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Thursday, December 11th, 2008
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11:34 am - God's Care vs Healthcare
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| Saturday, November 29th, 2008
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11:47 am - In God's Care vs Health Care article.
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| Thursday, November 20th, 2008
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9:17 pm
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bellahdance
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Some DJ on the radio just said something along the lines of " . . . Hustler, that Christian Science magazine . . . "
What in the hell are they even referring to???
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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| Monday, February 25th, 2008
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5:12 pm - National Religion and Praying Daily
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poetlaureate
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I came across an news story and a Sentinel article today and, though they are not directly related, they seemed pertinent to post together as opposites in their own way.
Survey: U.S. religious landscape in flux
and
Daily prayer and good health
They seemed to together for me, as I read the news article about people leaving organized religion first thing this morning as I sat down at my deks for work. The 2nd article I read later on spirituality.com as a break from some monotonous editing. While the first article was fairly forboding in its sense of religion, the second was uplifting. Now, granted, the first article does not necessarily mean that people have less faith or are not spiritual but that they are leaving mainstream Christian churches and branches in favor of "non-denominational" and "non-organized" christian and non-christian churches alike.
In wake of this flux, it was so satisfying to read about praying daily and steadfastly rather than thinking that prayer is getting on your knees on Sunday morning or just before you go to sleep. Prayer is a moment-by-moment, steadfast, daily activity.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, February 23rd, 2008
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10:39 am - Spirituality.com Article -- Casting No Shadow
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| Thursday, February 21st, 2008
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4:42 pm - Sure Foundation in God
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csaudsmuh
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So, there's this really cool book in Prose Works called "Christian Healing" and there's a couple excerpts that I really want to share with you all:
And from Science and Health:
And from Miscellaneous Writings:
And from the Christian Science Hymnal:
These excerpts have helped snap me back into shape -- making me realize that to give into the human struggle is to watch it, to cry with it, to struggle with it, and to let it burden and overcome our gift of life. God has granted me everything I need including the stability, strong foundation, light, and balance that I need to accomplish the tasks he has set before me. "He knows the way He taketh" me in and so I shouldn't fear that I have been given too much -- who would say, "stop giving me these wonderful gifts," but an ungrateful person? And so, today, I, in my blanket of peace, thought of that which I am grateful for:
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| Sunday, September 16th, 2007
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11:49 am - reading the lesson - locations?
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feralbirdgirl
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Ahoy, CS types!
I've been musing about all of the places I've read the lesson - airports, in or under trees, at parks, in at least 7 or 8 states and a handful of countries. Most recently the location was "under a rock." Oddly lacking aside from a few exceptions are my room, the dorm, home, etc. even though it seems most likely in my mind. What places do you most frequently read the lesson? Why do you have that preference?
Regards from not-under-a-rock,
-h
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(4 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, September 12th, 2007
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11:24 am - Dealing With Fear and Uncertainty Through Prayer
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poetlaureate
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As I felt the need to quell a tremendous amount of fear that dropped into my life seemingly from nowhere, I turned to spirituality.com. After speaking with a practitioner and being told some wonderful ideas about Truth and its inability to not be recognized or expressed, I did a basic search on Truth. Now, as a life-long Christian Scientist, I knew that searching the site for Truth would yield innumerable results. It was the basic idea, however, that I wanted to begin with.
[Note--perhaps there should be included on the site links that relate to common ideas in Christian Science, sort of a Christian Science for the Christian Scientist section where there are links to ideas relating to the seven synonyms of God, thoughts on Jesus' healings, favored quotes from Science and Health and how people have used them, etc. And while all of these are addressed generally throughout the site, it would be sort of a fun navigational link adventure. Just a thought.]
THIS was what came up as the first result from the search. Entitled "Dealing With Fear and Uncertainty Trough Prayer" with Timothy MacDonald, it gave some wonderful ideas to disarming fear. It's actually the transcript of a spirituality.com webchat that occurred on September 8th.
One particular idea that I loved:
I also work to understand more deeply that we can only be terrorized
if we feel we've got something we can lose. As long as we think we
exist separate from God, that somehow we've been born into mortality
and we exist as mortals subject to all of the injustices and vagaries
of mortality, then there's always going to be the thought we have
something to lose, whether it's our mortal life, our mortal
possessions, our mortal families, whatever.
And as long as there's a thought that there's something that we could
lose, something that could be taken away from us, we're always going
to be subject to the thought of terror. So as I grow in my
understanding of my real identity as God's child, that I've never left
heaven for earth, that I've never been born into matter, I've never
left my Father-Mother God, then I can also begin to glimpse the truth
that I have nothing that can be taken from me—and the whole thought of
terror begins to dissolve into its nothingness.
-Timothy MacDonald
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(comment on this)
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| Friday, September 7th, 2007
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10:59 am - Being Moved by God
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poetlaureate
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I am overcome with excitement today as I am about to go pick up the keys for my apartment. This isn't just any old apartment--it's my first apartment that's all my own. I used to be afraid of living alone. Now, I'm thoroughly excited in most part due to prayer and the idea that God can never leave me alone.
What seemed to be a horrific moving experience has turned into a blessed one in terms of financial situations, movers, timing, friends, and many other areas. At first, it seemed so easy to get caught up in all of the obstacles in my way -- what if I have a hard time paying all the utilities by myself? What if I get scared at night? What if I can't afford the rent after time? So many what if's. They all disappear when I come back to Love and God's ever presence in my life.
I just wanted to share my gratitude. I'm not sure that I have any specific thoughts that came to me as inspiration, just the overwhelming idea that we are none of us alone. It was not until I accepted the idea of God's dominion, as it has been described in others' posts, and ever presence that everything began to change from disarray to harmony. But oh how the change occurred and with such speed! Rather than being terrified that I will not have enough at the age of 24, I'm wrapped in the security that God is always enough.
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| Thursday, September 6th, 2007
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9:29 pm - Eyelash Wishes
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csaudsmuh
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I am posting this here because I recently found out that it helped a friend of mine make an important decision. I also submitted it to the Sentinel, but it wasn't accepted due to the lack of CS reading materials used. It was pure and direct inspiration for me last October. I hope the inspiration helps you all.
Eyelash Wishes
As I sat at my study carrel reading the same 5 lines of the newspaper over and over again, between pieces of intermittent and unrelenting sleep, I looked down to notice several fallen eyelashes on my chest. The first one I lifted with my finger and blew a wish, "I hope I learn what God wants for me." My second one, I thought to myself, "Okay, now I'm going to be a little more human: may I learn what it means to be in love." Immediately, I heard a voice: "But you do know what it means to be in Love; Love is all around you, it encompasses your life and it never leaves you. Love is all there is. Audrey, you are in Love; wish for something different." So I tried to wish for the little l love, the one that didn't signify that all powerful Deity, or Being, or whatever I decide He/She/It is at the time, I wanted the human one. Then I heard the voice again: "Why waste a wish on something that is less than what you have?" So I let the eyelash fall. I didn't need a wish.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, September 4th, 2007
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5:10 pm - A bit of enlightenment to share
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enlightenmenow
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So today at the college there was mention of people being afraid of airborne contagion because there have been some maladies passing between roommates around here. As much as I dislike my writing seminar, I refuse to be taken down without a fight. So I browsed my science and health a bit, because of that and because of some feet problems I've been having that are keeping me from playing ultimate frisbee :(. I opened to a random spot, in the back of my head knowing that whatever I landed on would be helpful. I opened to page 307 and started on line 7:
Evil still affirms itself to be mind, and decalres that there is more than one intellignece or God. It says: "There shall be lords and gods many. I declare that God makes evil minds and evil spirits and that I aid Him. Truth shall change sides and be unlike Spirit. I will put spirit into what I call matter, and matter shall seem to have life as much as God, Spirit, who is the only life." This error has proved itself to be error. Its life is found to be not Life, but only a transient, false sense of an existence which ends in death. Error charges its lie to Truth and says: "the Lord knows it. He has made man mortal and material, out of matter instead of Spirit." Thus error partakes of its own nature and utters its own falsities. If we regard matter as intelligent, and Mind as both good and evil, every sin or supposed material pain and pleasure seems normal, a part of God's creation, and so weighs against our course Spiritward. Truth has no beginning. The divine Mind is the Soul of man, and gives man dominion over all things. Man was not created from a material basis, nor bidden to obey material laws which Spirit never made, his province is in spiritual statutes, in the higher law of mind.
-Science and Health, 307: 7-30
This is so glorious. We have dominion over everything in this physical world. The divine Mind is the Soul of man... here is the definition of Mind from the Science and Health:
MIND. The only I, or Us; the only Spirit, Soul, divine Principle, substance, Life, Truth, Love, the one God; not that which is in man, but the divine Principle, or God, of whom man is the full and perfect expression; Deity, which outlines but is not outlined.
So we are none of us these material husks, these bodies, we are the 'full and perfect expression' of God, and that is how we communicate and radiate to every other being. It's not what is IN us, it is what we ARE. What we EXPRESS. What we DEMONSTRATE. And if we are all expressing like this, and we were to all realize it (something we should strive for) then another point comes to mind.... when war ends, and the TRUE brotherhood of man will join together. Once we stop our bickering, once we stop our believing in sin, and stop the separation, the war is over, and we will all be united again. We are currently united, but half of us don't realize it, and when you don't know it exists, it doesn't to you. I was so amazed at the clarity this brought. We have dominion over everything. I couldn't find a definition of Dominion in the science and health, but here is what the OED says:
1. The power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority; lordship, sovereignty; rule, sway; control, influence.
So we have the ability to completely control ourselves, our environment and our thoughts. Isn't that amazing to think? We can ACTUALLY CONTROL what happens.
Just my little bit of inspiration for today!
current mood:  quixotic
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(9 comments | comment on this)
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| Friday, August 31st, 2007
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1:14 pm - Healing of Eating Disorder--Gratitude
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csaudsmuh
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I am abundantly grateful to my family and God for helping me through some very hard times. It's hard to not be critical of one's self-- to look in the mirror and not search for something wrong. But, at the same time it's completely illogical that that's what should happen. I remember that I started having thoughts of anorexia, bulimia, and binging after watching a Touched by an Angel episode when I was around 11. The only scene I could recall was the one where the girl stared at herself in the mirror like she was looking right through herself, like she was completely invisible, and then bent over the sink to stick her finger down her throat. My dramatic nature, a desire for attention, and a continuing feeling of invisibility and purposeless led me to try the same...fortunately my finger wasn't long enough and my hand was too big. But, for a while I did the same thing except with a strict diet and work-out regiment. It was an invisible eating disorder, and I doubt anyone but myself knew I had it, but I knew. It made me feel special. I can recall every movie, television, and dramatic scene that had anything to do with eating disorders. They replay in my mind sometimes when I look in the mirror, and it's not right-- it's completely illogical.
It seemed that all I wanted to do, growing up, was to fit in, make friends, and be a part of something. Sadly, my church didn't really offer that to me. Though, I joined as soon as possible, members hardly knew me, and as one of two young members, I didn't feel I had anyone to talk to. I think media tricked me into thinking that if I was beautiful I could be popular, and I think everyone else believed it too...as every popular child and teen I ever knew was commercially appealing, including my brother. And maybe it was that song from "Teen Witch" that I grabbed onto that inspired a need for popularity: "I wanna be the most popular girl..." Finally, at the conclusion of an academic summer program, a person I hardly knew (and one whom I deemed popular) wrote in my "yearbook," "There's just not enough room here to write; you're so popular!!!" It's then I realized that being beautiful and popularity wasn't what it was all about. It was a need to loathe myself. To act my anger towards everything wrong I saw in my community and world, out against myself so that I wouldn't hurt other people. I thought I was doing a good deed by hurting myself, but I wasn't. I was adding to the world's problems.
They say it's a disease; a therapist I saw said it was a chemical imbalance that could only be cured with drugs; but I know better. I know that it is a belief that I can accept and allow to have power over me or I can act out against, but it cannot be ignored. There are a few things that have helped me tremendously and some goals that I have to continue the growth:
Don't avoid the mirror, but smile every time you look into it, and see the joy and nothing else.
Focus on the emotion in photographs of yourself, not the material picture.
Write, and if it's angry writing, destroy it as soon as you're done.
Stay close to your true friends; support them; and don't be afraid to ask them to support you.
Reverse every evil claim you make about yourself or others.
When you need to yell, walk away and look at something naturally beautiful (sky, trees, flowers, animals...)
Don't chastise or be rude to those you love, especially since you know they've helped you so much.
Stay close to your Father-Mother God, all-harmonious; thank Him regularly with humble gratitude. All that is good in the world must be attributed to Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth, Principle, Mind, and Love.
Fear is the first thing that must be overcome. I think that it is the most important lesson that Mrs. Eddy taught us, and the hardest to actually do. Whether it's fear of disease, fear of loneliness, or fear of fat, fear is the root of all evil. I've always wondered what the process to destroy fear is, because it seems very elusive to actually do. Today, I read an article on spirituality.com that highlighted the answer: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear" (SH 410: 18). We must love, love, and love... and that includes loving our neighbors (supporting friends, not chastising loved ones), our surroundings (appreciating beauty in nature), ourselves (smiling in the mirror), and our God, perfect Love. That's where humble gratitude comes in. It's all about love, even if you are single and spend most of your time with books. There's always love to give and receive.
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(7 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, June 19th, 2007
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10:45 am - Wisdom Teeth
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enlightenmenow
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Well, I was expecting to have a whole month to work out my thought in terms of my wisdom teeth, but it looks like I have just a couple more hours until my xrays... I've been focusing on not being afraid, and I just talked to my mom's CS teacher and got some good ideas from him. He pointed out that everything in our existence is numbered.. our footsteps, all of us, and indeed, all of our teeth. (he made it sound better... but oh well, it was lost when I tried to recall it). I've also been working with my sunday school teacher who is a non-listed practitioner, and she gave me some good ideas. I think before I go get the xray I'm just going to visit with God for a while, take a look through the lesson, and review all the inspiration I have received. Any and all prayerful support from any and all of you would be very appreciated. Many thanks in advance!
Daniel
Inspiration and quotes from the text or the bible or other works are always welcome! I could use an inspirational pick me up!
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(6 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, June 12th, 2007
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12:23 pm - The Sentinel
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enlightenmenow
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I've been musing for quite some time about topics for a sentinel article. I haven't had any really great ones until today during my morning walk... it was about identity theft, but not in the sense that most people think of it. I realize that there has been a sentinel about identity theft in the past couple of years, so it's possible it won't come up again for quite some time, but I'm going to write the article and submit it anyway just in case... it's times like this when I can't figure out if God has sent the info or if it's just me wanting it to be true. But I figure I might as well NOT pass up the possibility, because I'll be sorry if I do.
Have any of you ever written an article for the sentinel? If so, could you fill me in on specifics about how to write it so that it gets the least editing, etc.?
I'm thinking my topic will be, Error, The Identity Theif. The article would be all about realizing that when we express ourselves.. for instance when I express Daniel (my name :p) I'm expressing God. I don't mean the material sense of myself, but the spiritual sense. I express myself in its purest form, therefore I'm expressing God. The article would outline different ways to avoid Error, the Identity Thief. I don't even know if the article will take flight when I write it or not, it may just be a couple sentences then null.
Any advice would be great!
Daniel
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| Sunday, June 10th, 2007
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6:00 pm - Hi, and a testimony
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timberwolf90
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Hello, I'm Kristin
I have joined this community in hopes to learn more about Christian Science and to meet students of Christian Science. I have been a current member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Northern California for a month now.
I have had a spiritual experience in which has changed my life. Hope you enjoy it.
Experiencing God
A Hymn to complete the story:
Hymn 58
Father, we Thy loving children
Lift our hearts in joy today,
Knowing well that Thou wilt keep us
Ever in Thy blessed way.
Thou art Love and thou art wisdom,
Thou art Life and Thou art All;
In Thy Spirit living, moving,
We shall neither faint nor fall. Come we daily then, dear Father,
Open hearts and willing hands,
Eager ears, expectant, joyful,
Ready for Thy right commands.
We would hear no other voices,
We would heed no other call;
Thou alone art good and gracious,
Thou our Mind and Thou our All. In Thy house securely dwelling,
Where Thy children live to bless,
Seeing only Thy creation,
We can share Thy happiness,
Share Thy joy and spend it freely.
Loyal hearts can feel no fear;
We Thy children know Thee, Father,
Love and Life forever near.
Love always!!
Kristin
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| Monday, May 14th, 2007
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1:10 pm - Greetings!
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enlightenmenow
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Hey everyone... I'm Daniel.. just found this community and thought I'd see whats going on. Hope to help out and get to know you guys better.
I've been a CSer all my life, heading for Prin College this fall, finishing up at the Upper School right now. Yeah.
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(12 comments | comment on this)
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| Sunday, April 15th, 2007
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10:00 pm - Talking to others about Christian Science
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poetlaureate
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I had specifically not mentioned that I was a Christian Scientist at work for the last year because I was afraid. I was afraid of people not understanding and judging me based on misinformation and gossip. I don't necessarily think that this was the correct action, but when someone asked me which church I went to a few weeks ago, I knew that I wasn't going lie. And so I simply told them. A 45-minute conversation ensued and my coworkers were shocked to discover that they didn't know something so significant about me.
I do not generally keep Christian Science a secret, but I did so in this work place. Though it is a subject I have given a great deal of thought over time, I still find myself without all the answers when people want an in-depth but concise description of Christian Science. Does anyone have any ideas that may help me? I am not ashamed of Christian Science--but I can see that I need more prayer towards communicating about it with others and perhaps some ideas towards positive communication in the future.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, February 3rd, 2007
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3:22 pm - Animal Magnetism
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feralbirdgirl
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I feel a little silly, lurking forever and ignoring opportunities to post until things are *really* interesting.
Animal Magnetism is something I've fundamentally understood, but the label has always struck me as odd - God created critters, and to tie them to such an intimidating (not powerful) term just seems wrong. Animals are a huge part of my livlihood and I can't think of one person who knows me and wouldn't immediately associate me with the critters I study. Ok, that is putting it mildly. 3/4 of my life has been dedicated to birds. Pet birds, wild birds, dead birds, live birds, baby birds, watching birds, researching birds, and now... well, yeah, birds.
Where is this leading? I live with a wonderful CS family now. I love their cat, their cat loves me. I love their cockatiel, and the cockatiel definitely loves me. About a week ago, I started to know that I couldn't breathe very well when the bird was preening (grooming its feathers) on my shoulder. No biggie, I had a 'tiel when I was 10 and lived with one in early '04, they're dusty birds. The bird is such a dear little creature, with pointy little scratchy toes... and I thought the itching on my hands was from the toenails, but when I washed my hands my figers were pink and *burning* where she had been perching. I've never been allergic to anything before EVER (including poison oak and poison ivy), so I'm rather disconcerted about this whole ordeal.
God's critters are harmless, useful and eternal - the bird is one of them, I am one of them. It's a miracle in itself that I've been able to pursue the work I love, and so far the unfolding has been quite harmonious. I look forward to seeing how this challenge is worked out.... I'm just scared half to death in the meantime.
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| Friday, February 2nd, 2007
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2:24 pm - Lexington, Kentucky
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ein_suender
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Does anybody here attend church in Lexington, Kentucky, and would be willing to give me a ride from Berea?
I've never attended a CS church before but I want to go. And I've emailed the church about a ride but have gotten no response. I cannot call them because it's long distance.
Just curious...
Thanks!
Harold
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, December 5th, 2006
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7:27 pm - Just got this
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sir_chadwick
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A guy on myspace just sent me this message. Thought there'd be some here that could help him with his interview thing.
If you'd like, his myspace is http://www.myspace.com/zachmanfredi or you can reply here and I'll send it off to him.
His message...
Hi, I am doin a project for my school and need to interview 2 people about christian science....it would help me a big deal if you could just answer a couple questions for me:
What sets Christian Scientists apart from regular Christianity?
What was it that convinced you to become part of the Church of Christ, Scientist?
Have you witnessed any amazing healings through Gods power? example?
What is your view on assisted suicide for a patient still alive but only because of machines?
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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