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Lesson Application Ideas for: “Unreality” for Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2009
by Craig L. Ghislin, C.S., Glen Ellyn, IL [with bracket italics by Warren Huff]
[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 from Pascal or in Spanish from Ana. JUST SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]
In the last section of this week’s Lesson Mary Baker Eddy instructs us to “look where we would walk” (S-27). Where are you looking? Where do you look for your help, satisfaction, entertainment, peace, and health? The world holds very strong images before our eyes all the time. Irrespective of culture, we’re bombarded with images in the various media vying for attention. These images are sometimes promising, and sometimes threatening; sometimes attractive, and sometimes repulsive. But whatever the case, it seems nearly impossible to get away from them.
The Golden Text frankly asks, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?” The question in context specifically focuses on the fleeting aspects of material riches, but the point is clear. Why waste your time seeking that which has no value-that which is unreal? Looking on “that which is not” is looking at an illusion. Illusions can appear to be fascinating, but they are always unreal.
In the Responsive Reading the psalmist pledges to keep his eyes “toward the Lord.” He knows God will free him from the net-“the entanglements and perplexities of trouble and sin” (Dummelow). The net is a metaphor for a trap used to catch animals. Traps usually have some sort of bait to lure the creature. They are a benign illusion with a malicious intent. All those images the world parades before our eyes are the bait. They often appear harmless and sometimes even helpful, but they’re not. If our eyes are open to the wondrous law of God, our way will be lit and we are able to see through the bait to the traps below. The word of God is a light to our path. The precepts of God guide us safely to see through the propaganda of unreality.
Section 1: Get Up to the Mountain and Look Outward and Upward
Which gives a fuller view? Lying down on your stomach in a hayfield? Or standing on the top of a mountain? You might see some interesting things in the hay, but you will certainly miss the bigger picture. Even standing up in the hayfield will give you a broader perspective than lying down. The prophets had a higher view. Isaiah urges his listeners to get up “into the high mountain” (B-1). When these words were spoken Israel was emerging from years of devastation. They needed a change of view. Of course, there’s nowhere higher to look than to God, the creator of all that is real. When God looked on His creation He saw that everything was very good (B-2). God’s creation “is precisely as he intended it…the chaos has been effectively restrained and order prevails” (Interpreter’s). There is no way God could ever behold evil or look on iniquity (B-3). “Israel is not to look for him in a world left in a state of chaos but to see him as he declares himself victorious in right action” (Ibid.).
[Hymn #444 in the new Hymnal Supplement was written by Desiree Goyette based on Isa. 45 (B-4) and contains comforting parental assurances of the allness of God and nothingness of unreality.]
So if God beholds only the good things, what is all this garbage facing us all the time? Mrs. Eddy terms it “error.” Error is an illusion – “a deceptive appearance or false show, by which a person may be deceived, or his expectations disappointed, a mockery” (Student’s Reference Dictionary). It has no creator, no foundation and “no real existence” (S-1, S-2). Only the five physical senses testify to these erroneous images. While most of the world is fixated on these illusions, and convinced of their reality, the Christian Science textbook teaches that “evil is the awful deception and unreality of existence” (S-3). It assures us that “evil is not supreme; good is not helpless.” Isn’t that great? Some might think it’s too good to be true. But think about it logically. As Mrs. Eddy teaches, there’s only one cause; therefore, there can’t be an effect from any other cause. Nothing is real unless it comes from the “great and only cause.” These unrealities seem real, but they are only illusion (S-4). They are no more than a collection of stories told to mortals by other mortals. It’s a closed system. Can you imagine living in an environment where you had no contact with the outside world? The only education you would receive would be from those also in this limited condition and you’d have no way of knowing what was outside your community. It’s kind of like the situation in Dr. Seuss’ “Horton Hears a Who.” Our Leader tells us we need to “peck open our shells with Christian Science, and look outward and upward” (S-5). The rest of this Lesson attempts to do just that. So let’s get cracking!
[Heads up for a hands-on “egg parable” in the PSST coming soon.]
Section 2: Crack the Illusory Shell of Food
The slogans read: “It’s what you crave; It’s the real thing; I’m lovin’ it,” and so on. We are faced daily with marketing campaigns aimed at getting us to consume mass quantities of food. Conversely, there are ads all over for ways to eat less and lose weight. Yet there are also thousands suffering starvation only wishing they had the luxury of turning down a juicy morsel. Whether too much, or not enough, an inordinate amount of time, thought, and energy go into the selection, procurement, preparation, and consumption of food.
The Bible clearly states that food doesn’t have the power to really satisfy our real cravings. Paul points out (B-7) that we can’t substitute views on food for “the true demands and privileges of the kingdom” (Interpreter’s). The surplus of food in some areas is answered by apparent shortages in others, but no matter what the circumstance is, God is able to supply every need for all His children (B-8). Those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” are blessed (B-9). The word translated “hunger” comes from a word meaning: “to toil for daily sustenance” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible). Jesus emphasized the process not the result. Those whose aim it is to attain righteousness are blessed for their yearning. They will be filled.
[Thank you Bible Lesson Committee for giving Sunday School teachers and students the 1st Beatitude in the lesson this week and the 1st Commandment last week! Click here to hear the “Daily Lift” from Christian Science lecturer Kevin Graunke on applying the 3rd beatitude today . See the P.S. also for how the 3rd beatitude can play a BIG, daily role in a heart-healthy diet.]
What type of sustenance do you toil for? Our textbook reminds us that “higher enjoyments alone can satisfy” our true cravings (S-6). Science and Health points out that food neither helps nor harms us, but Mrs. Eddy does not hesitate to mention that “gluttony is a sensual illusion” (S-7). While there is nothing wrong with enjoying a nice meal, we should remember to be temperate. Any expectation of sensual pleasure is a trap (S-8). We are supposed to look away from the body–not toward it. Often people feel like slaves to diet. Over-emphasis on food is a wrong desire–and looking instead to God for happiness and sustenance will help us grow spiritually (S-9). If there’s only “one real attraction” (S-10), all other attractions must be false. The real “scale” that needs attention is the one that measures our devotion to God. If we concentrate too much on the quality and quantity of material food, or if we are in honest need of nutrition, God will adjust the balance. Are you hungry? Let the “crumbs of comfort from Christ’s table” fill you (S-12). After all, it’s what you really crave.
Section 3: Destroy the Illusion of Weariness
Are you feeling kind of wiped out? What’s the remedy? The propaganda of mortal belief might suggest we reach for an energy drink, or go for a vacation, or maybe just crash and vegetate for a while. The more aggressive suggestions might even suggest medication or illicit drugs, while more subtle suggestions might suggest meditation or relaxation exercises. After all, “you deserve a break today.” The modern world has no shortage of remedies for fatigue. But why look unto that which is not?
Mortal mind laments, “I find no rest” (B-10). The psalmist looks to God as an inexhaustible source of strength (B-11). Dummelow points out that this is a morning prayer. It is reminiscent of the words of our Hymn 425 “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” The creator of all the earth is never weary. The word “creator” is “exclusively appropriated to the Divine activity” (Abingdon). The divine activity of creation is ongoing and never ending. In turn, this creative power gives power to His creation. Adults often comment when watching little children run around, “Boy, I wish I had their energy.” But even the vigor of youth will “utterly fall” while those who wait on the Lord shall have their strength renewed. They shall not faint (B-12).
One of the reasons many people are weary is because they spend their nights worrying instead of sleeping – fretting over the challenges of their lives. The Scriptures urge us to cast all our cares upon God (B-13). As Interpreter’s puts it: “Undue anxiety is to be surrendered, since God is in charge.”
Our Leader writes: “The scientific and permanent remedy for fatigue is to learn the power of Mind over the body or any illusion of physical weariness” (S-13). She explains that it isn’t the body that is tired, but mortal mind talking for it. Now this can sometimes be misapplied. Incorrect use of Mrs. Eddy’s remarks about fatigue can cause people to think that they can play all night and then use metaphysics to overcome fatigue the next day. If someone were in a situation that required them to be up working all night, they could legitimately apply these truths to give them energy for the next day. But, staying up all night to goof around and then attempting to pray your way out of it is not quite legitimate. Conversely, someone truly struggling with an inability to sleep may wrongly feel ashamed that they are tired and haven’t been successful because they feel that somehow, they need to “overcome the need for sleep.” We have a right to feel rested and energized.
If struggling with sleeplessness or fatigue, we can find comfort and assurance in the idea that “Mind is ever active, and that spiritual energies can never wear out” (S-14). Our legitimate needs for energy and refreshment are blessed by the Father and supplied by Him. A popular slogan for an energy drink is “Is it in you?” So what’s in you? “Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life…” (S-15). That’s the true source of energy and answer to fatigue. Is it in you?
Section 4: Look to God and See through the Illusion of Disease
Where do you look for healing? Do you look to medical methods and pharmaceutics? Or do you look up unto the hills, to “the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (B-14)? Over two thousand years ago, Christ Jesus said the time was at hand to repent – change your hearts and minds – and fully believe the good news. Jesus healed untold multitudes. He gave full proof of the healing power of God. Naturally, men flocked to him for help and healing (B-15). Jesus wasn’t about to let the formalism and traditionalism of his day stand in the way of healing. The Bible says he “looked with anger” (B-16) on those who would enforce rules to restrict healing. He was grieved – greatly disappointed – at their resistance to healing. Yet, he healed in spite of it all. How strong of a stand are you taking for the right to heal through spiritual means? Do you allow formalism and traditional religious or medical resistance to force you to look to anywhere other than God for your help?
Mrs. Eddy clearly understood that God never produces any deformity or illness (S-16). Jesus never obeyed error. All physical deformity and disease are no more than illusion. The good news Christ Jesus declared was our freedom from these illusions. For illusions to work, you have to be looking at them. Where are you looking? – to matter or Spirit? It is our divine right to be free from the illusions of material sense (S-17). If we focus on what the Christ is revealing to us we can see through the illusion of sickness, sin, and death (S-18). Page 495:14 is one of the best-known passages in the entire textbook. It provides us with directions on how to turn away from the illusion of material sense. If we wholeheartedly put these directions to practice, we will be formed anew.
Section 5: Look through the Illusion of Time and Aging
Speaking of being “formed anew”, consider the fixation of popular belief with staying and looking young and fit. Nearly every magazine has ads for chemicals, surgery, exercise, diet, or whatever the current “miracle break-though procedure” is to keep us young and beautiful. Mankind has long sought the fountain of youth. Is it a bad thing to be youthful and fit? Not at all, but how you go about it makes the difference. The Bible promises looking to God gives us the benefit of “youth renewed” (B-17). Paul assures us that “the inward man is renewed” daily (B-18). And the author of Ephesians (B-19) speaks of the “new man,” or as Dummelow states it, “a fresh form of humanity, after the first divine pattern.” In the book of Revelation (B-21) we have the prophecy that time itself will be no more.
Time is nothing more than a mortal measurement between events (S-21). Since time is not a constant when considering creation as a whole, true life can’t be measured by clocks or calendars (S-22). Doing so gets us into trouble. Sometimes material belief calls us too young and sometimes too old. The belief of growing old is an illusion. Mrs. Eddy tells the story (S-23) of a woman who went insane, but remained youthful-looking even into her seventies. Even though the woman was operating in an illusion of her own, she was not fixating on the passage of time. Therefore, it had little effect on her. There is a very interesting discussion regarding time and aging in an article called “Our Father’s Demand-Unself Mortality” by Paul Stark Sealy. You can find it in The Christian Science Journal, June 1975; or in The Anthology of Classic Articles, p. 75. My Sunday School teacher pointed this article out to our class when it was first published, and I’ve never forgotten it. It’s interesting to note that the author of the article wrote it when, to human sense, he was very much a “senior citizen.”
Section 6: Look through the Seen to the Unseen
Bible citation 22 contains a great promise: “thou shalt not see evil any more.” Looking at the physical world literally is looking at unreality. Paul says it’s like looking into a distorted mirror and thinking that’s the real picture (B-23). In other words, it’s a total illusion. As Christian metaphysicians, we cast our gaze beyond the things that are seen by material sense to the unseen things of Spirit.
Mrs. Eddy sums it all up by boldly instructing us to “look deep into realism instead of accepting only the outward sense of things” (S-25). That’s really a powerful directive. Look at the examples she gives of the viewpoints of two different artists (S-26) and see which one you most identify with. Many of us probably identify with a little bit with both, but the more we take the spiritual view, the easier it will be for us to see through the unreal. We’re cautioned that we are bringing out our own ideal. If we continue to waver between the two models of thought, we will constantly be swinging back and forth. To remedy this, we’re told we “MUST look beyond fading finite forms” (S-27 – emphasis added). There are several “musts” in this section including “we must look where we would walk.” Have you ever tried walking one way while looking behind you? It might work for a while, but eventually you’ll bump into or trip over something. Why do we set our eyes “upon that which is not?” One of the most interesting and frankly, very cool promises in our textbook is that as we “gain more correct views of God and man, multitudinous objects of creation, which before were invisible, will become visible.” Can we even begin to imagine what those objects of creation might be? There’s only one way to find out. So let’s set our sights beyond the limited illusions of the physical world and its shallow promises, to the infinite realm of Spirit. It promises to be one outstanding view!
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[P.S. A Bible-based, heart-healthy diet: Before your next meal, and before having seconds, please join me in a silent, or audible, grace–either of the 1st or 3rd beatitude, or of this powerful, one-liner from Psalms 22: “the meek shall eat and be satisfied.” By affirming such graces, we are pausing to put God first in thought–before the rice as in my last week’s 1st commandment “parable” (P.S.#2 from my PSST email of 9-26-09). When Jesus tells us in the 3rd Beatitude that the meek are blessed or “supremely happy”, he is building on God’s promise that “the meek shall eat and be satisfied” (Ps. 22:25). This verse ends in a biblical promise of immortality and of a spiritually-healthy heart: “your heart shall live forever.” Cobbey Crisler brought out that Jesus was giving us a big hint of how he was praying when, from the cross, he quoted the opening line of Psalm 22 (Matt. 27:46). Hebrew boys were often cued with an opening line and expected to recite the rest of the chapter from memory. The rest of that psalm contains hair-raisingly accurate prophesies of what Jesus was going through on the cross–with a greatly reassuring part near the end–“your heart shall live forever.” In the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42), Jesus voiced his resolve to do God’s will (no matter how rugged the way)–and then he proved for us that “who doth His will is satisfied” (Mary Baker Eddy poem “Satisfied” as set to music in Hymns #160, 161, 162, 447) Consider putting a sticky note on that box of gift candy “the meek shall eat and be satisfied” Ps. 22:25. With such a pause, “pressure yields to presence.” Desiree Goyette wrote this phrase in a new CedarS song about healing that’s coming out on CedarS new video. If you’d like a copy, please email us an address of where to send it in January.]
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This weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers & staff who were blessed this summer at CEDARS--as well as to thousands of CEDARS alumni, families and friends who request it, or find it weekly on our website. But, current and planned gifts are much-needed to help cover the costs of running this service and of providing camperships and otherwise-unavailable, inspirational opportunities. Your support is always tax-deductible and appreciated — but your help this year is especially precious to us! This is the ideal time before winter to do “Maintenance Must” projects such as replacing some pool and grounds-keeping equipment and plumbing fixtures, yet our 5-year grant for this has expired. So we look to God–and to friends like you–for help. You can always call Warren or Gay Huff at (636) 394-6162 to charge your gift or to discuss any short-term or long-term gift that you are considering. CLICK HERE RIGHT AWAY TO SUPPORT CEDARS WORK!
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Camp Director’s Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 9-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” come in a subsequent email.) This weekly offering 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 and background as well as new angles 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, Camp Director director@cedarscamps.org (636) 394-6162
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[P.S.S.T.-How to see with new eyes; be quicker; be more resilient; find true satisfaction and rest, dispel illusions, ….]
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson: “Unreality” for 9/28 – 10/4/09 by Merrill Boudreaux [bracketed italics by Warren Huff]
[Have students read Hymn 135, which begins, “I know no life divided, O Lord of life, from thee;”]
P.S.S.T. – Golden Text and Responsive Reading (R.R.) – What is a role model? What are the characteristics that define a role model? To whom or what should one look to follow? List who or what is stated in the RR that one should look toward or set one’s eyes upon: toward the Lord; thy statutes; wondrous things; (are there wondrous things still in our lives when we have so much? Perhaps looking with new eyes would help – pretend you are a new arrival in America from a small, distant country- what might appear wondrous to you?); thy precepts; lamp or light; thy commandments; unto thee, O God. [See P.S.#1 below on how to be quicker.}
P.S.S.T. – Section 1 – List 5 statements of how you might Greet Someone with Glad Tidings: “Hey man, how are ya”, “O, my you gotta see this”, “Guess what?” What good tidings did and does Zion and Jerusalem have for mankind as found in B-1? See definition of Zion and New Jerusalem in the Glossary of Science and Health. According to B-1 can you ever fail, can anyone ever fail? See also the reason why in B-2. How does God, who created all things see us? Is this a model we can follow as we look on each other? [See P.S.#2 below on how to be more resilient.]
P.S.S.T. – Section 2 – In B-8 why is the Great Lord to be praised? There are two models or sets of activities set forth in this section. Which one provides satisfaction? What are the results? What is “craving”? Make a list of the human or material cravings and compare to the cravings for the attractions of Spirit. Which on this list provide long-term or true satisfaction?
P.S.S.T. – Section 3 – In this section is identified the result of waiting or depending on the Lord (B-12); specifically about endurance and overcoming fatigue. What role does thought, looking to what God knows about me, and listening for God’s words or directions to me, play in my ability to persevere? Have students read aloud S-13, S-14, and S-15. Have students tell their own stories of “limitations” overcome. Perhaps in an athletic contest, preparing for a test or exam at school, working on a project in the yard or garden, or getting to the next level in an electronic game or the next chapter to be read in a book. [See P.S.#3 on how a C.O.T. can be more restful than a bed. Also see a fun pun in the MyBibleLesson.com cartoon. The cartoons alone are worth the subscription cost! Plus, there are Bible Notes, Word definitions, …]
P.S.S.T. – Section 4 – To whom should we look or gaze upon for help in B-14? Why was it important for the man with the withered hand to be healed? What kind of job might he have had that required the use of his hands? What would have happened to him or his family without the use of his hands? There is some Bible research that indicated the man was a stonemason, who used his hands to build things, like houses or fences, and this was his livelihood. Had you been with Jesus, and saw this man, what healing truths might have come to your thought about this man? When such illusions are presented to our human eyes what does S-19 guide us to do? [See P.S.#4 for why you’ll be “glad you used D.I.A.L.” & memorized W.A.L.L.]
P.S.S.T. – Section 5 – In B-21 what is indicated as will be no longer? Do you ever say you wish you had more time to complete a project or visit with friends? Do you ever have so much to do that you wished for more time? Be careful with that one. See the definition of time in the Glossary of S&H. Do you really desire more of that? Of what do you really desire more? The inspiration that comes from looking to God for guidance; to help order your day, to point out how to accomplish a task, to be so inspired that you lose all sense of time and before you know it the work is done. Have you ever had such moments? Please share one. Have you ever seen a grandfather clock? Often there are the words, “tempus fugit” inscribed on the face, meaning “time flies.” It is important to declare that tempus does not fugit, unless it flies right out the window of thought to be replaced with the eternal now, which is where we actually live. We always have Now. The past and future should be considered Not Now, so let’s not spend any thought on worrying or wondering about that which is Not Now. The story in S-23 is a hint at the power of thought and what happens when “time” is of no consequence.
P.S.S.T. – Section 6 – Which is real, time or eternity – the eternal now? How do we see the Lord in our midst? By seeing the Lord or God in that which we behold; that which is around us in people, nature, art and literature; endurance through sports; models of excellence. For your eyes only, write a short paragraph of a person, place, or thing that is most beautiful to you. Describe it. Afterward, reflect on why you have written and underline all the spiritual qualities you used in the description. These are the truths that make a person, place, or thing real, forever enduring, and eternal.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox…
[P.S.#1 for R.R.–How to be quicker/quickened: The psalmist’s prayer in the RR–“Quicken thou me in the way”–was one that “Touchdown Tommy” Vardell also prayed and had literally fulfilled. His time for the 40-yd. dash –a key ranking-stat in the N.F.L. Draft (for pro football)–went from being okay to being outstanding about a week after his track coach told him that speed was based on efficiency. Tommy saw clearly that efficiency was a spiritual idea–not related to one’s prior conditioning, to height, weight, shoes, diet,… Jesus was the master of efficiency and speed-including instantaneous healings-and even the teleportation of himself and a wooden boat full of disciples across the sea-without using a drop of oil! (“immediately the ship was at the land whither they went” John 6:21) Keep learning all you can from Sunday School and you may be the one to bless the world with the (Christianly) Scientific break-through of a repeat of quickening yourself (and your friends) in the way of teleportation! Accountants and students: you can be more efficiency with divinely “Quick Books” and with divine speed reading! With “the fervor of untutored lips”– “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? S&H 89:24, John 7:15]
[P.S.#2 for Section 1 on how to be more resilient: Stop seeing yourself and others as having an egg origin (with a shell to “peck open”–as in S-5). When starting as an egg, one may well end up scrambled! Here’s a hands-on experiment to make a spiritual point about eggs that you and your class may not soon forget. Take an un-boiled (raw) egg to Sunday School (in a zip-lock baggy please). Also take a golf ball. If you can have Sunday School outside, ask a student to throw the golf ball STRAIGHT DOWN on a sidewalk and then to catch it as it comes back up. Ask students to note that the harder the ball is thrown (straight down)–the higher it bounces (straight up). Note that with God-like individuals–like each student and like Jesus–it’s the same. The harder Jesus was thrown down by the crucifixion, the higher he bounced back with the resurrection and ascension. Now try the same exercise with the raw egg, and note that the harder it is thrown down, the more it splatters (hopefully inside the baggy). The difference between the resiliency of a golf ball (or “God-like man”) and the fragility of the egg (or mortal man) lies in the difference between their “centre(s) and circumference(s)”. (I like to write S&H 262:14 with a Sharpie on a golf ball to give each student.) The egg has a fragile shell that is easily broken-just as mortals often have touchy dispositions and seem to be easily offended. Both have gelatinous cores that don’t bounce back well. Whereas, “the God-like man”–like a golf ball–has a hard-to-offend disposition (with lots of dimples–from smiling at every foe 😉 —Hymn 71:1. (A golf ball that I once dissected–in a vice with a hack saw–had rubber-band-strands wrapped tightly over a bouncy, rubber ball.) At the absolute center of every “whole-souled woman” (or man) is a resilient core, that refuses to be offended and so is made to be stretched and to bounce back. (Miscellaneous Writings 224:32) Study and embody Mrs. Eddy’s great article on “Taking Offense” (Misc. 222-224) to be like a great camp counselor or care provider–not easily ruffled with a “settled” sense of “equanimity”. To apply this illustration to the 2nd commandment about not making any graven (or obsessive) images focused on man’s supposed egg/matter origin, you can emphasize “the God-like man” and “the ABSOLUTE (perfect, idea-like) centre and circumference of his being.” (S&H 262:14) (You can also bring back to class the optical illusion of the circle with its warped-appearing circumference that I sent to those of you who requested it last week.)]
[P.S.#3: for Section 3 on how a “c.o.T.” can be more restful than a bed: The number of hours spent in bed, even in sleep on your “sleep-number bed”, do not make us feel as rested as does an uplifted awareness of God’s presence-or the “consciousness of Truth” -“c.o.T.” Mrs. Eddy puts it this way in citation S-13: “The consciousness of Truth rests us more than hours of repose in unconsciousness.” (S&H 218:7) My sense of the highest way to keep the 4th Commandment is to cultivate in thought the sweet, restful sense of Sabbath-day completion, gratefully remembering that God’s work is already done and that it is “very good.” (Gen. 1:31) Persistently staying in such a “consciousness of Truth” is “holy work” and demands human effort–moment-by-moment affirming the Truth and denying ite opposite arguments. But remember “The highest and sweetest rest, even from a human standpoint, in is holy work.” (S&H 519:28) Click here to hear Christian Science Lecturer David Stevens’ 2-minute “Daily Lift” and recommendation to dwell in “the consciousness of Love for ever” S&H 578:17 on Ps. 23]
[P.S.#4: for Section 4 on why those around you–as well as you–will be “glad you used D.I.A.L.” When you see citation S-18 in the lesson, you’ll be glad that you followed my P.S.S.T. suggestion a few weeks ago and gave a bar of Dial soap to each student in your class (and/or to each member of your family). This symbol can be a light-hearted discussion point with your class (and family). If you didn’t give them the D.I.A.L. concept and its fragrant reminder already, why not do it by Sunday? (I do NOT get a commission from the Dial Soap Company, but wish I did.) Mrs. Eddy tells us what the Christ is and what it does: “the Christ is … the divine image and likeness (d.i.a.l.), dispelling the illusions of the senses; … healing the sick and casting out evils …” (S-18, S&H 332:11) Also, for the next citation, if you or your student’s haven’t memorized the first 3 of 4 sentences of “the W.A.L.L. treatment”** (S-19, S&H 495:14)– I recommend that you do so. It’s great to know by heart and to say when you feel “up against a wall” and when you want to stand as firm as a wall. You may want to try to memorize it by this or a future Sunday and to recite it – maybe for a reward. Your efforts will definitely be rewarded “when(ever) the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you”. (S-19. S&H 495:14) **FYI, in this paragraph, the first letter of each sentence–in English–spells WALL.]
Warren Huff, Executive Director, The CedarS Camps
Website: www.cedarscamps.org
Email: warren@cedarscamps.org Tel: (636) 394-6162
