“Where” you live determines how well you hear, see, taste, feel and even smell. (Lesson Application Ideas)

So, where do you live? We all live in the same house, the same kingdom, no matter where we might be physically. Our habitation is with God in the Kingdom of Heaven, in God’s house (consciousness), never in matter. Do we love that habitation as the Golden Text asks? There is no mortgage, no rent. Where does God live? This week’s Lesson on Soul explores the types of habitations where we find Soul and Her/His representatives. Remember that old, false theology would put souls into bodies, plants and things. There is only one Soul, God, reflected by His multitudinous ideas, us. Included in the understanding of Soul, we recognize true spiritual sense expressed as our divine faculties. We’ll read in the Lesson an example of each of the five senses. Look for all of the “key” words. I have listed a few.
 

The Responsive Reading gives us some qualifications for who can maximize his right habitation – clean hands, pure heart, not vain, no swearing, meek, fears (loves) God, walk uprightly, works righteousness, speaks truth in his heart (consciousness). We can meet the requirements!

 

B1 tells us right off what God wants us to do – keep the Sabbaths and reverence our place of worship. Where is the true sanctuary? Is it a ‘where’ or a state of consciousness? The second Bible marker outlines our contract with God. It sounds like an amazing deal. God thinks the thoughts of peace that we should be peaceful forever! Our “expected end” isn’t a terminal time-result, but a timeless fulfillment of good. If He is truly King over all of the earth, then how can there be discord, war, hate? There can’t!(B3)

If God is the source of all ideas, logically, can we, as Her ideas, be separated either from God or Her other ideas? Yet, as ideas of Soul, the origin of diversity, we are all unique. We are of the “allness of Deity in His oneness”. (S&H1) Mortality would try to claim existence within immortality, but contradictions can’t exist together. Soul can never be put into matter. There is no matter. (S&H3) Webster has several physical definitions for matrix that would show that some substance would be embedded in a different material, hidden or trying to be like the substance. Error tries to convince us that some erroneous suggestion could become a part of us, but as idea, nothing can corrupt us. Similar to the house that Mrs. Eddy describes, we cannot be contaminated by something that isn’t. (S&H4) 

 

Key words: ear, called, perceived, heareth, speak, communicate, understanding.

As a young boy, Samuel, was an assistant to the priest, Eli. Now, Eli got himself into trouble with God and the “lamp of the temple (the spiritual insight) was gone out.” Although Samuel didn’t know it yet, he was the next “chosen” prophet. His experience of hearing God speak to him prepared him for his future. (B5)

Do we listen for the God-voice? We should hear Her/Him speak. We hear through Soul, our spiritual sense or understanding. (S&H7) Through our oneness with God, we are enabled to hear and understand Him clearly. We most often get too busy listening to ourselves and the clamor of the world that we can’t or don’t hear God’s voice over ours. You can read in her autobiography, Retrospection and Introspection, on pages 8-9, Mrs. Eddy’s story of hearing God many times when she was a young girl. His voice was so distinct that others heard it too. We must become more aware of our innate spiritual perception (S&H10), through our “conscious, constant capacity to understand God.” (S&H9) Most important, we should expect it! What are our possibilities? (S&H10)

 

Key words: witness, opened the eyes, seer, illumination, intuitions.

Not much has changed in the Middle East it would seem. The king of Syria warring against Israel. Frustrated about the escape of the king of Israel and his army, the Syrian king wanted to find out the spy in his company. The military intelligence on behalf of the king of Israel as shown by Elisha cannot be purchased with money, nor can it be destroyed. The true spiritual witnessing and confidence that Elisha exhibited had to be from God. The results were spectacular! The entire Syrian army taken captive, Israel, safe! Elisha’s servant didn’t have as much conviction. In panic he declares, “Alas, my master! How shall we do?” In the real witnessing the servant opened his eyes. His mental awakening allowed him to see the army of horses and chariots (that had always been there) protecting him. Were they physically there? Do we ever get into situations where we can’t see a way out, but when we are still, we see a new direction? Not only had Elisha led the Syrians right into the hands of the Israelites, but, he humbly forgave and fed them! Abundantly! “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (B9) is our daily prayer.

Does the definition of “prophet” mean us? (S&H 11) Of course it does! We, too, can see the vision of peace and harmony, every day! We must use our spiritual sense to see. Elisha used his spiritual power to make peace without revenge. Mrs. Eddy gives us the simple task of Mind-reading in S&H 12. Our requirement is to yield to divine Mind. We will remain undisturbed by false testimony. (S&H13)

Key words: portion, sweet, honey to my mouth (B10); taste: hungered, bread.

We have our third of the five physical senses in the story, taste, especially. (B10) Jesus knew full well that every detail of his life was directed by God. The devil may have tried to tempt Jesus with very desirable food, but Jesus stood firm. (B13) He didn’t fall for the lure of matter’s food supply. Totally satisfied, he knew that all needs are supplied by God.

What law will we eat by? The bread of Truth? Yes! “Immortal Mind feeds…”(S&H 17) Yummy Graham crackers. We like them with our s’mores at camp, but we certainly don’t think of them as part of the Graham system that Mrs. Eddy writes about. Our understanding that food has no power of its own to hurt or help us gives us the right perspective on God as meeting every need in balance. This is not our license to “pig out.” We are wise in what we eat. After all, we live in Soul not matter (S&H 20).

 

Key word: touch the children, in his arms, hands to bless (B16);

The people were always eager for Jesus’ teaching and healing. Aren’t we grateful to have his teachings to read everyday? The children felt Jesus’ touch as total comfort similar to a parent’s touch and hug. Peter’s mother-in-law felt the healing touch of the Christ as did the multitudes (B17.18). People were so aware of the healing Christ that the reached out to touch his sacred hem. Although the tassel of a Jewish cover was believed to have power, Jesus’ power was from the God authority within him. (S&H 19) This power is free to all of us. We are all healers!

The Science and Health refers to the story of the woman with the issue of blood touching Jesus, marker 21. The key in Jesus’ thought was clear that matter didn’t hold the answer to life. There is no matter! How would you yield to “the touch of Truth?”(S&H 22) What would keep us from responding to the reforming touch? Let’s maintain our receptivity.(S&H 23) Soul is our habitation in total harmony. (S&H24)

 

Key words: vapours, flowers, good smell, aroma, a rose, fragrance, perfume of clover, breath of new-mown hay,

God has created all things beautifully, to be enjoyed in the fullness of its fruition. (B21,22) The waters, the birds, the turtle, the figs, grapes by season – complete. Renewal is a law of God. It’s His job. (B23) Thank you, God!

All of the beautiful things of nature, of God, are all right ideas. Nothing can conflict in the Kingdom. (S&H 26,27) Matter, physical sense, is the liar. Our correct testimony is of God. “According to Christian Science, the only real senses of man are spiritual, emanating from divine Mind.” Note, “intercommunication” – all is within, Mind to His/Her idea, us. Matter does not think, speak, feel or act! (S&H28) Within our habitation – our oneness and only-ness with God – our address can never change, our atmosphere is always peaceful, breathable. What a wonderful house, body (consciousness) to live!!!

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
19772 Sugar Drive