God is Mind. “Accept His wealth and all His Glory share!” Hymn 70

God is Mind. “Accept His wealth and all His Glory share!” Hymn 70 

Metaphysical Application Ideas on the Weekly Bible Lesson on Mind

For the week of February 19 through February 25, 2007

Prepared by Janet Hegarty, CS, St. Louis, Missouri

Editor’s Note: The following background information and application ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for this week are offered primarily to help CedarS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! EACH WEDNESDAY: CHECK www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/  FOR A FREE FRENCH TRANSLATION of this weekly “met” offered by Pascal Bujard of Switzerland.

 

God is Mind. “Accept His wealth and all His Glory share!” Hymn 70

 

Let’s start with a riddle: What is it that is absolutely free, that every person on the whole planet has, and that never runs out?

 

Golden Text: If you haven’t solved the riddle yet take a look at the Golden Text for this week. 

 

 

“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”(Prov 16:3)  Mary Baker Eddy valued a good education.  On page 195 of Science and Health she wrote, “Academics of the right sort are requisite.  Observation, invention, study, and original thought are expansive and should promote the growth of mortal mind out of itself, out of all that is mortal.”  On page 216 of Miscellany you can read a letter she wrote to the Busy Bees, the children’s group who had collected their pennies to contribute to the Mother’s Room and the flower fund of the original Mother Church building.  In the letter she asks the children to disband their organization and in its place to start saving their money to pay for their own future “school education.”  She also established a fund to be distributed among the all the children who followed her request. 

 

When we “commit our works unto the Lord” — look for ways to use our education  for the love of mankind and for the glory of God — our prayers bring the needed  inspiration, persistence, opportunity, and wisdom to complete our work and bless the world.  You can read a wonderful example of this on page 10 of the Christian Science Sentinel for February 19, 2007.  The article tells how David Rowland a Christian Scientist who studied at The Cranbrook Academy of Art, a noted graduate school, created the award winning and problem solving 40/4 chair, through his desire to bless his family and supported by his conviction that “the idea came from God.”   Study, commit to God, & bless.  

 

Section 1: God, Mind, is All-in-all.  The Bible citations in this section provide a beautiful description of the majesty of Mind.  Hymn 275 is the perfect prayer of praise to this Mind that we can take with us through our work for today: “Praise now creative Mind, Maker of earth and heaven;  Glory and power to Him belong, Joy of the sun and skies, Strength where the hills arise, So let us praise with joy and song.” 

 

Look at the universe that surrounds you to discover your relationship to Mind.  The planets revolve around the sun and rely on the sun for light and heat.  What would the earth be without the sun?  Frozen, dark, and useless.  Mrs. Eddy points out, “Suns and planets teach grand lessons.” (SH 240)  She uses the relationship between the sun and the planets as a metaphor for the relationship between God, Mind and man.  “Mind,…is the central sun of its own systems of ideas, the life and light of all its own vast creation; and man is tributary to divine Mind.” (S2)  Take a closer look at the use of the word “tributary” in this sentence.  This word comes from the word “tribute” which means to show respect and to give gratitude because of worth. (Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary)  When the sun is shining we can’t help but give tribute to it.  We naturally say it and hear it said over and over, “What a beautiful day, I love the sunshine!”  Even though Mind is not seen with the eye like the sunshine is, we can bring “tribute” to Mind.  We can say and know, “How glorious and perfect Mind is, I am in the presence of Mind, how wonderful and joyous to rely on Mind’s ideas!”  Praise now creative Mind!

 

Section 2: Trust in God even when unexpected events cause you to take a detour.  Divine Mind will give you guidance, keep you safe, and provide a way for you to succeed.  Joseph not only had an amazing coat — he had an amazing life!  If you’re looking for a role-model, study Joseph’s life story. 

 

In this section we learn that Joseph’s happy, well-favored life suddenly takes an unexpected turn.  He’s thrown into a pit, sold as a slave, and  taken to a foreign country to work as a servant.  It could have been tempting to react to these events in a negative way with sadness, frustration, or anger.  He could have given up all hope of ever having any good in his future.  Joseph didn’t do this though, he must have had a strong conviction that God, good was the only power.  If he had agreed with sadness and frustration he would have been giving in to the idea that evil could overpower good. His life was proof that evil, no matter how awful it appears to be, has no power.  “Evil is a negation, because it is the absence of truth.”(S7)  Joseph trusted in the power of God and was able to go forward with his life, being true to himself and to God.(see Hymn 20)  Instead of wallowing in self-pity he put the qualities of Mind to work right where he was.  The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible points out the qualities  Joseph expressed that resulted in his success, “He is pictured as modest … hard-working, honest, wise and devoted to his superior.” To learn more about how to put the qualities of creative Mind to work in your life read the article by Bill Moody on page 8 of the February 19, 2007 Christian Science Sentinel.  Embrace the Christ-like qualities that Joseph valued and you will find the seeds of wisdom and usefulness sprouting in your own life.   

 

Section 3: How to win in a “no-win” situation. Have you ever been in a no -win situation?  If you find yourself in one. let the Golden Rule and the Ten Commandments be your guides. That’s what Joseph did.  Joseph had risen to the position of “overseer” in Potiphar’s household, a position of impressive stature for a slave. (B7)   Yet his trials were not over.  Potiphar’s wife tempts him to betray his master. (B9)   If Joseph agrees to his master’s wife’s request, he would be breaking the Golden Rule and a number of the Commandments.  If he refuses, he has refused a request of the master’s wife and her anger could cause him trouble.  Joseph chooses to follow the sound moral guidance that he has always depended on.  By making this choice he has the security of being true to God, good.  He may loose his position, but he won’t loose the one thing that has always protected him and given him good guidance.  Joseph does lose his position and is put in prison.  But God makes him prosper even in prison.(B9)

 

There is only one Mind and you reflect this Mind.  Because of this you can always determine what is right and do what is right, even in a no-win situation.  “To hold yourself superior to sin, because God made you superior to it and governs man, is true wisdom.” (S11)  Be wise – let the Golden Rule and the Ten Commandments be your guides.       

 

Section 4: Concerned about the future?  Divine Mind already includes every right idea you’ll ever need.  Joseph used his mental abilities to interpret dreams while in prison.  This provided him with the unique opportunity that got him out of prison.  Joseph understood that the ability to interpret dreams was not his personal ability.  He said, “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”(B12)  Joseph identified God, Mind as the source of all knowing.  When he was appointed to oversee a massive 14 year long famine relief effort, he must have know Mind would give him the wisdom he would need to succeed.  His work was a success and the country was saved from disaster.

 

Like Joseph, you too, are always in the presence of the “…Mind who understands all things…” (S16)  You can depend upon this Mind to give you the inspiration you need, now and in the future.  Would you like your opportunities to grow?  Remember, your talents, no matter how humble they might seem, come from the divine Mind.  Be generous and use your talents to help others. Then, new and expansive opportunities will come your way.  Depend on Mind today and your future work is sure to be a success!

 

Section 5: The wisdom to forgive.  When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt the second time to buy corn, Joseph tenderly reveals himself to them and forgives them.  He was convinced that the events of his life were the unfolding of God’s plan to save his family and thousands of others from starvation.(B16) He had depended on the one Mind for guidance, inspiration, and intelligence, throughout his winding life-journey.  Joseph had found that all he needed to have in order to have a good life were the ideas of Mind, God’s thoughts.  He knew that neither his brother’s actions — nor anyone else’s actions — could separate him from God’s thoughts.  He also had the humility to realize that he was not the only one who had access to God’s thoughts, to this universal outpouring of divine Love.  He saw that his brother’s lives were also the outcome of God’s thought, pure and blameless. As Mrs. Eddy tells us, “Man is the expression of God’s being.” (S22)

 

When we forgive others, recognize their oneness with divine Mind, we free ourselves from the burden of a false belief in a Mind separate from God. (S 20)  Free yourself and others from the burden of belief in many minds, have the wisdom to forgive.      

 

Section 6: Mind the only medicine.  “Wilt thou be made whole?”  Jesus asked the man waiting at the pool of Bethesda.  In answer to Jesus’ question. the man explains exactly why he believes he will not be healed.  Yet, minutes later he is completely healed, standing and walking on his own legs that have been useless for thirty-eight years.(B18)  Jesus’ thought was not bound by the belief that this man’s only chance of healing was to be immersed in the pool, neither did he accept any other matter based thoughts about the man.  Jesus had the spiritual conviction that there was not anything outside of the man or within the man that could prevent him from being healed.  The thought of Jesus was powerful because it was in line with the truth of being, the actual reality of all things.  As Mrs. Eddy explains, “By lifting thought above error, or disease, and contending persistently for truth, you destroy error.” (S26) 

 

Section 7: It’s never too late for progress.  Infinite is the key word.  God’s thoughts are infinite — “If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.” (B21)  These thoughts are the source and impetus of all progress.  Could a problem be too complex to be solved by infinite Mind?  Absolutely not.  Is it possible to have become too old or for it to be too late for God’s thoughts to transform our thinking?  No.  The infinite Mind has no limitations.  Go ahead, develop yourself, rise higher and higher.  You’re an infinite idea.  You have a boundless basis – the infinite thoughts of God.  (S29)

Camp Director’s Note: The above sharing is the latest in a series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. This document is intended to initiate further study as well as to encourage the application of ideas found in the Weekly Bible Lessons as printed in the Christian Science Quarterly and as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms. * Originally sent JUST 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 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 in the books. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension, background and daily applicability to some of the ideas and passages being studied. 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.)  Spirituality is your innate estate that connects you moment by moment with God.  (See S&H 258:30) Christ is the gift of light that Jesus gave.  This Christ light of spiritual understanding comes with and reveals infinite blessings. So, have fun unwrapping and cherishing your very special, spiritual gift(s)!  Then, wherever you are, share them with all as big blessings that make the Infinite difference!

 
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Camp Director     director@cedarscamps.org     (636) 394-6162
CedarS Camps Office (where you can now mail requests or support till the office moves back to camp in May)
1314 Parkview Valley
Manchester, MO 63011

The weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff blessed each summer at CedarS, as well as to CedarS alumni, families and friends who have requested it.  However, current and planned giving contributions are a big help and are greatly appreciated in defraying the costs of running this service and of providing needed camperships, programs and operations support. Click http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving for more about how you can provide support online or to get information or discuss privately how to make a special gift to help perpetuate CedarS work.
You can also just mail your tax-deductible support to:
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Another new, visually-oriented and very helpful resource for study of the weekly Bible Lesson is being produced by The Christian Science Publishing Society and can be found at:myBibleLesson.com.  What a great auxiliary to lesson study– maybe from a handsome set of new student books now sold in Reading Rooms! MyBibleLesson contains word definitions, Bible background, timelines and translations, plus many healing ideas to use.  Why not check out this effort to help bring to life each beloved Bible lesson in order to bless the youthful thinker and Sunday School student (and teacher) in us all! or copy and paste this link into your browser.

 

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