Old times may look better from the perspective of today's trials. My mom says that people thought the same way when she was a child.
Jesus said, "God's kingdom is within us", http://bible.cc/luke/17-21.htm He spoke in present tense, the eternal NOW!
We need to change the material perspective to a spiritual one and accept our identity as beloved children of God, now and forever.
“God is Love. Can we ask Him to be more?” S&H 2:23

ESPAÑOL
Los tiempos viejos parecen ser mejores que los de ahora, desde una perspectiva de las pruebas que estamos pasandos hoy en día. Mi mamá dice que la gente pensaba igual cuando ella era niña.
Jesús dijo, “El reino de Dios dentro de vosotros está ” http://bibliaparalela.com/luke/17-21.htm. Él habló en tiempo presente, el eterno AHORA!
Necesitamos cambiar la perspectiva material por una espiritual y aceptar nuestra identidad como hijo amado de Dios, ahora y para siempre.
“Dios es Amor, ¿podemos pedirle que sea más?” CyS 2:33

Thank you, Kevin, for this 'timely' reminder that we live in the present, in the Now, where God, divine Mind ever is, and whose Name is not 'I was' but 'I Am'. We are fully in Life when we are knowing the divine Presence, ever revealing Him/Herself in our consciousness. Hence, Now is all we have!

Thank you Kevin for this great perspective. It is so important for us to know that spiritual qualities can never diminish as their source is in the eternal God. In Christian Science we learn that eternity not time reflects Gods spiritual creation. As our understanding of God increases we become healthier, holier and lead more productive lives. Our personal history is in the spiritual progress we make and the good we do and not in a mortal sense of age and years. If God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow then our best years (so to speak) will always be right now.

The good old days, I know for a good stretch I was caught up in the argument for the good old days of when we said The Pledge of Allegiance, and The Ten Commandments chiseled openly on government buildings, and Christians displaying quotes and prayers more openly, like in the south... But then a friend of mine posted on Facebook the following, "Yikes, why would I want to go back to the good old days of sitting at the back of the bus?!"...and THAT woke me up to the trap of nostalgia..
Everyday brings progress of some sort, somewhere.

Mrs Eddy speaks of Columbus giving "a freer breath to the globe," although “ignorance and superstition chained the limbs of the brave old navigator."

I love the newness of every moment of nowness! I love the life of it!! And even though the "time serpent" would say that Christians are shackled today unlike yesteryear, as a Christian I pray way more now "in secret" than I ever did openly..

Jesus said in Matthew, "when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. ... But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret;.."

And Mrs Eddy says, “To enter into the heart of prayer, the door of the erring senses must be closed. Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error." This is progress, moving forward, leaving ignorance and superstition, all error, to the past "uncoffined, unknelled, unknown," even as we cease to "sigh over the world" and unfold our wings "for heaven." (S&H)

Thanks, Kevin. This is exactly what I needed at this very moment. It seems during the holidays, there is a tendency to look back at the past joys and even grieve for them. Thanks for the reminder that the kingdom of heaven is right here giving us all the happiness and joy we need. There is no past or future happiness. It's here right now.

"Everl Land", what a message. Thank you, Kevin

Thank you ery much!!!

I like to cherish all the good that has occurred in my life to be a step forward in understanding that as it comes from God, it is an ever-present goodness in God's eternal day - so I can look for the ever- unfoldment of God's day. Hymn 238 I find helpful. In v.1 it states: "...... And step by step, since time began, we see the steady gain of man." and in v 2 ... "For all the good the past hath had remains to make our own time glad...."

Thank you for this thought-provoking lift, and I look forward to all the other inspiring comments.

It's me again!!! I meant to add a bit of the last verse of H 238 if I may. "v.4 Henceforth my heart shall sigh no more for olden time and holier shore: God's love and blessing, then and there, are now and here and everywhere."

Thank you. js

Thank you! And welcome, good new days!!

Kevin, Thank you

What a great "wake up" call! Thanks, Kevin!

'From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand ' [Matt 4.17]. 'Repent' is translated from the ancient Greek, where the verb was from μετανοέω [metanoeō] = 'I change my mind / change my thinking.' SO - don't hold onto the past and past ways of thinking. We have to move forward, 'progress' being 'the law of God'... Although we MUST learn lessons from the past, having learnt from it, we must not then seek to live in it. See S&H p 226: 'The lame, the deaf, the dumb, the blind, the sick, the sensual, the sinner, I wished to save from the slavery of their own beliefs and from the educational systems of the Pharaohs, who to-day, as of yore, hold the children of Israel in bondage.' So, seek the Ever-land, not the Never-land. Thanks, Kevin - very helpful and thought-provoking. .

This is really "a good news day"! Thank you for sharing it with the worldwide community.

I could not get a download of the lecture, but all comments below were a reflection of what was told.
So uplifting to the soul and spirit of our living in the now. Perfect boost for my daily progress.
Thank you !

Many thanks Kevin for this great reminder, Yes. "The good that belongs to us right now...moves us forward this very moment." "I once was lost, but now am found,/ Was blind, but now I see." (Christian Science Hymnal Supplement #431).

Thanks for the reversal of that common usage of the "good old" into the "good now + new" - as newness is always the result of progress.

js - I agree with you: "..so I can look for the ever- unfoldment of God's day."

Thank you so much for that brilliant idea. So helpful It will shine for all in a Wonderful way.

Thank you, Kevin, for “The good new days … amazing good … going on right here and now … Jesus Christ said God’s kingdom is within us. Present tense …” This reminds me of a friend, who always greeted me out loud with, “Let’s make some good memories!” I found myself/both of us, actually, focusing on the good I/we wanted to remember. It was freeing and just plain fun! Healing. Right at this moment, I’ve decided that I’m going to be THAT kind of friend from now on! I’m convinced that living thoroughly in the now to prove the sovereignty of God/Good, is a very Christian way to live. Living Christ’s Christianity is going to Our Father in unceasing prayer and unwavering obedience. As you say, there’s “amazing good … going on right here and now …” Now … and … now … and … now … There’s no room in God/Good for “… measurement of life by solar years … a declining sun ... the physical and material, the transient sense … Chronological data … Time-tables of birth and death … limiting all that is good and beautiful …” Instead, we can prove that “Man, governed by immortal Mind, is always beautiful and grand” (S&H 246). With a twinkle in my eye and a smile on my lips, I ask: Is living in the NOW of “God’s kingdom within us” as an elixir? Is NOW the location of the “Fountain of Youth?” :-) By the way, thanks to everyone in this amazingly good Daily Lift community! You inspire me every day. Every day you make good memories for me! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Muchas gracias Kevin por el mensaje de "hoy" y por esa dimensión del infinito que nos trae el Daily Lift

Thank you for this Lift. There are times when just certain parts of the past could come back, but as a whole I am somewhat satisfide with what is now. There are changes that I would like to see, it may happen but only when God governs it.

Thank you! It is amazing how each day brings a new, fresh, original DL. I was thinking about something I heard, or read recently: The past is gone, we cannot change it, the future is uncertain, no one knows what will come, but the present is a present, a gift, let´s enjoy it TODAY!

Thanks so much, Kevin. Your lift is a real wake up call! I've found that there is sometimes a wish that Christian Science could return to the "good old days," that somehow things just arent as good as years ago. What a destructive thought! Truth less true today? Love less present? I don't think so!

There is no better time than the present. I love to think of eternity as the "ever-present now." In the present there is no time for glorification of the past, as God is forever unfolding to us His omnipotent goodness. As a musician I am frequently asked about what happened to the great music and composers of prior times, and I am always urged to think of how God's inspiration is flowing just as much today as of old, for "progress is the law of God." Thank you for the reminder!

The Quaker poet and advocate of abolition of slavery in the United States, John Greenleaf Whittier, also wrote these words , "Through this dark and stormy night
Faith beholds a feeble light
Up the blackness streaking;
Knowing God's own time is best...,"
And Mrs. Eddy writes, "The Easel of time presents pictures -- once fragmentary and faint -- now rejuvenated by the touch of God's right hand. Where joy, sorrow,hope, disappointment, sigh, and smile commingled, now hope sits dove-like,"
The Harvard Classics, English Poetry Volume III, From Tennyson to Whitman, page 1426.
Miscellaneous Writings, by Mary Baker Eddy, Preface, page ix.
Thank you for the Lift and music too.

Kevin, right on! And, what great posts already this morning as I check in.

The invitation says "Come join us. You are invited to a celebration of the advent of Christ. You do not need to bring anything. Everything is provided".

I don't see anything here about bringing "good ole day dishes" Apparently it is NOT a pot luck!

We have very good memories of the good old days and are blessed with more good new days!!!!

I see only good progress from the old days. My personal life is certainly better. Does anyone else remember the Christian Science lectures where the lecturer stood very stiff and formally presented his (yes "his" - I don't remember hearing any women when I was young) message? And we didn't have the technology that brings the Daily Lift. These certainly are the "good new days!"

Dear Kevin, Thanks for the "ever land" of Good! Sometimes I struggle with the belief that Good has an ending - that it can't last forever. I heard that the affirmation for that is: "When it gets too Good.....it gets Better!" I think it's the belief that there has to be an opposite to Good to balance things out. Or that I just can't hold that much Good, my container is too small! Or the favorite one: "I just don't feel deserving of that much Good!" I think accepting the "ever land of Good" has to start with accepting myself as a precious and free, loved child of God. Needing to know and understand Who I Really Am!!! As a part of God's ever-present Goodness, it would be impossible for me not to live in the "ever land of Good"!!!!

What a perfect message for those of us who have been widowed after long and happy marriages. I also thank "Seeker". #12 for the comment that "although we must learn lessons from the past, having learned from it, we must not seek to live in it." Every day is God's day, and that means it is a good day! How could today have any less of God's perfection than yesterday did?!

Lately, I have been starting my morning with the definition of Day from Science and Health (pg. 584):

"Day. The irradiance of Life; light, the spiritual idea of Truth and Love...This unfolding is God's day, and "there shall be no night there."

Each day -- today -- is a precious gift from God, filled with His glory. We are His glory! Could we ask for more! "...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation..." (II Cor.)

Thank you, Kevin. Thank you, Bol.

Awesome Kevin.

This is so true and very timely for me... thank you so much for this awesome lift!

Thanks for introducing the term, "everland" to me.

Being present in life is always a wonderful gift. When I labor and worry over the future then I am not giving it to God. I have suffered through many worries in the last years but still try to keep my head above water with that deep faith, steady trust in God to care for me and know that things will come out all right. I am so happy to be alive, to express whatever goodness I can. That is my purpose that makes life worthwhile for me. Veeerrrry simple!!!! And yet so often I do not stop to smell the fragrance of flowers, see the shifting light of day and play of shadows and take time to smile at a child's antics. It is our duty to appreciate nature and humanity and to keep the perspective of keeping our shining light- spiritual light lit as on a hill for all to see. My joy is my gift to myself and my gift to others and that joy comes from God my maker. Love to all and thank you for the LIFT.

Kevin, you gave me, and I am sure many others, a very special LIFT. And Steve(#4) gave a wonderfully fresh perspective on the progress that has been and is being made NOW although we might be tempted to feel it is not taking place. "Progress is the law of God." And that law operates always. It is all powerful and we can rejoice in it continually

Quote above is from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (233:6)
Daily Lift Team

LOVE GOD NOW;LOVE PEOPLE NOW

Kevin, thank you so much for this great Lift, but I have absolutely no desire at all to dwell on the past. They were tough times, and I can see how deceived I was about that seeming history, but still there is the need to spiritualize my thought of them. To stay with the truth about God, and to understand that God was going on then, just as He is the presence and power right here and now. Material sense promises much, but delivers disappointment and discord, Staying with our spiritual understanding, however lacking mortal sense would try to convince us, it is still light years ahead of material birth that always ends in death. I much prefer the promise of an Everland of the good NEW days!
Thank you so much Nathan and the producers; the Board of Lectureship and the lecturers; and the right up to the mark Daily Lifters.

Thank you, Kevin...would like to know the date of the CSJ where the poem you mentioned appears.

Here is a link to the poem mentioned in today's Lift. Now is the time
Daily Lift Team

Someone once suggested to me that I could think of each new day as a "blank" sheet and then check at the close of day to see what I had written on it. Thanks to all.

Terrific. Thank you all.

Thank you Kevin! Thank you all lifters, TMC for providing these and all the commenters! This truly is a wonderful family and I am so grateful for these Daily Lifts! It's like a fabulous Wednesday night service everyday! Some days I have an extra big smile when I see all the parts of the world we are writing in from :) it is a good, great new day and as someone said at church last night we must learn to look for and expect good and blessings as well as express them. Thank you again, all for these wonderful, inspiring and thought provoking lifts!

With love

Thank you, Kevin, for this great message!
Just perfect, especially for this time of year.

Thanks Kevin. Yes, the good new days and as some have said, The Good News Days! #40, thanks for your comments. Indeed, I look forward to see how far reaching the comments come from as well. Thanks DL Team for putting these on, the llift messages and the comments are always so inspiring and relevant and delightfully heart warming.

Thank you.

So on target
To stay in the old days is to stop moving
become motionless in the past
Thank you for gathering us all together to
move forward in todays newness

Thank you Kevin. Since adopting a dog, he is teaching me these lessons too. It doesn't matter what we did 10 minutes or 30 minutes ago, he is eager for the next adventure and is ready to go and learn. He doesn't lay around and think of his past life.I find that each new Lift and each comment I read stirs my thought and I'm eager to learn and go forward. I don't forget past lessons but look forward to the next idea that God, Mind, sends my way. It is an exciting journey.
Thanks Nate & team, the BOL for bringing these blessings to us.

Thank you for your wonderful message. Thank you #12 for your comprehensive translation of repent. I love it. Indeed, don't hold on to the past, move forward and be grateful for the learning opportunity given by God and follow his direction. Take heart #20, it will happen. Your reward is directly in proportion to the degree of an intrusion; - the most evil attrocity that may have been committed, bringing the richest recompense. Your path in following His direction then is straight and easy. Blessings to you Kevin, listeners, Nate and all Lifters who put together these inspiring and most beneficial words of wisdom.

Hooray for the eternal NOW!!! Thanks D.L. Family ~ you're the best & blessed!!

OH! The myth of the good old days. What was so good about it? The depression of 1929, WW1 and WW2 etc. Who needs that? Look at the Good we have now. The Internet, bringing C/S into our homes in all it's splendor. We can hear a Mother Church Service every Wednesday & Sunday. There is so much good going on now that overshadows the bad, and it shall keep overshadowing it until it disappears for good. That's just what Mary Baker Eddy meant when she talked about CHEMICALIZATION. The bringing forth error only to be seen and destroyed. The good NEW days is here and now, ALWAYS!!

Huge thanks, Kevin, for this amazing lift. It is absolutely perfect for me and woke me up this morning. Many thanks to all who respond as you add so much to these Daily Lifts and help me keep my thoughts focused in the right direction.

Thank-you Kevin, for a spiritually timely message. Grateful for the wonderful comments today. GOOD NEWS & GOOD TODAY & GOOD NOW!!!

Wonderful advice and helpful reminder to keep newness in our thoughts and enjoy the present now. Thank you for this inspiring Lift.

Thanks, Kevin!
I loved the last comment you made about finding the "Ever Land" of today! Good for us all too see and forever dwell in that land of Now. We can find such exciting ideas that bless the world right Now.
Thanks. I love doing just that!

Thank you! "Leaning on the sustaining Infinite with loving trust, the trials of to-day are brief, and to-morrow is big with blessings" S&H 1875
Preface page 3.

"To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings"
S&H Preface Page VII

Is today! What a blessing!

Woohoo! Thanks Kevin--this is a great reminder as I'm finishing up my last day of work at my current, beloved job and looking forward to the good new days already full of blessings!

Kevin, thank you for an early Christmas present! Just what I needed as others have said. And #22, made me think of the movie; Kung Fu Panda ~ "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mistery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present."

What a good new day. It is where the action is!

Thank you Kevin! NOW is the present -- best gift ever!
Grateful for all the comments from everyone . Loved #45 -- the doggie story.
and #44 and 19, and 26 (no old recipes for a pot luck dinner)..and everyone!
What blessings to share this feast, right NOW

What a great helpful lift! Thanks a bunch!

Kevin, I needed to hear this message, wow , what a good one it is. thanks

Your thoughts reminded me of MBE's comment that we own no past or future only now. Each day gives us an opportunity to demonstrate God's dominion. The Journal and Sentinel articles and testimonies of years gone by are reminders and guides of how we can work through wars, depressions, disease, relationships, employment, etc.and remind us there are no good or bad times in God's kingdom.

Thank you Kevin! This is a great reminder that all we truly have, is Now! I love to think of life as the "eternal now! No past to regret, no future to fear, just the eternal now! A dear member of our church liked to end his illustrations often given at Wednesday Testimony meetings and meetings of our membership with this fun encouragement to live in the now like this. He'd say, in a wonderful southern accent "yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow is a promissory note, but today is cash in the hand"! I loved it! Christ Jesus admonished us not to look back, giving a wonderful comparison to a man, plowing a field, "looking back", can in "no wise enter the kingdom of heaven" (Luke 9:63.) Pretty stern warning not to look back! In the Preface of her wonderful book which holds the "Key" to unlock the treasures of the Scriptures,Mary Baker Eddy records in Science and Health, (P.vii) "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." Your lovely, gentle "Lift certainly pointed this out! Much gratitude to you today for this "timely" reminder!

Wondeful message, Kevin. My own life just gets better all the time since I learned a valuable lesson: to be OTHER-CENTERED brings far more happiness and contentment than the SELF-CENTERED place which bemoans life experiences and keeps us in a "poor me" rut.

Thank you.

Hey Kevin and all you Lifters, what inspiration you bring! Connie n.57 I loved the Kung Fu Panda joke, n.64 thanks for sharing your lesson. I get to read the lifts in the evening which means I go to bed feeling grateful and blessed.
Much love to you all.

Thank you!
All comments were on target...loved
especially JB 38's comment - that
"he thinks of each day as a blank sheet
and at the end of day, to see what he had written on it.\
I will do THAT to... love it.!

to me everyday is a good new day,,man thanks to you, Kevin for this so wonderful message..and to all fellow commentors..Godbless!

Indeed, we can expect much good each day! That's because our Source and Sustainer has not lost any of his goodness.

Thank you Kevin.
I'm not boarding the snake-train (of world belief) to be rushed along
against [my] will; [I] have the power to claim [my] Father's perfect and [pearlpetual] present.
Now is the shining moment of eternity!
Have a day of GOOD!
:-)

ARN ~ UK yes, Everland is where we EVER LIVE, MOVE and have true immortal SELFHOOD

how could yesteryear help us now?? All the good of GOD is within our reach at this instant and
many more NOWS to come.......

NOW is the ONLY TIME... pure,perfect NOW!!! grab it and glory in it..GOD is our NOW GLORY !!!

Thank you Kevin! So much progress is going on in ways often unseen to the material senses, it is comforting to be reminded that a return to the 'good old days' is often an attempt by 'mortal mind' to return to 'positions outgrown'.

thank you kevin

Dear Kevin,
What a wonderful thought. Living in the divine now is the spiritual way of growth. The Bible says "now is the accepted time," (II Cor. 6:2) not 1975 or 2013. How comforting to know, really know, that good, God is ever present and has always been and always will be ever present, no matter what era. I pray that that continuing education is never smothered.

Thanks so much, Kevin.

Thank you for the good reminder, Kevin!

Right on the mark, Kevin. Thank you!

Kevin and fellow Lifters - Yes, today, this day, is BIG with blessings! Sometimes it is easy to feel discouraged and afraid when mortal sense is whispering "worry". But reading these Lifts and the overwhelming reassurance of God's constant Love and provision, continually reconfirmed by the comments written here, shakes away the clouds of doubt. Lately, we have been overwhelmed with many year-end financial obligations and the seeming "lack" of means to pay for them. Then out of the blue come unexpected sources of income. Co-incidential? Not today or anyday. God hears our needs before we call, and voila. Needs met! I am so very grateful to know that today and everyday is "the good new days" that lay ahead to bring unexpected joy unfolding. Fear not, for I AM WITH YOU - today, tomorrow, and always.

Thank you so much Kevin, for the nice message. Merry Chritmas and Happy New Year.