Of Good Report

On a recent college study abroad trip, we visited Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories. As part of our study, we were asked to consider the question: What makes the land holy? One of the destinations we visited was Mount Nebo, where Moses had gone after spending forty years leading the Israelites through the desert.

“We are undisturbed. ” These were the words of assurance I spoke to my neighbors.

“Mrs. Dunton is prejudiced” was written on the tiny scrap of paper scrunched in the bottom of the mailbox I kept on my desk as a third-grade teacher.

Many years ago I was looking for a new home in a European capital. Within a week I found the perfect house, and the friend who would be sharing it with me was as happy with it as I was.

Over the years, I have sincerely prayed to resolve family and other relationship issues. Actually, the desire to have harmonious relationships was the main reason I chose Christian Science as a way of life.

I love the healing atmosphere of services and meetings in branch Churches of Christ, Scientist. It gives me some time to spend quietly with God during the week, away from the bustle and distractions of everyday life.

Recently I was asked to serve as an interpreter for a roundtable discussion that was to be held in French. I was to interpret into English in real time, because all the partners responsible for the meeting were English speakers and wanted to follow along.

Our branch Church of Christ, Scientist, regularly prays for our community. We were interested to hear of a special conference for clergy and people of faith who were in recovery themselves and were keenly dedicated to helping address drug addiction and the opioid crisis.

Last Christmas my family gave me a gift membership at a local gym. Every time I went there, I couldn’t help noticing a man who was working out with what seemed an exaggerated effort, almost with an expression of rage.

In my country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the completion of high school involves taking a national exam that tests students on all the concepts they’ve learned. The exam can seem intimidating, and at my school it was made even more so by seniors who had already graduated and were in the habit of scaring us by saying that success on the exam was based on luck, rather than on how we studied and answered the questions.