From Panic to Peace, by Ingrid Peschke
In this article, Ingrid Peschke, a colleague and a syndicated writer, who focuses on consciousness, spirituality and health, offers her spiritual view point in this heart- warming article. She shares her personal story of how she experienced fear and panic while traveling in a foreign country. Ingrid acknowledges how turning to God (through prayer) calmed her and supplied specific care and a solution in a busy train station in Japan. Join me and read this article and discover how fear and panic was reversed and replaced with kindness and peace.
A blur of bustling commuters rushed past me in the middle of the Tokyo train station. Everyone knew where they were going except me. Although my friends had given me detailed directions, I couldn’t remember my train connection in that moment. (This was before Google Maps!) I felt panicked and alone.
I had been in Tokyo for the weekend, and the next day I was supposed to fly home after spending my summer elsewhere in Japan as a college student teaching English. When I’d first arrived in Japan, I hadn’t been able to speak any Japanese and had known no one. It had been an amazing adventure.
Over the course of the summer I had come to find that trusting a higher intelligence than my own to guide me was invaluable as I communicated with others, made friends, and navigated the city. I took time each day to nurture my understanding of God, through reading two books that are so inspiring to me: the Bible and the textbook on Christian Science, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy. I felt connected with God in a way that made me feel at home wherever I was. I had come to think of God as the ever-present Mind governing the universe, a Mind that is Love. And this wasn’t abstract to me. I felt like I could turn to God like a best friend, a parent, and a wise counselor who was available 24/7.
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Feeling a void on Father’s Day? There is an answer! by Valerie Minard
Even though Father’s Day was Sunday, June 17, this article is important to each of us. As most of us know, Father’s Day is a time to celebrate and honor our Fathers. Valerie Minard, a colleague, who writes about the connection between consciousness, spirituality, and health, offers her spiritual perspective in this insightful article. The National Center for Fathering has found that being fatherless is of epidemic proportions (leaving many emotionally distraught and some impaired) in the United States. Valerie acknowledges how Jesus in his ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (Matthew 6:6-8) spoke to the multitudes affirming and assuring them that God is our Father and loves each of us unconditionally and universally. Take a minute, read this article and discover how we all have a very present Father who loves and cares for us on Father’s Day and every day now and forever!
With Father’s Day almost here, many of us are reminded of all the wonderful ways fathers have strengthened and supported their families.
But for more than 20 million children living in the US without the physical presence of a father, Father’s Day can be a difficult time. Add to that the millions of dads who are physically present but emotionally absent.
According to the National Center for Fathering, if fatherlessness “were classified as a disease, [it]…would be an epidemic worthy of attention as a national emergency,” since so many social ills seem to stem from it. (http://www.fathers.com/statistics-and-research/the-extent-of-fatherlessness/.)
Although my father was not present for most of my childhood, learning about God as my Father and Mother in the Christian Science Sunday School helped me feel that my divine parent would help me no matter what kind of a problem I had.
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Praying for our Troops, by Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson
In honor and gratitude of our troops, Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson, a writer, who focuses on the relationship between thought, spirituality, health and trends in that field, explores this inspirational topic. He shares his spiritual perspective along with a story of a war correspondent that exemplifies how prayer can be life changing. Tim acknowledges how reaching out to God through prayer and expecting the unconditional protection of divine Love acts as an alterative to chaos and fear. We can all do more by supporting our troops with our prayers and good thoughts-let’s get started!
Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to remember those who have served this country in the armed forces and those who are currently serving. While many of us fly our flags and have tears in our eyes when soldiers come home to their families, have we considered the importance of praying for the safety of our troops each day?
Perhaps we don’t pray for our troops because we don’t think it will have much effect, but the Bible promises, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,” (James 5: 16), and there is ample proof that this is true. There are so many accounts one can read of individuals who, in a time of great need, found God’s help right at hand.
For example, C.B. Morlock, a war correspondent during World War II, chronicled this amazing incident: “Sixty German aircraft strafed more than four hundred men who were pinned down on the sandy Dunkirk beaches without the benefit of any place to take cover. Although the men were repeatedly attacked by machine guns and bombed by enemy aircraft, not one single man was hit. Every man in that group left the beach without a scratch.”
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Responding to the Refugee Crisis, by William Scott
Currently, world-wide there is growing concern over the refugee crises. William Scott, a colleague and the Christian Science Committee on Publication for Washington State, addresses this controversial topic. William shares his spiritual perspective and the story of a colleague as an example of the power of universal love. He acknowledges that each of us have a spiritual nature that shines in and through us and when acknowledged – it reveals the loveliness and true worth of every man, woman and child of the world. Read this thoughtful article and see what William has discovered about the true nature of man!
The current refugee crisis has stirred concern and controversy all over the world. “A quarter billion people,” The Christian Science Monitor noted last year, “have either fled disasters or migrated to escape poverty.” How should our nation respond? What can we do as individuals to help – as churches, temples, cities and towns, businesses, civic organizations? Can anything be done, practically and realistically, to meet this enormous need?
These questions have prompted many people of faith – and many people of conscience who don’t embrace a religious faith – to ponder their responsibilities to fellow human beings in need.
As a Christian Scientist, I’ve wrestled with these concerns as both the humanitarian crisis and the political controversies have deepened. My church doesn’t tell its members what to think or do on these matters. We make our own decisions as individuals, based on our highest sense of what’s right, and what prayer and spiritual leading inspire us to do.
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
13 Reasons Why: Spiritual support for your teen’s mental health, by Ingrid Peschke
Ingrid Peschke, a colleague and a writer, who focuses on consciousness, spirituality and health, explores this topic from a spiritual perspective. In this article, Ingrid talks about teen suicide (a growing problem) and critiques a current TV series which may have a negative influence on the well- being of vulnerable teens. Ingrid acknowledges how turning to God through prayer for guidance and support has benefitted and protected her own teenage children from negative influences of every kind. This article is on my must read list-I hope it will be on yours!
The new Netflix original TV series 13 Reasons Why prompted educators and mental health professionals to issue strong warnings to parents and schools. The series, based on the fictional book of the same name, has been trending on social media since its original release at the end of March. It chronicles the life of high school student Hannah Baker and the thirteen reasons she feels led to her suicidal death.
The initial media attention and educator warnings caused Netflix to issue their own advisories on the series’ graphic portrayal of sensitive topics. Many are worried vulnerable teens will watch the show without the help of a responsible adult to process the difficult themes, which include portraying suicide as almost inevitable, even romanticized, according to critics.
As a parent of teens, I’ve given a lot of thought to providing an open environment for discussing concerns in their lives. Our talks tend to veer in the direction of faith, since love for God and the wisdom of the Bible have provided an invaluable anchor for my children’s spiritual and character education.
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Turning Enemies into Friends, by Ingrid Peschke
In this article, Ingrid Peschke, a colleague and a syndicated writer, who focuses on connecting consciousness, spirituality and health, shares her spiritual point of view in this heart felt article. Ingrid acknowledges that a deep connection to God (that we all innately have) will guide each of us to peace. She explores the story of Joseph in the Bible, who was devoted to God. This devotion to good during great personal tribulation brought him harmony and reconciliation. Join me and read this insightful article on the power of love and true brotherliness!
April 28, 2017 —Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa are unlikely friends. At one time both men plotted to kill each other and sowed hatred among their fundamentalist followers, fueling a deadly rivalry. But they have since put their past behind them in the interest of bringing peace to Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, the largest nation in the world that has a population that is half Muslim and half Christian. The dividing line at the heart of the conflict is in the city of Kaduna in Northern Nigeria, where the pastor and imam both live. They say that what unites them is a spiritual commitment to God, despite their differing views on faith, and the desire to make the world a better place. They now model that spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation to bring peace to the region (see “A pastor and an imam once tried to kill each other – now they work to heal Nigeria,” PRI.org).
A recent Monitor editorial, “When disaster brings reconciliation,” points out: “Missions of mercy have a way of softening hard hearts between adversaries. Differences dissolve in the face of suffering and an outpouring of empathy. ”
Some might describe merciful acts as the rallying of the human spirit in the face of adversity, or humanitarian efforts that are core to being a good citizen or neighbor. Others might see that at the heart of their efforts is the kind of spiritual commitment to choose good over evil, and to choose love over hate, that the Nigerian pastor and imam have practiced.
In my experience, I have seen how a clear sense of the deep connection we each have to God leads us to choose what best promotes peace. From my study of Christian Science, I have come to understand that God is good, and the source of all. With divine goodness as our primary source, we see our true connection to each other as spiritual reflections of God. Christ Jesus spoke of us reflecting the divine in this way when he said, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36). He showed and proved that expressing mercy is a reflection of the love that comes from God. Relying on this divine goodness to inspire our actions and words to be merciful brings reconciliation and healing to otherwise intractable situations.
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Just What is the Best Medicine? by Debra Chew
Debra Chew, a colleague, who writes about the connection between thought, spirituality and wellness from a Christian Science perspective, gives us food for thought in this uplifting article. She shares her spiritual insight and findings of leading healthcare providers on just how valuable religion is to health. Debra acknowledges how the healing “medicine” of humble prayer and turning to God is still healing today, as it did over 2000 years ago during Christ Jesus’ ministry. See what Debra has discovered-it may be just the right medicine you have been longing for!
Growing up, whenever I had a problem, my mom would often tell me, “laughter is the best medicine.” And, that old adage would sometimes make me feel better. But, what truly is the “best” medicine for healing both body and soul?
Recently, at the 2017 Conference on Medicine and Religion in Houston, Texas, leading healthcare providers and representatives from various religious groups addressed that very question. In premiering his documentary, “Your Health: A Sacred Matter,” filmmaker Gerald Krell focused on stories from patients and health care providers who shared their views on why religion is important to health.
While I find it encouraging to see some well-known scholars in the medical community appear to be embracing spirituality and its positive effects on the body, it seems to me that they simply view religion/spirituality as a way to cope with sickness and not as a reliable form of healing physical ills.
However, at the turn of the twentieth century, when medicine was certainly primitive, the Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, organized “a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.”
Please click here to read the entire article
#health #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
The Message of Helping Hands, by Van Driessen
In this article, Van Driessen, a colleague and a writer, who writes from the perspective of a Christian Science practitioner on the impact of thought and consciousness in regard to health, explores this provocative topic. Van gives us examples of unsolicited help and kindness expressed by three perfect strangers-each of different enthnicity and nationality. He shares his spiritual perspective and turns to the Lord’s Prayer (given to us by Christ Jesus) as a universal directive to unselfishness and love for our brother man. Join me and read these inspiring stories!
I hope the three short experiences I am about to relate will inspire you as they did me. As you’ll see, the message they carry is powerful enough to bring even physical healing.
One morning on a busy street in Manhattan, New York City, I was moving furniture out of our apartment into a rented cargo van. I was struggling with a 5-drawer metal filing cabinet when a well-dressed man of Latino decent stopped, put down his briefcase, and helped me lift the file cabinet into the van. He gave me a smile, I thanked him, and he cheerily walked away.
The next day around 10 p.m. I was moving furniture out of the cargo van into our storage unit. I was holding a large wooden end table with an electrical cord that was stuck under something in the van. I yelled to my wife on the loading dock, but she had her hands full. Then out of the dimly-lit sidewalk appeared a clean-cut black man. He said, “Let me help,” crawled into the van, lifted something off the cord, then helped me carry the table to the loading dock. I said thank you, and he walked back to the sidewalk and was gone.
In the third instance, I was loading furniture into the van behind our building at night when one of the janitors, with whom I was acquainted, appeared and started helping me carry the pieces of furniture and boxes to the cargo van. He went with me back to our apartment to get another load and spent 30 to 45 minutes working with me. Based on his accent, I guessed he was of Russian descent. I offered to pay him, but he waved me off, and before heading back into the building, he said, “Glad to help; you have been friendly to me.
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Knowing who you are? by Wendy Margolese
In this article, Wendy Margolese, a colleague and writer, who focuses on the relationship between thought, spirituality and health, poses a poignant question. She asks does DNA really define who we are now and who we will be in the future? Wendy shares her spiritual insight along with a story of an individual who refused to accept the predilection of being doomed to a health threatening condition due to his DNA. She acknowledges that this young man was healed by aligning his thought with God through prayer to a deeper understanding of his spiritual identity. Human DNA may stand for (Do Not Accept) unconditionally!
Does our genetic code determine who we are? Studies initially suggested we are our genes – we’ve inherited them. We can shrug off certain personal traits, such as a tendency towards obesity, because it’s part of our inherited nature. But with the advent of the science of epigenetics, new studies now suggest there are ways to alter the way genes behave and thus change that predetermined path.
According to the latest theories of this science, we can modify our genetic health patterns through lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise. This may sound promising and appealing, particularly to many of us living in conditions that allow us to eat well and stay active. However, much of the world’s population does not necessarily follow a recommended diet, nor in many cases, have access to what is considered healthy lifestyle opportunities. This appears to create a disparity in having any hope of affecting the epigenetic calculation.
Yet, there is a way to view our heritage that does not leave us defenseless with what seems an undesirable genetic code or dependent upon lifestyle circumstances in order to experience good health.
As a student of the Bible, I am inspired by the view of our birthright as declared in Genesis that we are made in the image and likeness of God (Gen.1:26,27). This divine heritage ensures that our spiritual likeness expresses freedom from material confines or any limited potential.
Please click here to read the entire article
#health #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
Women’s History Month:Celebrates Mary Baker Eddy, by Valerie Minard
In this article, Valerie Minard, a colleague and a writer, who focuses on the connection between consciousness, spirituality and health, explores the life and accomplishments of a remarkable woman. Women’s History month honors the achievements of many outstanding women and Mary Baker Eddy is one of the women honored. Mary Baker Eddy had a great impact on the world- in the time that she lived and continues to have a great impact on the world today. Read this amazing article about the accomplishments and life of this spiritual women who established: a worldwide religion, founded an international newspaper and was a respected author!
Women’s History month commemorates the achievements of remarkable women who have made a difference in American history. Most of us may be familiar with such notables as Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, or Clara Barton. But, if they were here today, they may have nominated one of their contemporaries, Mary Baker Eddy, for recognition as well. Eddy is a fellow inductee of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. A household name during their time, one of the leading newspapers described Eddy as “the most famous, interesting and powerful woman in America, if not the world, today.”
Growing up on a small New Hampshire farm in the 1820’s, no one dreamed that Eddy would one day…
- become a well-respected author
- found a church that would spread across the globe during her lifetime
- found her own college and teach 1000’s of students
- publish and edit her own weekly and monthly magazines
- at 87 years old found the international newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor, which has since won 7 Pulitzer prizes.
- She did all this during a time when women had little formal educational or employment opportunities; had no right to vote; rarely spoke in public; and were not received as credible religious leaders.
Please click here to read the entire article
#wellbeing #spirituality #prayer
Kate is interested in sharing blogs about the impact of prayer and spirituality on our health written by her colleagues. As a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, Kate has experienced the power of prayer in her life as well as in the lives of others. She is the media and legislative contact for Christian Science in Maryland. Kate can be contacted through Twitter @CScomMaryland and email at: maryland@compub.org
