“I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not abandon them.”
(Isaiah 42: 16, Christian Standard Bible)
No matter what seems to concern us as we walk through our lives, we have a trusty guide. God is with us to reveal light along our path as we go forward with Him, one step at a time.
We may feel blind and uncertain. We may wonder if we should stay where we are or move ahead to something unknown. We may feel alone, or that others in our lives add to our burden or just don’t understand us.
But we have this promise from God. We are not abandoned, and our needs are known. God is our companion in the dark, providing ready wisdom along with the comfort that eases us in each new moment. Those rough patches may seem like obstacles, but God’s goodness, kindness, smooths them out.
Our confidence is not in personal knowledge, but in receptivity and trust. We may not know the way. We may not see how things can come together. But God is ahead of us and with us at the same time. He knows the way. He knows His purpose for us which is loving, progressive, right, safe, and good.
Laura Moliter, Divine Purpose Coach and Spiritual Activist
Quinn: “Have you ever seen the green flash when the sun goes down? It happens for an instant and you have to looking for it at the right time. It is the most perfect moment in any sunset, and if you blink you miss it … that’s all I want now that perfect instant, the green flash when the sun goes down and the night comes … I have to follow that where ever it leads me …”
Maggie: “Maybe the flash you’re looking for is within you. Maybe you don’t need to run as far as you think.”
She knew he was running from, as much as he was running to, but only he could discover that, as she knew.”
“Miracle” by Danielle Steel
Photo – Santa Fe, NM Art Gallery (Summer 2021)
July 2, 2021
Finding true freedom
By Larissa Snorek
As many countries open travel and business once again, some people are feeling liberated, while others are reluctant to emerge too quickly. But all of us can look beyond what is restricted or allowed and seek something more than just returning to bustling cafés and gridlocked traffic. True freedom is much greater.
The discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, goes to the heart of true freedom when she says, “God’s being is infinity, freedom, harmony, and boundless bliss” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 481). God, Spirit, is the real source and essence of freedom – fearless and limitless Life. You and I are inseparable from God, and are inherently free because God, as Life, is so.
Christ Jesus, the greatest example of someone living a life of true freedom, unfettered by the confines of matter, promised those who followed his teachings, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32, New King James Version). More than a freedom from something, Jesus taught the freedom to do or be something by accepting our real nature as a child of God, inseparable from God. Freedom is living and acting from the basis of our innate, spiritual identity, which is God-given and can never be taken from us.
Even when someone didn’t appear to be free, Jesus showed them that freedom was their divine right. One such man, who had been ill for 38 years and felt helpless, sat by the side of a special pool said to bring healing to the first one who touched it after an angel was believed to stir the water (see John 5:2-9). He was waiting for someone to bring him his freedom by putting him into the water. He believed health and liberty were possible but rare, and dependent on unique circumstances, whereas Jesus showed him that freedom was right at hand, universally available.
The more we understand and seek God, the more Truth dawns in consciousness and shows limitations to be false. The more we observe and pay attention to the thoughts that are guiding our actions, the more we can change them. The spiritual truth of what we are supersedes beliefs about what we are not. We are not our beliefs about ourselves – we are the clear-thinking, peaceful, compassionate, innovative, pure expressions of God, and include freedom and boundless bliss.
“Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free?” *
Wasn’t the truth we were to know the truth that we were free already— that we had never lost our true identity as God’s own image and likeness— that we didn’t need to now climb out of somewhere we’d never been?
—Lona Ingwerson
* I canoed at night with a friend to the island in the center of the painting. This occurred one summer when I worked in Glacier National Park while in college. I decided not to return home that summer due to my mother’s seeming lack of love. (Rob Scott).
Wild Goose Island Viewpoint is the spot on the Going-to-the-Sun Road where all those beautiful photographs of St. Mary Lake, Goose Island and the surrounding peaks of Glacier National Park have been taken and published that have graced the covers and pages of countless books, magazines, calendars, post cards, brochures, travel guides and other publications for decades. – Photo above taken at a Santa Fe art gallery ($13,500).
Mandela stood on the front steps of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, just across from the Monitor’s headquarters, and spoke of the “warmth and love” he had received in Boston. He then surprised those gathered with these words:‘The signs are there.’ Is US democracy on a dangerous trajectory?
“The Christian Science Monitor was well known to me during my 27 years in prison. It continues to give me hope and confidence for the world’s future.”
“We need a world without distinction among peoples,” Mandela said. “We are all children of God.”
Escape From Pretoria is the true story of Tim Jenkin (Daniel Radcliffe) and Stephen Lee (Daniel Webber), young, white South Africans branded “terrorists”, and imprisoned in 1978 for working covert operations for Nelson Mandela’s banned ANC. Incarcerated in Pretoria Maximum Security Prison, they decide to send the apartheid regime a clear message and escape! With breath-taking ingenuity, meticulous surveillance, and wooden keys crafted for 10 steel doors, they make a bid for freedom…Beyond a thrilling will-they-won’t-they-escape, this is the story of an oppressed majority’s struggle, and two ordinary men who stood-up to be counted in the pursuit of equality for all.
Back in the 1970s I sat in a church pew listening to an Anglican priest tell about being arrested for his resistance to apartheid in South Africa and his conviction that people’s prayers had led to his release. The power of prayer to uphold and defend human rights—it’s a message that still rings true and works wonders, as the writers in this month’s Frontlines make clear.
They have seen prayer at work in a variety of circumstances and settings from Afghanistan and parts of Africa to Indonesia and the Philippines. And the rest of the issue speaks of other rights: the right to be free of disease, of anger, of fear—all of which can be imprisoning in their own way.
Probably none of these reports would surprise Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of this magazine. From her New England home, Mrs. Eddy scanned the world near and far. She saw that people had a human right to health—that being imprisoned in a sick body was not unlike being trapped in a sick country. With a lifetime of proofs behind her, she could write in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “The power of God brings deliverance to the captive. No power can withstand divine Love.”1
Wherever in the world you are, no matter what you face, let the book that explains Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, become your key to freedom. Put it into the “lock” of whatever is limiting you or frightening you. Turn the key. And when—not if—the door opens, go through. To freedom.
NFL Player Carl Nassib Comes Out & Gives $100,000 for LGBT Suicide Prevention
PREVENTION: Starts In Families: LGBTQ youth whose families are more supportive have significantly lower rates of depression, substance abuse and suicidal ideation and attempts. It is important for federal, state, local, community and faith-based programs to support families of LBGTQ youth, such as through parenting skills-building, case management services, professional best practices in the justice and healthcare systems, and promotion of positive role models.
If we do a better job of providing a supportive and respectful environment early in life, we could help reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS and assure a higher quality of life for the next generation of LGBTQ Americans.
Jeff Levi – Former deputy director of the White House Office of National AIDS policy under President Clinton and executive director of the Trust for America’s Health.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib came out as gay on Monday, becoming the first active player in the National Football League to do so. “Just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay,” Nassib said in an Instagram video. Read more here: https://cbsn.ws/2Sgtb78
Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib came out in a personal Instagram post on Monday, saying he has “agonized over this moment for the last 15 years.”
“I just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay,” Nassib said in an Instagram video he posted on his verified Instagram account. “I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest.”
The 28-year-old added: “I really have the best life. I’ve got the best family, friends and job a guy could ask for. I’m a pretty private person, so I hope you guys know that I’m really not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important.”
Nassib is by no means the first gay football player in the NFL, but he is the first openly gay active player in the league to play in the regular season. Michael Sam came out as gay following his successful college career and before the 2014 NFL draft, making him the first publicly gay player to be drafted in the NFL. However, Sam played only during the preseason. A handful of other players have come out after their professional careers had ended.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants, incredible people who paved the way for me to have this opportunity,” Nassib wrote in his post.
He also announced that he is donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that focuses on suicide prevention programs for LGBTQ youth.
“For someone like me, who’s been so lucky and cherished every day, it brings me incredible sadness to think that our LGBTQ youth are at such an elevated risk for suicide,” Nassib wrote.
He signed off, calling himself “a lanky walk-on who’s living his dream,” wishing everyone a happy Pride month.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib #94 celebrates after a sack during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 12: Carl Nassib #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Excerpt below from the August 1911 issue of The Christian Science Journal
WHAT combination of words has been repeated so often as the introductory phrase of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father which art in heaven,” and yet how many of the millions who have repeated it have had any deep appreciation of the wealth of meaning therein contained? Coming as it did from the lips of one whose spiritual exaltation fitted him to speak with authority to the raging storm or the sealed tomb, we cannot attach to it too much importance or regard it with too much reverence, especially when we consider the circumstances under which it was first uttered.
… With the idea of the fatherhood of God there has been associated somewhat of the sense of austerity which was to some extent lacking in the concept of tenderness and gentleness included in the thought of motherhood. When we open Science and Health, however, we read in the spiritual interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father-Mother God”(p. 16). This recognition of femininity in the nature of God is met with surprise, and to some it seems almost startling, yet in Genesis we read, “In the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Certainly if God’s image is recognized by Him as male and female, these qualities must be included in the divine selfhood. Furthermore, in the plurality of the name Elohim for God do we not find authority for the inclusion of the masculine and feminine qualities of Mind? But perhaps the better reason for this recognition of the mother element in Deity is that already intimated, viz., that the term Father-Mother expresses the fuller concept of parenthood, suggesting not only the abiding and inflexible insistence of divine law, but also the tenderness and compassion of divine Love. How significant is the close relationship here indicated, the closest indeed of all human ties. On the one hand we have the Father’s care, counsel, and guidance, combined on the other hand with a sense of motherly solicitude, tenderness, and affection, which begets honor, obedience, trust, confidence, reliance, and assurance.
On Page 18 of “Miscellaneous Writings” we find this thought expressed by Mrs. Eddy in the words, “Thou shalt recognize thyself as God’s spiritual child only;” and also by Jesus, when he said, “Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” In the realization of this heavenly kinship we rise into higher spiritual altitudes, where the mists and discords of materiality fade away and we bask in the fuller effulgence of Love’s eternal sunshine, and where in holy confidence we repeat again: “Our Father which art in heaven.”
Man who is loved very much, do not be afraid. May peace be with you. Be strong and have strength of heart.
Daniel 10:19, New Life Version
This angel message came to Daniel at a time of need. He was in mourning, seeking inspiration. When a divine vision came to him, he felt weak and overwhelmed. Yet God was not giving Daniel something he could not understand or bear. He was opening his eyes to goodness, guiding him to what was next.
Strength was restored through this healing touch, this assurance that there was no need to be afraid. Daniel’s heart, his deep inner conviction and love, as well as his physical being, was being given power and energy. This strength was not a miracle in one magic moment. It emanated from this very declaration from God to Daniel:
“O man who is loved very much.”
It was in these words of love that fear was lost. This Truth of being wiped out a sense of separation and fear, of ego and worry, and embraced Daniel in an awareness of the Love of God, uniquely for him.
We all have a right to receive this message, for it is true for each of us. We are loved very much by God, the Almighty All. There is no need to be afraid. Peace is ours through this love, and sufficient strength for today and every day.
Laura Moliter, Divine Purpose Coach and Spiritual Activist
“Sometimes we have to leave what we know to find out what we know.”
Matthew McConaughey
“Greenlights”
Excerpt below from “Greenlights,” pg 156, by Matthew McConaughey
“It was the twelfth night of my twenty-two day adventure and I was settling into camp. I’d already hiked over eighty miles to this point and tomorrow I’d finally be in the waters of my wet dream, the Amazon river. Up to this point in the trip I’d had a hard time being present, so excited in anticipation of what the Amazon would mean to me, I had missed most of the beauties getting there. Still wrestling with my identity, I was guilt-ridden over sins of my past, lonely, and disgusted with the company I was keeping, my own.
“In my tent, grappling with my demons, I couldn’t sleep, so I quit trying to. Instead, I stripped off my clothes, along with every badge, banner, expectation, and affiliation I had on me. I discarded my American baseball cap that was my totem to patriotism, the Celtic knot pendant that symbolized my Irish heritage, the Lone Star Flag amulet that stood for my Texas pride, and every other mascot of inspiration from adventures past. I even discarded the gold ring my father had given me that was made from a meltdown of his and my mom’s class rings and gold from one of her teeth. I removed every idol that ever gave me comfort and security, pride, or confidence. All the window dressings and representations, the packaging around my product, was gone. I even punched myself in the face a couple of times for good measure. Who was I? Not only on this trip but in this life. Now naked and stripped down to nothing, I was only a child of God, and nothing more. Soaked in cold sweat, I vomited until there was no bile left in my belly, then passed out from exhaustion.”
PREVENTION: Starts In Families: LGBTQ youth whose families are more supportive have significantly lower rates of depression, substance abuse and suicidal ideation and attempts. It is important for federal, state, local, community and faith-based programs to support families of LBGTQ youth, such as through parenting skills-building, case management services, professional best practices in the justice and healthcare systems, and promotion of positive role models.
If we do a better job of providing a supportive and respectful environment early in life, we could help reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS and assure a higher quality of life for the next generation of LGBTQ Americans.
Jeff Levi – Former deputy director of the White House Office of National AIDS policy under President Clinton and executive director of the Trust for America’s Health.
EDITORIAL EXCERPT FROM SEPTEMBER 4, 2017 – CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SENTINEL
Refuse to hate—yield to Love
Kim Crooks Korinek
Whether it’s extremist hate groups or the anger of a neighbor, hatred can seem like an insurmountable wall. However, even in the midst of its emotional push and pull, we are not powerless. We can refuse to meet hate with hate. However threatening hatred may appear to be, we can yield to God’s love. God is Love, and Love is always operating, replacing anything unlike Love.
So what does this have to do with standing up to hate? By yielding to the omnipotence of Love, we can understand that hate is powerless. Mary Baker Eddy explains this in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, referring to Truth as another synonym for God: “Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth’s opposite, has no might. Evil is but the counterpoise of nothingness” (pp. 367–368). Knowing this, even in a degree, reveals how fragile and fraudulent hatred is. And because Love is omnipotent, the law of Love is equally so, and is instant and active under any circumstance.
Christian Science, the law of Love, “acts as an alterative, neutralizing error with Truth” (Science and Health, p. 162). As this was the case in the story above, so it is everywhere. We see this law in action in a well-known account in the New Testament in John, chapter 8, where a crowd of individuals bring to Jesus a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. The Mosaic law said she should be stoned to death, but the crowd also wanted to trap Jesus into disobeying the law. Jesus held to what divine Love was knowing. And it seems apparent that the woman must have felt for the first time what Jesus knew—that she was the loved of Love—a life-changing truth. Jesus expressed the law of Love both in forgiveness and in affirming her ability to reform to a new life. Prior to this remarkable transformation, Jesus turned to the crowd and said that if any among them was without sin, he could cast the first stone. The law of Love continued to operate, revealing the error in their consciences. And, one by one, all slowly turned away. The law of Love—like pure waters pouring into consciousness—freed the woman and neutralized the hatred of the crowd. No violence was done. The moral and spiritual force of the law of Love brought out once again that Life and Love are harmonious and continuous.
It takes moral courage to stand up to hatred. But the louder it clangs, the more we can listen for that still, small voice of God—that calm ever-present assurance of Love, which lifts human consciousness into healthy channels, where we are led to think, speak, and act in ways that help and heal.
The appeal is to thinking persons everywhere. Hatred and division are not sustainable. Truth cannot be harmed, and Love never fails. As we see all humanity fully clothed in the complete armor of Love, human hatred’s reach is diminished. We can refuse to hate; we can yield our thoughts, prayers, and actions wholeheartedly to Love. Prayer by prayer, step by step, heart by heart, hatred will fall.
This post was shared a few years ago when there seemed to be so much division and rancor in our communities. The demand to eliminate division, bigotry and hatred is especially insistent today. As I wrote below, “Can we Christians stand apart, mentally mute – and passively ‘walk by on the other side’ in the face of hatred and discrimination?” Not possible, as we are enabled and empowered by the great heart of Christ to unite in one Love for all sisters, brothers and children. This Easter, we rise!
In a Christian calendar filled with celebrations, memorials and historical events, this one day and its glorious lesson shines brightest of all.
Easter is the day that represents something momentous for all humanity to know and understand: The Resurrection of Jesus proved that his life is spiritual and not affected by a fatally-wounded material body. He overcame the violence and cruelty of religious and political hatred to demonstrate that his life is inseparable from eternal Life and wholly safe. Therefore, it is untouched by material conditions, despite what the crucifixion temporarily appeared to show.
Christians honor this day because it is a vital reminder of present spiritual power. The Christ-spirit that protected and lifted Jesus out of anguish and death is a gift from God, Spirit, to all of us, throughout all time. This Christ power is present and active, for everyone and every life. “He is risen!” for all humanity today.
Prayer and devotion by followers who are focused and centered unwaveringly on the life-affirming message of the Resurrection can have a powerful effect. The love and practice of the one Christ-spirit – true Christianity – is to eliminate any hint of separation from God and His sons and daughters, therefore there can be no division between them either. No Muslim, Jew, Hindu or Buddhist separated from Christian. It should be obvious, then, there are no nationalistic or regional divisions as well.
Let’s consider every area of distressing conflict, whether it is on a faraway border or in our own community. Can we Christians stand apart, mentally mute – and passively “walk by on the other side” in the face of hatred and discrimination? No…the demand is to prayerfully and defiantly rise in the conscious strength of one Christ, one Love for all our sisters, brothers and children. It is to know there is no power – no cruel violence – that can separate His children from the unconditional love of Christ and preserve all life. Let us pray that spiritual power inspires and guides practical wisdom wherever it is needed.
This Easter, more than ever, we must stand united, inseparable, and rise in our spiritual strength. In honor and celebration of the Resurrection let us commit our focus and devotion to the divine message, our love and practice of the divine nature, and our joyous expectation of the divine demonstration of universal life in Spirit.
It doesn’t seem just that Jesus should have spent a long, dark night of sorrow in the garden of Gethsemane—much less been crucified. His exemplary ministry of healing had so uplifted mankind with spirituality that it could not lead him downward to defeat. But the work he accomplished in that garden was indispensable to the resurrection that followed, and holds vital relevance today to the spiritual growth of those endeavoring to obey his Christly command to heal.
Christian Science helps us see that Christ-healing is a normal result of spiritual progress. One who is steadily making the effort to rise higher in his understanding of man’s inseverable relationship to God, immortal Life, sees increasing evidence of his own and others’ spirituality, dominion, and safety. The Preface of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy declares, “The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus’ time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation.”1
But what of those healings that do not seem as effortless as light replacing darkness? What do we do if we find ourselves in a struggle in which there seems to be no evidence of healing in spite of our best efforts? Those are just the times when we can turn gratefully to the example of the Master in Gethsemane and humbly follow his lead. The Way-shower never ceases to show us the way, and the Christly way always shows us the way out of a night of despair.
Jesus did not waste time ruminating on why he was in such a predicament. His entire focus was on the prayer that relinquishes all human tendency to want merely to be relieved of the battle, and he patiently pressed on to higher demonstration of his Father’s plan of freedom and salvation for all. Human emotions one might expect to find in such an ordeal —despair, sorrow, and agony— seemed pervasive. But a deep study of the gospel accounts of the garden of Gethsemane (see Mark 14:32-42 and Matt. 26:36-46) reveals strong, uplifting, Godlike qualities that demonstrate the healing action of Christ, Truth, in the face of extreme need.
The spiritual mettle that Christ Jesus demonstrated shows us how to move forward through challenges that are not easily met. It equips us with the God-derived stamina that holds us fast to the healing power of omnipotent divine Love and to the reality of man’s spiritual, perfect selfhood. Through the power of Love we’re able to vanquish discouragement, fear, and feelings of hopelessness, which are elements of defeat and hindrances to progress and healing.
But if we find ourselves facing a dark night of discord, we can learn from our Way-shower’s experience in the garden of Gethsemane how to tend our gardens. A well-tended garden doesn’t wither. It grows, even at night, and ultimately bears fruit. We can let Christ, Truth, rouse the discipleship in us. We can patiently nurture the same qualities of love and humility, faithfulness and patient persistence in siding with the power of Spirit, that brought Jesus to the resurrection. Then we will find that for every night of gloom, we can expect great spiritual growth— our own resurrection—to follow.
“Oh no, not again…” came to me twice in one week, for Atlanta then Boulder. And again and again, I protested, “The weapons of anger, hatred and prejudice must be defeated and eliminated by the supremacy of Truth and Love. God is All and more powerful in every community, in every heart. All in all, victorious over anything opposed to Truth and Love.” Friends, we must say “No!” again and again until hatred is defeated. This is our moment to stand firm on the rock of all that is good and true.
“Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.” Galatians 6:9
Ending was beautiful, tragic and overwhelming must watch actors did a brilliant job.
PS. If u have lost ur mom like me and watch this series it will b emotional rollercoaster ride.
Two Crazy Boys
Mehmet runs a solid waste warehouse in an impoverished Istanbul neighbourhood, where he helps everyone in need, especially homeless children and teenagers. One day, Mehmet meets a homeless 8-year-old boy who changes his life.
Rest in peace all the forgotten children
Paper Lives | Official Trailer | Netflix
•Mar 1, 2021
e-inspire, March 23rd, 2021
by Laura Moliter
“I know that you delight to set your truth deep in my spirit. So come into the hidden places of my heart and teach me wisdom.”
(Psalms 51: 6, the Passion Translation)
Let God in. His wisdom is ready to teach you. His Love is ready to reach you at the very core of your being. We can invite this Truth in. We can welcome God’s delight at knowing us fully and loving us without measure.
The hidden places of our heart may be where we hold fears and doubts. It may be a remembrance of mistakes or a feeling of shame or of confusion. We may bury deep inside a sense of unworthiness, or an awareness of base desires that we feel make us bad, unlovable.
But God wants to set His Truth within us. He wants to show us who He made and who He sees and who He loves. This Truth is that awareness of the Christ, our oneness with God as His child and His expression. This fact of our being is already within us. It isn’t new, but it is ready to be revealed and enjoyed.
Let’s know and joyfully accept that God delights in showing us what is wise and right and good. Let’s receive His loving intention willingly, openly, and gratefully.
Laura Moliter, Divine Purpose Coach and Spiritual Activist
“…when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
(Matthew 14: 29-31)
This story surely gives us a lesson in faith and trust. Jesus had walked on the water, and his disciple, sometimes impetuous, wanted to do that as well. And Peter initially had the faith that he could. He believed that he, too, could transcend material laws and follow Jesus wherever he went.
Then the fear got to him, just as it often does to us all. We are bravely venturing forth, full of confidence and feeling inspired, and then we look around us. We start thinking about what we are doing with all the reasons it is impossible, or improbable, or why we are not ready, or that there are too many obstacles. And we falter. We give up. We become afraid and we lose the control and certainty. We stop moving forward.
But Peter’s doubt was not his demise. His good intentions, his initial faith, took him a few steps forward and when he began to doubt, he called for help. And it came. Jesus admonished Peter for giving up on his faith and questioned his doubts, but he did not leave Peter to drown or let him flail around for a while. Immediately, he saved him.
This Christ is with us all, ready to save us when doubts come in. When we give up the ego that feels personally responsible, brave, willful, we gain an opportunity to be lifted up. And by this, our faith increases. We begin to trust God more with our fears, to turn to Him in need, and to continue walking forward, on clear days and stormy, learning and leaning and renewing our faith all the way.
Laura Moliter, Divine Purpose Coach and Spiritual Activist
Springtime is renewal, a season of planting to yield fresh growth – of hope, optimism and expectation. This year especially, it seems to me there is a deep yearning to see a season of new beginnings that will give evidence of the uninterrupted cycle of good, of sustaining life. Many thoughtful voices are sharing their insightful reflections in online communities about how to discover the promise of a future that is waiting to be explored! Here is one of those inspired posts, by Gareth Henderson, a journalist from Woodstock, Vermont.
What captures our attention? It’s a question we may not often ask, but the answer is pivotal to our lives.
What we choose to focus on is the rudder of our day, and how we start our day informs that focus and sets it on a certain course. However, we are still the captain of our own ship. We determine where that course ends up. A few years ago, I went sailing for the first time. It was important to know where the rocks were in relation to getting to the channel. One of the first rules I learned was to look to the horizon and pick a point to sail to, all while avoiding the rocks in the shallow water to get to the open channel. I could have focused on the rocks and never made it to open water, but instead, I made it to the channel and had a wonderful little sail around the bay.
Over the past year, our individual channels of attention encountered multiple figurative rocks as the world changed. Many of us looked out on the world with a different perspective, one that thought of our neighbors more than ever before. Our attention had shifted. The world, our communities, our neighborhoods seemed closer, because of our new, shared experience.
The question is, where do we invest our attention now? This is an individual answer, and as such, answers will vary. However, the best and most productive focus is to emphasize the good every day in the present. Even on our toughest days, the act of moving forward, rising above negative influences, and finding a way to accomplish our goals adds to the collective good. Each individual triumph uplifts the whole. Every neighbor helped, every hurdle crossed, every new insight glimpsed is a light on the horizon we all can share, because we are not separated from each other.
We live in our world together, and every day is an opportunity to see that fact further demonstrated. Plenty is out there to try and divide us further. But we each have a path illuminated with progress, even on the darkest and most impossible days. It begins with turning our attention toward the horizon, the light, the good, and never giving up on that effort. Let’s seize every morning as a new opportunity to look forward and see the great possibilities before us.
The astronomer will no longer look up to the stars,—he will look out from them upon the universe; and the florist will find his flower before its seed.
How many Christian Scientists have attended a Wednesday evening meeting where every one gave a testimony? At one such meeting there were only five present, their ages ranging from twelve to eighteen years. Tears of gratitude filled the eyes of the Reader, as one by one the fresh young voices spoke lovingly of the help which Christian Science had been to them since they had last met there. They were all faithful attendants at these meetings, and one boy said that the truth helped him a hundred times a day. In the long cold walk home, one forgot the passing of time, and in listening to their joyous words we felt as care-free as themselves, so that the battle with the elements only made one stronger to press on and “fight the good fight of faith.”
I’m going to share something with you that I have on my desk. I have it framed and it inspires me. I’m not sure where I got it, but I framed it so I can see it every day, right next to my computer. Maybe it will inspire and comfort you too.
It’s titled “Love”
“There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer; No disease that enough love will not heal’; No door that enough love will not open: No gulf that enough love will not bridge; No wall that enough love will not throw down; No sin that enough love will not redeem.
It makes No difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, How hopeless the outlook, How muddled the tangle, How great the mistake; A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. If you can love enough, you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the world.”
I hope that helps you. It does me. Stay safe and take care, and have a fantastic week!!!
Ending was beautiful, tragic and overwhelming must watch actors did a brilliant job.
PS. If u have lost ur mom like me and watch this series it will b emotional rollercoaster ride.