Day Seven - The New Church

Community
Many of us have had the experience of meeting someone and, within a short period of time, feel like we have known them for years. It is as if there is a deep connection that goes beyond the time and space of this world. Many of us have also had the experience of being in a group of people, yet feeling alone and isolated. These connections and lack of connections are effected by how we are feeling about ourselves, whether or not we are feeling trusting towards others and whether or not we are feeling connected to the Lord.

Read the whole article...

Resources & Sermons

Week Five: Spiritual Community

Day Seven: Universal Community

New Church Foundation

There are some times, such as in the case of blatant disorder, when we need to make judgments - but even then we have to admit that we do not see the inner states of other people. In the long run we are all one family, the family of God. And we are all on a spiritual journey needing acceptance, love and support.

Readings

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in Me, and I in you; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent Me.” (John 17:20-21)

“We can now see that it is not so hard to lead the life of heaven as people think, because it is simply a matter of recognizing, when something attractive comes up that we know is dishonest or unfair, that this is not to be done because it is against the divine commandments. If we get used to thinking like this, and from this familiarity form a habit, then we are gradually united to heaven. To the extent that we are united to heaven, the higher levels of our minds are opened, and to the extent that they are opened, we see what is dishonest and unfair; and to the extent that we see this, these qualities can be dispelled. For no evil can be banished until it has been seen. This is a state we can enter because of our freedom, since everyone is free to think in this way. However, once the process has started, the Lord works His wonders within us, and causes us not only to see evils but to refuse them and eventually to turn away from them. This is the meaning of the Lord’s words, "My yoke is easy and My burden light" (Matthew 11:30). ” (Heaven and Hell 533)

“Anyone is a church in whom the Lord is present in the qualities of love and faith.” (Heaven and Hell 57)

“People outside the church who acknowledge one God and live by their religion, showing at least some love for their neighbor, are part of the same communion as people in the church, because no one who believes in God and lives a good life is damned. Clearly, then, the Lord’s church exists everywhere throughout the world, even though it exists in a more specific way in places where the Lord is acknowledged and the Word is present.” (Secrets of Heaven 10765)