Thank you! The sound is not coming over well today, maybe it is just my computer, or maybe there is a problem your end?

Barbara in France.

MODERATOR'S NOTE:
You may need to adjust the volume on today's Lift. You can do this by clicking on the graduated bars at the end of of the audio play bar.

Thank You and I am wonderfully reminded of yet another way to be gratefull

Thankyou Shirley I can surely use these ideas today in my work

How sweet and sincere! I love the all-embracing tone of this. Thank you, Shirley.

Hi Shirley,

Thanks for your concise and clear view of the importance of baptism. As Christian Scientists we can take part daily in the baptism of Spirit. In fact, it can be a full immersion baptism when we fully give ourselves over to the Christ each day for direction, correction, protection, fellowship, and the healing that follows when we live a God-centered life and share our love and lives with others.

Chapter 10 of II Corinthians instructs us how to walk with others and celebrate together in the common life: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

When we allow the Christ into our heart, strongholds to be broken, imaginations and things opposite to the knowledge of God to be cast down, and allow our thoughts to be brought in line with the Christ, this is the spiritual action of baptism which cleanses and transforms. If we need the baptism of fire to purify and refine our motives, then we will also be cleansed through this.

It is natural to desire the baptism of the Holy Spirit each day -- to rid ourselves of impurities we don’t need. This allows us to experience grace: “The divine influence upon the heart, and it’s reflection in the life, including gratitude."

Christian baptism is a symbol of cleanness, of purification. John wished he could be baptized by Jesus, he said “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”
Imagine all wrong burned away, being immerse in Spirit we’ll be free to live our lives to the fullest.
To Jesus it was important to obey the law of the land. He came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized of John, “But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness” Matt. 3:14, 15
Let’s renew our baptism!
ESPAŇOL:
EL bautismo Cristiano es un símbolo limpieza, de purificación. Juan deseaba haber sido bautizado por Jesús, dijo “él os bautizará en Espíritu Santo y en fuego”.
Unagínense todo lo malo quemado, siendo immersos en el Espíritu estaremos libres para vivir nuestra vida plenamente.
Para Jesús era importante obedecer la ley del país. El vino de Galilea al Jordán para ser bautizado por Juan, “Mas Juan lo resistía mucho, diciendo: Yo necesito ser bautizado de ti, ¿y tú vienes a mí? Pero respondiendo Jesús le dijo: Deja ahora; porque así nos conviene cumplir toda justicia” Mateo 3:14,15
¡Renovemos nuestro bautismo!

Many thanks Shirley for that inspiring lift to remind us; "Purification includes "Drop the selfish things...Eager to respond to God's [Love's] calling." "Come we daily then, dear Father,/ Open hearts and willing hands,/ Eager ears, expectant, joyful,/ Ready for Thy right commands." (Christian Science Hymnal #58).

This is such a clear explanation of baptism, and really beautiful to ponder along today. Thank you so much!

Thank you for your wonderful lift on Baptism. I've been thinking a lot lately about light, and this brings a light of baptism to my consciousness. I will let the fire of Truth cleanse me as I remember your words.
Diane,NH

I really love this explanation of baptism Shirley. You have made it really clear - the first time I have properly understood this. Thank you, and the 'lifters' with their comments.

Thank you Shirley for your the thought provoking Lift today! When you mentioned that spiritual baptism is the kind of baptism that burns away the selfish things...I realized that if some of the selfish or self centered things are burned away, then that would leave more time to devote to the things of spirit, to be a better disciple of Christ, to be more helpful to the church and to it's cause. That kind of discipleship should help our churches grow and bless individual lives. xo

WOW Shlirley! This is a really inspiring way of introducing a wonderful new aspect of daily prayer. And yet, what is expected of daily prayer but to renew, redeem, and reawaken? I'm so grateful that at this time I'm able to start every morning with time to listen, pray, and read the Lesson. How good that we can sweep away "the useless ashes of selfishness and submerge ourselves into the life of Spirit." Thank you so much Shirley, it's just what was wanted at this very moment.
Thank you Nate and the everpresent back-up crew, the BoL and lecturers and our family of Lifters.

Thanks for this encouragement. I have been undergoing baptism by purifying fire, and this lift is a good reminder of what it is all about. It's a good thing.

So grateful for the Daily Lift with it's clear explanations. Thank You ! :-)

Thank you SO much Shirley for this message about a really practical batism! I loved the power and usability of this spiritual and practical idea to our days!

Thank you for your thoughts on baptism. We do have so much to be grateful for all the Life,Truth and Love that is being ezpressed here.

Thank you Shirley for a beautiful way to introduce the form of baptism for all who join with the Daily Lift. So very loving and thoughtful. May all mankind be cleansed with Love' love and goodness towards Him and one another.

Baptism, like being born again, is a work of progress; a daily renewal and submergence into Spirit's all divine presence. It purges away by fire all unwanted baggage, then gently washes away the ash, and leaves the human conditon clean and whole -- just for today.

Thank you, Shirley. I never thought about baptism that way, what a powerful definition!

P.S. I am grateful for the shelter baptism provides.

I just have to add another thank you, Talk about LIFT!!!!!

Thank you for this thought. It was really good.

Thanks Shirley. Nicely explained for people of all faiths.

Thank you for the clear uplifting message about baptism which I will take with me in particular when i'm asked about baptism from a Christian Science view. More importantly,I am reminded that baptism is a moment by moment activity of my daily life.

Your thoughts on baptism brought back memories of a story my dear Dad loved to tell. When he was about 2 years old he needed surgery for a cleft palate. Their doctor happened to be on the staff of a Catholic hospital and they wouldn't allow him to operate without baptising my Dad as a Catholic. So my grandparents agreed. As soon as he returned home they took him to their church and had him baptised as a Methodist. Later on when my Dad was a boy scout they became members of a Baptist church, so once again my Dad was baptised - but the minister, who was also his scout leader - held him under the water a little longer than usual. He explained he was washing off all of the other baptisms. Then after my Dad became a Christian Scientist he said he finally was truly baptised as Jesus was with the Holy Ghost which awakened him to the Truth of his being and with Fire to cleanse away the false beliefs and purify him. I love to think of baptism as an ongoing and daily experience constantly renewing and purifying.

Thank you Shirley for clarifiying what baptism means to Christian Scientists and thanks to Peter, #4, for your sharing your ideas on baptism.

Hey Shirley…what a great thing to hear first thing in the morning! Thank you for your daily lift on appreciating baptism. It’s something I don’t hear a lot about and I appreciate having this reminder of our daily cleansing. Great job!!!

Heather

Shirley – Thank you for a wonderful wrap up of Baptism and its role in Christian life. I have always thought of baptism as man blessing the already God-blessed and left it at that. But you have awakened a new aspect regarding John’s remark about Jesus’ baptism. Like Margaret (#11), I sensed right away that Jesus’ baptism is an ongoing experience. We accept daily dousing by the Holy Spirit and give gratitude for the removal of things that don’t belong to us.

You know, horses generally do not appreciate getting into the water. My great horse training mentor had a stallion that hated water. One day his horse was throwing a tantrum about stepping into a stream’s edge. My mentor quietly turned him away from the water… and backed him up. Into the water they went! The horse was fine once he was in the water.

Think it is the same for us? Baptism is inevitable. How do we want to get in?

Thanks for this to-the-point clarification and elevation of the concept of "baptism."

Thanks Shirley, what a great way to start my day!

Shirley, the reminder that baptism is a daily event is very helpful. And I love the way you have included all faiths in this lift. We aren't all that different after all, are we? Whether we go in the lake, under the water, or whether we let the Spirit wash over in a "dry" baptism our hearts are all yearning for the same result: "washing away the impurities of the flesh" and all earthly beliefs to see ourselves and others as God's pure, clean, beautiful sons and daughters. Thank you for this special lift.

Hey Shirley, Girl! Thanks so much for that precious and sweet explanation of Baptism! I really feel that "Church" has nothing to do with baptism, as it happens to every human being whether they belong to a Christian Church or any Church or not. It is just one of the facts of being Human! God's love and firely baptism is happening every moment whether we are aware of it or want it or not! The only difference between "People of the Church" or Christians or People on a spiritual path is that they are awake to acknowledging God's hand in their life, while others are not awake to it. "I have girded thee, tho' thou has not known me." That's why it's so important to acknowledge God in our lives - because it is already happening all the time. We are the ones that need to awake to it and feel the purifying baptism of Love, as we draw closer to God, the Infinite One Mind! My conscious contact with God depends entirely on me, on my desire for it. I can remind myself every day how much depends on my being aware of God's influence in my life!

Thank you.

What a great tie-in to this week's lesson on Mortals and Immortals. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Shirley. You have embraced so may faiths in your clear explanation of baptism so beautifully expressed. Thanks to this "Lift" I'm appreciating more of the spiritual significance of baptism for all.

Thanks Shirley for this awesome daily lift. Thank you Lori, I laughed out loud at your story about your dad's babtisms. Thank you, Nancy, we sometimes receive pure inspiration to make us love someone we once disliked. A human can't live without water, daily. A divine idea can't live without living water, daily which Jesus and the Mother Church supplies. Our spiritual senses must be kept clean so imaginations can't take root. Our lesson sermon is our daily supply of purifying, cleansing water to keep us awake and aware of who is in charge.

Thank you, Shirley, for your very clear, consise, and beautiful explanation of "baptism" in Christian Science. And such a wonderful reminder, too.

"Hallelujah! John the Baptist would sure thank you.
Really great lift - big demands.
You depicted the terrific promise and reward of living a baptized life.

Thanks Shirley.
I feel stirred."

Thank you for clarifying how we can leave selfishness in the ashes of purification, and immersed in the life of Spirit. What a great conversation -- the Boy Scout who was baptized by three different churches and finally by the Holy Ghost; the trainer who backed his reluctant horse into the stream.

My own paternal grandmother was shocked when she learned my parents had not had me baptized, and secretly soon took me to her Methodist church to get the job done properly. I appreciate her concern for her first grandchild. Yet he Holy Spirit baptism of purification of heart covers it all -- infant, pre-teen, adult; immersion vs sprinkling. All that's impure is gone, ashes blown away, soiledness washed away. What's left is quite beautiful.

Thank you, Shirley, for your loving embrace, and thanks to all the "lifters" and to the team for these messages!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on "baptism" and thanks to all the others who have commented on this very important subject.

Just wonderful.Thank you.Makes me feel all washed over with waves of good.

Thank you for the explanation. It always is important to have an enlarged view of what the word "baptism" means.

Thanks for this gentle way of explaining baptism. I've wondered why some churches baptize babies when they seem so pure and sweet already. You've given a lovely explanation for this. Thank you to everyone involved in this daily lift broadcast.

Thank you Shirley, for remending me about the baptism. Because, I remember that moment, it was the most beautiful moment of my life. When I realized that my life and everything that I've belongs to God. I'm always gratful to the LORD.

This is a great lift! Maybe one of my favorites. :)

Thank you Shirley for this inspiring lift. Most enlightening indeed.

Thank you Shirley,
I love the idea of baptism, it's like cleaning away old cobwebs, sometimes it's scary and we don't want to do it, but it always feels good when we do. "Shepherd wash me clean" is an active idea! Thank you for the lovely reminder.

Thank you Shirley!

Thank you for this Lift, Shirley. So clear and concise.

I recall when I was sharing Christian Science with a boy in juvenile prison. We were discussing a statement about Jesus' mission, that he would burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. The boy declared that since the fire was unquenchable, then not even ashes would be left. I know he got it and I learned a deeper understanding of the concept of baptism.

Shirley, thank you for the Holy Spirit sweetness and purity of your message. And thank you for bringing to my thought today a fresh awareness of the ongoing gift of baptism that my dear God is offering me, and all Her children.

oh how I agree with barbara (22) when she puts it so simply on refering to Baptism, and todays daily lift that it's "For people of all faiths" so comforting and so True!

As I was growing up, I had many friends who thought I was going straight to hell because of never being baptized with water in my up-to-Kindergarten Presbyterian days or the Christian Science Sunday School years! I tried to relieve their fear for me by using Mary Baker Eddy's definition from the glossary of Science and Health, but it didn't seem to work. Your gentle explanation of the different ways it is done, and Lori's cute example of her dad's multiple baptisms would perhaps have helped my friends see that the physical form of baptism is not nearly as important as the spiritual. Thanks...

Shirley, thank so much for validating baptism in other churches before commenting on baptism in our own. I am involved in a prison ministry, and recently a young man asked me to baptize him. This was a precious invitation and opportunity for the whole group to talk about baptism. Love the simplicity of your comments.

Thank you Shirley,

I was baptised at a methodist mission in the u.k. when I was a baby, 64 yrs ago and I still seem to remember it happening.


Dear Shirley and Lifters,
Thanks for opening out the concept of baptism as understood in different faiths, including Christian Science. This is a subject one sometimes needs to discuss with visitors when working as an attendant in a Christian Science Reading Room.

Mary Baker Eddy develops the concept of baptism in Prose Works/Miscellaneous Writings p.203-207 (article: Pond and Purpose). She writes: "Metaphysically, baptism serves to rebuke the senses and illustrate Christian Science", and then goes on to write about the three baptisms—the first of repentance, the second of the Holy Ghost— "...the spirit of Truth, cleansing from all sin; giving mortals new motives, new purposes, new affections, all pointing upward...", and, finally, the "baptism of the Spirit"— "... final immersion of the human consciousness in the infinite ocean of Love, ... the last scene in corporeal sense". In "Pond and Purpose", Mrs.Eddy also writes how mortals can "take rapid transit to heaven", and of how "the advancing stages of Christian Science" are gained. Similar to what she writes about Scientific translation on 115/116 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the three aspects of baptism deserve serious study, and daily practice!

The man and woman God creates on the sixth day in the first chapter of Genesis are "very good"— unfallen—the gold standard for purification from the dream of mortal thought and experience—not just 99% cleansed, but %100 pure, and completely spiritual now!

Science and Health states that "Man is not absorbed in Deity, and....cannot lose his individuality," (in this sub-merge-nce in Spirit). .."for he reflects eternal Life".

The baptism of Christ is, as you said, our on-going, active reflection of Life.

Thank you.

Thank you for this new view of baptism.

Many thanks Shirley. I wrestled early this morning with error and awakened to this phenomenal lift. You reminded me to immerse myself in Spirit and awaken to Life and Truth. All of the selfish thoughts, the shall be burnt into ashes, never to return; no relapses!

All this wonderful discussion of baptism, brought to thought a picture I saw many years ago, in a home library. It simply was an open Bible and Science and Health with a caption reading, "A Christian Scientists morning meal".
Come to think about it, it could be anyone's morning meal.

Thank you Shirley for expanding our thought today.


UJ

Thank you, Shirley, and all of you Lifters as well.

I do appreciate the fire as well as the Holy Spirit in baptism. Makes no difference the cultural context, real baptism involves both, and we all have this in common. This point is exactly timed for my experience, and I cherish it!

Indeed, into a change of direction, Mind's divine idea revealing a divine Principle: Life is God. This divine Science is "The new Evangel: This angel or message which comes from God, clothed with a cloud, prefigures divine Science. To mortal sense Science seems at first obscure, abstract, and dark; but a bright promise crowns its brow. When understood, it is Truth's prism and praise. When you look it fairly in the face, you can heal by its means, and it has for you a light above the sun, for God "is the light thereof." Its feet are pillars of fire, foundations of Truth and Love. It brings the baptism of the Holy Ghost, whose flames of Truth were prophetically described by John the Baptist as consuming error". Mary Baker Eddy
Hymn 118:
Holy Spirit, Light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Kindle every high desire;
Cleanse my thought in Thy pure fire.

Thank you, Shirley, for these insights into baptism.
I find it edifying not only for Christian Scientists, but also enlightening to our fellow brothers and sisters who are not Christian Scientists, on how we approach baptism. So uplifting to know that the opportunity for baptism--submergence in Spirit--is available to each one every day for any purification that is needed.

Thank you Shirley for this further clarification of "baptism.You presented it so beautifully.

This is a wonderful discussion on Baptism. I'm grateful for the perspective you provide on the various forms baptism takes in various religions. Beautiful respect and explanation for each. --- and for the baptism by fire. Thank you so much.

Wonderfully clear Shirley and so inclusive and gracious. Thanks everyone for sharing. Your comments are so rich and diverse. So many nuggets of light to ponder, to chuckle over, and to reference. Amen.

I have visited other churches and saw emersion, sprinkling, and the babies being dedicated to God. All of these being loving and beautiful. Most faiths accept all the baptisms and respect them. Submergence in spirit and ongoing every day is my idea of baptism.. Communion is another subject I wish Shirley would compare with other Christians. Thanks everyone.

Thank you, dear Shirley, for this clear and substantial lift. A perfect reminder of our on-going purification.

Thank you Shirley for reminding us what John said about how Jesus would "baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire". As others have said one is often asked by other Christians what is the Christian Science thought on baptism. This is a beautiful explanation of baptism, and explains the "with fire" which I have always tended to think meant a challenging experience! Now I know it is only burning up the dross of wrong thinking. Thank you to Nate and all who provide this world-wide lifting experience.

Thanks so much Shirley and all the commentors! This was a really substantial lifts! Never quite understood baptism by fire that way - what doesn't belong is burned away - drop selfish thing like useless ashes - welcome to Church family, commitment to Church. A special thanks to Peter #4, to Lori #24, for making me laugh and Ruth #54 for sending me back to "Pond and Purpose." With gratitude.

Thank you, Shirley, for new insights into baptism.

Thank you Shirley
Appreciating Baptism
It made me think of the time spent reading the Daily Bible Lesson
As a daily submergence in Spirit
Love touching my heart with the Holy Ghost as with the disciples “hearts aflame”
Dropping human reasoning and opinion, self justification, selfish thinking, worry, world thought
Eager to live this life of Spirit and understanding more and more each day
And to see that the “pure in heart see God”
Recognizing my commitment (mission) to Christian Science
Loving healing helping the world!

This has been such a lovely idea to think about today
Very healing Shirley

Thank you for the beautiful comments today Daily Lift Family

Thank you so much, this message was perfect for me today.

I am Catholic and understand the view of CS that it is a baptism of spirit, I still cannot shake that thought that since the new testament said we should be baptised with water, why not do this?
My wife is a Christian scientist and I know she has a deep faith. I still often think it best she have the words spoken and a drop or two of water sprinkled upon her head.

Thank you, Shirley. I loved the Lift and responses, showing respect for others' beliefs, as you did. I was baptized by immersion at 12, by choice, into the Church my parents belonged to. It was a very reverent experience and I'm still grateful, for even Christ Jesus thought it important then to do, so following in his footsteps leaves me no regrets. I understand Christian Science's metaphysical beliefs of baptism, and feel it is an ongoing experience into which we must immerse ourselves by knowing and living all we can glean from the Bible & our textbook, Science & Health, and Mrs. Eddy's other writings based on it. Physical acts of Baptism, if followed by continued sinful ways, won't "save". We are saved by God regardless of Baptismal methods, or none at all. We won't feel saved if we ignore the commitment to a spiritually related life that defines how we act, and treat others. The key word in this Lift title is "Appreciating" Baptism. Dictionary definitions of that word are: "to set a just value on; esteem fully the worth; to be grateful for; prize, treasure and cherish". Certainly not to be done, forgotten, or ignored. A def of "fire": To animate; give natural life to; To quicken.

24, Lori, what a story! Never heard anyone go through so many baptisms!

28 Nancy, Rabbits not trying to hurt, can scratch you badly when they lunge forward from your arms to return to home cage. If backed in, it's an easy process.

I feel cleansed hearing this.....thanks, Shirley

Thanks so much, Shirley!
I love how your explanation unites us all!

I love the idea of fiery baptism -- cleansing only what is impure and what remains is the polished likeness of God's qualities. Thank you!

Shirley, the joy, light, and love in your voice imbue your words with the Spirit and Fire of which you speak. Hearing this is a divine baptism today.

Thank you.

Thanks Shirley. When people talk about baptism I always go back to Science and Health where Mary Baker Eddy shares with all mankind the only way to be baptized as Christian Scientist: “Our baptism is a purification from all error.” (P. 35) and “ Baptism. Purification by Spirit; submergence in Spirit.” (p. 581) Do we need any other?

En español

Gracias Shirley. Cuando la gente habla acerca del bautismo siempre regreso a Ciencia y salud donde Mary Baker Eddy comparte con toda la humanidad la única manera de ser bautizados como Científicos Cristianos: “Nuestro bautismo es una purificación de todo error”. (p. 35) y “Bautismo. Purificación por el Espíritu; sumersión en el Espíritu.” ¿Necesitamos algún otro?

WOW Shirley! What a terrific thought. Maybe that "lake of fire" that so many Christians is the final end of all "bad people" is in reality their on-going cleansing in their journey to their Spiritual perfection. Thank you SO much for this.

Thank you Shirley for that wonderful thought about baptism. It reminds me to be more grateful for the daily "baptism" or cleansing from wrong that we all must do.

I love the thought of, daily, taking part in "baptism." What a wonderful Daily Lift. There are many denominations represented throughout my family and the thought of baptism takes on many different meanings, but to partake of that "baptism" that purification in thought everyday is special to me as a Christian Scientist as it is special to those members of my family in other churches with different meanings.. Thank you for the reminder of what "baptism" meant to Jesus.. We CAN leave those false senses of self behind---and be renewed. Ann Botts, Banning, CA

Thank you Shirley, for explaining the concept of baptism so clearly. It is extremely important to know the difference between what John the Baptist did, and what Jesus did. For those of us who grew up with the "old concept" of instant safety and possibly salvation by immersion in water. Jesus' "suffer it to be so now" to John to me often means "
Right now people don't yet have the understanding needed of the true meaning of baptism, but they will some time in the future." That time has arrived, through Christian Science.
Thanks again