I am exploring a new way of conducting worship meetings (formerly called church services). This involves a flexible way of thinking about them, of planning them, of communicating with others. The central idea is one of MODULES. A module is like a section with a specific nature or purpose. A meeting will be a chain [...]
Posts Tagged ‘prayer’
Modular worship meetings
Posted in Workshops, plans, themes, tagged angels, blessing, church, meetings, modules, prayer, re-use, ritual, sacraments, sermon writing, talks, worship on October 19, 2011 | 8 Comments »
There are two worlds
Posted in Flashes, tagged Black Elk, great spirit, mercy, my people, prayer on October 4, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
There are two worlds. I live in one and we live in the other. In this world I am singular, in the other there are many. Black Elk: “Be merciful to me, O great spirit, that my people may live.” Most of what I do is just for me. But then I am close to [...]
Angels Are Calling My Name
Posted in Sermon writing and preaching, tagged celestial, heaven, mantra, prayer, regeneration, religion, sermon, spirit, vision on April 11, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
(Sermon by Stephen Muires, Feb. 2011.) Today I want to describe a vision. A vision that is at the core of religion, of every religion, and at the core of our lives as human beings. It is a vision of heaven in us. You may have heard people say that heaven is inside us. It [...]
Priestly counseling
Posted in Flashes, tagged academic theological training, Arcana Coelestia, counseling, healing, love, prayer, small groups, spiritual warfare, Zero Limits on March 18, 2011 | 2 Comments »
I need to use some space here to set down observations and dreams about the function of counseling. During my academic theological training I have heard much talk about counseling, how it is one of the functions a minister fulfills for his congregation, and how it is part of the job. Contrasting this with observation [...]
Stillness on the lake
Posted in Flashes, tagged Abraham, Arcana Coelestia, Hicks, law of attraction, New Church, prayer, temptation on December 11, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
“Your real work is to find a way to be in the receiving mode.” (Jerry and Esther Hicks). “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) “Little heed is paid to the prayers of those in the throes of temptation.” (AC 8179) The Lord is [...]
Borders
Posted in Flashes, tagged borders, desert, God, Jabez, Kohanov, Lord, prayer, spiritual growth, vision quest, visions on October 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Borders are limitations, or opportunities to extend myself. In the prayer of Jabez God is asked to enlarge my borders: “Jabez made a prayer to the God of Israel, saying, If only you would truly give me a blessing, and make wider the limits of my land.” (1 Chron. 4:10) Borders can of course also [...]
No reluctance
Posted in Flashes, tagged attraction, heaven, Jesus Christ, Lord, prayer, religion on September 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Here’s one more insight about prayer. Another angle, another prompt, another encouragement: “Prayer is not forcing God’s reluctance; it is taking hold of God’s willingness.” (Phillip Brooks) I never have to wonder if it is OK to ask for something from the Lord. He begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me [...]
Saying yes quickly
Posted in Flashes, tagged belief, God, heaven, Lord, prayer, spirit on September 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
“Is what I say true? Say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe.” (Rumi, Persian poet and mystic, 1207-1273 AD) Is that a good idea, to say yes quickly? Yes, bypass those thoughts that insist on analyzing first. Bypass those spirits in my head that hate [...]
Big visions
Posted in Flashes, tagged God, prayer, religion, spirit on June 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
I trust in the good. I trust that the world is getting better each day. I trust that God gains more and more footholds. I envision people becoming more enlightened on a daily basis, all over the world. I foresee that the balance between good and evil in the world will shift upwards: the best [...]
Prayer for Others
Posted in Flashes, tagged prayer on February 6, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Is there any value in praying for other people? I know there is. But I was in for a surprise when searching through the Writings of Swedenborg for additional information and confirmation. I couldn’t find any! The truth given is that “prayer is talking to God” (AC 2535). But no word about praying being effective [...]
Prayer works
Posted in Flashes, tagged prayer on January 17, 2010 | 1 Comment »
If only one prayer for another person ever worked in the history of the earth, then prayer works. .
I ask for me
Posted in Flashes, tagged prayer, providence on December 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
We turn to the Lord in prayer. Is it wrong to ask for things for ourselves? Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and [...]
Lord’s Prayer
Posted in Flashes, tagged prayer on December 3, 2009 | 3 Comments »
I like the following translation, found at: www.thenazareneway.com The Prayer To Our Father (in the original Aramaic) Abwûn “Oh Thou, from whom the breath of life comes, d’bwaschmâja who fills all realms of sound, light and vibration. Nethkâdasch schmach May Your light be experienced in my utmost holiest. Têtê malkuthach. Your Heavenly Domain approaches. Nehwê [...]
