New Church Foundation

The second principle, that love seeks for connection, explains why God through the ages has communicated with people. This was done to individuals in dreams, through angels that appeared to people, and through prophets. Admittedly this communication is indirect and at times obscure. But it is interesting to note that in all places of the globe and as far as we can tell in all times of history there have been religious ideas in human cultures. The central Christian message is that God communicated in a very different way by taking on a human body and glorifying it. Jesus was called "Immanuel" meaning "God–with–us." As a result human beings could have some concept of God as having a personal interest in them. They could have a loving relationship with God.

Readings

There can be no doubt among church people that the Lord is God of heaven, because He Himself teaches that everything of the Father’s belongs to Him (Matthew 11:27; John 16:15; 17:2) and that He has all power in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). It says "in heaven and on earth" because the ruler of heaven rules earth as well, the one actually depending on the other. His "ruling heaven and earth" means our accepting from Him everything good that is intrinsic to love and everything true that is intrinsic to faith. It therefore means accepting all intelligence and wisdom, and thus all happiness in short, eternal life. This too the Lord teaches when He says, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; but whoever does not trust the Son will not see life" (John 3:36). Or again, He says, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, even though he dies, will be alive, and whoever lives and believes in Me will not die to eternity" (John 11:25-26). Or again, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). (Heaven and Hell 5)

If people are in heaven or in the church, they are in the Lord and the Lord is in them. (Heaven and Hell 11)

The Lord dwells in angels in what belongs to Himself, and therefore the Lord is the sum and substance of heaven. This is because the goodness from the Lord is the Lord within and among them, since what comes from Him is Himself. Accordingly, the goodness from the Lord, and not anything of their own, is heaven for angels. (Heaven and Hell 12)

The reason the Divine in heaven (which in fact makes heaven) is love is that love is a spiritual union. It unites angels to the Lord and unites them with each other. It does this so thoroughly that in the Lord’s sight they are like a single being. Further, love is the essential reality of every individual life. It is therefore the source of the life of angels and the life of people here. (Heaven and Hell 14)

Reflection

Think of a time when you felt connected with God. What was that time like? Are you there now? What steps can you take to reconnect with God?

Article: Knowing God

The idea of "knowing the Lord" in our culture today has been infused with instant salvation, images of an angry God and a sacrificial son, and judgment for anyone who does not choose to accept Jesus. I hear the words "Do you know Jesus?" and my guard goes up and my skepticism comes forward. But is knowing Jesus, knowing God, something to be skeptical and negative about? No, of course not. Knowing God, knowing our Creator can be the greatest source of joy, understanding, energy and light in our lives. It can give us a deep peace, a trust in something bigger than ourselves and the gift of knowing that there is a plan for our lives. Knowing God is the foundation of our spiritual path and a journey that will last through eternity.

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