Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Day 330: Intelligent Consciousness

667:19-669:23

This testimony is wonderful. It does a couple of things. First it says the healing took place without understanding, more of a belief. Then sometime later, after her life changed for the better, she wanted to understand it. So she read again.

What I like about this is that she didn’t say belief was enough, she didn’t give up, and she didn’t expect to return to the old ways. Sometimes walking the road doesn’t seem like enough but as long was we don’t stop and we don’t turn back, we will discover where we were headed all along.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Day 329: Daily Study

666:1-667:18

One of the testimonies mentions daily study as part of Christian Science. I feel confident that this one point among just a very few others is a sticking point for some. I know it is for me. The lesson takes about 20 minutes to read. That’s all. How is it always hard to find 20 minutes to sit down and do that?

In the beginning of someone’s learning and practice the 20 minutes are a joy but like all repetition, at some point we slack. I think I don’t need it. I can skip one day. In truth, the idea isn’t that you need to have some daily religious repetition but that we need to constantly remember that God is our parent and we are the perfect reflection -- that there is only one God. Daily existence has a way of throwing up distractions to the point that a daily dose of spiritual uplift is necessary. The very moment we begin to think we can’t love or are unloved, we need to turn back to the books and look again. 

I grateful for all the outlets we have to study the lesson at our leisure and in a format that is easiest for ourselves.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Day 328: Curing Better than Enduring

664:1-665:30

I’m so grateful for Christian Science and these testimonies. When I was younger, I didn’t enjoy the testimony section of the Sentinel. Now, it is the first place I start.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Day 327: The More Things Change

661:20-663:32

Two things I will keep in mind today:

a few minutes every day for about a week (total reading time before healing)

I am quite free from all those material laws

Friday, November 26, 2010

Day 326: Until the End

659:28-661:19

The testimony includes a description of the person’s state of mind:

I had a lot of worry, one disappointment after another, and I often thought that life was not worth living.

And then ends with:

My one aim now is to live Christian Science, not in words only, but in deeds, loving God more and my neighbor as myself, and following meekly and obediently all our Leader’s teachings. Words cannot express my gratitude to Mrs. Eddy for Christian Science.

Many times in our modern western society, people assume that medicating depression is the only solution. One person explained it to me as fixing the internal plumbing. I am so glad that a testimony directly addressed it.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Day 325: Eye sight

657:12-659:27

Many testimonies in Fruitage recount how eye sight or eye difficulties were healed. I have my own troubles with my eyes and this is one of the areas I have be working on all year. My prayer was in the nature of to see every perfect as God see’s them and to love them. But I was taken with the first testimony’s wording as a line toward healing:

I can truthfully say that “whereas I was blind, now I see” – through an understanding of Truth I have found my sight perfect as God gave it.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Day 324: Quoting from the Testimony

655:27-657:11

Christian Science has proved to be an ever-present help, not only in overcoming physical ailments but in business and daily life. The Bible, which I regarded with suspicion, has become my guide, and Christianity has become a sweet reality, because the Christian Science textbook has indeed been a “Key to the Scriptures” and has breathed through the Gospel pages a sweet sense of harmony.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Day 323: Gratitude

652:24-655:26

I’m so very grateful that Mrs. Eddy put this book out for everyone.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Day 322: Telling a Story

650:28-652:23

The testimony today is a story about someone suffering, finding the book, then being healed. Whenever I give a testimony, you can be sure it isn’t as eloquent or well-crafted. Standing up at church, everyone turning to look while I speak, is scary. These testimonies are amazing for the literary quality as well as the detail, spiritual resolution, and healing. Without the craft of the story, the importance of it would diminish. I wonder if people were just better storytellers back then. Anyway, I’ve very grateful for the quality and the meaning of the testimonies.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Day 321: Sending for the Book

648:13-650:27

After reading so many testimonies, probably written in the last 1800s or early 1900s, I’m taken with how difficult it was to obtain this book to read. Most people had to send away for it or borrow it from someone with the strict rule that it be returned when done. This must have made Christian Science appear mysterious.

Now days, you can find out information on just about anything and source material is right there along with third party objective information and opinion pieces.

I’ve updated the About page to contain good links to the book in several places and formats. Some are free.  I’m grateful to Mrs. Eddy for writing the book and The Mother Church for making sure it is widely available to all.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Day 320: My Thoughts Exactly

646:15-648:12

As I read these two testimonies, it hit me that the testifiers were writing things that I felt as well. Here are a few:

I am convinced that we cannot do much credit to the cause we profess to love until we place ourselves in a position to prove God as He really is to us individually, and our relation to Him, by scientific work.

I’ve always thought it would be easier to grow spiritually if I went off by myself without the outside world. However, that isn’t really the point and the spirituality gained in private would be easily lost in a challenging public. So I don’t run off but place myself in daily life to work. I’m not saying I work well but I’m not running away from the path in front of me.

And:

After I had once looked into it I wanted to read all the time. I was so absorbed in the study of the “little book” that I hardly realized when the healing came.

I do seem to sit down with the book to catch a few minutes here and there, especially as my day gets harder. Its the first place I turn my thought to. I used to just do more – busy work but that doesn’t satisfy me.

Finally:

I would never part with the book if I could not get another.

I have this book in a paperback, audio CD, mp3, and digital text files. I bought I new phone so that I could keep the digital files (or the Project Gutenberg web page).

Day 319: Spirituality In Business

643:28-646:14

This is the first testimony about how reading the book and gaining a more spiritual attitude helped the person in business:

I became more friendly, more honest, more loving to my fellow man, and I also acquired better judgment and was able to do the right thing at the right time.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Day 318: The Pathway

641:15-643:27

My faith in good is increased and I know I am losing my belief in evil as a power equal to good. The pathway is not wearisome, because each victory over self gives stronger faith and a more earnest desire to press on.

Day 317: Action, not reaction

639:18-641:14

My life seems to be, at any moment, about to change drastically. I’m on the edge of it and the not-knowing what will happen is griping me. I recognize it as fear and I’m angry with myself for being afraid. I’ve been praying about it because it’s a silly thing to be afraid of change. I know God is taking care of me and my family regardless of what change comes. I’m grateful for one of the testimonies pointing out the action to take and not the reaction to plan for:

We are humbly trying to live the lives that will prove our gratitude to God, and our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Day 316: Relationship Advice

637:14-639:17

A gentleman told of an unhappy woman who was about to separate from her husband. This gentleman had asked her if she did not love her husband. She replied, “No; when I married him I did, but not now.” He told her God made man in His image and likeness, and that He is perfect. He said to her, “Go home and see only God’s perfect man; you don’t need to love a sinful mortal such as you have been looking upon.”

Day 315: Truth Book

635:18-637:13

Most of the testimonies give as fact the only reason the person read the book is because the medical community said a case was incurable. The person had nothing to lose by reading the book. Once they started reading, some a few pages in, some a chapter or two in, felt that the truth in this book resonated with them. It felt natural and right and they agreed with it because it was what they had felt the truth was before they picked the book up and read it.

I don’t know if other people in other religions feel that way, that the theology so closely matches what they already believed. I supposed it would make sense if they did.

However, in an effort to get even closer to the Truth, I’ve looked at other religions and spiritual practices for myself. I keep coming back to Christian Science because it does reflect what I internally feel the Truth is.

I enjoyed this testimony so much because that is what the called the book: Truth Book.

Day 314: Universal Testimonies

633:16-635:17

What I love about these testimonies, apart from the historical details, is the degree of difficulty and the swing toward healing are the same then as they are now. The negative attitudes are even the same:

As the son of a physician, a graduate in pharmacy, and an ex-druggist, I had a perfect contempt for what I thought Christian Science to be.

Of course, once the person is healed, the attitude changes:

It was then I realized that “man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” The “little book” was handed me at this hour of great need. I read it, not thinking it would heal me, but, like a drowning man, I grasped at it. I read it, read it again, and soon found myself growing stronger; then I kept on reading and was perfectly healed of all the supposedly incurable diseases.

Or this one:

I was completely healed, and regained health, strength, and flesh through the spiritual understanding of Christian Science, the result of about six weeks’ study.

Then, added:

While most grateful for the physical healing, my gratitude for the mental and spiritual regeneration is beyond expression.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Day 313: In No Time at All

630:28-633:15

These two testimonies have something in common. Both testifiers read but a few pages of the book and experienced immediate healings. Both recognized the contents of the book as what they were looking for and that it explained Spiritual Truth.

My focus for today: time, or no time.

A side note: I appreciate the way Fruitage (and the book as a whole) is broken into bits so that I can find a bit of extra or combined meaning. I imagine that wasn’t an easy task but the people involved probably gained great insight into the book.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Day 312: A Healing Story

628:27-630:27

This has to be the best testimony yet. It is so passionately and clearly stated.

Two of the thoughts in this testimony has that rang true were:

The healing was brought about by the earnest, conscientious seeking for the truth, as contained in the Bible and interpreted by our Leaded in our textbook, Science and Health.

And:

I have also learned that in living and loving is healing realized, and in reflecting divine Love I have the “signs following.”

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Day 311: In their own Words

626:8-628:26

These three testimonies have such a unique voice and a definite understanding of what they had to overcome to be healed that I had to take note.

In the first testimony:

I was very much prejudiced against the Bible, and my first demonstration over self was to consent to read the four Gospels.

What I love about this is the universal statement if I just blank out some words:

I was very much prejudiced against _______, and my first demonstration over self was to consent to _______.

I understand how self is a barrier.

In the second testimony, the person realized “God was no respecter of persons,” meaning everyone would be treated the same. Then the acceptance of her place:

God has as much for me, if I will accept it.

This statement has two different meanings to me. Either you have to love and forgive yourself enough to accept the healing because you are God’s loved or you have to love God enough to realize he will heal you.

The final testimony concisely noted the healing:

It was a clear case of transformation of the body by the renewal of the mind. I am perfectly well…

Wonderful.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Day 310: The Student

624:17-626:7

This testimony is wonderful. First of, it is a student or youth and its told in his or her own voice. The initial impression of the book is just how I feel when I read it:

It seemed to me from the first that it was something I had always believed, but did not know how to express – it seemed such a natural thing.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Day 309: Gratitude

622:20-624:16

The first testimony mentions how, after being healed in Christian Science, a relative expressed loving gratitude reflected in every word and deed. That was in my thought as I read the second testimony from a husband of the afflicted woman. The gratitude expresses in these testimonies is sincere and comes through easily. I want to make sure I express gratitude for what I have received.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Day 308: Inspiration

620:18-622:19

What inspiring testimonies. One says:

Many times I have been enabled to turn to God, to know it was His will to help in trouble, and obtained the needed benefit.

And ends with:

Thus in my experience in Christian Science, I have seen the transformation begun, and Truth is able to perfect that which is begun in me so gloriously.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Day 307: Reading for Help

618:18-620:17

The second testimony in this section discusses fear and the testifier’s new understanding of fear in terms of Christian Science:

I think I never realized what fear meant until I began to try to put into practice my understanding of Christian Science for our children. I have proved, however, many times, that fear can neither help nor hinder in our demonstration of truth.

She goes on to relate the actual steps she took of going into another room, opening the book and reading aloud to benefit both her child and herself, then singing a hymn.

There are so many times that coming back to the book or some thought from it just sets the course right, quickly.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Day 306: Never Give Up

616:28-618:17

One thing I noticed about the testimonies is that how many of them are from people who have suffered long and basically given up on being healed. Some have given up on living altogether. But the first testimony, about back pain, started a sentence this way:

One day, however, while out walking…

The thing about these testimonies is that they say they have given up but they hadn’t. After all the doctors, and all the medicine, and all the pain, each person picked up the book and read it.

Each of us in our daily lives need to not give up either – on the big things or the little things. Nothing is too big or small for God.

The testimony had one other thought that I need to lean on each day. The idea is:

…rejoice exceedingly in Christian Science…

Wow. I want and need to do that. Rejoice.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Day 305: Pearls

614:20-616:27

The two testimonies in today’s reading have a couple of pearls in them. In the first testimony, it is stated that the person healed:

applied its [Christian Science] teachings as best I could.

That’s a comfort to know we each grow at our own pace and that is enough.

The second testifier stated the revelation that helped:

God as revealed by Christ Jesus can do everything, that He made everything that was made, that He can and does heal the afflicted.

Words to remember.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Day 304: Healed while helping another

612:3-614:19

The testimony in this reading is about a mother looking for a cure for her son. She began reading the book and soon her son was healed. But not just her son. She was healed as well of issues she hadn’t been praying about.

She wanted to have a better spiritual understanding of her son. But that spiritual understanding applied to her as well. She must have understood this, even if she wasn’t consciously aware of it .

Day 303: Alone with God

609:14-612:2

The two testimonies today speak about serious health issues healed just from reading the book. One of the testimonies says:

I have had many good demonstrations during this time, have passed through many a "fiery trial," but this blessed truth has caused me to stand, at times seemingly alone, and God was with me.

“Seemingly alone, and God was with me” stood out. Right now I have a business relationship that is confusing and upsetting. I find it hard to not be angry. I can’t get past that part and feel very much alone.

Going to bed last night and waking up this morning, all I could think about was how to turn my thought around and step past personality. I’ve been thinking if I end the journal before the end of the year by a week or two, what would I work on? Probably the trial. Go back and read it again. I want to realize God is with me, directing me in this challenging relationship.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Day 302: Impersonal Healing

607:6-609:13

This reading has something special to offer. At the end of the second testimony, the person writes:

so it is absolutely certain that the healing was entirely impersonal, as was also the teaching, which enabled me to begin at once demonstrating the power of Truth to destroy all forms of error.

The person healed was going to read the book but wait to be healed by a Christian Scientist, meaning someone better informed. But after reading the book, that wasn’t necessary. Nor was it necessary to be class-taught.

The thing about this is, there are many times where I plan how things will happen in my life, whether it’s a healing or a family event or employment, then I will do anything and everything to obstinately see that is what happens. Blinded by my own concept. But here is a person who could put that all aside. And just do it.

Mary Baker Eddy was aware of this type of stubbornness. The opposite of obstinate is here. And here is a post from this blog about Human Will. Things I need to work on.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Day 301: Mental Surgery

605:25-607:5

Today’s testimony is from 1902 when an adult was thrown from a bike and broke an arm. The description of the process the adult used is enough to give me the idea anyone can experience this. From 402:1-7, Mary Baker Eddy says Christian Science is the most skilled surgeon:

Christian Science is always the most skilful surgeon, but surgery is the branch of its healing which will be last acknowledged. However, it is but just to say that the author has already in her possession well-authenticated records of the cure, by herself and her students through mental surgery alone, of broken bones, dislocated joints, and spinal vertebrae.

As an aside, as I look things up via the concordance, and would change it or add to it, it would be a fun project to take the text of S&H from Gutenberg and feed it into a modern indexing/full-text search program and make that available. Something where readers could add to it and words could be found based on synonyms or antonyms.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Day 300: Old & New

603:20-605:24

The first testimony reminded me that first my mental understanding must change, then, and only then will the physical picture change:

This awakened sense never left me, and one day when walking alone it came to me very suddenly that I was healed, and I walked the faster declaring every step that I was healed.

The tumor began to disappear at once

The second testimony was worded in such a way that I found a new thought, and I am going to put it to use immediately because I have been dealing with this challenge:

As time went on I learned the nothingness of discouragement, and understood in a measure that God is my Life and that all action is in divine Mind.

Discouragement is so sneaky that it’s hard to remember, when I’m in the thick of it, that it isn’t real. I grateful the testimony mentioned this point specifically.

Day 299: Restored

601:24-603:19

Both testimonies in this section are wonderful.

The first asks:

Am I truly thankful for all the good that has come to me and mine? I try to let my works testify of that;

The second writer gives us a first-hand account of the problem then the healing:

it went entirely out of my thought, for I had a glimpse of all God’s creation as spiritual, and for the time being lost sight of my material selfhood.

It was healed while I was “absent from the body” and “present with the Lord.” This experience was worth a great deal to me, for it showed me how the healing is done.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Day 298: Rheumatism Healed

600-601:23

Fruitage is always such a wonderful read.

In this healing, the testifier is relating a healing of rheumatism. The person mentioned that he or she understood a mental condition needed to be corrected. When I looked up ossification, one of the definitions agreed: “the process of becoming rigidly fixed in a conventional pattern of thought or behavior.”

Vocab:

Monday, November 1, 2010

Day 297: Time of the Year

597:16-599:8

Both time and year are in the Glossary. I especially liked this thought about year:

space for repentance

Day 296: Superstructure of Truth

595:7-597:15

The terms in this reading forced me to consider my own rites and ceremonies. What veil do I wear and what superstructure of Truth do I expect to find while wearing it?

I wonder how Mary Baker Eddy expected people to use this Glossary. Were the newbies supposed to flip to it while reading the book, in order to understand her text? Or was it meant as an explanation of sorts of Christian Science, a cheat-sheet? I ask that because I didn’t know what Thummim and Urim (MBE definitions) are or how they apply to the book or Christian Science. They seem sort of plopped in here without context or explanation. 

  • Thummim (OneLook definition)
  • Urim (OneLook definition)

Day 295: The Serpent is here

593:9-595:6

How fitting that today I’m studying the serpent. A lie has crept into my life and squirmed into my thought. It was subtly proposed by someone else. Now I’m considering it, sort of. Only because I love this someone.

The serpent is:

  • subtlety
  • a lie
  • the opposite of Truth, named error
  • the first myth and idol
  • belief in more than 1 God
  • animal magnetism
  • 1st lie of limitation
  • finity
  • 1st claim of opposite of Spirit, good, termed matter or evil
  • 1st delusion that error exists as fact
  • 1st claim that sin, sickness, death are real
  • 1st audible claim that God is not omnipotent, that there is another power, named evil, which was as real and eternal as God, good