Wide Horizon

Christian Science Nursing Care for Christian Scientists

A Christian Science Nursing Facility for Sincere Seekers of Truth

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You are here: Home / News

Vision

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Brian Boettiger Leave a Comment

Brian Boettiger
Brian Boettiger, CEO of Wide Horizon

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

Filed Under: Brian's Blog, News

We Envision

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Brian Boettiger Leave a Comment

Brian Boettiger
Brian Boettiger, CEO of Wide Horizon

Over the past 18 years, I’ve participated in multiple discussions about “vision” in organizations. And, I’ve accumulated a lot of documents regarding vision in all its aspects and meaning. Some are compilations of thoughts and words from various folks. One of those collected pieces that pertains to Wide Horizon is as follows:

We envision Wide Horizon as providing a peaceful place and harmonious atmosphere, wherein the ministry of Christian Science nursing is available to every sincere seeker of Truth.

We envision Christian Science nursing’s metaphysically based care be given to those who desire to make daily spiritual progress toward a full healing and recovery through complete reliance upon Christian Science. 

We envision that the collective daily prayers of every one of our guests, family members, friends, practitioners, staff, board members, and volunteers will have an expectation of healing, and that this expectation will be realized in daily experience for all doing this good work. 

We envision, in accord with the words on the cover of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, we shall witness daily proofs that Christian Science can “Cleanse the Lepers, Heal the Sick, Raise the Dead, Cast out Demons.” 

We envision these blessings of God’s presence and power – of divine Love’s grace and healing touch – are the light on the hill which will draw all who are seeking a fuller understanding of and trust in God.

We have been inspired by Mrs. Eddy’s definition of CHURCH (Science and Health, p. 583):

“The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick.”

Thus, we envision Wide Horizon to continue in its active practice of the Science which elevates and rouses individual and collective thought as well as the thought of our community and of those we serve “…to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick.”   We are committed to this spiritual concept of Church, and this commitment has been made by the dedicated Christian Science nurses, the administrative staff, and Board of Directors.

Wide Horizon’s purpose and mission is designed to help meet the human needs of many dedicated Christian Scientists in a large geographic area of the western United States.  Therefore, our vision is that Wide Horizon will actively provide Christian Science nursing services in support of Christian scientific spiritual healing as long as it is needed.

We envision, we desire to see Wide Horizon as a beacon set on a hill which shines the light of Christ for all mankind.

D. Brian Boettiger

 

Filed Under: Brian's Blog, News

Compassion

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Brian Boettiger Leave a Comment

Psalm 145:9

Brian Boettiger
Brian Boettiger, CEO of Wide Horizon

Last week’s blog on “Love” led me again to focus on “compassion” and the words and works of Christ Jesus. The Gospels repeatedly indicate that Jesus “moved with compassion toward them” – towards those he fed, preached to, taught, restored and healed. This is holy work. All mankind can join and move in this work. Moving toward other human beings with compassion is true Christianity.

A poem by Louisa Mary Coade from the Christian Science Sentinel (March 28, 1936) captures an essential aspect of this compassion which blesses human activity and interaction.

True Compassion
By Louisa Mary Coade

Wrap around thy brother the mantle of compassion;
See him pure and holy as thou thyself wouldst be;
By the Golden Rule of love the Master taught us, fashion
All thy thought and speech and acts until thou set him free.

The Gospels clearly show Jesus Christ loved God and his fellow man. His love, his compassion was greater than any hatred, any iniquity. This love healed. And, clearly centuries after Jesus walked on earth, I believe the world continues to hunger and thirst for such compassion and love for all mankind. True compassion and love are so vital to healing of sin and sickness, to being truly affectionate and empathetic one to another.

Mary Baker Eddy, the discover of Christian Science, wrote, “Let us open our affections to the Principle that moves all in harmony—from the falling of a sparrow to the rolling of a world” (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 174).

When I think of our beloved country and beautiful planet, I have mentally struggled at times to feel love and peace will prevail. Yet I know the desire for and practice of love does make a difference. So, in my small role as I strive to lead the organization of Wide Horizon with active compassion, I do witness how individual and collective prayer and compassion supports the work of Christian Science nursing. I see Wide Horizon as a spiritual house and workplace – one acknowledges and expresses compassion and understanding, harmony and health, renewal and restoration, well-being and wholeness, and so on. Thus, dear readers of Wide Horizon’s field and community, our good works here can be fully appreciated and valued by each of us as we truly value and support the activity of Christian Science nursing. In fact, the more each of us moves with true compassion towards all mankind, dispelling darkness in the light of Christ, the more I am convinced love and peace will prevail.

D. Brian Boettiger

Filed Under: Brian's Blog, News

Love

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Brian Boettiger Leave a Comment

Love Sign

Brian Boettiger
Brian Boettiger, CEO of Wide Horizon

Today (January 18) in the United States of America is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

During these challenging, sometime turbulent yet transformative times, the quality I’ve thought most about is love. I’ve worked on the Wide Horizon campus and from home to support the daily loving, good works of Christian Science nurses and supportive staff who care for our residents.

In this light, I’m thankful for Reverend King’s example of Christian faith and practice. I appreciate his many good works and words. Among Dr. King’s many profound statements, he said this of love:

“Love has within it a redemptive power. There is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love, they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says…’love your enemies.’” (A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.)

We need, therefore, to love our enemies to be a true follower of Jesus Christ, who desired all people to “…love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gospel of Matthew 19:19) To truly do this, to see healing, it seems to me that we need to know God loves all His creation, all His children. And, we need to wholeheartedly love God. We need to love ourselves and others as God’s spiritual man – the image and likeness of Spirit, God, as stated in the first chapter of Genesis. Scripture also states, “God is love.” (I John 4:8)

I’m also grateful for Mary Baker Eddy, who was a Reverend and the Pastor Emeritus of The First Church of Christ, Scientist. Her thought-provoking writings have helped me understand more about divine Love. She wrote, “…Love is reflected in love.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 17) This Love is unconditional and powerful. This Love can and does heal. This Love transforms and restores.

When working in a Christian Science nursing environment, we strive to maintain an atmosphere of “Love reflected in love.” We do this partly by living the Principle and practice of our faith, as given by Mrs. Eddy: “The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 113)

In an article from The Christian Science Monitor, Ken Makin wrote, “In his time, Dr. King’s words weren’t always popular, but they were prophetic.” (“The Forgotten King: Commentary on protest, race, and MLK” June 5, 2020) One could say the same of Mrs. Eddy’s words and writings. She and Dr. King, respectively, both turned the other cheek many times and loved their enemies. They knew the transformative power of love and healing power of forgiveness.

Reverend King stated, “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” And he said, “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” (Speech accepting Nobel Peace Prize, Dec. 10, 1964) In this light of unconditional love, I figuratively strive to walk with Christ Jesus, and with Rev. King, who also stated, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” (Where Do We Go from Here, 1967)

So, friends and readers, who are beloved of God, “… let us love one another: for love is of God.” (I John 4:7)

D. Brian Boettiger

Filed Under: Brian's Blog, News

Sustainability

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Brian Boettiger Leave a Comment

Brian Boettiger
Brian Boettiger, CEO of Wide Horizon

Years ago I found this statement of interest:

“…the most widely quoted definition of sustainability as a part of the concept sustainable development,: ‘sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’” (Brundtland Commission of the United Nations, March 20, 1987)

I surmise that the continual newness of Spirit includes the development of ideas which come from an infinite source, meeting the needs of the present, without compromise for all generations of mankind. Therefore, sustainable development when seen and practiced from a spiritual perspective can lead to meeting the needs of all generations, including all God’s creation. This is true sustainability.

Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, wrote, “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 494) From a limited or clouded human perspective this statement may seem impossible, if not ridiculous. But from an enlightened spiritual perspective which wholeheartedly trusts God – divine Love or Holy Spirit – this statement can be and is proven in human experience. Thus, spiritual development which acknowledges God as a benevolent Creator strengthens and supports sustainable development in human enterprises.

A trap is that we may look at what’s going in with our respective organizations, situations, bodies and conditions, and so on, instead of serving and looking only to God, Spirit, as the Source of all good. Seeing daily that sustainability is (or supply and demand are) always balanced in and by Spirit requires yielding our personal, individual or collective material sense of things to an altitude of higher metaphysics.

As I shared last week, “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. vii). It is therefore this “sustaining infinite” or divine Love which brings true sustainability. For years I’ve felt being a servant of Spirit, not of organization, helps me see more clearly the spiritual abundance which sustains Wide Horizon. For this, I am grateful.

D. Brian Boettiger

 

Filed Under: Brian's Blog, News

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The mission of Wide Horizon is to provide Christian Science nursing, facilities, and support for those seeking healing accomplished through complete reliance on Christian Science as taught by Mary Baker Eddy.   More…

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