Ken’s “POETIC POSTLUDE” shares Bible EXAMPLES of THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING HEALING PRESENCE AND PEACE OF GOD.

Ken Cooper’s “POETIC POSTLUDE” shares Bible EXAMPLES of THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING HEALING PRESENCE AND PEACE OF GOD.
inspired by The Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
For Sunday, December 25th, 2022

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS
AND A LIFE FULL OF PEACE.

• In Ken’s shared Christian Science Journal poem “CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PRACTICE” we learn the practical importance and restful joy of letting One Mind be so expressed
• In Ken’s shared Christian Science Sentinel article “I AM THAT I AM”  see Christian Science as the Word of God to us all: Omniscience Omnipotence, Omnipresence, – the definition of supreme peace.
•  In Ken’s poem, “POWER IS OF GOD”, read by Sue, a woman is healed of an infirmity thought to be incurable, giving great joy, -she witnesses the power and peace of Love.
  

  ---

[Ken writes:] “How beautiful that Christmas Day should be blessed with the lesson sermon on Christian Science, – the marriage of Science and Religion, forever inseparable, the practical recognition and proof of “I AM THAT I AM”. Christianity and Science are inextricably together.  Present perfection. Perfection is untainted, once perfect, always perfect. It is not possible to move towards perfection because that leaves an imperfect past. A law that was not complete. The Word of God that in the beginning wasn’t quite right!!!!  Science without Law is impossible, and everything is subject to that law. . I like to think of LAW as “Love Always Wins.”

The Golden Text states: “Great peace is experienced all the time by those who love and follow Thy Law: nothing shall ever worry them, get in their way or cause them to stumble.” and  “I long for Your salvation, dear Lord. Meanwhile, Your law (love) remains in my every thought and brings me great joy and delight.” As Mary Baker Eddy says, “The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love” S&H 113:5-6.

LOVE AND PEACE ARE INSEPARABLE.

The Responsive Reading includes verses from Isaiah 52, and the following from that chapter indicate the message of Christian Science, – a message that brings “great joy and delight”, the proof of Love:

“Awake, Get up! Dress in your strength, put on the beautiful garments of Zion and be glorious once more. The unclean will never enter again. (No disease).

Shake off the dust and dirt! Get completely rid of the Adam-dream! Get up and take your royal seat, be enthroned and at one with God. Lose all the chains that have ever bound you. Be free oh daughter of Zion! (No matter).

How beautiful it is to see those messengers (angels) coming down from the mountains with their good news, a message about universal peace! How wonderful it is when they bring the good tidings that we are saved! How wonderful when they say to the whole of Zion, “Your God reigns and is in full control!”

Oh Jerusalem!, break forth into joy for God is with you right now!  You don’t have to live in these ruins ever again! Join in the singing. The Lord has given comfort to his people; he has come to your rescue, and saved you!”

 What a message to all of us! It reminds me of Revelation 21: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (verses 1,2). What joy this represents! And we find such peace when we turn from the material senses wholeheartedly to God. The Responsive Reading concludes that Love, peace, is ever surrounding us, ever with us: “Light will break out within you like the warm, golden rays of the rising sun lighting up the day; in an instant, the light of Truth will heal you, and your health will blossom forth. Your righteousness, – your close relationship with God, will precede and protect you; while the glory and greatness of God will keep watch behind you, keeping you ever safe and at peace.” (Isaiah 58:8 full verse). This is the now. “All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation”. (S&H 468:10-11).

My shared Christian Science Journal poem “CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PRACTICE”, takes on this theme:
Not what I practice but what, O God, I am,
The infinite expression of Mind made known as man.

This infinite expression of Mind is the essence of Principle, One Law. It is always at peace, for it is unthreatened. Like 2+2=4. It just is. 2+2=5 cannot touch it, has never touched it. Mind, Law, is only aware of itself, and rejoices in the truth of its being.

Mind is All, all there is that ever I can know;
So let this healing Truth through consciousness just flow.

We are the consciousness of God, the Christ within. Paul said “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5), and the sixth tenet states “… And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.” S&H(497:24 And).  Herein is true peace, and the practicality of Science..

The poem concludes:
Resting in the Mind that does whatever needs be done

I know and prove this truth: God and man are one.”

 Man is at one with God, Mind, Love, Truth, Life, all infinite qualities, all representing peace and unchallenged law.

 These infinite qualities have always existed because they represent the ETERNAL NOW of GOD. There is nothing to heal. This is a scientific fact.

In my shared Christian Science Sentinel poem, “I AM THAT I AM”  we see this Now of God, (“in the beginning was the Word”) made visible to Moses. This is such a game changer, because most religious philosophy has paradise, heaven, as due at some future time. What God says to Moses is being constantly said to us all. This poem explores the implications.

Omniscience:

Truth knowing its infinitude.

Omnipotence:

Truth proving its infinitude.

Omnipresence:

Truth, being infinite,

the only reality.

This gives a good indication of what Christian Science is all about. “Knowing”, “proving”, “being”. When we accept “I AM THAT I AM” there is nothing else, no other consciousness. In the infinity of “Omni” there is nothing else, and that means the peace of God is everywhere, that we are part of it, and “no history, no future, no time” can ever take it from us, or bring it closer. It simply IS.

What greater peace can we have than “Perfect God and perfect man”?  The full reference is “The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea, — perfect God and perfect man, — as the basis of thought and demonstration.” (S&H p. 259:11) When we understand this, demonstration follows, and we fulfill the wish of Mary Baker Eddy that we all become active healers, not just of others but also ourselves. This is the present perfect activity of I AM. It is what brings peace.

The poem concludes:

“I AM THAT I AM.
The Word of God to All.”

No one is missed out. There are no exceptions, for perfection covers everything. This is so well stated in citation S21, p. 264:24 “Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.” The indexed summary for this paragraph is “Spiritual proofs of existence”: Christian Science in action, – in which nothing is beyond help and cure. Perfect Love is shining over everything.

This leads to my final poem, “POWER IS OF GOD”, read by Sue, is an illustration of the first poem “Christian Science Practice”, of which Jesus was the Master.

Eighteen long years, each that much worse than the last,

I’m bowed down to the ground, in sickness held fast.

How often are we burdened by a false sense of history, the resignation that this is part of our life. WHAT WE THINK IS WHAT WE EXPERIENCE. How important then to take away this false sense of duality, open thought to the all-presence of God! RECOGNISE THAT WHAT WE THINK IS WHAT GOD IS KNOWING.

Deep in my consciousness I feel someone call

A nudging awareness that this wasn’t all.

When we still material thought, we let God’s angels in. We become receptive to the healing Christ. The words of Jesus are words that we can all hear, for they stand forever:

“Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.”

Freedom is the dictum of Scripture, the unfailing LAW of Love to which we are all subject.  This is the kingdom in which we live:

I’ve witnessed with joy the all-power of love,

The might of God here and not only above!

The incurable cured, and I now know for sure

That power is of God and there is nothing more!

 Knowing that the power of God is universal we can claim this healing thought for whatever situation would be trying to take away our sense of peace. Jesus proved that these are not empty promiseS, but the practical now of God’s love for man.

The last two citations for the Bible and Science and Health are perfect summaries:

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way, yes, that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him hand in hand, regardless of what life may throw at you. The Lord be tangibly with you all.” (cit. B23, 2 Thes. 3:16)

“Through divine Science, Spirit, God, unites understanding to eternal harmony. The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace.” (cit. S30, 506:10–12)

This was the scene at the nativity. Is the scene now.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A LIFE OF JOYFUL PEACE.

---

Bible verses are taken from my combined translations, a free copy of which is available on an excel spreadsheet for those who may be interested. The spreadsheet also includes a genealogy from Adam to Jesus, with related notes. Shared with love. Write to Ken on kengcooper@btinternet.com.

Copies of these poems are available in pdf format in color and B&W as DOWNLOADS at the bottom of the online version of this Poetic Prelude to this week’s Bible Lesson. The full range of Ken’s videos on YouTube can be found on KenGCooperPoetry.  All Ken’s poetry and other writings can be found on Ken Cooper Poetry.