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DeutschLet’s make a powerful noise together
Thursday night, I attended the live presentation of Sheila C. Johnson’s “A Powerful Noise” with my 12 year old daughter. I wanted her to have a larger sense of the world and what individuals can accomplish. The film follows three women from very different countries and backgrounds on three very different missions that have a common goal: the education and empowerment of women and girls.
The film was moving, and the discussion group that followed very interesting, but as we left the theater, I could tell my daughter was struggling. I asked her what she thought of all that she had seen. She said she wasn’t sure how she felt other than very tired. So I told her what I was thinking about it all.
These women have lived incredibly difficult lives. One lost her daughter and husband to AIDS. Another struggles to educate young women who have no skills and no hope without her. And another works to bring warring ethnic groups into business and school together. They are brilliant and powerful women, and all I could think during the film was, “What if they all were doing what they do but were Christian Scientists? What if the woman trying to educate people about HIV/AIDS could share that both the disease and the behavior that leads to it could be healed? What if the young women learning a trade and enough literacy to write their own names and find a street address understood that their intelligence had an infinite source, that they could stand up for their rights because infinite Love would support them and keep them safe? What if one infinite Father/Mother God became the center of the lives of the warring ethnic groups? What then?”
Christian Science offers an explanation of God unlike any other, where pure and perfect divine Love is the creator and principle of the universe. If Love is a principle, like mathematics, then it is an unbreakable law that exists and operates even when misused, misunderstood, or even unknown. So, just like when we learn to do different levels of math we can accomplish more and more, if we learn how Love operates, how to take part in its rule and order, we begin to see examples of what the Bible says in Romans, “… all things work together for good to them that love God ..,” or all things work together for good to them that love Love.
My daughter and I talked all the way home, even sitting in the driveway for a while. We both came to the conclusion that if we work to accomplish good using what we are learning in Christian Science, our power to effect change is increased exponentially. The more people we tell about God as infinite Love, the more people will be able to put that knowledge to work in their own lives and the lives of others. The more we work to understand Christian Science and to heal the ills of others, the more people will know that God, infinite divine Love, is real, and all is truly good.
We got out of the car no longer struggling with the hardships we had seen, no longer exhausted by the giant project that seemed to need completing. Walking into the house, we were alive, alert, and energized as we realized that one person can make a huge difference in the lives of others, that the healing power of the Christ as taught in Christian Science is the necessary ingredient in any effort for good.
Think about it! What would begin to happen if you talked to just one person a month about what you know to be true about Love? This site has over 3000 members. If each one of us made the commitment to share what we know with just one person, just this month, thousands of people would be given the knowledge that they are not alone, ever, and that the infinite power of the universe, that is Love itself, made them and will never, ever leave them or forget them.
Now that would be a powerful noise!
by Dawn-Marie Cornett
Anonymous Says:
Thank you so much for taking the time to share these outstanding ideas, and the way that we all can put them into practice right now!
Anonymous Says:
what could u do right now to help those women you talk about? anythign or do they have to know about christian science to be free?
Dawn-Marie Says:
For me, Christian Science is the explanation of how the universe works. So, even if someone does not know to call the law of Truth and Love “Christian Science,” it is still in operation in their lives. I have learned through my study and practice, however, that getting personally clearer on the universal nature of Truth and Love actually has a ripple effect.
I really believe that the more we think of others as unlimited, spiritual, expressions of Mind/God, the more everyone in the world will naturally wake to these truths. These dear women are examples of Love at work, and anyone’s prayer that they and all people are supported, loved, and motivated by divine Love will be effective in clearing the way for them to be increasingly successful in all they do.
I do also believe in directly serving mankind. So, when we hear of people like these 3 women, we may feel inspired to send them Mary Baker Eddy’s book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” We may feel inspired to write to them and share our thoughts of how their efforts are motivated by love and therefore blessed by that motivation. If we open our hearts and thoughts to God’s leadings, inspiration will come for direct action, which includes prayer. Then it becomes a simple matter of willingness to follow through.
No matter what we do, every good thought given to any situation is healing and blessed – every one.
JD Says:
Good blog.
I haven’t seen this movie, but I was thinking about this on my drive into work this morning. I was thinking about how I’ve grown up in an interesting era in terms of the perception of women in society. I was thinking about it last night actually, about how some bad habits of thinking about women as sexual objects was part of my thinking when I was younger. I was questioning how I thought in the past, questioning why I thought that way. I think it had a lot to do with the way the world perceived women (and men), and how they could interact. In the past, and still today (but I think we have made some progress in recent years) it seemed like men and women lived in COMPLETELY different worlds of thought, and the perception about how they could come together, and share some sort of common ground, was through a sexual relationship. I was thinking about this again this morning when I saw a woman waiting at a bus stop this morning dressed in high heels, wearing lipstick and looking like a fashion magazine or billboard ad. I was thinking about how the old perception is that women wanted a man to provide for them, so they would try to make themselves attractive to men. We need to keep supporting this progress in society, that everyone can be a contributor and add their own value, that women aren’t dependant on men for their well-being. This is helping to make relationships between men and women to be based more on real qualities of understanding, and less about just acting out their ‘roles.’
Dawn-Marie Says:
I love all the thinking you’ve been doing, JD! Thank you for sharing it. I’ve thought about the same things a lot. Some years ago, a friend pointed out to me that the very familiar section of Genesis 1 that talks about how God created man in His own image, “in the image of man created he him. Male and female created he them” could be read two different ways. The first is the common understanding that God made men and women. The other was that all of us have male and female qualities, that there is no division between the sexes, only individual expressions of the complete, unified, one God.
This was so helpful to me then, and still is now. As ideas or reflections of God, we can’t lack anything. We can’t have too much or too little of God’s love and likeness. We are complete, spiritual ideas that are uniquely expressed. It’s like light from the sun.
Every beam of sunlight has all the properties of the sun, every color and all the energy, and they are all connected to each other through their mutual relationship to the sun. Yet, every beam of light has it’s own path, shows us different things, and is never in competition with other beams of light. That’s us! We are the perfect reflections of the divine, everyone having all the qualities that God expresses, but we are unique, and there is room and right place for all of us.
Ginny Says:
I appreciate this blog very much and all that you are doing on tmcyouth.com.
Thinking of men and women as one expression of one Father-Mother God, good, is very empowering. It adds value to each one’s contribution. And because God is infinite in nature, His/Her reflection is really the sum of infinite possibilities. There are no barriers to wholesome, productive activity in the Infinite Good that is God or Life itself. Everyone, male and female, has access to the goodness and love of God. By knowing this truth for ourselves and for the world, we are helping those in need of right, practical ideas to be receptive to new ideas from God – the one and only Mind of all. Amazing solutions to world problems related to the debasement of women will begin to be seen.
JD Says:
Dawn-Marie,
Thanks for those great thoughts about the Sun’s rays. I was thinking about that today at work as I saw the bright sunlight shining through the window, and was thinking about what you said in relation to the fact that we can all exist harmoniously. We don’t deprive each other of anything… we’re not in competition, but exist in complimentary fashion.
Anonymous Says:
Dawn-Marie – Great blog! You’ve got some great ideas.
Claire Says:
Dawn-Marie this is great. We can really share and make a difference. But also, we can get a lot of great inspiration from others who know nothing about CS, don’t you think? I’ve learned as much about God from my friends from all different religions and some with no religion at all. I get nervous about the idea that we have to go out and convert because at the base of that is a mistrust that God is already talking to all of his children.
Dawn-Marie Says:
Thanks everyone! I have loved reading all the ideas shared here and so appreciate the compliments and encouragement.
Dawn-Marie Says:
Claire, I totally hear what you are saying. There is a big difference, though, between trying to convert someone to a church and sharing with them what moves us, inspires us, and heals us. I too have learned tons from all of my friends and acquaintances. Several years ago, I had a group of friends that made a huge impact on my faith and my relationship with God. They helped me see so much in Christian Science that I had not seen before.
I understand that Christian Science has churches, but it is the explanation of the universe in all its spiritual glory and does not require a church or a human system of faith to hold it. So when I share with others, I do not feel that I am working to convert someone nor do I feel that I am in some way being less than trusting of God’s ability to communicate with His own creation. I am simply doing my best to be loving by offering information that may bless and heal.
Anonymous Says:
that makes sense Dawn-Marie
Anonymous Says:
Hey if anyone is sharing Christian Science in any way with friends or strangers, let’s share it here!
Anne Says:
I’ve shared CS with friends, but not with strangers. It’d be fun to hear about some of those encounters.
Dawn-Marie Says:
I actually share CS all the time. I keep a few boxes of Science and Healths in my garage so that we have them on hand to give when we find a need or someone with interest. My 3 kids give them to their teachers, their friends. We all feel like Christian Science should be as available as possible so that people can make informed choices about their life and their faith. If they don’t know about CS, then they are missing a vital piece of information that they need in order to make the best decisions.
We don’t force anything on any one. We simply offer, and so far, very few people have said no, most have said yes, and many have shown great interest. Children have started in the Sunday School, and some entire families have come to church. But whether or not anyone ever came to church, they should have the information, I feel. They can do with it whatever they want, and I’m always available to answer questions and talk to them about what they are reading, but if I don’t offer to them the Science of the Christ and the book that explains it, they don’t know what they could be learning.
My life has been immeasurably blessed by Christian Science, and I share anything with everyone that does me even a little bit of good – a book, a movie, a conversation, information on a car, etc. So why wouldn’t I share the most important blessing I have ever received?
Sunshine Says:
Thank you for this excellent reminder about making a powerful noise together and about sharing our immeasurable blessings and insight from Christian Science.
As I got out of my car yesterday to attend Church service, a man on a motorbike stopped and asked if I attended this church. He asked questions about CS, the times of our service, what the term Science had to do with Christianity. And, I felt so wonderful to be engaged in such a conversation, because I felt the power of Christ take over and the warmth of love was so evident. We were not strangers engaging in a 5 minute conversation. We were simply, children of God. I gave him a Sentinel and you could sense that he would surely visit. It is such an honour to share the love of God with others.
Dawn-Marie Says:
That is so cool! I love how God works – just as you are thinking about sharing, God gives you an opportunity. Thank you so much for being willing to take the time and love that individual. What a blessing!
Kate Says:
This is just beautiful…I am uplifted by it’s reading. I know these teachings to be one of the great Truths!!!
Blessings and Love,
Kate
Amy Says:
I listened to Ginny Luedeman’s podcast on leaving mistakes behind this morning and I was really struck by how she shared Christian Science with her dad JUST BY THINKING ABOUT HIM in a spiritually accurate way. And it changed his life (and hers, I’m sure). This is the kind of sharing that would be comfortable for everyone, right?
If you’re interested, the link to Ginny’s podcast is here:
http://tmcyouth.com/media/podcasts/tmcyouth-podcasts/leaving-mistakes-in-the-dust-part-2
Dawn-Marie Says:
Thanks for sharing that, Amy. I’ll give a listen.
I agree, too! Keeping a spiritually accurate thought about others is a great way to share that will bless everyone involved. Thinking about others in a loving, kind, appreciative way is like wrapping them up in a mental hug.
Fran Says:
Talk about religion makes me anxious. I don’t want people to think I’m weird and I don’t want them to feel like I’m forcing them.
Amy Says:
Hi Fran,
I used to feel nervous when the topic of religion came up at school or among friends. I tried to steer the conversation elsewhere!
I wonder why we feel this way because we don’t get anxious about sharing other things with our friends, things that are important to us.
Things changed for me when I started being a better listener of my friends. They have so many great things to share and I wanted to hear them. And then how could I hold back when I had something to tell them that meant a lot to me? It became more natural to share.
So for me it became more about loving and valuing my friends better and about loving and valuing Christian Science more.
Amy
Dawn-Marie Says:
Hi Fran! I do share my thoughts about CS a lot, but most of the time it still makes me really nervous. I never know how someone is going to react, but I’ve come to feel that I want to love people so much that those feelings of care overshadow the feelings of fear. Most of the time, thinking that way helps me express myself even if my heart is pounding and my knees are knocking.
Also, if I think of others as fellow children of God, then what I am sharing is not strange to them but will awaken something familiar in them. We all know the Truth of our being deep down. So, most of the time, when I share an idea, people think about it almost like a long lost friend. There is something about what I am saying that they relate to. It’s not strange at all.
Christ Jesus asked us to become like little children. For me, this means that I keep my ideas about CS simple and full of joy. I don’t have to be the expert or know everything. I just have to know that some thought or concept has been helpful to me at least once.
I hope that helps a bit.