I love Church

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I love my church.  And I will tell you why…

 

Everyone is so nice, and it’s great to be part of a supportive community.  People really help each other out whether it’s through prayer, transportation, donations or kind words or deeds.

 

The services are uplifting and I love thinking about how the Sermon (read from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy) is healing those who are present and blessing the whole world.

 

Our congregation supports community activities and we select a topic that the world is facing to pray about each month. Our Wednesday evening readings are often in support of these monthly topics.

 

Everyone is committed to praying about challenges our church faces and growing spiritually.  It’s a joy to know that we all are willing to sacrifice our own human will for the greater good.

 

Here is an article I recently wrote about how I decided to be more involved with church.

 

http://christianscience.com/church-alive/your-ideas-are-needed-too/

 

Enjoy!

Life Lessons and Spiritual Insights Part 2

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Here  is Part 2 – the continuation of life lessons and spiritual insights I’m grateful for. God is always graciously teaching us and showing us the Way!  🙂

 

One of the lessons I learned in school was not to gossip (I only wish I knew this from the get-go – it would have made things a lot easier!). It can be so tempting to join in the criticism or “fun” in a conversation with friends – comparing people to others and labeling their actions in some way.

 

The Bible shows us that God directs our way and actions, and human opinions and beliefs mean nothing to Him (for instance, in a job search or in the path we choose in life).  He shows us that He doesn’t care what popular opinions say in such stories as Moses and the children of Israel, Daniel and the lion’s den, Nehemiah building the wall and countless other examples.  In fact, the Bible is really a compilation of the Spirit of God lifting us out popular beliefs and saying in a way, “I don’t care what’s going on humanly…this is what is really going on and is really going to happen”.

 

We can have the same Spirit today, even if we’re dealing with a physical illness.  Maybe there has been a prediction about our state of being or our future.  God shows us that it doesn’t matter what is going on humanly.  Only what He says and knows counts.  God never created sickness or any debilitating illness for us to be subject to.  Nor can we be harmed from criticism or gossip by another.

 

If we think kindly towards others, any criticism or unkind thought shot toward us falls right off.  “The mental arrow shot from another’s bow is practically harmless, unless our own thought barbs it.”

 

“…We should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; with an equanimity so settled that no passing breath nor accidental disturbance shall agitate or ruffle it…” (Taking Offense, Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, Eddy)

 

I love this article called “Taking Offense” by Mary Baker Eddy (a spiritual leader, healer and teacher in 1821-1910).  It is such a wonderful reminder that we don’t have to get caught up in the swing of things – all the gossip that is presented, whether it be in our family, neighbor or even in cultures and government  around the world.  We never have to think an unkind or unloving thought toward anyone nor can any reach us – what a freedom this is (keeping our mental atmosphere pure, uplifted and free)!

 

 

Life Lessons and Spiritual Insights

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I spend a lot of time looking forward or enjoying the present moment, but sometimes I seldom look back at the progress I’ve made and give thanks for the lessons and spiritual growth.

 

This next blog series is going to share these spiritual lessons – metaphysical and practical – that I’ve learned along the way through the challenges and joys in previous years.  Or the “I wish I knew this then” moments.  Many of these were learned in growing up, through teen years and early 20’s.

 

Let’s begin…

 

Love yourself.  Cherish you.  Do not condemn you.  Be nice to you.

 

If you are loving and nice to yourself, you naturally and effortlessly are loving and kind to others.

 

“Blessed (happy, spiritually prosperous) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 Amplified edition)

 

Don’t judge others, or compare yourself to them (though I see this is challenging since the world is always saying we have to compete to get somewhere).  Everyone is valuable and equal to God.

 

Keeping your focus on God and what He is seeing enables us all to be blessed.  And what does God see?  “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:28 NIV my emphasis).  This means God saw everyone that He made, each opportunity, as very good.  See the good in everyone, including you, and in every moment.  If you see good in everyone, you will see God.

 

“ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8 NKJV)

 

Pure motives and thoughts allow us to see Soul, and Soul blesses us, inspires, moves us, and satisfies the longings of your heart.

 

In fact, Jesus has already given us the spiritual answers and practical lessons we need in his Sermon on the Mount.  The Beatitudes, coupled with the rest of the Sermon, are the recipe for healthy, happy relationships, minds and bodies and a secure sense of our finances.

 

Stay tuned for more insights.  And, as always, feel free to be in touch if you need help with any of these.