What a precious morning. The lecture chair said she'd been healed of a chronic illness by studying and praying with two articles of mine that I'd sent. She felt this was the effect of praying for others during preparation for the lecture tomorrow.
The lecture prep workshop was well-received. Several of the members and attendees invited me to lunch. We had a special time talking about Christ and community. It has been ten years since they have had a lecture. So this has been a special time for them.
It appears that some of the attendees are having the opportunity to take a stand in the community for their being a Christian Scientist. And one of the women behind the desk at the hotel inquired about the lecture. I invited her and made sure she knew where it was. I'm very hopeful that she comes. There was some special for me about this interaction. I've begun to feel again that the Christ is inviting these individuals, not I. It's not about me but the Christ coming to earth.
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Mexican couple from Sonora
Dave and I met Yuri and Benjamin from Mexico, along with Bonnie and Karl at Rose Pepper. I talked in Spanish with them most of the time. I told them bluntly why they weren't having success finding another apartment. No one will return their calls because they are Hispanic. No one wants 20 relatives moving in tomorrow. After dinner, we drove them around neighborhoods and I called several places for them to try and arrange appointments. There were a couple good options.
Yuri is going to Little Rock for a teachers' conference this weekend. Dave invited Ben to stay the weekend with him as I'm on the road. Dave is going to take Ben out again to try and find a car to buy.
We arranged one last day with them. I'm in town again Oct 12. We'll pick them up for church, then take them to Cheekwood for the afternoon. Bonnie and Karl will come as well. It should be nice for everyone. We discovered that they might still be here when we return in June. They really want to keep in touch with us, and we with them. They live near Mazatlan it turns out. That's some place we'd enjoy visiting some day.
I gave them the Spanish Bible Lessons and a couple Heralds. If they are interested I'll subscribe for them so they can take it back with them. The Word of God spreads one heart at a time.
Yuri is going to Little Rock for a teachers' conference this weekend. Dave invited Ben to stay the weekend with him as I'm on the road. Dave is going to take Ben out again to try and find a car to buy.
We arranged one last day with them. I'm in town again Oct 12. We'll pick them up for church, then take them to Cheekwood for the afternoon. Bonnie and Karl will come as well. It should be nice for everyone. We discovered that they might still be here when we return in June. They really want to keep in touch with us, and we with them. They live near Mazatlan it turns out. That's some place we'd enjoy visiting some day.
I gave them the Spanish Bible Lessons and a couple Heralds. If they are interested I'll subscribe for them so they can take it back with them. The Word of God spreads one heart at a time.
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Milwaukee lecture and healing
There were about 50 people at the library for the Milwaukee lecture. An elderly woman said she fell backwards and hit her head on the street coming into the lecture. It took 3 people to get her up. She insisted on coming into the talk on Curing the Incurable. After the talk she told me she had been completely healed, no bump, no problems, nothing. She wanted me to know that the healing had taken place during the lecture.
A black female who has a healing ministry talked with me quite awhile about her healing work. Why are some not healed? Why is some healing not permanent? I talked to her about her healoing with oil depending on the patient's faith, some have more and some less. Then recommended Science and Health and basically helped her get a more spiritual view of how she could heal when patients are afraid or feel guilty and don't have as much faith. It's an art we are all working on. She was thinking she might stop her ministry and I encouraged her to continue. We need healers and she is doing God's work.
Talked with others afterward and helped them with whatever was on their mind.
Did take a drive to the lake and walked on the beach. It's beautiful here. Drove downtown and saw the wings Clare told me about near their Children's art museum. There obviously is/was a lot of money here. Classy downtown and huge estates along the lake shore all the way back to the hotel.
Ate at Culver's. Great place. $10 and I had pot roast with 3 sides and a mint chocolate shake. Yum!
A black female who has a healing ministry talked with me quite awhile about her healing work. Why are some not healed? Why is some healing not permanent? I talked to her about her healoing with oil depending on the patient's faith, some have more and some less. Then recommended Science and Health and basically helped her get a more spiritual view of how she could heal when patients are afraid or feel guilty and don't have as much faith. It's an art we are all working on. She was thinking she might stop her ministry and I encouraged her to continue. We need healers and she is doing God's work.
Talked with others afterward and helped them with whatever was on their mind.
Did take a drive to the lake and walked on the beach. It's beautiful here. Drove downtown and saw the wings Clare told me about near their Children's art museum. There obviously is/was a lot of money here. Classy downtown and huge estates along the lake shore all the way back to the hotel.
Ate at Culver's. Great place. $10 and I had pot roast with 3 sides and a mint chocolate shake. Yum!
Half day in Boston
When I start lecturing I realize how writing a daily diary takes a backseat. Where to begin?
The half day I spent in Boston at The Mother Church was very productive. While waiting for my friend from college and now head manager of The Christian Science Monitor and all the magazines including the Heralds, I saw Kari buying lunch. We talked for 5 minutes and I told her about a Greek lecture in Florida that I'd heard about at my last lecture, that she didn't realize someone had scheduled for her. Then I mentioned that none of us knew we were supposed to send her a copy of our radio interviews. She was stunned.
I'm going to send her a copy of the Milwaukee radio interview. Lasted an hour and 5 people came to the lecture because of it. They gave away 6 Science and Healths on the radio (my recommendation) and another 3 at the talk. One other person purchased theirs.
John laughingly offered me a job as head of marketing for the Monitor. I told him I'd do everything I could for him but it's clear my path is healing not marketing. He caught every idea I shared with him. Said it might take him 6-8 months to institute the changes. I'm praying that the change on the Home Forum page works. I recommended that 2 articles a week be edited by Clare for 1st person, mentioning God, prayer, faith, etc. I told him the Home Forum page should be more Christian. I think he caught the vision - news was the rest of the paper unbiased and professional. The Home Forum page is for the family, home being the kingdom of heaven and how can you talk about the kingdom of heaven without God?
Saw Julie M. She invited me to the Sentinel weekly meeting. Good to meet all the editors, some of which are very young and new. I hadn't met the new head editor, Ingrid. That was helpful .
Went to TMCYouth and talked to Adriana about her work in Africa. Bill decided to offer my lecture prep on Youth and Youthful Thinking at the Chicago Youth Summit on Friday night before the main event. I also got him to contact Principia College and inform the students. Nothing had been done there unbelievably.
Talked with everyone in the Lecture Dept. Met with Betty in BOE. We talked about the Galapagos actually. Met with Enrique and got my deadline for the article for the Herald. Leide head editor for all the foreign language Heralds snagged me and was very upset talking about imminent plans for the Heralds. I promised to talk about it. Prayer is in order and I also need to see what is really going on not what Leide thinks is going on. I can't just go stomping into some dept and area uninvited. Jonathan has invited me to talk about the Monitor with him. I'll let it lay for awhile and then approach him on the Heralds.
The Monitor had the first of a series of "town meetings" for their staff to talk about probably doing away with the daily newspaper. I went. Interesting but it's clear they are not making the decisions. The decisions are being made for them. Marshall afterward asked who I was and what I was doing there. That's what I get for taking notes. Met head editor too. I didn't pull rank and didn't mention I was a teacher, just a Christian Scientist. With Marshall I mentioned lecturer and that I knew his mother. What a thing to say to a 45 year old, but it worked.
Full afternoon. Jonathan said he was still thinking about and working on the ideas I gave him on our last phone conversation. He's receptive to new ideas. He's instituted already some of what we talked about. He's very quick. Gets things in a moment. Perhaps our informal talks will make a significant impact. I'd rather work behind the scenes. That way I can keep focus on healing but still help. He asked if I knew anyone else like me, that was funny. Actually the answer was no, but I'll keep my eyes open.
The half day I spent in Boston at The Mother Church was very productive. While waiting for my friend from college and now head manager of The Christian Science Monitor and all the magazines including the Heralds, I saw Kari buying lunch. We talked for 5 minutes and I told her about a Greek lecture in Florida that I'd heard about at my last lecture, that she didn't realize someone had scheduled for her. Then I mentioned that none of us knew we were supposed to send her a copy of our radio interviews. She was stunned.
I'm going to send her a copy of the Milwaukee radio interview. Lasted an hour and 5 people came to the lecture because of it. They gave away 6 Science and Healths on the radio (my recommendation) and another 3 at the talk. One other person purchased theirs.
John laughingly offered me a job as head of marketing for the Monitor. I told him I'd do everything I could for him but it's clear my path is healing not marketing. He caught every idea I shared with him. Said it might take him 6-8 months to institute the changes. I'm praying that the change on the Home Forum page works. I recommended that 2 articles a week be edited by Clare for 1st person, mentioning God, prayer, faith, etc. I told him the Home Forum page should be more Christian. I think he caught the vision - news was the rest of the paper unbiased and professional. The Home Forum page is for the family, home being the kingdom of heaven and how can you talk about the kingdom of heaven without God?
Saw Julie M. She invited me to the Sentinel weekly meeting. Good to meet all the editors, some of which are very young and new. I hadn't met the new head editor, Ingrid. That was helpful .
Went to TMCYouth and talked to Adriana about her work in Africa. Bill decided to offer my lecture prep on Youth and Youthful Thinking at the Chicago Youth Summit on Friday night before the main event. I also got him to contact Principia College and inform the students. Nothing had been done there unbelievably.
Talked with everyone in the Lecture Dept. Met with Betty in BOE. We talked about the Galapagos actually. Met with Enrique and got my deadline for the article for the Herald. Leide head editor for all the foreign language Heralds snagged me and was very upset talking about imminent plans for the Heralds. I promised to talk about it. Prayer is in order and I also need to see what is really going on not what Leide thinks is going on. I can't just go stomping into some dept and area uninvited. Jonathan has invited me to talk about the Monitor with him. I'll let it lay for awhile and then approach him on the Heralds.
The Monitor had the first of a series of "town meetings" for their staff to talk about probably doing away with the daily newspaper. I went. Interesting but it's clear they are not making the decisions. The decisions are being made for them. Marshall afterward asked who I was and what I was doing there. That's what I get for taking notes. Met head editor too. I didn't pull rank and didn't mention I was a teacher, just a Christian Scientist. With Marshall I mentioned lecturer and that I knew his mother. What a thing to say to a 45 year old, but it worked.
Full afternoon. Jonathan said he was still thinking about and working on the ideas I gave him on our last phone conversation. He's receptive to new ideas. He's instituted already some of what we talked about. He's very quick. Gets things in a moment. Perhaps our informal talks will make a significant impact. I'd rather work behind the scenes. That way I can keep focus on healing but still help. He asked if I knew anyone else like me, that was funny. Actually the answer was no, but I'll keep my eyes open.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Warm custard
I'm staying in a small Christian Science retirement community called Rockhaven in Glastonbury. It's comprised of one bedroom patio homes. So here I am this morning praying for patients when the doorbell rings. It's one of the ladies from the lecture prep last night with a bowl of homemade custard still warm and homemade split pea soup (my favorite!) with crackers. I've never in all my life had someone bring me homemade goodies to the door. I had a few spoonfuls of warm custard with nutmeg baked and crackling on the top. Oh my. This is life. I won't need to go out for lunch. Oh leave me here.
Last night Pat Robertson, the lecture chair, and I went for coffee at Starbucks. She'd never been but was game. Turns out she worked for Mary Trammell for years as her assistant. Has worked for The Mother Church, Principia, Longyear and other places since 1945. We have lots of friends in common. What a delight she is! Candid, insightful (one of the qualities she mentioned at the meeting), delightful.
Last night Pat Robertson, the lecture chair, and I went for coffee at Starbucks. She'd never been but was game. Turns out she worked for Mary Trammell for years as her assistant. Has worked for The Mother Church, Principia, Longyear and other places since 1945. We have lots of friends in common. What a delight she is! Candid, insightful (one of the qualities she mentioned at the meeting), delightful.
Monday, 22 September 2008
Good news
Hope I mentioned how the Hispanic gals who work at The Gardens (retirement home for Christian Science seniors in Carlsbad, CA) loved your lecture here a couple of years ago. I'm sure I told you. - Auriel
I love these emails. Helps to know that the Word of God is being received, comforting and saving all that is good.
I love these emails. Helps to know that the Word of God is being received, comforting and saving all that is good.
Ipswich MA lecture
The lecture prep for this church was on Supporting Church Growth. Since the time we began working together earlier in the summer, they have added 6 people to their branch membership, including one person signing the book the day of the lecture prep! He brought a visitor with him to the lecture.
A member heard in the intro that I’ve done interfaith work. She asked if I would be willing to do an interfaith talk in their area, to which I said of course! She is a member of an interfaith council and is clearly thinking about giving just and true replies to public theological topics about Christian Science. How interesting that my first lecture after our Chicago meeting and thinking about talking to ministers and religion classes, a person approaches me thinking the same. She also mentioned the New Thought movement. I'm increasingly interested in seeing what Kurt Schreiber comes up with to help me clarify the distinction between New Thought and the origins of Christian Science.
After the lecture Heloisa Rivas, co-chair of the lecture board, and Abigail MacKay from Australia took me to dinner. They had come for the lecture. What a delight to see them! Abigail was a total surprise. She and I have a special connection from several years ago but haven't had the opportunity to really visit since. She told her story of being stateless for 7 years, of living in 4 disparate countries including S. Africa for 15 years, US taking her masters at Carbondale, UK with her husband, and then back to Australia. It's quite a story.
I'm staying in this cute apartment in Glastonbury. So comfy that I decided to do the radio interview from here on Weds and not drive so late at night into Boston. Turns out well. I can pick up Jeffrey at Chestnut Hill where he is helping them with computer technology. So it is a blessing for everyone.
Tried to take video at the Ipswich lecture. It worked after the lecture prep but too many people wanted to talk with me and tell me their stories after the lecture. No one wanted to stay to put it on video, or maybe they just didn't want to put it on video. Not sure if this is really going to work.
A member heard in the intro that I’ve done interfaith work. She asked if I would be willing to do an interfaith talk in their area, to which I said of course! She is a member of an interfaith council and is clearly thinking about giving just and true replies to public theological topics about Christian Science. How interesting that my first lecture after our Chicago meeting and thinking about talking to ministers and religion classes, a person approaches me thinking the same. She also mentioned the New Thought movement. I'm increasingly interested in seeing what Kurt Schreiber comes up with to help me clarify the distinction between New Thought and the origins of Christian Science.
After the lecture Heloisa Rivas, co-chair of the lecture board, and Abigail MacKay from Australia took me to dinner. They had come for the lecture. What a delight to see them! Abigail was a total surprise. She and I have a special connection from several years ago but haven't had the opportunity to really visit since. She told her story of being stateless for 7 years, of living in 4 disparate countries including S. Africa for 15 years, US taking her masters at Carbondale, UK with her husband, and then back to Australia. It's quite a story.
I'm staying in this cute apartment in Glastonbury. So comfy that I decided to do the radio interview from here on Weds and not drive so late at night into Boston. Turns out well. I can pick up Jeffrey at Chestnut Hill where he is helping them with computer technology. So it is a blessing for everyone.
Tried to take video at the Ipswich lecture. It worked after the lecture prep but too many people wanted to talk with me and tell me their stories after the lecture. No one wanted to stay to put it on video, or maybe they just didn't want to put it on video. Not sure if this is really going to work.
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