

The Science and Health citations show an unfoldment, the need to shift from a belief in God being housed in a material body to a reflection of the infinite.

Citation S-6 concludes on page 467: "Science reveals Spirit, Soul, as not in the body, and God as not in man but as reflected by man."

Section 2: Where is our home and identity?
A true sense of home includes a sense of belonging, identity, security, comfort, familiarity. This section shows us what our home really is, spiritual not material.

Last Friday Noah said to me, "Papa, look! A stork's nest!" It is not unusual to see stork nests in villages around Dresden. Sometimes on old barns, old trees, and often a village will actually build a tower for the nest. But this nest Noah saw was rather unusual. It was at least 100 meters high, on the top of a high tension electric transmission tower. What a place for home!

Well I guess Mama and Papa Stork figured it would be safe from predators. Nothing or nobody could climb up to them. And oh, what a view. And when it came time for the first flying lessons, I guess there was a little extra room for learning. Home is always with us wherever the light of Soul leads us.

B-5: Ps 90:1, 2: KJV: "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations."
The Living Bible: "Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!"
Today's English Version: "O Lord, you have always been our home."

We are very familiar with our mortal, material bodies. But this section opens up the possibility and need to become more familiar with our spiritual identity, to be at home with our identity as the reflection of Soul, Spirit.

As Paul writes in II Corinthians 5:6: "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:"

As we begin to identify our spiritual nature as our true identity, we are less willing to put up with habits and illnesses that have nothing to do with who we are. We find we are not "at home" with mortal limitations.

Section 3: At home in the Light
The Bible citations point us to a path where we live in the light of Spirit. Our daily lives are spent walking in the Spirit and not following laws of the carnal mind, or fleshly mind.

B-12: Romans 8:6,9:
J. B. Phillips' New Testament in Modern English: "The carnal man sees no further than carnal things.... The former attitude means, bluntly, death: the latter means life and inward peace. 7 And this is only to be expected, for the carnal attitude is inevitably opposed to the purpose of God, and neither can nor will follow his Law. 8 Men who hold this attitude cannot possibly please God. 9 But you are not carnal but spiritual if the Spirit of God finds a home within you."

S-11 - S-15 Science and Health explains how we choose the path of our thinking. What kind of thoughts are we at home with, mortal, material, carnal? Or spiritual thoughts that lead us to a harmonious life "governed by Soul, not by material sense." (S-15: 125:15)

Section 4: Asa, King of Judah, chooses to rely on matter
Where do we look for help? Do we look to the Lord for our salvation and health or to a man? We read about Asa who made the wrong choice.

B-16, Prov. 3:21-26:
Living Bible: "21 Have two goals: wisdom---that is, knowing and doing right---and common sense. Don't let them slip away, 22 for they fill you with living energy, and are a feather in your cap. 23 They keep you safe from defeat and disaster and from stumbling off the trail. 24, 25, 26 With them on guard you can sleep without fear; you need not be afraid of disaster or the plots of wicked men, for the Lord is with you; he protects you."
The Amplified Bible: 22 "And they will be life to your inner self, and a gracious ornament to your neck (your outer self)."

S-17: "Body is not first and Soul last, nor is evil mightier than good."

Do we consistently put God first in our choices? [in obedience to the 1st Commandment, Mrs. Eddy's "favorite text" S&H 340:16] Do a thought check-up, and not just with the big problems. See if you are letting the light of Soul lead you even in the tiny things of your day.

Let's watch our thoughts, let's see where they lead us. Do we gain a firmer trust in God? Are we assuring ourselves that we do not need to fear for our God, Spirit, Soul is with us? Remember the promise, "Immanuel, God with us." Life, Truth, Love, Mind, Spirit, Principle, and Soul are ever with us. We are not alone; we are "all one" with God.

Section 5: Don't be discouraged, healing is certain.
B-17, Ps42:11:
Living Bible: "O my soul, don't be discouraged. Don't be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!"
New English Bible: "How deep I am sunk in misery, groaning in my distress: yet I will wait for God; I will praise him continually, my deliverer, my God."

B-18, Luke 13:11-17: "And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years,... when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, 'Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.' "

And you know there were people from her church that would have allowed her to continue to suffer. They objected to Jesus supposedly breaking Church laws and healing on the Sabbath.

Oh well!! Some things will never change, but don't you believe it. Just take a listen to Bruce Hornsby, the son of a Christian Science practitioner, and what he had to say in his song "That's Just the Way It Is":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1NAGhiVqdg

My mom often reminded me that we never give our consent to error. We do not give up. We do not choose anything but life, harmony and health. It does not matter how dark our path might seem at the moment, the eternal Light is present. And like Noah told me recently, God is even in a "black hole."

Perhaps you are aware of a famous speech given by Winston Churchill at the time of the Second World War. It is often just a tiny part that is quoted, but there was a whole speech at his old school. And it was at a time when things were looking up just a little, but the challenges of war were still severe. And perhaps when we are in the midst of a battle for our health, home and happiness, we can be encouraged by God's faithfulness, (like the woman Jesus healed.)

"Never Give In"
October 29, 1941, Harrow School
Excerpted: "You cannot tell from appearances how things will go. Sometimes imagination makes things out far worse than they are; yet without imagination not much can be done. Those people who are imaginative see many more dangers than perhaps exist; certainly many more than will happen; but then they must also pray to be given that extra courage to carry this far-reaching imagination. But for everyone, surely, what we have gone through in this period - I am addressing myself to the School - surely from this period of ten months this is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." You can find the entire speech at the following web site: http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/speeches-of-winston-churchill/103-never-give-in

S-21: "Do you say the time has not yet come in which to recognize Soul as substantial and able to control the body?"

Stop waiting, keep hoping, keep praying, and never give in.

Section 6: Our eternal home, the consciousness of Love
B-20, B-21 These citations are two of the most beautiful and clear statements from the King James Bible about where our home and life is to be found.

What a joy to awake to the realization that our eternal home, the present living in the harmony of Soul, is a daily possibility and truly a divine adventure. It is not postponed to some future time or place, but a present possibility, for now and eternity.

S-25 "Man is the reflection of Soul." (Noah might add, even in a Black Hole!)

We live in Soul, God not in a mortal body. Are we worried about a mortal body? We should rather worry about our ignorance of God.

S-27 "The only excuse for entertaining human opinions (Ptolemy's blunder and belief that there is a "hole" in the universe where Light does not exist) and rejecting the Science of being is our mortal ignorance of Spirit...."

Mary Baker Eddy writes in her textbook:
S&H 390:4: "We cannot deny that Life is self-sustained, and we should never deny the everlasting harmony of Soul, simply because, to the mortal senses, there is seeming discord. It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony. Truth will at length compel us all to exchange the pleasures and pains of sense for the joys of Soul."

My mom used to say, "Oh, it is only ignorance causing the problem, I can get rid of that, I have my textbooks."

[This weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff who were blessed last summer at CEDARS--as well as to thousands of CEDARS alumni, families and friends who request it, or who find it weekly on our website or through CS Directory. But, current and planned gifts are much-needed to cover the costs of running this "free" service and of providing camperships for ongoing inspirational opportunities. Your support is always tax-deductible and welcomed--but during the economic downturn, your help has been and continues to be especially needed and appreciated!

Our top need is to put our efforts and money where our mission is--by raising--and spending--significant dollars to underwrite camperships for the hundreds of campers now applying for aid.

CedarS 1st Session, June 13-26 still has room, as do later sessions! Please help us tell any and all Christian Science Sunday School students who you know that there are plenty of funds available to help them to have their own CedarS Camps spiritual-growth-experience this summer!
And then, make a charitable donation to our 501C-3 tax-exempt, charitable organization:
1) Thank you for writing us a check payable to CedarS Camps and mailing it to: CedarS Office, 1314 Parkview Valley, Manchester, MO 63011;
or
2) Thank you for calling Warren or Gay Huff at (636) 394-6162 to charge your gift using a Visa or Mastercard or to discuss short-term or long-term gift of securities or property that you are considering;
or
3) CLICK HERE RIGHT AWAY TO SUPPORT CEDARS WORK with an online gift using PayPal.com, which can be funded using a Visa or Mastercard account.]

[Camp Director's Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 10-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson "Mets" (Metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. (To keep the flow of the practitioner's ideas intact and to allow for more selective printing "Possible Sunday School Topics" come in a subsequent email.) These weekly offerings are intended to encourage further study and application of ideas in the lesson and to invigorate Sunday School participation by students and by the budding teachers on our staff. Originally sent JUST to my Sunday School students and to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study, application and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson "mets" are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension and background as well as new angles (and angels) on the daily applicability of some of the ideas and passages being studied. The weekly Bible Lessons are copyrighted by the Christian Science Publishing Society and are printed in the Christian Science Quarterly as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms or online at eBibleLesson.com or myBibleLesson.com. The citations referenced (i.e. B-1 and S-28) from this week's Bible Lesson in the "Met" (Metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the Bible (B-1 thru B-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (S-1 thru S-30). The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of the ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.]
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Executive Director director@cedarscamps.org (636) 394-6162