we are preparing for the second part
of learning how the truth can be applied.
Today we will begin to concentrate
on readiness for what will follow next.
Such is our aim for this review and for
the lessons following. Thus we review
the recent lessons and their central thoughts
in such a way as will facilitate
the readiness which we would now achieve.|
There is a central theme which unifies
each step in the review we undertake.
It can be simply stated in these words:
"My mind holds only what I think with God."
This is a fact. And represents the truth
of What you are and What your Father is.
It is this Thought by Which the Father gave
creation to the Son, establishing
the Son as co-creator with Himself.
It is this Thought Which fully guarantees
salvation to the Son. For in his mind
no thoughts can dwell but those his Father shares.
Lack of forgiveness blocks this Thought from his
awareness. Yet It is forever true.|
Let us begin our preparation with
some understanding of the many forms
in which the lack of true forgiveness may
be carefully concealed. Because they are
illusions, they are not perceived to be
but what they are; defenses which protect
your unforgiving thoughts from being seen
and recognized. Their purpose is to show
you something else, and hold correction off
through self-deception made to take its place.|
And yet your mind holds only what you think
with God. Your self-deceptions cannot take
the place of truth. No more than can a child
who throws a stick into the ocean change
the coming in and going out of tides,
the warming of the water by the sun,
the silver of the moon on it by night.
So do we start each practice period
in this review with readying our mind
to understand the lessons that we read
and see the meaning which they offer us.|
Begin each day with time devoted to
the preparation of your mind to learn
what each idea you will review that day
can offer you in freedom and in peace.
Open your mind and clear it of all thoughts
that would deceive, and let this Thought alone
engage it fully and remove the rest:
"My mind holds only what I think with God."
Five minutes with this Thought will be enough
to set the day along the lines which God
appointed, and to place His Mind in charge
of all the thoughts you will receive that day.|
They will not come from you alone, for they
will all be shared with Him. And so each one
will bring the message of His Love to you,
returning messages of yours to Him.
So will communion with the Lord of Hosts
be yours, as He Himself has willed it be.
And as His Own completion joins with Him,
so will He join with you who are complete
as you unite with Him and He with you.|
After your preparation, merely read
each of the two ideas assigned to you
to be reviewed that day. Then close your eyes
and say them slowly to yourself. There is
no hurry now, for you are using time
for its intended purpose. Let each word
shine with the meaning God has given it
as it was given to you through His Voice.
Let each idea that you review today
give you the gift which He has laid in it
for you to have of Him. And we will use
no format for our practicing but this:|
Each hour of the day, bring to your mind
the Thought with which the day began, and spend
a quiet moment with It. Then repeat
the two ideas you practice for the day
unhurriedly, with time enough to see
the gifts which they contain for you, and let
them be received where they were meant to be.|
We add no other thoughts, but let them be
the messages they are. We need no more
than that to give us happiness and rest
and endless quiet, perfect certainty,
and all our Father wills that we receive
as the inheritance we have of Him.
Each day of practicing, as we review,
we close as we began, repeating first
the Thought that made the day a special time
of blessing and of happiness for us;
and through our faithfulness restored the world
from darkness to the light, from grief to joy,
from pain to peace, from sin to holiness.|
God offers thanks to you who practice thus
the keeping of His Word. And as you give
your mind to the ideas for the day
again before you sleep, His gratitude
surrounds you with the peace wherein He willed
you be forever, and are learning now
to claim again as your inheritance.
