Saturday, July 25, 2009

Peekaboo!

Loyal Christian Scientists no doubt steer clear of medicine and drugs, but how many unwisely admit error through the subtle sophistries of certain types of exercise or aerobics (AKA recreation), gluttony via munchies or trencherman excess (AKA eating), or excessive attention to hygiene (AKA practical cleanliness)? If God fills all space, and of course He does, then even the most "innocent" indulgence of anything mortal or material is a sinful repudiation of His omnipotence and omnipresence. "Hidden sin is spiritual wickedness in high places." (S&H 453: 20-21) Even a pea held close enough to the eye will obscure the sun.

One may well take pride in avoiding the obvious snares, pits, and falls, but is he entirely honest about confronting the armies of devilettes which ceaslessly scurry about in frontal attack, infiltration, and ambush to tempt and harry him? Love handles and raffish deshabille may have their charm in society, but they may also mask serious failings. For some individuals a cannoli may be as dangerous a temptation as a snort of cocaine to others. No wisp of error, mesmerism, or aggressive mental suggestion is too insignificant to receive ones scrupulous attention, refutation, and destruction. The devil doesn't show up in a loud, mustard-yellow, polyester leisure suit complete with a "Hello, my name is Old Nick" self-adhesive tag. He is far more likely to slip in unnoticed on his little cat feet to dispense his honeyed, insidious, and sometimes fatal whisperings.

Note: Requests for biographical information have not gone unnoticed. How to respond is being pondered, since not all queries may be motivated by kindly interest, and there is a danger in letting the unruly camel of person get its nose into the tent. One needs to be wise even at the possible expense of appearing to be coy. There will doubtless be more later.

22 comments:

B.G. said...

You are so good! I never cease to be amazed at the talent you have, and the fresh way you have of expressing yourself.
Keep up your God-directed blogging. We need you!

From Florida said...

A friend in Fountain City, TN just phoned and said I must not miss your latest. So well said, and makes some vital points for us CS's.
Love and thanks,

Newport Beach, CA said...

Can't wait to find out more about my favorite blogger. I'll just bet you're a former english professor turned practitioner. (That devilettes was cute!)

Anonymous, like you! said...

Exceptionally well done. You do seem to enjoy blogging, and I certainly do enjoy reading your blog.
Thanks!

Waiting breathlessly... said...

Another way above average blog post. So creative/original. And most interested in learning more about you, blogger.

Anonymous said...

You just keep them coming, and so very well written. No wonder you have a widely-read and talked-about blog.
All the best to you,

L.R. said...

Your titles rock! And do your blog posts. You make Christian Science truths stand out in a fresh way which is why I keep tuning in.

Thanks from NY said...

Really like your website. And the way you described Old Nick, very creative.
(Can't wait to find out more about you!)

Best wishes said...

Very helpful to me the way you bring out how subtle the carnal mind can be. Boy, does it take discipline and staying sharp mentally/prayerfully to not get taken in.
Appreciate what you are doing...

Helen said...

This is going to be a treat learning more about a writer I love reading. I'll be checking every day.
Thanks for this one,

Cambridge said...

I was quite interested in your last paragraph and I agree that one must be careful in revealing too much. You are experienced enough having blogged for a long time (I've read your essays for many months now) to know there are the curious who are not in your corner, so to speak. So, be wise!

Boston Area C.S. said...

Yes, mortal mind is devious. As our Leader says, somewhere in "Science and Health", mortal mind is the worst foe of the body, while divine Mind is its best friend." This the gist of the thing. Eddy had it right, as usual.

Patrick said...

Good message. As Paul points out in the New Testament, (I. Cor. chapter 10, "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils."

Nashville, TN said...

Following on another's comment, this explanation from the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, has been helpful to me: pages 399 and 400, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures",
"Our Master asked: 'How can one enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?' In other words: How can I heal the body, without beginning with so-called mortal mind which directly controls the body?"
Fine entry today.

Arizona practitioner said...

Dear Blogger,
Permit me to add something to this discussion on mortal mind which has helped me enormously and that is the definition our textbook gives of Mind, that it is the exterminator of error a(when we declare it with solid understanding). When the carnal mind is coming at me with its lies, I find such uplift from realizing there is only one Mind actually and all are the reflection of this one divine consciousness.
Where would I be without the teachings of CS?!

No name for now said...

Your title certainly drew me in, and was, am, most interested in your closing #. You are actually intending to reveal things about yourself?! Yippee...

A Broken Net fan said...

Speaking for myself, I'd bet you've been an English professor at an ivy league university -- if you're not still at one.
But I shall stay tuned...

Dallas said...

Appreciate the helpful thoughts you've been sharing over the months, to assist students of Christian Science better demonstrate what it teaches.
God bless you,

Not in Boston said...

Dear Author,
Glad you've noted our requests for info, particularly your name! With me, it isn't idle curiosity as much as wanting to know the source of such writing talent. Unusual for the CS's I know. They just don't tend to be that deep-thinking is my experience. Why wouldn't you want credit for your excellent work?

An Arizona Fan said...

Seem to recall our Leader admonished us all to, "...find me in my books/writing..." That's probably not exact but is the spirit of it. Let us all "find you" in your writings, blogger. Anything else is probably just mortal mind's senseless curiosity and what is the point of all that?

Anonymous said...

I second what the previous commenter posted. It's enough for me to "find you" in what you send out to the world.
Keep 'em coming!

Dorothy (PA) said...

I'm of two minds on this question of whether to identify yourself: on one hand, I think I'd want to take credit for my most original CS writing. But then, as someone else pointed out, the carnal mind is usually (if ever!) out for our welfare. So...we shall see what you do.