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Put on Immortality, now and forever!
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on

“Mortals and Immortals”
for Sunday, November 13, 2016

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

Have you ever considered thinking in terms of eternity? This is just a little more than long-term planning, or thinking for the long-run. This is about thinking of yourself and all the Good in creation as something much more than, “here today, gone tomorrow.” This is about living happily ever after to the extreme, to the infinite, for eternity. Yep, that is the model of Life that God has instituted, created, and expects His children to understand—immortality. We can begin to think of life as it always was, always is, and always will be. And we can begin to think of how we fit in that pattern of Life. This week’s Bible Lesson gets us on the road to immortality in our everyday life.

The Golden Text starts us out on this grand adventure of grasping immortality, now.

Golden Text: Ecclesiastes 3:14,15 “ I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: . . . That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been;”

Both the Golden Text and the Responsive Reading come from books of the Bible that are known as “Wisdom Literature.” The Wisdom Literature of our Bible includes these books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. The words of these books are intended to teach about divinity and virtue. And they are clearly intended to inspire each of us to learn these lessons and let them be the foundation of our lives. And this wisdom has proved practical and enduring since these words were first written thousands of years ago. Yes, this wisdom describes lives that are intended to be eternal, everlasting, forever, immortal.

I remember a little glimpse I got of this when someone asked me to read the following (it is in our Responsive Reading) and to answer the questions. Job 38: “3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” [See PS#1 for CC insights.]

My friend asked me to think about where I was when God created the earth. And this friend asked me to think that if the Bible says, “When…all the sons of God shouted for joy?” That if “all the sons of God shouted for joy,” and I was a son of God, then I must have been there! So I could declare, “I was there.” That really got me thinking!

So we are going to discover how to be long haulers, not short termers! We are going to learn how to live in the now that exists eternally, individuals that live with a perspective of immortal existence. And this is not going to be like Marvel comic super heroes or like gruesome, strange creatures stalking the night, but rather children of the Light that is Life, eternal, productive, and loving.

Section 1: God’s creation is never mortal.

As you read this first section you will be laying the foundation for why life is immortal, spiritual, not of matter and never mortal! If you are facing any suggestion or belief that your existence is being cut short, threatened, governed by matter, then just listen to these translations of Bible citations B3 and B4.

B3 | Hebrews 4:12 AMP For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

PHIL – For the word that God speaks is alive & active; it cuts more keenly than any two-edged sword: it strikes through to the place where soul and spirit meet, to the innermost intimacies of a man's being: it examines the very thoughts and motives of a man's heart.

NLT – For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

CEB – because God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. It’s able to judge the heart’s thoughts and intentions.

VOICE – The word of God, you see, is alive and moving; sharper than a double-edged sword; piercing the divide between soul and spirit, joints and marrow; able to judge the thoughts and will of the heart.

MSG – God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.

B4 | John 6:63 (to 🙂 CEB63 The Spirit is the one who gives life and the flesh doesn’t help at all. [See PS#2 for CC insights.]

In Science and Health citation S1 we read, “Jesus knew, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing.” There is neither a present nor an eternal copartnership between error and Truth, between flesh and Spirit.” (356:15–18)

How effective and quick can this “Word of God” be? When I was a teenager the following occurred. A friend of one of our new Sunday School pupils in Ocala, Florida came to visit Sunday School. He came only one time. Shortly afterward he was bitten by a pet monkey. His thumb became infected and surgeons were hours from amputating the boys thumb. His mother, not a Christian Scientist, never having visited our church, called my mother, Glatha Stewart, with one question, “Can you do anything?” My mother accepted to pray for the boy. When the surgeons examined the thumb before operating they found all was well. No more infection and the thumb well on its way to be perfect.

Section 2: David and Goliath, no underdog story!

The story of David and Goliath from I Samuel: 17 is in this section (B6). You probably know the story of David and Goliath by heart. Goliath threatens the armies of Israel and taunts for a man to fight with. All the soldiers are frightened but young David volunteers to fight Goliath. And David slew Goliath with his sling! This story is often portrayed as the ultimate example of the underdog winning. Giant Goliath against little David. But I am not so sure that is an accurate portrayal! Goliath is really big and he does have some awesome armor and weapons, but David, an underdog? Is someone equipped with understanding of spiritual power and defense really an underdog? Is material power and overwhelming weaponry really the best defense?

In II Samuel we read, “God is my strength and power: And he maketh my way perfect.” (B7, II Samuel 22:33)

Mrs. Eddy writes, “Every mortal at some period, here or hereafter, must grapple with and overcome the mortal belief in a power opposed to God.” S7, 569:3)

Isn’t it time to stop being so impressed with the power of matter, or mortal force and begin to embrace the moral might that comes with a demonstrated faith in God, Spirit?

Mary Baker Eddy began a movement that actually challenges the seeming superiority of mortal force. Through reason, inspiration, and demonstration she often duplicated David’s feat, stilling the roar of a seeming giant called matter.

She writes, “Belief in a material basis, from which may be deduced all rationality, is slowly yielding to the idea of a metaphysical basis, looking away from matter to Mind as the cause of every effect. Materialistic hypotheses challenge metaphysics to meet in final combat. In this revolutionary period, like the shepherd-boy with his sling, woman goes forth to battle with Goliath.” (S9, 268:6)

What really makes a man powerful: matter, physique, muscles, mortal force? Or the presence of the Lord in his heart? Courageous faith and determination often prove a strength beyond anything material. I often refer to the inspiring story of Nic Vujicic when I want to make sure my priorities are correct. Nic is a 33 year old Australian evangelist, motivational speaker, loving husband and father of two sons. Nick has travelled the world speaking to countless schools and a couple years ago speaking to 10,000 people in a stadium in Manila. I think he has been in 65 ountries. He is very, very effective in his message. Nick’s parents are Serbian. He was born in Australia. But Nic considers himself a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

His main points: 1. Faith In Action Transforms Your Life. 2. Don’t Let Circumstances Prevent You From Living Intentionally. 3. Do Not Take Things For Granted. 4. You Cannot Do It All Alone.

Oh, I did not mention, Nic, has no arms or legs. He is armed with the Love and strength of God and he walks in the world with one goal, to share a message that “every one of us matter and are beautiful just as we are!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlry5QbAstI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Qfe2lYrWA

Mary Baker Eddy writes, “Man is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique.” SH 475:13-14.

Section 3: There is no worry in immortality, watch the Ravens!

This section gives us the example Jesus shared in the Sermon on the Mount about how not to worry! Just look at the ravens and the lilies. That’s right, God is taking care of them and He will certainly take care of you, eternally.

“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (B10, Luke 12:24–27, 32)

So I do, I consider the ravens. When I take our dog, Theo, for a walk on the meadows of the Elbe River here in Dresden we are seldom alone. Especially in the fall. As Theo and I walk along we are accompanied by a few alert Raben (Ravens) or sometimes crows. They watch our every step. You see these birds reflect the intelligence of Immortal, Divine Mind. They have learned that many dog owners walk the Elbe Meadow with a little bag of doggy treats. Not only do these owners reward their pet friends with a treat, an alert raven often gets one or two also.

And another thoroughly enjoyable discovery was when I saw some of these same birds flying high over the road that runs by the river, and then dropping a walnut for it to break open just for them. It was a joy to watch them in their endeavors; grab a walnut from a tree, fly high, drop it, and gobble it up as it breaks open.

Now I have discovered on the internet some crows that have found a way to defeat even what might be a tough nut to crack. They drop the nut on the road, let the cars run over it, and then fly down to eat the nutty buffet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGPGknpq3e0

The lesson I got, if you listen, if you do not worry, if you do not doubt, you can trust Immortal Mind to show you the way. But we do have to turn away from worry and be willing to trust and listen.

“To be immortal, we must forsake the mortal sense of things, turn from the lie of false belief to Truth, and gather the facts of being from the divine Mind.” (S16, 370:2–5)

Section 4: Let in the Light of immortality, the Mount of Transfiguration.

I just love the story from Matthew 17 where Jesus takes three of his disciples up into a high mountain and proceeds to transform right before their eyes. His clothes become white as the light and then Moses and Elias (Elijah) appear and speak with Jesus.

Think of this, thousands of years seem to separate these individuals and yet, time, geography, none of this can limit the true individuality, their immortal identity from shining through and being witnessed. Also something to think about: Elijah is reported in the Bible as having ascended and Moses body was never found. [See PS#3 for CC insights.] They rose above the mortal view to claim their immortal nature.

In a beautiful article, The Pattern of the Mount, the author, Julia M. Johnston writes, “In Exodus we read that when Aaron and the children of Israel saw Moses after his experience on Mount Sinai "the skin of his face shone" (34:30); and in Matthew we read that on the mount of transfiguration Jesus' "face did shine as the sun" (17:2). The three disciples saw and heard Jesus and Moses and Elias talking together. The mortal sense about these men was silenced, and the eternal facts concerning them became vividly apparent. No one was seen to be held in matter, to be subject to age or death, or to be absent. The individual identity of each one was recognized as divine and eternal.”

“The Pattern of the Mount” by Julia M. Johnston, Christian Science Journal, June 1951

http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/1951/6/69-6/the-pattern-of-the-mount

Citation 21 from Science and Health relates, “One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity. This exalted view, obtained and retained when the Science of being is understood, would bridge over with life discerned spiritually the interval of death, and man would be in the full consciousness of his immortality and eternal harmony, where sin, sickness, and death are unknown.” (598:23–30)

In the August, 2012 issue of the Christian Science Journal, Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher, Allison Phinney, CSB answered the question,

“Q: What did it represent that Moses and Elijah in particular were chosen to appear with Jesus in the transfiguration? —A Journal reader

A: “These towering figures of the Old Testament, more than others, had set in motion far-reaching changes in human thought. Moses had nearly single-handedly established the Commandments and moral law. Elijah’s prophetic role had led to continuing realization of the need for spiritual vision beyond secular power to guide and give answers. So it isn’t surprising that Moses and Elijah were the ones who appeared with Jesus during his transfiguration.

“Mary Baker Eddy spoke of Moses’ presence at the transfiguration as representing, or manifesting, the idea of moral law, and Elijah’s as representing prophecy (see Advice to Healers, p. 33, The Mary Baker Eddy Library; and We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Expanded Edition, p. 310). But for her the transfiguration didn’t remain a miraculous event in the past. It had immense practical lessons for Christian Scientists in the immediate here and now. It was a wondrous account, but it illustrated the basic Christianly scientific fact that divine reality overcomes and displaces a material human mind-set.

“In some degree, transfiguration is what is going on for anyone striving to live more fully in obedience to God. We can’t help realizing that human life isn’t the solid inescapable reality it seems to be. It is a state of thought that has unwittingly accepted life largely as it is perceived by the material senses.

“Obedience to God, and the resulting spiritual understanding, on the other hand, comes into a compelling new awareness of life in and of Spirit. In that awakened consciousness, spiritual reality is no longer obscured.

“The disciples saw Jesus’ true, eternal nature as the son of God. They also saw in this radiant light of Christ, Truth, that Moses and Elijah had not died but gone on living and learning of their entirely spiritual and immortal nature—as all must ultimately do.”

Allison Phinney
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, US”

Section 5: Peter’s shackles removed, progressing in immortality.

In the Acts of the Apostles we read in citation B15 that a man, Aeneas, had been in bed for eight years with the palsy, and Peter healed him. (Acts 9:32-34) Just a few chapters later in Acts 12, we are told Herod the king arrested Peter and put him in jail because it “pleased the Jews.” (B16) [See PS#4 and #5 for CC insights and the rest of the story.]

Well, that is certainly a good reason to stop healing, after all you might get thrown in jail! Is the threat of persecution enough to stop a true witness? Throughout history how many righteous activities and actions by courageous individuals have resulted in imprisonment and persecution? But isn’t it interesting to see that the very Truth that brings healing, also brings freedom?

Some of you might be aware of the Christian Science lecturer and teacher, John Wyndham. As a teenager I heard him give his lecture, “Do We Think, or Just Think We Think?” In this lecture he tells of being imprisoned during World War II and how through his prayers in Christian Science being released and saved from execution. The one thing I remembered from his lecture was his scratching the letters, “CT”, Control Thought, on his prison cell. His inspiring and courageous story could well have found a place in the Bible if that was the era in which he lived. You can get a written copy of his lecture from his daughter, Auriel Wyndham Livezey – Mountaintop Publishing
P.O. Box 1472. Lake Forest, CA 92609 http://www.mountaintoppublishing.com/index.html

The following link below will take you to a website with historical recordings of Christian Science lectures, including John Wyndham’s

http://christiansciencect.org/historical-christian-science-lectures/

Like the Apostle Peter and John Wyndham, we also can rise above the beliefs of inevitable imprisonment and instead hear the angel messages that remove all shackles and limits. We rise above mortal trials and limits and grow to an understanding of our true nature as the immortal idea of God’s creating.

We can rebel against all imprisoning beliefs such as sin, sickness, and even physical imprisonment through this understanding of our immortal nature as God’s child.

As Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health, “By universal consent, mortal belief has constituted itself a law to bind mortals to sickness, sin, and death. The so-called law of mortal mind, conjectural and speculative, is made void by the law of immortal Mind, and false law should be trampled under foot.” (S23, 229:15–16, 19)

(Remember CT!—Control Thought!)

Section 6: Christ reveals our immortal life, here and always! Just ask Paul.

Bible citation B20 comes from 2 Timothy. According to the letter, Paul is encouraging Timothy not to have a spirit of timidity, don’t be afraid. Some scholars question Paul’s authorship of this letter, but not all. And those who think it is actually from Paul feel it is when he is imprisoned and shortly before he will be put to death. Paul warns Timothy, his son in Christ, to be diligent and steadfast and beware of false teachings. But he also beautifully encourages that Timothy remember that “our Saviour Jesus Christ” has abolished death and brought “immortality” to light.

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” (B20, II Timothy 1:8–10)

Through the Gospel!!! Through the Word or the Truth made manifest. Now the good news is that we are indeed more than a pile of bones and flesh, we are in fact in our true identity the glorious manifestation of the immortal idea of God’s creating, spiritual. And that is what Mary Baker Eddy as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science reveals in her major work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. In exact and precise affirmation of the Gospel.

”In the illusion of life that is here to-day and gone to-morrow, man would be wholly mortal, were it not that Love, the divine Principle that obtains in divine Science, destroys all error and brings immortality to light.” (S29, 305:22–27)

“We cannot fathom the nature and quality of God’s creation by diving into the shallows of mortal belief. We must reverse our feeble flutterings — our efforts to find life and truth in matter — and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the God-like man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being.” (S30, 262:9)

Now do we have to wait until we are simply a manifestation of light or completely spiritual? Well, it was once explained to me that something that is eternal, does not just start and keep going. Eternal, like a ring, has no beginning and no end. Like our Golden Text and Responsive Reading revealed to us, “for ever” and “from everlasting to everlasting.” Therefore, we have always been and will always be what God has made us to be, immortal. And since we are in the very middle of our eternal, immortal existence why not act like it. As our wonderful example, Nic Vujicic, shows in his vibrant life, we should live not because of or for a certain bodily image, but because we love the Christ and we love to share the Christ in daily life. The immortal ideas of God’s creating are all around us, we can acknowledge and rejoice in them.

The following exchange between a student of Christian Science and Mrs. Eddy has always been a great help to me:

Instruction by Mrs. Eddy

“We are glad to have the privilege of publishing an extract from a letter to Mrs. Eddy, from a Christian Scientist in the West, and Mrs. Eddy’s reply thereto. The issue raised is an important one and one upon which there should be absolute and correct teaching. Christian Scientists are fortunate to receive instruction from their Leader on this point. The question and Mrs. Eddy’s reply follow.

“Last evening I was chastised by a Christian Science practitioner because I referred to myself as an immortal idea of the one divine Mind. The practitioner said that my statement was wrong, because I still lived in my flesh. I replied that I did not live in my flesh, that my flesh lived or died according to the beliefs I entertained about it; but that, after coming to the light of Truth, I had found that I lived and moved and had my being in God, and to obey Christ was not to know as real the beliefs of an earthly mortal. Please give the truth in the Sentinel, so that all may know it.”

Mrs. Eddy’s Reply

“You are scientifically correct in your statement about yourself. You can never demonstrate spirituality until you declare yourself to be immortal and understand that you are so. Christian Science is absolute; it is neither behind the point of perfection nor advancing towards it; it is at this point and must be practised therefrom. Unless you fully perceive that you are the child of God, hence perfect, you have no Principle to demonstrate and no rule for its demonstration. By this I do not mean that mortals are the children of God, — far from it. In practising Christian Science you must state its Principle correctly, or you forfeit your ability to demonstrate it.” My. 241:10-14 (np)


[Warren’s (W’s) PS#1— Cobbey Crisler on God’s questions to Job & us in Job 38:1-7 and Job’s answers in Job 42:2, 3, 5 (Responsive Reading)

“Chapter 38 is the examination, the only examination higher than a self-examination. That is what? God’s examination of us.

In Job 38:1 we find "the LORD answering Job out of the whirlwind.” What's the whirlwind? It's a beautiful example of to-and-fro and what's been going on in Job’s thought all the way up to this point.

This chapter is one series of questions. Once again you can wonder how does God communicate to man? Here [in] chapter 38 it tells us by question which requires an answer from us. That's rather interesting, isn't it? A question requires an answer from Job.

[Job 38:2] "Who [is] this that darkeneth counsel by word, without knowledge?

have to answer that question. To fulfill communication. God makes demands on us and we are expected to fulfill those demands, and that's our relationship with God.

Look how Jesus applied that when he healed his cases and man was equipped to respond.

In Job 38:3 look at the authoritative statement which sounds like so many of the statements Jesus made when he healed. "Gird up now thy loins like a man:" What did Job look like down there on all fours on the ash heap'?

Like an animal. "Gird up your loins like a man; Get into your manhood.

"I will demand of thee and answer thou me.”
[Job 38:4] “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” God expects us to answer. Where are we? What book of the Bible describes the foundations of the earth being laid by God? Are we there? We’re in the first chapter of Genesis. That requires then that answer.

Job 38:7 “When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

[These are “NOT rhetorical questions, but ones that we are expected to answer. What could this (“Laying the foundations of the earth”) mean to the Jewish reader but the first Genesis 1? The dominion man IS there… “I and my Father are one.”… The whole question of origin is what God brings out… We must answer every question posed by God in these chapters to get the same (turn-around) results that Job did… If God comes to each one of us and asks us this, how long are we going to put off our answer? It took 40 years for Israel to make it to their Promised Land walking straight it would have taken 6 months. How many years in our lives are we going to spend wandering rather than adopting straight routes to answer God’s demands?”

[Notes on a Cobbey Crisler talk about Job in Warren’s Oxford Wide-Margin Edition of the King James Bible, Job 38: 3, 4)]

[“…back to the last chapter of Job and we’ll see what occurs there.

In Job 42:2 Job says, “I know that you can do every [thing], and no thought can be withholden from thee.”

Job 42:5 says, “I’ve heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now,” Guess what? “My eye sees You.” Not just a rumor that God is around, but what else? [Voice: “The healing.”] The evidence of God’s presence (being) is his healing.”]
“The Book of Job: A Mental Court Case”, B. Cobbey Crisler. To buy your own copy, see W’s PS#7.]

[W’s PS#2— Cobbey Crisler on John 6:63 (B4)
“In John 6:63, Jesus impinges upon what has been considered laws of physics because he views matter in a radical way. He makes the statement, "It is the spirit that quickeneth.” That is where you find life. So if you want to talk about nativity anywhere, you better deal with origin and Spirit. "The flesh profiteth nothing. "]

You see how close one needs to be to Jesus in thought to understand what has been referred to as the Communion Supper. If he is accurate in saying, "the flesh profiteth nothing, "neither would symbolically eating it profit anything. So, it must not be the flesh he is talking about, but that great transformation that he is proving in his life to be possible to the Son of Man. John 1:14 refers to it as "the Word that was made flesh. "The Word connects us to Spirit, not flesh. Here is-part of that Word underscoring the message that, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing.”
“Book of John, A Walk with the Beloved Disciple”, B. Cobbey Crisler. To buy your own copy, see W’s PS#7.]

[W’s PS#3—Cobbey Crisler on Matthew 17.1-9 The Transfiguration
“Chapter 17: There is a renewed opportunity for the disciples, three of them at least, to witness who Jesus was.

(Verse 1). "Peter, James, and John come to a high mountain apart,"
(Verse 2). "He was transfigured: his face did shine,"

(Verse 3). And there is a breakthrough here because "we find Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus." What is special about that is Moses really is the prime figure in the law, isn't he? Elias is the prime figure in the prophets. So, in a way, it represents the three major sections of the Bible, long before it was sewn together in the backbone of a book.

We know what they were talking about, at least. The gospel of Luke (9:31) is the only one

which tells us what the subject of conversation was on the Mount of Transfiguration. Luke tells us that they were discussing his "decease" which was forthcoming in Jerusalem. When J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-67, U.S. nuclear physicist) wanted to talk with someone on his level, he probably wouldn't give us a call. He'd go to look for Einstein. If Jesus were approaching his meeting with the last enemy known as death, just look at Moses and Elias. What had Elias or Elijah accomplished? He had ascended, according to the Old Testament report 2 Kings 2:11. What about Moses? It doesn't say exactly, but they never could find his body. They sent out expedition after expedition that came up empty handed. In fact, there is the intertestamental (the period between the close of the OLD TESTAMENT and the beginning of the NEW TESTAMENT) literature written called "The Assumption of Moses" where it has long been held in Jewish tradition that Moses had ascended. There is this common point of unity among those three men on that mountain.

Verse 9 (of Matthew 17). Our translation says, "Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead." I can't find a Greek version that supports the word "again." But if it is genuine, it implies that, in effect, Jesus had to rise from the dead to communicate to these men. He had to have overcome the death barrier.

The three disciples didn't communicate with them, but they knew who they were. Isn't that interesting? That says something about identity, our identity. The identity of Moses and Elias was apparently communicable. But there was no discussion back and forth between Peter, James, and

John and those on the mountain. It's sort of like television, isn't it? You can tune in at a distance. You can see people on the screen who are thousands of miles from you. Maybe even bouncing off satellites. But you can't communicate with them. Distance and time have been overcome and we can see but not communicate.

(Verse 4). They were bored there, Peter, James, and John. Peter tries to interrupt. Peter liked to feel busy. On the top of the mountain Jesus, Moses, and Elias had their thing going. So he said, "It's good for us to be here." Really, the transfiguration didn't need Peter's endorsement. But he gave it. He said, 'It's good for us to be here. While you're up there, why don't we do something down here, instead of just sitting. We can build three tabernacles, one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias."

Verse 5 is when the announcement comes once again very much like the baptism (Matthew 3:17) which is rooted in prophecy. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
Book of Matthew, Auditing the Master: A Tax Collector’s Report , by B. Cobbey Crisler. To buy your own copy, see W’s PS#7.]

[W’s PS#4—Cobbey Crisler on Acts 9:32-34 (B15)Peter heals Aeneas of paralysis
And at Lydda Peter finds a man named “Aeneas who for eight years has been paralyzed, unable to move.” But Peter coming near to Aeneas makes one very simple statement to him: “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.” (Paraphrased, Acts 9:33,34)
After all he hadn’t been able to move for eight years, and the first thing Peter says to him is “make your bed.” (See above, partial)
We find that same thing, and Peter himself saw it, in the account in the gospel of John when, both Peter and the disciple Jesus loved, appear at the tomb of Jesus.
The stone had been rolled away, and they look inside. And what did those two disciples see there? There is no body of Jesus, but right next to the stone slab they find the linen garments and the napkin have all been folded very neatly and laid to one side for if Jesus, himself, looking around at that tomb after such a breakthrough in his victory over death. If he utilized his hands, despite the holes from the nails, and even arranged in order, the human environment in that tomb, it shows how important that sense of order is, not only in thought but in its outward expression.
So, here “Peter says to Aeneas: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.” (Paraphrased Acts 9:34)
It didn’t take long for the news to get around that this kind of healing work was being accomplished by the early Christians.[So next Peter was summons to raise Dorcas from the dead in the neighboring town of Joppa, as related in a recent lesson. (Acts 9:36+)]
“After the Master, What? The Book of Acts”. To buy your own copy, see W’s PS#7.]

[W’s PS#5—Cobbey Crisler on Acts 12:1-8+ (B16)
Acts, Chapter 12 ends the fairly peaceful hiatus we have had since the persecutions wrought by Saul for Herod. This is Herod Agrippa the First, who ruled all Palestine in the years 41-44 A.D. He was grandson of Herod the Great.

And here at the Passover season, which seems to be the popular time for execution, we find that James, ones of Jesus’ closest disciples, James the son of Zebedee and brother of John, is beheaded.

At the same time Herod arrests Peter, throws him into prison with sixteen soldiers guarding him with full intent to bring him out and try him and execute him after the Passover festival. As one might translate the Greek in Acts 12, verse 5: “Instant and earnest prayer was made unceasing of the church unto God for him.” …

This focus collectively on prayer – does it have power? Well, that very night, we can see the effectiveness of such prayer because Peter suddenly, not knowing really what is happening himself, is fast asleep in the prison when he is awakened, told to “rise up quickly. His chains fall off from his hands.” …

The angel, with a note of human practicality, “suggests that Peter put on his sandals.
[The rest of the story…(Acts 12:8-16) He does, still really not knowing what he is doing, thinking it’s almost a dream he is going through.” … “He goes out through the first and second ward and finally to the gate that leadeth unto the city. It opens, as if by itself. They go out together. The angel disappears.” Peter, for the first time in Acts 12, verse 11, realizes what has happened and states “now I know for sure that God hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod. Peter makes his way to what was apparently a favorite Christian assembly point. And that is called the house of Mary,” the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.” (Acts 12:12) (John Mark being the one to whom the gospel has been attributed.) This may have been the house church in Jerusalem where the early church held many of its meetings. It was here that the church was praying for the release of Peter. And now we’re about to be introduced to one of my favorite characters in the Bible. Her name is Rhoda. This Rhoda acts like many little girls I know, and I’m sure that you know. “Peter knocks at the door of the gate.” (Knocking sound) And everybody’s praying so heavily inside no one hears him “except for this child.” Rhoda comes to the gate and recognizes Peter’s voice. Now do you think that Rhoda let’s Peter in? No.

“She’s so excited she leaves Peter standing there and races inside the house and tells everybody that Peter’s out there.” (Paraphrased Acts 12:14 )

You can imagine what this adult church-going group said to Rhoda. “They turned to her and say, ‘You are mad!” (Paraphrased Acts 12:15)

Many groups of adults dismiss children in similar terms. And isn’t it a commentary somewhat on the conviction, or lack of it, behind their prayer?
“Don’t bother us, Rhoda, we’re praying.” And yet, the answer to their prayer stood outside the gate, and a little child was trying to lead them there. Now, when it says “she constantly affirmed that it was so,” I think you could get very easily a picture of a little girl stamping her foot on the ground, insisting that Peter was there. Finally, to shut her up, they are willing to concede that “it might be his angel,” something other than Peter himself, assuming perhaps that Peter had been executed. “But Peter persistently keeps knocking.” (Paraphrased from Acts 12:16 below—with knocking sound)
Acts 12:16 “But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

You notice it’s harder for him to get into John Mark’s Mother’s house than it was for him to get out of jail.”]
“After the Master, What? The Book of Acts”. To buy your own copy, see W’s PS#7.]

[W’s PS#6—Cobbey Crisler on Matthew 11:28-30 (B19)

[The invitation of Jesus is to Verse 28: ' Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden."

How much of humanity is included? "I will give you rest" He was saying that at a moment in his own history when his back had every justification to bend under a load. But he was saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

(Verse 29). "Take my yoke." It's definitely a yoke, isn't it? "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me." The yoke is our obligation to learn to be a disciple. That is the yoke.

Verse 30 describes that yoke, compared with the world's burdens which we seem to be glibly carrying anyway. Choose, rather, his yoke, which he says "is easy, and his burden is light." This has a wonderful meaning to those who have known Jesus was a carpenter as a youth. Some normal items made the carpenter's shop of that day would have included yokes.”]
“Book of Matthew, Auditing the Master: A Tax Collector’s Report” , by B. Cobbey Crisler. To buy your own copy, see W’s PS#7.]

[W’s PS#7: You can buy your own transcripts (and audio CDs) of most of Cobbey’s 28 talks at a new website: www.crislerlibrary.co.uk Email your order or inquiry to office@crislerlibrary.co.uk, or directly to Janet Crisler, at janetcrisler7@gmail.com ]


[Although the recent outpouring of Fiscal Year End gifts was wonderful and greatly appreciated, GIFTS are still VERY MUCH NEEDED and APPRECIATED to cover a year FULL of BIGGER than anticipated maintenance and operating expenses that was HUGE with blessings for campers and staff. Your generous support will enable CedarS to be sustainable in its efforts to bless over 1200 Sunday School students each summer. The blessings of making one's own the love of Christianity and its scientific application are not only immediate and heartfelt, but they also last forever–as can be seen in our summerFRUITAGE. Please check back on this webpage in coming weeks for a gushing stream of new stories of blessings felt across the country and around the world–thanks to God and to your ongoing generosity! CedarS, your friend in need, is "a friend indeed!"

1. "Unrestricted Gifts" allow CedarS to allocate funds where most needed.

2. "Maintenance Musts" Matching Funds! This hugely helpful matching grant offer has been renewed by dear supporters to match up to $25,000 through December 31, 2016!

3. “Adopt the Herd” Matching Opportunity! Generous donors, aware of the ongoing need to care for CedarS herd, will match donations for our horse program!

[You can also reach a member of the Founding family nearly anytime by
PHONE at 417-532-6699

or MAIL your tax-deductible support to our 501C3 organization
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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 big help and are greatly appreciated in defraying the costs of running this service and of providing needed camperships, programs 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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