Archive for January, 2011
Turmoil in Egypt: Is violence the only way to bring about reforms?
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Ken Girard
Guest blog: Ken Girard, our friend and colleague in Massachusetts, shares this timely and important piece with us. You can find all Ken’s posts at: Christian Science in Massachusetts
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As I watched CNN’s coverage of the street protests and violence going on in various cities in Egypt this morning, I thought of the anger and frustration which spawned these actions. I saw the anguished faces of the wounded. The panic and fear that appeared to be rampant in the crowds. And the violence that was taking place on both sides – police and protesters.
And as I stopped to write this blog, reports were coming in that President Mubarak had ordered the Egyptian army into the cities to restore order. Tanks were entering Cairo.
Egypt is one of the oldest continuing civilizations on the planet – from 3150BC.
This is the country of the pharaohs, the pyramids, the Sphinx. The country where Joseph of the Old Testament was sold into slavery. The country where that same Joseph’s reliance on God caused him to become the 2nd most powerful person in the government of that ancient time – second only to Pharaoh – and which saved that country from 7 years of famine.
This is a country rich in history, rich in culture, rich in traditions, and rich in its people.
I have to ask these questions: Is violence the only path to the needed reforms for this country? Is there another way?
Of course there is! All any of us have to do is think of how the former Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries fell so quickly and relatively bloodlessly in the late 1980’s. Aren’t the images of the fall of the Berlin Wall etched into the memories of everyone that witnessed it in 1989?
Many people attribute that revolution and other peaceful revolutions in part to the prayers of people from around the world. That’s right – prayers!
In an article titled “Peace prayers helped bring down the Wall, says Leipzig pastor,” Christian Fuehrer, the pastor of Nikolai Church in Leipzig at that momentous time, described what took place. An excerpt follows.
“Around 6,000 to 8,000 people were crammed in to the churches in central Leipzig, and a total of 70,000 people had gathered in the city. Everyone was holding a candle, a symbol of non-violence – you need to hold a candle with both hands to keep it from going out, which makes it impossible to throw stones.
Later, a member of the SED Central Committee said: “We had everything planned. We were ready for anything – except candles and prayers.” The police had not been briefed for this possibility. Had we thrown stones, they would have known what to do: They would have attacked. But the tanks had no choice but to withdraw without a single shot being fired, and that’s when we knew that the GDR would never be the same again.
We had a sense that something extraordinary had happened, but we only really understood the enormity of it later.”
Can’t the same be true for the people of Egypt, for people in all of the Middle Eastern countries where unrest is fomenting – for people everywhere? Of course it can!
I’ve learned in Christian Science that God really does provide the guidance, the understanding – the right actions – that reform individuals as well as countries. That brings a sense of harmony right where discord appeared to be predominant and inevitable.
I’m sure that I’m not alone in praying that these dear people in Egypt and elsewhere – our brothers and sisters – find and experience the right resolutions that bring peace, harmony, and prosperity to their as well as future generations’ lives.
And I am sure that all of our collective prayers are having effect.
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Find Keith on Twitter:@TexasCS
Related post: 5 Simple things to make you a better healer
STATE OF THE UNION
Posted by: | CommentsGuest post: Peg Wommack serves as clerk for one of the two Christian Science Churches in Austin – First Church of Christ, Scientist, Austin, Texas. Enjoy her thoughts on the State of the Union.
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While listening to President Obama’s State of the Union message Tuesday night, I found myself pondering the many viewpoints that must influence the decisions of our lawmakers. People with agendas of every name and nature attempt to have their ideas incorporated into legislative discussions. In my opinion, Jesus was the greatest lobbyist of all time. Jesus was effective because he expressed the Christ so completely. Christ is the healing and saving aspect of God which comes to our consciousness to purify, heal, lead, and save.
Early in my life, I began learning about God. I discovered how His divine influence, the Christ, guided my choice of friends, activities, and education. Later, this same guiding influence helped my husband and me raise our four children. It comforted me to know that the children were always healed and led by a divine hand. Now that they are grown, with busy families of their own, it is comforting to know that they are still being shepherded by the wisdom of Christ.
I pray that each legislator and lobbyist is listening to God’s voice and is acknowledging His divine guidance. Will you join me in this prayer?
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Find Keith on Twitter:@TexasCS
Related post: 5 Simple things to make you a better healer
Making a more perfect union
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Crossing Bridges (Annette moves thought with a Christian Science perspective – a touch of Spirit)
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A friend of mine was inspired to write a blog following President Obama’s State of the Union address titled, “What is the state of my union?”
This question led her to a series of additional questions that would examine the state of her marriage, health, educational and employment goals, and her thinking. All were good questions to consider!
Relating the state of my union to that of my country’s reminded me of the song verse, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
Perhaps it isn’t easy to cooperate with and follow policies and viewpoints you strongly disagree with. But in any union – marriage, business, or governing body – you will likely have opportunities to make this choice.
Crossing Bridges
Mary Baker Eddy once wrote that working together isn’t always cooperation, but sometimes co-elbowing. I’ve found helpful guidance in these words as I’ve considered what “co-elbowing” could mean.
To “elbow” includes a variety of definitions not all of which would be good practices for our contacts and communications with others, such as “to force or pressure someone out of something.” But other definitions include such words as “turn,” “bend,” “corner,” and “curve.” The prefix “co” means “with” and “jointly.”
As I’ve pondered the idea of “co-elbowing,” I finally began to see that working together does require some softening and adjusting of positions from both connecting sides in order to make a harmonious union.
I’ve learned it is possible to agree to disagree, while still making decisions and taking actions that lead to progress and positive results.
I’ve also learned that if left to human strength and will, cooperation and unity is impossible to muster and accomplish. But by turning to divine might and wisdom to lead me, what seems humanly impossible is altered and shifted — healed.
Furthermore, acknowledging that we all share the same divine source disarms the rhetoric that would divide otherwise well-meaning people.
Yes, to work together by cooperation — or co-elbowing — requires a lot of prayer combined with grace, patience, and humility. But it is worth it.
Could this be how to make a more perfect union?
Find more of Annette’s writings at: www.AnnetteBridges.com
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Find Keith on Twitter:@TexasCS
Related post: 5 Simple things to make you a better healer
Texas: Rich History of Spiritual Healing
Posted by: | CommentsOn the road to Simon’s house—humility and the heart of a healer
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Some believe that spiritual healing is an activity of the human mind; that firing up some measure of will-power heals. This is not Christian Science. Christian Science healing is the subordination of the human will to the divine will. This yielding causes mental and physical transformations to take place. (examples)
Jesus ministry was all about humility. Meekness enabled him to express God’s might and show that God’s will for each of His children is health, peace, and activity.
Below is a portion of an article I published in the Christian Science Sentinel. I believe you will find it helpful in understanding how important humility is in Christian Science. Enjoy.
On the road to Simon’s house–humility and the heart of a healer
Spiritual healing goes hand in hand with humility.
That’s what I continue to discover in my own healing practice. In its most obvious form, humility shows a mature willingness to put the brakes on selfish and materialistic motives. And it allows the Christ—God’s presence and power—to govern. Humility is not an unworthy, “Don’t look at me” state of thought—that comes with a mountain of fear behind it. Authentic humility is firm, fearless, and says: “Look at what God can do. His goodness and grace satisfy you and heal you.” Far from a weak state of mind, humility brings power and stability to the healer and to the one seeking healing.
…Each day, I try to listen daily for God’s guidance in how to be a better healer. One thing I’m learning is that to obtain the heart of a healer, I must make my way to “Simon’s house.” To me, Simon’s house signifies authentic humility.
…The woman (referred to in this instance as “the Magdalen”) received Jesus’ respect and the healing touch of the Christ because she had both the courage and meekness to make her way to Simon’s house in the first place. Similarly, I’ve had to ask myself, “Am I on the road to Simon’s house?” If I am, then, just as the woman who repented, I have to humble myself— yield my human will to the divine. If I’m on the road to Simon’s house, I’m grateful for the example Jesus so completely gave of the Christ. I’m recognizing the weaknesses and sins I’ve been falsely accepting about myself and others. And I’m actually replacing them with what I’m learning about everyone’s God-given, spiritual, and sinless nature.
…. (read more)
Find Keith on Twitter: @TexasCS
Related post: When a child is sick? – Spiritual treatment & healing!
Why astrology is sillier than we thought……
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Kay Stroud
Guest post: Another timely piece by our friend, Kay Stroud, the Christian Science Media Representative and Legislative Liaison for the State of Queensland, Australia.
As I mentioned before, I was in Brisbane several years ago. Its not Texas, but there’s a lot to like. In fact, I loved the city and the people. Can’t wait to go back.
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“Thanks to a wobble in the earth’s axis, the astrological positions calculated some 2,000 years ago no longer apply. And even back then it was a big load of nonsense”, writes Stephanie Pappas, from LiveScience in a recent article published in the international, Pulitzer Prize–winning newspaper, the Christian Science Monitor. “If you look to your horoscope for a preview of your day, look again: You’re probably following somebody else’s supposed fate. Thanks to Earth’s wobble, astrological signs are, well, bunk. (Or even more bunk than you might expect.) Astrological signs are determined by the position of the sun relative to certain constellations on a person’s day of birth. The problem is, the positions were determined more than 2,000 years ago. Nowadays, the stars have shifted in the night sky so much that horoscope signs are nearly a month off. ……. Even if the astrological signs were stable, there’s no evidence the stars have anything to do with people’s day-to-day existence. One 2006 study published in the journal “Personality and Individual Differences” used data from more than 15,000 people and found no relationship between date of birth and personality.”
This is quite an interesting scientific discovery, albeit not really new to scientists, apparently. However, as a Christian Scientist, the realisation that astrology has no basis in fact, is not really news to me.
Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, writes in her seminal work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,“The planets have no more power over man than over his Maker, since God governs the universe; but man, reflecting God’s power, has dominion over all the earth and its hosts.”
There was a time in the past when it made me feel pretty important to be part of an elite star sign or horoscope ‘club’.
But as I thought this through, I realised that I really needed to be alert to the world’s assumption that there is a power other than good (another name for God). Had I been forecasting and fearing problems in the coming year as a result of astrological prophecies? Maybe….. While celebrating the positive traits associated with ‘my’ star sign, had I adopted into my self-image some of the negative traits associated with it? Yes!
Whether beliefs of genetics, astrology or environment seem to dictate some negative aspect of us, I realised some time ago that not one of these beliefs is actually true and that I don’t have to accept any negative trait, abnormality or disease as part of my being, because I am really ‘the image and likeness of God’.
Members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist and its branches in 80 countries around the world are counselled to “….. daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning, counselling, influencing or being influenced erroneously” (Church Manual, p.40).
I find that I need to be careful not to get caught up in that balloon of self-importance that wants to prophesy, judge, condemn, counsel and influence. It’s not always easy, but the reward is ……. inner peace.
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You can read more of Kay’s posts at her site: Media and Christian Science in Queensland
Find Keith on Twitter:@TexasCS
Related post: 5 Simple things to make you a better healer
Texans cherish liberty – choice & a voice
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Last Tuesday, I had the privilege of watching Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson swear-in the newly elected and re-elected Senators. The 2011 Texas Legislative Session has begun.
Why was I there? Two reasons.
1.) Senator Jeff Wentworth invited me to be on the Senate floor when he was sworn in. Thanks, Jeff.
2.) It’s my job.
As the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Texas, it’s my job to keep misinformation in check. Misconceptions block the public from gaining a true picture of Christian Science, a system of healing and living that has been effective in the lives of Texans for the past 130 years. (see examples of healing) Nothing should prevent Texans from accepting, appreciating, and being able to practice Christian Science.
After the swearing-in, Governor Rick Perry, speaking about emergency items needing immediate action, said, “..they relate to the safety and security of our citizens. But, most of all, they relate to our liberty.”
One liberty we Texans have always enjoyed is having a choice of health care. We’ve had a voice in saying what works best for each of us. In my work this session, I will try to be a voice for all those who would turn to Christian Science and all responsible spiritual health care. My work is not just for Christian Scientists, but for every Texan.
One system or model of care has never monopolized this great State. Each citizen has had a voice, a choice of which form of effective care they wish to utilize.
Therefore, if upcoming legislation creates a State health insurance exchange, let’s make sure responsible spiritual health care is not left out. A State health insurance exchange should guarantee that health insurance plans provide benefits for spiritual care.
Let’s never leave spiritual health care out of the discussion. Texans cherish liberty, choice and a voice.
Find Keith on Twitter:@TexasCS
Related post: When a child is sick? – Spiritual treatment & healing!
Martin Luther King & Mary Baker Eddy
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Guest post: Timely piece by our California friend, Eric Nelson. We all have hopes and dreams. Eric writes about two humble, yet, dynamic individuals who had unselfish dreams. Enjoy –
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As I was thinking about today’s celebration of Martin Luther King, it occurred to me that he and Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, had something pretty significant in common – other than the fact that they are both generally referred to by all three of their names.
Both Martin Luther King and Mary Baker Eddy had a dream.
Most of us are familiar with Dr. King’s vision:
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
“I have a dream that one day… little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”
And so on and so on.
But far fewer of us are familiar with Mary Baker Eddy’s equally ambitious vision. In her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, she writes:
“Truth’s immortal idea is sweeping down the centuries, gathering beneath its wings the sick and sinning. My weary hope tries to realize that happy day, when man shall recognize the Science of Christ and love his neighbor as himself, — when he shall realize God’s omnipotence and the healing power of the divine Love in what it has done and is doing for mankind. The promises will be fulfilled. The time for the reappearing of the divine healing is throughout all time; and whosoever layeth his earthly all on the altar of divine Science, drinketh of Christ’s cup now, and is endued with the spirit and power of Christian healing.”
In short, Mary Baker Eddy’s dream – indeed, her divinely inspired vision – was that someday we would all be healers.
Just as Dr. King’s comments were not targeted at people of a particular race, so, too, Mrs. Eddy’s hope was not just for those calling themselves “Christian Scientists.” Both were keenly aware that their vision included all humanity regardless of race, color, or religious creed.
Today I celebrate the dream of Dr. King, the hope of Mrs. Eddy, and the promise for all mankind.
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Find Keith on Twitter: @TexasCS
Related post: Gratitude 101
Filling moments of silence
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Our friend and colleague, Russ Gerber, has written a very timely and thought provoking post on his blog, Religion & Media 2.0. Thanks goes to Russ for allowing us to repurpose Filling moments of silence here on our Texas blog.
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When tragedy strikes, as it did in Tucson, and we’re invited to a moment of silence, it’s an opportunity for contemplation, prayer or to pay honor to the victims and their families.
We all know the appropriateness of such moments, but may not have given much thought to what we can do during them, or what we can accomplish with them. Should we expect more from those moments than mere silence? Can any meaningful change or empowerment or growth take place?
It’s easy to be skeptical. After all, it’s just a moment, and we’re just ordinary people who don’t have much power to accomplish grand things.
And yet, isn’t that selling ourselves terribly short? Is this, instead, an opportunity to do great things?
In a moment of silence we can confront skepticism. We can rebel against the notion that, even in times of great sadness, we are powerless to rise and to right wrongs. It is always possible to resist the delusion that we’re incapable of changing our world for the better.
In a moment of silence we can awaken to the mighty mental and spiritual forces that influence people every day to do what’s right and to exceed their ordinary capacities.
In a moment of silence we can shake the seemingly unshakable feeling that nothing will ever change by seeing it as the lie that it is. The fact is we all have access to grand, illuminating, burden-breaking ideas, and that access is not limited by circumstances or time or inexperience. There is no worthy idea we cannot have, no worthy idea we cannot commit to.
So when circumstances would make us feel defeated, we should remember what history has shown us: that a lifetime filled with great accomplishments for mankind, of conquering fear and having extraordinary victories over what most people believed was impossible, was the result of honoring the powerful ideas that came in silent moments.
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Find Keith on Twitter: @TexasCS
Related post: Michelle: Christian healing > No miracle > Natural
A Cocker Spaniel, more weirdness – a life changed
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Barbara Pettis
People discover the healing and transforming benefits of Christian Science in many different ways. Some learn of them while searching for an understanding of the Supreme Being. Others, while looking for relief from pain and disease. What they find is a method of healing based on the constant care of an ever-present, Love, God. Each one’s experience is a unique story.
In today’s guest post, Barbara Pettis, our friend and spiritual thinker, shares one such story. Barbara is a Christian Science practitioner and teacher in the Boston, Massachusetts, area. Although, to her credit, she is a native Texan. Enjoy.
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Keith’s January 3rd post, Since Christian Science is weird, reminded me of a friend’s experience. She was expecting her second child when her mother decided to give her a little Cocker Spaniel puppy. But once the baby was born, the little dog was not thrilled with the new circumstances and finally it seemed better to find the dog a new home.
A friend of her neighbor in another town was willing to take the dog, so the neighbor and her friend came and got the dog, and my friend assumed all was well because she didn’t hear any more about the dog.
Fast-forward a few years. My friend was attending her Christian Science church one morning with her family. As they were leaving, someone called to my friend and asked if they could speak to her. Turned out it was the new owner of the dog.
This person said that the dog was fine, but what she really wanted to talk about was what had happened after she came to pick up the dog at my friend’s house. The new dog owner said that when the neighbor came to pick her up to take her to the Christian Scientist’s house, the neighbor warned her that she might see something “weird” when she arrived.
“What do you mean, ‘weird?’” she asked.
“Well, they’re Christian Scientists,” the neighbor replied. This piqued the woman’s interest.
The woman said that when she arrived at the house, she walked in the door and saw a very beautiful sight: there was my friend sitting in a rocking chair with a baby on her lap. The woman thought to herself, “I’ll just go closer and see if I see something weird about that baby.” But, she said that when she came close she saw only a very sweet baby—a very beautiful baby—perfect in every way.
Then, she said, the door burst open and into the room came a little boy—maybe about four years old. As he came through the swinging door, his little hand got caught in the door, crushing it. The little boy began to cry and his mother took him up in her lap with the baby and hugged him and comforted him and then whispered something in his ear. The crying stopped immediately and he climbed down from her lap. His hand was perfectly healed. “Now THAT was weird,” said the woman, “and I wanted to know how that happened.”
After she left, the woman said she went to her local Christian Science Reading Room and talked to the attendant and bought a copy of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, which explains Christian Science completely. She and her husband began attending church and joined. They had healings and took a class in Christian Science from a Christian Science teacher. And she wanted the Christian Scientist, my friend, to know that this was all the result of that one weird thing that she had seen in her home that day and how it changed her life forever.
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Find Keith on Twitter:@TexasCS
Related post: When a child is sick? – Spiritual treatment & healing!
