Have a Heavenly Father’s Day! Every day!
Application Ideas on " Is the Universe, Including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?"
(Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson for June 18, 2006)
by Merrill Boudreaux, (St. Louis, MO)
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.
Golden Text
In certain parts of the world this Sunday, June 18th, is celebrated as Father’s Day. What a fitting opportunity for us to acknowledge and proclaim the one true Father of us all who “…hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.” This would indicate the immensity of God’s creation, the universal scope that is all inclusive with no “stars” left out. In looking at the vast number of stars in the night sky (that are especially visible at CedarS), pause and reflect on the power of the Creator, not only to make so many stars, but also on the uniqueness of each, and on the fact that they are all maintained by the Creator. This lesson is a natural follower to the past two weeks’ lessons of God as the only Cause/Creator and of God as Preserver of all that God made.
Responsive Reading
As we acknowledge our earthly dads for all they do when caring for their families, let us also be mindful of the One God, Our Heavenly Father, the Father of us all, and the works He has done for His children everyday for all time: He laid out the entire universe, He gives light to shine on the night and on the day, He makes beings of all sorts and honors each one – that means you – as significant, as necessary for God to be fully expressed. It is significant that he did and does this from His Own Being with no aid from anyone else. As we thank our earthly dads let us also praise God, our heavenly Father for His works, for His goodness, for all that He has done for us, for He is ever mindful of us.
Section One The Bible
This section opens with God providing light, a necessity to illuminate the universe of God’s creating. God does not need the light but we do. We need the light to shine in our hearts to reveal to us that which God has done. In this glorious light we can see all the hues of color and the divine details that are hidden in the dark. As God’s work appears to us we may be witnesses of that work and pass along the knowledge of it, gratitude for it, speaking of it from one generation to another, both in hushed tones of awe and in shouts of joy for His majesty.
Section One Science and Health
Science and Health reminds us that which appears to the eyes is representative of the idea behind it. These ideas were born of God, and are obedient to God, the Mind that made them. As such they dwell together in harmony, are ordered by their Common Creator, who continues to speak to each of us, reminding each of us of our spiritual nature. Because of this spiritual nature anything unlike Spirit, unlike Good, unlike God is precluded, has no existence, is unknown.
Section Two The Bible
Now that we can see that which God has made, including ourselves, Section Two is about speech. The voice of God uttereth itself and all hear that voice. It speaks both as thunder, saying to us pay attention to the majesty around you: great mountains, might rivers, immensity of stars at night. God’s voice also speaks in hushed tones of quiet mornings when nature awakes, the birds sing, the mist rises off the lake, the sunlight peeks over the hillside. CONSIDER IT! Silence the noise of too busy lives, pause, meditate on the works of God’s hands, be inspired in your inward parts.
Section Two Science and Health
And in this considering of what God has done, revealed in your daily experiences; permit, allow the natural order of the universe to come into your life. There are not two universes in competition with each other – one material and the other spiritual. There are not two God’s – one material and the other spiritual. There are not two men – one material and the other spiritual. Therefore God, man, and the universe has only one nature and that one is spiritual. Any other suggestion is speculative, theoretical, impossible.
Section Three The Bible
Now that we have the light to see the universe which God has made, and have heard the revelatory voice of God, the next practical step is application of this knowledge. Move from the base of theory to demonstration. So we have the wonderful story of the widow woman. Her husband, a student of Elisha, had borrowed money, pledged his sons to work it off if he couldn’t pay it, and because he has passed away and the time for paying the debt is past, the only option appears to be that the sons should leave their mother and go into servitude. But Elsha, on whom the mantle of Elijah now rests, knows something of the spiritual nature of all things, knows something of the order of the universe, knows something of the balance between needs and needs met. So Elisha turns the thought of the widow woman away from the only apparent outcome to look within. “…what has thou in the house?” II Kings 4: 2 (what hast), House may be defined as consciousness. What has thou in consciousness, in thy thinking? Remember what you have seen and heard. See the fullness of God at hand. Take that which you have on hand and use it. Be satisfied. Satisfy the fear. God does not fail. You, God’s beloved child, cannot fail.
Section Three Science and Health
This is but one scriptural account assuring us of God’s promises which annul the theory of competing universes, annuls the theory of competing ideas with some who dominate and others who must submit. These scriptural accounts turn us to One God, One Mind, Universal Goodness, a balance in the universe, because “Love is impartial and universal in its adaptations and bestowals.” Look, hear, understand and have proof in your life that you, like the widow woman and her sons, are ever-sustained by God. All your needs are met. What other logical conclusion can there be?
Section Four The Bible
Do you believe that which is previously stated in this lesson?
Do you believe the eyewitness accounts shared with you?
Can that which you have seen, heard, understood, sustain you?
For Certain!
God’s angels, divine messages are given today as in days past to you “Most excellent Theophilus.” Theophilus, from the Greek, is defined as “lover or friend of God.” So Theophilus could refer to you and all who are lovers or friends of God. Certainly Mary is one who is a significant example of one who loved God, who heard the angel voice. What was told to her is a magnificent thing: “Hail thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” Luke 1:28. Mary, a virgin, will give birth to the Messiah. Mary accepted this role. God was glorified in her, in her son Jesus, and God is glorified in you. The “Magnificat” or song of praise from Mary can be words on our lips today:
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he that is might hath done for me great things;
And holy is his name.” Luke 1: 46-49 (My)
Section Four Science and Health
This accepting of God in our lives links us with other witnesses who were also certain that divine law silences the belief in a theoretical, generational law based on life in matter. Mary’s illumined spiritual sense is a way marker for all who desire to demonstrate “…that God is the only author of man.” S&H 29:16 (that). Not material evolution, but spiritual revelation is the significance here.
Section Five The Bible
God With Us: seen, heard, understood, and demonstrated in our individual lives links us with Jesus’ disciples and certainly it can be said of us that we Heal the sick,
Cleanse the lepers,
Raise the dead,
Cast out demons:
Freely you have received, freely give Matthew 10:8
Peter also showed that disease or sickness has no history. It doesn’t matter if the claim of sickness or sin is brief or prolonged, one minute or many years, the power of God is at hand. Man’s abilities do not diminish over time, for man is whole, intact, sustained in his relationship with God. “Power belongeth to God” and so by reflection belongeth to you.
Section Five Science and Health
Certainly one can take a stand for that which is true. As followers of Christ Jesus, we, too, are his disciples. Discipleship is not theoretical, but practical. Discipleship crosses all generations, crosses all time periods, and the rights of discipleship will always exist, and are yours today, will be yours tomorrow, and forever. A key right of discipleship is to discipline thought. Be on guard as to what is being let into thought. Attain and entertain the divine concept. Being a porter at the door of thought is an active job, a 24-7 job, but oh, what results: suffering ceases, disease is eliminated, harmony reigns, life, not death, is the norm.
Section Six The Bible
Yeah!!!!! The kingdom of God is at hand and within you, outside of you, all around you, and fills the universe. NOW. Make a joyful noise to the Lord in your lives. Don’t hold back in your praise. Let the natural exuberance flow from you, the one who knows God and is known by God. PRAISE HIM every moment.
Section Six Science and Health
Come let us reason this out together: Our Father, One God, is creator of the universe. He reigns, fills all space, precludes sin, sickness, and death, has made each of us in His image and likeness, imbues us each with the power of discipleship, crosses all generations, all times, is present today as much as ever, and none of the powers of this Creator can be diminished.
Welcome the light! Welcome and obey the voice of your Heavenly Father today and every day! Receive the understanding in your hearts and in your minds. Practice practical Christian Science.
Camp Director’s Note: The above sharing is the latest in a long 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. B1and 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.)
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Director director@cedarscamps.org
CedarS Camps Office
1314 Parkview Valley
Manchester, MO 63011
(636) 394-6162
