Successful lecture

May 9, 2009 | 11 comments

I had a terrific lecture experience in Santa Barbara, CA, last Monday night. When I arrived at the local library, I was greeted by a large contingent of ushers preparing to welcome and invite people to the event. I haven’t met such an enthusiastic group of greeters in a long time.

They had attractive half-letter sized flyers with the title “Realize your Potential: unlimited opportunities and possibilities,” to hand out to passers-by and library patrons. Located one block off of State Street, which is a very heavy foot traffic area, I understand some ushers went out into the crowds and welcomed strangers to the event. And they came, and came. The room was filled to capacity by 7 p.m.

I had to chuckle when one usher caught the attention of a young man walking along in his low-rider blue jeans and told him about the lecture. He looked a bit unsure of what to think about her invitation, but she persisted. “You can learn all about realizing your potential!” she urged. He thought a moment. Then he replied in agreement, “Well, I certainly could realize more of MY potential!” And he ambled in. He stayed for the whole event and appeared to be a very earnest listener.

The audience was alive, alert, attentive, responsive, and so enjoyable to speak to. At the end, 24-28 copies [I had earlier reported 42, but since have been corrected] of Science and Health were picked up by attendees as they left the room.

Several of the newcomers came and spoke to me. One said, “I was led here tonight.” Actually one of the ushers invited her in, and she accepted. But during the lecture, she heard so many spiritual ideas that she already believed in, that it was like coming home, and she concluded beyond a doubt, that God had brought her to that room that night. She left clutching her new textbook and Christian Science Monitor.

With so many newcomers taking the message of Christian Science home that evening, Santa Barbara received a large influx of new, fresh scientific thinking that will benefit it for years to come.

Interestingly, one of the main points I brought out in my talk was the importance of defending one’s progress from resistance. In light of the fires in the Santa Barbara area capturing headline news across the country over the last few days, this has been a good time to put the ideas discussed Monday night into practice.

I pointed out how reformatory steps are often greeted with resistance from elements of the carnal mind which wants to stop progress and hold a status quo. For instance, Jesus met resistance every step of the way in his ministry. The more he preached God’s goodness and demonstrated it, the more intense was opposition to his efforts. But he triumphed over all his enemies through his understanding of the omnipotence of divine Love. And we can too.

There is a spiritual perspective that stops the fires for the benefit of the Santa Barbara neighborhood.

I pray to know that God sends showers of Love their way to douse out the fear, conquer worry, cancel doubt and preserve calm. Fire does not have a power of its own. I affirm. It cannot rage out of control. God governs and controls the universe we live in, not evil elements of the carnal mind.

Fire has a useful purpose, but not a destructive one. It has its right place, and racing through the desert into residential homes is not its right place. God draws a line in the hills and says, “Thus far and no farther.” The fear subsides, the fire stops, and all is safe.

I take heart in knowing that the potential of Santa Barbara is spiritual, and cannot be hurt, harmed, burned or adversely impacted. The beauty, order, peace and calm of the region are divinely supported, evidence of heaven on earth and eternal. They are not in danger. This is a truth we all can realize now and see the picture of error presently identified as fires out of control, brought under control and stopped. Santa Barbara cannot be denied its potential!

 

 

 

11 thoughts on “Successful lecture”

  1. Spot on, Evan! This has inspired me greatly – more than I can say really! Bless you for sharing and for DOING! And AMEN to your treatment for Santa Barbara and all the dear ones in that community. The everlasting arms are right there – comforting, uplifting and preserving!

  2. Such an amazing blessing for everyone, thank you for sharing! For those of us who live in the country and can’t make it to these lectures, how do we protect from resistance? I’m finding this particularly difficult these days as I really hope and work for a better me …

  3. Evan, great blog! I was at the lecture and it was so well attended by all age, ethnicity, and cultural groups! I had time this morning and wasn’t sure how I wanted to use it. I think in prayer for the world’s and my own acceptance and joy to accept all the good God has so freely given us is a good place to start. Thanks!!

  4. A bottom line defense against resistance is to accept one all-powerful God, good, and the unreality of evil. Evil is a lie and a liar, as Jesus taught. Know this, understand it, and evil will not befuddle you or stop you from progressing.

  5. Dear Evan, it seems to me that while your blogs are always inspiring – lately you seem to be “on a roll” spiritually speaking! So no wonder that people were drawn to the powerful message of Christian Science, that was just what they needed to hear.

  6. Well, Bea, that was a nice thing to say! Thank you… I don’t know if I’m on any “roll” or not, but forward ho anyway!

    Hugs

  7. Thank you for those inspiring and very helpful thoughts on how to handle fires – we have recently relocated from a big city to a farming area in South Africa and have been ‘plagued’ by runaway fires, drought and such like. The apples have been recently harvested but they are not as large as they usually are because the winter was not cold enough and farmers are understandably dismayed – and your reference to fires and Love cancelling doubt, fear and worry are just spot on !! I love the idea too, that just as Santa Barbara cannot be denied its potential so I too can see that our little “Apple Valley” as it’s nicknamed – cannot be denied its potential – thank you !! PS I discovered this site today and it’s just so marvellous

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