God created man

     In the beginning, man,

          conceived in Mind,
               reflects Soul; 
          formed of Spirit,
               likens Principle;
          known by Life, Truth & Love,
               images God,
                    now and forever.

                                                            ~Carolyn St.Charles

     Man reflects God by virtue of his authentic DNA. 
     Man, who lives in the world, is conformed by God.

     Man experiences pain when not aware of this fact.
     Man, who holds he is agnostic or an atheist, sleeps.

     Man dreams his world and claims it as his creation.
     Man, tossing and turning, tries to govern but cannot.
    
     Man becomes battle-tired and hears his name called.
     Man, opening his eyes, clears away the blurring veil.

     Man was mystified by the unreal but now is awake.
     Man, feeling satisfied, healthy and joyous, laughs.
     
     Man knows the good, truth and beauty as God said.

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Concluding Statements

Every Christian Science Sunday Service concludes with

theses two citations and a Benediction.

Scientific Statement of Being   designed by CaroNote

The first is from the Christian Science textbook, 

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. 

I John 3:1-3   design by CaroNote

The second and correlative passage is from I John3:1-3.

The first states man's true origin and nature. Man is not a mortal material body but the spiritual image and likeness of God. It for this reason that man is referred to as the reflection of God.  

The Scientific Statement of Being reasons that God's image, man, cannot be what God is not or have what God does not have. Man's health is a portrait of the God he images, an exact reflection of God who is perfect. In other words, man cannot lack health.  

That said, when relying on material senses, the portrait appears imperfect suggesting that God is whimsical, changeable. Man appears to be conformed by the world, matter-limited, matter-governed and matter-dependent. But can that be the truth of man created in the image of God who is Spirit, Life and Mind? Can such a portrait of God be reasonable? 

Can man image another original? Can there be another original when God is infinite and eternal? When God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient? All-power, Everywhere-present, All-knowing?

The correlative passage from I John confirms that perfect God and perfect man is the Truth. It confirms that man can only reflect the real and perfect that the world cannot recognize or know. The world knew our master not, why should the world know us?

In I John, we are exhorted to purify ourselves, to reject world beliefs and be true "sons of God" loved by the Father who is Love. We are instructed to be, in expression, the spiritual man unknown by the world. We are reminded that we are sons of God, now, and no future appearance or form will change this fact. 

SUMMARY

Christian Science Sunday Services close with two citations that, together, tell us who we are, our duty and our expected outcome. We are brought to the absolute Christian conclusion that is Scientifically provable by every man, male and female. We are then, sent forth with a blessing to demonstrate the Truth we have shared.

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Job and Mortal Man declared INNOCENT!

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After the Storm -- a Rainbow

see below for citation table
The Bible:  JOB 

CEV  (1) - (12)  KJV  (13)

(1)

Many years ago, a man named Job lived in the land of Uz. He was a truly good person, who respected God and refused to do evil. ...He was the richest person in the East.
(2)

One day, ...the Lord asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him —he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil.”

...Satan remarked. ...Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face.”

(3)

Job’s sons and daughters were having a feast... when someone rushed up to Job and said, a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, ...a second one came running up and saying, “God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. ...a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed ...when a fourth one dashed up and said, “Your children were having a feast... when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children.

When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God  In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.

"Man Seeks God: My Flirtations With the Divine."

 12/26/11 PBS Newshour - Ray Suarez interviews former NPR journalist, Eric Weiner about his book: "Man Seeks God: My Flirtations With the Divine."

"I always thought that religious people were somehow more narrow-minded or not as expansive in their world view as secularists. And I have totally changed my mind about that." ~Weiner

Religious conversation in the US seems totally polarized but in reality, there is a great tolerance for religious diversity. Weiner pointed to one survey that found about half of Americans think: "All religions are equally true and good"

He also noted that "G.K. Chesterton said the test of a good religion is whether we can make fun of it. And I think there's something to that." I agree.

Often when working in Science with individuals, I have found that at the extremity of a challenge, at its point of unbelievable absurdity is the hem of Truth that sets free - the erroneous belief is corrected and wholeness demonstrated. Some might call it a "paradigm shift" while others would call it healing.

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AHT decision born of integrity defies pragmatic logic

Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT)

The Anishnawbe(1) Health Toronto (AHT) decision is a beautiful lesson on "Love reflected in love"(2) and The Golden Rule. 



[After] a call recently letting them know that a prime spot for a new health center could be part of the city’s oldest Catholic burial ground, they felt they had no choice but to walk away.
'The irony is not lost on us,' Anishnawbe Health Toronto 
Executive Director Joe Hester told The Toronto Star. At the same time, it’s something of a no-brainer. 'It’s a burial site.' ~Indian Country Today Media Network

To read about people being true to their sense of Principle inspires me. Being true to yourself and what rightly informs your behavior is integrity. Integrity allows you to live freely and without disconnect. It is graceful power.

Maintaining and safeguarding your integrity is necessary. Not letting another commandeer your integrity requires clear understanding of what you hold true. It takes alertness and discernment about what you admit into your consciousness. What you admit into your thought will take root. Rooted good and beauty will bring you a harvest of good and beauty. It will bring you peace and joy - naturally and without pain, loss or fatigue. This is law, therefore, admit only what you want to harvest.

Then should adversity or injustice or evil of any form come to your door, you are prepared. You will not admit it. It will not take root. You will remain untouched and serene in your life and affairs. The storm may roar but it will be powerless to disturb you. You will know it is not Truth and must fall. You will continue undisturbed doing what is yours to do. You will find success. This is the immutable Science of Life.

The Anishnawbe Health Toronto leadership have modeled the idea below and they cannot suffer consequences for their decision:

To punish ourselves for others' faults, is superlative folly.
Well may we feel wounded by our own faults; but we can hardly afford to be miserable for the faults of others. ...we should go forth into life ...with a charity broad enough to cover the whole world's evil, and sweet enough to neutralize what is bitter in it. ~MaryBaker Eddy(3)

Thank you for lighting our common way more brightly and caring that none should continue to stumble in the dark.

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(1)  Ojibwe call themselves Anishinaabe or "men made from nothing" by Gitchi-Manitou, the Great Spirit 
(2) from the Lord's Prayer with its spiritual sense on page 17 of Science andHealth with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy 

(3)  from "Taking Offense" pg. 223-4 of Miscellaneous Writings (1883-1896) by Mary Baker Eddy 

Healing prayer for Norway

A LIVE CHAT with 

Joseph Kamenju

that aired

Thursday, July 28, 2011

is archived for replay

The bombing of government buildings as well as the shooting rampage at a youth summer camp that killed 76 has brought sorrow to many Norwegians and to others around the world. Fear of Muslims and multiculturalism are cited as primary motivations for the attacks, which were carried out by a Norwegian man. 

Remembering: 1848 Women's Rights Convention @ Seneca Falls

Frederick Douglass

Today, July 20, marks Day 2 of the 1848 Women's Rights Convention held in the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, NY. On that day, the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions were read and a vote called. All Resolutions were agreed upon with one exception.

All of the resolutions were passed unanimously except for woman suffrage... The eloquent Frederick Douglass, a former slave and now editor of the Rochester North Star, however, swayed the gathering into agreeing to the resolution. ~Smithsonian Institute National Portrait Gallery

FrederickDouglass, the only African American at the meeting, stood and spoke eloquently in favor; he said that he could not accept the right to vote himself as a black man if woman could not also claim that right. ~Wikipedia  

Thank you, Mr. Douglass for taking your stand 15 years before the Emancipation Proclamation was formalluissued by President Lincoln in January 1, 1863.

While 300 men and women attended the Convention, 100 signed the Declaration of Sentiments. The signatures were signed in two groups according to gender:

68 women signed below this statement:
Firmly relying upon the final triumph of the Right and the True, we do this day affix our signatures to this declaration.

32 men signed below:
...the gentlemen present in favor of this new movement

For a record of the Convention proceedings see the minutes of the Convention printed by Mr. Dick in the Douglass print shop in Rochester, NY.

After Seneca Falls, the women's movement picked up steam.

bullying and injustice treated prayerfully.

How would you pray about bullying?

How would you pray about injustice?

Asking about bullying is a hot topic today. It has become a very common problem and few suggestions offer immediate help. The case of injustice is similar in the sense that it involves unequal relationships and has no easy solution. In both cases, claims of fear and lack are evidenced by imbalances between material and spiritual qualities. It seems that one party has power over the other and misuses that power. And it seems that the other party is helpless and without rescourse. Both cases indicate imbalance and neither has a readily available resolution.

However:

If Love is infinite, can these cases be as they appear to be?

What is real and what is a dream...

A friend who loves swimming once said that sometimes she wondered whether she was a fish dreaming of being a girl or a girl dreaming of being a fish. With that, the seeming dilemma hidden within that ancient question came into to my thought. I remembered several quotes from well known thinkers and some casually shared views. Several of them are shared below.

Ngochoni Petals of Africa & Meridian School of Grenada

...it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven,
that one of these little ones should perish.

 (Matthew 18:14)*

...whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones 
a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple,
verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

(Matthew 10:42)*

Ngochoni Petals of Africa School

A question about Life reflected in life...

"I was wondering about something:
 If we are all eternal with no stop date, 

do we have a start date? 
If so, does it pre-exist our current life?"

How would you answer these questions? 

Here are thoughts that came to me starting with my favorite fact.

There is no Day 1 Eternal Life. 

God declared: I am the Lord, I change not. (Malachi 3:6)*

Time is not knowable to the Eternal since time is a measure of change. God, Life, is ever present now. And Eternity, by definition, has no beginning or before and no ending or after.

Embracing struggling hearts

It has been a while since I have blogged to you. Responding to the events throughout the world has lead me to post and comment elsewhere.  Here one recent post:
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Peace to struggling hearts in Japan and

everywhere there is a feeling of loss.

The King's Speech - a fine and worthy film

I left with a happy glow after watching “The King’s Speech” on Sunday .

Watching through the lens of Christian Science made the film all the more interesting. I noticed a variety of behaviors that fit with the public practice of Christian Science. Logue rejected idolatry (rank, role, etc.) at the start (to begin rightly...). His creative understanding and skill came from within (Mind) not from academics. He showed an quiet but uncompromising respect for his capacity. Logue spoke with authority (he knew that he knew). He used a teaching (prayer) closet to protect himself and his pupil and their work. He didn't keep assessment records. And he definitely honored the ethics of confidentiality.

Embrace the grieving or heal the grief?

Today I saw a notice for a Blue Christmas Worship Service at the Lake Palestine UMC in Chandler, TX. Similar services are being offered in a variety of Churches during this Advent season. They are offered as a way for congregations to comfort and embrace members who have experienced loss and are grieving in this time of joy and celebration

But it was another Blue Christmas Service notice that really caught my eye. It is to be held at the very Plymouth Congregational Church I remember for its fantastic brass ensemble that made every Allelulia pop during the Easter Service I attended many years ago. On the way to that service, I probably drove past another Church that at that time was located just 4 short blocks away. But it wasn't until some years later that I drove to that other Church for a Wednesday Testimony meeting. The First Church of Christ,Scientist in Des Moines, IA was part of my earliest introduction to Christian Science.

It was there that I began realize that while two neighboring Churches may have equally imposing structures in beautiful settings, their views of grief might not be the same. The Blue Christmas service idea, familiar from my childhood, affirms the necessity of grief as a natural emotional and rational response to loss. Grief, a raw emotion, is believed to require much binding up, deeply felt pain and sense of abandonment, personal will to continue and ample time for mourning before one no longer feels its rawness.

A very different view is held by members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, founded by Mary Baker Eddy. They view grief in a totally different light, one that not only expects but almost demands that grief be healed and healed now -- like the issue of blood, withered hand and other diverse diseases healed by Christ Jesus. They know that years, months or days of sacrifice to an idol called grief is unjust and not a law of God! They know God is Love and could never make such a cruel law.

Yes, the Christian Science view may appear startling at first with its uncompromising rejection of pain and sorrow related to loss. Yes, it says "NO" to unlawful idol demands. Yes, it says with authority, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" Yes, it says, "Awake! There is no death. There is no loss."

Who drew this line of demarcation for mankind to see? Christ Jesus drew that line with a sword and his Apostles and disciples wrote Testaments and letters about his authority.

Who traced that same line centuries later? Mary Baker Eddy traced it with a pen, "the pen of an angel". She wrote Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the singular textbook for today's students of the teachings and healing method of Christ Jesus. 

Students of Christian Science demonstrate the 1st Commandment by taking an un-selfed, radical stand for the one and only, omnipotent God. Christian Scientists understand that God, good, is the only power, creator and preserver. They understand that He created nothing that could challenge His absolute power. Therefore, loss or a lack of good is an impossibility. This Truth, when known, sets captives free from grief, ready to return to the business of proving that our Father-Mother God is infinite good. Truth calls every heart to join with the Shunammite woman and sing: "It is well."

As if to confirm Truth's call, the Texas UMC Church program shows that Psalm 27:1-5 will be read and an "It is well" hymn will be sung. Here are two version of the selected grief-rejecting hymn:

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

MAHALIA JACKSON (pure gospel audio version)

AND

AMY GRANT (Amy tell the hymn's back story)

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