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Wake up! Boldly challenge the accepted reality of sin, sickness and death!
CedarS application ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for 4-11-10: “Are Sin, Disease and Death Real?”
by Dan Carnesciali, CS, of St. Louis, MO
[with bracketed italics by Warren Huff]

[Editor's Note: The following application ideas for this week and the Possible Sunday School Topics that follow are offered primarily to help CEDARS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study and application of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! You can sign up to have them emailed to you free — in English by Monday each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French from Pascal or in Spanish from Ana. Soon a free German translation will be available again from Helga. SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]
 
Some emphasize “using” Christian Science to achieve healing.  Mary Baker Eddy never talks about using Christian Science.  Her emphasis is on unfoldment and spiritual understanding. [“Christian Science presents unfoldment, not accretion;…  Spiritually to understand that there is but one creator, God, unfolds all creation, confirms the Scriptures, brings the sweet assurance of no parting, no pain, and of man deathless and perfect and eternal.” S&H 68:27; 69:13]  Unfoldment is understanding your present spiritual perfection as your very being. That state of being doesn't require effort, but is the God-manifested actuality of your existence. This state of being is divine Mind's concept of its own nature, so it is your very own nature. Simply put, it is what God perpetually sees, feels, and knows. This state of being does not and cannot include sin, disease or death. [These are not states of being, only mis-statements of being. See Section 2.]

Golden Text:
Paul said, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, And Christ shall shine upon thee.”  (JB Phillips translation) Why did Paul want to wake the others? Why not let them keep sleeping?  “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”  (Eph 5:8)  It is time to wake up and walk as children of light. To wake up sometimes we have to break free of repetition and be willing to try something new. [Remember that a rut has been described as “just a grave with the ends kicked out.”]
 
Responsive Reading:
God never sent false dreams (false beliefs). If God didn't send false beliefs, you are not subject to them! You cannot be [April-] fooled by outer appearance. The chaff is the outer part of the grain that does not have value. The process of separating wheat from chaff is symbolic of the hard experiences we go through in life where the hard exterior, the valueless part, falls away and what is left is pure and useful. (If we understand our Mind's state of being as ours, we will not struggle.)
 
Section 1 – Me, Dreaming?
“But you–all you do is sleep. When will you wake up?” (B-1 Living Bible) “It's fatal, whatever it is,” they say. “He'll never get out of that bed!” (B-2 LBWhen a false claim appears real, it feels like you have to work to remove it, dissolve it, and move it off. However, in the stillness of Christ where you are fully aware of God, you realize that what is needed is to awake from the notion that the false claim is real.  When you believe that error is true, you struggle. Be happy — you don't need to struggle.  You are not in the struggle.   And, there is no struggle in you. (A spiritual idea has never been touched by evil.) There is a wonderful passage in Science and Health, which says, “If error were true, its truth would be error, and we should have a self-evident absurdity – namely, erroneous truth.” (p 472:20-21) There is no such thing as erroneous truth!  “The history of error is a dream-narrative. The dream has no reality, no intelligence, no mind; therefore the dreamer and dream are one, for neither is true nor real.” (S-3)  If neither is real, then you are not the dreamer. Who is dreaming, then?

“Now I ask, Is there any more reality in the waking dream of mortal existence than in the sleeping dream? There cannot be, since whatever appears to be a mortal man is a mortal dream.” (S-5)  What a bold challenge to conventional thinking this question is.
 
Section 2 – Now, I am Awake
If material thinking is a dream, then the solution must be outside of matter-based thinking. God says, “Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other.”  (B-6 LB)  “O God, my heart is fixed (steadfast, in the confidence of faith); I will sing, yes, I will sing praises, even with my glory [all the faculties and powers of one created in Your image].” (B-7 Amplified Bible)  Bless God. Shower God with care and affection. Approve of what God has created.  [Rejoice in His “tender mercies.” Hymnal Supplement 445 & B-8]  “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.”  (B-10 New Revised Standard Version)
 
Certainly, it is impossible to change anything that is real. Reality cannot be changed. That is why it is critical to discern what is real. If you are struggling with a cold, why try to change the symptoms? The problem is not in body, but in thought. (But, it is not your thought.)  Your health is established.  It is a spiritual fact and it is already perfect. “If sickness is real, it belongs to immortality; if true, it is a part of Truth.” (S-9)  What is changeable is belief.  False belief is another word for misconception. Dispel misconceptions. Replace misconceptions with the truth. [Replace mis-statements (RR) with scientific statements of being.]  Then, health will be restored.  “If sickness and sin are illusions, the awakening from this mortal dream, or illusion, will bring us into health, holiness, and immortality. This awakening is the forever coming of Christ.” (S-9)   Truly, healing is both an event and a journey.
 
Section 3 – Sin is a State of Self-deception
Some translations of Ps. 4:4 are awkward. The Hebrew word “ragaz” translated as “stand in awe” in the King James Version literally means “tremble, be agitated, be excited.” Another translation of this passage could be, “Find no comfort in sin; stop sinning!” (B-11)
The scribes and Pharisees wanted to know why Jesus' disciples did not observe the tradition of following practices of cleanliness. Jesus makes the cleanliness laws irrelevant by stating this great truth.  “What goes into a man's mouth does not make him ‘unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.' ”  (B-12 New International Version)

Sin is not incurable; it can be healed. “To put down the claim of sin, you must detect it, remove the mask, point out the illusion, and thus get the victory over sin and so prove its unreality.”  (S-12) When our sincere desire is to turn away from sin and lean on God, Christ, the true idea of God, gives us strength and power to turn from it. “Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love – the kingdom of heaven – reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until they finally disappear.” (S-14) The human mind sometimes wants to excuse sin and believes that its own fleshly goals and desires will bring happiness.  That is because it confuses excitement with happiness. “Awake to righteousness and sin not;” (B-14)
 
Section 4 – Repent!
“Brush off the dust and get to your feet, captive Jerusalem! Throw off your chains, captive daughter of Zion!” (B-15 The Message)  The Hebrew word “Qal”, which is translated as “sit down” in the KJV can also mean “remain,” as in “remain standing.” The point is to get moving, get momentum and throw off the chains of sin.
John the Baptist was put in prison by Herod Antipas, who was a first-century Roman ruler of Galilee. Antipas divorced his first wife and married Herodias.  John condemned Antipas' marriage to Herodias as sinful. John declared, “Time's up, God's empire is here. Change your life and believe the good news of [God's power and presence].”  (B-16 paraphrase)  Repentance is a cool concept.  It means to change or choose again, to turn wholeheartedly back to God.  When you are challenged by sin or disease, turn back to God. If the issue doesn't yield, choose again. In other words, choose God.
 
“Disease is an image of thought externalized. The mental state is called a material state. Whatever is cherished in mortal mind as the physical condition is imaged forth on the body.” (S-17)   
Sometimes we cherish or cling to very negative thoughts about ourselves. Are you aware that you are constantly giving yourself messages? Take a moment and think about how you are seeing yourself and how you think others are seeing you. Watch for messages like, “I'm ugly. I'll never make it. I'm old. I am unemployable.” Don't believe yourself, because none of these negative messages are true. (Because these messages seem to come from you, you believe them.)   You believe these messages, and they become absolute truth to you. But, they aren't absolute. They are relative, and you can wake up from them. If you are struggling with self-condemnation or doubt, repent. Choose (God) again!  “Truth is God's remedy for error of every kind, and Truth destroys only what is untrue. Hence the fact that, to-day, as yesterday, Christ casts out evils and heals the sick.” (S-20)

Section 5 – Death Dream
“O Lord my God: lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” (B-17) The “sleep of death” is how Jesus described Lazarus' death. Mary Baker Eddy also challenged conventional thinking about life and death. She boldly stated that life is not in matter so it can't cease to be in matter. What is called life or existence in matter — that's the colossal dream. Life does continue after physical death – in fact, our existence never ends.  It continues after death and it existed before birth. 
Imagine waiting for two days with Jesus after hearing that Lazarus was terribly sick before travelling to Bethany to see Lazarus' family.  Lazarus is just sleeping? He is dead? Both of Jesus' statements were accurate in context. Lazarus was asleep to his freedom from death. But to those on this plane of existence, Lazarus was gone, dead [to the point of starting to smell].

Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus will rise again. He tells her to cling to the Truth and witness Lazarus rising from death. The verb translated as “believe” in KJV has a different meaning than the modern sense of believe. Here, look at the translation in the Amplified Bible“Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live; And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all.  Do you believe this?” (B-18 AB)
 
Section 6 – To Life!
Scholars believe that in first-century Judaism, to help the family through the grieving process, women were hired and paid to mourn. (The Jewish People in the First Century)  Imagine as Jesus approaches Bethany where Lazarus' family lived. As he gets closer he can hear and see a chaotic scene. The crowd, including these professional mourners, is overcome with grief. Lazarus' sister, Mary, is overcome and is crying too. Jesus groans. The Greek word translated as “groan” in KJV is embrimaomai. Looking at other possible translations of this word, it appears Jesus was indignant, offended or angry at the scene of all those people wailing. Next, the Bible says Jesus cried. He didn't wail (klaio) like the crowd, he cried (dakyro). Many scholars believe that Jesus was not crying over Lazarus' death, but he is weeping with those who are weeping. But that would be sympathy. I believe Jesus was saddened by their disbelief, by their immersion in the dream of death. To Jesus, Lazarus was not gone at all. He was not dead – he was alive. 
 
As Jesus approaches the tomb, he loudly gives gratitude to God for hearing him. He wants the crowd to know and remember that he was sent by God to raise Lazarus. He then yells for Lazarus to walk out of the tomb. Lazarus rises and walks out of the tomb! He is whole. The story of Lazarus' resuscitation shows that life is not subject to death. It shows how practical and powerful aligning our thought with Truth is.  God's law has power over what we call death. (B-19)
 
As you can see from the quotes from Science and Health, Jesus identified Lazarus entirely, unwaveringly, as a spiritual being not as a mortal. Science and Health speaks repeatedly of forsaking the mortal self for the true concept of man. The only thing to be lost through this forsaking of self is suffering. “That man is material, and that matter suffers, — these propositions can only seem real and natural in illusion.” (S-26)   We are working out from, not toward, a state of spiritual perfection. The all-knowing I AM, the only Mind, is perpetually aware only of itself and what is real. When we are awake, that true state of being is what we are aware of too. “When we wake to the truth of being, all disease, pain, weakness, weariness, sorrow, sin, death, will be unknown, and the mortal dream will forever cease.” (S-28)
 
See how Lazarus' resuscitation parallels Jesus' own resurrection. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus stays for dinner and the very same Lazarus is one of those at the table. “It is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (B-20)
 
[“Put on the whole armor of pure consecration” Hymn 292;
“…find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:29-30]


 [This weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff who were blessed last summer at CEDARS–as well as to thousands of CEDARS alumni, families and friends who request it, or who find it weekly on our website.  But, current and planned gifts are much-needed to cover the costs of running this service and of providing camperships for ongoing inspirational opportunities.  Your support is always tax-deductible and welcomed–but during the economic downturn, your help has been and continues to be especially needed and appreciated!
 
Two ongoing needs
are to raise significant dollars:
     1)  to underwrite camperships for the hundreds of campers now applying for aid; and,
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To make a charitable donation to our 501C-3 tax-exempt, charitable organization:
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3) CLICK HERE RIGHT AWAY TO SUPPORT CEDARS WORK
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[Camp Director's Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 10-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson “Mets” (Metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. (To keep the flow of the practitioner's ideas intact and to allow for more selective printing “Possible Sunday School Topics” come in a subsequent email.) These weekly offerings are intended to encourage further study and application of ideas in the lesson and to invigorate Sunday School participation by students and by the budding teachers on our staff. Originally sent JUST to my Sunday School students and 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, application 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. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension and background as well as new angles (and angels) on the daily applicability of some of the ideas and passages being studied. The weekly Bible Lessons are copyrighted by the Christian Science Publishing Society and are printed in the Christian Science Quarterly as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms or online at eBibleLesson.com or myBibleLesson.com. The citations referenced (i.e. B-1 and S-28) from this week's Bible Lesson in the “Met” (Metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the Bible (B-1 thru B-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (S-1 thru S-30). The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world.  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 the ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.]
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Executive Director   director@cedarscamps.org    (636) 394-6162

[PSST: Stop hitting the snooze button! You snooze–you lose!]
Possible Sunday School Topics
for The Christian Science Bible Lesson:“Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?”for study during the week April 5-11, 2010
by Amy Robbins, St. Louis, MO
 
PSST for Golden Text and Responsive Reading
The Golden Text commands us to wake up.  What are you waking from?  How do you arise from the dead?  What light have you witnessed in your experience?  Why is waking up so important.  This concept of waking and awaking is a major concept in the lesson this week.  Why?  What's significant about waking up?
 
What false dreams are we facing regularly?  How do we recognize them as false and then refute them?  Why does it matter?  How and why do we praise God? What's so important/special/cherished about God and his mercy?
 
PSST for Section 1
Think about B-1.  This citation is a kind way of saying snap out of it.  How long does it sometimes take for us to wake up to what's really going on?  What is important about B-4.  Why does it matter?  Is this saying that there won't be challenges?  Or, that when faced with challenges, God is right there guiding and protecting us?  Give an example of how you've experienced this.
 
What are some ways to realize that something is a dream?  When you wake up from a really vivid dream, how do you recognize that it never actually happened?  In S-5, Mrs. Eddy asks and answers a question.  What is so important about the truth in that question?  How are you waking from the dream and realizing what's really true?
 
PSST for Section 2
What are some of the great things that God does that are described in this section? Think of some more.  What makes God so great?  If you were writing a psalm (a praise) to God, what would it say?
 
From S-6, why is it so important to have a true idea of God?  What is the result? Look at S-9.  Note how Mrs. Eddy reasons through why sickness and sin aren't real. How have you been able to reason through your perfection when you are faced with challenges?  Why is that so important?  Think about being a scientist.  What does that really mean?
 
PSST for Section 3
What is significant about the conversation between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees in B-12?  What were the scribes and Pharisees concerned about?  What was Jesus concerned about or focused on?  Do we ever get distracted and caught up in the wrong battle?  How do we stay focused on keeping our thoughts pure?
 
S-10 reminds us to control evil thoughts in the first instance.  How do we do this? How have you been able to do it?  Refer to S-12 to find out how to handle sin.  How do you get rid of it?  Can you avoid it?  In Miscellaneous Writings, Mrs. Eddy writes that “mankind thinks either too much or too little of sin” (Misc. 107:32 only).  How do we make sure we aren't doing this?  Look at the list of qualities made in S-14.  How are you letting them reign within you?  What does that look like?  What does it feel like?
 
PSST for Section 4
B-16 is the first interaction between Jesus and Peter.  What do you think you would have thought about it if you were Peter?  This healing comes just after Jesus is baptized.  It is the first thing he does in the book of Mark.  Why is it so important? Why might it be the first recorded account?
 
How is the healing of sickness different than healing sin?  How is it the same? How do we make sure we are only cherishing good and perfection in our thought, like S-17?  Notice the strength and direction from the words in S-19.  Action verbs are used here.  How have you used these ideas?  They are found in what are often called the fighting pages.  Why do you think they are called that?  S-20 emphasizes how Truth destroys the lie.  Can you give an example of this?  How about in math or school?  Something fake is automatically null when faced with truth.  How is this the same as in thought and healing?
 
PSST for Section 5
Look at the story of Lazarus that is started in B-18.  Why do you think it took so long for Jesus to get to Bethany?  Lazarus was Jesus' friend, yet Jesus stayed where he was for two more days after finding out Lazarus was sick.  What might have been going through Jesus' thought?  What about Martha?  Accusation, hurt, betrayal? How could she forgive the one who could have saved her brother?  Do we outline, get mad/hurt when it doesn't work out the way we expected?  What faith did Martha need to demonstrate?
 
S-23 says that “man is, not shall be, perfect and immortal.”  Is this tough to grasp? Why might it be?  How do we regularly recognize and expect to see this?  The citation also states that “It is a sin to believe that aught can overpower omnipotent and eternal Life…”  Think about this.  Can you overpower all power?  Think about S-24.  Death is a challenge, but just because everyone believes in it doesn't make it true.  Think about Columbus, Galileo, and Copernicus.  Just because everyone else believed the earth was flat and the sun revolved around the earth didn't mean that was true.  How can we use this in our lives?
 
PSST for Section 6
B-19 concludes the story of Lazarus.  It describes how Jesus wept after going to Lazarus' tomb.  What does that tell you about Jesus and his compassion?  Also, when directing the stone to be rolled away, Martha says that “he stinketh”. Sometimes there are lots of challenges to overcome.  Jesus was able to show the nothingness of all claims, attacks, expectations, and only witness/experience/bring about healing results.  Can we do this, too?  Of course!  How do we have the same authority that Jesus did?  The lesson ends with B-20, which states that “it is high time to awake out of sleep.”  Do you agree?  How are you waking up?
 
How do we wake to the truth of being described in S-28?  What needs to change in our thought?  Are we ready to wake up?  Look at S-29.  Life reveals what's real and true.  Are you ready/open/prepared for this?  Remember that we have dominion over the whole earth.  Give an example of this in your life.
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