Overcoming Conflict a Sentinel Watch interview with Judith Hardy Olson
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Click here to listen.
Can our prayers make a tangible difference when it comes to overcoming conflict? Judith shares her experiences with praying about conflict and explains how our prayers can contribute to healing on the world stage.
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These readings are from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. They are on the topic of the persecution of the early Christians, of Christianity generally, and those who stand up for Truth.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(The Bible KJV – Matthew 5: 10)
These readings are from a Wednesday Testimony meeting in Canberra. They are on the topic of forgiveness.
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Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
(The Bible KJV – Matthew 18: 21, 22)
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Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
(The Bible NIV Luke 6: 37)
This recording is of readings from the Bible and the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, on the topic of Peace.
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Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
(The Bible KJV – Matthew 5: 9)
Though storm or discord cross my path
Thy power is still my stay,
Though human will and woe would check
My upward-soaring way;
All unafraid I wait, the while
Thy angels bring release,
For still Thy presence is with me,
And Thou dost give me peace.
(Christian Science Hymnal 136 V2)
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
(The Bible KJV – James 1: 19, 20)
People calling themselves influencers seem to proliferate on social media nowadays. A quick Google search revealed that they are often people who have come to prominence because of their particular skills. Some were wildlife âwarriorsâ, some were sports people, some musicians, and some seemed to be famous just for being famous. There were many!
This started me thinking about what it means to be an influencer. Are we not all influencers in some respect? When my son was in primary school, each year he was seated next to classmates who found listening to instructions and staying on task difficult. The idea was that my son, who was a steady and capable worker, would be a good influence on his desk-mate. I asked him if he minded this. He said that if he could help someone else achieve more or be more successful, then he was happy to do this.
When I thought more about this, I realised that all of us are exerting an influence in some form. I ask myself: Am I, like my son, accepting that the way I handle life can be an influence for good?
In our day-to-day lives dealing with routine tasks at work, in the family or the community our actions are not neutral. We are always contributing to the mental atmosphere for better or for worse. The way we handle situations that seem not to go smoothly can have a big impact on those around us. Our response when we think someone has acted thoughtlessly, or has inconvenienced us, influences the mental atmosphere. If we meet each of these situations with grace, compassion, forgiveness, generosity then we have been an influencer for good.
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science writes: Your influence for good depends upon the weight you throw into the right scale. The good you do and embody gives you the only power obtainable. (p192 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures). This is an hourly â even a moment by moment – demand on each of us. This is how we too can be real influencers for good.
Contributed by a member of the Canberra Christian Science community.Â
True forgiveness â is it possible? If someone has really hurt you in ways that seem impossible to ignore, is it necessary to forgive them? Is it actually possible?Â
Jesus is quoted as saying (Matt 5: 38,44) Ye have heard that it hat been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: âĤ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  Why did he say this? Is it realistic? Is it wisdom?
We donât ever have to condone or excuse unacceptable behaviour. It is only right that laws and courts deal with unlawful behaviour but world events tell us that âan eye for an eyeâ thinking does not bring peace.
In this same passage, Jesus goes on to say that we are the children of God â God who is Love. Our true nature then is loving. This gives us the strength to move beyond hurts. When you truly know who you are, it is possible to find your freedom from negative, limiting feelings. Hurt and resentment fall away in the knowledge that you are the loved and loving child of God.
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science writes in an article, Taking Offense:
We should remember that the world is wide; that there are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, ambitions, tastes, and loves; that each person has a different history, constitution, culture, character, from all the rest; âĤ we should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; âĤ determined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor even when it is, unless the offense be against God. (Miscellaneous Writings p223)
This is how we find our peace.
This article was contributed by a member of the Christian Science community in Canberra.
Hate no one; for hatred is a plague-spot that spreads its virus and kills at last. If indulged, it masters us; brings suffering upon suffering to its possessor, throughâout time and beyond the grave. If you have been badly wronged, forgive and forget: God will recompense this wrong, and punish, more severely than you could, him who has striven to injure you. Never return evil for evil; and, above all, do not fancy that you have been wronged when you have not been.
(Miscellaneous Writings – Love Your Enemies p12 by Mary Baker Eddy)
Christian Science Canberra 