ANIMAL PHOTO OF THE DAY - Running the Race- Let's SLOW DOWN!

The Bible has such great instruction for us, TODAY, in the 21st Century!! The counsel is timeless!!!   Like this, as quoted from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures":

"St. Paul wrote, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us;” that is, let us put aside material self and sense, and seek the divine Principle and Science of all healing."

" If the disciple is advancing spiritually, he is striving to enter in. He constantly turns away from material sense, and looks towards the imperishable things of Spirit. If honest, he will be in earnest from the start, and gain a little each day in the right direction, till at last he finishes his course with joy."


Sooo, little chicken, no need for a skateboard to "run the race that is set before us" !!!

Slow Down!!!

We can each "run the race" with patience, putting aside the "Worry, Worry, Hurry Hurry, Skelter and Scurry of a whirlwind material existence!!!"

Let's patiently Trust God.. and wait on Love's Still, small voice"  to guide us.

ANIMAL PHOTO OF THE DAY...- Blanket Coverage

Maybe David, as recorded in Psalm 4 in the Holy Bible, did not exactly have "godly" birds and doggies in mind when he wrote his beautiful Psalm, but it seems to apply.

These little birds seem happy to be protected by, and to lie down in peace and sleep beside, their "protector!!

The text shows that today, as in ages past, God watches over all who Trust in Him:

As David has it:

"But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him."

"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still."

"Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord."

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."

                 ***************
I think Doggie is working for the Father in carrying out his protective duties, sort of a “blanket coverage”!!

Good Dog!!!!  

HAPPINESS FOR TODAY!!

This happy frog with that beautiful wide smile reminds me that we are here, today, God's ideas, the outcome of His Divine Mind.

The Bible reminds us that "NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD"!!! (I John). Obviously the Happy Frog understands that!

Mary Baker Eddy, in her Bible companion book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" reassures us what is most important in Life:

"Beauty, wealth, or fame is incompetent to meet the demands of the affections, and should never weigh against the better claims of intellect, goodness, and virtue.

Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love.

It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it."

We have a CHOICE today!! Are we to be pulled down by the seeming problems of the world and our own daily challenges? Or are we open to God's promise that TODAY we are His children, that we CAN be happy, and can look for God's blessings every moment of the day? 

Let's choose to be Happy and to share it!!! 

Thanks Mr. Frog!!!!

I WONDER...

I am just an ape and I have heard that some humans believe that man evolved from my species whose members are known as Great Apes or Hominids. 

Supposedly humans represent an advancement in Evolution over my ancestors.

I guess that means when we apes and chimpanzees advance to the point of having guns, bombs, weapons of mass destruction, when we murder and discriminate against each other and have endless conflicts, we will be more advanced.

I am not real eager for that advancement. I confess that what humans have become makes me frightened. Maybe someday they will find out the "God is Love" and that they should..." Love One Another" as one of their prophets advised long ago.

I would be happy just to have a banana.

ANIMAL PICTURE OF THE DAY

Gentleness, a quality of a loving God, is reflected in all Creation.

In a world that sometimes seems so harsh, cruel and unloving, a world where LOVE often takes a back seat to selfish interests, human opinion, will power and the daily challenges of this world, sometimes a simple photo showing Gentleness and what Life is really all about can awaken us to a higher view.

I love this little innocent angel gently cradling a baby with tenderness. It reminds me of a favorite hymn. The words of this ancient hymn from The Sarum Gradual, date back to 1527 AD, and are now contained in the Christian Science Hymnal as hymn #316.

The poem helped me so much as a Dad years ago when I sometimes got upset with one of my rascally children!! I guess gentleness was a good thing even way back then and the words still mean a lot to me.


"Speak gently, it is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently, let no harsh word mar
The good we may do here.

Speak gently to the erring ones,
They must have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;
O win them back again.

Speak gently, ’tis a little thing,
Dropped in the heart’s deep well;
The good, the joy that it may bring,
Eternity shall tell."

This is a suitable "prayer" for today. May we all "speak gently" and listen for Divine Love's tender message of "gentleness".

WHAT IS BEAUTY?

When I first saw this lovely doggie, I wanted to squeeze him. This boy could be considered beautiful by some, maybe not so pretty by others, I expect. It made me think about what real beauty is. AND, where do we look for it... within or without?

Mary Baker Eddy defines beauty this way in her book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures", a companion to The Holy Bible:

"Beauty, as well as truth, is eternal; but the beauty of material things passes away, fading and fleeting as mortal belief." Immortality, exempt from age or decay, has a glory of its own, — the radiance of Soul. 

Immortal men and women are models of spiritual sense, drawn by perfect Mind and reflecting those higher conceptions of loveliness which transcend all material sense."

"Comeliness and grace are independent of matter. Beauty is a thing of life, which dwells forever in the eternal Mind and reflects the charms of His goodness in expression, form, outline, and color. It is Love which paints the petal with myriad hues, glances in the warm sunbeam, arches the cloud with the bow of beauty, blazons the night with starry gems, and covers earth with loveliness."

"The embellishments of the person are poor substitutes for the charms of being, shining resplendent and eternal over age and decay." (S&H page 248)

In an age when physical beauty, glamour, sculptured bodies, flawless skin, luxurious hair, petite body size and all of the other mortal measurements are "siren songs", alluring the unwary to worship the external, we sometimes glimpse where real beauty, lasting beauty, resides.

I love you "Wrinkled Doggie" and thank you for reminding us where to look for real beauty!!

GIVEN UP? GIVEN IN? OR GIVING?

"If a dog barks his head off in the forest and there is no human to hear him, is he still a "bad dog?"

I love dogs. I have found dogs can teach us wonderful lessons in love, obedience, gentleness, and on occasion, the not so wonderful traits of stubbornness and senseless barking!!!

Thinking about this cute picture and the idea of a doggie barking in the forest, unheeded, made me think of my life over the past year. .

For various reasons, reasons disturbing to me, including my deep concern over the contentious political situation in my country, the threat of terrorism, the plight of immigrants in America, the continuing warfare, extreme poverty and hunger in a number of countries, and on and on, I realized that amidst all of these problems I have been complaining, arguing, blaming, becoming a noisy combatant like that bad doggie barking in a forest where there is no one to hear or care. I had begun to feel like that “bad dog”. All bark and no solutions! I prayed to be freed from the “barking”.

Recently, as prayer and deep desire often bring, a totally strange and unexpected thought came to me. I didn’t really know what it meant.

It was: Do I Give Up? Give In? Or Give? 

Here’s some background. My wife and I volunteer at a weekly “Food Pantry” in a nearby community and at two “Free Meal” venues close to our town in eastern Florida. We supply canned goods, vegetables, meat, bread products and other food items supplied by generous grocery stores and restaurants at the Food Pantry. Then, we feed hot meals to the hungry, homeless, downtrodden, poor, unemployed and other sad cases at the Free Meal locations. 

As I have served there and talked to some of the wonderful folks passing through the line,

Hungry People Grateful for A Hot Meal

learning their names and finding out a little about their lives, I found we could almost see three categories, the three categories that had come to my thought earlier! Although seemingly totally unrelated to my personal struggle with the complaining, criticizing and barking in the forest, it started to become clear. 

Given Up, Given In and Givers.

Some of our “clients” seem to have “Given Up.” Their blank, expressionless faces reflect defeat and sadness, they don’t seem to have any fight left in them. These men and women of different ages, races and nationalities shuffle along as if life were such a disappointment. Some may have drug addiction, no employment, no prospects, no inspiration, no families, no smiles. They do often “light up” as we talk and as they feel the respect that we have for them. I have found that sometimes the lack of being loved is a more acute problem than their lack of food. Perhaps they don’t get much respect in their daily lives.

Others seem to have “Given In”. They appear to be accepting the idea that they are supposed to be in this somewhat dismal state, that they almost deserve to be homeless, or helpless. They are somewhat more open than the “Given Up” folks and we converse more, but most apparently don’t see much of a future and appear to be resigned to their situation as being normal for them.

But then there are “Givers”. Those of us who are Volunteering to prepare and serve the Daily Hot Lunch on our appointed days or distribute the food each week at the Food Pantry are now joined by some of those who actually receive food and meals but want to Give as well as receive. These people, apparently nearly Given Up or Given In when we first joined the ranks of the volunteers are now busily setting up tables, unloading food donations and getting prepared for when the rest of the people come to pick up food for their families.

What a delight it is to see them going from the state of receiving to active giving. I’m sure their financial situation may not be much different than it was earlier but they have responded to the love and care of the Volunteer Group and they are now Givers!

Interesting to me is that these wonderful folks are more outgoing, happy and seem to glow from their own efforts to Give. They jump at the opportunity to help in any way that they can, serving in the line, washing pots and pans, cleaning tables, setting up tables and anything needed. They may not have food to give but they have the willingness to give what they have. In their current state of need, they don’t fume or fuss but accept gratefully the good that is coming their way.

And, the active Giving by these dear ones has helped me see the way to get out of the forest of concern and disappointment with the current world situation, to do less complaining, and to do more listening, praying and expressing more gratitude... and more Giving.

Oh, it was very easy for me to get distracted, to be dragged down by a sense of injustice, riled up and barking my head off like the little puppy. But, the Great Physician, Jesus of Nazareth demonstrated every day what living according to his teaching involves.

He was a GIVER.

He said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

He certainly didn’t Give Up or Give In. He faced life’s challenges, and there were plenty for him, he overcame by Giving.

He didn’t GIVE as the world viewed Giving. While he did do some great “Food Pantry” and “Food Kitchen” things like Feeding the Multitudes and getting tax money from the mouth of a fish, his giving was sharing the key to eternal life. He fed the world with wisdom. He shared his wisdom in the form of the Beatitudes and simple parables describing the way in which we should live and conduct ourselves. He counseled, taught and healed.

He didn’t complain about taxes.

His advice in politics was Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

His gentle counsel included no senseless human arguments, distress, disappointment or the equivalent of  “barking in the forest”.

When confronted by hate or threats, He remained

calm and composed. In one instance, when he was teaching, many of the listeners became upset at him. According to the Bible, they: “rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.” (Luke 4:29-30)

As a lasting reminder he told his disciples, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)

So, with all due love and respect for my little doggie friend in the picture, I thank him for the Lesson Learned and hope to set a good example for him.

No more senseless barking. We have work to do.

Good Doggie

Lesson from the Sun Chimes

The gentle chime caught my attention. The pleasing tinkling sound roused me from deep thought. The past few days were spent deep in thought, not sleeping well, worrying and wondering. The world news had produced darkened thoughts, stories of irresponsible and depressing American political antics, terrorism in Europe, violence in the Middle East and Africa, domestic violence and other serious problems raining down on humankind, the world seeming to come apart.

Prayer is truly effective but recently the world seemed so threatened, I wondered "what could one individual possibly do to ameliorate this overwhelming plethora of problems facing the world?"

Then, a faint, gentle chime, a beautiful contrast against my troubled thought, gently singing its lovely tune in the background attracted my attention. Although it was not at all loud or forceful, more like the “still small voice” described in the Bible as the voice of Truth contrasted with the violence of earthquake, winds and fire, the music came through very clearly.

Click here to hear Sun Chime 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQmv40ybjYo

This “sun chime” was new to me and fascinating upon realization that the chime was powered, not by the wind nor batteries nor a hammer swung by a bell ringer, just the light of the sun streaming through the window.

In today's words we would say that the creation of that lovely sound “had no visible support”!!

This sunlight manifested an invisible force that was not just a passive glow giving light to the room, providing warmth and stimulus to growing things but a power that could produce sound, ring out a beautiful harmonious tone and lift my thought.

In a world where the forces of matter and mechanics, the push and pull of "human will",  seem to prevail, the tinkling chime gave me a better sense of the unseen power in the Universe.

Having just finished study of the wonderful guidance for living contained in the Sermon on the Mount in the Bible, my “User’s Guide” to finding peace and comfort, I was immediately reminded of Jesus’ encouragement for each of us: 

" Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid," (1.)  letting our light of spirituality shine, being a beacon to all mankind. Could our actions actually emulate the sun’s effect on that simple chime, and in similar fashion chime out inspiration, harmony, comfort and healing?

Christ Jesus promised: "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 2.)


This “light” that he reflected was not visible light rays but was “enlightenment”, the understanding that Life is Spiritual, that God is ever present, active, vital, the Truth of being. His light extinguished the darkness and depression of the mortal, material scene that would pull us downward by suggestions of doubt and fear, concerns that we are helpless, alone and “without God” or that we are separate from God, fearful even that God may be a myth.

Religious leader Mary Baker Eddy, author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, describing the science of healing used by Christ Jesus, stresses the power of the “light”: "Christian Science brings to the body the sunlight of Truth, which invigorates and purifies. Christian Science as an alterative, neutralizing error with Truth. The effect of this Science is to stir the human mind to a change of base, on which it may yield to the harmony of the divine Mind."  3.) 

As Jesus proved, In the glow of his “light”, sin, disease and death could not stand. Without medicines, surgery, psychic or psychiatric treatment, with no mechanical forces or physics, just the light of Truth shining as God’s presence he and the disciples brought healing and changed the world!  There was the answer I sought.  Jesus, along with his disciples,  taught and demonstrated that each of us CAN bring help and healing to the world. In a reassuring statement he said:  "He that believeth on me, The works that I do shall ye do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." 4.)

Thank you my little Sun Chime for the reminder that we are not slaves to a material universe but, as the Apostle Paul proclaimed: “In Him, we live and move and have our being”.    

 Let the Light of God's Love shine forth from each of us to continue the work of the Master Christian.

1.) The Bible - Matthew 5:14
2.)      ""         - John 12:46

3.)   Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures - Mary Baker Eddy     p 162

4.)  The Bible - John 14:12

Are We There Yet?

Well into a very slow automobile journey back home from a “trip to Grandma’s”, the inevitable cry goes out from the children in the back seat... "Are we there yet"? All parents will understand.

Some years ago while traveling with our four children on a long trip, well past sunset with the sky darkening,  a sleepy cry went out from the back seat as the car slowed down for traffic… Are We There Yet?  

 I admit that I smiled a patient smile, recalling my own whining of those same words MANY years before as we slowly navigated the two lane curvy, hilly roads of Kentucky and Tennessee driving south from Ohio in the 1940s,    Even though we were surrounded by Love, safe and comfortable right where we were, we wanted to be somewhere else!  Some things never change!

It seems today that our individual lives are rushed, forced to some degree, pressed on by a reaching out to the future and what it may bring.   While we may long for relaxation, peace, time to contemplate, to enjoy, our world seems to be:

Hurry, Scurry, Rush, and Worry,

Race Ahead to See What Comes Next!!

Why is it that where we ARE, even though we are surrounded by Love,  is often not where we WANT to be?  If at work, do we wish to be at home? If at home, do we wish to be somewhere else?   Do we frequently feel the need to be in some other “place”.   

 Is it that we believe that the call of some distant place is more fascinating, dreaming that if we were only THERE, we would be happy, excited, fulfilled, satisfied.   Maybe we entertain a sense of frustration or boredom feeling that our present location, our present time, our present situation is somehow not enough.

The lovely picture of “Mother Snail” with baby on board was a pleasant wake-up.  Gliding along slowly on her muscular foot, she seems serene and content with her progress, perhaps comforted by her little hitchhiker and carrying her portable home on her back, having everything she needs at this very moment.  

Often in business and other activities in which we are engaged we look to the future as “an escape” , a quick getaway from the work we are doing.   A favorite hymn has often served to comfort and slow down the temptation to rush ahead to the future, opening thought to the NOW of the present experience.   

The first verse asks: 

Why search the future and the past?

Why do ye look with tearful eyes

And seek far off for paradise?

Before your feet Life’s pearl is cast. (1)

The Bible, written centuries ago but still amazingly pertinent to today’s experience proclaims:  “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear,we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is"(2)  

(We can also add a little footnote to that verse as a reminder… We are Loved… NOW, HERE, In This Place at this Time, TODAY!! ) 

So often we are tempted to look just beyond where we are to the next human goal.   The Bible offers a clear view of how differently Jesus of Nazareth operated.   Expressing patience, love and understanding, he was “in the moment”, living out each step of his experience. Not rushing forward but healing in every moment, taking each opportunity to express love and patience right where he was.   Jesus often went to be alone in a quiet place where he could listen to the still  small voice of truth.  His best work was not in running feverishly from town to town, but done in the quiet of prayer and communication with his Father. 

 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (3)

 From his example we can realize a better sense of our spiritual existence and present perfection and our reflection of God who is LOVE!!  Most important concern should not be where is our body but where is our thought!!  Love is a here and now!!

If snails could smell fragrances, we can see a lovely picture of  “Mother Snail” setting a wonderful example for us,  stopping to smell the flowers on her leisurely trip forward.  Maybe that sweet Mother Snail knows the last verse of that comforting hymn and sings it as she slides along…

Then rise and greet the signs that prove

Unreal the ages’ long lament;

The “one far-off divine event” Is now,

and that event is Love.(4)

Safe travels Mrs. Snail

(1)   Christian Science Hymnal    Hymn 391

(2)   I John 3:2

(3)   Luke 17:20 – 21  

(4)   Christian Science Hymnal    Hymn 391

WHAT'S IN A HAT?

OK.  Probably most people wouldn’t get really excited about “still another” ball hat!   But I’m excited about mine.

Sure, I have hats.   Hats are not just a head cover; they tell the story, make a statement.  They often display the logo of a favorite baseball or football team.   Maybe the cap displays a corporate symbol, a motorcycle brand, a picture of a fisherman or deer hunter, a picture of an old man proclaiming “I’m a Grandpa”. 

 I wear a U.S. Air Force cap to show my pride in serving in the military.  I have a Liquid Nails and a Gorilla Glue hat to make people think I know what I’m doing when I go to Home Depot for repair materials. Those are called “cover up” caps because I am definitely NOT handy and have no idea what I am doing!!!

But my new hat is something different.  It doesn’t promote a team or a company, doesn’t boast or brag. It doesn’t mean anything to anyone except to ME.    It is a reminder:

STAND PORTER is part of the phrase “Stand porter at the door of thought” from the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy.

A dictionary definition shows Porter to be: “A person who has charge of a door or gate; doorkeeper.”   A Sentinel, if you will.  Standing porter means to stand as a sentinel at the door of thought to keep erroneous thoughts from sneaking in, affecting our attitude, distracting us from being the kind of person that we are striving to be.  We quickly learned while standing guard in the military to CHALLENGE and carefully check anyone who was attempting to pass by our station.  Intruders were sent to try to get by our post with false credentials or using fear of rank to intimidate.   Really good training to impress upon us the importance of "guarding" and recognizing un-Godlike thoughts trying to sneak into our thoughts. 

Eddy realized that today, just as in all recorded history, the influence of our human, mortal thoughts often seem inclined to pull us down from our high station as the “image and likeness” of God, our perfect Creator, the only Mind.    To fool us in an attempt to get by our "guard post".  

The Bible has Jesus, the great Teacher of Christian principles as saying: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”   1. )    What else could we be as the “image and likeness” of our Perfect Creator.

But, in practice, maybe others have shared my experience of being adversely influenced by a subtle, downward pulling negativity that creeps in and suggests that we are far from the Perfect Reflection of our Creator.  As Porters or Sentinels, we fall asleep at the switch!

Unless we faithfully Stand Porter our thoughts may be pulled down by the evening news, the contentious political campaigns in the United States,  the constant view presented to our thought of  terror and turmoil in the world and "every weight and the sin which so easily doth upset us" 2.)  Even Facebook and emails that constantly make the rounds contribute to a sense of injustice and evil in the world.

You may recall the cartoon character Charlie Brown being fooled

over and over.   His little friend Lucy would hold the football down, tempting Charlie to kick the ball. Just as Charlie ran up to kick Lucy pulled the ball away.   Like little Charlie, I have often reacted similarly, being fooled and  running towards that illusory football of fear, hurt, neglect, anger and injustice that I thought was confronting me, all the time believing the testimony of the human scene.  Somehow I lost my Standing Porter hat in the heat of battle!!   

I love the advice writer Mo Willem gives in his Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs,  "If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave.”  We aren't slaves to wrong thinking.

In her Miscellaneous Writings, Eddy says:     “Who hath not learned that when alone he has his own thoughts to guard, and when struggling with man‐kind his temper, and in society his tongue?”  3.)

Students of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth are awake and alert to the Charlie Brown temptations!!  They DO seem so real, BUT, Jesus showed how illusory are the suggestions that man is “the football of chance”.   He certainly stood porter at the door of thought, refusing to fall for the evil that appeared, whether it was physical illness like leprosy, hearing or vision loss, poverty and even death.   He even taught his disciples to turn away from what SEEMS to BE to what IS, spiritually.  He proved that “evil truly is in the eye of the beholder.

A most helpful example of Christliness, guarding his thought, was demonstrated when soldiers arrived in the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus.  Upon being approached by a group of soldiers his disciple Peter, defending Jesus, pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers. 

Then said Jesus unto Peter, “Put up thy sword into the sheath:” 4.) and he reattached the ear. He was Standing Porter against fear and anger. 

Mary Baker Eddy summarized our role as Porter in this paragraph in her Bible companion book, “When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought. Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious — as Life eternally is — can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not. Let Christian Science, instead of corporeal sense, support your understanding of being, and this understanding will supplant error with Truth, replace mortality with immortality, and silence discord with harmony.  5.)

Who says Hats aren’t important??!!!

1.)  Matthew 5:48

2.)  Hebrews 12:1

3.)  Miscellaneous Writings - p126  Mary Baker Eddy

4.)  John 18:11

5.)  Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures  495:14  Mary Baker Eddy