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• How Can I Grow Spiritually?

  If you are familiar with the many programs of recovery which use a twelve step model, you are also, then, familiar with the path to spiritual growth as presented in Swedenborg’s teachings. Though Swedenborg compacts these steps into a handful rather than the familiar twelve steps to recovery, the overall process is the same. The path to spiritual growth involves 1) self examination, 2) recognizing and acknowledging one’s destructive patterns or outright evils, 3) turning to God for help, and 4) beginning a new life. Swedenborg adds that we shouldn’t try to take on all of our destructive behaviors at once, but pick one and focus on that, and then another, and another. Our behavior implies we are changing ourselves, but we must recognize that it is God working through us who pulls us out of our own dysfunction and lifts us to new ground. Also, the first efforts in spiritual growth concentrate on removing our barriers to growth, but the result of this is a life of love and useful service.

• Why is Faith Alone not Enough?

  It seems to be a matter of common sense to say that good people will go to heaven and evil people will go to hell. Something would be terribly wrong if God could send an innocent, sincere, charitable, helpful person to hell. Yet sometimes people suggest that a person's salvation depends upon his faith alone, and not upon the good things he does, or how he lives, or whether he obeys the Ten Commandments.

• You Can Believe!

  You can believe. You can believe in a God who will never let you down. This God created you out of pure love and will love you not only for the rest of your life, but for eternity. He is both Divine and Human. He is all powerful, and all merciful too. He reaches out to you with open arms, inviting you into his embrace. His name is Jesus Christ. He is a gentle shepherd, a healer, teacher, leader, mentor, even friend. He is not far away, but right here with you. Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). You can know him, understand him, trust him, love him, and have a continually growing relationship with him.

• When You Are Born Again

  I was speaking recently with someone who was looking forward to becoming a father. He asked me, "Is it hard to learn how to be a good father? How did you deal with that change in your life?"

• Living a Useful Life

  God is love, and created human beings as objects and living receivers of that love. When you open yourself to the love of God through turning away from evil and what is opposed to God, and learning to love and do what is good, you will be filled with God‘s love, and with all the blessings and happiness that come with it. You are here to learn to love and grow wise in love, and to act from that love by living a useful and productive life according to your own capabilities. When you do this you not only receive the love of God, and all its blessings, but you return that love to God. By doing this you create a heaven within you and prepare yourself for an eternal life of ever growing love and happiness in heaven.

• There Is a Purpose to Life

  It has been said that God did not promise an easy journey, but a safe arrival. We can feel the truth of this less-than-easy journey in life as we strive to find meaning and purpose as individuals, families, and communities. David Roth explores the universal question, ’Why am I here?‘ and takes it to the next level.
  
  Have you ever asked yourself the questions, "Why am I alive? Does my life matter? What is my purpose?"

• Temptation

  When a person commits himself to following the Lord, it does not mean that every thing will be easy for him in the future. Even good people who have a deep trust in the Lord can find themselves losing confidence when circumstances are tough, becoming anxious about the future or the past, or struggling with negative attitudes or evil thoughts.