Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson
for Dec. 6-12, 2010 on “God the Preserver of Man”
by Kerry Jenkins, C.S. of House Springs, MO [with bracketed italics by Warren Huff]
[With today's fluidity in financial markets and currencies as well as in diminished commitment to long-term relationships, “Preservation of Capital” and of in-come as well as preservation of friendships and marriage vows are more important than ever. The RR passage from Ps. 121:16 can be applied literally to show God's steady hand and promise at work in many areas: “The Lord will keep your going out (dating and expenses) and your coming in (or income) from this time forth and forevermore.” This continues to be a landmark verse in our prayers for safe CedarS Express travel days; it is a perfect affirmation for your family's holiday travels as well.]
In citation B1 we are instructed to “Make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation”. As a singer I love such instruction. (Of course there are many ways to make a joyful noise, not just vocally!) The reference to the “rock” here is a common one in the Bible and throughout Mrs. Eddy's writings as a symbol of the Christ, Truth, the recognition of the healing power within that Christ. It is this Christ or rock that is the source of our salvation, and not the commonly accepted sources such as people (parents, children, friends, employers etc.), or in a perfect or slimmer body, or money, (to pay bills, or meet needs-food, shelter, transportation-or even to buy Christmas presents). Adults especially can labor under the illusion that our salvation rests in money. But here it tells us clearly our salvation is in God! What does that really mean? We are asked here to find our salvation in Spirit and not through some material avenue. “Man is tributary to God…” (S5) and that means that not only is man comprised solely of that which flows from God, but that everything that man needs is also supplied through that channel of Love. We cannot be separated from our source, from the “headwaters”, so to speak. And if you look in the dictionary at the definition of Principle you will find one of the definitions includes the term “source”.
This section could be seen as comprising a contradiction. On the one hand we have the first citation (B6) that affirms that we are kept in safety. On the other hand we have the story of Noah in which God vows to destroy most of his very unsatisfactory creation. (B7). Here it states in part that “…all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth…The end of all flesh is come before me.” I recently heard a known author discuss his latest book on the Bible and how he discovered that, while an interesting book, he realized that God is truly a terrible being because of all the horrible acts of vengeance that are recounted in the Bible. It is interesting to note the clarity of the statement in citation B7. It says “The end of all flesh is come before me.” Couldn't that be seen as an admission that flesh or matter can't be in the presence of God? Noah could hear and obey the saving voice of God's direction. Is not this voice audible to all of God's creation? Flesh is not His creation. God made His eternal covenant with the true man, the Christ-like man of his creating, not with the counterfeit! This section also addresses the question of nature's power and its fragility. If we recognize that matter forces are counterfeits (S9) of His creation, that His laws govern in balance, harmony, wisdom, economy, and integrity-then we are truly bringing this scientific, true view of the universe into our experience. We witness man's safety and the preservation of the infinite variety and beauty of creation. [Click here to see a photo gallery and read about of a replica of Noah's ark that was recently built in Holland.]
God helps those in need! Hmmm, so what about all those circumstances that come to thought where needs do not appear to be met? Mrs. Eddy addresses this question in every Science and Health citation of this section. Essentially Science brings us to a higher view. It lifts us above the narrow view that matter tries to make us focus on, and shows us the mountain-top perspective that reveals Truth. Man is cared for. The bumps and challenges that come as we “climb” the mountain of Science, merely cause us to rise up in thought and give us the opportunity to get clear of the ground fog and see the brilliantly lit landscape of God's creation. This is why trials prove God's care (S15); they do this not because God sets out traps and troubles for us to prove our faithfulness, nor because God has created us and then set us loose to mess up, but because our struggle to see the Truth as Science reveals it brings us up higher and we can then see only God's presence and care-the trial no longer holds any substance for us. In other words we bask in the healing Truth.
[Click for an archeological confirmation of the accuracy of the Bible about Jehoiachin and the provisions given to him by the new king of Babylon during the exile. Since camp we have built 3 switchback platforms (for the Exodus from Egypt, the United Monarchy and the Babylonian Exile) that are about 500 years apart on “Time Travelers Trail”. We will add stone steps with engraved Bible book and character names in CedarS Bible Lands Park to help set Bible events in context and to bring them to life. The trail will be under construction this spring in segments from our “Before Abraham Spring” to our “Christ's Rolled-away-stone Cave” to a “Time Flies Zipline” (“back to the future”). Watch our blog for future postings of pictures, details and requests for volunteers and funds needed to complete this project before the Memorial Weekend Grand Opening of CedarS 50th summer.]
Man is one with God not one with the body. The images in citations B15 and B16 of man's safety in God as a tower, as casting a protective shadow over His children are powerful and loving symbols for how man is really never separated from the protecting care of his Father-Mother. There can be no “plague” no matter how terrifyingly ugly, contagious, painful, that can even come near our “dwelling”. The leper in citation B17 is met with Jesus' fearless love. In touching this man, an outcast who can never enter a temple and must live outside society because of his “unclean” status, Jesus broke a rule of Judaic law. But this Christly touch of Love revealed the man's inherent, innate purity, his ever-present perfection as a child living under the “shadow of the almighty”, never outcast, never unclean, but ever preserved as the original image and likeness of God.
The final section emphasizes the theme running throughout this week's lesson that as we view life from a scientific standpoint our safety and harmony, ever existent, is revealed to us! Even as we have been “scattered in the cloudy and dark day…” Even when we see only darkness, confusion-our Shepherd is bringing our thought to see the truth, that we are safe and blessed-even when we appear to be in the wilderness (B19) which Mrs. Eddy defines in part as “loneliness; doubt; darkness” (S&H 597:16). Then, indeed right where we seem to experience loneliness, doubt and darkness, suddenly (or incrementally!), the second part of that wilderness definition becomes clear; and we experience “spontaneity of thought and idea; the vestibule in which a material sense of things disappears, and spiritual sense unfolds the great facts of existence.” (S&H 597:17). [We hope you can come to CedarS Bible Lands Park to also see a new, 140'-long scale model of the “Wilderness of Judea” on the west bank of the Dead Sea where Jesus, John the Baptist, David and many others retreated to find their safety in oneness with God. A focus on the spiritual meaning of Wilderness will help fulfill CedarS 50-year old, but ever-new purpose: “To give each camper an appreciation of spiritual sense and an abundance of wholesome, joyous activity.”]
“God the Preserver of Man” forDecember 12, 2010
** [“Jesus touched a man here who had not been touched physically by anyone but another leper. … look at the humanity breaking through the wall. Where was ecclesiasticism on the subject of leprosy? “Stay out!” Shout unclean, unclean everywhere you go,” so there is no danger of contagion. … Jesus reached through that barrier and touched a man. What do you imagine the leper was thinking as Jesus touched him? Imagine what happened within him. We’re talking about the Holy Ghost cleansing. Cleansing is the thing that’s needed. … Jesus’ words and acts reveal what his theology is. So, “be thou clean” is the precious privilege of that man who thought he was a leper. He has dominion over it. “Now exercise it,” Jesus said, and supports his divine right to exercise it.” B. Cobbey Crisler’s comments on this citation in What Mark Recorded as available to be ordered from The Daycroft School Foundation]
[CedarS weekly Metaphysical Note Newsletters are provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff who have been blessed each summer at CEDARS--as well as to thousands of CEDARS alumni, families, Sunday School teachers and friends who request it, or who find it weekly on our website or through CS Directory. But, current and planned gifts are much-needed: to cover the costs of running this “free” service; to provide camperships to make inspirational opportunities possible for deserving youth; and to help our facilities keep pace with our mission. (Click on –http://blog.cedarscamps.org/– for pictures and write-ups on CedarS Bible Lands Park part of this mission.)
[FYI: CedarS can almost always use late-model mini-vans, Suburbans & trucks, w/ lower mileage, in good condition, 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive. Please just email bill@cedarscamps.org or call Bill (Nisbet) at 417-532-6699 to discuss your vehicle, its transfer and tax-deductible gift acknowledgement. Letting the need be known justbrought about a donation of a nice late-model Suburban!]
Donors made a recent pledge, that if CedarS can raise $25,000 by year-end for “Maintenance Musts”, they will matching those gifts to cover the whole need! This will enable timely off-season repairs to buried pipes, floors, decks, equipment, vehicles, … After last weekend's meeting of CedarS not-for-profit Board of Trustees, we have “only” $6,000 to raise by 12-31-10 in order to receive a $25,000 grant to accomplish all this overcoming of evil with good! And, thanks also to a recent pledge from other donors, if CedarS can raise $50,000 by next summer for our “Adopt the Herd” Riding Fund, they will match those gifts to cover the needs of feeding, shoeing and caring for our large and precious herd!]
[AND OF COURSE, donations are always needed and welcome for camperships because without campers there would be no camp! Funds are also being gratefully realized and spent to help complete CedarS Bible Lands Park (BLP) and its “Mediterranean S(k)ea”. We will be happy to share more details if you wish to support any of these divine ideas that are coming to full fruition!
[Thanks in advance for GIVING ONLINE! Just click here to use a credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card) or a virtual check to make monthly and one-time donations to CedarS' “Mediterranean S(k)ea”, Bible Lands, Camperships, “Maintenance Musts”, “Mets”, Unrestricted, or Endowment Funds as you specify. We have added a link as requested by our international supporters to allow giving to CedarS through PayPal!
To support CedarS work you can make a charitable donation to our 501C-3 tax-exempt, charitable organization in many wonderful ways.
Enjoy! Warren Huff, Executive Director director@cedarscamps.org]