Articles

What about sin? In the vast majority of Bible passages where the word sin appears, is an indication of spiritual or moral failure, either toward God or one's fellowman. It should be noted, however, that a common root of the verb "to sin," in both the Old and New Testaments, is "to miss, fail, or miss the mark.

Have you ever been disappointed? "Yes," most of us would say. But, if truth be told, did dwelling on feelings of disappointment ever really help? Giving in to disappointment often leads to brooding.

Comforting assurance of the ever-present Christ and its healing purpose is clearly evident in these words from the Christian Science Hymnal: "The Christ is here, all dreams of error breaking,/Unloosing bonds of all captivity. " Hymnal, No.

Is there a more joyous feeling than that of reconciliation with a loved friend or relative from whom we have felt separated? Yet this only hints at the joy we feel as a sense of separation from our Father-Mother God is removed. A conviction of our oneness, our at-one-ment, with God, the All-in-all, brings with it the assurance of our harmony in relation to His entire creation—within ourselves, to our fellowman, and to that which we call "the environment.

" What's in a name?" Romeo and Juliet, Act II, scene 2 . Shakespeare asked.

Many are searching for release from pain, hoping for peace to follow healing. The despairing plea "If this pain would only go away, I could be at peace" is not uncommon.

These are stirring and occasionally bewildering times, and many are seeking something solid to build their lives on. For some people this search has taken them into a study of philosophies.

Photocopying of Publishing Society publications Occasionally, Reading Room attendants are asked whether articles can be photocopied from The Christian Science Monitor or the religious periodicals. Branch church executive boards may want to determine whether a church's photocopy machine or the bound volumes can be used for this purpose.

" Happily ever after happens only one moment at a time" Is it possible to live "happily ever after"? There is much in contemporary fiction, music, and movies which perpetuates this myth—and perhaps thereby contributes to the prevalence of disappointment in marriage and dissatisfaction in singlehood. If we accept the premise that another person—a husband or wife— can truly make us happy, we may feel disappointed in the relationship when we experience unhappiness.

Moses' and his people's march out of Egypt to the edge of the Red Sea symbolized what every single one of us must face. The question, Will the power of God care for our human needs? For Moses, the answer must have been yes.