Independent Christian Science articles
by Max Dunaway
Show me now Thy way, Dear God,
For I have lost my own.
It was not very good at best,
And I want yours alone.
My own too often led me
Far from what I know was right.
And left me in the darkness,
When my heart cried for light.
Show me now Thy way, Dear God,
And let me start anew.
I need unfailing guidance Lord,
So let me walk with You.
Published: Monday, March 4, 2019
by Max Dunaway
A woman, called of God, has led
A multitude of those once dead
In sin and pain and false belief
Out of the depths of fear and grief.
A woman, led of God, has brought
New life through resurrected thought
And torn away the matter–veil
To show the light that cannot fail.
A woman, true to God and man,
Has shown us Love’s harmonious plan,
Which we would follow, as did she,
With step by step fidelity.
Published: Thursday, November 10, 2016
by Max Dunaway
Man’s faculties are commonly believed to be physical, depending on matter for their existence and continuity; but Christian Science declares that real faculties are spiritual and indestructible. In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, “The indestructible faculties of Spirit exist without the conditions of matter and also without the false beliefs of a so-called material existence.”
Whatever is spiritual is derived from Spirit and is as permanent as Spirit itself. Therefore spiritual faculties do not wear out; they are not affected by passing years, bodily injury, or disease of any kind. Spiritual faculties are forever clear and strong. They discern the order and harmony of perfect being and report the truths of divine reality.
The human faculties improve when we gain the spiritual sense of man’s faculties as perfect and indestructible. The reason for this is that the human faculties are primarily mental, and reflect the state of thought that governs them.
Visual deficiencies are frequently corrected through beholding perfection instead of imperfection in ourselves and others. Criticism distorts the vision, but true appreciation removes this distortion. The single eye of spiritual understanding enables us to have clear, distinct vision. If we are faced with the suggestion of imperfect eyesight, we will find it helpful to declare vigorously that material sense cannot rob our vision of spiritual perfection. It’s helpful to know that clearer thinking, based on spiritual truths, will bring clearer human vision.
A friend of mine proved these truths. For ten years before beginning the study of Christian Science, she had worn glasses for nearsightedness and astigmatism. Finally the eye specialist had her stay in a dimly lighted room for about six weeks, and gave her eyeglasses which, he said, would need frequent changes to stronger lenses.
About this time she became ill and was advised to have an operation; but feeling too weak for this, she turned to Christian Science for help. In her joy in studying this religion, she forgot about the eye trouble, and read from a Bible with very fine print. One day the eyeglasses annoyed her so much that she took them off, and when she did, she found that her eyes were completely normal. So great was the influx of spiritual light and understanding, that the sickness was quickly healed, as well.
This is unmistakable proof of the fact that our human faculties are improved by holding in thought the spiritual concept of them. Everything about real perception is entirely mental and spiritual. Light, perspective, clarity, acuity, strength, all these can be conceived of as spiritual and therefore perfect. When this is done, the eyes are brought under the harmonious government of divine Mind, and manifest normal soundness.
Spiritual discernment, man’s true perceptive faculty, will always behold the spiritual nature of all things. It sees perfectly, because it sees perfection.
Here is the Scriptural promise to those who trust God: “The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.” (Isa.)
Published: Thursday, December 3, 2015
by Max Dunaway
In Thy way, Father, and at Thy command
Would I fulfill the purpose Thou hast planned.
Oh, let my ears be open to Thy Word,
My heart prepared to do what shall be heard.
Expectant thought will presently behold
The task Thou dost with loving hands unfold.
I do not need to hasten or delay;
I need but hear Thy voice and then obey.
by Max Dunaway
One day while walking through some foothills, feeling a bit discouraged at his slow progress in studying Christian Science, a man noticed a motorcycle on another hillside. The rider charged up the steep hill; but, just short of the top, the motorcycle was unable to make the steep grade. The cyclist returned to the bottom of the hill, and again charged up the hillside, again stopping just short of the top. He tried again and again, getting a little farther each time, until at last he reached the top of the hill.
The man then realized that, not only had the cyclist’s persistence led to success and victory, but also with each attempt, the cyclist advanced a little farther — and he was clearly enjoying every attempt. “There’s my answer. I’ve been feeling unhappy over my slow progress, but I should be rejoicing in each day’s progress — no matter how slight it may appear to be — and in the privilege of walking in the heavenward path. That’s the real joy of living.”
In one of the hymns in the Christian Science Hymnal are these words: “Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.” (No. 59) How can Christ be both the path and the prize? As we walk in Life’s holy path, each and every day we receive the prize of joyful progress. We behold each day a little more of God’s infinite love for His creation. Each day we see more of man in his divine completeness, unafflicted, untempted, a triumphant and holy idea, whose very being reflects the glory of God.
A Christian Scientist who had been working on a problem for a long time, and without apparent success, once found himself thinking, “Oh, if only I could rise above this problem, I am sure I would be entirely happy.” Then, challenging this thought, he asked himself, “What will be my desire when I do surmount this problem? Will it not be to attain still more spiritual vision? And if I expect to find happiness in that, which I do, why should I not find happiness in working with the facts of being just where I am?”
Paul said of himself, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” What a worthy action this is, and what a worthy prize! How good it is to know that even as we “press toward the mark,” we are receiving the prize of God’s high calling — the ever-unfolding understanding of God and man.
The path of spiritual unfoldment lies before each of us now. The way has been marked clearly for us through the revelation of Christian Science. The Holy Bible and the works of Mrs. Eddy give specific, unmistakable directions to all who choose to walk in the Christly path. To heed these directions and to walk in this path is to receive the prize — a present reward of joyful progress and a greater understanding of God and man.
by Max Dunaway
Not much that earth could give was there
Within those walls: a table, a chair,
A Bible with its holy leaven,
A woman writing — and a light from heaven.
by Max Dunaway
“Christmas is love,” I told my heart.
But my heart was not satisfied.
“What is love? Where is love?” it wanted to know.
But I turned its questions aside.
Then I thought of God’s love in sending His Christ,
Giving the world His Son.
And I thought of the Saviour, who loved enough
To let God’s will be done.
And I thought of the love of man for man,
By divine Love multiplied.
“Christmas,” I said, “Is God’s love in our lives.”
And my heart was satisfied.
by Max Dunaway
Into the house of God I went,
Weary at heart, my courage spent.
Forth from the house of God I came,
My heart a leaping, living flame.
Prayer and praise and Truth’s clear ring
Had touched my life and made it sing.
by Max Dunaway
(I Samuel 7:12)
“Hitherto hath the Lord helped us,”
and henceforth too He will.
He who ordains the way for us,
His purpose will fulfill.
And who will keep us from the good
He has in love prepared,
Or overrule the harmony
that should by men be shared?
Therefore will not we doubt the care
that guards our pathway still.
“Hitherto hath the Lord helped us,”
and henceforth too He will.
by Max Dunaway
When first the dawn burst on his sight
he felt his being filled with light.
He looked at all before him spread
and vowed that he would raise the dead,
wrench gates of hell from off their bars
and laugh and fling them at the stars.
The years passed by; no dead were raised.
No mighty wonders, man-appraised,
rewarded him. Hell’s gates remained,
unshaken by hopes once entertained.
The light still shown, but with less fire
than flamed his ardent first desire.
His thought turned to the little deeds,
the common tasks of meeting needs.
He lifted up a fallen child
and wiped her tears until she smiled.
He helped a tired and burdened crone,
Someone whom he had never known.
He sat beside a dying friend
and gave him courage till the end,
then sought to soothe the aching heart
of her who felt grief’s sting and smart—
to say a word, put forth a hand,
or just be still and understand.
And years of living to be kind
brought greater love and peace of mind.
He learned to serve within his place,
Growing in gentleness and grace.
And, being forgotten, the gates of hell
in their own weakness toppled and fell.