Present-day examples of “whatsoever things are of good report” (Philippians 4:8)
Of Good Report
Several years ago , one cold winter day in Utah, I was to read for the Wednesday night testimony meeting at my local branch Church of Christ, Scientist. And while I had prayed for myself and church, the readings were extremely hard to put together.
In September 2014 , the Christian Science Society in St. Petersburg, Russia, had the opportunity to participate in the Moscow International Book Fair, an annual multi-day exhibition, where organizations from many countries set up booths and share literature.
Though I was raised in a home where my parents knew of Christian Science, it was not practiced, and I grew resentful of it. Despite the marvelous things I knew about it, I blamed my parents and Christian Science for my unhappy life.
Sitting in my high school English class several years ago, I could have sworn that the hands on the clock on the wall never moved. I was watching it, I confess, hoping the bell would ring, signaling the end of class.
When I was a child and out with my mom doing errands, holding her hand was natural. If we were confronted with situations that involved potential danger, she would remind me to take her hand.
Mary Baker Eddy wrote a wonderful article called “Love Your Enemies” (see Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, pp. 8–13 ).
A very valuable truth we learn in Christian Science is that God is divine, infinite, eternal Life and Love. God is ever-present Truth, and this can be affirmed with certainty in the midst of any fearful situation.
Dear friend who wants to know … On a topic such as this, it’s fair to expect full disclosure. So, I’m obligated to say that I was raised in Christian Science and I’ve spent most of my life regularly attending Sunday School (and irregularly attending church after that).
I loved Sunday School. The inspiration and dedication of one teacher in particular was responsible for a life-changing glimpse into who I really am.
The following is a paraphrase of a short conversation the author had with a man on the train. HE: May I sit here? ME: Of course.