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[Recognize yourself as God knows you!]
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on

“Soul and Body”
for Sunday, May 25, 2014

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

[Bracketed italics by CedarS Director Warren Huff.  Life-transforming camperships needed!]

Last week I cut my hair.  Did it myself.  Used a set of electric clippers and I guess it is what is sometimes referred to as a “buzz cut.”  It was a spontaneous decision.  And perhaps a little extreme.  But I am ready for a summer at CedarS now.  Wind in my hair won’t ruffle me a bit.  But a few folks around me were a little ruffled.  Yep, there were some big eyes and interesting comments of those who were used to seeing me with longer hair.  So I just gave them the response that I fell deep asleep on the grass and someone got me with their lawnmower!

But… the reactions I found most instructive were from my two-year-old and six-year-old daughters.  And that was basically no reaction!  They looked at me and I was still me.  I was Papa.  They really had no comments, just normal hugs and conversation.  At one point Martha did rub her hand over my scruffy head with glee and a sparkle in her eye.  She enjoyed it greatly.

It has been pretty instructive.  You see my appearance changed somewhat radically, but most people still knew who I was.  And it started me thinking.   For example, I remember the names from all my kindergarten friends, the kindergarten scenes seem like yesterday, but I sure look a lot different than I did in those days.  Grade school, high school, college, adulthood, competitive swimming days, surfing days, American days, German days, summer days, winter days, all with a different look for Rick Stewart.  But I am still me.  I still see myself in thought as me.  With many outward physical changes to my body, I still remain me. 

As I learn a little more each day about Christian Science, I also learn that who I am is determined by my Maker.  God made me.  God keeps me.  God expresses me.  I am in fact God’s manifestation.  What I learn about God actually determines what I know about myself, my real self.  And that is a joyful adventure.

And the wonderful thing about this week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson is that it makes it quite clear the firm foundation for identifying who we really are.  This Lesson is filled with instructive ideas that give solidity to our recognition of God and of ourselves as His children.  In this Lesson we can learn our true identity as God’s, Soul’s expression.  And we can learn to look at ourselves more and more as God sees us! [See PS also.]

Golden Text
The Golden Text begins the identifying process:

“… the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”  (I Corinthians 3:17)

We know that in antiquity many cultures, such as Greek and Roman, built temples for their gods.  They actually often believed that the gods lived in these temples.  And even to this day we still construct buildings that are dedicated to a God that we worship.  But in recent times aren’t these buildings more identified as a place to join in worship of God, not to house God?

So, isn’t it an interesting concept to think that we are “the temple of God?”  Once again, not that we house God in some limited, corporeal body, but that we are the place where God is worshipped, praised, glorified!  Look at these translations of that verse.

I Corinthians 3:17 MSG – God’s temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.

AMP—the temple of God is holy (sacred to Him) and that [temple] you [the believing church and its individual believers] are.  

NLT – God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

EB – God’s temple is holy, which is what you are.

Responsive Reading
Yes, I do look a little different now than I did in kindergarten times!  But I hope an even greater transformation has taken place in how I see myself, or understand my identity.  I hope I have become more grounded in the spiritual reality of who I am.  Isn’t that what the extract from Paul’s letter to the Philippians chosen as the Responsive Reading begins to do:  “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,   who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”  (Phil. 3:13–15, 20, 21; 4:1, 4–7)

There are some great hints here as we allow the transformation of our “lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself.”

That is so interesting when we remember that Jesus walked on water, passed unharmed through an angry, hateful mob, rose from the grave, passed through walls and closed doors, and ultimately ascended completely to a spiritual sense of himself.  Sounds promising!  So let’s go.

Section 1:  Holy God-holy you!
Man’s concept of God has developed and expanded in many ways.  These days God is seldom thought of as a big, powerful, physical being in a temple or on a cloud.  Few people on earth think that they could house God in a building.  We find it fairly easy to identify God as Spirit or Love.  And isn’t the next step to begin seeing God’s expression in creation as reflective of His identity?  Therefore God’s creation being like Him?  Spiritual, immortal, radiant, ageless, holy.

As citation B-1 states: “Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2) The New Living Translation (NLT) puts this “You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”  Citation B-2 continues “I will live among you, and I will not despise you. 12 I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.”  (Leviticus 26: 11, 12 NLT)

This section explores the concept of the developing idea of God as Spirit, Soul and then the fact that creation is expressive of the nature of God.

The Science and Health citations clearly expand the idea of man as Soul’s expression.  Included in citation S-1 is Mrs. Eddy’s reference to the biggest lake in New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesaukee.    “Man is the expression of Soul. The Indians caught some glimpses of the underlying reality, when they called a certain beautiful lake “the smile of the Great Spirit.”  Separated from man, who expresses Soul, Spirit would be a nonentity; man, divorced from Spirit, would lose his entity. But there is, there can be, no such division, for man is coexistent with God.”  (477:19–2)

I love the Native American description of this lake as the “smile of the Great Spirit.”  I also find it a wonderful way to identify ourselves, “I am the smile of the Great Spirit.”

As the “smile of the Great Spirit,” you live to give happiness. 

Mrs. Eddy wrote in Miscellany, Page 165, “Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inquiry, What am I? to the scientific response: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing.”  That particular statement is one of the foundations for this summer’s theme  at CedarS , “Live to give.”

Section 2:  Solomon’s Temple
The temple that Solomon constructed to glorify God was not going to be a residence and Solomon knew that.  In citation B-6 Solomon asked and answered, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?  behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” (1 Kings 8:27)

The Apostle Paul in his writings also affirmed that God was not some glorified human resident on a cloud!

Citation B-9 states “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;  Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;  For in him we live, and move, and have our being;” (Acts 17:24, 25, 28)

We have grown to understand that God does not inhabit stone temples, but what about the ongoing belief in what is sometimes called an “indwelling soul” or the indwelling of the Holy Ghost?  The Science and Health citations give a definitive answer.  Here are some excerpts:

Citation S-6: “Man is not a material habitation for Soul; he is himself spiritual.” (477:6–7)

Citation S-7 “… Even according to the teachings of natural science, man has never beheld Spirit or Soul leaving a body or entering it. What basis is there for the theory of indwelling spirit, except the claim of mortal belief?”  (478:3–8)

Citation S-8: “Science reveals Spirit, Soul, as not in the body, and God as not in man but as reflected by man. The greater cannot be in the lesser. The belief that the greater can be in the lesser is an error that works ill. This is a leading point in the Science of Soul, that Principle is not in its idea. Spirit, Soul, is not confined in man, and is never in matter.”  (467:17–23)

Section 3Soulful peace without pop-ups!
This section was a big help in restoring a more peaceful sense of existence.  You see I have been dealing with a horrible spate of problems with my computer.  I know somewhere out there, there is an informative, helpful World Wide Web, the internet, just waiting to instruct and inspire me, but the last week or so has been far from peaceful.  It seems that my computer has become infected with some sort of “spy ware.”  This infestation is allowing all kinds of pop-up ads to appear, websites offering things I am not interested in, and making it very difficult to get to the good information I have been seeking. 

Familiar, helpful, inspiring websites have become a source of frustration because of the unwanted elements popping up, or other unwanted websites appearing on my computer screen.  I have had to work to not be distracted by the junk, the spam, the unwanted offers.  And then I found a great inspiration as I read the Bible citations in this section that gave me some very good guidance.  I know Jeremiah and Paul wrote years before computers existed, but their words ring so true!

Citation B-10 | Jeremiah 7:4, 30
“Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these.  For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.”

Citation B-11 | II Corinthians 6:16 what (to 1st;), 17, 18
“what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; 

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,  18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

Here is an interesting observation found in “My Bible Lesson” published by The Christian Science Publishing Society; it is a Bible Note that refers to citation B-11quoted above.  “Ideas from the Old Testament are central to the New Testament.   Here Paul has woven together three passages from the Old Testament (Isaiah 52:11, Ezekiel 20:34, and II Samuel 7:14) to show the value of keeping ourselves pure.”  (Visit myBibleLesson.com)

And my ongoing, but on-its-way-to-be-solved computer experience has illustrated to me the importance of keeping my data base, my thinking, clean as a whistle.  With pure and protected programs and with pure and protected thinking comes a peace.

Citation S-12 states “If thought yields its dominion to other powers, it cannot outline on the body its own beautiful images, but it effaces them and delineates foreign agents, called disease and sin.”  (485:24)

Get rid of the spyware, the viruses, the worms as you clean up your database and protect it with the pure holiness of Soul.

Citation S-13 concludes “Therefore ‘acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.’” (324: 7-12)

Section 4: Soul’s restoration renews hope!
The story of Ezekiel and the dry bones shows that we can never actually be beyond hope!

Citation B-15 tells the story of Ezekiel and the dry bones.  Ezekiel is led by the Spirit of God and finds a valley with dry bones strewed all over.  Can God restore these bones to life?  Ezekiel is asked by God, “Son of man, can these bones live?  And Ezekiel is told to “Prophesy” over the bones. 

“So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.  11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost:” (Ezekiel 37:1–5, 10, 11, 12) 

When is it too late?  When are we beyond God’s help?  When we have missed the boat?  When our confidence and comfort has fled away?  Is there nothing God, Soul can do for us?

As my mom and her classmates were leaving their Christian Science Class Instruction on the last day of class, their teacher, Mary Sands Lee, asked them all to leave with the declaration, “By virtue of unfolding Mind, I am already home.”

Mrs. Lee said they might not understand the statement, but to please keep it in mind.  So my mom obediently cherished this thought.  She was looking at a long bus ride home.  All the way from Chicago to Florida.

As her trip began there came a point where one of her buses was delayed and actually arrived at a bus station long after the connecting bus had departed.  The bus station was almost empty, only one other passenger and the station attendant, and it was quite late.  Mom’s initial thought was great disappointment because this meant a long delay for her as she waited for a bus the next day.  And then she remembered her assignment.  “By virtue of unfolding Mind, I am already home.”

In just a little bit the station attendant came to my mom and said, “Lady, there is a driver dead-heading a bus (driving without passengers) in the direction you want to go.  If you are willing he would be glad to take you with him.”  My mom immediately accepted; and she and the other female passenger waiting in the bus terminal got on board.  Because the driver did not have to make any stops, they actually arrived at their destination long before the originally scheduled bus.  Even though they seemed “to have missed their bus,” with the application of that metaphysical truth, it really was not too late. 

It is it ever too late for the power of God to renew hope?  As we realize it is about consciousness and thought and not about the seeming substantiality of matter and mortality we can glimpse that indeed God can restore harmony and life where hope seems lost in mortal sense.

Section 5:  Hope for the human body.
This section includes affirmations of Jesus’ healing power.  We read in citation B-21 that he cast out the money changers and those selling sacrificial animals in the temple and quoted scripture, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.   And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.”  (Matt. 21: 12-14)

Jesus emphasized the importance of purity of thought and motives, as in citation B-19 from the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”  (Matt. 5: 8)

And also in citation B-20 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” [Matthew 6:22, see also PS]

These translations really turn on the light and healing power of Soul.
Matthew 6:22 MSG – Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.

Matthew 6:22 The Living Bible, “If your eye is pure, there will be sunshine in your soul.”

Citation S-22 summarizes the basis of Jesus’ healing power: “Knowing that Soul and its attributes were forever  manifested through man, the Master healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, feet to the lame, thus bringing to light the scientific action of the  divine Mind on human minds and bodies and giving a better understanding of Soul and salvation.”  (210:11–16)

As Christian Science was first introduced to my family there was a great deal of light and healing.  In 1919 my mother was healed of a crippling illness and life threatening fever in a matter of days.  And mom’s grandfather and great-aunt were both healed of blindness.  With the hope this Science of Soul brought to our family, it was no wonder that my mom and her brothers and sisters grew up learning and living this Science.  You could say that this “sunshine in the soul” had brought a light and hope in times of great darkness.

Section 6:  Hope for the Church body.
It is not difficult to feel the light and hope in the body of Christ when you live in a city where Christian Science was actually forbidden for almost half a century.  Here in Dresden, which was in the former DDR, East Germany, Christian Scientists could not meet to conduct services and they were not officially allowed to have Christian Science literature.  And since Dresden had been one of the first cities in Europe and Germany to embrace Christian Science, it seemed particularly ludicrous.

But with the Christ, hope springs eternal.  And so it was that just shortly before the collapse of the DDR, Christian Science was officially recognized by the East German regime.  Much of the inspiring story is contained in the book, Christian Science in East Germany, the Church that Came in from the Cold by Gregory W. Sandford.  (You can purchase this book through Amazon.com.)

Just like the Bible and Science and Health citations in this section that breathe with the power of the Christ to awaken us to a true and new sense of Church, so we are discovering a church here in Dresden that is filled with the “sunshine of Soul.” 

And that is exactly what I felt this past Saturday, the sunshine and peace of Soul.  We had just held our seventh lecture in the past six months.  Our members had bravely decided to sponsor a lecture series of nine lectures total.  Looking at the wonderful band of Christian Science lecturers serving our German field and the world, it became clear that it was time for a completely new approach.  And our band of faithful members unanimously decided, we would invite each German lecturer to follow-up our Christmas lecture.   There were standard lectures, lectures with Power Point, family and youth lectures, and all filled with the soulful presence of the Christ.  Dear friends from nearby cities in our state of Saxony came for the lectures.  Newcomers, family, and friends joined us.  Not always huge crowds, but almost all chairs were filled and each lecture had visitors and members joining in the feast. 

One of the themes for the lecture series was a simple answer to Jesus request of Peter, “Feed my lambs, Feed my sheep.”

As we were wrapping up and cleaning up after Saturday’s lecture a call went out that one of our former members needed a taxi.  Rick can you call with your mobile phone?  I immediately replied, I will be glad to take him home myself.  So I jumped up from the child care room and headed to my car. 

There was our former member.  One of the men instrumental in rebuilding the church after the forbidden times.  His wife had long served as Practitioner and Reader in the church.  And then like happens sometimes in many churches, there were misunderstandings and hurt feelings, and what appeared a parting of the ways.  Many of the members had prayed and sought ways to keep hope and love alive, but there was a seeming distancing. [In such situations Warren suggests using Q.T.I.P.s to better listen to God voice as we Quit Taking It Personally!]

Then came this Soul-filled Saturday.  As we drove together the 20 minutes to his house we chatted like buddies.  The sense of Soulful love was at times almost too much, tears came as I drove and simply, quietly thanked God with my whole heart.  Fifteen years in Dresden and the first time that the true spirit of Christ flowed between us.  I told the lecturer afterwards that if it was only for this evidence of fruitage and the Christ in action the entire lecture series would have been worthwhile. [Mrs. Eddy requirement was met that“The human history needs to be revised, and the material record expunged.“ Retrospection and Introspection 22:1]

Each and every one of us can rejoice in the words of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, that conclude our feast of Soul in this Bible Lesson,

Citation S-30 summarizes the effects of an all-harmonizing understanding of Soul and Body:

“A demonstration of the facts of Soul in Jesus’ way resolves the dark visions of material sense into harmony and immortality… To divest thought of false trusts and material evidences in order that the spiritual facts of being may appear, — this is the great attainment by means of which we shall sweep away the false and give place to the true. Thus we may establish in truth the temple, or body, “whose builder and maker is God.” [428:3–6, 8, see more in P.S.]

What a wonderful sense of hope there is as we begin to see ourselves and our church as God, Soul has always known us.


[Architectural P.S. by Warren Huff, registered architect (Modified from a 2002 Met)
"Ye are God's building:"(I Cor.3:9) Here are your Specs by "Spirit, the great architect" (S&H 68)

In this Bible lesson on "Soul and Body," spiritual seers give us inspiring insights and powerful principles about our highest identity as God’s holy temple. (S1: S&H 477:19-20, GT: I Cor. 3:17)  Christ Jesus promises that your "whole body shall be full of light" (B20: Matt. 6:22) if "thine eye be single," or if your views of yourself are the same as God's views of you.  In the 10 God's-eye views of you that follow, you can discover your Divine Identity Protection Plan established by "Spirit, the great architect." (S&H 68)  Architects use the following 10 categories or Specifications to guarantee the quality and longevity of their work.  God has done the same for us (His temple) as our master architect and sole "builder and maker." (Heb. 10:11 & S30: 428:12)  I hope you enjoy finding and applying the fun links between these 10 Specs, the 10 Commandments and healings of your own and other's bodies.  These powerful views of the spiritual you—written by “*the finger of God”— bring health to the body by looking AWAY from it to God instead of looking AT it or TO it, as if it were in control.(*Deut. 9:10, Luke 11:20)

1st Architectural Specification (spec): GENERAL CONDITIONS: Your highest selfhood shall (can) have "no other gods before me." (Ex. 20:3)
This spec sets forth the principles and laws that govern the whole project. The 1st Commandment was Mrs. Eddy's favorite text (S&H 340:16) and should guide every aspect of our lives. It has been paraphrased by Barry Huff as "Don't put something in God's place that's not up to the job." Test yourself often on this 1st-Commandment idolatry indicator: "whatever you think about most is your god. Is it up to the job?"  Self-absorbed sensuality, body worship, personal sense and belittling of self are some of the idolatrous, self-focused beliefs that are clearly not up to God's job.  So, stop belittling yourself and keep seeing yourself as happily at one with infinite Mind, God!  GENERAL CONDITION AFFIRMATIONS: Declare to yourself often, and convincingly: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made (by God as His/Her "image and likeness" (Gen. 1:26, 27) to have everything I need) and I know it 'right' well."

2nd Architectural Spec: SELECTIVE REMOVALS: Your highest selfhood shall "not make unto thee any graven image." (Ex. 20:4)
SELECTIVE REMOVAL/DENIALS: This spec specifically delineates everything that must be removed for the project to progress. Daily remove obstacles to progress by denying the claim that any obsession, addiction, false dependency, inherent weakness or habit can be engraved in you or can in-grave you.  "With God alone agree!" (CS Hymnal #5:2)  A 3rd-section removal guideline makes way for transformation in B13: "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Rom. 12:2)  The lesson ends with final removal instructions in S30: "divest thought of false trusts and material evidences" (S&H 428:8).

3rd Architectural Spec: CONCRETE: Your highest selfhood shall (can) "not take my name in vain." (Ex. 20:7)
This spec sets forth the quality control standards needed to end up with strong, cavity-free concrete as expected. Don't skimp on putting a full measure of substantial nuggets (aggregate) into you treatments and mix them thoroughly with divine insights and virtues (cement) that bind them together. Don't give in to watering down your prayers with mere human solutions just to make them flow with popularity. Building with the rock-solid foundation of the Christ, your labor will never be IN VAIN. Whenever you take on your true God-like nature, you'll see wonderful, CONCRETE and practical results. Guard against the honeycombing of a weak, mixed outcome by giving yourself a "spiritual shakedown" before you speak or act. Declare and demonstrate that God made your mouth (Ex. 4:10-12) and designed it to be "filled with messages from" (CS Hymnal #324:2) him, not to yield to the unstable inconsistency (honeycomb cavities) of foul language, or of using His name in vain or in any way but in prayer & praise. "For our conversation is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20)

4th Architectural Spec: MASONRY: Your God-ordained selfhood shall "remember the sabbath day" (Ex. 20:8) of Genesis 1 completion when "God saw everything that he had made and behold it was very good." (Gen. 1:31) Barry Huff calls this "the only test we ever had to take" and reminds us that we have "already passed it with flying colors." (True for all exams!)
This spec sets forth the quality control standards needed to end up with the "faithful mortar" and quality brick or stonework expected.  Building a successful life (or a brick or stone wall) seems like an accumulative process that works up to perfection.  However, in showing us how to work out FROM our reflected perfection, "Christian Science presents unfoldment not accretion." (S&H 68:2)

5th Architectural Spec: METALS (incl. structural steel): Your God-ordained selfhood shall "honor thy father and thy mother." (Ex. 20:12) & everyone divinely placed in authority.
This spec sets forth the quality control standards needed to end up with the infallible steel superstructure and unblemished metalwork expected. Your life would sag and ultimately collapse without a proper appreciation for your parents and the other authority figures in your life.  Jesus even acknowledged that Pilate's powerful position came solely from God and therefore was controlled by God. (See John 19:10-11) Recognize that God has provided you with parents, guardians, camp staff, coaches, teachers, headmasters and law enforcement officers, all to help make things clear to you and to support and strengthen your building.  Therefore "Let your love for one another be at full strength." I Peter 1:22 (Phillips translation)  Here's Jesus' test of our Christianity: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35

6th Architectural Spec: WOODS & PLASTICS: Your highest selfhood shall (can) "not kill" (Ex. 20:13) or get angry, hateful or even verbally abusive. (Matt. 5:20-24)
This spec sets forth the quality control standards needed to end up with the sturdy wood framework and beautiful wood finish work desired. When bearing what Christ Jesus calls his easy yoke and light burden (Matt. 11:30) of being a stress-free reflection of God, there's no unbearable pressure or tension that can cause a spiritual idea to snap in anger and so kill another's joy or to splinter a precious friendship. In a world crying out for peaceful solutions, let's take every opportunity we can to be flexible, forgiving peace-makers instead of brittle "goat-getters" and war-mongerers.

7th Architectural Spec: THERMAL & MOISTURE PROTECTION: Your highest selfhood shall (can) "not commit adultery" (Ex. 20:14) and lust after bodily pleasures. (Matt. 5:27-28)
This spec sets forth the quality control standards needed to end up with the dry, cozy and efficiently climate-controlled home you expect. You wouldn't dream of living in a house without a roof or without insulated, weather-tight elements. So, never accept leaky-roof or no-roof thinking!  And stop letting the winds of temptations blow right through you! Allow God's love to insulate and adultery-proof you like it did Jesus. See how he "threw the book" at temptations in Matt. 4:3-11 by using memorized, scriptural nuggets that he had made his own.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus goes after the root of adultery when it is little, when it is just lustful temptations. (See and consider memorizing Matt. 5:27-29) Paul tells the Romans "to be carnally (bodily) minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Memorize Rom. 8:6.)  Knowing therefore that sensuality is really just a clever terrorist that comes disguised as good, as pleasurable, and as our own thought, makes it harder for this warring killer "to elude detection" (S&H 252:19).  In a rush to be adults, many teens so mentally download the alluring images of beautiful bodies that they "buy into" the adult-ery and the unexpected slavery of body worship and the theft of their identity.  By being alert to this thief and murderer in our midst, we will not commit ADULT-ery by letting the belief leak in that we need anything material or adult-rated to make us happy and peacefully satisfied.  Insulate and seal yourself by repeating often that "In God I have everything I need and I know it."  If the mission of Terror and error (Pharaoh and Herod) is to get rid of the childlikeness that is praised and practiced by Christ Jesus, let us give all our alertness and strength to protect and defend childlikeness in ourselves and others.   (See Misc. 110:4!)

8th Architectural Spec: DOORS & WINDOWS: Your God-ordained selfhood shall "not steal" (Ex. 20:15) or "steal another's thunder," or her ideas, or his joy.
This spec sets forth the quality control standards needed to end up with the type, size and quality of windows and doors you expect.  Since thieves use windows and doors (even in computers) to gain illegal access, it's important to always "stand porter at the doors of thought." (S&H 392:24)  We can also refuse to see the world through the window of "the haves" versus "the have nots."  Mentally lock your door against the pride of supposed ownership of scarce resources.  Mentally inoculate yourself hourly against "affluenza," the worldwide epidemic that is spread by a bazillion dollar ad campaign and is based on the false premise that acquiring or possessing things brings happiness.  Temptation to steal should be healed by the revelation that happiness can only be found in giving, not in getting. (See "Happiness is . . . . . unselfish." Science and Health 57:18 and "I am able to impart truth, health and happiness and that is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing." My. 165:20) The U.S. rebuilding of its WWII “enemies” with the Marshall Plan and Elisha’s peace plan for Syria  (II Kings 6:21-23) prove that giving works wonders in bringing about lasting peace.
Live2Give!

9th Architectural Spec: FINISHES: Your highest selfhood shall "not bear false witness." (Ex. 20:16)
This spec sets forth the quality control standards needed to end up with unblemished painted surfaces, floors and ceilings, all beautifully finished as you expect.  You show yourself to be a refined and finished person by bearing only true witness and seeing only God's finished, perfect product, which is the way that Christ Jesus saw and healed.  (See S&H 476:32) This high standard not only frees us from gossip, destructive criticism and "white lies" designed to impress others, but also alerts us to stop pre-judging others based on their race, religion and ethnic background.

10th Architectural Spec: SPECIALTIES: Your highest selfhood shall (can) "not covet" but is naturally grateful for others good. (Ex. 20:17)
This spec sets forth the quality control standards needed to end up with your home's unique elements (such as its kitchen and other appliances, modular storage & security systems, garage door opener, etc.) all as perfect and properly installed as you'd demand.  It appears that terrorists in many parts of the world are COVETING their neighbor's  SPECIALTIES, their lands, natural resourses, prosperity…  Little do they realize that their jealousy and violent acts are campaigning against their demonstration of all the good they wish to possess.  To counteract this mortal tendency of jealousy, let's demonstrate by example a civilized and most effective solution.  When we see others possessing and demonstrating some good that we desire and have yet to fully express, let's not follow the terrorists by effectively being attorneys arguing against ourselves in the false belief that good is limited and we don't have it.  Instead, let's sincerely say "Thank You God, That's Mine Too!" (or "T.Y.G. –T.M.T.") This type of "T.M.T." is much more explosive than the T.N.T. of a car bomb or other such devise.  "That's Mine Too" is a grateful declaration that as a divine idea, good has an unlimited source and is universally and unconditionally available.  As we think in this way about our neighbors and their sovereignty we too can "wish above all things that thy mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul (divine i.d) prospereth" (III John 1:2)]


[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) at http://www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/ ]

[THANK YOU in advance for MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT ONLINE,
BY PHONE at 636-394-6162,
OR BY MAIL at:
CedarS Office, 1314 Parkview Valley Dr, Ballwin, MO 63011

[Additional Director's Note: You can sign up to have these application ideas emailed to you free – by Monday each week in English; or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION: in German, thanks to Manfred and Jeanette; or in Spanish, thanks to a team of Ana, Erick, Claudia and Patricio, or in Portuguese, thanks to helpers of Orlando Trentini in Brazil.  A voluntary French translation by Rodger Glokpor, a Christian Scientist from Togo (West Africa) has been contributed.  Thank you, Rodger and all translators! Go to http://www.cedarscamps.org/ and click "Newsletters" to sign-up for a free translation into these languages.  This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 13-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson "Mets" (Metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians.  (Ask and look for "Possible Sunday School Topics "and "Possible Younger Class Lessons" in emails to follow.) 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 "and Sunday School ideas are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way serve as 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 and in a variety of useful formats 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-26) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (S-1 thru S-32). 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.]

 

 

 

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