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[Learn by doing! Spiritual understanding comes through demonstration; let’s do it!]
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on

“Spirit”
for the week ending February 11, 2018

by Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden. Germany
rickstewartcs@aol.com +49 351 312 4736

[A Ken Cooper poem for this Lesson is posted online, Cobbey Crisler insights to follow]

Sometimes when the kids and I are listening to the radio in the car an “oldie” comes on. Then I get bombarded with questions. Was that a big hit when you were a kid? When was it from? Did you listen to it Papa?

But what often strikes me is how often I did not actually know the correct words, or I got them a little wrong. I was often singing something different than the real words. I have realized that many times it is the understanding that was lacking. Yep, when I was a young teenager I did not know what the song was about, or I did not have the experiences that allowed me to understand the song. Or maybe I just was singing the refrain and never really listening to the message. And sometimes it is a real revelation!

That is what I thought of when I saw the Golden Text this week. Many Bible verses are old friends, beloved memorized statements of inspiration or encouragement. I know them well and immediately recognize their message. But…with a little more understanding that has come with demonstration, or practice or application. I get it!

Golden Text | I Corinthians 14:15 I will sing “…I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Or as the New Living Translation puts it:

NLT – I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.

Responsive Reading John 12:44; 4:24; Luke 9:1, 2; 10:1, 2, 17–21 (to 🙂

These alternate translations from our Responsive Reading continue by adding a little “understanding” behind the words.

John 12:44; – 44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.

John 4:24; CEB – 24 God is spirit, and it is necessary to worship God in spirit and truth.”

Luke 9:1, 2; 10:1, 2, 17–21 (to 🙂

Luke 9:1, 2; CEB – Jesus called the Twelve together and he gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal sicknesses. 2 He sent them out to proclaim God’s kingdom and to heal the sick.

Luke 10 The Message (MSG) [paraphrase]

Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:

“What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.

The seventy came back triumphant. “Master, even the demons danced to your tune!”

Jesus said, “I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I’ve given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.”

At that, Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit. “I thank you, Father, Master of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the know-it-alls and showed them to these innocent newcomers. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.”

So do you want to be a part of the know-it-all group, or are you ready to join the innocent newcomers? I vote for the “innocent newcomers” ready to learn as much as you can about Spirit!

Section 1: Spiritual understanding reveals the firmness of heaven’s “now-ness!”

Recently and in the past there have been movies produced with the purpose to share a story establishing the real existence of heaven. I will not set forth a list of those movies because I do not want to endorse or recommend any particular movies. But some of these movies give food for thought. Often they include insights to apply and think about. There are many movies, songs, and books that inspire us. As Mrs. Eddy writes, “Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love — be it song, sermon, or Science — blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ’s table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty.” (SH 234:4)

But what we can discover in the Christian Science Bible Lesson are eternal ideas, inspirations that encourage us in practical demonstration in our lives, and thereby we understand the firmament of heaven (B1) [and its present possibilities understood—revealed in the hush of heavenly harmony right at hand.]

I remember one distinct morning years ago. I was in the middle of a lecture tour. I had spent the night in Kentucky and planned a 4:30 a.m. wake-up, study session, and drive towards Ohio. But I slept in! I have to say I had a plan and God had another plan. I actually woke around 7:15 a.m. and realized I needed to get on the road. I checked out of the hotel and loaded up. As I drove in the morning mist I was earnestly praying by heart a powerful, spiritual statement from page 468 of Science and Health called the “Scientific Statement of Being.”

I went over and over this concise statement [that affirms truths and denies lies]—affirming God’s allness and man’s spirituality. I thought about it, I affirmed certain phrases, I thought how it applied to me, the cars on the Interstate, and my fellow drivers. I thought about the beautiful sunrise, the nature bathed in its light, and all that came to thought, as a portion of the glorious truth in this statement. And suddenly in a glorious flash of revelation I realized that that was the absolute truth right then and there. A glimpse, a twinkle in my thought of the truth of that wonderful statement.

Then my gaze was drawn to the side of the road. There standing in the early morning sunlight, dew glistening, was a beautiful, eight-point buck, a male deer with large antlers. His head was raised high; the breath coming out of his nose was like a small cloud surrounding him. It was one of the most glorious scenes I had ever experienced. And then I thought, “And if you had continued in your plan for the morning?” I was humbled, realizing that in every moment we can make the turn to God’s eternal presence, turn to the God at hand and discover that truly as our Master taught, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:2)

The Science and Health citations firm-up our spiritual understanding of heaven’s allness, hereness and nowness. None of these 3 words passes the knowledge of an “auto spell checker”, but all give us “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, (and) shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) [W]
“Spiritual understanding, by which human conception, material sense, is separated from Truth, is the firmament.

“Spirit imparts the understanding which uplifts consciousness and leads into all truth.” (S3, 505:7–8, 16–17)

“HEAVEN. Harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul.” (S4, 587:25)

Let’s prepare our thought for further tastes of heaven and its harmony right at hand!

Section 2: Our spiritual nature one with Spirit.

What a joy to begin to think of ourselves as this section outlines, “spiritual.” As citation B6 points out, made in God’s image and likeness, male and female, and “very good.”

Shouldn’t that be enough for a yippee!—or an amen!

From what we know as the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, the following verses are found in Section 2.

Matthew 5: Verse 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

Verse 48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

The Message paraphrase of these verses puts it: “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

Something very special happens when we begin to live our lives as the citations from the Bible and Science and Health outlines in this section. We have experiences that reflect the true spiritual nature of our identity.

Section 3: Lessons from a couple of Josephs [download a poem about Joseph & Spirit online]

The lesson of Joseph, the son of Jacob, and his time in Egypt is an inspiration that rings down the centuries. The portion of the story included in this week’s lesson, (B10 and B11) and the explanatory citations from Science and Health illuminate its importance, and are wonderful life lessons. The understanding of its significance comes through clearly by illustrating that often very challenging circumstances place one in a position to inspire and bless. So it was as Joseph or as he was known in Egypt, Zaphenath-paneah, saved all of Egypt and the surrounding lands through his applied understanding.

But remember it is not only Joseph that has the opportunity to put his wisdom and understanding into practice to bless humanity. Each and every one of us has that same opportunity right now. Utilizing your talents, your wisdom, your understanding to bless right where you are.

Here is an example from the life of Joseph G. Mann. In 1887 Joseph was target practicing with his brother-in-law and was accidentally shot with a pistol. He was taken inside his home and his family doctor was called. That doctor and three other prominent physicians examined him and declared his case hopeless. The bullet appeared to be lodged near the heart. In our periodicals and several different books published by the Christian Science Publishing Society you can read about Joseph G. Mann. Joseph was saved in a human emergency through Christian Science and lived to bless his family and the new movement of Christian Science.

He even at one point visited the home of Mary Baker Eddy in Concord, New Hampshire. While there he witnessed an unsuccessful attempt at burning some brush gathered from the garden. Joseph was familiar with building a good fire and volunteered his understanding. Soon he had a good blazing fire going. It was all in the understanding. And he eventually went on to serve many years as caretaker at Pleasant View. And his brother August and sister Pauline joined him in service there also.

It is always a blessing to give back to something that has saved your life. Below find another account of Joseph’s healing.

“One of the best known healings in the early history of Christian Science, for instance, was told in well-tempered, moderate sentences by a contributor identified only as "M.," in the August 1892 issue of The Christian Science Journal. In a somewhat incidental fashion, it mentioned Joseph Mann's healing after being accidentally shot in the heart with a .32-caliber revolver. But neither the article nor an affidavit prepared later in connection with pending legislation even begins to capture the drama and detail, the veracity and joy, that spill out, misspellings and all, in the letters of Joseph and his sisters and brothers at the time of the healing.”

Speaking of the four doctors who came to help, Joseph writes to his brother Frederick: "They all examined me closely and all agreed that there was no hope, no earthly power could save me. I must die in a very few moments. You can't imagine what I suffered in such a short time …. all our relations and friends from Rockville and vicinity who could come were here to see me for the last time on earth. … In three days I was out of bed and playing my violin and dancing, a happier family you never saw than we were all the week. … We have just found God. … Through God's power I have persuaded Aug [his brother August] and Father to close the Saloon. [The family operated a bar; they never again opened it.] I shall devote the rest of my life to teaching people to find God and healing the sick."1 [Joseph did. He entered the public practice of Christian Science healing and served in Mary Baker Eddy's household for several years, as did his sister Pauline and brother August.]“

"Real time," real experience, By Allison W. Phinney, Jr. From the February 26, 1990 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel

Also: “Puzzling the Doctors A STRANGE STORY OF HOW A CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST CURED A WOUNDED MAN. From the January 1887 issue of The Christian Science Journal”

Section 4: Healing and the one Spirit, God.

When Jesus healed a man that was both blind and unable to speak it really got the attention of those standing by. They were amazed and speculated, “Could this be the Son of David (the Messiah)?” (Matt 12:23, the Amplified Bible)

But not everyone was supportive. In The Message paraphrase we read about this account:
“Next a poor demon-afflicted wretch, both blind and deaf, was set down before him. Jesus healed him, gave him his sight and hearing. The people who saw it were impressed—“This has to be the Son of David!” 24 But the Pharisees, when they heard the report, were cynical. “Black magic,” they said. “Some devil trick he’s pulled from his sleeve.” 25-27 Jesus confronted their slander. “A judge who gives opposite verdicts on the same person cancels himself out; a family that’s in a constant squabble disintegrates; if Satan banishes Satan, is there any Satan left? If you’re slinging devil mud at me, calling me a devil kicking out devils, doesn’t the same mud stick to your own exorcists? 28-29 But if it’s by God’s power that I am sending the evil spirits packing, then God’s kingdom is here for sure.” (B14, Matthew 12: 22-28, The Message)

What a choice? God’s kingdom at hand? Or… Satan at work?

The following citations from Science and Health clear it up even more for me and encourage me in my prayer and practice.

“The exterminator of error is the great truth that God, good, is the only Mind, and that the supposititious opposite of infinite Mind — called devil or evil is not Mind, is not Truth, but error, without intelligence or reality.” (S23, 469:13–17)

“Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man.” (S24. 393:12)

Until I was 11 we lived in Leesburg, Florida. We had an active Christian Science Church and Sunday School there. We were quite close with a family that had four children. Their eldest son had been diagnosed as mentally-disabled. My mom was asked at times to help him when he seemed to be stirred-up mentally. Even though his parents had been told he could never learn, my mom was able to teach him to read. He was a great friend and joy to us all. He made progress in other areas and had a steady job at a local work center. Many years later he lived at a state institution. When he passed away there was a requirement that he have an autopsy performed. The findings were no surprise to my mom and our family. Our dear friend was found to be completely normal physically. We had always seen his normality, his beautiful expression of life in all our dealings with him. How powerful it can be when we look at the world as God sees the world.

Section 5: Spirituality understanding the Bible, Philip and the Ethiopian.

I love the account of Philip encountering the Ethiopian on the highway from Jerusalem to Gaza. Picture a man reading a scroll of the book of Isaiah. Remember the study of the Bible was different then.

Here is the account as paraphrased in The Message:
“Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: “At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. 29-30 The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” 31 He answered, “How can I without some help?” and invited Philip into the chariot with him. Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him. 36-39 As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, “Here’s water. Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn’t mind. 40 Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea.” (B-17, Acts 8:26-31)

I love the parts of this experience that follow (from the King James Version):

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (B-17)

I agree with Mrs. Eddy when she writes,

“The Scriptures are very sacred. Our aim must be to have them understood spiritually, for only by this understanding can truth be gained. It is this spiritual perception of Scripture, which lifts humanity out of disease and death and inspires faith.” (S25, 547:23–25, 31–32)

Isn’t that exactly what Philip did for that man? He gave him the understanding of Scripture that also allows us to demonstrate what we know. [That’s what each “prophet and prophetess” who leads groups in CedarS Bible Lands Park aims to give each visitor and what each counselor aims “to give each camper an appreciation of spiritual sense and an abundance of wholesome, joyous activity.” [W]

“The Bible teaches transformation of the body by the renewal of Spirit. Take away the spiritual signification of Scripture, and that compilation can do no more for mortals than can moonbeams to melt a river of ice…

“One’s aim, a point beyond faith, should be to find the footsteps of Truth, the way to health and holiness. We should strive to reach the Horeb height where God is revealed; and the corner-stone of all spiritual building is purity. The baptism of Spirit, washing the body of all the impurities of flesh, signifies that the pure in heart see God and are approaching spiritual Life and its demonstration.” (S26, 241:13–17, 23)

The glorious promise that comes to fulfillment through understanding of the Word of Truth is demonstration, healing—following Jesus’ commands to heal, to do, to share.

Section 6: Spirit rules, harmony reigns! Here and now!

Let this testimony from Spirit’s statute books sink-in and govern your mental courtroom! [W]
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (B18, Romans 8:16, bold added)

“…the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (B9, Matthew 3:2 the)

“Man as the offspring of God, as the idea of Spirit, is the immortal evidence that Spirit is harmonious and man eternal.” (S30, 29:30–32, bold added)

“Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of “Spirit, the kingdom of heaven, — the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen.” (S 31, 208:20)

This week’s MyBibleLesson includes this “Quick Fact.” “Beareth witness” or symmartyreo in Greek, means to testify jointly, or to give evidence as a witness together with someone.”

Kind of like the saying, “Can I get a witness?”

Can I ask each of you to take a few minutes or as long as you want and bear witness to what has occurred in your experience that is clear evidence, that,

“…God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” (B3, Psalms 47:7)

And that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” as our Master stated in Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15…

With the understanding of this fact you can demonstrate that indeed God is Spirit and that you are indeed His spiritual child. Here. Now. Always. You are His witness that the kingdom of God is here.


In an email later today look for Warren Huff’s additions of insights and healing application ideas from Cobbey Crisler on some citations in the Christian Science Bible Lesson on “Spirit” for February 11, 2018. Click here for a partial, online version now.


We are VERY grateful to report. . .

Maintenance Musts Progress! (More info)

Adopt the Herd Matching Fund (Match not yet met)

In the time since Giving Tuesday you helped raise over $50k for the Riding Program, which will be doubled through the Adopt the Herd Matching Fund, for a total of over $100k to help feed and care for CedarS wonderful horses. We still have a little less than $15k to raise to take advantage of the $65k Adopt the Herd match. (More info )

Many other Blessings:

Thank you for helping to raise camperships, replenish needed items, pray for today's youth, and launch our fundraising for summer 2018. Especially helpful are your much-needed MONTHLY gifts, past and ongoing, that can be started and adjusted as you wish at: www.cedarscamps.org/giving ] All of your gifts add up to big blessings in the lives of today's Sunday School students!

With gratitude and love,
Warren, Gay, Holly & your CedarS Family

P.S. If you haven't yet given, or are blessed with more to give, we still have many needs, big and small, that you can help meet by clicking HERE.

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[THANKS TO YOU PRECIOUS DONORS FOR YOUR ONGOING, GENEROUS and NEEDED SUPPORT OF CedarS IMPORTANT WORK!]

[CedarS weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff blessed each summer at CedarS, as well as to CedarS alumni, families and friends who have requested it. However, current and planned gifts are a huge proof of your ongoing LOVE made visible and are greatly appreciated!! They not only defray the costs of running this service but also provide greatly needed camperships and essential program and operations support.

[The Met application ideas above are provided primarily to help CedarS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and daily demonstrate the great value of studying and applying the Christian Science Bible lessons throughout the year, not just at camp! YOU CAN ALSO SIGN UP for weekly emails from past CedarS staff of possible ways to share Bible Lesson applications with older, as well as younger, Sunday School classes by clicking the "Subscribe Now" button (lower left) athttp://www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/

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