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Notes and References Sept 25, 2000 Pressure getting to you? You asked how to handle pressure and stress. Did you know that MBE only used the word pressure once in all of her writings? Here it is: S&H 451:2-4 Christian Scientists must live under the constant pressure of the apostolic command to come out from the material world and be separate. How much does 0 equal? What about two zeros (00)? How ‘bout 000? 000,000? How about 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000? Still nothing, right? Now what are all those zeros worth if we place a 1 in front of them? Are you the one stepping in front of all those false claims and thus giving them power? Have you personalized false beliefs that you are inadequate, that your are sick, that you lack intelligence, beauty, speed, etc? One sure sign that you are standing in front of false pressure is when you find yourself rehearsing an argument, an accident, an interview or a phone conversation. In fact you might find yourself going over and over it again and again in your thought. There is a place in the textbook (Chapter 12, Christian Science Practice) where Mrs. Eddy compares a physical problem to a court case. We will cover the court case later in this class but for now look at how the case begins: "A man is charged with having committed liver complaint. The patient feels ill, ruminates, and the trial commences." Pg 430 What does "ruminate" mean? That is right—going over and over something like a cow chewing its cud. When you do that out of jealousy, resentment, anger, fear, etc. you have added the necessary ingredient for the trial (sickness) to begin. You can heal by reversing that mistake and correcting your thinking—"bringing it into obedience with Christ." Cheered by the presence of God I will do each moment, without anxiety, through the strength that He shall give me, the work that his divine Providence shall assign me. I will leave the rest without concern. It‘s not my affair. (Author unknown) Do you see how that short prayer relieves us of a false sense of responsibility? People call a practitioner to either get something or get rid of something. That is where pressure comes from. We aren’t seeing our spiritual completeness—possessing everything we need and having nothing that is not rightfully ours. By the way, Mrs. Eddy didn’t invent the concept of controlling your thinking. Look at Paul advice in his letter to the Corinthians: II Cor 10:4,5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; The only thing you have to worry about is being true to your spiritual identity. When you come face to face with the Christ, Truth, do you stand there and allow yourself to be embraced or do you turn and run? There is a story on the Bible of the first streaker we know of. That’s right, a streaker! (Rather humorous at first read.)Mark 14:51,52 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. Now I warn you, this is the gospel according to Mike but I am assured that I am close. It seems the Last Supper was being held at the home of a friend of Jesus who had a 12 year-old son. His mom was concerned about the lad during such an important occasion and sent him to his room. To make sure he didn’t come out and disrupt the meal she took his clothes from him and sent him to bed naked. He was so curious he took the bed sheet and wrapped it around his naked body and followed the group out to the garden after the meal. Now the disciples were actually young men, probably late teens or early twenties. They saw the youngster hiding behind a tree and thought they would have some fun. So, when he wasn’t looking they grabbed the sheet and the young boy fled from them naked. Good story, huh? Well, we know the story is true because it is considered the calling card or "signature" of the writer. Yes, Mark was the young boy, and that was Mark’s way of telling everyone that his writing is accurate because he was there. He was the boy! I know that none of you will turn and run when you are exposed to the Christ. While I am not sure that is exactly what Paul had in mind, none-the-less don’t be afraid to obey the "apostolic command…and come out from the material world and be separate" Remember those computer generated designs that when you look carefully enough you see images beyond the design. It is the same thing with seeing spiritually in the face of all those zeros, in the face of all the human opinions. Must not that be what Mrs. Eddy meant with this sentence?:S&H 129:22-24 We must look deep into realism instead of accepting only the outward sense of things. That allows you to step aside from all those zeros and allow the Christ to guide you. I will be away for the next two weeks so I have attached the Bible Lesson for the next three weeks. See you all when I return. |
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