Wholeheartedly accept Bible GEM examples of living Love as YOUR way to eternal Life! (before heading to ACR keynote)
Let God Expressed Meekly/Mightily in you sparkle brightly with new insights from Cobbey & others
as inspired by The Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Life”
for Sunday, January 15, 2023
(Cobbey Crisler’s insights are shared with the blessing of Janet Crisler janetcrisler7@gmail.com)
by Warren Huff, CedarS Executive Director Emeritus, warren@cedarscamps.org
HAVE A SPIRITUAL SENSE MIND-SET THAT WORKS
LIKE CHRIST JESUS’ INVISIBILITY-CLOAK!
FIND IT NATURAL TO BE DIVINE! Cobbey Crisler on Colossians 3:2, 3, 4 (Golden Text + cits. B16, S19, 325:10)
(Colossians 3:2) Have you heard the modern expression mind-set? Verse 2 is almost that literally in Greek. “That our mind-set must be on things above.” Can we have an inner spiritual sense entertained that provides the divine reason for our being, even when we’re living on the earth at a human level if we “set our mind on things above, not on things of the earth”?
(Verse 3, citation B17) “For ye are dead.” That’s exactly what the body is. If we are to be absent from the body, the body itself is now dead to our thought and our thought no longer responds to it. No longer worships it. The Greek word means to be away from something, to be separated from. “And your life,” we haven’t lost anything then. “Our life is,” or literally, “has been hidden with Christ in God.” (Hymn 370)
(Verse 4,) “When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear,” what about us? “We also will appear.”
“We are joint heirs with Christ,” Paul says [in Romans 8:17], inheritors of the divine being. We are sharers, “partakers of the divine nature.” “We will appear with him,” How? “In glory.” In imperishable radiance. That’s not an abstraction. It is supersensible, but it’s concrete being. It’s a sharing of the glorious liberty of the children who find it natural to be divine.”
“Glory: Divine Nature in the Bible,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
CHERISH WEARING YOUR GOD-GIVEN CROWN OF “LOVINGKINDNESS AND TENDER MERCIES” (Ps. 103:4/cit. B3 & Col. 3:12/Responsive Reading) Enjoy a serenade of “Tender Mercies”
See & hear Craig Ghislin, CS, & David Price, CSB, singing a guitar duet of “Tender Mercies” on the back deck of Care House where they were serving as Christian Science Practitioners
[Click on either: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PToeaQ_CWLE&list=RDPToeaQ_CWLE&start_radio=1
or on the 11th short videos on CedarS website at: https://www.cedarscamps.org/videos/ ]
By accentuating the harmony, positivity and blessings that flow from receiving God’s “tender mercies,” we can and should eliminate the curses of strife and negativity that daily news and ads play up, especially in weeks after and leading up to the next U.S. elections.
(Ps. 145:10) “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee”—as two of them do in the “Tender Mercies” duet from CedarS Care House.
Cobbey Crisler points out in the next verses that we should encourage one another to share examples of God’s power, to stop focusing thought on strife and to quit talking about illnesses (and viruses)!
Cobbey Crisler on Ps. 145:11
“Psalm 145, Verse 11. A receptive, spiritually-educated, human race going to God with total commitment for the answer to all ills will no longer talk about illnesses. “They shall speak of the glory of God’s kingdom, and talk of thy power.“’
“Leaves of the Tree: Prescriptions from Psalms,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
Cherish “… his tender mercies … over all his works.” (Ps. 145:9, Col. 3:12, B12) Enjoy a serenade of “Tender Mercies” by two Christian Science Practitioners! See and hear Craig Ghislin, CS, and David Price, CS, two of CedarS Met contributors, singing a guitar duet of “Tender Mercies” on the back porch of our Care House where they were serving.
[Click on either: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PToeaQ_CWLE&feature=youtu.be
or on the sixth of 71 short videos on CedarS website at: https://www.cedarscamps.org/videos/ ]
By accentuating the harmony, positivity and blessings that flow from receiving God’s “tender mercies,” we can and should eliminate the curses of strife and negativity that daily news and ads play up, especially in weeks after and leading up to the next U.S. elections.
(Ps. 145:10, B25) “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee”—as two of them do in the “Tender Mercies” duet from CedarS new Care House.
Cobbey Crisler points out in the next verses that we should encourage one another to share examples of God’s power, to stop focusing thought on strife and to quit talking about illnesses (and viruses)!
Cobbey Crisler on Ps. 145:11 (verse right after citation B25, Ps. 145:9,10)
“Psalm 145, Verse 11. A receptive, spiritually-educated, human race going to God with total commitment for the answer to all ills will no longer talk about illnesses. “They shall speak of the glory of God’s kingdom, and talk of thy power.“’
“Leaves of the Tree: Prescriptions from Psalms,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
Cobbey Crisler on John 5:19-30 (cit. B1)
[Cobbey writes:] “John 5:19 is Jesus’ famous statement, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do.” Taking this apart, it really gives you what man’s role is. What is it? It’s reflection. It’s image.
Man is not original in what he does. What he does stems from the original which is God. Then it reflects originality. Otherwise there would be competition for the job of Creator. Under monotheism there is no possibility for such competition (“For what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”)
He took the Son of Man through every problem that the world could hurl at him and proved that even the Son of Man can be victorious and not a creature of circumstances when the understanding of his true nature as the Son of God can be applied.
Our understanding of the Son of Man and the Son of God, and the difference, might be heightened by realizing that the Christ comes to the Son of Man. The Christ doesn’t come to the Son of God because the Christ really presents the Son of God.
We’re on the human side of things, who feel the foot of domination on our necks from outside circumstances. Is that where the Son of Man belongs? Notice the argument of Bildad in the book of Job… It uses the very same phrase that Jesus does, elevating him way above the outlines of fleshly domination. So, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do.” Why?
John 5:20, “The Father loves the Son.”
John 5:30. The same point is repeated, “I can of mine own self do nothing.” Is this false humility or is Jesus actually giving us the facts straight out? What is the secret and source of everything he thought or did? What is the obstacle then between us and following Jesus? There’s something in there. Some kind of different concept of our selfhood than what he had. His was so transparent that there was nothing obstructing his at-one-ment with God, even on earth. His summons to us is to follow his example and shows his own expectation that we’re equipped to do it. So, we’re equipped to receive and to act on the instructions given us via communication. All we need to do is tune in.
We’re coming to understand Jesus’ view of himself, and where he thinks this authority originates, “The Son of Man can do nothing of himself.” (John 5:19)
“John, the Beloved Disciple”, by B. Cobbey Crisler**
TREAT YOURSELF & ALL AS “BORN FROM ABOVE”
Cobbey Crisler on John 3:1-7, cit. B3 plus extra verses & John1:12, 13
[Cobbey:] “John 3:1 begins with an introduction to “Nicodemus.” Nicodemus was a rather cautious man that ran around back alleys after twilight. He didn’t want to be seen by his daytime friends. Sort of like one of those captions in the Charlie Chaplin movie, where Charlie was a waiter during the day, but dressed up in the finest tuxedo at night. The caption simply said, “Charlie’s friends of the evening didn’t know Charlie’s friends of the day.” I think this is probably true of Nicodemus.
“John 3:2, “He comes to Jesus by night.” He’s in a rather awkward position because he is a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of Jews, that later convicts Jesus. If what he says is accurate, it is an unfortunate commentary on the motives that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. If he is really speaking for the Sanhedrin when he says, “We know that thou art a teacher came from God,” then that is a tremendous commitment. If we know that you are a teacher come from God, where is the evidence? What evidence do they use as proof? Such semeia, or signs, or significant results, can’t happen unless God is with you.
John 3:3, “Jesus makes this comment, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” You know how popular that particular verse has become in our century. Yet it’s based on a misapprehension of the original word. We really don’t find John here using the Greek word “anothen” here in the sense of “again”. It can suggest the idea of “again.” But John uses it more in these terms, “from above.”
“Anothen” means “from above.” Now look at that statement that Jesus is making,
“Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom, or dominion, of God.” This is a theological breakthrough that’s incalculable. You can’t see the kingdom, which, by the way, he told us was not only within, but here, right here. It wasn’t a future far-off thing. “But to see it one must be born from above.” This is a definition of nativity which sounds totally impractical for us as human beings, and yet it’s apparently something that Jesus based his whole theology upon. And he got the results from the concept that man is born from above.
“We ran into that in the first chapter of John, Verses 12 and 13, when he said, “We all, if we will receive it, have the authority to become the sons of God.”[RR] But to be God’s son means you’ve got to cut the animal connection, those links or roots in “blood, will of the flesh, and will of man.” Sever those links.
“A nativity higher, is that practical?
“John 3:4. Nicodemus wonders about that himself. He even goes to the extreme of saying, “How do you do that? Do you climb back into your mother’s womb, and get born all over again?” This is obviously a negatively impossible event, so Nicodemus is somewhat laughing up his sleeve.
John 3:5. Then Jesus says, “Except a man be born of water, which was the usual way by which children were born in the presence of water, “and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” The normal, natural biological birth is not going to do anything. In order to enter the kingdom or dominion of God, something about nativity has to be understood. A nativity that is higher and not tied into biology. Why?
“Because of John 3:6 one of the most practical statements ever made in the Bible, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.” And it’s not going to rise any higher than its source. Should we be doing something about recognizing origin in Spirit? Is this what is behind the meaning, again, logos? Get to the meaning. Nativity in Spirit. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.” It’s never going to go anywhere else. That’s pretty clear cut.
“We’ve got to get out of that concept of flesh. Again, is this really practical theology? Or is it, again, pie in the sky? If we have any concept of arising at some spiritual goal, then we’ve got to start as if we originated there.
John 3:9, “Nicodemus says, How can these things be?”
John 3:10, “Jesus said, You’re a teacher in Israel, and you haven’t grasped these things?” Think of the average point of view when you’ve been dealing with the Bible all your life. Then in John 3:13 he makes one of those magnificent statements that requires almost a lifetime search.
“No man hath ascended up to heaven.” Isn’t that what practically every religion puts in the heart of its communicants? Doesn’t everybody want to get to a destination labeled heaven? “Ascended up to heaven,” but no one gets there, except “he that came down from heaven.” The same thing, “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit,” John 3:6. You can’t get there via flesh.
“Apparently this critical awareness of man’s nativity as God’s child free from “blood, will of flesh, lust of the will of man,” is not just a nice theory. Jesus is introducing it as the prerequisite for comprehending the kingdom of God and seeing it here and now. The son of Man sees it humanly, “No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the son of Man which is in heaven.” Is it possible for humanhood to experience the kind of harmony on earth as it is in heaven? There is the major challenge.
“It’s almost the same question that God asks Job 38:33, after all the mental argument is through for forty chapters or so, when God says to Job, “Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?” Imagine being able to express the dominion of heaven right on earth. Is that possible for the son of Man? Or must we wait for some future event where we float up to the sky on a pink cloud somewhere with a harp from Angel Rent-A-Harp, Incorporated? That’s a problem. We often try to rent a harp instead of earn it.
“How practical this is, “No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man already there.” Never moved. That claim, then, of heavenly nativity. It has to have something that is of major importance, John including it, and giving it so much space.”
In John 3:27, John the Baptist is confronted again. John, using communication terms, says, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given to him from heaven.” That’s almost the same concept in a way. Receptivity is what’s already been communicated to us. We’re not doing the communicating. We’re tuning in to what’s been communicated.”
“Book of John, A Walk with the Beloved Disciple,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
DISCOVER THE INDESCRIBABLE JOY OF FOLLOWING THE RULES OF HEAVENLY HAPPINESS AS JESUS DELIVERED THEM FROM THE ALTITUDE OF INSPIRATION IN HIS SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
Cobbey Crisler on Jesus’ Beatitudes, Matt 5:1-8, cit. B11 +
[Cobbey:] “Chapter five is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount which goes all the way through to the end of Chapter 7. Whether Jesus delivered all these statements at once is a matter of conjecture. No other gospel has it treated as kind of an anthology of Jesus’ statements. Whether he even delivered the Sermon on a Mount, or not, is a matter of dispute because Luke (6:12) says he spent the night before on the mountain, but came down to the plain the next day (Luke 6:17) and delivered this sermon.
So, it must not be the geographical point that’s important. The sermon has to be on a mount is one way of looking at it. That’s what? From the altitude of inspiration from which Jesus delivered this magnificent sermon, sometimes called the “Diamond Sermon.”
“The Beatitudes, the blessings. The word “blessed” in our sermon on the mount is not really the accurate translation of the Greek. The word is “makarios” which means “happy.”
Just think of the search for happiness among humanity. Here are rules laid down by Jesus simply stating that happiness can be obtained in the following ways…
… we should remember that Jesus never uttered anything that he hadn’t practiced.
The Sermon on the Mount is in essence a description of the life of Jesus…
The Sermon begins with the Beatitudes. …
“… As you go down the Beatitudes, read them all, scan them as they are in front of you. See if you can find results in every one of them. See if you can analyze them for those results. The Beatitudes become a very practical clue for how to lead one’s life.
The Commandments and Beatitudes have often been placed side by side. Many parallels have been used…
For instance, we are told in the Book of Revelation that those who have overcome the beast will stand on the sea of glass with harps. … Those who have overcome are said to be singing two things: the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. That sounds like they’re inseparable. They operate together. Do you know why? Because it’s part of the heavenly mathematics.
Why did the Commandments say, “Thou shalt not,” taking care of the minus aspects in human nature? And the Beatitudes, “happy are they” that do certain things, are plus? What do you do with the minus in thought, the chaff? It is dealt with by fire. You deal with the plus in thought through the Holy Ghost.
They operate together for a single purpose and a unique commitment to the totality of One infinite, God, good. The Beatitudes must be considered in conjunction with the Commandments in your study.
A facet of Jesus’ “Diamond Sermon” to end murder along with a “Anger No More!” Michelle Nanouche lecture. Cobbey Crisler on Matt 5:21, citation B9
[Cobbey:] “We’re going to have six pairs or sets of interpretations of Old Testament passages beginning in Verse 20 of Matthew 5). Jesus has just said that “your concept of right doing and right living better be higher than the scribes and Pharisees or you’re not going to get anywhere.” Because that was mostly theory without practice. Again, the measurement of the Sermon on the Mount is results. Christianity is a religion of results.:.
In Verses 21, 27, 33, 38, and 43, he says, “You have heard,” and in Verse 31 he says, “it has been said.” This is the formula by which he approaches his comparison here.
Verse 22 begins his interpretation, “But I say unto you.” That’s the formula by which you can recognize the contrasting pairs down through the next few Verses (22, 28, 32, 34, 39; 44).
Set 1, Verse 21, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill.” He has gone right back to the Commandments. “You’ve been taught that you shouldn’t kill.” The Hebrew word definitely means “murder.” Thou shalt not murder.
(Verse 22). “But I say unto you,” notice his interpretation of it, “That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” In some early manuscripts, the phrase “without a cause” is not present. What is Jesus obviously interested in? The act of murder or the motive behind it? Does anger often lead to murder? If one could stop at the anger stage, would we have murder? Do you see the basic psychology in its right sense that Jesus is using here?
(Verse 22). He also says, “If you say to your brother, Raca” which means sort of “empty head” or “vain fellow,” you “shall be in danger of the council.” You’ll be judged for what you think of your brother, and what you say to your brother. “But even worse is to say, Thou fool,” the Greek word there is “more.”
The word we have that is related is “moron.” “If you say to your brother he’s a moron.” Why should that have such an affect? We undoubtedly all do it at some point. “You know so-and-so is stupid for having done that.” Yet, if we were in the same circumstances, chances are we probably would have done the same thing.
If we condemn our brother, is it also a condemnation of ourselves and of man in general. That man is capable of being moronic.
Jesus has a revelation that he was the beloved son of God could hardly accept that man could be a moron. If man could he a moron, and was the image of God, what would that make God? His whole theology is wrapped up around what seems like a tiny point, and something that we would tend to excuse. But Jesus said, “No, it goes right to the root of theology. You cannot have the two. You can’t serve two masters. ·
BONUS: To counteract the belief of aging, don’t let unsolved problems accumulate!
(Verse 23, after citation B9). Jesus says; “If you bring your gift to the altar, and remember anything your brother has against you.”
That’s tough self-examination:
(Verse 24). “Don’t even bother giving your gift at the altar, until you’ve reconciled the difficulty.” How important, then, is the solving of human relationship problems. Does it have any priority? What priority did Jesus give it here? “Don’t even give your talent at the altar until you have resolved your human-relationship problem.” Do we see it with the same kind of priority? Not generally.
(Verse 25). “Agree with your adversary quickly, while he is in the way with ‘us.” Solve the problem when it confronts you. Don’t put it off. I once heard a lecturer describe old age in a novel way. He decided that old age might just be an accumulation of unsolved problems: Problems which It’s not that you and I might be different from anyone else. That’s the beautiful revelation of Scripture, that no temptation comes to you or me that isn’t common to man. But we kind of think that the devil is going to treat us more exclusively than he does others. And that if he gives us baggage to carry around at least it has our gold initial stamped on it, just for us.
Do you know how Jesus handled it? “You’re nothing special,” he said to Satan. He just quoted the law book and got rid of it. That same kind of disposal of such temptations is obviously implicit in what Jesus is telling humanity. With love resident in his heart that embraced all, every generation, even Jesus’ last prayer publicly, includes not just his present followers, but those who would follow him down through the centuries. I have never ceased to be touched by the 17th Chapter of John. Before his own crucifixion, he not only prays for himself and for his disciples but he prays for us as well. I’m not so sure we would pray for people centuries ahead of us if we were going out to our own crucifixion. But Jesus would not have done it, if he didn’t think that prayer was still effective. And that we would pick up the benefits of his prayer when we arrived on the human scene.
The Master has already prayed for us. How are our results? He’s giving humanity the rules to live by, so we must agree with our adversary quickly…”
“Book of Matthew, Auditing the Master” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
LEARN HOW TO THINK & ACT WITH UNCONDITIONALLY LOVE—LIKE JESUS DID!
From citation B11, Beatitude #1 (length 5:09):
Explore the biblical roots and practical healing application of the beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
https://www.christianscience.com/media/youth-media-except-images/audio/beatitudes-podcast-series/the-beatitudes-blessed-are-the-poor-in-spirit
Citation B11, Matthew 5:8 Beatitude #6 (length 4:29):
Take a closer look at “pure in heart”—what it means to be pure, other Bible uses of the phrase, and the full promise of this beatitude.
https://www.christianscience.com/media/youth-media-except-images/audio/beatitudes-podcast-series/the-beatitudes-blessed-are-the-pure-in-heart
OTHERS NOT IN THIS LESSON:Application insights on bringing out the spiritual importance of Christ Jesus’ promise, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Part 5 of 9 of the Beatitudes audio series.
https://www.christianscience.com/media/youth-media-except-images/audio/beatitudes-podcast-series/the-beatitudes-blessed-are-they-who-hunger-and-thirst-after-righteousness
This podcast by Bible scholar Barry Huff and former Christian Science lecturer Susie (Rynerson) Jostyn is part 5 of a 9-part, (TMCYouth) audio series on the spiritual basis of the Beatitudes. You can hear the other eight podcasts at https://www.christianscience.com/youth/sunday-school-teachers/the-beatitudes/the-beatitudes-podcast
Application insights on Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.”
If you want to feel God’s steadfast, Motherly compassion (on your phone or laptop) click to hear and share this 4.5-minute audio resource from www.christianscience.com. This podcast by Bible scholar Barry Huff and former Christian Science lecturer Susie (Rynerson) Jostyn is one of a nine-part, (TMCYouth) audio series on the spiritual basis of the Beatitudes. You can hear the other eight podcasts at https://www.christianscience.com/youth/sunday-school-teachers/the-beatitudes/the-beatitudes-podcast
For Matthew 5:6)
For Matthew 5:6 Beatitude #4 (length 4:32):
Hungry? bring out the spiritual importance of Christ Jesus’ promise, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Part 5 of 9 of the Beatitudes audio series.
https://www.christianscience.com/media/youth-media-except-images/audio/beatitudes-podcast-series/the-beatitudes-blessed-are-they-who-hunger-and-thirst-after-righteousness
FIND ONENESS with God “as a humble ray of sunlight that is one with the sun” cit. S14/26:10, John 10:30 & 18:3, 315, 361:16 as sung in “I and My Father” YouTube Video
“Man’s oneness with the Father” is a central point in Jesus’ healing theology and is featured in citation S2, “Jesus of Nazareth taught and demonstrated man’s oneness with the Father, and for this we owe him endless homage.” (18:3-5) Below is a YouTube link to an inspiring song by a CedarS mom and award-winning Country Music artist, Cherie Brennan. It emphasizes the “I and my Father are one” mindset of Christ Jesus and mentioned in this week’s Bible Lesson citation S2/18:3 (& even more direct analogies derived from John 10:30 in SH 361:16, 26:10, 315:3. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZMNlpZavkA
You can learn more about Cherie and buy her CD “You are Loved” (“I and My Father” is the 4th song) on her website through Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/album/3Ii5CBrdNs6f8Y3t4l5XHl
Or, on Watchfire Music by CedarS friend, Peter Link, — LISTEN TO A SAMPLE of a different version also called “I and my Father are one” SUNG by Mindy Jostyn. You can BUY IT and the SHEET MUSIC for SOLOISTS at: https://watchfiremusic.com/shop/recordings/songs/i-and-my-father-are-one-2/
BE MENTALLY FREE to Receive ETERNAL LIFE (Luke 10:25+) & BE YOUR BEST SELF NOW!
Like the Israelites, leave behind all physical & mental slavery, to enter your “Promised Land” of a best-yet YOU!
[Note from Warren: When groups visit CedarS Bible Lands Park, Moses (played by me) often asks them to make Ten Pledges (Downloadable from the online version). Based on The Ten Commandments, these pledges give freeing guidelines that end enslaving patterns of thinking, speaking and acting in order that we may be our best, God-reflecting selves. When Moses brought the children of Israel out from Egyptian slavery, God gave him the 10 Commandments to fully liberate them—not just from physical slavery, but also from mental slavery and all its heavy baggage. FYI, Jews take as their 1st Commandment: “I am the Lord, your God, who rescued you from… the land of Egypt, the place of your bondage.” (Exodus 20:2, what an assurance of I’ve got your back, so NO WORRIES!) Their 2nd Commandment is a combination of our 1st Commandment “You must not have any other gods before me” and our 2nd Commandment about not making idols or graven images (Exodus 20:3, 4)]
Overcome 10 thought patterns “going around” that break the 10 Commandments
#1 Whenever I’m worried, (ungrateful in advance,) about a feared lack, I pledge to keep God’s 1st Com. below
#2 Whenever I obsess with body worship & think most about things, I pledge to keep God’s 2nd C. below
#3 Whenever I say (out of habit) “OMG!” (“Oh, My God!”), I pledge to keep God’s 3rd C. below
#4 Whenever I forget that everything’s already perfect now! I take a pledge to keep God’s 4th C. below
#5 Whenever I feel disrespect for those in authority I pledge to keep God’s 5th C. below
#6 Whenever I’m tempted to be angry, to put other down or to bully, I pledge to keep God’s 6th C. below
#7 Whenever I’m tempted to feel dissatisfied & break promises, I pledge to keep God’s 7th C. below
#8 Whenever I’m tempted to take what doesn’t belong to me, I instead take a pledge to keep God’s 8th C.
#9 Whenever I’m tempted to say (think) what’s not REALLY true of another or me, I pledge to keep 9th C. #10 Whenever I’m feeling jealous of anyone’s possessions/accomplishments, I pledge to keep God’s 10th C.
I PLEDGE TO LIVE UP TO MY POTENTIAL ALL DAY AS GUIDED IN UNIQUE WAYS BY 10 LAWS OF LOVE.
(See pics of best-self, on-the-ball pledges to eliminate negativity & radiate a positive oneness with God)
Jesus says the greatest of the two great Commandments is to “love God with all your heart… soul & … mind” (Matt. 22:37). It’s lived by whole-heartedly putting into practice the 1st 4 Commandments, summed up below:
#1 I pledge to: Love God, good alone & celebrate examples of Love’s always freeing power whenever I’m tempted to be worried!** (Worry is really just ingratitude in advance. Christ’s way to heal that, & all issues, is gratitude in advance. John 6:11, John 11:41)
#2. I pledge to: Quit thinking most about material things and bodies that will never be “up to the job” of being God.
#3. I pledge to: NOT frivolously say O.M.G. (“Oh, My God!”) unless I am praying God’s name and expecting a quick answer!
#4. I pledge to: Remember, give loving attention to, the already complete, goodness God declared over me & all in Genesis 1:31.
(This enables us to work out from perfection, not up to it. We learn to affirm the “Scientific Statement of Being,” (468) Not of Becoming.)
#5. I pledge to: Respect and obey all RIGHT authority figures and boundaries in my life.
Jesus says the second of the “two great Commandments” is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39, Luke 10:25+).
It’s lived by whole-heartedly putting into practice the rest of the Commandments, summed up below:
#6. I pledge to: Refuse (re-fuse) to get angry, make fun of or put anyone down!
(Such unchecked ,”supposed superiority” leads to killing as Jesus tells us in Matt.5:21+)
#7. I pledge to: Seek deep satisfaction in all God’s given and keep my promises
(Unchecked looking with lust is adultery and leads to it… as Jesus tells us in Matt.5:27+)
#8. I pledge to: Stop trying to GET happiness & instead try to GIVE it!
Stealing is the opposite of (“impart(ing) truth, health and happiness, and this is… my reason for existing.” My. 165)
#9. I pledge to: Stop saying what’s not REALLY true of others or myself
(To bear true witness: “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God!”)
#10. Instead of jealously cutting myself off from the Source of all good, I pledge to: Feel & say of the good
of others: “Thank You God! That’s Mine Too! (T.Y.G.! T.M.T.! Is more powerful than T.N.T.! (And, that’s dynamite!)
You and your students (or family) may enjoy using Downloadable pictures of the homemade teaching aids I developed of a customized soccer ball and hula hoop. You could review (as written on a hula hoop) some thoughts and habits that are “going around” these days and see how each one is actually a tempting way to think or act that breaks a Commandment or law of God and so gets you to settle for a lesser potential version of yourself and of mankind. To help keep me “on the ball,” I have written on the ball above each temptation on the hula hoop, a pledge to counteract that temptation. This helps me be the best version of myself and to achieve high goals for God’s glory. You can take turns saying each pledge aloud (or as a silent prayer to yourselj) as a commitment to more practically keep each Commandment and so break away from being enslaved by any mental habits that would keep you from fulfill your highest potentials.
Promise of a Worry-free, best-yet year from “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him:” (Rev. 1:1)
For a winter that sings, be among those who get the victory over the animal –“the victory over the beast, … stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And … sing the song of Moses … (the 10 Commandments) and the song (the Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount) of the Lamb (Jesus)” (Revelation 15:2-3)
