Since Carol's changing her residence to "God's Residence'.. I have, in my loneliness, reflected a lot. "Therapy" for me has been meditating at this computer.

Thanks for letting me share with you.

I don't think I ever felt that I was "lost." Church has always been my "Family."As a child I excelled in Bible drills: Perfect attendance pins, Baptist Youth group participation, etc. My only life was in the family & the church.
I do remember that before the "age of accountability," we children under 12 were asked to sit in the balcony on "Lord's Supper" Sundays unless we had been baptized. Like Samuel and Jeremiah, I knew my life was going to be lived as a Churchman.

My mother and I, when we moved to Los Angeles, had a hard time accepting "Open communion" at theNorthern Baptist churches in Los Angeles. Though very conservative as I look at it now, exposure to these churches began a liberation for me. I attended the "Open Door" & Bible Institute, next to the Library in our city and learned to lead music, under the tutelage of Herbert G. Tovey (2/4 3/4 /4/4 time with a 35cents baton!)

I thrived on hearing that the world was rapidly reaching it's end. Christ was coming soon!Dr. Gouthy had big stage-wide charts showing the course of history and night after night in revivals; my young heart and mind was stirred to be ready. I also (in the late 20's) admired Aimee Semple McPherson, the gifted Founder of the Angeles Temple. I, with others, even went to look for her body when she disappeared; believing she was drowned in the Pacific Ocean. She apparently was away from the church, having a sexual affair.

Rob McPherson, her son, and her daughter helped make The "Four-Square Church" -- a large outstanding Denomination. I think this enterprise laid the foundation for some of the very large charismatic Churches of this generation.

Each week when I read "The Christian Science Monitor" Newspaper in our Library; I think of theexposures I have had to many friends who have been helped by this accent on Faith & Health. Jesus was a Physician Healer. Once in an article in the "Sentinel" of the Christian Science Church, I was able to accent the amazing correlation of Faith&Belief:Mind&Body relationships. Truly we are not only what we eat but also what we think.

Last week my grandson, with Katy, the dearest of friends, took me to a church he attends called "The Science Mind' Church. here in San Diego...Nearly 200, mostly young adults in their 20-30s ,spent a meaningful hour claiming God's Gifts to them. As a young man called "Brother Jacob" spoke, I thought of a time when I was excited, in the 30's, about a new church. Before going to work, at my uncle's outdoor restaurant (located at Wilshire & Western in Los Angeles) I attended this new church. A gifted middle-aged man, Ernest Holmes, held forth at 10.a.m in the "Wiltern" theatre. "Science of Mind" was his dream. His inclusiveness was years ahead of the reality of the narrow, exclusive religions of the 30's. The theater had a stage that came up in front of the. Playing a violin or Harp was a woman dressed in a beautiful blue dress. We sang these words from the screen:
Open my eyes that I may see...glimpses of Truth thou hast for me...Place in my hands the wonderful Key...that shall unclasp and set me free... Silently now illumine me...Spirit divine...that's through my eyes...we constantly see.

For me, the Cosmic Christ -- regardless of how it saturates into us -- becomes the Ultimate Test of Life.

'Thanks".. for scrolling my thoughts and feelings...11-25-2002
Caleb Elroy