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Praise the Lord!!! Look Around – See Immortal Mind rather than Mortal Molecules.
Application Ideas for the Bible Lesson:  “Is the Universe, Including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?” for December 13-19, 2004
Prepared by Kathy Fitzer, CS, of St. Louis, MO

“All nature teaches God’s love to man …” (S&H 326: 8) Look for the fullness of God’s love expressed in the universe around you.  Praise God, for nothing is outside of the realm of Spirit. See everything spiritually (translate what looks like things into thoughts – what qualities do the things represent?) The order of the universe illustrates the impossibility of non-intelligent atoms being responsible for creation.  Mind is the creator. To see the order of the universe expressed in the order of mankind, we must start from the premise of Mind governing all


Golden Text: Ps. 19:1 The expanse of the heavens is but a hint of the fullness of God.  When you look up at the sky, realize that “The heavens proclaim God’s splendour, the sky speaks of his handi-work.”  (Moffatt’s translation of the G.T.)  Never again take for granted the magnificence of a starry-night, the surety of the dawn, the radiance of a sunset, or the glint of reflected sunlight.  See it, instead, as evidence of Mind’s control over all – everything in its place, governed by Spirit, not matter – thus, unlimited good.

Responsive Reading:  The Responsive Reading establishes the fact that God made all – the earth, the heavens, the rain and the clouds, man, and all living creatures.  The conclusion is then drawn that if God could do all that, surely nothing is too hard for God.  Would that not include the healing of the sick and sinning, guidance in every aspect of life, and the establishment of peace?

Section I:  Praise God’s Supremacy Through Scientific Interpretation.
Undoubtedly, David had learned much as he studied the skies while tending his sheep as a shepherd.  Notice in the Bible the references to God’s authority and strength.  What has God done?  Take special note of the verbs. Where is the place of God’s habitation referred to in Ps. 33: 13-14?  Check out the definition of heaven in Science and Health, p. 587.  Aren’t we concerned with a state of consciousness, rather than a location?  We need to rely on Science, rather than the physical senses, to get the true picture of things. We must acknowledge immortal Mind, which governs all, to be “supreme in the physical realm, so-called, as well as in the spiritual.” (S&H #4, p. 427)  As we praise God’s creation, we acknowledge that right where molecules and atoms seem to constitute substance, “the universe is filled with spiritual ideas.” (S&H #1, p. 295)  We call the ideas physical, but that doesn’t change their mental nature. ALL forces are thought-forces.   All things are held together by Mind, and can’t fall apart, be de-railed or decay.  Let yourself go as you consider the practical applications to the statement: “Adhesion, cohesion, and attraction are properties of Mind.” (S&H #3, p.124)  For instance:  realize that Mind keeps vehicles in control on wet or icy roads, Mind heals wounds, Mind brings people together in peace, Mind gathers seemingly scattered thoughts, and even pulls together plans for holiday events.  The possibilities are endless. Have fun!

Section II:  See and Praise the Works of God – Interpret the Universe Spiritually
There are not two creations – one material, the other spiritual.  Job recognized that God alone had power and had created all things, including the waves of the sea and the constellations of the sky.  The psalms are songs of praise and rejoicing, acknowledging the omnipotence of God.  We are encouraged to, “Come and see the works of God:”  (B#5, Ps. 66).  Where?  Look at what is around you, but rather than seeing atoms and molecules, interpret things spiritually.  As you study the Science and Health portion of this section, see how Mrs. Eddy has interpreted each element scientifically, starting from a basis of the totally spiritual creation of Mind.  For instance, she notes the beauty of the stars, the attraction of the sun (Soul), the perpetual motion of Mind symbolized by the sphere.  Challenge the reports of the physical senses. We naturally think in terms of the sun as the center of the solar system, in spite of appearances, but do we sometimes forget that God (Mind) is the center of all, and that we are tributary (subject) to Mind’s control? Mortal mind can be subtle.  Persist in translating things into thoughts until you see that “all the evidence of physical sense and all the knowledge obtained from physical sense must yield to Science, to the immortal truth of all things.” (S&H #9, p.493)  Mrs. Eddy states, “…the stellar universe is no more celestial than our earth.” (S&H #7, p.509)  Webster defines celestial as, “relating to or suggesting heaven or divinity.” As we  acknowledge the concord of heavenly bodies, let’s rebuke reports of earthly discord, and recognize that “…as in heaven, so on earth, – God is omnipotent, supreme.”  (S&H p. 17)

Section III:  Praise God by Interpreting things of the earth spiritually, too. 
Is anything outside of God’s control?  Are there such things as natural disasters?  Look for all the elements of nature discussed in this section, including the rain, the clouds, thunder, snow, beasts, flowers, birds, turtles, trees, vines, hills, goats and conies (rabbits).  And again we are told to praise God for all goodness, and to recognize that the purpose of all nature is to express God’s fullness (to praise Him).  I love the imagery that God “thundereth marvelously” with his voice. (B#11, Job 37)  Thundering indicates authority, and also assures us that God will be heard – by all.  God is the only communicator.  Notice, the symbolism and imagery Mrs. Eddy uses to describe each aspect of nature, from flowers and mountains to birds and animals.  She says, “To mortal mind, the universe is liquid, solid, and aeriform.” (S&H #13, p. 511) But don’t settle for the report of mortal mind. As you look at the things around you, translate them into thoughts (qualities).  As you recognize the qualities of thought represented by various elements of the earth and its occupants, see these as universal qualities, governed by God.  “All of God’s creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible.”  (S&H #14, p. 514)  This is a good statement to memorize.  And then, rather than limiting its application to a run-in with an animal, see that all creatures include all individual persons. All moves in harmony – all parts of an individual body, or a body of individuals!

Section IV:  Praise God as Creator – Barrenness is not God’s will. 
Elisabeth and Zacharias were resolved to the fact that they would not have children.  They were both beyond normal child-bearing age, and Elisabeth was apparently barren.  Zacharias was a priest and honored God by serving him “with gladness.”  But, he didn’t really understand the Psalmist’s words, “it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.” (B#14, Ps. 100) God is the only creator, and what appears as material birth reflects the creative power of God.  (S&H #17, p. 507) When it was Zacharias’ turn as priest to enter the holy sanctuary, he was surprised by the angel Gabriel, appearing to him at the altar of incense.  Zacharias did not believe the angel’s promise that he and Elisabeth would have a child – a child that would prepare the way for Christ Jesus.  Although not in this week’s lesson, Zacharias’ disbelief resulted in his inability to speak from the time of this announcement until the birth.  This sign further reinforced the fact that this special child was the fulfillment of God’s holy purpose.  Remember, Elisabeth was Mary’s cousin.  At the time that Mary received the angel message that she would be the virgin mother of Jesus, she also learned that Elisabeth was expecting.  This surely helped Mary trust God’s promise.  Man coexists with God and the universe. (S&H#19, p. 266)  Thus, there isn’t a beginning, or an end, to the life of man.  Entertaining a mortal sense of things is the problem, mistaking the fact of a continual appearance of creation “from the nature of its inexhaustible source” for the inverted image of new ideas being born of matter. (S&H #17)  Understanding that Love is the divine Principle – the Father and Mother of man – and that man is the idea of Spirit (the seed within itself) – without birth and without death – is so freeing.  It allows all limits to be dropped.  This understanding is fundamental to healing every false belief, ranging from barrenness to unhappy relationships within families, to health issues, to the moving forward of a right idea that seems to be stymied.  Check the basis of your thinking – make it scientific!  Believe in the “impossible.”

Section V:  Praise God through Unlimited Spiritual Senses.
“Science declares that Mind, not matter, sees, hears, feels, speaks.”  (S&H #24, p. 485) Understanding this, Jesus healed the blind, deaf, and dumb on many occasions.  This particular time he healed a man who was deaf and dumb. (B#17, Mark 7).  The Bible reports that he put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched the man’s tongue with spit.  Is this what healed?  Or was it the authority of the Christ – of the scientific Truth – that commanded “Ephphatha” (be opened)?  Jesus was anointed by God to show others that it is God’s will that man hear all the good that God has created, and share good with others by voicing praise.  Why do you suppose Jesus instructed the people that witnessed this healing, not to share what they had seen?  He must have known they wouldn’t honor his request.  Perhaps he hoped that they would seek to understand the scientific Principle behind the healing, rather than being so focused on rushing out to report the physical results.  When we witness a remarkable healing, do we just remember what was healed, or do we look for, listen for, feel, and repeat the spiritual facts behind the healing?  We need to do whatever we can to “learn in Science how to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect.” (S&H #23, p. 276)  Only in this way will be experience the unlimited, unending beauty and harmony of Soul. 

Section VI:  Praise God by Translating Man and the Universe Back into Spirit. 
This section summarizes all we’ve been learning.  “I am the Lord, and there is none else.” (B#19, Isa. 45) That’s it.  ALL is Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth, Love.  Because of this All-power (as we read about in last week’s lesson), “in divine Science, the universe, including man, is spiritual, harmonious, and eternal.” (S&H #26, p. 114)  It doesn’t look like it.  The testimony of inharmony is pervasive.  And it will remain so, as long as we work from the basis of corruptible matter (atomic force.)  Mrs. Eddy defines a miracle as “that which is divinely natural, but must be learned humanly; a phenomenon of Science.”  (S&H p. 591)  So-called miracles have disproved the laws of matter over and over.  Perhaps the time has come to change our perspective.  In the face of war, bear witness to the scientific law of peace.  In the face of sickness, bear witness to the scientific law of health.  In the face of lack, bear witness to the scientific law of infinite supply.  You can continue the list.  So many things in our world today are supported and promoted by material science.  Yet material science, because it starts with a limited atom, must have limitations.  Divine Science begins with infinite Mind.  There is nothing else!  All limitation “must give place to the spiritual fact by the translation of man and the universe back into Spirit.  In proportion as this is done, man and the universe will be found harmonious and eternal.”  (S&H #28, p. 209)  This is a worthy goal.  Practice!  To become fluent in a foreign language requires practice.  At first, it takes conscious effort to translate from one language to another.  With practice, one starts thinking in the “foreign” language.  Perhaps, that is the difference between us and Jesus.  We still need to consciously translate things into thoughts – so-called matter into Spirit. Jesus thought scientifically all the time.  To him (as it can be for us) all indeed was “Mind and its infinite manifestation.” (See S&H p. 468)  Thus harmony reigned.  And it can for us!

Key to Abbreviations:  In CedarS weekly Bible Lesson “Mets” (B#3) stands for the 3rd citation in the Biblewhich unless otherwise noted, refers to the King James version. Other versions of the Bible when used are cited in parenthesis.  Abbreviations for books of the Bible are standard as found in the Christian Science Quarterly, i.e. Ps. 23:1 stands for The Book of Psalms, 23rd chapter, 1st verse. 

S&H stands for Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. (S&H#3) stands for the 3rd Science and Health citation in the lesson. (S&H 497:24) refers to Science and Health page 497, line 24.



Camp Director’s Note: The above sharing is the latest in a long series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians.  This document is intended to initiate further study as well as to encourage the application of ideas found in the Weekly Bible Lessons as printed in the Christian Science Quarterly and as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms. Originally sent JUST to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson “mets” are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson in the books. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension, background and daily applicability to some of the ideas and passages being studied. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of these ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.) 


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