Authentic Health New Mexico

New Mexico Christian Science Committee on Publication

Stability when the winds of change blow

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Stability when the winds of change blow
@Glowimages

In his latest blog Tim Mitchinson reminds us that “no matter what new challenges you may face, there is an unwavering, unconditional, divine Love enfolding you and those you love, right now.”  These ideas could not be more relevant than today. “Stability when the winds of change blow” was first published on September 5, 2017 in the Peoria Journal-Star.

As summer turns to fall in Illinois, the wonderful warm days of Indian summer arrive. This is a time of change, not only in the weather, as days become shorter and nights chillier, but often a time of personal changes as loved ones move off to attend college, start new jobs, make new friends, often leaving parents and others behind.

Bob Dylan once wrote, “May you have a strong foundation when the winds of change shift…”  Like many others, I have found the Bible to be that strong foundation when facing times of challenge or change.  Why? Because the Bible, spiritually interpreted, helps us understand that the power of God is mightier than any fearful situation we may be facing.  It’s a textbook on life.  Through counsel and example, it shows us how to face any situation, trusting that God’s love and protective power are sufficient to help us no matter the changes we face.

Throughout the Bible there are stories of people who, when they were up against something really challenging, felt the presence and power of God and His great love.  For instance, the life of Joseph, son of Hebrew patriarch Jacob, was full of twists and turns.  He was sold by his brothers into slavery, falsely accused when he took a moral stand, imprisoned and forgotten by those he had trusted.  But Joseph knew God’s great love surrounded him no matter where he was, no matter what was going on. He patiently lived his life under God’s guidance.  When he was finally released from prison, he saved a nation from famine.

King David may have been thinking of Joseph when he penned these words about God’s ever-presence and unchanging love during uncertain times: “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there” (Ps. 139: 7, 8).  This Psalm teaches that God’s direction and affection never leave us, no matter where we are, who we are with (or not with), or how severe the challenges we seem to be up against.

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Is there a cure for racism?

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In his recent timely blog “Is there a cure for racism?” Eric Nelson challenges us to seek that deep sense of divine Love that enables us to see beyond surface differences of skin color or culture to each one’s true identify as the loved child of God.  Eric’s blog was first published on Communities Digital News on August 28, 2017

“I’ve heard some people that I know and like saying quite offensive things,” said Carol Lindsay, a white, 80-year-old Londoner speaking with NPR about the uptick in racially motivated hostility she witnessed following last year’s Brexit vote. “You know, just nastiness. I think it’s like a contagion.”

Given the universal aversion to disease, Lindsay’s analogy is unsettling. Chances are, though, that on average we do far more to protect ourselves from the common cold than the temptation to see people of another race as a threat to our personal well-being.

“Floating with the popular current of mortal thought without questioning the reliability of its conclusions, we do what others do, believe what others believe, and say what others say,” cautioned Mary Baker Eddy in her Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, addressing what she understood to be the root of all sickness, both moral and physical. “Common consent is contagious, and it makes disease catching.”

The question then becomes, how do we prevent the spread of racism? How do we alleviate the sense of mistrust born of an all-too-common failure to realize or to admit that we all share the same divine Creator? How do we treat this disease, if you will, that appears to have infected nearly every corner of the globe?

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One Simple Rule for Choosing Love in a World Full of Hate

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Chosing love in a world full of hateMalissa Lakin-Watson in her blog “One Simple Rule for Choosing Love in a World Full of Hate,” admits its not always is and can take concerted effort.  But imagine what the world look like if we each made this commitment moment by moment.  Malissa’s blog was first published in Elephant Journal on Aug 10, 2017

Looking at the news these days, it would seem that people have lost all sense of civility and how to treat one another.

 Discord in families, communities, and the global political landscape in general would suggest that division, hatred of “the other,” terrorism, and fear rule the day. Doing unto others as they do unto us is the “new normal.”

But civility and “loving our neighbor” is much more prevalent than it appears. When we look at day-to-day life, we do often experience small acts of kindness.

For instance: how many times has a perfect stranger opened a door for you or let you in when you were trying to merge onto the freeway? How many times have you done that for somebody? It’s interesting to note how, in the moment, we never stop to think about what political or religious affiliation someone adheres to before we decide to help. In most cases, we practice “The Golden Rule,” without even thinking about it.

The Book of Malachi in the Bible asks this question: ”Have we all not one Father, hath not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?“ The second question here is one many may be asking themselves these days. Could it be that some of our divisive thoughts and feelings stem from identifying more rigidly with personalities, political figures, or religious differences than we do with trying to understand that we are all infinitely connected. We’re all at one with the divine source who St. Paul says, “we live and move and have our being?”

This divine source, another term for “God,” means many different things to different people. Some don’t believe God exists. But let’s consider who or what exactly this “one God” is that Malachi and St. Paul are referring to.

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The (spiritual) limits to technology

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The (spiritual limits of technology
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Technology has produced rapid growth in  artificial intelligence in ways that are now part of our everyday life.  Some fear it will not only replace human jobs, but is one of the biggest threats to humanity itself.  In his blog “The (spiritual) limits to technology” Eric Nelson makes it clear that despite its advances, technology will never replace spiritual sense which opens our thought to deep communion with God.  Eric’s blog was first published in Communities Digital News on July 24, 2017

Technology has its limits, not the least of which is its ability to provide any real connection with the ineffable, the transcendent, or the divine.

This is essentially the point I tried to make during a recent dinner conversation. Someone had suggested that human know-how – and, by association, human progress – was on the verge of being superseded by artificial intelligence, and I begged to differ.

It’s not that I have anything against technology. Far from it. It’s just that I have yet to see it come even remotely close to providing the sort of life-transforming wisdom that, at least for me, has only ever come through conscious communion with God.

or example, some years ago when I was working as a video producer, one of my editors called to say that a project he’d been working on for the better part of a week had been completely lost. Apparently the hard drive he was using had gone on the fritz.

The solution seemed pretty straightforward: Deliver the hard drive to any number of tech geeks in town, wait a few days, pay an excessive amount of money, and voila! Problem solved.

Having neither the time nor the money to spare, I decided to pray. I wasn’t asking God, divine Mind, to literally fix the hard drive. Rather, because I’ve come to trust His presence in my life, I was listening for whatever ideas He had to take care of the situation.

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A way out of crime

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A way out of crime
@Glowimages: Bird in a Cage

Tim Mitchinson writes of a prison inmate finding his way out of crime to a productive life by understanding his true spiritual identity.  As Tim says, “This inner voice [of Christ] speaks to everyone, telling us of our worth and essential goodness as a child of God.” Tim’s blog was first published in Illinois’ Daily Herald on June 29, 2017.

Good news for New York can be good news for Illinois. New York City has achieved one of the lowest crime rates the metropolis has ever seen. Last year, gang-related killings were down by almost a third from the year before. Police Commissioner James O’Neill credits a new approach for offenders: “Either be arrested or seek help for their problems, such as job training, counseling, or mentoring.” This is evidence that we can help individuals leave behind illegal and degrading ways and find a progressive and moral life.

The recent book, Place Matters: Criminology for the Twenty-First Century by David Weisburd and others, explains a shift in attention “from people to events, from those who commit crimes to the crimes themselves.” It appears that more and more law enforcement officials are discovering the effectiveness of separating the crime from the criminal. In other words, if we can learn to treat the offender and help him find a better sense of himself, we can bring healing into many lives, and decrease crime itself.

This differentiation between the individual and the sin is not a new way of thinking. As a matter of fact, it was practiced successfully over 2000 years ago by Christ Jesus who brought reformation and healing into the lives of those he met. It seems to me the reason he was called the “friend of publicans and sinners” is that where most of us would see someone as dirty, criminal or unworthy, Jesus saw a child of God and this divine understanding and love brought changes in the individual’s character and lifestyle.

The same is true today. Louis Fuentes can attest to that. Incarcerated in upstate New York for crimes committed under the influence of drugs, he desperately wanted to heal the dishonesty and addictions that had run rampant in his life.

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Wonder Woman Film Busts Stereotypes and Got Me Thinking Spiritually

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Wonder Woman Film Busts Stereotypes and Got Me Thinking Spiritually
@Glowimages Model used for illustrative purpose only

Whether or not you’ve seen the new hit movie “Wonder Woman” you will appreciate the spiritual ideas that came Ingrid Peschke as she was viewing it.  She poses the idea that we, also, can become a “Wonder Woman” or a “Wonder Man” when we identify with  spiritual qualities, rather than gender labels. “Wonder Woman Film Busts Stereotypes and Got Me Thinking Spiritually,” was first published on June 30th 2017 in the Huffington Post.

When I was seven, my mom dressed up as Wonder Woman for a costume party. A photo of her taken that night was taped to our family’s refrigerator for years. There she stood striking her best superhero pose in knee-high boots, hands placed confidently on star-studded shorts with a gold band on her forehead and cuffs around her wrists.

This image served as a symbolic reminder to me that, costume or not, I could face adversity and limitation with dominion and strength, confidence and grace, just as Mom did in her life.

I also grew up watching the iconic Linda Carter television version of the comic book character, so naturally I had a seat for the opening night of the recent blockbuster film, Wonder Woman. Finally an action movie that successfully proved to audiences that a female superhero is perfectly able to conquer evil without relying on sheer muscle and violence.

The film explores Wonder Woman’s origins as Diana, princess of the Amazons, who is both an adept warrior, trained solely by her all-female tribe, as well as a compassionate, witty and intelligent woman who can converse in countless languages. The film’s director, Patty Jenkins, highlights the importance of love and kindness and brings context and warmth to the Wonder Woman character, convincingly portrayed by Israeli actress Gal Gadot.

I came away pondering, as I often do, spiritual truths, including the qualities women bring to the table in facing adversity in our world today. Women who occupy prominent positions in government, business, artistic, and religious life, and those who make great sacrifices to raise their families have unique opportunities to bring peace and solutions to otherwise intractable situations.

The film brought to mind the phrase “…woman goes forth to battle with Goliath.” It comes from a book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, that has helped me surmount my own battles over the years. The author, Mary Baker Eddy, faced down real adversity in her own life, including illness, poverty, near death, widowhood and estrangement from her only son, to eventually become the founder of a worldwide Christian religion. Even then, the obstacles kept coming at a time when women hardly had a voice, let alone a place in the pulpit.

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A letter to my goddaughter on the occasion of her First Communion

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First Communion
@Glowimages

My colleague Eric Nelson has written a beautiful letter to his goddaughter on the occasion of her First Communion. Reflecting on the spiritual meaning of communion,  Eric describes it as daily being fed, inspired and cared for by God. His blog was  first published in Communities Digital News on June 19, 2017 .

Dear Isabella,

What a joy it was to watch you taking part in your first Holy Communion. Everything about the event – the music, the prayers, the cheerful priest, you in your pretty white dress – all of it made for a truly memorable day.

I remember seeing you the night you were born, attending most of your eight birthday parties and showing up for a handful of your soccer games and school productions. But for some reason, seeing you walk down the aisle of St. Robert’s Church stands out as the most special moment of them all. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this was the first time since your christening that you and I had taken part as fellow Christians in such a sacred ceremony.

Although I’d never attended an event like that before, communion is something I celebrate every day, just not in the same way. Like you, perhaps, I see communion as a kind of promise I make to do my best to be just as good, just as generous, just as loving as Jesus – only without the bread and wine.

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Building on our expectations

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Building our Expectation
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Nineteenth century spiritual thought leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us that “When the destination is desirable, expectation speeds our progress.”  Steven Salt expounds on this idea as it applies to our health in “Building our Expectations.”  Steven’s blog was first published on Cleveland.com  on June 14, 2017.  Here’s Steven ~ 

The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.” Mark Twain made that observation years ago when jokingly offering his philosophy on what it takes to stay healthy.  Obviously, his expectations for lasting health were not too Today we are treated to a similar message through various sources that a disease-free life is practically impossible to maintain without the intervention of diets, drugs, exercise routines, therapies, and more.  With the constant barrage in media to “do this to stay healthy,”  we are accepting a subtle, but relentless sub-message that illness is inevitable.

What are your health prospects?  It is an important question.  If living by a “Murphy’s Law” mentality you are essentially portending anything that can go wrong will happen to you at some point in time adding to a life full of doubt and anxiety.

On the other hand, giving your consent to living a life grounded by spiritual, guiding principles that supersede health uncertainties empowers you to be the expression of wellness.  There is Biblical authority behind having this kind of outlook.  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

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Christian Scientists see a “new spirit” emerging in society

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First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston MA

Please enjoy this news release from The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, MA.

June 5, 2017 Boston, MA — In today’s culture of political divisions and religious strife, Christian Scientists spoke at their church’s annual meeting of “a new spirit” emerging, which is calling forth the best in people across denominational and national lines.

In an interview, the chair of the denomination’s board of directors, Allison Phinney, pointed to the simplest of signs seen at a nearby Methodist church in Boston’s South End: “God is Love.” “You are Loved.” “Justice.” Said Phinney: “Materialism doesn’t satisfy. It is Spirit, God, that brings us into newness of life, shifting thought, revealing the power of church.”

“Newness of life”—a Biblical expression—was integral to this year’s meeting. The theme, “Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life,” came from the denomination’s textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by church founder Mary Baker Eddy. The meeting took stock of the challenges as well as the promise facing many Christian denominations in this period.

These very challenges have prompted many to look to their core values as people of faith, the board emphasized. In these core values is the power that renews individual lives and revitalizes churches and society as a whole.

There’s an awakening, Phinney said, to the fact that “we have to work together, that it requires the practical Christianity, which Christian Scientists would term healing, so evident in the life and love of Christ Jesus.” It is bringing out “a new spirit of joy and healing at work in our own movement right as communities around the world are searching for deeper answers to human needs.”

The recent launch of a daily digital edition of the 109-year-old Christian Science Monitor is one result of this deeper look at core values. According to church officials, it represents a modest new beginning, focusing less on the number of Internet hits and more on the Monitor’s basic ideal of healing and impartial journalism. “We’re seeing ever stronger demands for just treatment of all the members of human society,” Phinney noted, “and we know it is Spirit, God, the divine influence and energy, that is touching the heart of humanity.”

The new church president introduced at the meeting, Irmela Wigger of Hamburg, Germany, is a Christian Science practitioner and teacher active in the ministry of spiritual healing. Following a tragic incident of violence in her family some years ago, her church family brought her through. “Church is about serving God,” she said, “and from this serving we get a pouring out of Love—God’s love—you can’t imagine.”

According to the church’s clerk, Suzanne Riedel, new members joined the church from 29  countries, including Australia, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Mauritania, Mexico, Portugal, Togo, Uruguay and Zimbabwe, as well as the United Kingdom and United States.  The meeting included reports of healing as well as church progress.

Founded 138 years ago, the Church of Christ, Scientist, is a Christian denomination based on the Bible. The use of the term “Science” refers to what Mary Baker Eddy saw as the spiritual laws of God as understood and demonstrated by Jesus. Members come from all walks of life and backgrounds, including the physical sciences. Said board member Rich Evans, “We don’t equate serious spiritual commitment with ignorance or unreasonable belief.”  The conclusions of the Christian Science founder “were untraditional in some respects, but she thought deeply about the relation between practical Christianity and demonstrated proof of God’s great love for humanity.”

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Praying for our troops

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Praying for our troopsMy colleague, Tim Mitchinson, has another great blog.  This one, “Praying for our troops,” is perfect for Memorial Day ~ and every day.   Tim reminds us that “acknowledgement of the omnipotence of God can help all of us in the ‘battles’ we face every day.” This blog was first published in the Evanston Patch on May 22, 2017.

Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to remember those who have served this country in the armed forces and those who are currently serving. While many of us fly our flags and have tears in our eyes when soldiers come home to their families, have we considered the importance of praying for the safety of our troops each day?

Perhaps we don’t pray for our troops because we don’t think it will have much effect, but the Bible promises, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,” (James 5: 16), and there is ample proof that this is true. There are so many accounts one can read of individuals who, in a time of great need, found God’s help right at hand.

For example, C.B. Morlock, a war correspondent during World War II, chronicled this amazing incident: “Sixty German aircraft strafed more than four hundred men who were pinned down on the sandy Dunkirk beaches without the benefit of any place to take cover. Although the men were repeatedly attacked by machine guns and bombed by enemy aircraft, not one single man was hit. Every man in that group left the beach without a scratch.”

What brought about such amazing protection? Morlock said he’d been personally told by Navy men who picked up those particular survivors from Dunkirk, that the men had shouted Psalm 91 at the top of their lungs!

But is prayer relevant today? During Operation Iraqi Freedom, United States Navy Chaplain Lieutenant Carey H. Cash said he “saw firsthand what happens when belief in Almighty God floods the hearts and souls of men and women rushing into battle.” He continued, “This supreme confidence in God is not foxhole religion or superficial faith. It is a life-changing decision to place oneself in the loving hands of Him who is greater than the battlefield.” And he concluded that such faith is vividly demonstrated in the words of Psalm 91.

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