Response to the North Korean crisis
References from Skip, from "Peace and War", in Miscellany, by mary baker eddy
My. 283:19
My. 278:30-3
My. 281:6
My. 282:1
My. 283:27
My. 278:1-2, 7-12
and from Science and Health with key to the scriptures, by mary baker eddy
SH 480:19-481:6
November 12, 2017
I read this recently, “These eternal verities reveal primeval existence as the radiant reality of God’s creation, in which all that He has made is pronounced by His wisdom good. Thus it was that I beheld, as never before, the awful unreality called evil. The equipollence of God brought to light another glorious proposition, -- man’s perfectibility and the establishment of the kingdom of heaven on earth.” (SH 110:4-12)
I was reminded of this splendid article, that has relevance to praying about our relations with North Korea and elsewhere: "The Equipollence of God”, Reuben Pogson, from the April 1945 issue of The Christian Science Journal.
I also found comfort and assurance in this homey metaphor:
All the visible crumbs on my black kitchen floor - would have been an overwhelming job to pick through them one at a time. But when I swept the floor they were gone in moments. Then I thought of this: “Truth’s immortal idea is sweeping down the centuries, gathering beneath its wings the sick and the sinning.” (SH, p. 55) Christ and divine Science, the divine idea, is sweeping down the centuries of sin and sorrow and mortality with the Truth that “All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation.” We don't have to pick up and dispose of each specific "crumb”, one by one, if Truth is sweeping.
September 23, 2017
The references below represent the areas of thought and prayer I’ve been working with concerning North Korea. Thanks for reassuring us that our contributions matter, small as they may seem to be. Taken in concert, they are prayer Spiritward, and I know God hears our prayers.
In Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Healer, Amplified, p. 301, it is recorded that once when an intruder entered into Mrs. Eddy’s room with intent to harm her, she simply said “You cannot shoot.” The intruder, powerless, dropped his weapon and left. This incident has recurred to me often as being applicable to the current need in North Korea, where omnipotent Love can disable error’s threat to harm mankind.
In Mrs. Eddy’s article, "Love Your Enemies”, we are told that our enemy is simply “that which defiles, defaces, and dethrones the Christ-image that you should reflect.” (Mis, p. 8) That would be fear, personal sense, pride, power, hatred, contempt, etc., including “the most remorseless motives that govern mortal mind.” (Mis, p. 10) These lies are powerless because God’s law of omnipotent Love and the light of Christ do cause all things to “work together for good to them that love God.” (Rom 8:28)
Selections from the chapter on “Peace and War” in Miscellany address our "present need,” which was the same in 1905 as it is today—that is, “God’s disposal of events” and “faith full-fledged, soaring to the Horeb height.” Righteousness and brotherhood are established on the basis of “one God, one Mind, and ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.’” (281:6) Love is indeed the "royal way.” (Hymn 179:1)
The above statement, as well as others in her timely chapter, give us the hope, prayer, and expectancy that because divine wisdom is ever-present, all-seeing, all-knowing and supreme, the aggressive suggestions of fear, hatred, and destruction will be dissolved into their native nothingness.
We find these words of daily prayer from our Leader: “Each day I pray: ‘God bless my enemies; make them Thy friends; give them to know the joy and the peace of love.’” (My 220:21)
The Lord’s Prayer includes the petition “Deliver us from evil.” Mrs. Eddy explains (SH 16:15) that “In the phrase, 'Deliver us from evil,' the original properly reads 'Deliver us from the evil one.’" She defines mortals (476:2) as “the children of the wicked one, or the one evil, which declares that man begins in dust or as a material embryo…” We see that “the evil one” is not an evil man made of dust. “The foundation of mortal discord is a false sense of man’s origin.” (262:27) Man's true origin is found in Genesis 1:26. We have the duty and authority to see man as perfect and not as an evil-doer. The “basic error is mortal mind [not person]…and “sin’s necessity [is] to destroy itself.” (405:1,19). “…God and the real man are inseparable as divine Principle and idea.” (476:4)
Six hymns from both the standard and new hymnals bring help to “every nation.” They speak of praise (489), release from error (120), the power of Love and conquering hate (179), the rule of God’s kingdom and His mighty salvation (204), triumph (335), and perfect justice and God’s supreme design (258).
All power is given unto our Lord,
On Him we place reliance;
With truth from out His sacred word
We bid our foes defiance.
With Him we shall prevail,
Whatever may assail;
He is our shield and tower,
Almighty is His power;
His kingdom is forever.
(Hymn 10)
I have to admit when you first asked us for prayer for the Korean situation it seemed a bit overwhelming. Then as I prayed, and also read all the beautiful responses from Association members and guests, it became a wonderful opportunity for metaphysical support and focus. This statement from Romans 13:1 seemed a prayer: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” And as Jesus saw the perfect man and beheld the upright, we can know that this is really true of Korea’s leaders and others going down a wrong path.
Many years ago, as World War II was recently over, I attended a camp where the Christian Science campers had their own Sunday School lesson group – every day. The teacher, on the very first day, said we all had to learn a statement which you and at least one responding Association member have already mentioned. She told us to say it every day, because it had saved her life and would save ours.
“One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfills the Scripture, ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself;’ annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, - whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin suffer, be punished, or destroyed.” (SH 340:23)
When I returned home I told my mother I had learned this, that the woman said it had saved her life, and what were the strange numbers tattooed on her arm? I have never forgotten learning why she had them, nor ceased to thank Mrs. Eddy for the statement above, and the power it had then, and has today, to heal, especially with the serious threat of nuclear warfare and the evil it represents. And yes, I still say it as my 4th “Daily”!
I have worked with two hymns when praying for the North Korean people—that they can know and feel, the hope, protection and love sent their way:
God is working His purpose out
As year succeeds to year,
God is working His purpose out
And the time is drawing near;
Nearer and nearer draws the time,
The time that shall surely be,
When the earth shall be filled with
the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.
(Hymn 82)
Also, from hymn 202, that “the Christ is here, all dreams of error breaking, Unloosing bonds of all captivity.”
The hymns, and countless other citations are wonderful, but, as you have often said, it is the newness and demonstration that flows from them that is the important part. We are so blessed to have the Bible, all of Mrs. Eddy’s writings, the Church she founded, the periodicals, the dedicated workers in Science, and most of all the Christ, Truth which she explained to us, to lead us on.
I am grateful for the collective response from our Association to this crisis with North Korea. In thinking about it more this morning I was reminded that no person or situation is outside the reach or scope of Mind, God. The need to depersonalize evil is something else that occurred to me as well. I found a few helpful citations in support of this:
Mis. 219:22-30
“This is Christian Science: that mortal mind makes sick, and immortal Mind makes well; that mortal mind makes sinners, while immortal Mind makes saints; that a state of health is but a state of consciousness made manifest on the body, and vice versa; that while one person feels wickedly and acts wickedly, another knows that if he can change this evil sense and consciousness to a good sense, or conscious goodness, the fruits of goodness will follow, and he has reformed the sinner.”
I love the idea that a sense of evil is changed to the consciousness of good. I’m being more alert to what news I’m taking in.
Mis. 284: 21-23
“It must also be remembered that neither an evil claim nor an evil person is real, hence is neither to be feared nor honored.”
While I can say that I don’t honor or respect the actions of Kim Jong Un, how am I defining this leader? The Oxford Dictionaries list the word "recognition" as a synonym for the word “honor”. What am I recognizing as the underlying reality when the headlines scream error?
Mis 284:32-2
“I am opposed to all personal attacks, and in favor of combating evil only, rather than person.”
No. 22:16 No (only)
“No man hath seen the person of good or of evil.”
Neither the appearance of evil or the reality of good involves personal sense.
No. 24:1-2
“In the Science of good, evil loses all place, person, and power.”
’01 12:27-2
“Evil is neither quality nor quantity: it is not intelligence, a person or a principle, a man or a woman, a place or a thing, and God never made it.”
Excerpt from "The Scientific Mode of Warfare", Alfred Farlow, CSJ, March 1895
The sword is the belief that we must cut down our enemies to save ourselves; that we must rob our neighbors to insure our own plenty; that we must change our surroundings to be happy.
This belief and the practice prompted by it betrays our lack of trust in God as the only power, protection and supply, and causes us to forfeit the divine aid.
We cannot excuse our lack of demonstration under the plea of unfavorable surroundings, opposition, interference, lack of opportunities etc. No excuse will be accepted by all-wise Principle, who "preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies."
Not after our enemies are all slain; but while they still exist and remain our enemies, doing all they can to interfere with our harmony; even then the Table of Truth is prepared and we may enjoy all the blessings of infinite Love.
The Christian and Scientific weapon is the understanding that God, Spirit, is the only power. There is a claim to other powers that may influence us to discord and suffering; but this claim must be false, since God is, in reality, the only power.
The conclusion drawn from these facts is that the influence which these supposed powers seem to have over us, is due to our own belief in such powers. This false belief within makes it possible for us to be touched by the foe without; hence we have to overcome our own belief in the power of evil to do us injury.
The enemy without would create in us a false concept of itself, its supposed power and its evil purpose; but we must bury ourselves so deeply in the consciousness of the fact that Love is the only power and presence that we can no longer hear the whisperings of error.
JSH link to full article: "The Scientific Mode of Warfare", Alfred Farlow, CSJ, March 1895
September 5, 2017
Hymn 236
O peace of the world, O hope in each breast,
O Bethlehem star that ages have blest,
A day of fresh promise breaks over the land,
Gaunt warfare is doomed, and God’s kingdom at hand!
From cannon and sword shape tillers of soil,
No more let dire hate man’s spirit despoil,
Let Truth be proclaimed, let God’s love be retold,
That men of good will may their brethren uphold.
As stars in their courses never contend,
As blossoms their hues in harmony blend,
As bird voices mingle in joyful refrain,
So God’s loving children in concord remain.
Our God is one Mind, the Mind we adore;
Ineffable joy His love doth outpour;
Let nations be one in a union of love,
God’s bountiful peace, all earth’s treasures above.
Thank you for the repeated calls (emails) for prayer about the North Korea situation.
Hymn 160 was helpful in guiding my thought, "And of these stones, or tyrants' thrones, God able is To raise up seed-in thought and deed-to faithful His/Aye, darkling sense, arise, go hence! Our God is good. False fears are foes-truth tatters those, When understood." I can know that "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation" and that this one Mind is at work purifying human consciousness, replacing the "darkling sense" with what is already present, God's goodness. This truth annihilates any false fears about tyrants or government separate from God's harmonious government.
In a work situation with new leadership, I have been working to know that, again, the one Mind, divine Principle, is in charge, not person or persons. The verse from I Corinthians 12:5 has been helpful, "there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord." Driving home today, I was reasserting that fact and I thought this verse was particularly applicable in praying about our government.
Finally, in a testimony unrelated to North Korea, at work today, there seemed to be a stir of thought, a deep unsettledness amongst the faculty. This belief tried to manifest itself in my body. I was able to see the claim for what it was, understanding that it was not a physical problem, but a false belief. I worked to know the one Mind was governing, not the belief of many minds, and I felt free of the claim soon after. I then went on to help several co-workers with various preparatory tasks and left work with a great feeling of joy and accomplishment.
August 16, 2017
Contemplating again our assignment to pray for the North Korean situation, it comes to me that I need to expunge from thought the suggestion that there is another version of man than the one we’ve been taught is the precise and perfect reflection of God—Mind, Love, Soul, Principle, Truth. Mr. Kim is the son of the one universal God who rules all the earth, heavens, and beyond as well as those inhabiting them. So are we all. “…Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is intact, universal, and that man is pure and holy.” (SH 477:4-5)
Is God really a universal God who loves all? If I’m in doubt about that, how would I expect Him to govern all, and how can I feel the assurance that comes from trusting Him to rule all? Mrs. Eddy reminds us that “If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us…” (SH, p. 9)
The government of all is God’s. The last couple of Bible Lessons have made this clear. From Romans 13:1 this week: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, For there is no power but of God.” From last week, SH 207:10-13: “Evil is not supreme; good is not helpless; nor are the so-called laws of matter primary, and the law of Spirit secondary.” And Ps 62:11: “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.” And as we’ve read several times in recent Lessons from SH 249:6-9: “Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life and recognizing no mortal nor material power as able to destroy. Let us rejoice that we are subject to the divine ‘powers that be.’”
I got a lot out of the article in the August 2017 Journal, by Carolyn Keith, “Our mighty weapons.” She points out that as we take a stand for Truth by expressing qualities that are from God, we’re actually arming ourselves with spiritual weaponry. She proved this in a very practical way, showing how this spiritual position protected her and a friend when they were held at gunpoint.
I am so grateful for the constant spiritual nourishment that’s available to us. As I was writing here, I got a call from a sweet lady I’ve been helping with a house purchase. She was in tears, saying that her son had gotten a judgment against her and she didn’t know if she could buy a house after all. She said, “I don’t know what to do. All I can do is pray.” I told her that is enough and then read her a couple of the Scriptural quotes that are in this letter, particularly the ones above from Romans and Psalms, and we discussed them a bit. I asked her if I could take her to lunch or do anything else for her, but she said these Scriptures were helpful enough and she had stopped crying and calmed down.
Thank you for your kindness in always sending copies of the fruitage from Association. Today when your pages arrived, I had been on my way out. But when I read your note about the need to pray for North Korea, I knew that I should do that now. So, I read your references from Miscellany, by Mrs. Eddy, again, and prayed. Then I heard a scratching sound, and found that Rupert my cat had got caught in a closet. So Rupert also sends his thanks that he wasn’t stuck for a long while as he would have been, had I gone out.
The words of Mrs. Eddy which helped the most in my prayers were: “Love rules the universe, and its edict hath gone forth: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me’, and ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.’” (My 278:7-10) I knew that I do love North Korea as much as I love other countries, because God does, and I am God’s reflection. And I remembered that in his parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus defined neighbor as someone who does good to another. So we all by association are neighbors to North Korea because we pray for them and love them.
I was sharing the Korean situation with a friend who then sent me the link to an article from the April 26, 1982, Sentinel which I thought to share with the Association. Back in those days Unilateral Disarmament referred to nuclear situations, but the message is the same. Here’s the title: “Unilateral disarmament that works”, by Beulah M. Roegge.
In the Bible Lesson on Spirit, Mrs. Eddy writes, “Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life and recognizing no mortal nor material power as able to destroy.” (SH, p. 249) Also, she writes, “It has been demonstrated to me that Life is God and that the might of omnipotent Spirit shares not its strength with matter or with human will.” (SH, p. 193) And from the Bible: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (II Tim. 1:7) We must keep a sound mind and not fall victim to bullying or a puffed-up sense of self. The real ego is God and we, as His reflection, include “all right ideas”. (SH, p. 475)
In my professional work, I have put together a training class on bullying, as defined as aggressive behavior that involves unwanted negative actions. Certainly that is what is happening in North Korea by its leader – a gain of power and control. Mrs. Eddy has assured us that “omnipotent Spirit shares not its strength with human will.” (SH, p. 194) Therefore, it is very important not to be frightened by a puffed-up lie…no matter how aggressive. We must “stand porter at the door of thought” and demonstrate what we know to be true. (SH, p. 392)
While thinking about this situation again, I found a wonderful Journal article, "'Hid with Christ’ in ‘the secret place’” (CSJ, May 1986, Gordon R. Clarke) which quotes from the Bible, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds”. (II Cor. 10:4) This article talked about an infuriated mob that had thrust Christ Jesus out of their city and wanted to do him bodily harm. They were offended by him. There is an amazing turn of events and he simply passes through the midst of the mob unharmed. Jesus knew he was “hid with Christ.” He was assured that he dwelled in the “secret place of the most High” and was in the complete care of the Almighty. We too can know that we are hid with Christ, we are all safe in that knowledge and we must stand firm in knowing that God loves and cares for all. God is all-good, guarding, guiding and encompassing us in His protection.
We find comfort in Hymn #10:
All power is given unto our Lord,
On Him we place reliance;
With truth from out His sacred word
We bid our foes defiance.
With Him we shall prevail,
Whatever may assail;
He is our shield and tower,
Almighty is His power;
His kingdom is forever.
There is no nuclear war in the Kingdom of Heaven. There are no crazed mortal rulers in the Kingdom of Heaven. God's government and peace and holy harmony are the real. When our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, saw the face of God right where a cyclone in the sky appeared to be...and the clouds dissipated…that's an example of how we can see through the storm of potential threat and conflict. (MBE: Christian Healer, Amplified, pp. 354-355) We can behold the face of God right now and deny nuclear warfare identity, history, momentum, reason. We can wield the sword of Truth that decapitates error. (see SH, p. 266)
Might this be likened to a “Save, or we perish!” situation? The Bible tells that during a great tempest Jesus was in the “hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow” when that frightened ultimatum of the disciples came to his attention. (Mark 4:38) Jesus may have been resting but he was obviously never unconscious of the power of divine Mind to govern, to still, to furnish harmoniously every human need. We needn’t, for a moment, feel bereft, in danger or helplessly stuck in harm’s way. Regardless how daunting and foreboding the testimony of material sense appears — the Christ never sleeps. God never sleeps. Therefore God’s image and likeness must also be awake to and comforted by the unfailing spiritual fact that divine Love doesn’t leave anyone in the lurch, unguarded or separate from His presence whatever the circumstance.
O he who trusts in God’s protection
And hopes in Him when fears alarm,
Is sheltered by His loving-kindness,
Delivered by His mighty arm;
If ye God’s law can understand,
Ye have not builded on the sand.
– Hymn 216:1
Jesus was “undisturbed amid the jarring testimony of the material senses...” He proved, unfolded, to us “the immutable, harmonious, divine Principle…” (SH 306:25) So shall we remain undisturbed, as well, and experience the immutable and harmonious, now.
Remember FDR’s famous line in his first inaugural address to the country when the Great Depression had reached its depth? “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” An apt statement to make to a country reeling with challenges. But, the Psalmist sings more resolutely: “in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” (Ps. 56: 4) Add to that: I will not fear what mortal mind, or mortal tyranny or mortal … anything … can do unto us.
“No mortal mind has the might or right or wisdom to create or to destroy. All is under the control of the one Mind, even God.” (SH 544:14-17) To be prepared every day, every moment, with this kind of scientifically derived certainty, — whether there appears to be a crisis in our midst or not – enables man to remain undisturbed, at peace and able to comfort others.
“Be watchful, sober, and vigilant.” (SH 324:13 only) Certainly, being watchful, sober and vigilant over all the swirling reports and news can help in not getting carried away, emotionalized, fearful by what we’re viewing, hearing and reading of all the chest-pounding and drum-beating going on right now. “The broadcast powers … to-day … show themselves…struggling against the advancing spiritual era.” (SH 65:13-16)
“The suppositional warfare between truth and error is only the mental conflict between the evidence of the spiritual senses and the testimony of the material senses…” (SH, p. 288)
We are grateful for insights like this. They help us to discern whether it is the human mind or the divine Mind which is doing the influencing.
It is with sincere gratitude to be able to reflect back on those wonderful (wartime) testimonies from our association assignment and all those inspiring, encouraging accounts of healing and overcoming fear in serious situations from the 1943 Sentinel. Recalling some of those can be quite instructive today. The groundwork has been solidly laid – through countless proven experiences from those in the earlier days of CS and going back to Bible times, too: “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord”! (Hymn #123)
Over the last couple of years it’s been increasingly vital in my prayer work, which now includes this specific work (the U.S./N. Korean issue), to handle the belief of material personality. I’m so humbly in awe of this: “The ‘I’ will go to the Father when meekness, purity, and love, informed by divine Science, … lead to the one God: then the ego is found not in matter but in Mind…and man will then claim no mind apart from God.” (Mis. 195:31-3) It just doesn’t do justice to paraphrase that passage. There is so much healing power and freedom and reward in that statement when one actually sets out to live it. It’s incredible (and I can hear the Apostle asking, “Why should it be thought a thing incredible…?”).
Speaking of gratitude and denying material selfhood, consider this line from Mis. 291:28 where Mrs. Eddy says, “To station justice and gratitude as sentinels along the lines of thought, would … counteract the influence of envious minds or the misguided individual who keeps not watch over his emotions and conclusions.” What a line to work with at this moment!
And then there’s the 91st Psalm! What mighty ideas to guard and guide us, which include protection, defense, peace, confidence, fearless perspective, spiritual freedom, God’s tender love watching over us all.
“And o’er earth’s troubled, angry sea
I see Christ walk,
And come to me, and tenderly,
Divinely talk.”
– Hymn 253:4
So, like Jesus, we can “rest, assured God’s goodness ne’er will cease” and “wake to know a world more bright.” (Hymn Nos. 93 and 253)
August 8, 2017
Thanks for sharing the continuing flow of messages about the work for North Korea as well as new fruitage and new response to the “Creation” assignment - truly our collective cup overfloweth!
Tonight when I read the Monitor Daily report, I was filled with gratitude for the news of the new tough UN sanctions and for the way almost the whole world came together in unity on the necessity of taking a stand. Even China stepped away from its usual protective and defensive stance toward N. Korea.
I know the work must continue in order to see this whole situation all the way through, but at the same time, we can be grateful for this indication of the effective prayers of those we know about, and surely of others as well. Along these lines, I have been working a lot with Mrs. Eddy’s statement on page 120 of the textbook that " … matter [material mindedness] can make no conditions for man" and finding it applicable to many areas of thought I am treating daily. Last night it came to me to apply it directly to the seeming twisted thinking or non-thinking that is apparent in the North Korean leadership. So we need to keep on insisting on the government of divine Mind alone as sufficient in controlling all human affairs. See also p. 412 in Science and Health: "The power of Christian Science and divine Love is omnipotent. It is indeed adequate to unclasp the hold and to destroy disease, sin, and death.”
August 5, 2017
Thanks for your recent email, which prompted me to pray about this important issue. I found a number of helpful ideas in the article God's Elect, by Julia M. Johnston, that's included in a collection called God Governs. Some thoughts I've been praying with: "the Christ is...an irresistible influence ever present with men...If we have believed that error can govern a group of people, how much more vividly should we be aware that the Christ, Truth, can control it...The Christ uncovers, thwarts, and annihilates every false belief...God's message to men in any situation announces the supremacy of good...Though councils are called to foment war, the Christ is there, a commanding influence before which the sin of conflict must lose its false aspect of glory, and vanish...Even where masses seem to be enslaved by ignorance, the Christ...is present and powerful to enlighten and redeem the individual and the multitude."
It came to me that fear can often seem to be the motivation for someone (in this case one or more leaders) to threaten others or try to make themselves look important...fear of losing face, fear that they are isolated or losing power. But God, Love, casts out fear. The Christ is right there to wipe out fear and bring peace, removing the mesmerism that makes someone believe they want or need to cause harm.
It was true that after hearing repeated news reports about the fact that North Korea had been increasing their technology on power of missiles, I found myself having some fear about it although I thought I knew that I should trust God as All-in-all. But it was not good enough. Then an interesting article in the Manual of The Mother Church came back to me many times. It was Article VIII, Sect. 28, and it reads as follows:
“Numbering the People. SECT. 28. Christian Scientists shall not report for publication the number of the members of The Mother Church, nor that of the branch churches. According to the Scripture they shall turn away from personality and numbering the people." (Man. 48:16)
The article is clearly about numbering the people at our churches. But this article awakened me to understand more clearly the power of Spirit or spiritual power. The part which struck me strongly, in relation to working about North Korea, was the following, "According to the Scripture they shall turn away from personality and numbering the people." The article, "Increasing Church Membership" by Floyd C. Shank (CSJ, September 1958) said that this provision is based on the story that King David asked Joab, captain of the host, to take the census. After hearing the report from Joab, David realized that it was sin to count the number of people, or have dependence on human power more than spiritual power. The article continues, "The Bible records that 'David's heart smote him.’ Apparently he discerned his error of humanly measuring strength and power in the scale with God, omnipotent Spirit." I realized that this was exactly what I was doing, i.e., I found myself fearing the increased military power of North Korea and was not absolutely trusting God's spiritual power as All-in-all. The story awakened me to trust Spirit more.
Another awakening was from fear to the power of divine Love. I felt those who try to increase material or human powers or weapons must be in a great fear, while those who are attacked by them may also be fearful. Thus great fear seems to be prevailing. This forced me to turn to the familiar Bible words, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:" (I John 4:18) Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health, "The understanding, even in a degree, of the divine All-power destroys fear, and plants the feet in the true path, — the path which leads to the house built without hands ‘eternal in the heavens.’ Human hate has no legitimate mandate and no kingdom. Love is enthroned." (454:5-10)
I continue to strive to establish the kingdom of heaven, Love, within myself in facing this crisis.
July 31, 2017
When you asked us to pray for Nigeria, nothing major was going on in my life at that time so I could focus my prayer on that particular situation, but this time when the request for prayer came about the events in North Korea I felt overwhelmed.
I read your email on Monday morning. Along with working through the "sheer weary emptiness” (CSS, Feb 13, 1989, A.W. Phinney) I have been feeling since my mother's passing, there had also been a triple shooting in a nearby community that weekend which took place in front of an apartment where the daughter of a friend of mine lives. Plus another friend's daughter who had been in the hospital for four days with a condition on Easter and had been released, came down with the same symptoms Sunday evening.
These events helped me to understand that this "specific" prayer work needed to embrace not only North Korea and Association family members near North Korea but EVERYONE - "Whatever blesses one blesses ALL" (SH, p. 206)
First and foremost, I realized I needed to remove the doubt and fear from my own thought. I was getting swept up, "mesmerized" by other's thinking and the personal events in my life and not staying in the spiritual- GOD. I worked with the highlighted sections you had given us and looked up various citations on peace in the Concordance to study.
Peace for Korea and its neighbors, and the world.
Peace for my neighbors in my nearby community.
Peace for my dear friend and his family.
I didn't know much about North Korea. But after some initial research, what stood out was "arrogance". It is certainly the quality the leader of North Korea seemed to possess. But “arrogance” is a lie, a duality -- it supposes a power greater than GOD which clouds the Truth. It's the lie, the belief that I and everyone else is not in the kingdom of heaven. But God is in control and is “all- power…all-presence." (SH, p. 466)
What was needed in my thought was knowing the strength and intelligence of the Father-God, with the balance of the tender love of Mother-God. Seeing the love and tenderness not only in leaders but everywhere and knowing there is nothing else.
(Early on before I took class instruction, when I was wide-eyed and bushy tailed, I decided one Sunday afternoon that I needed to pray for the world. Sudan was a hot spot and President Bashir was causing havoc. I researched the leader and found out he was a Muslim who didn't seem to be practicing his faith. So I focused on the spiritual qualities, the qualities that aligned him with God. I took a nap and when I woke up there was a news report that Bashir had released from prison his former spiritual advisor- his release had been "totally unexpected.” by his family and they were elated. *Bashir is still wreaking havoc and this is a reminder for me to continue praying!)
June 20, 2017
Thank you for your recent postings of prayers in response to the request for help in North Korea. The chapter in Miscellaneous Writings on Peace and War is very supportive, with your selected references well noted.
On My. pp. 280-281, Mrs. Eddy explains her request that church members cease special prayer for peace of nations “in full faith that God does not hear our prayers only because of oft speaking, but that He will bless all the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay His hand….Out of His allness He must bless all with His own truth and love. A few lines later she states, “I cited, as our present need, faith in God’s disposal of events. Faith full-fledged,…brings blessings infinite….On this basis the brotherhood of all peoples is established; namely, one God, one Mind, and ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself,…’”
Many other statements of truth regarding this situation provide guidance and comfort. A few of these follow:
All of Psalms 91, including "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” (v. 2,3)
“Human hate has no legitimate mandate and no kingdom. Love is enthroned.” (SH 454:9)
“God being everywhere and all-inclusive, how can He be absent or suggest the absence of omnipresence and omnipotence? How can there be more than all?” (SH 287:13)
“Immortal man is the eternal idea of Truth that...cannot get out of the focal distance of infinity.” (Mis. 79:12-15)
"There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Ps. 19:3)
I have read and re-read several times the entries that have been posted on the topic of North Korea. It is inspiring, humbling, and encouraging to be part of this prayerful work, and we can know with surety that divine Love does hear our prayers and will not forsake us. We are learning about true, spiritual home and family. We are being reminded of the infinite embrace of divine Mind enfolding all mankind in safety and love. We are being reassured that the door to the Kingdom of Heaven is open for all mankind to enter and to be governed by divine law. We have found that “No and Yes” (formerly “Defense of Christian Science,” [MBE: Christian Healer, Amplified Edition, p.141]) provides specific practical teaching to augment our study of Science and Health, and we have the joy of finding Christ-light and uplifting thought in our hymnals, Nos. 236 and 115 in particular.
Study of the chapter on “Creation” in the textbook is continuous. It is a ready “companion” at meal times, and I often listen only to a line or two before stopping to consider its deeper meaning.
Thank you for making it possible for all of us Association members around the globe to support each other through challenges, large and small. I very much look forward to attending Annual Meeting online, most likely with a group at our local church. Also, my heartfelt thanks to you and each Director of The Mother Church for helping to “steady our ship” with examples of spiritual foresight and leadership. The discussion about this year’s theme of “the divine energy of Spirit” has been very helpful.
I am so grateful for the Korea Prayer request. It certainly is a call for prayer without ceasing. Our specific Association prayers to correct and calm that area of the world is also producing an over flow that will reach “earth’s remotest border.” (Hymn 329) Uniting with Association members feels so right and so filled with unselfed love. Thanks to those who asked for this prayer and all who are joining in it.
“The heavens declare the glory
Of Him who made all things;
Each day repeats the story,
Each night its tribute brings.
To earth’s remotest border
His mighty power is known;
In beauty, grandeur, order,
His handiwork is shown.
His law man’s pathway brightens,
His judgments all are pure,
His Word the thought enlightens,
And ever shall endure.
To heed His testimony,
And Wisdom’s way to hold,
Is sweeter far than honey,
And better far than gold.
In daily contemplation
Of Thee, I take delight;
O, let my meditation
Lay hold of Thee aright.
O, aid me in suppression
Of idle thought or word;
O, keep me from transgression,
Redeemer, strength, and Lord.”
These are some notes I made when we were first asked us to pray about the nuclear war threat from North Korea:
Life and being are of God. God is eternal. There is no threat to life or humanity because God, Spirit is omnipotent and omnipresent. The good news - the gospel - is that the kingdom of heaven is within and at hand and this is our defense. The truth dispels the lie.
“The history of error is a dream-narrative. The dream has no reality, no intelligence, no mind; therefore the dreamer and dream are one, for neither is true nor real.” (SH, p. 530)
The history of nuclear build-up is a dream narrative. The history of the Kim dynasty seeking and grabbing power - of killing innocents, exalting themselves, pride, cruelty, malice, fear. This dream has no reality, no intelligence, no mind; the dreamer and dream are one and neither is true nor real.
“The order of this allegory [the Adam-dream] — the belief that everything springs from dust instead of from Deity — has been maintained in all the subsequent forms of belief. This is the error, — that mortal man starts materially, that non-intelligence becomes intelligence, that mind and soul are both right and wrong.” (SH, p. 531)
“[We]…should rejoice that evil, by whatever figure presented, contradicts itself and has neither origin nor support in Truth and good. Seeing this, we should have faith to fight all claims of evil, because we know that they are worthless and unreal. (SH, p. 529)
“The maximum of good is the infinite God and His idea, the All-in-all. Evil is a suppositional lie.” (SH, p. 103)
Thanks for your call to pray regarding the Korean threat. As others have mentioned, I too have been praying to see all world leaders as God sees them and to ask God how He sees and knows His ideas. It seems crucial to remember that God does not see any of His ideas as worthy of ridicule, anger, or hate and that it's possible for us to have a truthful vision of love and charity for all creation.
Whenever I had been praying about Korea in the last month, the idea and need for spiritual warfare had kept coming to me. I looked up citations regarding warfare on Concord and found that Mrs. Eddy distinguishes between true spiritual warfare and false human warfare. She speaks of "the divine method of warfare in Science, and the glorious results of this warfare", and then also describes false warfare as "the fatal effects of trying to meet error with error." (SH, p. 568) Christian Science teaches that spiritual warfare is unavoidable and necessary in finding true peace and rest.
"Every mortal at some period, here or hereafter, must grapple with and overcome the mortal belief in a power opposed to God." (SH, p. 569)
Last Sunday, a few days after getting home from working out of town for two weeks, I was feeling unsettled and disturbed and I didn't know why. I found a quiet spot with my Science and Health and opened it up randomly. I read several pages at the end of the chapter "Christian Science versus Spiritualism" as well as an article, "Boldness and Christian discipleship" from a recent Sentinel. (CSS, 4/17/17, M. Maupin) After reading the above, I thought of Mrs. Eddy's words:
"The trend of human life was too eventful to leave me undisturbed in the illusion that this so-called life could be a real and abiding rest. All things earthly must ultimately yield to the irony of fate, or else be merged into the one infinite Love." (Ret, p. 23)
"Lulled by stupefying illusions, the world is asleep in the cradle of infancy, dreaming away the hours. Material sense does not unfold the facts of existence; but spiritual sense lifts human consciousness into eternal Truth." (SH, p. 95)
Through my reading, I was learning that I wasn't going to find peace in either quietness and rest, or in accomplishing tasks, but in turning to God more fully and radically. This meant boldness and spiritual warfare in the casting down of imaginations or illusions, as the Bible teaches. Once I remembered that "this so-called life" isn't "a real and abiding rest” and that instead I needed to rise up and follow Christ alone, I was able to reclaim my spiritual identity and purpose as true substance. I no longer felt unsettled and disturbed and my peace returned unto me. It turned out to be a really good and progressive week for the whole family!
Many times I’ve read Mrs. Eddy’s statement on page 340 of Science and Health that the First Commandment is her favorite text. She wrote that it demonstrates Christian Science. I sometimes wondered why she chose those words as her favorites, as there are so many pleasing passages in the Bible, longer and more flowery.
A companion text in Miscellany, (p. 278) “Love rules the universe, and its edict hath gone forth: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me,’” inspired my thought to maybe at least some small understanding as to her choice.
Often lately I find myself mesmerized by mortal mind’s shiny objects, from the mental rubble in the news to the minutiae of the human experience, especially the hatred and ferocity of politics.
A declaration of the First Commandment puts an immediate kibosh on all that, cuts through the lie, including fear, and lifts thought out of that toxic soup into the clean, pure atmosphere of the refreshingly spiritual and true, adjusting the human situation to harmonize with God’s law. It doesn’t take hours of study and prayer; it’s an immediate phenomenon and prepares thought for reception of right ideas, such as the last sentence in the paragraph in Science and Health cited above, which is a prayer for our Association members and guests in need of our support: “One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfills the Scripture, ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself;’ annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, – whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished, or destroyed.” (SH 340:23) He is God. There is no other. That is all.
When praying about the Korean situation, I began with the “Daily Prayer” found under Discipline in the Church Manual by Mary Baker Eddy. (p. 41) I began to discipline my thought to know this is so…no matter what the appearance. “…let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me”. I think of that as the reign and rule of divine Love for all. It is a rule not a supposition! Mrs. Eddy goes on to write, “and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!” I just love the idea of affection for ALL mankind.
In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, “‘Love one another’ (I John, iii. 23), is the most simple and profound counsel of the inspired writer. In Science we are children of God; but whatever is of material sense, or mortal, belongs not to His children, for materiality is the inverted image of spirituality.” (SH, p. 572) This is wonderful counsel and if we do this for our fellow man, the uplifted thought is received and considered.
I also read in the Journal article, “Love that dissolves dividing lines” (CSJ, December 2016, E. Mehlenbacher), the following: “…‘God is Love’ (I John 4:8). Christian Science explains further that God is Love, and that to acknowledge Love as a synonym for God captures the deeper sense of what divine Love is…We can align our thinking with this divine Principle and Love, aiming to let Love lead us in every relationship we form, every conversation we engage in, and every group we’re involved with. It’s a heavenly power that, when understood and lived, can soften hard hearts, bridge gaps of misunderstanding, defeat evil attacks, and impel unity.” I just love the idea of impelling unity!
This is an Association response regarding the North Korean situation. I have greatly appreciated the responses on the website so far. And also the citations you sent. I thought of this when watching the really good Annual Meeting workshop on Associations. And so I'm finally sending along a bit of what I've been praying about.
In praying for the North Korean threat, I found that I was reluctant to consider Love and loving. It didn't seem direct enough. But after a while I realized that since Love is what has all power, and since it's perfect Love that casts out fear, it's actually central for this need. Love is also what touches the heart and makes me care and want to pray.
So I looked again at Love, and I remembered an experience from some years ago. I was walking alone in the woods, when a large dog appeared (by himself) ahead of me. The dog wasn't either shy or friendly. He put his head down, bared his teeth, focused on me, and began approaching slowly, growling. I stood still, facing him, and silently turned to Love to deal with the fear. I thought of Love's all-power and all-presence, and the dog and myself as perfect reflections of Love.
When the dog was fairly close, he suddenly put his tail between his legs, whimpered loudly as though someone had hit him, and ran away as fast as he could. I was stunned. I had thought that a healing would be the dog settling down and wagging his tail and getting a pat on his shoulder. It confused me at the time that Love seemed like a really strong rebuke to him.
As a perspective on this, I like what Mrs. Eddy says about Sir Charles Napier, and the comparison of meeting the bestial as another beast or as man. She points out that "An animal may infuriate another by looking it in the eye, and both will fight for nothing." And, in contrast, "A man’s gaze, fastened fearlessly on a ferocious beast, often causes the beast to retreat in terror. This latter occurrence represents the power of Truth over error, — the might of intelligence exercised over mortal beliefs to destroy them;..." (SH, p. 378)
I don't have many insights on how to deal with North Korea politically or militarily, but I can stand with the Science of divine Love. And I can be sure that I pray as "man," letting God be the power.
Another way I've been praying about North Korea is the First Commandment and God's government. I love all that Mrs. Eddy says about this in the Peace and War section we've been looking at. When some news sources speak or write about this situation, there is a tendency to try to pacify fears to settle them down. Understandably, panicking or making the threat sensational is not at all helpful, since fear isn't a clear or accurate state of thought. But pacifying or appeasing fear leaves the error hidden or forgettable -- taking the urgency out of prayer or putting us to sleep. I like what Mrs. Eddy is recorded as saying in her unpublished writings:
"What you have to meet is a fear; and what pacifies fear does not destroy it. Take your weapon that kills it, the First Commandment; and with that cut off its head."
When alertness brings evil/fear to my attention, it can be challenging, but I don't think that that means I should stop being alert. Instead I should wield the First Commandment.
I'm grateful that the Association is praying together about this.
May 14, 2017
In praying, I have included gratitude for the effectiveness of prayer and for congregating in prayer as an Association as we did with Moji’s request. And James’s encouragement in the Bible (5:16): “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!” assured me that my own prayer as an individual is not too small.
I have been focusing on the innocence of all regardless of their particular human views. Even someone who considers himself a dictator, an atheist, oppressed, oppressor, etc., has the built-in heart of Christ as God’s own loved child. As such, each of us is subject to the omnipotent power of Love which must have its effect on consciousness whether or not one has ever heard of Christian Science, Christ Jesus, or even God. Humility, peace-making, brotherly love must be the outcome.
In last week’s Lesson, SH 231:12 stood out to me: “If God makes sin, if good produces evil, if truth results in error, then Science and Christianity are helpless; but there are no antagonistic powers nor laws, spiritual or material, creating and governing man through perpetual warfare. God is not the author of mortal discords.” And the following sentence: “Therefore we accept the conclusion that discords have only a fabulous existence, are mortal beliefs which divine Truth and Love destroy.” That kind of says everything I need to know!
I was interested in the chapter, “Peace and War”, that Mrs. Eddy encouraged us to go beyond the Daily Prayer, which was the first thing I started with when I got your email. The definition of Heaven in Science and Health, p. 587, includes “government by divine Principle.” When we say “Thy kingdom come,” I was thinking, Thy kingdom of heaven is come. Thy government by divine Principle is present now and everywhere.
This came to me when praying about North Korea…
Jesus said to Pilate, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above.” (John 19:11) I take this to mean the powers that be cannot harm us, or anyone. Our safety is sure with God.
“Human hate has no legitimate mandate and no kingdom.” MBE
Ps. 27:1, 3
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Prov 3:25-26
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Matt 10:26
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
I John 4:16 2nd God, 18 (to :)
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
SH 392:7
Casting out evil and fear enables truth to outweigh error. The only course is to take antagonistic grounds against all that is opposed to the health, holiness, and harmony of man, God’s image.
SH 454:4
Teach your students the omnipotence of Truth, which illustrates the impotence of error. The understanding, even in a degree, of the divine All-power destroys fear, and plants the feet in the true path, — the path which leads to the house built without hands “eternal in the heavens.” Human hate has no legitimate mandate and no kingdom. Love is enthroned. That evil or matter has neither intelligence nor power, is the doctrine of absolute Christian Science, and this is the great truth which strips all disguise from error.
SH 563:1-7 (to ?)
Human sense may well marvel at discord, while, to a diviner sense, harmony is the real and discord the unreal. We may well be astonished at sin, sickness, and death. We may well be perplexed at human fear; and still more astounded at hatred, which lifts its hydra head, showing its horns in the many inventions of evil. But why should we stand aghast at nothingness?
I have never had this kind of experience where so many people pray together for peace. I am sure that all concerned have solidly received such strength and comfort because of this prayer.
It was interesting that today I encountered your article entitled “Healing Is Not a Talking Cure” (CSS, May 23, 1988) in the pamphlet called “To Be a Christian Science Practitioner.” This made me pray to know again “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”. (II Cor. 6:2)
I have been thinking a lot about our Association since our meeting in March. I’ve been thinking about the deeper significance of those first words “welcome home.” Home is a place where family gathers and, indeed, all the people in that room are my family. Some of them I know by name, some I recognize from previous years, some I don’t know, but they all belong to me. They are special, they are to be loved and cherished, taken care of and helped when they need it. That’s what families do. So when your request for prayerful work on the situation between the US and North Korea came, I was ready to set aside other things and devote my time to working for my Association family.
As you suggested, I immediately read the chapter “Peace and War” from Miscellany. Since I was already thinking about family, I’m sure it’s no surprise that these words became the focus of my work, “ . . . all the things which make for the establishment of a universal, loving brotherhood on earth may be accomplished through the righteous prayer which availeth much.” (My 280:8-12) I made a conscious effort to start thinking about both leaders, especially Kim Jong-un, as my brothers, as family who needed loving support and understanding. Maybe they’re frightened or unsure of themselves. Maybe they feel isolated and alone. Whatever it is, they need to feel cared about and they need to be able to care about others. Again, that’s what families do.
I will continue my prayerful work for the security and peace of mind of my whole world-wide family.
Thanks very much for sharing the request from our Association guest and for sharing other members' responses (as well as for the very helpful references).
I've been praying to know that there is one Father-Mother who is the only Mind, who is speaking to everyone in the way that he or she can understand. It is helpful to know there is one God who is governing everyone.
I had an interesting experience this past Sunday night when my husband and I went to a benefit concert for North Korean refugees (we were invited by our neighbor, who is Korean). We were one of about four people in the auditorium who didn't speak Korean, so I wasn't able to join in the group singing at the end, but I did feel a profound sense of Love listening to the joyful singing, and I joined in in my own way by knowing that Love is omnipotent and that no power can keep mankind from loving his brother man. (And I am finding it helpful to know that this is true for everyone, everywhere––in all nations.)
Multiple times a day my phone alerts me to the news article of the hour—the White House, Korea, Mexico. It's intense and in my face—everyone's face. I was recently taken with a cold (unusual for me) and stayed home for an extended period of time. I grew frustrated with my condition, the news, and thought about our task as an Association to pray for Korea's situation. "No and Yes", by Mary Baker Eddy, drew me to it and I spent an evening reading through it slowly and saw so much depth and application in these 46 pages, that wanted to share with everyone.
"No and Yes," is metaphysically, extremely strong and absolute. It is perfect for dealing with any case of non-reality. In regards to the constant news updates on my phone, this quote seems applicable, when thinking of being swept away with the current media stories and scares:
"Small streams are noisy and rush precipitately; and babbling brooks fill the rivers till they rise in floods, demolishing bridges and overwhelming cities....when public sentiment is aroused, are liable to be borne on by the current of feeling. They should then turn themselves temporarily from the tumult, for the silent cultivation of the true idea..." (No, p. 1)
The next exacting quote that hit me was this:
"It is scientific to rob disease of all reality; and to accomplish this, you cannot begin by admitting its reality...Mental healers who admit that disease is real should be made to test the feasibility of what they say by healing one case audibly, through such an admission..." (No, p. 2)
In other words, we must be absolute in our thought whenever it turns to this situation in Korea or anywhere in the world. God as the only Mind, the only Reality, and the only Power. Fear of a person and doubt of God's presence and omnipotence works against our intention to heal. These references are merely in the first two pages, and the book marches on absolutely and clearly telling how to deal with aggressive animal magnetism. I will continue working along these lines and alongside all of you.
Thanks for the assignment and love to all our members and the world.
While I’m studying “Peace be to This Congregation” (Hymn 276), I discovered these alternative words in a Congregational setting which might be helpful (same tune):
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heav’n, to earth come down.
Fix in us thy humble dwelling
All Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation;
Enter every troubling heart.
April 30, 2017
This is a serious threat and deserves our attention and prayers. I will be happy to work to see the powerlessness of evil in this threat and the all-power of Love prevailing over all.
I am so glad to be a part of this important work of our Association.
Will continue to pray regarding military tensions. I've been singing the Tomlinson hymn #236. It seems perfect.
We certainty already felt/feel the power of prayer and love as we feel more peace of mind now. I know all the Association people and friends’ prayer makes a great difference.
I will study “Peace and War” again. Indeed, the main issue is Love!
Thank you for this request. God reminded me not only about the “Peace and War” articles, but also about "Prevention and cure of divorce” (My, p. 268) in which Mrs. Eddy discusses prevention of war as well as divorce; and Christian Science versus Pantheism, page 14, "Prayer for Country and Church".
Thank you for the alert, and the wonderful citations to focus our prayers.
Thank you, very important - I'm on it.
In the house (consciousness / idea) that God built, there is no dissension within, no confusion, no anger, no bitterness, no friction, no hate. Love is Mind, and all consciousness is Mind, and each and every individual reflects this Mind completely.
There is nothing outside of this house. There is nothing outside of good. Harmony reigns. Love is without opposite and is infinity itself. There is no place that God isn’t, and thus is God the ultimate, supreme power. There can be nothing unlike the infinite. All is infinite Mind and its infinite idea, and all that we can see, that anyone can see, is the infinite idea of Love.
(Quietly prayed and opened to Matthew 5:23-25 at this point)
It is the natural expression of God, in human affairs, to agree with our adversaries quickly. Love is expressed in wisdom. Just as demonstration of God-with-us brings harmony to the body and normal action, the demonstration of God, Principle, Love-with-us brings normal relations to nations, frees individual men and women to express the harmony of being, and demonstrates good through normal, friendly, intelligent relations.
Mind rules the government and each office in it. Mind is not a destroyer of harmony, but brings the reign of harmony to the earth, to the compound idea of God. Love is the only consciousness of Man, and it is pure, undefiled by shadows and suggestions. The office of the President of the United States is principled, harmonious, free from the attempts of malpractice and aggressive mental suggestion to sway it. The President is under the rule of Love, Mind.
Love is All-in-all and is the supreme ruler in all nations of the earth. That which isn’t right is turned and overturned again. All that can truly be known is built on sure foundation of Spirit. There is no consciousness in error. We cannot be at odds with our brethren. All that is, is Mind and its idea, and therefore the “brotherhood of man…consist[s] of Love and Truth…”
“With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.” (SH 469:30-5)
There can be no division when God is All-in-all. We love our neighbors and they love us. Our governments are under the control of Mind. There is no war, for there God is one, and pure, and there is nothing unlike God that exists. Mankind is growing out of a finite sense of the infinite. All the nations rejoice. Every man is safe in God. There can be no fear, and without fear, there are no divisions in earth. Man is the image and likeness of God and this is seen daily, everywhere. There is nothing unlike good on earth or in heaven.
Thank you Mother-Father for being the infinite all-power, the only Truth, for making man harmonious and for covering the earth with the law of Spirit, the rule of harmony, the Truth of being.