A Christian Science perspective: Praying for safety during stormy weather.
by Allison J. Rose-Sonnesyn
On a cross-country move several years ago, a friend and I were driving across South Dakota when a weather report announced that a massive supercell thunderstorm was right behind us, following our route to the hotel we booked part way across the state. The situation was quite serious, as tornadoes were expected to accompany the storm, and we were very exposed.
For a few moments, I felt afraid. But I have learned through my study of Christian Science that as children of God – which all of us are – we are never truly helpless. … Read more …
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (The Bible – Proverbs 3: 23, 26)
I hear thy promise old and new, / That bids all fear to cease: / My presence still shall go with thee / And I will give thee peace. (Christian Science Hymnal No 136, Violet Hay)
Every Wednesday at 6.00 pm a Testimony Meeting is held at the Christian Science Church in Canberra. Each meeting begins with readings selected from the two books designated as the Pastor of Christian Science: The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. A new topic for the readings is selected each week.
At the conclusion of the short readings the congregation is invited to share thoughts on this topic and relate how they have used the principles of Christian Science to solve life’s problems and bring physical healing.
If you are in Canberra on any Wednesday please join us. Everyone is welcome.
This recording represents the readings on the topic:Into the New Year – The Lord Shall Be Thy Confidence.
Diversity is a fact of life, thank goodness. No one would want to live in a world where every individual expressed herself or himself in exactly the same way as every other individual. Variety makes life interesting. It is also practical, for if everyone developed exactly the same talents and skills, many needed tasks would never get done, and much that enriches and inspires human experience would never be expressed.
People do tend, however, to feel more comfortable with the familiar than with the unfamiliar. The question is, How can you and I appreciate the diversity that exists in families, communities, and around the globe without in any way feeling threatened by the unfamiliar? … Read more …
Barbara Vining is a full-time Christian Science healer and teacher. Her article, Diversity Without Fear, was originally published in the Christian Science Sentinel. It is now available on JHS-online. In it she examines the source of fear associated with differences as well as the qualities that unite us.
The Christian Science Church – a part of the Canberra community. Members share testimonies and talk about their lives as Christian Scientists.
My name is Jen and I am a member of the Christian Science Church in Canberra. I love learning about other people’s religions – I hope that some of you will love learning about mine.
Although Christian Science is very much based on what Jesus taught us, I often describe it to atheist and agnostic friends as a blend of Buddhism and Quantum Physics. This is because it has a focus on overcoming a material view of the world, and understanding God as a spiritual life force. It also presents us with a set of rules that we can use to understand God and His relation to man: spiritual laws that are the basis of reality.
So what does this mean for me, as a Christian Scientist? It means that I work every day to bring spirituality into my experience, and have seen healing as a result. I lived in Indonesia for a year and attracted a lot of attention as a fair-haired, blue-eyed foreigner. I developed anxiety during my time there due to the constant staring, catcalling and sexual harassment. When I came home to Australia, I struggled to shake the anxiety, which made me incredibly tense, neurotic and irritable. It took me a couple of years of prayer to overcome my anxiety: it was clear that I was safe, but I was facing mental suggestions that I should hold onto fear to protect myself.
I had the choice of turning to a powerful God who created me free of fear, to a God who made me feel unsafe and fearful, or to no God at all. I chose the first, as praying to know that I am the spiritual creation of a loving God has brought me healing in the past. I had a major light-bulb moment in this case when I realized that the opposite of anxiety is expecting good. I replaced thoughts of fear and anxiety with thoughts of safety and optimism, knowing that an All-Powerful God would always protect His creation. This allowed me to free my thought from fear, and I have felt relaxed and protected ever since.
This is a testimony of how I understand God and myself, and also of how I use Christian Science prayer in facing the challenges in my life. I use the laws that Jesus taught us to overcome limited views of myself, and rid myself of fear in living a peaceful life.
The Christian Science Church – a part of the Canberra community. Members share testimonies and talk about their lives as Christian Scientists.
This article, Failure is Not an Option, is by Matthew who is a member of the Christian Science Church in Canberra. He tells of how he used his understanding of the principles of Christian Science to overcome self-doubt at work.
The thought of failure terrified me I was often anxious about making mistakes, falling short of people’s expectations, and even getting into trouble. At first, this manifested itself in small ways, like desperately wanting to be selected for school sports teams and, after being selected, worrying that I wasn’t good enough to be on the team. Eventually these thoughts became habit and later dramatically affected my attitude and performance at work. For example, when I felt ready to progress to a higher level, fear of failing would prevent me from taking the next step. … Read more …
This article was first published in the Christian Science Journal and is now available on JHS-online.
A Christian Science Perspective: Prayers for Brussels and Lahore, Pakistan – an article from the Christian Science Monitor by Rosalie E. Dunbar.
Like many others, I have been praying about the recent attacks in Brussels and Lahore, Pakistan. This statement from Christ Jesus has helped me cut through the fear that would paralyze us or keep us from moving forward. It is a command that he asked his disciples to follow unconditionally: “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15: 12).
Jesus wasn’t talking about naive love that ignores dangerous situations. He was well aware of his enemies’ desire to kill him. He also knew that love – a quality of divine Love, God – and not hatred was the true healing power, and he was willing to trust his life to it.
He understood that only God’s love could eliminate the fear and ignorance that lead to hatred. … Read More …
In this article Rosalie describes how she found a sense of compassion and peace through her prayers.
A Christian Science perspective: 
Into the New Year – The Lord Shall Be Thy Confidence 
by Barbara Vining
My name is Jen and I am a member of the Christian Science Church in Canberra. I love learning about other people’s religions – I hope that some of you will love learning about mine.
This article, 
A Christian Science Perspective: Prayers for Brussels and Lahore, Pakistan – an article from the Christian Science Monitor by Rosalie E. Dunbar.