Discover the glorious and powerful light of omnipresent Mind

Discover the glorious and powerful light of omnipresent Mind!
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Weekly Bible Lesson on the subject “Mind”
For the week of August 18 – 24, 2008
Prepared by Janet Hegarty, C.S. of St. Louis, MO

Editor’s Note: The following application ideas for this week and Possible Sunday School Topics that follow are offered primarily to help CEDARS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study and application of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! You can sign up to have them emailed to you free — in English by Monday or Tuesday each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French from Pascal or in Spanish from Ana. (We no longer have a translator available for German.) JUST SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters
Golden Text: Three surefire steps to happiness and success. Step One. Remember, “I am the almighty God.” God is all good and has all power. That means you don’t have any personal power of your own. But you do have the ability to do all good when you depend on the power of God to guide and animate your actions. Step Two. Walk before God. Live your life as if you are actually walking before God. Be aware of His good power, rely on it every minute. Choose your actions with the knowledge that God lovingly watches every step you take. This will give you both the comfort of His ever-present help and the wisdom to choose your path so you can walk in a way that is pleasing to God. Step three. “And be thou perfect.” God’s creation is perfect. You are a valuable part of God’s good creation. Keep this in mind, you are the perfect creation of the one and only perfect God. You are capable, attractive, caring, reliable, honest, intelligent and always good. Your power is the reflection of the all power of the almighty God, the one and only perfect Mind.

Responsive Reading: Let God change your thought. Paul really understood how a change of thought could change your whole life. When the light of Christ came to Paul’s thought, he left behind his old lifestyle of causing trouble for Christians. Then, right away, he went out and began to teach and practice Christianity. There was nothing more important to Paul than Christianity and he devoted all his energy to encouraging others in their Christian practice. The Responsive Reading is Paul’s prayer for the spiritual progress of his fellow church members. Paul clearly understood that this progress would come from the quality of their thought. He encourages them to be of “one spirit, with one mind,” working together for the church. The J.B. Phillips translation of the verse from Romans points out the effective power of putting our trust in God’s government. “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him and perfect.” Let’s follow Paul’s guidance, set aside any opinions we might have that put us at odds with our fellow church members, and pray that through trust in God’s government we all might work together “with one mind” for the good of the church and mankind.

Section 1: One God, one Mind the only starting point for spiritual understanding. In the series, We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, two articles, one written by Emma C. Shipman and the other written by C. Lula Blackman, tell that Mrs. Eddy would begin her class teaching with a thorough discussion of God. Emma Shipman writes, “Our first subject is God. His nearness and goodness are brought to our attention, until one feels the unspeakable depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and love of God.” C. Lula Blackman writes, “The first three days in the classroom gave overwhelming proof of Mrs. Eddy’s understanding of God and her consistent acceptance of the fact that there was none beside Him.” This section of the lesson gives us an opportunity to go into Mrs. Eddy’s classroom, ourselves. We can study her thoughts on God that she has written down in Science and Health and explore the Biblical passages that form the basis of her teaching. The class begins today. You can expect great growth in your understanding of God and increased spiritual conviction. Enjoy!

Section 2: Discover the light of Mind. Solomon was a very young man when he became King. (B7) Because he had older brothers, he may not have expected that he would ever be the King. It is easy to see how, if you found yourself in the same situation, you might feel the need to have more understanding. You might feel that you should study more, perhaps earn a degree in law or political science. But there is no time for that now, you are already the King. You have a great country to care for, now. We often find ourselves in situations where more understanding, more wisdom, is just what we need. Like Solomon, we can depend on the divine Mind to give us the understanding we need exactly when we need it.

When Solomon’s prayer for understanding was answered, I imagine he might have felt somewhat like I did one day when I went for an early morning walk on a beach. The sun was already up but the beach looked really dull. As I walked along I remembered that the friend who I was visiting had told me the beach was very beautiful. This beach was so dull, I wondered if I might have taken a wrong turn and that perhaps I was on the wrong beach. Then all at once the whole scene changed. The dull sand was suddenly sparkling as if thousands of diamonds had been sprinkled along the shore. The gray water was now deep blue with dramatic whitecaps and little bursts of bright light dancing on waves. At that moment I realized a small hill to the east of the beach had kept the direct sunlight from shining on the beach. The sun had now risen higher in the sky and the sunbeams shone on the beach, changing the whole scene.

The spiritual “illumination” which gave Solomon the wisdom he needed is available to each of us today. Explore the “enlightening” ideas from Science and Health in this section, apply them to your daily needs and discover the infinite “possibilities” of Mind. (S9)

Section 3: Where could we possibly get that much bread? The disciples were shocked that Jesus would even consider trying to feed the multitude. Their point of view was based on material logic. How could seven loaves and a few fishes feed 4000 people? The number of things they had and the number of things they needed just didn’t balance out. Jesus, however, was not reasoning according to material logic. He knew that he could feed the multitude because he was reasoning according to spiritual logic. (B9) The citations from Science and Health give us a window through which we can see Jesus’ thought process. Jesus didn’t ask God to give the people food, he knew that God had already provided food for them. Jesus trusted the “…all-knowing Mind, to whom each need of man is always known and by whom it will be supplied.” (S11) Jesus knew that unlimited Spirit, not limited matter was “the source of supply.” (S15) He wasn’t intimidated by the numbers. Jesus knew that the goodness of God was so abundant that it could feed all the people and even have some extra left over. If you find yourself in a situation where the number of things you have and the number of things you need don’t balance out, apply Jesus’ spiritual logic to the situation. Like Jesus, reason from the standpoint of the one Mind, trust “the control of the one Mind, even God.” (S16) Going forward with joy and gratitude you will see how your loving Father-Mother God has already abundantly provided for your need.

Section 4: The supreme authority of Mind. If you have ever felt the need to have more power, strength, or authority, you’ll want to take a close look at this section. Authority is defined as the “power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.” (Merriam-Webster OnLine Dictionary) After Jesus taught the people and then healed the man with the unclean spirit, the people were deeply impressed with his authority. (B13) The definition of the original Greek word that is translated as authority also includes these ideas: jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance) Jesus’ authority was not his personal possession. He gave God all the credit for his healing works. (S17) He relied totally on the testimony of Mind to reveal the truth about man. (S19) This same power is available to everyone. Let’s let go of the false belief that we have a small mind separated from the divine Mind. (S17) Then step by step, accept more and more of your true spiritual self-hood. (S21) You, too, have access to the same power and authority that Jesus had – the supreme authority of Mind.

Section 5: The gentle healing power of scientific Mind-reading. Christ Jesus demonstrated a powerful ability to discern thought. He humbly relied on omnipresent Mind to uncover the error in human thought and to reveal the truth needed to cast the error out. Even though Jesus’ Mind-reading ability was powerful, he was a very gentle man. His only motive was to heal and bless mankind. (S22) Jesus’ gentleness was evident when he uncovered the error in the thought of the woman of Samaria. (B18) Jesus didn’t condemn her. He actually commended the woman for her honesty and then generously revealed his true identity to her. He must have discerned her sincere desire for spirituality. This desire became apparent later when she readily acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah. When, through the divine Mind, you discern error in another’s thought, follow Jesus’ example, never condemn the person. Let the gentleness of Love, the pure consciousness of “the real man and his relation to God,” cast the error out. (S27) “How quickly burdens fall away, how hearts grow light, rejoice, are glad, when Love with touch of gentleness uplifts the sinning and the sad.” (Hymn 243, vs. 2)

Section 6: Have the Mind of Christ Jesus. In these verses from Phillipians and 2nd Corinthians again we find Paul giving instruction and encouragement to the Christian churches. J. B. Phillips translates Phillipians 2:5 this way, “Let your attitude to life be that of Christ Jesus himself.” (B19) The sixth tenet which closes the lesson sets the same standard, “…pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus.” (S29) What was Jesus’ Mind or “attitude to life?” The sixth tenet points us to some of Jesus attitudes – mercy, justice, purity. It also includes the golden rule of brotherly love: “to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” Christ Jesus certainly lived according to this rule. To find out more of what the Mind of Christ includes, search the earlier sections of this lesson. Here are a few I found: Jesus was generous, convinced of God’s power, and compassionate. There are more that you can find in the lesson. Make a list of Christly attitudes. Then find an opportunity this week to put each of these attitudes into practice.
—————————————————————————————————
This weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers & staff blessed each summer at CEDARS, as well as to CEDARS alumni, families and friends who request it. However, current and planned gifts are needed to help cover the costs of running this service and of providing camperships, programs and operations support. Click here to read fruitage due to your help; to review current Operational needs; and to see our Annual Appeal. Click http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving for more about how you can give online or to talk privately about how to make a special gift to help perpetuate CEDARS work.

WITH GREAT GRATITUDE WE CAN SAY THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED OUR GOAL of raising $80,000 more for campership than was granted for 2007. Thanks to gifts from many supporters and to generous Board members WE could assure the attendance of all the 2008 campers who wished to come!

We are also extremely grateful to have just now received contributions sufficient to cover the special Christian Science youth lectures given here this summer. Thanks to many dear friends!

MATCHING GIFT OPPORTUNITY! If contributions of $25,000 for “Maintenance Must” projects are received by the end of the year, we will receive a matching $25,000! This will cover replacing roofs over PAL House (for our CSP & CSN) and several cabins. It will also help us start to replace the original Girls Store Building in a new Girls Camp Center. (more to come)
Your always-welcome, tax-deductible support can be mailed to:
CEDARS Camps
19772 Sugar Drive
Lebanon, MO 65536

Camp Director’s Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, seven-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. (To keep the flow of the practitioner’s ideas intact and to allow for more selective printing the “Possible Sunday School Topics” and Homework options come on a following page or subsequent email.) This weekly email (and website posting) is 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” are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way 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, background and new angles on daily applicability to 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 as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms or online at eBibleLesson.com or myBibleLesson.com. The citations referenced (i.e. B1 and S28) from this week’s Bible Lesson in the “met” (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible (B1-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. (S1-30) 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 these ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor. Have fun unwrapping, cherishing and sharing your special, spiritual gift(s)!
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Camp Director, director@cedarscamps.org (636) 394-6162
———————————————————————————————————–
Possible Sunday School Topics by Merrill Boudreaux
for the lesson: “Mind”

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. Golden Text] –
What are the various forms of human mobility? Ex. crawling, walking, ambling, running, jogging, sprinting, racing. What qualities are associated with each form of mobility? How does each express God’s perfect nature? Ex. Crawling permits one to see ideas that are closer to the ground like grass, pebbles, and bugs; consider the pace at which one moves for each and how one can better practice observation; consider how one might be methodical or purposeful with the various forms of mobility.

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Responsive Reading] – How is grace expressed in each form of mobility from above? How is fellowship expressed with others who may be participants? Ex. Runners as comrads.
Share some personal examples of barriers broken when proving God with you, like confidence in God’s grace to rule your mind (thinking).

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 1] –
List three idols or myths clamoring for attention or belief in your world.  List the counter fact that points to one God, one Mind.

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 2] –
What is Solomon known for? How did he become wise? (See S&H Markers 8 and 9) Tell the story of the child claimed by two mothers (See 1 Kings 3: 16-28)

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 3] – From this section list the actions Jesus performed that were opposed to material law.  How did he do that? Can we?

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 4] – How did Jesus model the qualities of power, love, overcoming fear, and having a sound mind in this section? What specific steps are identified in S&H that were aids to Jesus in the healing performed?
Worked with God, not against him
Did not describe disease
Argued for the cure, was confident
Reversed the testimony of the physical senses
Formed the perfect model in thought and looked at it only
Was unselfish, came to the man’s aid
He accepted Science

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 5] –
Talk with students about the importance of wells in the desert.  For what did the woman come to the well? What did she get there? Compare the water found in the well to the water of truth shared by Jesus. How long does each last? What are the qualities of each? What is the source of each?

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 6] – What is the result in this section of having the same Mind that was in Christ Jesus? Use both the Bible and S&H for this review.