"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

- II Timothy 2:15

Christian Scientists generally consider themselves to be students of the theology, rather than just members of a denomination. They study the Bible, Science and Health, and other denominational publications daily. As a Christian Scientist, I study to understand more about God and my relationship to Him. I also seek to understand the divine message contained in these books so that I can put them into practice. For me, study is the first step. Then, I ask myself, “How can I apply to my life what I am learning?” Sometimes, it takes more study: looking up words in the dictionary and consulting Bible commentaries and dictionaries. Always, it takes the prayer of listening to God to gain more understanding. God approves of each of His ideas. Through consecrated study, it is proven.

Added July 29, 2014.

"Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens, — all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Suns and planets teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful, and the leaflet turns naturally towards the light. In the order of Science, in which the Principle is above what it reflects, all is one grand concord. "

- Science & Health, with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 240:1-11

The editorial in yesterday's online edition of The Christian Science Monitor (http://bit.ly/1nWwUvn) talked about healing separatism by learning from nature. Mrs. Eddy mentions the qualities expressed by nature in several places in her writings. It was interesting to see this as a metaphor for healing political divides. Some of the qualities mentioned in the article are unity, reverence, beauty, quietude, freedom, awe, love, morality, law, foundation, openness, inclusiveness, idyllicness.

Added July 1, 2014.

"Acquaintance with the original texts, and willingness to give up human beliefs (established by hierarchies, and instigated sometimes by the worst passions of men), open the way for Christian Science to be understood, and make the Bible the chart of life, where the buoys and healing currents of Truth are pointed out. "

- Science & Health, with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 24:4

I bought a new book yesterday, an interlinear Hebrew-English Old Testament. It has Hebrew text, with English translation under each word. It's read from right to left. I have so enjoyed and gained from using an interlinear Greek-English New Testament. This new book should help me fulfill Mrs. Eddy's expectation that students of Christian Science really know and understand the Bible.

Added June 21, 2014.

"Resurrection. Spiritualization of thought; a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence; material belief yielding to spiritual understanding."

- Science & Health, with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 593:9

With Easter approaching, it is valid to ask if Jesus' resurrection was a one-time event only for him. He expected us to follow his example. It probably doesn't mean that we'll be literally crucified, but we may have challenges as we work ourselves out of mortality. Mrs. Eddy's definition of "resurrection" shows us that every improved belief, every time we destroy a false belief and replace it with the truth about man's relation to God, we are experiencing, in a small degree, resurrection. Jesus fully proved it. We can get started, step-by-step, in our own resurrection.

Added April 17, 2014.

"Jesus said, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." "

- John 10:28 I, 29

How comforting is it to know that each and every one of us, is safe in the Father's hand and nothing can remove us from His loving care! I've been thinking about this in relation to the passengers on flight MH370, which disappeared a few weeks ago. Even though we may never know what happened to the flight, we can know that each of the people on that flight is safely in God's care. He will never stop caring for them, providing for them, keeping them safe. Each of them will continue to express life, happiness, and productivity. To the extent that we know this, we are supporting their families in obtaining closure.

Added March 24, 2014.