Archive for August 2023
A member of the Christian Science community in Canberra had this article and testimony published in the Christian Science Sentinel.
One day as Jesus was passing by a man who was blind from his birth, his disciples asked him whether the man was born blind because of his own sin or because of his parents’ sin. Jesus answered: “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3). Then Jesus healed the man of his blindness.
What this Bible passage means to me is that we are not punished for past errors. Even in situations where we initially allowed errors of thinking to go unchallenged, we can still correct our thought—and when we do, we can expect to be free of any bad effects. This rule is in fact the third tenet of Christian Science: “We acknowledge God’s forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts” (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health, p. 497).
An experience that we had in our family some years ago demonstrates this truth in an immediate, certain, and undeniable way. Continue reading …
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The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
(The Bible KJV – Jeremiah 31:3)
A member of the Canberra Christian Science community, currently living overseas, shared this testimony which was printed in the July 31, 2023 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.
I was introduced to Christian Science by a friend who regularly gave me copies of the Sentinel. I really liked what I was reading because it spoke of God as infinite Love, in which evil has no place.
I was reluctant to pursue the study of this Science at the time, as I believed the religion of my upbringing to be the one true religion. But the Christian Science publications nevertheless piqued my interest in things spiritual, and I was inspired to start reading the Bible, something I had not done before. Through this reading, I was coming to know and trust God better as divine Love. …
…Since beginning the study of Christian Science, I have had a number of healings, one of which is particularly dear to me. I had been drinking alcohol since the age of seventeen. Continue reading …
A member of the Christian Science community in Canberra shared this experience where prayer eased her fear and a beautiful bird found its strength.
I’d like to share a lovely experience I had recently.
To set the scene, my lounge room has two large picture windows opposite each other facing east and west respectively and the sun was shining through the eastern window where I was sitting reading the Weekly Bible Lesson on the topic of ‘Truth’.
My attention was suddenly interrupted by a very loud bang against the west facing window. Guessing that a bird had lost it’s way, I went over to see if help was needed and saw that a beautiful Eastern Rosella was lying spread-eagled amongst the plants in the window box.
He was still breathing and opening his beak.
I resisted all temptation to go outside to provide any physical assistance. Instead, I stood still and prayed with the Scientific Statement of Being, knowing that it was true for him. (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p468).
I went back to my study of the Bible Lesson, praying with helpful passages by adding the thought of all God’s creatures where man’s being was addressed.
For example, from the Bible:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. …For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; …
(Galatians 5:1,13)
And from Science and Health:
The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by His creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p516:4)
After about half an hour, I went back to the window and found that the patient was still there still in the same state.
To my relief and joy, as soon as he heard me say ‘’Oh you’re still there”, he – quick as a flash – flew away … no struggle or tentativeness … free as a bird.
In the words of Hymn 136:
I love Thy way of freedom, Lord,
To serve Thee is my choice, …
(Christian Science Hymnal, No.136)
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Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p57)