You are not matter

This article was published in the Christian Science Sentinel on March 13

https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/1527q6t3yuw?s=copylink

A way forward out of regret

This article was published in the Christian Science Monitor today.

https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/A-Christian-Science-Perspective/2023/0227/A-way-forward-out-of-regret

Will I See You Again?

This was published in today’s Christian Science Monitor. I hope you find it helpful.

https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/A-Christian-Science-Perspective/2023/0214/Will-I-see-you-again

Turmoil and injury healed

Hi Friends,

Here’s a link to a testimony of healing published in the Christian Science Journal

https://journal.christianscience.com/shared/view/g4ayrzazao?s=copylink

Let the grateful one be me

Hi Friends,

Here’s a link to an article published this week in the Christian Science Sentinel. Enjoy!

https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/qaibp9yuuw?s=e

Am I a fraud?

Hi Friends,

This article was posted on JSHonline today. Hope you find it useful and interesting.

https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/nwqot9131m?s=copylink

Let your light shine

This was published in the September 27, 2022 Christian Science Monitor.

https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/A-Christian-Science-Perspective/2022/0927/Let-your-light-shine

Let go of limiting labels

This podcast was published yesterday in Sentinel Watch. Even though it was recorded in February before all the lockdown, it includes some good ideas for dealing with it. Hope you enjoy it.

 

Click this link  Let go of limiting labels

 

 

Fear…

…is a lie and a liar. Every time, no matter what. Nothing fear can suggest has any basis or reality. That’s because perfect Love casts out fear (see 1 John 4: 18), and perfect Love is God and God is ever present. So if God is never missing, there is never a moment when fear could actually be true – about anything.

One of Jesus’ biggest messages to his followers, including you and me, was “fear not.” He didn’t ever say being afraid was practical or necessary or made sense. He said “be not afraid.” And the Master lived what he taught. He wasn’t afraid of death or life. Or sin or sickness. Or hunger or thirst. Or the past or the future. Or those that were the same or those that were different. He wasn’t afraid to put his teachings to the test, even in his own crucifixion. His refusal to be afraid, even there, enabled him to walk out of the tomb alive and well.

And he expected us to do the works he did. Including to not be afraid. His disciples proved then that it was possible to follow that command, and his disciples today are proving it as well.

Since fear is a lie and liar, tell the truth about it. Tell the truth about God’s ever present Love that proves, by casting it out, that fear is nothing.

Fear is no thing. Nothing.

Love is all.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the add me button.

Oil, wine, and a donkey – or not passing by on the other side

You all know the story of the Good Samaritan found in the 10th chapter of Luke in the Bible. Here’s a quick recap: in response to a question about being a neighbor, Jesus tells this story: a traveler is attacked, injured, and left for dead.  Two church workers see him but don’t stop to help. A Samaritan traveling along the same road does stop, cleans him up, transports him to an inn and pays for his care. The punchline is, he who showed mercy was the neighbor.

For lots of reasons many of us are like the ones who pass by on the other side.  We don’t want to get involved, we don’t know what to do, there is some kind of legal prohibition, we don’t have time, someone else will do it, it’s not our job, we’re afraid, and on and on and on.  We’re good people and we do good things, but we just won’t do that – whatever “that” is.

Jesus knew that tendency of human nature, which is why the story resonates with so many of us.  To be fair, many of us do stop and help – under certain circumstances.

Here’s a way that we can all be more consistent in being a neighbor: you may recall that the Samaritan used oil and wine to clean and dress the wounds of the injured man. Those words – oil and wine – have spiritual definitions, found in the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. She defines oil as: consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration; and wine as: inspiration; understanding.

If we mentally bathe ourselves and others in those qualities found in the two definitions we’ll find that all of those reasons for passing by on the other side simply won’t be so compelling. Just like a tough callous responds to a good soaking in oil, a tough situation also responds to expressions of gentleness and understanding. Those mental attributes bring a natural lubrication that smooths the way to solutions perhaps thought impossible.

There isn’t a definition of donkey in the Glossary of Science and Health, but it could represent our willingness and ability to move forward to a useful resolution.  Developing an inclination to help, leaning towards having a heart prepared to give aid, opens our eyes to countless opportunities to pour in oil and wine.

This kind of mental work is not just useful in obvious situations where physical assistance is necessary.  It’s also valuable when we have political disagreements, or family upheavals, or community divisions.  If we take our oil, our wine, and our donkey with us everywhere we go – whether it’s across town or just on to Facebook, we’ll be more ready to be generous.  We’ll be more neighborly.

Jesus said to the questioner after he identified what a neighbor is, “go, and do thou likewise.”  Still good advice, don’t you think?

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.