Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, like the Bible, is a wondrous book, the ever-unfolding, kaleidoscopic statement of Christian Science. Each thoughtful reading reveals new facets of sentences and paragraphs which have been read dozens, if not hundreds, of times before. Only eternity will reveal the whole of it. All that in a mere 600 pages!
An old Sentinel article pointed me once again to one of hundreds of S&H's challenging statements. "Whatever is cherished in mortal mind as the physical condition is imaged forth on the body." (411: 25-26) Cherish is an intriguing word choice. It is likely that its usual meaning is not the most fruitful one. Here are some others from the Student's Reference Dictionary: "To treat in a manner to encourage growth; to harbor; to indulge and encourage in the mind". The word encourage implies active support, which I would hope all Christian Scientists avoid assiduously. The word harbor , however, is passive--and subtle. A harbor is where boats seek shelter and moor or tie up. Are we unconsciously permitting false beliefs, mesmeric suggestions, to dock unchallenged in the harbor of our consciousness? Such beliefs may reside quietly and inobtrusively for a time, but eventually they begin offloading their malignant cargos.
God put his perfect reflection, man, in the catbird seat--gave man dominion over error in all its forms. To cede that dominion would be a sin. For many, modern, frenetic lifestyles seem to allow little unencroached-upon time for adequate study and prayer. Some may begin to exist on a diet of half-warmed Pop-Tart prayerlets which are grabbed on the run like a mail sack snatched by an express train (in olden times) as it sped by a small town. It usually takes time to calm the agitation of mortal mind before meaningful prayer, communion with God, can take place. Effective prayer is not a product knitted together in the odd scraps of time left over from a busy day. True prayer draws truths from the scabbard of the page, enthrones them in active thought, and thereby lets the sword of Truth guard and guide individual experience (S&H 538: 4). Sufficient quiet time for prayer often has to be vigorously scuffled for since the devil has his own malicious and false claims on our God-given catbird seat.
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20 comments:
Well done indeed, blogger! This just may be one of your best.
Thanks for posting,
This one is going to bless far and wide. An excellent essay, Christian. Glad I checked in just now.
This would certainly grace the pages of the Journal. Send it in!
Excellent posting, Wouldn't have missed this one for anything!
Hi,
While I read your website pretty much on a regular basis don't always comment. But this one makes me want to add my thank you. Really enjoyed reading it.
You write so well, but I almost think you're growing in a metaphysical sense. A very fine blog post here.
A delight to read, from the catchy title all the way through. You do express your thoughts so well!
Dear Writer,
I know what you mean about the unlimited unfoldments that await the reader of our textbook. I myself have come across statements I must have read before, but that are brand new to me. isn't it exciting?
A very helpful essay on what we may be harboring in thought that is detrimental to our spiritual progress, certainly our present well-being. Well presented, as always.
Appreciate your steady work to enlighten us out here!
I can imagine that Mrs. Eddy would be happy with what you are trying to do with your blog--encourage her followers to dig more deeply into the treasures she has left us.
Lots love to you,
I've been a fan of your website almost from the start, and am glad you're not still bashing Boston. (Not that I condone the wrongs they've done, but as you probably have concluded, correction is better left in God's hands.)
Appreciate the fine work you are continuing to do...
Just think of all the readers throughout the world who have benefited from your learned, well-written essays. I am one of them, and I thank you.
Can't we see why our Leader said we should take Science and Health, and study it, ponder it, read it from start to finish. She knew the infinite blessings that would come to the earnest reader of her book. I just wish everyone could have a copy!
Have to see what my favorite blogger is up to before I leave town. You've done another very good posting, and I thank you.
Thanks for being such a faithful student of divine Science. And of course, the Bible. A fresh and worthwhile website, The Broken Net.
As someone who is fairly new to the study of CS I am always eager to hear of healings. Do you ever post healings you've had?
The previous commenter may have a point. And I wonder, would you welcome testimonies, in a way, on your website? Would be quicker than sending something in to Boston and waiting for perhaps months to see it reach people who may need to know Christian Science is proving God's power these days.
Just a thought,
Happy Valentine's Day to someone who sure shows a lot of love for God, for Christian Science. And for your readers!
Valuable post and a pleasure to read the well-chosen words. The Word of God does take eternity to grasp, and unfold. Science and Health is a book that allows us all to being the grasping process, but it goes one forever. It is a strong guiding light through the darkness of mortal mind beliefs.
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