by Keith Wommack
A story from the book of Genesis tells of Jacob’s long night. In part, it says, "Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. … And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. …And he blessed him there." Science and Health explains, "Jacob was alone, wrestling with error, — struggling with a mortal sense of life…."
Jacob’s night reminds me of one of mine. I’d been in the Christian Science healing ministry for five years and was living near a university in a split-level house. My bedroom was on the second story. It had eight floor-to-ceiling windows. It was peaceful—until a fraternity moved into a two-story house nearby.
One night, a party started. A stereo and TV blared on a balcony. The sounds boomed into my bedroom through my closed windows. I prayed, grumbled, tossed, and turned.
Around 4 in the morning, the yelling stopped, but the stereo and TV were still booming. I had had enough. I dressed, walked to the corner, then downhill to the fraternity house, past a car with a young man asleep in the backseat, stepped over two individuals lying in the backyard, and climbed up a trellis to the second-story balcony. I turned off the stereo, unplugged the TV, picked it up, and carried it to my house. I then climbed into bed. Ah, peace and quiet!
by Steve Helmer
Well, join the club. Sadly, a lot of families live in that space. Getting the keys to the car, setting curfew, making college choices—even being the "right" kind of Christian Scientist.
As a new foster parent with teens, I’ve been thinking hard about what is fair and right and helpful—and about keeping the peace at home.
by Brant Arthur
It’s late at night and the laptop battery is running low. It’s the time when the mosquitoes come out and I catch them with my bare hand. They are easy to spot against the white-washed mud walls. I am writing from rural Andhra Pradesh in India. I’m spending about a month doing an internship as part of my Development Practice degree. It’s a small village, both closely knit and divided.
by Evan Mehlenbacher
I like January. It’s the month that most people associate with a fresh start. And fresh starts with a spiritual spin are wonderful.
I like it when January rolls around each year because it’s the month that most nearly signifies a fresh start, a new beginning, or an opportunity to “get it right this time.”
by Matthew Cocks
Sometimes I think people are great. “What a great bloke he is” or “what a great girl” runs through my head. They’ve got wonderful qualities, and I just love seeing them express them so uniquely.
I few months ago I had been feeling this way about a few of my friends. I thought about what great people they were, and how lucky I was to have them in my life.
by Sabrina Stillwell
Music has always touched me. I find God gives me inspiration in all kinds of different ways including rock songs on the radio…music that isn’t usually considered inspirational or religious.
Right now, I’m loving The Fray’s, “How to save a life.” Not only do I love the music, but the line “I would have stayed up with you all night, had I known how to save a life” plays over and over in my head.
Every time I hear this song it makes me think of the Virginia Tech tragedy and other similar tragic situations. There’s been a lot of talk and analysis profiling the perpetrators of these kinds of crimes, and what I’ve noticed is that there’s an underlying loneliness among them-a feeling of alienation and being separated from others. (more…)
by Lois Carlson
In the news recently was the announcement that the American Psychological Association is embarking on a review of its policy on counseling gays and lesbians. Gay-rights activists hope it will end with a denunciation of attempts by therapists to change sexual orientation. Conservative groups are questioning the review’s credibility because the panel is dominated by gay-rights supporters. At issue is whether or not reparative therapy or conversion therapy is useful or potentially harmful.
Reading the article I found myself thinking that it’s true if someone’s sense of identity is anchored in their sexual expression, there would be significant limits, if not cruelty, in trying to talk them out of it. Christian Science offers a completely different way to understand identity. (more…)
by Keith Wommack
I was in the fourth grade when I first noticed Karen Bell. Well, I suppose that’s when I first noticed that girls existed in general. And I wanted her to notice me, too.
I had no clue how I was going to catch her eye. Then it hit me. I’d write, “Will you go steady with me?” on a piece of paper. I’d chuck it over to her seat, she’d read it, and voila.
I scribbled the note, wadded it up, and let it fly. It went sailing right past her ear. She immediately whirled around, glared at me, shot her arm in the air, and yelled, “Mrs. Griffith, Keith just threw a spit-wad at me!” (more…)
