Jill Grimes gave the lecture “God is speaking – are we listening?†last month at the Tenth Church of Christ, Scientist in Brentwood to a full house. Here are questions regarding her talk.
Q: Please tell us about the Sunday school class you started at the correctional facility.
Desiring to end recidivism, the supervising sheriff of a county correctional facility for teenagers wanted to include spiritual teaching. Every Sunday evening I taught a class based on the Bible to guide these young men in the understanding of their birthright of spiritual dominion. (God said, Let us make man in our image … and let them have dominion … Genesis 1:26). I also used Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Christian Science is Christianity made practical, bringing spiritual healing and regeneration to all, including those in our prison system.
Q: During your lecture you mentioned not to start with your problems and to start from the allness of God. Would you please elaborate on this.
We start with what we have and what we are (as the beloved children of the Almighty), rather than what we want or what we think we need. It’s the recognition of this spiritual fact that supplants whatever argues against the supreme power of God. Jesus gave the perfect guide for effective prayer when he said, “After this manner therefore pray ye,†in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).
There are 8 verses in this prayer. The first 4 verses are all about God: Our Father, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. Then 3 verses about man: give us, forgive us and lead us. The last verse goes right back to God: For thine is the kingdom. Prayerfully beginning with the divine power brings peace.
Q: You also mentioned that prayer moves your thinking to what has always been true. Please explain this further.
Genesis 1:26 declares that God gave man dominion as His spiritual image and likeness. Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God is within us, (Luke 17:20, 21).
What God knows is God’s kingdom of love within us, within reach of our understanding. It’s our nature, the image of goodness and Godlike love. What God knows has always been true. Spiritual communion with God shifts thinking, allowing us to feel and experience what God knows — the presence and power of holy love. This heals.
Jill Grimes will be speaking on the following dates:
Tuesday, April 24th,
7:30 p.m.,
Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Sunday, April 29th, 4:00 p.m., Neptunian Woman’s Club,
920 Highland Ave.
Manhattan Beach
