02/19/2026
As we move to Lesson 3 in scientific Christian mental practice. We're gaining new ground. An understanding of how to practice the principles, how to direct our lives, and the way of listening to God. God is always with us. God is present. God is ever present with our neighbors, our friends, and our family. God loves the world. So much so that he gave his only begotten Son, so that who should ever believe in Him shall have life eternal.
What’s the most interesting thing about our lives? As we go through it, some things clearly aren't important. For example, Brother Lawrence, when he started working in his kitchen, connected with God. His book *Practicing the Presence* teaches us how, even in a kitchen, we can be with God. Thanks to Brenda Lawrence, many have learned to pause and recognize God's work right in their own kitchens. Imagine priests and brothers gathered, waiting, praying, and hungry. Their souls weren't only filled with food but also with an extra ingredient—God's love and perfect light. Friends, let’s never prepare dinner angrily. Let’s avoid harsh words and eating in anger. Instead, quietly say a prayer—short or long, whatever feels right. We don't need to prove to the world that we are all that and more. We simply witness and do the ministry Christ has asked us to do: love one another. The third chapter of the twelve settings in scientific Christian mental practice emphasizes affirmations.
God saw the light. That was good. God is mine. Light is wisdom. Mine perceives that wisdom is God. Mine understands the good. As you continue this chapter, you will begin to see and note certain cases that move from the last chapter on denial. Imagine a young woman still filled with heart. She needs to accept this. Denial is illumination. Her heart should sing with gladness, speak of joy, and tell the truth about her God. She should not secretly hold back that something has happened to drive her into being away from home. Home is where God is. God made the world, and everything God made is good. As you walk through this chapter, begin to climb the ladder of goodness, knowing that everyone you meet, on the highway or byway, is to move forward. Remember that I am made in the image and likeness of God, and God is wherever I am, preparing the way. In our last lesson, we spoke about the idea of absence, didn't we? You'll see it on page 49 in the affirmation chapter. We will realize that absence is ineffective. We need a present, living God—an ever-present God—always on time and beyond time and space. But we do need a living God because we are living our lives. There are many layers in this chapter that need to be dissolved. Identify those quickly, whether they are within you or in someone you are praying for, and do the affirmations to eliminate these layers, which should never have existed in creation. Yet, man and woman are constantly engaged in drama, carrying on all kinds of fits, envies, jealousies, resentments—they all need to dissolve. Like Drano, they must be dissolved. The affirmations in this chapter will lift us to the high towers, ringing out, Hallelujah! The Lord thy God is here.
Key, it is your real nature to be happy. Hence, dropping the idea of the absence of good.
The seven layers of false claims of denial will fade away. Like Joan of Arc, hearing God's call to battle, you will stand up with your affirmation and pursue them. Remember, affirmations are confident declarations of what is present, in reality.
Question. Define in your own words what Emma Curtis Hopkins calls the “everlasting ni.” See page 49.
#2. How would you explain the relationship between denial and affirmation?
#3. What are five universal affirmations?
#4. Write down the five personal affirmations that most fit your own life.
When I started out, I always repeated one affirmation because I love Saint Anthony. Nothing is lost in spirit. God goes before me, clearing the way. God is with me. Right here, right now, no person, place, thing, or outside condition can affect me. I am glad to live in the land of plenty.
5. What are your affirmations?
6. With the five universal affirmations and two personal ones, you have seven affirmations. These are powerful statements of truth. Work with them.
A suggestion is to take one each day for the week and let it be on your mind and in your feelings all day long.
Create a schedule that is pleasing and effective for you personally.
The important thing? Do you use these seven affirmations consistently?
Practice.
Practice involves addressing daily needs and demands at the point where the road meets. It's the daily journey of the Pilgrim and ourselves on this path. The challenge is that people who manage their anxiety through anger outbursts can't be seen as simply anxious individuals. Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish theologian, philosopher, and poet, a social critic and religious author who is widely considered to be the first in existentialism, discusses anxiety often because that isn't the only thing driving a person. Some people have purpose and goals they seek to achieve. Sometimes, like all of us, they are also angry or upset about something unfair or harmful to them, or they are just in a bad mood. In thinking about this chapter on affirmations, how will you approach this? Remember, MRS. Hopkins tells us that within a problem, there is a solution. Will we affirm that this person is created in the image and likeness of God, or will we stay focused on the problem? We can start by affirming and developing a strategy. We can accept the person as an imperfect traveler on their journey, but remember that this is only part of who they are. We can focus on the 12 doctrines and identify five affirmations to help us emulate Joan of Arc—strong, courageous, and good. Let us not think that people are weak or lack the gift of God within them. Glorify God by affirming that goodness exists in everyone, and all are well. How do you feel about this idea? Can you do it? Can you genuinely believe that there is truth in someone? When you meet someone, are you looking for falsehoods, lies, or errors, or do you see them as a gift from God?
Spiritual direction is a relational process in which a trained spiritual guide listens to and accompanies someone who desires a deeper relationship with God. Over these past weeks, we have been walking this journey. May the light be bright. God be with us, and may you receive more glory and miracles than ever before. May you learn that a question is not an attack. May you understand that discernment is God's spiritual eye coming through for deep listening.
Thomas Merton was a remarkable man, and there are still questions surrounding him. There are thoughts about whether he truly took his own life, given that he was a very cautious person, or if a setup was involved. While you and I are not arguing about this, we can reflect on the many opportunities he left behind and cherish them. His books, such as No Man Is an Island, The Seeds of Contemplation, and The Seven Story Mountain, truly draw us into a profound experience of spiritual guidance. He states that "The whole purpose of spiritual direction is to pe*****te beneath the surface of a man or woman's life to get behind the facade of convention
Saint Catherine of Siena is a wonderful person I have walked with, prayed to, and asked for help from. She is enormous in terms of spiritual guidance. Saint Catherine has much to say about the spiritual journey of growth. The most interesting thing I take away from her is her ability to speak about transformation—transforming our capacity to love and recognize truth. The process of growth strengthens our ability to live according to truth and love. Our hearts long for God, and God is constantly filling us with His wellspring of joy, peace, happiness, and success. Thank you, beloved candidates, as you help me complete my dissertation. I feel that you genuinely walk the walk of God.
Sincerely,
Christopher Bazemore