Years ago, when I began my tenure at Wide Horizon, as a man of prayer, I clearly felt I was being guided by God to the field of Christian Science nursing. I came into this work from being in the public ministry as a Christian Science practitioner, and prior to that as a camp director, an educator and a retail business manager. Therefore, running (although I’m a former long-distance runner) the day-to-day operations of a non-profit corporation was a completely new experience and a tremendous opportunity. I felt fully committed to the role as an Executive Director, though the learning ascent was steep. I quickly learned (and continue to learn) the degree of humility and patience required in this role when working with different board and/or staff members, as well as the mental strength, perseverance and persistence necessary. Believe me there were times during these 18 years that I’d seriously question if I was still the right fit for the organization.

I typically approached issues seeking a prayer-based solution. Listening, spontaneity and trust were key to problem-solving. It was always important to practice wisdom, economy and brotherly-love in most aspects of making sound business decisions in the best interests of a relatively small non-profit company. Striving for harmonious and unified outcomes was desired, though not always evident. There have been certainly times when I’ve either ignored intuition or not listened to God quite enough for His direction before diving headlong into human discussions, but I usually approached such discussions with equanimity and empathy, even when fully disagreeing with another position on an issue – agreeing to disagree at times.

That said, I know without doubt that I’ve been good for Wide Horizon and Wide Horizon has been good for me and my family. Among the many facets and opportunities of the job, there have been successful capital campaigns, multi-million dollar building projects, enduring professional relationships, selfless strong teamwork, countless healings and a lot of spiritual growth. And, over the years, I’ve spent a great deal of thought reading, studying and pondering various writings from diverse sources and authors. One that relates to this topic is:

“God could not make imperfect man, His model infinite; Unhallowed thought He could not plan, Love’s work and Love must fit.” (Christian Science Hymnal, 51)

I truly believe it was divine Love leading me into this work, and I believe this perfect Love formed the right fit to meet the needs of the organization and me personally. I believe it was God’s plan. And, I know I have given my heart and soul to the work (sometime to my personal detriment), giving much thought to issues, decisions and steps forward. Also, I know all change is not growth, as all movement is not forward. Yet I know desired change often propels movement forward if true progress is to occur. So, I strive to do our heavenly Father’s will, listen to His voice and feel more at peace, particularly during this past year of extreme challenges yet lined with new opportunities.

As I stated last week, there’s always room to grow and do better. And, I thank those who came before me, those who mentored me, those who have co-elbowed with me, those who have supported me. Also, I thank our heavenly Father for His son, Christ Jesus – to whom Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, wholeheartedly followed and referred to as the “Way-shower.” (Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, pp. 30, 288, 497)

She wrote, “The Christ-element in the Messiah made him the Way-shower, Truth, and Life” (288), and, in the religious tenets of Christian Science, “We acknowledge Jesus’ atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man’s unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower…” (497).

My desire to feel this holy oneness and to humbly follow our Master – seeking his way in Truth, Life, and Love – keeps me going and helps me to show up to do this good work in the field of Christian Science nursing. Thus, the fit has been and continues to be right!

D. Brian Boettiger

 

I’ve always been a comparatively orderly or organized individual, even as a boy, as my beloved mom would attest. And, when I was a college student who changed his major from Business/Economics to English Literature years ago, I read numerous books by various authors, playwrights and poets. Among my many favorite quotes is from the English poet, Alexander Pope (1688-1744), who penned this in his Essay on Man: “Order is heaven’s first law.”

This verse spoke to me at the time and to this day. During this period, I also learned through reading the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, that she quoted Pope. She wrote on page 87 of her biographical work Retrospection and Introspection: “The poet’s line, ‘Order is heaven’s first law,’ is so eternally true, so axiomatic, that it has become a truism; and its wisdom is as obvious in religion and scholarship as in astronomy or mathematics.”

I was beginning to learn and accept more of systematic order in life and the universe. I began to apply this to my experience. So, later when I came to Wide Horizon (now that’s a story), I quickly needed to learn more about Christian Science nursing. This from Mrs. Eddy’s statements on the topic stood out: “The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith, – receptive to Truth and Love.” (Science and Health with Key to Scriptures, p. 395)

Evidently, orderliness is essential to being a good nurse. So, being a former English lit major and teacher, I began to do word studies and research regarding this statement. Here’s a sampling of that study:

ORDERLY –

1. Methodical; regular.
2. Observant of order or method.
3. Well-regulated; performed in good order; not tumultuous.
4. According to an established method.
5. Not unruly…peaceable.
6. Being on duty.

The Student’s Reference Dictionary (TSRD)

Orderly –

1. Free from disorder; having a systematic arrangement.
2. Marked by or adherence to method or system.
3. Devoid of violence or disruption; peaceful.

American Heritage Collegiate Dictionary (AHCD)

I pondered these definitions and the above quotes a lot during this past year of extreme global and national challenges. I also read from the Book of Acts, “…but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.” (Acts 21:24)

I recognized the need for law and order for all mankind and throughout the earth. Though, for me, it needed, first and foremost, to be based on divine Law and God’s heavenly order.

I believe the activity of Christian Science nursing can help leaven the thought and actions of persons beyond the buildings of Christian Science nursing organizations (as Wide Horizon) and churches. I think orderly thought does bring peaceful resolution and methodology. It is therefore my hope that the work of Christian Science nurses and those who wholeheartedly support them helps mankind to feel the unspeakable peace which comes from God, divine Love.

Again, from Retrospection and Introspection, Eddy states, “. . . the rules of Christian Science can be far more thoroughly and readily acquired by regularly settled and systematic workers, than by unsettled and spasmodic efforts. Genuine Christian Scientists are, or should be, the most systematic and law-abiding people on earth, because their religion demands implicit adherence to fixed rules, in the orderly demonstration thereof.”

She then offers some of these rules, “. . .Christian Scientists are to ‘heal the sick as the Master commanded. In so doing they must follow the divine order as prescribed by Jesus, — never, in any way, to trespass upon the rights of their neighbors, but to obey the celestial injunction, ‘Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.’ In this orderly, scientific dispensation healers become a law unto themselves. They feel their own burdens less, and can therefore bear the weight of others’ burdens, since it is only through the lens of their unselfishness that the sunshine of Truth beams with such efficacy as to dissolve error.” (Retrospection, p. 87)

Although there’s always opportunity to grow and do better, we at Wide Horizon work to do our best to emulate the Master by following Christ Jesus, and to be witnesses to the practical leavening and healing influence of the practice of Christian Science nursing.

D. Brian Boettiger

 

Today in the United States of America is “Presidents’ Day” – the recognition of the 1^st president and the 16^th president of the United States.

Although George Washington had a grade school level formal education, he was a military general, political leader, a statesman and “Founding Father” who served as the first U.S. president from 1789 to 1797. He commanded the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1775-1783) and presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution. (www.britannica.com) President Washington strongly believed in fighting against oppression and tyranny, and he led the charge to overcome it toward greater human liberty.

Abraham Lincoln, who was mostly self-educated, was a self-taught lawyer, legislator and remarkable statesman. He served as the 16^th president from 1861 to 1865, until he was assassinated. He was the steadfast leader in preserving the Union during the U.S. Civil War, and he began the formal process to end slavery in the United States by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. (www.history.com) Among Lincoln’s many great sayings is: “Determine that the thing can and shall be done and then we shall find the way.”

Each man had vision to improve the circumstances set before them by serving their country to their highest sense of right. These great yet humble men rose to the opportunity presented to them and stood steadfastly, respectively, in selfless service to our beloved country for the greater good of all.

In my reading, especially of “Abraham Lincoln’s Daily Devotional,” I’ve found that clearly President Lincoln was “a man of God” who prayed daily and often. I believe he must have understood the depth of meaning in this scriptural saying: “Where there is no vision the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) For he recognized the evil of slavery and knew the United States ultimately couldn’t survive without abolishing this evil. I believe Lincoln obeyed and followed his highest sense of right based greatly on his devotion to God and Scripture.

Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Christian Science Church, also loved the Holy Bible and prayed daily and often for those in our country and the world. When women in the U.S. had very little rights and freedom, her vision and perseverance led her to accomplish more than imaginable in her lifetime. This was partly due to the slowly growing wave of freedom and progress after 1865. She clearly admired President Lincoln and his vision. And, Mrs. Eddy listened to and followed God as best as possible in unwavering obedience to His commands and guidance. She too desired to abolish slavery in all its forms, and wrote almost 150 years ago:

“Truth brings the elements of liberty.  On its banner is the Soul-inspired motto, ‘Slavery is abolished.’  The power of God brings deliverance to the captive. No power can withstand divine Love… Whatever enslaves man is opposed to the divine government. Truth makes man free… Love is the liberator. Legally to abolish unpaid servitude in the United States was hard; but the abolition of mental slavery is a more difficult task… Men and women of all climes and races are still in bondage to material sense, ignorant how to obtain their freedom… God has built a higher platform of human rights, and He has built it on diviner claims. These claims are not made through code or creed, but in demonstration of ‘on earth peace, good-will toward men.’”

Later she continues, “Discerning the rights of man, we cannot fail to foresee the doom of all oppression. Slavery is not the legitimate state of man. God made man free… All men should be free. ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.’ … Christian Science raises the standard of liberty and cries: ‘Follow me! Escape from the bondage of sickness, sin, and death!’  Jesus marked out the way.  Citizens of the world, accept the ‘glorious liberty of the children of God,’ and be free!  This is your divine right.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pages 224-227)

So, it is upon this basis that we at Wide Horizon practice Christian Science nursing, striving to witness freedom from the bondage of sin, sickness and even the worldwide belief in death – by knowing that life is eternal, true reality is spiritual, and Spirit, Love, does heal. This reality – this freedom and liberty – is available for all mankind!

D. Brian Boettiger

The topic of vision can lead in many directions, yet my focus today is vision that blesses mankind through the practice of Christian Science.

Over the years, I’ve read a number of accounts and biographies of Mary Baker Eddy, as well as all her published writings. I’ve learned Mrs. Eddy spent a tremendous amount of her waking hours studying or pondering the Holy Scriptures – often before starting her day and making decisions.  Like prophets of old, she had spiritual vision through knowing and listening to God.  She delved deeply into the things of the Spirit.  She prayed daily for others.  Her vision, obedience and perseverance led to writing a number of books, including her principal work Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.  During the period of 1875 to 1910, among her many good works, she also founded a church, a college, a publishing company and an international newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor.  Her visionary directive and the inclusion of a bylaw, “Christian Science Nurse” in the Church Manual, led to the establishment of Christian Science nursing as fundamental to a worldwide movement (p. 49).  And, of course this vision led to Christian Science nursing organizations such as Wide Horizon.

Mrs. Eddy strove to emulate Christ Jesus, the “Way-shower,” both in her thought and actions.  In her writings, she repeatedly reminds her readers to follow Christ in word and deed.  Thankfully, through her writings and sermons, she shared much of her spiritually inspired thought with the world.  In the spirit of sharing good ideas, here are only a few of these inspired thoughts or her vision about divine Love, Mind, the holy Spirit.

In an article titled “TRUTH-HEALING,” she wrote, “Pure Mind gives out an atmosphere that heals and saves.”  (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 260)

Later in a message to members of The Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts, Mrs. Eddy stated, “The loyal Christian Scientists absolutely adopt Webster’s definition of God, ‘A Supreme Being,’ and the Standard dictionary’s definition of God, ‘The one Supreme Being, self-existent and eternal.’ Also, we accept God, emphatically, in the higher definition derived from the Bible, and this accords with the literal sense of the lexicons: ‘God is Spirit,’ ‘God is Love.’ Then, to define Love in divine Science we use this phrase for God — divine Principle. By this we mean Mind, a permanent, fundamental, intelligent, divine Being, called in Scripture, Spirit, Love.”  (Message for 1901, p.3)

And as part of the Christian Science platform, she wrote, “Spirit is divine Principle, and divine Principle is Love, and Love is Mind, and Mind is not both good and bad, for God is Mind; therefore there is in reality one Mind only, because there is one God.” (Science & Health, p. 330)

Ultimately, I feel Mrs. Eddy’s vision was based first and foremost on love for and obedience to God, Spirit, as well as a deep fondness of Scripture and selfless love for mankind.

Lastly, perhaps you’ll find this poem by Kate M. Dickerson inspiring too:

God is Spirit

Gentle Spirit, this I see—
Justice, mercy, dwell with Thee,
In Thy presence, From above
Is our comfort, peace, and love;
And Thy tender, loving care
Comes through daily earnest prayer,
Till the vision, pure and bright,
Fills our hearts with God’s daylight.

Christian Science Sentinel NOVEMBER 29, 1930

https://sentinel.christianscience.com/issues/1930/11/33-13/god-is-spirit

D. Brian Boettiger