Articles

Many years ago a Christian Science friend asked me if I would be interested in doing a performance of the Gospel According to St. John.

As I was sitting in a Wednesday evening testimony meeting at my local Christian Science church recently, I wondered, “What if church was thought of as a conversation?” The readings and the testimonies shared, along with the silent spaces in between, are not unlike a conversation among loving friends. But being at church that evening felt like a deeper, more meaningful conversation—the kind where we are reminded that the most important dialogue is the one between God and us.

Recently I stopped by a nail salon to get a manicure. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, so I had no reading materials with me.

When I’m challenged by tough situations and am looking for healing, like most Christian Scientists I turn to God. I pray to feel His allness—because I know the spiritual fact of my oneness with this allness dissolves any material misconceptions I’m holding on to.

Watching the nightly news is sobering. TV close-ups of active war zones, reports of random terrorist attacks, threats of nuclear war, and predictions of more violence are heart-wrenching.

Referring to the order in which the divine creation is unfolded in the first chapter of Genesis, Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “The Mind or intelligence of production names the female gender last in the ascending order of creation. The intelligent individual idea, be it male or female, rising from the lesser to the greater, unfolds the infinitude of Love” ( p.

“… the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. ”—Jesus ( John 14:26 ) Oh, the inexpressible comfort! Think of how it must have felt for your life to have been touched by Jesus himself.

Today there are many alternative approaches to healing available to explore, and different practices for achieving inner peace. These practices may claim to be spiritual, but many really don’t go any farther than just the action of the human mind and body.

An honest self-examination leads to a transformation of thought—and to physical healing. 

When ordinary men follow Jesus, something extraordinary happens.