Dear Mary Rose,

Thank you for your lift this evening. May we all be blessed with righteousness!

My favourite maxim at the moment is: "It's not about me it's about God" this beatitude expresses it well. Thank you for reminding us.

Thank you Mary - integrity and honesty are natural qualities of man and I am grateful how your lift brought that out

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you" Matt. 5:11
Don't take offense, is not directed against you. I found that every time someone acts rude toward me is not personal but against the Christ I try so hard to emulate.
I too heard many times, "You try too hard", sure, that is the way we all should live, trying hard to live "the life that approaches the supreme good" S&H 496:10
ESPAÑOL
“Bienaventurados los que padecen persecución por causa de la justicia” Mateo 5:11
No te ofendas, no es contra ti. Yo he notado que cada vez que alguien actúa de una manera grosera hacia mí, no es personal sino contra el Cristo que yo trato tanto de imitar.
Yo también he oído muchas veces, “Tratas demasiado”, claro, así debiéramos vivir todos, tratando demasiado de vivir la vida “que más se acerca al bien supremo” CyS 496:10

Someone recently quoted to me the last line of hymn 18 in the Christian Science Hymnal, reminding me never to forsake the right.
That is why we are here, because the world needs our lamp, and we can continue as Apostle Paul said, to put off sin and flesh and and run with patience. Then we have done our part. That is all we need to do, as man means all men.
This is an amazing podcast

Many thanks Mary Alice for reminding us that "Heaven is not a far off place, but a present sense of complete harmony." "Heaven is here, harmony’s bliss/ to everyone belongs". (Christian Science Hymnal Supplement #453).

Dear Mary Alice,

Thank you for this. I can literally relate to what you have said. I have had not one but at least three bosses tell me I will never make it in life because I am too kind. One told me I was not a fit for the organization because I did not drink alcohol, therefore no one will ever respect me. A year later he tried to get rid of me from the organization. Another boss met with me and told me I was doing everything they were supposed to be doing in support of the staff and that I needed to stop. They too did what they could to get rid of me.

All of the above brought many years of sadness. I would tell my friends that I tried changing but it never felt right, I just knew I was on the right path. Often there never is any human validation when we walk that straight and narrow way. You cannot waiver, however, if you choose to walk the path.

I have come to realize that leaving all for God means not only often letting go material treasures such as our trust in financial wealth, false friendships and even family, but also our fears. Listening to God means you must shut out the whole human picture. Christ Jesus had to do just that

Now-a-days when you take a picture with a digital camera you can go in and crop what you want out of the picture via the computer. I cannot tell you how often I have had and have to crop that human sense from my daily picture to see & feel the Green Pastures.

By trusting God, we gain the blessings of true Substance. Thanks.

Mary Alice,
Thanks for the woonderful Lift...! As the children of God, we are blessd when we abide in HIS Divine Principle, Truth, and Love...! In that heavenly refuge, we cannot be touchnrd by the "slings and arrows" of mortal minds attempts to "presecute" us for being the loving, honest, and forth-right
child of God...for being. HIS reflection.
Thanks again for the reminder...!

Thank you for this very informative Lift.

Thank you Mary Rose, for this great Lift. While travelling by bus from LA to Vancouver, I was amazed to hear my name called over the loud speaker at the transit centre at Seattle, Washington. No one knew where I was, so I had no sense of anything other than good when I approached the counter. The clerk asked me what I had lost. I had no idea I'd lost anything. When she placed my wallet with all my money, passport, return airline ticket and valuables on the counter I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the one who hadn't been tempted to claim any part of the contents. I certainly offered a reward, but this was firmly rejected. I learned many years later that Seattle is the best place to lose property since they are almost always returned to the owner! Obviously this anonymous one was filled with righteousness; with honesty and integrity, and acted in accord with "her highest sense of Christianity in an effort to bless" this traveller. How blessed and blessing was that precious one, whose action protected and shielded me from complications that would have spoilt the remainder of my visit to Canada and return to Australia.
Thank you Nate and the team; the BoL and lecturers; and the Daily Lifters.

Thank you so much, this is yet another perfect angel message of words to live by in this journey of Life. Progress!!

Thanks, Mary Alice, for "Righteousness is always blessed...be true to the Divine Law of Love..." One definition of “persecute” is “bully.” Before words or actions, "the bully" comes first as an unGodlike thought, trying to convince us, God's beloved children, that we are on turf, where God has no authority. It's a lie. Whether whispered or shouted, it's a lie. “…there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). Performance reviews? Death threats! With every breath, we have the opportunity to prove the sovereign power of Love. Jesus showed us and told us how to live according to the Divine nature, so that like Jesus, we would never die. Christian Science teaches how to respond, as Jesus did, to every bully – quickly, effectively, and even permanently. "Return not evil for evil, but 'overcome evil with good.' Then, whatever the shaft aimed at you or your practice may be, it will fall powerless...Watch, and pray daily that evil suggestions, in whatever guise, take no root in your thought nor bear fruit. Ofttimes examine yourselves, and see if there be found anywhere a deterrent of Truth and Love, and 'hold fast that which is good'" (My 128). The bullies of sin, sickness, and death need to be proved powerless by applying the Diving Law of Love, the Truth of being.

A comforting Lift...Thank you Mary Alice.

No importa el trato que recibamos cuando guiados por el amor hacemos el bien, porque el error está siempre presto a rearguir contra la Verdad y seremos maltratados por el, ¿acaso no lo fue Cristojesús? ¿pensamos que el error se quedará tranquilo cuando en nuestro accinar lo negamos y mostramos su falacia?
No, siempre se va a defender y tratar de entrampar y la manera es dandonos cosas materiales y aún las que nos son caras a nosotros porque esa es la tarea del error confundir Eddy nos dice que: "Ella vio que la Cristiandad ha resistido menos la tentación de la popularidad que la persecución" y tambien podríamos decir de el sentirse satisfechos con lo logrado que a veces puede traducirse en bienes materiales y si también en la satisfación del compañerismo, amistad y aún en la familia, en ese complejo accinar sutil del error, porque para eso está armado... esto no quiere decir que no tengamos gozo y alegría por nuestra tarea al contrario ese es el único gozo auténtico, y es el más hermoso de todos.

"La comunión íntima de Jehová es con los que le temen" Salmos

Muchas gracias Mary Alice, No hay mayor gozo que este, la Verdad, y el Amor.

Thank you for a lovely lift.

I am reminded of what happened years ago when I was a teacher in a middle school. It was the last week of school and the principal said that on the last day all teachers were to give a test to the students. The intent of this test was to keep everyone busy and out of trouble. When it was asked how the teachers could get the students to take the test, then grade it and get the grades into the office in a day....it was replied that we shouldn't grade it at all. It was simply a disciplinary action.

I went to the principal in private and said in so many words that I, in all honesty, could not give the students a test (which they would study for and knew would affect their grades) and then not grade it. I went to him after some deep soul searching and prayer. He took back the decision and the tests were not given. And rather than his being angry about my actions he praised them.

Oops..."The bullies of sin, sickness, and death need to be proved powerless by applying the Diving Law of Love, the Truth of being." There probably is a "Diving Law of Love" since "the Truth of being" just is. But, I meant to write, "The bullies of sin, sickness, and death need to be proved powerless by applying the Divine Law of Love, the Truth of being." :-) Actually, just thought - what fun and how useful to have a fill-in-the-blank Law of Divine Love for each activity or event! Today, for me, it's the Housecleaning Law of Divine Love. :-) Love and Big Smiles to all!!!

This is a thought provoking and challenging beatitude. How can we be joyful about harmful criticism?
I like Nela's references to persecution as bullying, which is really an attempt by one person to control another by harming him with a lie - or a truth perverted into a criticism.
Flattery can also be harmful, as described in a poem by Mary Baker Eddy:
"So, when day grows dark and cold,
Tear or triumph harms,
Lead Thy lambkins to the fold,..." "Feed My Sheep" Hymn 304+
As a lamb is innocent and harmless, so are we.
This is the blessing that brings us joy, that cannot be taken away.
I am grateful.

Thank you so much Mary Rose! This daily lift spoke directly to me because I had a similar experience in my previous job! Good is never powerless and God is all in all!!

Thank you for this blessing, Mary Alice.

Thank you, Mary Alice! I love that you are not afraid to take a stand for the right, for the good, for Principle! Thanks, also, to #7 Troy! Who said it would be easy to be true to the Divine Law of Love? Christian Science sets a high standard to live by, based as it is on what Jesus taught, Christianity. Our life really IS between us and our Higher Power, God! I love this: "What you (mortal mind) think of me is none of my business."!! Onward and Upward! Much Love!

Thank you Mary Alice, for your helpful comments today. You always speak with such clear diction and music in your voice, making whatever you have to say easily heard and understood. May God bless you.

Thank you, Mary Alice! This Beatitude is so helpful -- persecution is not fun! But blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake — as you pointed out that we are taught by Jesus. I had an experience working at a summer job in college. I had no choice but to remain on the job although the employer was not kind to the young girls working at his small resort. He accused me falsely of several things, saying he would not recommend me for anything. I prayed diligently to see him as God's child, worked hard, and before the summer was over (even when I had to leave the job earlier than expected) he told me that he would be happy to recommend me for any other job. We parted with smiles.

Thanks Margaret #10. This is a wonderful story and you expressed it so well. I once was helped by a complete stranger when I was in a complicated and stressful situation at LA airport. I had to run to a distant part of the huge terminal in order to catch a plane home to Australa. This kind man met my need by running with me to find the right gate. I was filled with gratitude and felt even more determined to help others similarly after experiencing this random act of kindness. It is great to magnify the good and righteousness we find in the world.

Thank you for the uplifting help in your message---for years being honest and fair has seemed to be a cross on my back ---now with your insight as thou a great weight has been lifted from me again thank you

Always we receive the blessings we need when turning to God.I recall a time when I was being unjustly accused,and looking for comfort,opened Science and Health to page 317 and read"Whosoever lives most the life of Jesus in this age and declares best the power of Christian Science,will drink of his Master's cup."
There is more and so,so comforting that I felt entirely blessed and was lifted out of a hard situation.We certainly are never alone in our trials!

Mary Alice, thank you for another wonderful lift, just full of inspiration!

I had a similar situation with my manager who was known to be very religious. My appraisals were lower than expected for two years in a row. His explanation was that he could never give me any new projects because I was always busy. Once I provided pizza for 100 employees who had been asked to stay and work late after a long business show. He said everyone thought of me as the guy who goes for pizza instead of the controlling manager. In one appraisal I responded that he was mistaking my Christianity for weakness. I felt my righteousness was not being appreciated as it should be by a fellow Christian.

During this period I was elected as reader for my branch church and this manager was very supportive as it curtailed my travel and took an hour of my office time one day a week. But we never were as close as I thought we should be. He finally transferred me to another department where I flourished.

I met him years later and learned he was opposed to my view that Jesus was not God. I began to realize that instead of being righteous, I was probably being self-righteous and overly defensive and this didn't bless anyone. It was a good lesson for me to realize sincerity and self examination is always necessary.

Back to "Blessed are the meek". Beatitudes are like the Commandments, we must “live” them all and not focus on a few favorites. Our work, partially done is NOT DONE at all.

Thank you Mary Alice. I knew it would be a great Lift just by the title! Your message, and the experiences of some of the commenters reminded me of a passage from Miscellaneous Writings (p 338) where Mary Baker Eddy says:

"Faith illumined by works; the spiritual understanding which cannot choose but to labor and love; hope holding steadfastly to good in the midst of seething evil; charity that suffereth long and is kind, but cancels not sin until it be destroyed, -- these afford the only rule I have found which demonstrates Christian Science."
"And remember, a pure faith in humanity will subject one to deception; the uses of good, to the abuses of evil; and calm strength will enrage evil. But the very heavens shall laugh at them, and move majestically to your defense when the armies of earth press hard upon you."

"Calm strength" will also bring out the best in those who are receptive to righteousness as Tom (#16) proved. We all need to remember that God is our employer, and like Jesus, we are required only to "do always those things that please Him," whether those around us are pleased or not. Then we are never left alone, never without His loving care and sure reward.

Have a blessed day everyone!

THANK you Mary Alice
Recently I heard of a comment directed toward an educated woman who was seeking work -- she was told she was too honest, and could never get a job!!! This relates to comments from Troy #7 -- and that's persecution for righteousness sake.
And Tom #16 -- that took courage. Well done!

Mary Baker Eddy writes "Honesty is spiritual power..."
"Thou are Truth's honest child -- words from a hymn that we can all live by.
Thank you! I am always learning something from all the lecturers, and all the comments on this "board."

Thank you for this Lift and comments. Nela, #12 & 17 I always benefit from your comments and today was no exception! Dearest Troy #7, thank you for your daily comments. Your comments regularly encourage, delight and inspire. It is difficult to think of you being so unappreciated. Your own goodness is a promise of the goodness in others, including those unfair bosses. I am praying you be relieved of any residual unhappiness from those "many years of sadness." Following the Christ model with your commitment to righteousness must include the blessing of resurrection and ascension from the heaviness of such memories. Much Love, Tracy

THANK YOU!!

Thank you, Mary Alice and thanks to commenter # 2. Exactly what I needed to hear today. It's about God!

When we are annoyed or troubled persistently by mortal hypnotic suggestion and we continue to be persistent back in rejecting the “hook” or identification with the suggestion and rebuke it…recognize it for the illusion it is…and affirm God’s Principle, Life, Truth, Love, Soul, Spirit, Mind, then the lie is reversed, fleeing and disappearing in the light of Truth…Heaven is fully revealed.
Continued prayer after trip to San Antonio: Thank you #7, Troy for “praying” with us at a time we are reversing the idea of a stolen vehicle…
Thank you Heavenly Father Mother God, Vinnie and I, as the children of God, are blessed as we abide in HIS/HER/YOUR Divine Principle, Truth, and Love! Thank You for your faithfulness in keeping us within your Divine Presence perpetually never letting us fall. In that heavenly refuge, we cannot be touched by the "slings and arrows" of mortal minds attempts to "persecute" us for being the loving, honest, and forth-right children of God...for being HIS/HER/YOUR reflection. I rebuke and not claim any hypnotic suggestion that our inheritance can be taken from us and we are guilty in some way of having caused the theft. God is the only Cause and Effect and keeps us solidly in HIS/HER/OUR HOME and nothing can come against us. Thank You supply and demand is balanced in every moment and all that we need is met already in order for us to continue progressing in the work of the Kingdom and doing God’s business. TY God YOUR providence is trustworthy.

That's so true--that we should be pleasing God with our righteousness and not adjusting our actions to please mortal mind, whose ever that might be. There is only one Mind and one Truth whom we reflect, and doing that, like the work of the Christian Science Monitor, can "injure no man but bless all mankind."

Wonderful!

This is such a lovely lift and so relevant to today's world of work and personal relationships. Thank you to everyone for enlightening comments.

I love everyone's comments today! I also just realized that we need to be careful not to let mortal mind use us as false "martyrs" - just to show others how righteous we are in following the Law of Love! Christian Science stands for Common Sense and we also need to abide by the laws of the Land and the rules of our Work Place, too! Christian Science must be made practical in everyday life to really be effective!

Thank you for this wonderful wisdom. Also, love the music, as always. I'm so much happier when I can block out all need for human approval and only look to God for validation. This doesn't exclude love among one another or respectful human interaction. But, it seems to allow a pure guileless goal of solely serving God to take hold. All are blessed by this atmosphere of "freedom from ego" approach.

Thank you.

Thank you. Watching our own thinking, gives us plenty of employment. By taking a stand we do not look down on others. I agree with # 38 Bev.

Wonderful and helpful comments have followed today's LIFT, and "well done Troy" Thou good and faithful servant! Jesus knew what could happen to HIS followers, and warned us when he said "For my sake (righteousness) you will be reviled and persecuted" and Mrs Eddy tells us "The REAL man neither sins, suffers nor dies. NOW, there's something worth holding on to! Blessings to all our lifters!

Thanks so much for this encouraging lift.

A lovely testimony, & lesson you attached to it, Mary Alice! There were local school administrators dismissed, and a few people who ran for primary elections, but despite all they'd done, didn't get their party endorsement. I felt it was because they were too honest. Wish I'd connected them to the Beatitude, and what I know of Christian Science, that rewards don't await passing on. This Lift awakens me to many personal occasions also. I realize blessings weren't always held up in spite of my blindness. I was an outspoken parent and became secretary to a group fighting school corruption. In rural Eastern Ky., many communities are "owned" by dangerous, so-called powerful men, as ours was, drug lords, too, I was told. We got death threats by phone, & lived beyond witnesses, but my husband and 2 youngest sons still at home supported my continuing efforts. I clung to 2nd Kings 8, when the Syrian army surrounded the city Elisha was in. What I was led to say in public meetings, exposed what was taking place by using old western movies as an analogy. The public was delighted, to see what it humorously revealed and what it meant in terms they understood. The "owners" were livid. Once I wondered in confidence to a Principal, why they had not physically retaliated, for they had reputations for that. She knew "inside" stories and replied, "Because they are afraid of you!" I credited God & CS for my protection, but today I see it also fulfilled the Beatitude. Now to help others see!

34 Jan, Naturally I join in prayer for rightful recovery of your car, but your comment is sufficient for the work! I can't wait to read the testimony! With a pickup & station wagon not road worthy or worth fixing, we hoped to find an affordable (that was asking alot) used station wagon for our big family. A dear Christian Scientist friend & her husband prayed for us. After speaking to her, I realized a car isn't a "thing", but a metaphysical extention of self, enabling us to go farther (& much more). Next morning before leaving to find a car, suddenly I got an angel message quoting the CS Hymn 299 line "And for you make radiant room..."(Also #300-302, a poem written by Mrs. Eddy). It just glowed in my thought, but I didn't connect it to shopping. Long story short, we found a 12 passenger van, in good condition, and affordable for M-in-law, who helped us with the purchase, & to our surprise approved it. As I sat with the baby in the van while she & Wayne signed papers, the hymn line glowed again. Jan your car is part of you all, and YOU weren't stolen. Change all the car represents to thoughts as they relate to yourselves (for space I can't list), and those are secure.

So many great comments above to thank each! Another thanks to Mary Alice for inspiration which prompted so many wonderful remarks and testimonies.

Thank you Mary Alice, I love this idea of looking into the Beatitudes .

Dear Michael, #28, RE: your view that "Jesus was not God" that offended your manager, I feel it beneficial to say who Mrs. Eddy says Christ Jesus is, rather than who he is not. Pg. 200 in Science and Health, "Christian Science says: I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him glorified." Jesus is our Master, our Savior. He sits at the right hand of the Father. He is one with God. Jesus is the son in the holy trinity, he shows us the way to stay in the Kingdom. He taught us that heaven is within us and other Christian treasures. He is worthy of our love. As a glorified being, he is there for us, always. Yes, Robert #5, the world needs our lamp. And Nela #12, grateful for your wisdom, too: "'the bully' comes first as an unGodlike thought, trying to convince us, God's children that we are on turf where God has no authority, but it's a lie. There is no power but God..." Today's enemies are tomorrow's friends. In the 1940's there were no greater bullies than the Germans, the Japanese and the Italians. We in the US and Europe had no greater enemies. Today we are friends as evidenced by our love of Mercedes, Mishubishi, Prada, and pizza. "Disagree vehemently with your enemies, but never take them out of your heart," teaches Father Carl Arico, a Catholic priest in his contemplative prayer ministry, Lexio Divina. In my ecumenical practice, I learn that it is praying from the heart, experiencing the presence of God, that connects us all.

Thank you all for your comments from this Daily Lift! So many good ideas shared. I would like to share the following clarification from Science and Health about how Mrs. Eddy defined who Jesus was:

"Jesus was born of Mary. Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness. The Christ is incorporeal, spiritual...." (SH 332)
"Jesus demonstrated Christ; he proved that Christ is the divine idea of God — the Holy Ghost, or Comforter, revealing the divine Principle, Love, and leading into all truth." (SH 332)
"The word Christ is not properly a synonym for Jesus, though it is commonly so used." (SH 333)

Regarding the trinity, she wrote:
"Life, Truth, and Love constitute the triune Person called God, — that is, the triply divine Principle, Love. They represent a trinity in unity, three in one, — the same in essence, though multiform in office: God the Father-Mother; Christ the spiritual idea of sonship; divine Science or the Holy Comforter." (SH 331)

I would like to share with the Daily Lift public a few of my experiences with businesses that acted righteously with me during the years especially a auto repair shop that I used during the auto gas crunch of the early 1970's. The owner had a very simple concept of business ethics, and he taught me a great truth in business success. He said; "My customers enable me to own a house, a car, and ability to provide for my family. Why should I think of anything less than to treat my customers like I treat my family. What a simple attitude. There was another incident, when I bought my first foreign car. A 1980 Toyota. The salesman wouldn't sell it to me unless I tried it first. He was more interested in my safety, my comfort than he making money. In other words, my satisfaction came first. There was many more incidents like this. People caring for people. Maybe that's why this country is going through the hardships that is now happening. The morale is being sincere and honest is so easy. Let's bring it back.

Thank you for this encouraging message and the truths that support it. Very helpful; indeed.

Nice to be reminded that good is always right!

Thank you so much Alice for the good message.

Very encouraging. Thank you!!