What are you looking at?
What are you looking at? By Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson
In this article Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson, a colleague and a writer, who focuses on the relationship between thought spirituality and health and trends in that field, gives us much food for thought in this article. He shares his spiritual insight and a story of a woman, who saw herself as ageless, beautiful and vital well into her 9th decade. Tim acknowledges how looking beyond the physical picture we see in the mirror to our true selfhood as God’s spiritual reflection – always beautiful, dearly loved and strong can make all the difference in the quality of our lives. Take a look in the mirror and try to see what God sees-it’s a life changer!
One day while reading in the living room of the retirement home where she lived, Mildred glimpsed a woman on the opposite side of the room. She thought about waving or saying good morning, but decided against making the effort because the woman didn’t look too friendly. As she studied the Bible in her lap, the thought came to her that no matter how unfriendly the stranger might look, she could behave in a loving manner.
Mildred prayed quietly to see the woman as God saw her–lovely and perfect. She smiled and nodded at the woman, and the woman smiled and nodded right back! That’s when Mildred realized she was looking in a mirror, and that grumpy – now smiling–woman was her own reflection!
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Many of us see someone who isn’t as young as he or she used to be. We may wish we had darker hair, fewer wrinkles and not quite so much of a double chin! Maybe it is time to be like Mildred and look deeper than our outward appearance. The Bible offers this view: “…let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us” (Ps. 90:17). We can do this no matter our age.
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
A letter to my goddaughter on the occasion of her first Communion, by Eric Nelson
A letter to my goddaughter on the occasion of her First Communion, by Eric Nelson
Eric Nelson, a colleague and a writer, who writes about the link between consciousness and health from the perspective of a Christian Science practitioner, shares a personal experience in this lovely article. He writes a letter to his dear goddaughter expressing how special spiritual communion with God is and how loved she is by God. Eric acknowledges how communion can and should be celebrated everyday-the love of God is unbreakable, eternal and always present. Read this heartwarming article and cherish your communion with God today!
A service at a local Catholic Church reminds this writer of the promise he’s made to be just as good, just as generous, just as loving as Jesus.
June 19, 2017 – Dear Isabella,
What a joy it was to watch you taking part in your first Holy Communion. Everything about the event – the music, the prayers, the cheerful priest, you in your pretty white dress – all of it made for a truly memorable day.
I remember seeing you the night you were born, attending most of your eight birthday parties and showing up for a handful of your soccer games and school productions. But for some reason, seeing you walk down the aisle of St. Robert’s Church stands out as the most special moment of them all. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this was the first time since your christening that you and I had taken part as fellow Christians in such a sacred ceremony.
Although I’d never attended an event like that before, communion is something I celebrate every day, just not in the same way. Like you, perhaps, I see communion as a kind of promise I make to do my best to be just as good, just as generous, just as loving as Jesus – only without the bread and wine.
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
Expanding our definition of ‘spiritual competence’, by Eric Nelson
In this provocative article, Eric Nelson, a colleague and a writer, who writes about the link between consciousness and health from the perspective of a Christian Science practitioner, explores this current topic. He shares his personal experience, spiritual insight and statements from health care professionals on the meaning of ‘spiritual competence’. The meaning in its most generic term means considering something (sometimes religion or spirituality) other than a patient’s physical condition to give the best care possible. Eric acknowledges how spiritual competence means so much more. It is the ability through prayer to see our true identity as an expression of God (Spirit). This seeing not only enables better mental and physical health but it enables us to understand that God (omnipotent Love) loves and cares for us always. See what Eric has discovered-it can be a life changer
The first thing I remember as I regained consciousness, lying in a hospital emergency room, was hearing a nurse ask my mom if I was allergic to any foods. With my eyes still closed, I thought to say, “Asparagus,” thinking this might reduce the chances of anyone serving me what was then a dreaded vegetable.
“Asparagus,” repeated the nurse, making a note on my admission form.
And then, with a chuckle and what must have been a great sense of relief to see me alert, Mom said, “He’s not allergic to anything; he just doesn’t like asparagus. Obviously nothing has happened to his sense of humor.”
I was 15 years old and had just been airlifted off the side of a mountain after sliding nearly a thousand feet down an ice- and rock-covered chute. By the time I came to a stop, my body had taken quite a beating. My pelvis was shattered; my leg was broken in two; my face was pretty banged up; and as I would later find out, there was some internal bleeding.
Obviously, there was a lot of work to do in order to put me back together. Little did I know, however, that it would be what Mom said about my apparently unscathed sense of humor that would provide the first line of defense against what my doctors predicted would be a long and uncertain recovery.
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
What is a Christian Science Reading Room?, by Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson
Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson, a colleague and a writer, who focuses on the relationship between thought, spirituality and health and trends in that field, gives an informative and interesting answer in this article. Tim shares his spiritual perspective, geographical statistics and historical knowledge of the purpose and significance of a Christian Science Reading Room in today’s society. He acknowledges how this library-bookstore nurtures spiritual growth and development while offering a healing atmosphere for all who enter its door. Read this interesting and inviting article-a Christian Science Reading Room may offer just the atmosphere you have been looking for!
I was in college and had just started a new part-time job at a florist and gift shop. One day the store’s buyer asked me to hang some new paintings throughout the store. “Don’t lose my hammer!” she told me as I left her office. After spending quite a bit of time hanging those works of art, I was asked by the manager to go to the bank to make a deposit. On my way there, I realized I didn’t know where the hammer was! It was my first weekend on the job and I panicked.
After making the deposit, I wanted a quiet place to just think for a while. I passed a Christian Science Reading Room. I knew I could go in there – my mom worked there. I went in and sat in the study room. The quiet and peace I felt there was just what I needed to be able to think clearly about this situation. In a short while, I remembered that I had put the hammer on an antique desk in the corner of the salesroom. I left the Reading Room, went back to the store, and there was the hammer – on the antique desk in the corner. This may not seem much to you, but to a college student who really needed a job to pay for college costs, this quiet place was just what I wanted.
You may have seen one of the Christian Science Reading Rooms located in towns all over Illinois. There is one on Jefferson Street in Naperville; one on Addison Street in Elmhurst; one across from the Capitol Building in Springfield; and one in Chicago’s loop on Wabash and Wacker Drives. As a matter of fact, there are approximately 1500 Christian Science Reading Rooms, not only all over the United States, but in nearly 80 other countries! If you have seen one, you may have wondered, “What is a Christian Science Reading Room? What goes on in there?”
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
Building On Our Expectations, by Steven Salt
In today’s clime, we are barraged by infomercials via the media, social networking, television, radio or the internet on how to stay healthy. Steven Salt, a colleague and a writer, who focuses on health, spirituality and thought, writes about this current topic. He talks about a paradigm shift that can take place (in each of us) by focusing less on the physical and replacing it with a spiritual expectation of maintaining good health. Steven shares his spiritual perspective and the results of a 30 year study by the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University that found that there is definitely a positive connection between consciousness, spirituality and health. Steven acknowledges how prayer can impact our expectation of health by aligning our thought with the healing presence of God. See what you think after reading this eye opening and insightful article!
“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.” Mark Twain made that observation years ago when jokingly offering his philosophy on what it takes to stay healthy. Obviously, his expectations for lasting health were not too high.
Today we are treated to a similar message through various sources that a disease-free life is practically impossible to maintain without the intervention of diets, drugs, exercise routines, therapies, and more. With the constant barrage in media to “do this to stay healthy,” we are accepting a subtle, but relentless sub-message that illness is inevitable.
What are your health prospects? It is an important question. If living by a “Murphy’s Law” mentality you are essentially portending anything that can go wrong will happen to you at some point in time adding to a life full of doubt and anxiety.
On the other hand, giving your consent to living a life grounded by spiritual, guiding principles that supersede health uncertainties empowers you to be the expression of wellness. There is Biblical authority behind having this kind of outlook. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
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
Refuge from Domestic Violence, by Wendy Margolese
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) states, that there are more than 10 million domestic abuse victims annually in this country. In this article, Wendy Margolese, a colleague and writer, who focuses on the relationship between thought, spirituality and health, talks about this heart-felt topic that effects so many. She shares her spiritual perspective and the story of a woman who has escaped from domestic abuse-mentally and physically. Wendy acknowledges how reaching out to God through prayer can heal the wounds of self-doubt and the feelings of worthlessness by seeing our true identity as His image and likeness-loved and good. Join me and read this thought provoking and enlightening article!
A few years ago, a friend of mine needed refuge from domestic abuse. She’d had the courage to leave the imprisoning situation that had become untenable, but now she was looking to actually heal the fear and hurt.
Emma, who doesn’t want her real name used, had been a student of the Bible for most of her life. It felt natural for her to turn to some of the scriptural stories of people released from prisons – some physical, some mental – who had been helped and healed. One verse that meant a lot to her was from the prophet Isaiah: “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you” (66:13, Common English Bible).
Emma said she was also inspired by the idea that we are all made in God’s spiritual image, and by the promise that everything in creation (including her) was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). She began to glimpse that her identity was not worthless, as she’d been led to believe, but that she was the actual spiritual creation of God, which the Divine saw as “very good.”
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
Where does wisdom come from? by Eric Nelson
In this article, Eric Nelson, a colleague and a writer, who focuses on the link between consciousness and health from the perspective as a practitioner of Christian Science, explores the source of wisdom. Eric shares his spiritual insight and statements from others on the importance of looking beyond brain activity as the sole source of right thinking. He acknowledges how God is the real source of wisdom. Eric cites the story of Solomon from the Old Testament of the Bible and his own experience of appealing to God for wisdom (which is innately ours as His children) for the resolution of challenges of every kind that we may be faced with. Perhaps, it is time to rethink the source of true wisdom!
If wisdom doesn’t come with age, and it doesn’t originate in our brains, is there perhaps a spiritual source we should consider?
“It’s interesting to be in San Francisco, to be near Silicon Valley, [where] we get so titillated by the idea of our machines becoming intelligent,” said Krista Tippet during a recent interview with Alan Jones, Dean Emeritus of San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral. “I think it would behoove us to get titillated by the possibilities for our intelligence, our consciousness that in fact we already possess, and our capacity not merely to become knowledgeable, but to become wise.”
Indeed, there is a significant difference between knowledge and “sciatica” in Latin, and wisdom or “sapient.” While the former might be approximated, for instance, by a camera’s ability to recognize a fearful expression on someone’s face, the ability to determine the cause of this fear – not to mention its possible remedy – is born of something far more sophisticated than even the most complex computer program.
But where does such wisdom come from?
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
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
