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"The
feeling of health produces health, the feeling of wealth produces
wealth. How do you feel?" ...
Dr. Joseph Murphy
How we feel
reflects our state of mind and in turn the conditions and circumstances
of our lives are "effected" by our state of mind. All of
Life "feels" something ... people, animals, plants and even
minerals have a feeling nature to them. So, the question,
"how do you feel?" is of utmost importance. How do you
feel about your finances? ... about your relationships? ... about the
things that you have done, the things you are doing, and the things you
are to do?
I was introduced to Dr.
O. C. Smith by Dr. Domenic A. Polifrone, the Spiritual Director of the
Hollywood Church of Religious Science, at a meeting of the Affiliated
New Thought Network. My second meeting with Dr. O. C. was at a
hospital room in Hollywood when he came to visit Dr. Domenic and invited
me to join him in prayer. I will always remember that he sat
across from me in the room ... about six or seven feet away ... and we
did a "silent prayer" ... but, even in the Silence, I could
feel his presence in the room as a healing presence. And I knew
without a doubt that Dr. Domenic's healing was a certainty. Dr.
Domenic had always impressed upon his students how important it was to
"pay attention" ... and I was paying attention. Although
Dr. Domenic was visited by several ministers during this time, Dr. O. C.
was the only one ... that took the time to get still ... and pray for
him. Although it seemed to be only a few short minutes, Dr. O. C.
sat in silent prayer for over 20 minutes.
In Judge Thomas Troward's book,
"The Creative Process in the Individual" ... he writes that
everything comes from that which was ... in other words, within our past
experiences are the "seeds" of our future. So, it is no
surprise that my next meeting with Dr. O. C. was in his office asking
him to accept me in the ministerial program at the City of Angels Church
of Religious Science. And, even though he knew very little about
me other than the documents that I presented to him, he accepted me
wholeheartedly. In his words, "I love you and welcome
you" ... and for him, these words were his bond.
Dr. O. C. had studied
with Dr. Joseph Murphy and Dr. Frank Richelieu, both master teachers of
metaphysics. However, when it came time for Dr. O. C. to become a
minister full-time, his decision was to establish an Independent church
... one not affiliated with the established Religious Science
organizations. Once again, there was a synchronicity ... as I had
already made the decision that my ministry would be Independent as
well. Both Dr. O. C. and I had a passion for Religious Science and
once again, I heeded Dr. Domenic's words to "pay
attention."
I was open to learning all
that I could from Dr. O. C. ... and there was much to learn. He
had a tremendous capacity for love ... he loved everyone ... and he was
devoted to his wife and his City of Angels congregation ... and the
feeling was mutual. Initially, the City of Angels theme song was
"Love Train" ... and that is what it felt like on
Sundays. Each Sunday opened with the "Sunday Morning
Band" and often a song by Dr. O. C. ... the service had a rhythm
and vibration to it that made you feel so alive and full of faith in the
Good, God. Dr. O. C.'s voice had a healing quality that could
touch your soul ... and cause you to forget whatever things may have
been heavy on your mind before the service. His services were
healing services even though he never called them that himself. He
loved people with all his heart.
How do I feel about returning
to City of Angels? I feel a great sense of excitement, love and
joy ... but intertwined with these feelings I feel the absence of Dr. O.
C. ... his Presence was just too large not to be missed ... and no
matter what happens on November 13th ... I know I will be in the shadow
of a Master Teacher.
And
So It Is!
Letting
Love Use Me In Its Own Good Way,
Rev.
Bates
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