Spiritual Freedom
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Bringing Good Out of Evil
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 8 Aug, 2010
Exodus 1:1-14; Psalm 126; AC 6663 (AC 4493, 6574, 6663, 8478, 8560) The Lord allows the hells in the next life to lead the good into temptation, consequently to introduce falsities and evils…. But at that time the Lord Himself is present directly - and by means of angels indirectly - with those undergoing temptation and is offering resistance by refuting the falsities of the spirits from hell and dispersing their evil. From this come renewal, hope, and victory. In this way the truths of faith and forms of the good of charity present with those who are governed by the truths of good are implanted more deeply and strengthened more firmly. The spirits who bring about temptations intend nothing but evil. But the Divine turns that evil into good, in accord with order existing from eternity; and life is thereby imparted to those governed by the truths of good. For it should be recognized that the spirits from hell who are allowed to attack the good in that way intend nothing but evil. They wish with all their might to drag them down from heaven and cast them into hell; for to destroy anyone's soul, thus to destroy him forever, is the sheer delight of their life. But they are not allowed by the Lord to do anything at all except for the sake of the end that good may come out of it, that is to say, so that truth and good may be made firmer and stronger with those who undergo temptation. In the entire spiritual world there reigns the end in view, emanating from the Lord, that nothing whatever should take place, not even the smallest thing, except in order that good may come out of it. This is why the Lord's kingdom is called a kingdom of ends and useful purposes. (Heavenly Secrets #6574) | By Brian Keith, Ivyland New Church, PA
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Turning it over to the Lord
Worship Service: Contemporary - 8 Aug, 2010
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Be Still – Go Forward
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 25 Jul, 2010
What to do at the edge of the sea, spiritually (Exodus 14:13-15; Joshua 1:9; AC 8184, 10416) The meaning of 'dividing that sea' is dispersing the falsities arising from evil that are present in hell; for the falsities there are seen as waters. When the pillar of angels in which the Lord is present passes through that hell the falsities depart, and as a consequence the waters there, which are the falsities, are parted asunder. From this it is evident that 'dividing the sea' means dispersing the falsities belonging to the hell that is represented by 'the Sea Suph' (the Red Sea). (Heavenly Secrets #8184) The desire to celebrate resides inwardly in a person's feeling of freedom, and all feeling of freedom comes as a result of love, when nothing exists to frustrate it. Since outward things are used in the Word to describe inward ones, times of play and dancing are used to describe those of joy and gladness present in a person inwardly. Because of this, Miriam and the women went out with timbrels after the Egyptians had been drowned in the Sea Suph (the Red Sea) and started dancing. (Heavenly Secrets #10416) | By Thomas Rose, Ivyland New Church, PA
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Adam and Eve
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 18 Jul, 2010
The fallout of eating forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:1-19; Is. 59:2; AC 223-224) Since the Lord's face is mercy, peace, and everything good, it is clear that He never looks at anyone except with mercy and never turns His face from anyone. It is we, when we are wrapped up in evil, who turn our faces away. As the Lord said through Isaiah: Your offenses are what cause a separation between you and your God: and your sins hide His face from you. (Isaiah 59:2) Likewise it says here that they hid themselves from Jehovah's face because they were naked. Mercy, peace and all that is good - Jehovah's face - are what give rise to the inner call in the case of those who have perception (and those who have conscience, too, but in a different way). The qualities always operate in a compassionate manner, but the way we receive them depends on our state. (Heavenly Secrets 223-224, New Century Edition) | By Andrew M.T. Dibb, Ivyland New Church, PA
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The Priesthood
Worship Service: Ordination & Sermon - 30 May, 2010
Ordinations into the 1st Degree of the Priesthood: Guillaume J.K. Anato, Ronald D. Schnarr, Brian D. Smith, Malcolm G. Smith. Lessons read by the above. CD Tracks: Tk 1-Ordinations and Lessons Tk 2-Sermon & Closing Prayer | By Thomas Kline, Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Bryn Athyn, PA
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Impassibility
Doctrinal Class - 12 May, 2010
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Part 5-Finding Courage - Out of the Cave
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 9 May, 2010
The Lord is always with us, giving us the strength to keep going. Part Five of Living Courageously, the Story of Elijah (1 Kings 18:1-18; Isaiah 40:31; AC 840) Correspondences in the story: Elijah: the Lord as to the Word, esp. the literal sense. Ahab: leading or governing principles of falsity. Jezebel: principles of evil that influence one’s thought. A Mountain: an elevated, interior state of mind, esp. one of love or the heart. Horeb: same as Mt. Sinai where the 10 Commandments were given. The name means “waste.” A Cave: an obscure state (because of the darkness) Wind: an understanding of the truth. Earthquake: a dramatic change of spiritual states. Fire: love, passion. Still, Small Voice: a time for reflection; conscience. Syria: a state of knowing what is good and true. | By Thomas Rose, Ivyland New Church, PA
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Before and After the Advent
Doctrinal Class - 7 Apr, 2010
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33 Years and How They Changed the World
Worship Service: Adult - 21 Feb, 2010
The Rt. Rev. Thomas Kline is also on the chancel. | By Peter Buss, Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Bryn Athyn, PA
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Freedom of Choice
Doctrinal Class - 30 Sep, 2009