God gave us dominion!

In life’s crisis sometimes we feel less than strong, far from feeling dominion, burdened, enslaved by the fears and concerns. But God gave man dominion over all things. He put everything under man’s feet (power) so that Man is the free born not the enslaved by matter, by cares, by fears.

It is said in the very first book, the very first chapter of the Holy Bible in Genesis, “God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl in the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”¹

Dominion is the “Sovereign or supreme authority; the power of governing and controlling. Power to direct, control, use and dispose of at pleasure; right of possession and use…Territory under a government; …right of governing…” Man has been given dominion not enslavement! Man has been given ‘sovereign or supreme authority’. Are we acting like we have dominion? Or are we bowing down to all the hardships this life is throwing at us?

David questions and marvels in his Psalms, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:”²

We have been given dominion. To practice dominion is to learn how to say, “NO” to all falsehoods. To those things that are not like God, the lies, fears, temptations, doubts, concerns, based upon the serpentine suggestions of all errors concerning the truth about God and Man. These falsehoods can and must be removed from our thoughts and lives. God is good, perfect, All. Man is His perfect image and likeness. He cannot be anything less than God’s perfection as His image and likeness. Therefore the false conclusions, the aggressive demonic suggestions, the lies put upon man must and can be removed. Man is Godlike. When he knows what he is as ***God’s offspring, all that God is is manifested through Man, God’s image. Man has the dominion to stop following lies and instead see himself as reflecting all that God has made him to be, perfect, whole, and free.

Let us today start thinking of ourselves as God’s image and likeness. Let us see how those thoughts help us gain dominion over the enslaving beliefs of fear, doubt, concerns and sickness. Because God cannot fear, be in doubt of His Perfection, concerned about the future or any lack, nor can God be sick or die, in actuality neither can His perfect image and likeness, Man. Let us regain our dominion through His Truth, Life and Love. Let us start taking back our lives through the simple but strong statement, “NO” and the why, because we are God’s offspring.

Gentle Hugs

1 The King James Version of The Holy Bible Genesis 1: 26-28
2 ibid Psalms 8 vss. 4-6

Crying or Singing to God?

Have you ever seen a small child upset but when distracted with a toy, cookie, or even a voice on the TV they stop crying?  After a little happy distraction they may have even forgotten what they were upset about?

Years ago I was told, “You cannot sing and cry at the same time.” I’ve tried to prove this statement wrong on several occasions. But have found time after time its truth. When things get tough, if we feel like crying, losing it, or giving up, how about singing instead?  If we sing praises, hymns, prayers, or even rants against the devilish temptations of despair, our songs can bring us up above the storms and into clear thoughts and better days.

After many years I have gained several songs I like to turn to in trying moments. I cannot sing on tune for the most part. But that doesn’t stop me from singing hymns in my head or belting them out when I’m alone (who am I going to scare?).

Sadly this is a blog spot without audio. But here are some verses from hymns I turn to for a sense of calm and peace.
“O'er waiting harpstrings of the mind
There sweeps a strain,
Low, sad, and sweet, whose measures bind
The power of pain,

And wake a white-winged angel throng
Of thoughts, illumed
By faith, and breathed in raptured song,
With love perfumed.

Then His unveiled, sweet mercies show
Life's burdens light.
I kiss the cross, and wake to know
A world more bright.

And o'er earth's troubled, angry sea
I see Christ walk,
And come to me, and tenderly,
Divinely talk.

Thus Truth engrounds me on the rock,
Upon Life's shore,
'Gainst which the winds and waves can shock,
Oh, nevermore!

From tired joy and grief afar,
And nearer Thee, —
Father, where Thine own children are,
I love to be.

My prayer, some daily good to do
To Thine, for Thee;
An offering pure of Love, whereto
God leadeth me.”¹

This hymn is actually a poem by Mary Baker Eddy called “Christ my Refuge”. There are several other songs I turn to for reassurance. But I’ll share just one more…it also is a poem by Mrs. Eddy called “Satisfied”.  It reads,

“It matters not what be thy lot,
So Love doth guide;
For storm or shine, pure peace is thine,
Whate'er betide.

And of these stones, or tyrants' thrones,
God able is
To raise up seed — in thought and deed —
To faithful His.

Aye, darkling sense, arise, go hence!
Our God is good.
False fears are foes — truth tatters those,
When understood.

Love looseth thee, and lifteth me,
Ayont hate's thrall:
There Life is light, and wisdom might,
And God is All.

The centuries break, the earth-bound wake,
God's glorified!
Who doth His will — His likeness still —
Is satisfied.”²

Music can help us lift our thoughts to Spirit, Love. By turning to God, listening for His hymn of hymns, the Truth about who and what we are, we can quickly regain our freedom. Music is used as lullabies, background, celebrations, and prayers. We can use these ‘heavenly strains’ to help us turn our thoughts back to Him. We can use these to regain our composure and receive directions and solutions to any problem. 

It is said, ‘whistle while you work’. Let us whistle a happy tune throughout our day.  It just may be the turning point to our healing.

Gentle hug

1 Christian Science Hymnal Nos. 253-257
2 ibid Nos. 160-162

Father Mother God

May 12, 2013, Mother's Day. This day is bitter sweet for some who either have no children, have no mom's here still to celebrate, or who have children that are estranged or who have committed suicide. It may be a day fraught with sadness, empty arms, and broken hearts.

Yesterday a friend of mine buried her mom. Today is a day of complicated feelings of sadness, happiness, hope, futility, concern, and joy. But to lift our spirits and give us back the day I wish to share in this blog a fuller understanding of God as 'Mother'.

Many people think of God as "Our Father". God, the Creator of all mankind, the Father of the Universe and beyond including Man is so much more than just a Father of us all. But God is a Mother of us as well. It is interesting to view in the King James Version of the Holy Bible and how this Fact is subtly wound through to show us God’s Motherhood. Few times the translators allowed the female ‘gender’ of God to shine through.

Such as: “…how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”¹

“As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”²

“…wisdom is justified of all her children.”³

What are mothers without the Divine Motherhood imaged forth? The motherly symbols of comfort can only come perfectly from our Mother God. She sustains and maintains us, tenderly caring for us, revealing to us our balanced nature as complete whole ideas of an all loving Father Mother God.

In the first chapter of Genesis it states, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."⁴

Mary Baker Eddy, the discover and founder of Christian Science explains, “Man and woman as coexistent and eternal with God forever reflect, in glorified quality, the infinite Father-Mother God.”⁵

It would be impossible for the Creator to create man as 'male and female', a combined perfect form of being, without the perfect Male and Female balance of a Father Mother God. Man couldn’t express both the qualities of strength and nurturing if God was only the masculine heading, "Father". Without the Mother’s influence of love, gentleness, God, as a perfect and complete Divine Being, would be impossible. God must be the perfect balance and combination of both the masculine and feminine qualities revealed by His/Her idea 'Man'. Otherwise there would be no balance, no perfect Whole Divine Being. All masculine and feminine expression melds as one harmonious Being, God.  Man, as the reflection of this 'male AND female’ creation manifests this balance in his/her wholeness as God’s perfect child idea. God, Who see all that He created as 'very good' has to be both the masculine and feminine combined as One. Man as His/Her reflection manifests this perfect combination.   

This revelation of God's completeness gives to us all the Divine Parent, the Father Mother God. This perfect Parent tenderly loves Her Idea, Man. She gently tends to our every need. She never leaves us. But is constant protection to Her divine sweet babe, Man, through Her Christ.

“God is known in loving-kindness,
God, the true, eternal good;
Zion, ne'er will He forsake thee,
Trust His Father-Motherhood.
Can a mother leave her children?
Can unchanging Love forget?
Though all earthly friends betray thee,
Lo, His arm enfolds thee yet.”⁶

Let us be reunited, strengthened, blessed, reassured by our Father Mother God. Let us feel the wholeness and completion this brings. Let us honor our Father Mother God by acknowledging Her beautiful Selfhood that created us in Her and His great goodness and Divine Being.

We are never parents alone in this vast wilderness trying to be good mortals. But we are the reflections of the Perfect Parent who is guiding and loving us all. If we are not parents ourselves we still can rejoice in this day’s revelation of true Mother’s Day. A day to rejoice and celebrate our true Mother-Father God. Happy MOTHER'S Day!

Gentle hugs


1 The King James Version of the Holy Bible Luke 13 vs. 34
2 ibid Isaiah 66 vs. 13
3 ibid  Luke 7 vs. 35
4 ibid Genesis 1 vss. 27, 28
5 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy pag3 516 line 22
6 Christian Science Hymnal No. 76 vs. 1

God is the Answer ...'Is' not just has

Challenges, problems, mistakes, questions all have solutions, answers. But when we try to figure things out on our own we end up making them bigger, more tangled, less understandable, more of a mess. We can get lost in the struggle for personal answers. We can become bamboozled, lost in the ends of outs of our problems, to the point where it can seem that there are no right answers. What do we do then?

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:¹

Instead of the struggle, the tangles the mess we must begin with God in the first place not as a last resort. By going to God for all the answer to our problems, no matter how small or big, it lifts the personal burden of us trying to know everything or find the answers on our own for anything.

God, the only perfect Mind, is giving to us the way, the thoughts, the solutions to every challenge that comes to us. Some problems threaten our very sense of peace. But if we go to Love, God, then the right ideas come to us step by step that solves all claims of a problem or challenge. By following these ideas we then see the unfoldment of His perfect solutions.

Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, writes in her textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,  “Trials teach mortals not to lean on a material staff, — a broken reed, which pierces the heart. We do not half remember this in the sunshine of joy and prosperity. Sorrow is salutary. Through great tribulation we enter the kingdom. Trials are proofs of God's care. Spiritual development germinates not from seed sown in the soil of material hopes, but when these decay, Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love.”²

Love brings to each of us His solutions and reveals to us His care during the hard times as well as in the times of rest and joy. By seeing that God has all of the answers we can remove ourselves from the idea that we are burdened, lost, incapable, lacking in ability or strength to meet the need of today. We can turn everything over to God and obediently, prayerfully listen for His directives, His angel messages, His unfoldment of His Good in our lives.

This isn’t ignoring or passive but very active waiting, listening, and following each step of the way. By establishing thought upon God and having the strength of obedience to His Word we are gaining trust, experience, lessons on how to turn to Him actively, habitually, lovingly. It is being honest when dishonesty tempts us into ‘easier ways’, which in turn leads us into bigger problems. It is loving Love more through obedience and meekness. It is patiently allowing Mind and His timing to unfold the answers.

Watching, working, learning more of the ways of the Christ healing activity brings answers to every problem. Demonstrating the strength and fortitude by waiting for each revealing thought, answers from God, the Holy Ghost, Who knows all, does all, expresses all, and maintains all.

“The Scriptures refer to God as saying, ‘Come now, and let us reason together.’ There is but one right Mind, and that one should and does govern man.”³

By removing our beliefs, fears, opinions, doubts, confusion, and lack of understanding from any given situation, turning to God for everything, we are ‘reasoning together’ with the ‘one right Mind’. This brings solutions in ways and activities that we never could think of ourselves. God knows all and does all so the beliefs and opinions we hold in any given situation is far lacking from God’s superior design and plan.

“Our God is Love, unchanging Love,
And can we ask for more?
Our prayer for Love's increase is vain;
'Twas infinite before.
Ask not the Lord with breath of praise
For more than we accept;
The open fount is free to all,
God's promises are kept.
 
Our God is Mind, the perfect Mind,
Intelligence divine;
Shall mortal man ask Him to change
His infinite design?
The heart that yearns for righteousness,
With longing unalloyed,
In such desire sends up a prayer
That ne'er returneth void.

O loving Father, well we know

That words alone are vain,
That those who seek Thy will to do,
The true communion gain.
Then may our deeds our pure desire
For growth in grace express,
That we may know how Love divine
Forever waits to bless.”⁴

Let us start today to see that God is here waiting to bless us with His solutions to every problem.  Let us humbly, wisely, meekly turn to Him, to the Mind who knows all. Let us move past our beliefs that we ‘know what is best’ and go to the All-knowing Mind. Let us love Love more and rejoice that God is ready and waiting to give to us all that we need.

The Christ Idea that God provides for all is the perfect idea, solution. Let us take our burdens to God and see the unfoldment of His ‘perfect design’. Let us yearn for His righteousness, supreme Goodness, to meet every need.

Let us trust that His tender love and constant care meets our every need. Let us all enjoy and see the freedom that this activity brings.

God has the answers. God is the answer. God is Love. Love, God, is the answer to every problem we must meet and defeat with His Christ, Truth.

Christ Jesus reasoned with us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”⁵

Gentle hug


1 The King James Version of the Holy Bible Isaiah 1 vs. 18 (to :)
2 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy page 66 lines 6-16
3 Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy page 59 lines 19-21
4 Christian Science Hymnal No. 269
5 The King James Version of the Holy Bible Matthew 11 vss. 28-30

Worth, Value, is based on expression not possession

Do we ever feel that our value, self-worth seems very much lacking? Do we ever feel worthless? Then what are we basing our worth on? Is it human success, possessions, bank accounts, number of friends, our social calendar? Or are we seeing a higher sense of worth and value?

In looking up the word “Worth” the definition that jumped out at me was “Value; that quality of a thing which renders it useful, or which will produce an equivalent good in some other thing.”

In looking at this I loved the idea that worth and value are based upon qualities that render themselves as useful!  The only qualities that we know that does this are spiritual qualities from God.  God’s qualities such as goodness, tenderness, compassion, love, gentleness, forgiveness, consideration, thoughtfulness all can be rendered as very useful in our day to day experience. They ‘produce an equivalent of good in other things.’  These qualities bring out the good we express with others and how we see ourselves. The more we use these qualities by expressing them the more value we can see about ourselves and others!

In studying a Proverb we read, “The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.”¹

To me this helps begin the process of today’s work…’the tongue of the ‘just’ is as choice silver’.

This tongue can not only be the one we use towards others outwardly while speaking.  But it also can be used against ourselves and others inwardly in our thinking.  How important if we want to be just and as ‘choice sliver’ worthwhile and valuable, that this inward tongue be gracious, loving, kind, forgiving and not egotistical, comparing, competitive!  How important it is for us to feel valuable and then to think and speak what is spiritually worthy.

The above quote from Proverbs includes: “The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”²

The qualities God renders as useful to us are never based upon material things, people, places, jobs. These all come and go. What He counts as worthy, worthwhile, are the qualities He created for each of us to express and entertain. Qualities such as kindness, patience, grace have nothing to do with possessions or human success. He sees our value and worth as spiritual.  If we are to feel and see our own worth as very valuable we must base our worth on what God has created us to be.  

If we do not feel very valuable, then what are we weighing in the balances of our own self-worth? What are we putting into our day’s activities that would register a value? Is the higher percentage of our actions and thoughts based upon ill-will, envy, anger, resentment, competition, stepping on our fellow man to gain some better position, self-justification?  Or are our thoughts of a sweeter nature, such as being and expressing goodness, happiness for others, patience, understanding, forgiveness? Is this poly-annaism? NO! It is seeing that our worthless feelings or our feeling of value is based upon our actions towards others and our thoughts about ourselves.

“All that is worth reckoning is what we do, and the best of everything is not too good, but is economy and riches.”³

“Happiness consists in being and doing good; only what God gives, and what we give ourselves and others through His tenure, confers happiness; conscious worth satisfies the hungry heart, and nothing else can.”⁴

When we are putting our own self-worth in the scales and balances of this thought, ‘happiness consists in being and doing good’ then the ‘qualities rendered as useful’ is based upon sharing happiness and giving to ourselves and others ‘His tenure’.

Are we valuing ourselves based upon things we have or the qualities we are expressing? Are we expressing love or hatred, resentment, anger, hurt feelings or patience, understanding, forgiveness? The qualities that we are rendering if they are to be ‘useful’ have to be good. This makes us feel happy and worth a lot more.

Let us make sure that our self-worth is based upon the righteousness of God’s Goodness and that we express and embrace this Love. For the Proverbs continues and ends with, “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.”⁵

Our worth is spiritual made up of the nature and qualities of God and His supreme righteousness, the qualities He created us to express.  This is true worth.

Gentle hugs


1 The King James Version of the Holy Bible Proverbs 10 vs. 20
2 ibid Proverbs 10 vss. 21, 22
3 Miscellany Writings by Mary Baker Eddy page 203 line 10
4 Message to The First Church of Christ, Scientists, 1902 by Mary Baker Eddy page 17 line 24
5 The King James Version of the Holy Bible Proverbs 10 vss. 28-32

God's government...the Reign of Peace

God’s government is perfect.  God’s government is omnipotent.  God’s government is all-inclusive Love. God’s government is the outline and purpose of the perfect and only divine Mind.  Why does man think that there should be any other governing power or force?  Has this proven to be successful?

It is said, “unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”¹

We are taught in Christian Science that “Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love. Man's rights are invaded when the divine order is interfered with, and the mental trespasser incurs the divine penalty due this crime.”²

When we place our reliance upon people, groups, entities, leaving God out of the government and out of our lives what we have is a reign of personal opinions and possibly a reign of terror.  But when we base our lives, our government, our countries upon the will of God and His perfect Law and Order we live in Peace.

Christ Jesus stated, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”3

What and where is this ‘kingdom of heaven’?  It is within us.  It is the reign and rule of God. It is the Love and Peace and governing force that is in all through the Christ. It is harmonious being without contention, opinion, selfish ambition.  It is the consciousness within each one of us that directs us towards all Good.  It is the childlike love, compassion, grace and kindness that we each were created to express. It is the ‘…the realm of unerring, eternal, and omnipotent Mind; the atmosphere of Spirit, where Soul is supreme.’⁴

When we stop trying to do things our way, which is so much drivel of chaos, loss, and ignorance and start turning to the reign of the All-knowing, All-wise God we will have lives of harmonious being.  WE will be the people of God.  We will be at one with Him and at one with each other.  WE will have Peace.

What more could we want?  For the riches and tyranny of this world isn’t leading us into harmony further from it.  God is Love.  God is here.  God is ever available.  In the realization that what we all need and have, is God in our lives. We will be made better for it.

“Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of Spirit, the kingdom of heaven,—the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen.”⁵

Gentle hug




1The King James Version of the Holy Bible Isaiah 9:6,7
2 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy page 106 lines 9-14
3The King James Version of the Holy Bible Matthew 5 vss. 17-19
4 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy page 590 lines 2-3 [Part of the definition of the “Kingdom of Heaven.”]
5 ibid page 208 line 20-24

Community...All-inclusive unity

As the children of God there is no ‘us’ and ‘them’ no ‘they’ and ‘them’.  It is forever we and us. We are all one in the body of Christ.  We are all one in Love.  We are all one in the Mind, God.  God doesn’t see His children as those and them.  He sees us as all one, perfect, whole, beautiful, precious and good idea, His divine creation.  He doesn’t separate, segregate, love some more than others.  God, Good, loves all of His idea, Man.  We are precious to Him for we are His reflection, His perfect Ideal. 

It is the liar, satan, devil that tries to divide and conquer.  But in actuality it cannot, for we are all one in and of God.  The more we love each other and see each other as Family, unity, precious and beloved, the more we are not divided but unified.

The more we see all mankind as One instead of individuals to judge and dislike we will see more about our true nature at one with God.  We cannot dislike others and love ourselves.  They are us and we are them.  We are all one in divine Mind.  To pick on, judge, dislike is part of the division of the satanic works of hatred.  It isn’t what Love, God, expresses, manifests through all of His Idea, Man, and commands. 

We are all one in Him, Love.  We must love one another.  We must include ourselves and all in His Love.  We must express and maintain this Truth of His perfect Being in our thought.  We must stop the hateful comparing of sibling rivalry and see that God has no favorites.  God is Love and He loves all of us as WE the people of God.  “Lest Satan should get an advantage of US; for WE are not ignorant of his devices.”¹

“We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.  Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”²

“With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.”³

Let us see that the whole world as our family, our community, our come-unity.  We are banded together in Love as sisters and brothers.  We gain dominion over the temptations of evil when we deny diversity and love all mankind as we are all loved by God, Love.  This is the healing Christ message that lifts us all higher to our Father-Mother, God.

Gentle hug


1The King James Version of the Bible II Corinthians 2:11
2 ibid I John 4:6-8
3 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy pg 470 line 4

Springing into war or springing into joy

It is so beautiful here the desire to write about spring through poems and songs instead of the gloom and doom of threats of nuclear bombs is strong.  Quite a contrast in ones thought and day.  The question of ‘why’ anyone would want to start a war looms but is a pointless waste of one’s time. There is never any good reason and never any resounding positive results.  It is just politicians, governors, prime ministers, presidents, kings, and tyrants having tantrums in large scale maneuvers. 

God takes away the belief in other powers.  His omnipotence, constant Love and Goodness are the antipode that heals the false claims of screaming tyrants.  Where God fills all space, and He does, there is no other power to oppose His purpose and plan for Mankind.

In praying about this blog and the situations that face mankind first Matthew 24: 4-31from the King James Bible came to my thought.  This passage brings frightening words of caution from our Master, Christ Jesus concerning the rumor of wars and the final conflict. Despair, turmoil, fear, despondency started to take over my thought but as always prayer lifts our spirit to His Love and reveals to us His tender constant care no matter what happens today or any other day.  His Love will never change.  His protection is omnipotent and ever present.  His guidance and deliverance is a sure promise to those who watch and pray to Him.  Knowing that He is all Good.

Turning to God for comfort and guidance the Christian Science Hymnal was opened up and the words that ministered, directed, lifted my spirit were these:

“Lift up thy light, O man, arise and shine,

Steadfast while loud the storms of life assail;
Immortal ray of that great Light divine,
'Gainst whose all-power no tempest shall prevail.

Hold high thy lamp above earth's restless tides,

Beacon of hope to those who watch afar.
Falsehood and fear shall pass, but Truth abides;
Thine be the splendor of her deathless star.

Should the world's sin and sorrow round thee rave,

Pierce thou the dark with Truth's undaunted ray,
Send out its light of joy to help and save,
That more and more shines to the perfect day.”¹

No matter if there are rumor of wars, threat of wars, wars, or the ugly fears of any kind that tries to ruin our day.  We are to lift up our attitude and thought to His Light of Life and Love.  We are to let our “light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.” And to remember Christ Jesus’ precious words, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”²

Instead of running and hiding under the covers, fearing the gloom and doom of the threats that constantly try to hide our purpose, as His rays of Light; let us go out and share His Truth to the poor in spirit, giving courage to the fearful.  Let us go out into the world and let our light so shine so those who have forgotten they are the children of God can remember and rejoice.  Let us lift others up in these times of woe and despair.  Let us shine forth His Love and tender considerations to those who do not know their purpose here on earth.  Let us be constantly grateful that we do remember and can help others do the same.  Let us even fight the temptation to fear or mourn what hasn’t even occurred yet.

How???  Glorify the truth of God’s omnipotence in our own thoughts.  Hold at bay in our own consciousness the screams of the false tyrants that make us afraid.  Stand firm with the Truth of God’s constant omnipotent care.  Remember nothing can kill God, who is Life, or His image and likeness Man. Know that nothing can actually take our Life or joy away, for it is spiritual and eternal not mortal or temporal. Reflect Life, Love, Truth knowing that no power can destroy these synonyms for God, Principle. Rejoice that God IS and the false fears and foes ARE NOT.

“It matters not what be thy lot,

So Love doth guide;
For storm or shine, pure peace is thine,
Whate'er betide.

And of these stones, or tyrants' thrones,
God able is
To raise up seed — in thought and deed —
To faithful His.”³

In times of turmoil, fear, woe, doubt, let us be courageous in His Spirit, knowing who and what Love is, God.  He will lift us above.  He will protect and guide.  Let us be His shining ray that helps others to see and remember His constant omnipotent care.

Gentle hug

1 Christian Science Hymnal Hymn No. 172

2 The King James Version of the Bible Matthew 5 vs 16 and 17   
3 Poem by Mary Baker Eddy called Satisfied found in several places including the Christian Science Hymnal Nos. 160, 161, 162

 

Note to self: Who has all the answers?

What and Who is the be-all and end-all of my life?  My views, opinions, beliefs, or God, who is the One and Only Mind, the Creator of all true Being, Life, Truth, Love?  Whose glory fills the sky?  What can I do that is that great?

Who do I turn to when I’m trying to find an answer?  Me, another person, or God?  Why would it ever be me or any other person instead of God? Is it because I do not know God well enough? Do I not know Mind, God, as ever-present Perfect Selfhood who knows all, does all, created all?  Do I think I’m all alone trying to come up with something, an answer or plan, as if anything is better than nothing? But isn’t that type of grasping at anything pointless and aimed for destined failure?

When I turn to God with my whole heart, listening for higher guidance, learning His ever-presence, do not I feel His Peace and Grace?  Then why would I ever feel the need to do anything without His Will, His Way, His Perfect Selfhood?  Why would I turn to my small view of the Big Picture and try to figure out anything?  Why would I not humbly turn to Him, learn more of who I am through His eyes and His Love for me, and then obediently follow?

It is said, “the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.”¹

“O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.”²

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”³

“Thy ways are not as ours. Thou knowest best what we need most,—hence my disappointed hope and grateful joy.  The redeemed should be happier than the elect.  Truth is strong with destiny; it takes life profoundly; it measures the infinite against the finite.”⁴

Why would I ever go to my minute sense of knowledge when I can always go to His All-knowing?

Oh may I consecrate my life, my thoughts, my choices, my prayers, to the One All-knowing Mind, God.  How or why would WE do less?

Gentle hug

1 The King James Version of the Bible Job 38:1-7, 18

2 ibid Psalms 69:5

3 ibid Psalms 139:2-12

4 Miscellany by Mary Baker Eddy page 229 lines 27 to 1

Agitate? Why not trust?

It is given to us in the King James Version of The Holy Bible, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”¹ 

This trust isn’t blind faith.  It is a trust in the Christ, Truth, that has brought us all out of the challenges we face daily for thousands of years. It is a trust that fills us with joy and anticipation.  It is an understanding that our Lord, God, Love, IS giving to us all the answers, ways, means, and directions that we need. 

Let us be as little children who turn lovingly to the Divine Parent for all. This type of sweet trust frees us from worry, burden, concern, fear, and doubt.  This trust is based upon an understanding of the Divinity’s ability and availability.  It is the knowledge that God is, does, and will always give us all that we need.

The life that we are experiencing at this time is like the childhood story problems in our math classes.  Challenges arise, we react, the problems worsen then we become upset and confused.  But sooner than later we hopefully, and at times tearfully, turn to the One and Only Answer-Giver for help, God. 

The major kinks and upsets arise when we jump into the story problems, trying to fix, figure, fool with all the ends and outs of the complicated challenges from our own limited, lacking understanding. By doing this we get lost, upset, and agitated.  BUT if we quickly turn to our trust in God, rise above the challenges, we can see His resolve so much more quickly.  HOW? By using the divine qualities that He has given to us, such as patience, trust, love, compassion, and  most of the time the key quality, FORGIVENESS. By turning to these wonderful values and characteristics that God has created within us, we can use them to get out of the way.  Our viewpoint harmonizes and the answer that God is giving to us reveals the perfect solution. 

The fastest way for us to get into trouble? It is to trust half heartedly, lean on our limited view points and abilities, and leave God out of the equation.  The most harmonious, smooth, fruitful, fulfilling, healing way, is to trust God with all our heart, love, acceptance, joy and gratitude.  It is to not get in the way with limited opinions and false egotistical beliefs.

To trust God is to say, “I will, I do, I am, and thank You God for Your Love, Your Truth, Your laws of perfection.  Thank You for being the IS, the I AM, and the I Will who always gives perfect harmonious Good.”  To trust God is to understand God’s perfection, willingness, and ability.  As the All-knowing, All-seeing, All-powerful He has the perfect answer to every challenge that comes to us. God cannot help it, for God fills all space with His perfection and goodness.
“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.”² This type of thinking slows the process of meeting our challenges. By the very denial of God’s healing presence we are stuck to our own limited ways and viewpoints.  It throws us into the pit of confusion, depression, egotism. But God, Love, the All-knowing, is saying to all who are listening, “I AM with you always.  I AM handling this.  Stay the course of calm and watch.”  God never leaves even those who do not believe in His Being.  God fills all space how could He do and be otherwise? Love is here for all to turn to, no matter how long denied.  Love frees mankind from useless false beliefs.  Love loves all, because Love is Love. 

Let us listen to this beautiful promising Proverb.  Let us trust in God joyfully with our whole heart.  Let us not lean on our own lacking understanding, based from faulty fearful standpoints.  But let us go at each challenge in the knowledge that God is handling all, and that perfectly well. God has given to us the ability to be calm, loving, patient, forgiving. God lifts us above all the ‘story problems’ to higher ways and views, His!

Hugs


1 Proverbs 3:5
2 Psalms 14:1   

Win your Goliath battles every day

In I Samuel chapter 4 we find a giant has come to turn King Saul and the men of Israel into the Philistine’s servants.  Saul and his men feared and fought the tactics of this giant, Goliath, for 40 days but were not getting anywhere.  When David, a mere shepherd, was sent to check on his brothers he found the stag mate of fear. So David went to King Saul and told him that he would fight the Philistine’s Goliath.

So relieved and amazed by David’s strength of conviction that he could win over Goliath’s threats, Saul took him up on his offer.  King Saul tried to put the armor of a warrior onto David. He wanted to protect him against the fierce seasoned warrior, Goliath.  But David had to take that kind of armor off.  He hadn’t proved that type of tool.  It hadn’t been his way of fighting.  His battles, with the lion and the bear who had tried to take his lambs away, had been through prayer and trust in God. The courage that went with his kind of battle, and win, came through his love and acceptance of God’s ever-present powerful help.

The symbolic gesture of taking the five smooth stones and sling is one of the most beautiful in the Holy Bible.  David took these tried and true weapons of warfare against all fear.  His courage and understanding came through his knowledge of God.  He knew that he could slay this giant through his trust of who and what God is, the One and Only Power.  The knowledge that God was always with him sustained him through all of his battles.  He knew that he could do battle against anyone and anything with the fierceness of one who runs at the evil instead of running from it.  David went with strong conviction, trust, courage, fearlessness, calm, and determination born through the daily turning to God’s care and Love.  He knew he was always safe with God.

We too can go into our day’s battles with this same kind of trust and knowledge.  The more we battle with the Goliath problems of our day, with the understanding that God is the All Power we win.  God’s Truth about His creation wins over all fear, depression, anxiety, and confusion. He replaces them with courage, a spirit of confidence, calm, and peace, His Love for us all. God’s all-knowing is through His perfect changeless Mind.  Mind’s creation can never be defeated by any suggestion of another power.  Mind knows only of One Power, His.  This Truth frees us from the false claims of ugly conditions, fearful tactics, unfair or violent threats. God is the All and Only, His Life is all there is and that is very Good. We must turn our focus upon What God is doing and turn our thoughts from the upsetting and uncomfortable.  We must turn our trust to God’s Truth and away from the suggestion of another power that can control our lives.  It is a lie.  God’s Good is always the Truth.

The five smooth stones?  These are prayers that keep us safe in the understanding that God is All-in-all.  The all-knowing, all-powerful Good, that protects us through all hardships, is the courage given to us by God, the All-loving, all-caring, tender and true.  The more we pray to see this One and Only Good in our lives we see His freedom as evidence. His ever-presence is always with us. 

Each day is a step closer to understanding that God is everything and that all is well.  Each time we fight the battle holding to the Truth that God is All and is all-harmonious, the perfect expression of God’s creating appears everywhere.  God created this and every day.  We can start living a life of dominion, peace, calm, and trust.  We can start by being obedient to God’s call for us to witness what He is doing and stop trying to do everything from our limited point of view.

Here is one smooth stone of prayer for our day.  Take it, use it, and enjoy its Truth:

“They go in Thy strength, and they speak in Thy name,
With power of Thy promise forth faring,
And during the battle the victory claim, —
Their trust in Thy truth is their daring,
Salvation to all men declaring.”¹

Let us use this stone against any Goliath temptation to fear.  Let us trust in God today and always. Let us claim our victory through the Christ during the battle!  This trust in the Truth is our daring, our salvation to all men declaring.

David didn’t believe that the lion, the bear, or this Goliath had any power to succeed over God’s ever-present Good.  With this knowledge he won the battle over Goliath’s huge threats. With the assurance that God is Good, the only Power, David succeeded over all threats that came at him each and every day.  We can too.



1Christian Science Hymnal No. 204 vs. 3

Everyday is a day of Gladness!

It is said by Mary Baker Eddy, “Happiness consists in being and in doing good; only what God gives, and what we give ourselves and others through His tenure, confers happiness: conscious worth satisfies the hungry heart, and nothing else can.”¹

Has happiness and gladness seemed illusive, sometimes playing a disappearing act on you?  Happiness comes in doing good, God’s Good.  Happiness is what we give to ourselves and others by doing the highest sense of Good. By seeing that good isn’t selfish, self-centered, but the ultimate of sharing what is divinely Good.  It blesses us all by doing and being Good. It brings to everyone a Divine vision where God’s Glory is the purpose and motive. 

Today Christians celebrate this day of Easter not for the ham dinner, the egg hunts, or the frivolity, but for the Good that Christ Jesus revealed through his extreme action of Love.  He knew what the ultimate purpose was when he let the people try to kill the mortal body.  He knew that it was for the ‘greatest good for the greatest number’. He allowed the ugliest moment in human history to occur.  He had many other times walked through the crowds that wanted to stone him. But he knew that it was the time to break forth the light of eternal life by showing the nothingness of the ‘crowd mentality’ that thought it could end Life.  He knew that Life is God, our Life, our God.  He knew that Life is eternal, perfect, precious and all Good.  He knew that the demonstration of the resurrection would lift thought to higher ideals and purposes in individual and collective lives. Christ Jesus knew that it was the plan of the Fathers that he was to be used for not only God’s healing revelation but also the revelation of eternal Life. 

We may not have to go through a martyr situation.  But every time we give and share Good, glorifying Life as Good, we tear away the curtain of dismal views and beliefs about life in general. We lift all those around us to a higher sense of happiness, joy and Good.

Is it too much to ask to live and share Good?  This happiness of ‘being and doing good’ is given to us by God, Good, to be shared with all.  Is this too much to ask?

Let us be and share Good.  It is the ultimate healing activity.  It breaks oppression, depression and the darkness that tries to hide the light of Good. Let us let this Good resurrect our lives to higher purposes, ways and thoughts.

Gentle hug

1 Message to The Mother Church 1902 page 17 lines 22-25