He’s got the whole world in His hand, including you, me and Christian Science!

He's got the whole world in His hand, including you, me and Christian Science!

Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for June 21-27, 2010-“Christian Science”

Prepared by Rick Stewart, C.S.   Dresden, Germany

[Editor's Note: The following application ideas for this week, and the 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 each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French thanks to Pascal, in Spanish thanks to Ana or in German thanks to Helga. YOU CAN SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]

Dear Campers, Staff, Families, and Supporters,

Welcome to Cedars!

The same thing that has brought you and me to be a part of the CedarS adventure this year is what inspired Camp Founder, Ruth Huff, to begin this camp.  It is the Love of God, inspiring, leading, protecting, and keeping us and all that we do “in His hand.”

 

And that is the beautiful promise we find in the Golden Text from this week's Bible Lesson on Christian Science: Eccl. 9:1 ….”All this I considered in my heart even to declare all this that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God.”

 

Isn't it cool to remember that the same thing that kept the works of Christ Jesus in God's hand also keeps you and all that you do in God's hand.  Being kept means being taken care of, protected, cherished, preserved.  And you will find that throughout the Bible the “hand of God,” has great significance.  The right hand of a ruler was always viewed as a place of great authority, so when we read about the “right hand of God,” we know it references all the power of God.  The “hand of God” is often in reference to the actions of God, and this hand of God is related to the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, or divine Science.  So to know that our lives and our actions are held tight in the divine Science of Being.  As Mrs. Eddy says in Miscellaneous Writings:

 

“Christian Science refutes everything that is not a postulate of the divine Principle, God.  It is the soul of divine philosophy, and there is no other philosophy.  It is not a search after wisdom, it is wisdom:  it is God's right hand grasping the universe, – all time, space, immortality, thought, extension, cause, and effect; constituting and governing all identity, individuality, law, and power.”  (364:10)

 

Throughout this week's Bible Lesson we can think of all the references to God's law and power as examples of what we know as Christian Science as revealed to earlier prophets.

 

And the theme for all our great times at CedarS this summer, “Leaning with meaning” is based on the first words that the Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote in our Christian Science textbook, “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings.” Preface, page vii.

 

Isn't it great to remember that the same thing that has brought you and  me to CedarS is exactly what brought the Camp Founder, Ruth Huff  to this wonderful and adventurous idea.  As a little girl Ruth received a promise, she was inspired with the idea of founding a camp.  And this camp is not only a place for spiritual discovery and practice of Christian Science, but a place to have fun.  I love to hear the statement, “If you are not having fun demonstrating Christian Science, then you are not doing it right.”

 

Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “We always know where to look for the real Scientist and always find him there.  I agree with the Rev. Dr. Talmadge, that “there are wit, humor, and enduring vivacity among God's people.” Miscellaneous Writings, page 117

 

So let's have fun with the Bible Lesson this week, let's have fun with camp, and let's have fun with our theme for this summer, “Leaning with meaning.”  And as we study the lesson let's be reminded that we are always, always “in God's hand.”

 

Responsive Reading: Psalm 19 introduces us to the poetry, beauty, and power of God.  Whether read in English or in Hebrew, Psalm 19 is known for its beautiful poetry and contains a very powerful message. The writer C.S. Lewis (Author of Chronicles of Narnia and many other works) said concerning Psalm 19, “I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.”

 

This Psalm also makes use of two names, concepts, or expressions of the nature of the Almighty.  The first section of the Psalm uses the word, “God” for the Almighty and tells of the “heavens declaring God's glory.”  The second section refers to “the Lord” and references the Hebrew “Torah,” or “law.”  In reading this Psalm as our Responsive Reading and introduction to the Bible Lesson I found myself thinking of the absolute, universal “Science” of the universe that is not known through human language, but through the silent to the senses, voice of God.  And the second section as this voice of God, brought to humanity through law and statutes and as applied to the human condition.  As in the terms, Divine Science, the universal, eternal “laws of Life, Truth, and Love,” and Christian Science, the Science of Being as it relates to humanity.

 

Section 1: Solomon's asks for wisdom, not riches, and get's both.

Citation B-2:  I do not think of myself as a great dream interpreter.  But I have found about my dreams, that so often they grow out of something that I have just experienced, or something that I have been thinking a lot about.  So I find it interesting to think of Solomon communicating with God in his dream as perhaps a result of what he had been thinking about when he was awake.  He had been trying to figure out how he could do a good job as King when he considered himself just like a kid.  His answer came that it was the “wisdom” of God that would allow him to rule as a good king.  And that wisdom was what Solomon was famous for, see I Kings 3.

 

B- 3 Solomon later wrote in the book of Proverbs, “wisdom is the principle (main) thing, therefore get wisdom.”

 

S- 1,2,3,4   These citations tell us how we can also find the source of wisdom.

 

S-2 Mrs. Eddy tells of her “discovery” of the Christ Science or “divine laws of Life, Truth, and Love.”   As Noah, Johann, and I prepare to fly to America and to CedarS, the boys have been thinking about discoveries they made last year.  Johann asked me about one of those discoveries. “Papa, can we go to “that restaurant.”  Well, I knew the one he meant.  Last year at the invitation of friends we went to a restaurant that was a steak house chain and transformed itself into a incredible buffet restaurant.  It was a discovery of a restaurant that is like nothing we have in Germany.  We do not own the restaurant, we did not create or invent it, but when we discovered it, we sure enjoyed its contents.  Mrs. Eddy did not invent, create, or dream up, Christian Science.  But she discovered it, shared its yummies with others, and millions have been enjoying its delicious and helpful truths for 150 years.  Let's step up to the buffet in this week's lesson; it will “feed the famished affections” as does all the “grub” at CedarS.  (S&H 17:5) Speaking about “food” at CedarS, be sure and ask Warren or Mrs. Huff about the story of finding CedarS' first cook!

 

Section 2: Divine Science, “God's hand” and “mighty arm.”

The laws of God and His government of the universe is the Science we love to learn about.  It is through learning of these laws and living them in daily life, that we understand more of this Science.  But it is not necessarily up to us; God leads us, and gives us opportunities to see this “hand” in action. 

 

B-9  “Practice not profession…”  A topic that often comes up in our family is about “profession.”  This word here does not refer to someone's job, but rather to one's profession of faith.  You know, are you a Baptist, a Methodist, a Presbyterian, a Catholic, a Jew, a Protestant, a Christian Scientist?  In Germany it is usually more simple since there are two state religions, Catholic or Evangelisch (Lutheran.)  Other churches do exist here, but officially these churches are the two biggies.  My kids from Susanne's side are the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren of Evangelische pastors and choir directors.  On my side they are kids, grand-kids, and great-great grandsons and daughters of Christian Science practitioners and Christian Church and Scottish Presbyterians.  And Noah is going to a Catholic high school.  So the other day at the table Johann asked, What am I?  Am I Evangelische, Catholic or what?  I said, “Well, kind of “what.” 

 

But then that evening we got our answer through “practice!”  Johann was using some “kuntstoff kleber”, we used to call it “airplane glue,” it is that stinky stuff you build models with.  Well, evidently he was squeezing the bottle trying to get some out, but there was a blockage.  Suddenly the glue squirted out of the bottle onto Johann's hair, on the blanket, and what seemed the great challenge, into his eyes.  I put him in the bathtub to wash the glue out if possible. As the water ran we were searching what to do.  It seemed clear that we needed to flush out the glue, and at the same time I was praying to flush out the fear.  Susanne read the back of the bottle for instructions.  And then she remembered an emergency room specializing in kids and eye situations.  We agreed she would drive him there immediately.  He was no longer in any pain, the burning had stopped and we were returning to a calmer atmosphere. 

 

While Susanne and Johann were gone, Noah, took Science and Health and began to read out loud, in German and English. We also read several Psalms from the Bible.  As he read I prayed and listened.  He then opened the hymn book and found a super hymn full of comfort and power.  We called a Christian Science practitioner to support our prayers.

 

Johann was in comfort from the first.  The examination confirmed that all was well.  And although I thought we would be cutting Johann's hair in the morning, Susanne found that once the glue was dry she could just comb the glue out. 

 

The “hand of the Lord,” the Science of the Christ ruled the day, and declared harmony where accident claimed to rule.

 

Who we are and were was demonstrated by “practice” not “profession.”  As Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

 

Section 3: Search the scriptures, biblical basis of  Christian Science

 The Discoverer of Christian Science writes in the Tenets of Christian Science (main points) “As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.” S&H page 497

 

This section makes clear the great importance of the Scriptures, the Holy Bible, to Christian Science and to Christian Scientists.

 

While at CedarS this summer we can all enjoy and learn from the new Bible Lands Park project.  We can let the stories of the Bible Lands come to life as we explore this wonderful new addition to CedarS.  Like Daniel below we will all be “by the river.”

 

B-10 Daniel is by the river, Hiddekel (see S-11 “Hiddekel (river) Divine Science understood and acknowledged.”)  He is touched by a “hand” (the Holy Spirit, Divine Science) that puts him on his knees and the palms of his hands.  And then he receives wonderful assurances to not be afraid, that his words were heard from the first day he set his heart to understand God, and he is told that he should look to the scriptures.

 

B- 11, 12 These citations encourage to look to the Scriptures (the Bible) for understanding.

 

S – 10, 11, 12, 13, 14   Here we learn of Mrs. Eddy's looking to the Scriptures to understand her discovery and the result was demonstration, healing and understanding. 

 

S-14 The Biblical basis of Christian Science and its demonstration is made clear.

 

Section 4: The Word of God expressed in creation

If we agree to trust the Scriptures then there comes a moment of truth when we must decide, “do I accept that God made all that was made, and that it must express the nature of the Creator?”

 

B-14 “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all”

B-15   “All things were made by him: and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

S-19   “When we learn the way in Christian Science and recognize man's spiritual being, we shall behold and understand God's creation….”

 

In camp and wherever you are, we choose to acknowledge God's creation and His harmonious control of that creation.  All creation is in God's hand.  All creation has a harmonious and useful function.  There are and can be no conflicts between ideas that have been created by the same Mind.  “All of God's creatures moving in the harmony of Science are harmless, useful, and indestructible.”  S&H 514:28

 

All elements, all ideas in God's creation are held “in His hand.”  There is nothing to fear when God governs all harmoniously.

 

Section 5: God saw that it was good, very good, just take a look.

B-16 “God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good.”

B-17  “for he is good.”

B-18  “Good and upright is the Lord.”

B-19  “no good thing will he uphold from them that walk uprightly”

B-20  “all things work together for good”

S_20  “Everything good or worthy, God made.”

S-21   “all that He has made is pronounced by His wisdom good.”

S-22   “no longer imagine evil to be ever-present and good absent…”

S-23   “the entireness of God, good, and the nothingness of evil.”

S-24   “that good can never produce evil…”

S-25   “All that is made is the work of God, and all is good.”

 

Every mom and dad understands the powerful tool of turning a little one away from the suggestive picture of an injury.  Sometimes there are no tears, suddenly the blood appears, and the flood comes, “I'm bleeding.”  But we don't just have to rely on age-old techniques like “counter-irritants,” distracting thought, etc.  We can actually turn to the ever-presence of divine Goodness.

 

Years ago I was in Arequipa, Peru.  I was on lecture tour, and almost always living with families.  I ate everything that was set before me with gratitude.  But one day my body was trying to say I had made a mistake.  I had eaten something that left me with excruciating pain.  And the temptation was to believe reports about being careful of what one eats in other parts of the world.

 

But I knew I had been about doing good.  I knew I was surrounded by good in the home of my hosts.  How could I believe in the power of “bad,” bad food, bad hygiene, bad environmental conditions, etc.  So I chose to believe in Good and not bad.  And the result was a healing I have never forgotten.  One moment I appeared in excruciating pain, in the presence of disease, and the next moment I was perfectly fine.

 

It did not end there.  A few months later I was on a panel discussion lecture with two ministers from other denominations.  In the midst of the lecture, the Baptist minister declared firmly, “You know I think we spend way too much time with the second chapter of Genesis.  It is almost like we forget that there is a Genesis 1 where God saw all that He had made and it was very good.”

 

I wish you could have seen the expressions on the faces of the Christian Scientists in the audience.  It was like they couldn't believe what they were hearing direct from the mouth of a Baptist preacher.  (Let's not forget we read the same Bible!)

 

After the lecture I had a good talk with that minister.  He was very interested in hearing that I had been one year in South America on a lecture tour.  He told me he had been in South America for eight days on a mission, returned home, and for eight months had been suffering from acute intestinal problems.  I told him about my healing, referred to what he had declared about First Genesis, and affirmed that I knew he could expect immediate healing.  And I trust that the Good he knew and understood did bring that healing.

 

Section 6: We are in the “hand” of God's thoughts, God's Mind, just like Christ Jesus

The wonderful conclusion to this week's lesson bring us right into the loving thoughts, the Mind of God.   Living in the “hand of God,” becomes even more practical and protective as we realize we live in Mind's atmosphere, Mind's love, Mind's creation.

 

B-21  God's wonderful thoughts toward us and His law within our heart.

B-22  Let this Mind be in you

B-23 Healing of the blind and dumb so that he spake and saw….what was this evidence of, “the kingdom of God is come unto you.”

B-24 “all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works are in the hand of God:  (The Golden Text revisited !!)

 

S-26  “All is under the control of the one Mind.”

 

Years ago my brother, Scott, had been taken to a hospital following an automobile accident.  He was in the intensive care unit.  My family gathered–his wife, my mom and dad, and myself.  We had not yet seen Scott, but we were all praying.  I called my Christian Science teacher to back up our work.  First my sister-in-law Suzanne was allowed to go in to visit Scott.  And little while later I was allowed in.  Now I was really praying and knowing that all our prayers would be effective in helping Scott.  As I walked into the ICU a nurse passed me and gruffly said, “Well, he won't even know you are there.  He is just mumbling incoherently.”  Her comment did not help much and especially when I got to Scott's bedside and saw that she may have been right.  He was mumbling, but as I got close to his bed I discovered that his “mumbling” could hardly be called, incoherent.  Scott was repeating the Scientific Statement of Being.

 

In that moment I knew, I knew that it is not just us “trying” to be conscious of God.  God is conscious of us, or more correctly God is our consciousness.  We let that Mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus.  We are the individual, unique, protected, and cherished idea of God.  We are, as this week's Bible Lesson shows, “in God's hand.”  When I came out of the ICU I called my teacher and asked is she could specifically work for Scott also.  I told her of his declarations.  She immediately agreed to pray for Scott.  And five days later Scott walked out of the hospital.  He walked out without having to go through the life-threatening brain surgery that had been planned.  And some months later he went through Christian Science class instruction with my teacher. 

 

Is Christian Science still healing?  Well of course it is. It is the very law of Life, Truth and Love.  It is God's right hand grasping the universe.  And as our Golden Text tells us, “….all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works are in the hand of God.”

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[CedarS weekly Metaphysical Newsletters are provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff who were blessed last summer at CEDARS–as well as to thousands of CEDARS alumni, families, Sunday School teachers and friends who request it, or who find it weekly on our website or through CS Directory.  But, current and planned gifts are much-needed: to cover the costs of running this “free” service; to provide camperships for ongoing inspirational opportunities; and to complete Stages 1 & 2 of Bible Lands Park (BLP)
Your support is always tax-deductible and welcomed–but during the economic downturn, your help has been and continues to be especially needed and appreciated!

 
Our top need is to put our efforts and money where our mission is–by raising–and spending–significant dollars to underwrite camperships for hundreds of campers now applying for aid.

 
CedarS 2^nd Session, June 27-July 10 has only a few bunks left, but several of our 5 later sessions and programs still have room. (A first-time i-Songs Camp by Desireee Goyette for inspirational songwriting and singing will be amazing!)  Please help us tell any and all Christian Science Sunday School students and families who you know that there will be plenty of funds available to help them to have their own CedarS Camps spiritual-growth-experience this summer! (Adults are especially welcome at our Midwest Bible Conference, Sept. 16-19, 2010!)  

To support CedarS work you can make a charitable donation to our 501C-3 tax-exempt, charitable organization:

1)  Thank you for considering writing a monthly check payable to CedarS Camps and mailing it to: CedarS Camps, 19772 Sugar Drive, Lebanon, MO 65536;
or

2)  Thank you for calling Warren or Gay Huff at (636) 394-6162 to charge your gift or to authorize an automatic monthly charge using a Visa or Mastercard or to discuss short-term or long-term gifts of securities or property you are considering;
or

3) CLICK HERE RIGHT AWAY TO SUPPORT CEDARS WORK with an online gift using PayPal.com, which can be funded using a Visa or Mastercard account.]

 

[Camp Director's Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 10-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 “Possible Sunday School Topics” come in a subsequent email.) 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” 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 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 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-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (S-1 thru S-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 the 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, Executive Director   director@cedarscamps.org    (636) 394-6162