Join us for the best summer yet!

[Live Christ’s love to “take rapid transit to heaven”! Misc. 205:32]

“LOVE – JUST DO IT”

Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson
for June 23 – 29, 2014

Subject:  Christian Science

By Michelle Wigginton, michelle@wiggintoncs.com 512-944-2596

[Special thanks to Michelle who was a gracious, late substitute for a scheduled 5th Sunday Met contributor.  Bracketed italics added by CedarS Director, Warren, who needs help with filling a few open bunks in 3rd through 5th sessions, as well as with Life-transforming camperships!]

Golden Text: The opening line of the Golden Text struck me as a supplication, a plea to God.  I can’t begin to count all the times I’ve felt I needed God’s mercy, but the psalmist is not just asking for himself, he is asking for the whole lot of us.  It’s as if he has experienced the fullness of God’s love, “an act of divine favor or compassion, clemency or kindness extended to someone instead of strictness or severity.”  The psalmist is indicating that if we individually feel God’s mercy, it will have a beneficial effect on the whole world.

The Responsive Reading points out that God is ever-present and has done more for us than we can ever realize.  It also reveals that there is a law resident within our hearts… and that’s the hook to get us to keep reading the lesson.

In giving a treatment we always start with God.  The Golden Text and Responsive Reading introduce us to the infinitely-good God who is merciful.

Merriam Webster Unabridged states “merciful’s synonym is forbearing which means marked by calm patience especially under provocation: slow to expression of resentment or acts of punishment or retaliation; it implies a calm unruffled abstention, especially under provocation, from judging harshly or taking due action against something or somebody”.  Don’t we all yearn to see this kind of calmness and merciful, unruffled behavior more prevalent around the globe?  The question is how can we get there, when the material evidence before us seems dismal?  [A favorite song simply says: “Let there be peace on earth; and let it begin with me.”  See Warren’s P.S. 1 for application ideas.]

Section 1: The next part of a treatment deals with the ideal man who delights in God’s law. Jesus, the best example of the ideal man says in citation B2: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”  Are you willing to follow the Christ?  [See Warren’s P.S. 2 for how following the Christ by learning and practicing its laws provides you “rapid transit to heaven”.]

In citation B4 we discover God’s man is “perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Have you ever wondered what “throughly” meant?  It means thoroughly, through and through, in every possible way.  It is the basis for understanding that we are always “furnished,” think “supplied” with every thing we need in order to accomplish “good works”.   It really makes sense when you know what the antonyms are: “half, half way, incomplete, part, partially, partly.”  We have all heard “God doesn’t take you half way.”  You might enjoy reading the article “All The Way” by Milton Simon in the October 1949 Journal.  It can be found in the Anthologies or on JSH-online.  In citation S4 (109:11) we learn that Mary Baker Eddy “won (her) way to absolute conclusions” which result in her two-part revelation of “a spiritual sense of the Scriptures” and of “the proof… that the so-called miracles of Jesus… illustrated an ever-operative divine Principle.”  (S5, 123:19-19)

What God is and represents is forever; it is the only law, period. This “ever-operative divine Principle” fully furnishes each man to good works throughout all generations.

Section 2: Remember the seemingly “dismal” part of the world’s nightly news? This is where we address it head-on.

Citation B6 opens right up with the “how” to negate “dismal”. “My little children, Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (I John 3:18)  It is a requirement to express love practically.  We get treated to an “ideal man’s example” of this in Jesus’ healing of the leper in citation B7.  [This event was reenacted by campers this week on video to view by Sunday at http://www.cedarscamps.org/videos/ . You can download a pdf file of the script by clicking on 'Script to Reenact when Jesus Heals a Leper' at the top right of this webpage.]  For those of us who need a boost to understand what Jesus demonstrated, he states that you too can be “the ideal man” “if ye have love one to another.” (B8, John 13:34, 35)  [Jesus' love went over and above human kindness when he reached out to touch a man who had to avoid any physical contact for years.  How are we following Jesus by reaching out to and contacting outcasts who our society or social cast has shunned and isolated?]

Mary Baker Eddy states in citation S7: “The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love.”  Love [shown in the “live-to-give” unselfishness modeled by Jesus] always needs to be at the forefront of our thoughts and actions.

And citation S8 reminds us that loving as Jesus did, doesn’t have to be a formulaic way of thinking, “a creed, nor a system of ceremonies,” you just HAVE to love – to demonstrate “divine Love.”  It’s easy… [as long as you see that it’s not up to you as Love’s refection to originate Love.  “There’s nothing more humble, and therefore more stress-free, than a reflection.”  Humbly reflecting and expressing divine Love, you will have all you need at every moment and be eager to share it “freely” and to heal.  (Matt. 10:8)]

So citations S11 and S12 describe what to do when you’re having trouble figuring out where to begin, you know, if you can’t determine in the moment how to love like Christ Jesus did.  “Truthful arguments” become your good friends, helping you to “reason rightly”.   But your best friend is always “reaching the patient through divine Love”; it results in instantaneous healing. (S12, 365: 15-19)

Section 3: In citation S15 we see that “the infinite Truth of the Christ-cure” is available for all to demonstrate. (367:24) Nathan Talbot wrote “the teachings of Christian Science explain that the Christ, as part of its broad and significant meaning to us, is the spiritual idea of true sonship.” (“Christ Jesus and True Sonship”, CS Journal December 1978)

Citation B12 provides an example of someone other than Jesus healing people and not just any old scraped knee, migraine, or financial crisis, but a healing of raising the dead.

Jesus did it! 

[Following Jesus method,] Peter did it!  [And campers are reenacting it to share on video.  See PS #3]
[Following Jesus method, Mary Baker Eddy raised Calvin Frye… twice! And, following Jesus’ methods, we also can raise ourselves and others from the dead, from dead-lines and dead-ends, as well as from ruts, which are just graves with the ends kicked out.]

Section 4 opens with Philip speaking and performing miracles in a new neighborhood gaining a broader audience for God.  Philip did it!  [Paul and Barnabas did it! Mary Baker Eddy spread the truth of the Christ-cure and Christ message of love and freedom when she was the only Christian Scientist.  And “we, as Christian Scientists, should give to the world convincing proof of the validity of this scientific statement of being. Having  perceived, in advance of others, this scientific fact, we owe to ourselves and to the world a struggle for its demonstration.”  Ret. 93:23]

Citations B14 and B15 show that the apostles and Gentiles caught the Christ-spirit [and struggled to share Christ’s love and to demonstrate it for our benefit!]

Christ Jesus laid out the law of Love!  It is not a system, not a formula; it is “Christian Science, working out the harmony of Life and Love” because it proves itself successful. Love is effective; Love accomplishes; Love has a specified result . . . good!

Section 5 is all about [“the higher mission of the Christ-power to take away the sins of the world”.  (S25, 150:15)  It starts with the declaration that] “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul”. (B17) Here is an great opportunity to “FOLLOW” Christ by turning and seeing ourselves as “innocent from the great transgression” and to recognize “The grand realism that man is the true image of God, not fallen or inverted, is demonstrated by Christian Science.”  (Christian Science vs. Pantheism 11:28) And we know then that we are an “advocate” for Truth, a witness with “signs following”. Our holy purpose is “to attest the reality of the higher mission of the Christ –power to take away the sins of the world.” (S25)

Section 6: This is it, LOVE, JUST DO IT!  As citation B23 states “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth;” (Romans 1:16, 17) The ball is in our court as citation S29 says “Christ’s revelation of Truth, of Life, and of Love, – remains inviolate for every man to understand and practice”.

The summation: God’s Law – Love, Just do it!  “A little goes a long way”


[Warren’s  P.S. #1: To consistently express Christ’s unruffled love and so be a “real Christian Scientist… constantly accentuating harmony in word and deed, mentally and orally” (Misc. 206) the Q.T.I.P. acrostic is helpful: that is Quit Taking It Personally!  As Mary Baker Eddy put it in her article on “Taking Offense” we should “go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; with an equanimity so settled that no passing breath nor accidental disturbance shall agitate or ruffle it; with a charity broad enough to cover the whole world’s evil, and sweet enough to neutralize what is bitter in it, — determined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor even when it is, unless the offense be against God.”  Misc. 223:17  Application ideas from a Bible-based example of modern-day peace-making will follow as part of this week’s PSST.]

[Warren’s P.S. #2: Followers of Christ who on the shores of time learn Christian Science, and live what they learn, take rapid transit to heaven…”  These words from Miscellaneous Writings, 205:32 inspired the name of “Ruth’s Rapid Transit System” (the racing ziplines to and from CedarS Bible Lands Park) and its mission to inspire our guests to “learn Christian Science and live it”—“to understand and to practice” (S29, 98:20).]

[Warren’s P.S. #3: Two healing events in this week's Bible Lesson were reenacted on video by campers and can be viewed by Sunday on CedarS website at http://www.cedarscamps.org/videos/ . You can download a pdf file of the scripts to use in Sunday School and Bible study groups by clicking on 'Script to Reenact when Jesus Heals a Leper' and 'Peter Raises Tabitha from the Dead' at the top right of this webpage.]

[Warren’s P.S. #4: Letting a need be known:  CedarS recently has been without needed work trucks due to breakdowns that cost more to repair than the vehicles have been worth.  It anyone in CedarS “Met land” of supporters has a truck (or even a SUV or van) that is in still in good running condition we would be very grateful to put it to good use! Please contact CedarS Maintenance Director Bill Nisbet at bill@cedarscamps.org or 417-718-1323 to talk over what you have and how it might come our way.]


[The Met application ideas above are provided primarily to help CedarS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and daily demonstrate the great value of studying and applying the Christian Science Bible lessons throughout the year, not just at camp!  YOU CAN ALSO SIGN UP for weekly emails from past CedarS staff of possible ways to share Bible Lesson applications with older, as well as younger, Sunday School classes by clicking the "Subscribe Now" button (lower left) at http://www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/ ]

[THANK YOU in advance for MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT ONLINE,
BY PHONE at 636-394-6162,
OR BY MAIL at:
CedarS Office, 1314 Parkview Valley Dr, Ballwin, MO 63011

[Additional Director's Note: You can sign up to have these application ideas emailed to you free – by Monday each week in English; or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION: in German, thanks to Manfred and Jeanette; or in Spanish, thanks to a team of Ana, Erick, Claudia and Patricio, or in Portuguese, thanks to helpers of Orlando Trentini in Brazil.  A voluntary French translation by Rodger Glokpor, a Christian Scientist from Togo (West Africa) has been contributed.  Thank you, Rodger and all translators! Go to http://www.cedarscamps.org/ and click "Newsletters" to sign-up for a free translation into these languages.  This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 13-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson "Mets" (Metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians.  (Ask and look for "Possible Sunday School Topics "and "Possible Younger Class Lessons" in emails to follow.) These weekly offerings are intended to encourage further study and application of ideas in the lesson and to invigorate Sunday School participation by students and by the budding teachers on our staff. Originally sent JUST to my Sunday School students and to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study, application and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson "Mets "and Sunday School ideas are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way serve as a substitute for daily study of the lesson. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension and background as well as new angles (and angels) on the daily applicability of some of the ideas and passages being studied. The weekly Bible Lessons are copyrighted by the Christian Science Publishing Society and are printed in the Christian Science Quarterly and in a variety of useful formats as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms or online at eBibleLesson.com or myBibleLesson.com. The citations referenced (i.e.B-1 and S-28) from this week's Bible Lesson in the "Met" (Metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the Bible (B-1 thru B-26) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (S-1 thru S-32). The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist.  The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one.  We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of the ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.]http://www.cedarscamps.org/videos/

American Camp Association

MAIN OFFICE
(November - May)
410 Sovereign Court #8
Ballwin, MO 63011
(636) 394-6162

CAMP OFFICE
(Memorial Day Weekend - October)
19772 Sugar Dr.
Lebanon, MO 65536
(417) 532-6699

Support our mission!

CedarS Camps

Back
to top