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Let the light of God reveal reality!
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on

Reality”
for March 20-26, 2017

by Kathy Fitzer, CS,
314-323-4083 kathyfitzercs@gmail.com

Reality — as defined by Noah Webster in 1828 — is “truth; fact; in distinction from mere appearance.” When we look at things in a dark room, they can appear vague, distorted, or like something entirely different from what they are. All of that changes when lights are turned on. This week’s lesson focuses on God being light — and how this light reveals the reality of what God has made in contradistinction to the distorted mortal view. As we’re told in Mrs. Eddy’s poem, Christmas Morn: “Thy light was born where storm enshrouds nor dawn nor day!” [Christian Science Hymnal, 23-28]

Golden Text:
Are we conscious often enough of truly loving God for the light He brings to our lives? Do we remember to acknowledge God as the source of our strength? That includes strength to resist whatever would tempt us to feel separated from the light of Love. To me, one of the best gifts my understanding of God has given me is the knowledge that I don’t have to depend on my own ability, strength or understanding. God lights up our dark thoughts and misconceptions — and shows us present good. We generally appreciate someone shedding light on a subject for us — or literally turning on a light for us. We might even say … I love you for that! Let’s make sure we’re acknowledging God — and responding in a similar way — for being the “great God of light” that destroys darkness and reveals reality! (See Hymn 287)

Responsive Reading:
John explains that there are certain things that we have to understand about God in order to have an intimate relationship (fellowship) with Him and with our fellowman. Central to this message is that God is light and darkness is no part of God or God’s creation. That precludes darkness of any kind clouding our thought — no discouragement, no despair, no resentment or misunderstanding, no sadness! God has shown us His light. He is our strength and It is our job (and divine right) to walk in the light, praise Him, and rejoice in His eternal day. Then, our eyes are open to all that God’s light reveals of His perfect, spiritual creation! “Mental health” is a topic currently receiving much attention in the United States — especially in our schools. Praying with the understanding that ALL are under the influence of God’s light and dwelling in God’s day can be a strong influence for good in the healing the imposition of mental disorder or disturbance. Depression and light just cannot dwell together! Constantly express gratitude for God’s goodness — even before you see evidence of it!! Giving thanks opens thought to light! [W: Miss Mary Kessler often said to Sunday School classes, “Gratitude lets in the divine light that outlaws blindness to present good.”]

Section 1: God has created all things and divided the light from the darkness

God’s creation is full of light. We read again, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (B3) Some argue that God made darkness, too. But, Christian Science reveals “the entireness of God, good, and the nothingness of evil.” (S4) This understanding results in healing. Light is the first element mentioned in the Science of Creation given in Genesis 1. Prior to this we’re told that the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the earth. But, that doesn’t mean that God formed the darkness. It just means that light was necessary to show all the good that has always been. Without light, there can be no reflection. Knowing that man was made in the image and likeness of God (as reflection), we can be certain that where man is, light is! And nothing but light! Just as we can’t see things clearly in the dark, God’s goodness isn’t seen until our eyes are opened to the divine light. First light, then reflection, then the “spiritual and immortal forms of beauty and goodness.” (S2) With light comes life, guidance, assurance, and beauty. “God separated the light from the darkness.” (B1) Through this separation, God assures us that there can be no interference of dark influences in the light of God’s goodness.

Section 2: The light of Life brings healing to mankind and changes the evidence

The second verse of hymn 460, Siyahamba, reads: “As we turn our faces, to the light of life,

harmony replaces pain and fear and strife. See the heav’nly harvest bountifully poured, as we raise our voices all in one accord!” It was through the raising of voices to God (acknowledging His might) that the Hebrew people were repeatedly freed from bondage, the Gentiles came to know God, and Jesus healed all kinds of diseases and raised the dead. (B5, B6, B9) To all appearances, Jairus’ daughter was dead. But that was the distorted view seen in the dark. Jesus shined the light of God (the Christ light) on the situation and it was seen that life had always been the reality. The textbook of Christian Science explains that healing (then and now) is the result of “the operation [or action] of divine Principle.” (S6) Principle can be thought of as an “operative cause or a truth.” (Webster 1828) As consciousness is filled with the truth of God’s goodness and light, the darkness and error of sin and disease must disappear. Do we ever doubt when a light is turned on that the darkness will flee? Jesus so understood the operation of divine Principle that he was always absolutely certain of the healing effect of turning to God (to Truth) when faced with anything that did not correspond with the full expression of Life. In order to reason rightly we have to start from the premise of what is truly real. We have a great measuring stick in this statement: “Reality is spiritual, harmonious, immutable, immortal, divine, eternal.” (S7) These are qualities that are able to be seen in the light of Truth. They disappear in the darkness of error. But, we never have to settle for darkness of thought. Death is the suggestion that what is real can come to an end — or at least disappear from sight. We wrongly fear death (or stoppage) in all its forms — death of life, death of opportunity, death of a relationship, death of supply, etc. But, following Jesus’ example, we need to challenge the belief of death in all its forms, and refuse to give it any abiding place in consciousness. “Life is real, and death is the illusion.” (S9) So, when faced with any discord — anything that would dispute reality — follow Jesus’ example and change the evidence. Jesus didn’t wait for the evidence to change and then acknowledge healing. He acknowledged present perfection, gave up material beliefs and admired the immortal facts of being. (S10) As we exchange what seems to be with what is, we effectively “change the evidence, and that disappears which before seemed real to …. false belief.” (S11) When we shine the light of Truth on a situation, the shadows disappear and we see things clearly. And, if it seems the discord remains, refuse to be intimidated. Dig deeper and deeper into the Bible and Science and Health, letting the light of Christ, Truth, overcome the darkness of every false, erroneous claim.

Section 3: Christian Science opens blind eyes to see the light of Truth

The psalmist extended an invitation to all who would hear …. “come and see the works of God.” (B11) The light of Christ is available to ALL. Jesus readily shared the truth of God with all who would listen … and backed up his words with action (through healing.) Jesus saw it as his mission to redeem those lost in sin — and went directly to those who had been cast aside by the religious rulers of the day. (B13) Jesus set an example for us. The light that was in him is in us. (B12) Mary Baker Eddy wrote: “The great spiritual facts of being, like rays of light, shine in the darkness, though the darkness, comprehending them not, may deny their reality.” (S12) To me, the darkness being spoken of here is the darkness of mortal thought. It can come from getting so involved in the testimony of the senses (the pain or discouragement), or so busy with material distractions (focus on such things as competition, material earnings, or frivolous amusement) that our eyes are closed to the light of God’s leading and God’s deliverance. Some may even be tempted to believe that turning to God does no good or there isn’t enough time for prayer and study. Problems arise when we start to put more weight on the side of mortal mind and material conditions than on the side of God’s harmonious creation. This creation will become seen as it is admitted that God, Truth, is supreme. Darkness cannot overthrow light, nor can error overthrow truth. As we understand more of Christian Science and admit that God is omnipotent, we will recognize that “reality is in perfect harmony with God, divine Principle” and no suggestion of error (no darkness) can overthrow that reality. (S15) The Science of Christianity is the light shining in darkness. And, even though dark mortal thought doesn’t recognize the light … the darkness (disease, sin, despair and even death) must flee before the light of Christ. (S14) Nothing can stop the dawn of the truth of Christian Science.

Section 4:

We find an expanded version of the Golden Text in the opening citation of this section, full of references to defense and protection!. (B14) I looked to the Hebrew to get a better sense of all that God is to us. Rock means lofty; a craggy rock or fortress. A fortress is a strong place, a snare or net. And a deliverer enables one to escape or be delivered from danger. A buckler is a shield — from which arrows of hate, fear, disease, and anything that would try to destroy our peace bounce right off. One meaning of a horn is a peak (of a mountain) or, interestingly enough, a ray of light which reveals the salvation (or saving grace) of God. And a high tower is a lofty or inaccessible place (like a cliff) or a refuge which provides a vantage point from which to be alert to the approach of trouble, and remain undisturbed above the tumult. (B14) Jesus experienced the ultimate safety afforded by God when he was confronted by an angry mob. Misunderstood and wrongly accused, Jesus walked through the crowd as though invisible, and proceeded with his healing mission. Leaving behind his home town and those who couldn’t see past his human parentage, he continued to let his light shine, ministering to the receptive hearts in Capernaum. (B16) As we follow Jesus’ example, we will also experience the “light of life” that makes us invisible to whatever would try to bring us down or distract us from our mission. (B17) To get a better sense of how staying in the light of Christ brings safety, notice how you have to — at times — shield your eyes to keep things from disappearing in the bright sunlight. As we watch thought, being sure to keep it in the light, we can escape — untouched — influences that would threaten our safety There is much to learn from Jesus’ patient persistence. (S18) Those who doubted him were viewing him through a strictly material lens, and so saw only his human parentage. They failed to perceive the Principle (or divine origin) that was the source of the demonstrated Truth that resulted in healing! (S16) Key to understanding how Jesus did what he did, and being able to follow his example is to remember that “he claimed no intelligence, action, nor life separate from God.” (S20) He understood that he was completely governed by God. And when God governs, it is impossible to ever be “deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life.” That is true about our identity as well. Darkness is not real!!! Darkness is only the “mortal sense of the absence of light.” And when the light comes, the darkness disappears. (S21) Notice that it is only the “mortal sense” of the absence of light. Because light — the perpetual shining of God’s Christ — can never truly be absent!!! We don’t have to chase away the darkness — just turn from it and step into ever-present light!

Section 5: You are full of light — watch and shine!

We need to know who we are — and not be confused or intimidated by who we’re not. We are the offspring of light. We can’t get lost or distracted by the darkness because we are entirely separate from it! “Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. … Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” (B18, The Message) How do we pray without ceasing? That certainly means more than studying the Word. It means, to me, letting our lives be our prayer. It means listening (and expecting to hear) God’s direction as it relates to everything we do! It means expressing love always. It means being grateful non-stop (even when the darkness feels very real.) It means giving God the glory for all things! It means desiring to “put put off he old man with his deeds … and put on the new man.” (B19) It can be tempting to be afraid to let go of who we think we are (based on a material personality) — uncertain of what our spiritual identity looks like. But, all we really have to be willing to do is to stand in the light. And let the light bring out the best in us — bring out what God has made us to be! A reflection is best seen in a bright light. As God’s reflection, our true nature is seen as we stand in God’s light. And we are able to see the true nature of others, as well, as we recognize the ever-presence of the light of Christ revealing reality! Are we willing to stand on the hill and let the light of Christ (the ideal man) radiate through us? As we do, everything and everyone around us is also bathed in that light. (S24) It is our joy to be watchful, sober and vigilant (awake and alert) so that we embrace God’s presence, and are alert to not fall for, or accept as our own, any dark thoughts that don’t come from God. God is the only Life. Understanding this, we can conquer the suggestions of the flesh (the suggestions of life in matter — life separate from God.) (S26) Then, “man’s real existence as a child of God comes to light.” (S26) And in that light we discover the good, harmonious, and eternal creation of God as all that exists! (S27)

[Warren's (W's) PS#1 on Mark 5: 25-42 (B9)
"This section of the first chapter of Mark has two magnificent healings which we can summarize: one in versus 35–43 is of Jairus' daughter who was age 12, on the verge of death and died during this whole transaction; and there was a woman, versus 25 through 34 during that same period of time.
For 12 years she had an issue of blood, incessantly, not periodically. A hemorrhage of some kind. We find Jesus dealing with both. Actually one would asked Jesus, this master healer, "Do you have to wait in line for God, like you do for all the other physicians?"
This incident is really Jesus' response to that. It would appear that even though Jairus was the first one to ask, and his daughter was in critical condition, near the point of death, that Jesus would have said "Hey" to the woman, "I'll get back to you. You're second." What Jairus felt about this woman was probably even less printable. But, very calmly, remember the order: the blade, the ear, the full corn. God's work is being revealed with precise discipline. The agony of interruption for Jairus is part of the healing later on, and part of the lesson that Jairus learns.
By contrast, you may compare the Old Testament with the New Testament by looking at Asa. He was disease in his feet and he sought the physicians. He died because he sought the physicians rather than turning to God. (2 Chronicles 16: 12-13). Here we have a woman face with the same choice and you see which one she makes. We discover, then, a "no" and a "yes" graphically given to us about our choices. …
Verse 35. The news comes that Jesus delayed too long with the woman. "Jairus' daughter is dead." That's a terminal statement, isn't it? Verse 39. Notice Jesus says, "the damsel is not dead." But,"the damsel is dead."
Was it a "no" or a "yes" for Jesus? That's a no. Judge not according to appearances. The "yes" is "the damsel is not dead."
Verse 40, "and they laughed him to scorn. That made made it easy "to kick them all out." You don't laugh at A funeral. After that time he would have had great difficulty dismissing them while they were grieving. Notice how he expose the shallowness of the mourners who laughed for any reason. At the funeral he remove them all. "Then takes father, mother, the three disciples."
Versus 41, "and raises not a little girl where he touches her." He rarely touch his patients. This was in the minority of his healings. When he did it, it was not as if it were required manipulative hard in someway. We saw with leper that he touched him. Here we find he touched a 12-year-old girl, you didn't know Jesus at all, and was about to wake up and find Jesus standing over her. The alarm, the fried, the need for explanation, all of that was dealt dealt with. "Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. I sent to the, arise." He says, "talitha", that is, "damsel," or "little girl. It can also be translated "little lamb" it's like lampkin to a 12-year-old girl. He wouldn't say that to the leper. You see the dovetailing. You see the humanity of Jesus, totally embraced by the divinity, but not losing that great sense of love. Jesus sees things from someone else's point of view, and brings them upward to where he was looking.
"I say unto thee, arise."
Verse 42, "and she does."
"What Mark Recorded" by B. Cobbey Crisler"

**You can buy your own transcripts and audio recordings of most of Cobbey’s 28 talks at a new website: www.crislerlibrary.co.uk Please email your order or inquiry to office@crislerlibrary.co.uk, or directly to Janet Crisler, at janetcrisler7@gmail.com]

[TOP NEEDS OF THE WEEK:
1) $1500 (in $50 increments, still 5 units given…25 to go!) to split apart a key tractor to replace its clutch so it can do its mission of helping keep CedarS mowed and well-manicured.
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Thanks to earlier outpourings of love and support, CedarS is doing other needed Maintenance work before our 56th season, our "adopted" herd of horses are also being well cared, AND a growing stream of campership applications are being granted. However, we still need donations of about $125,000 more to grant the campership requests that traditionally come during this season. We also need almost $16,400 to meet our $50k match for Adopt the Herd! (CedarS Adopt the Herd matching fund opportunity goes through the end of our fiscal year, 9-30-17.) Thank each of you grateful for this service and our work, way beyond words and whinnies, for your much-needed MONTHLY gifts, past and ongoing, able to be given at: www.cedarscamps.org/giving ]

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[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. But, 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.]

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