In This Issue
H
ow does the Lord preserve our freedom while leading us? The Rt. Rev.
Brian W. Keith says He does it by insistently knocking at the door to get
our attention, without ever forcing us to do anything, and constantly bending
everything in our lives toward good. He says: “The Lord is present in our
lives more than we can ever imagine. Without it we would have no hope for
salvation. His mighty power is an immediate presence, caressing our minds
and gently leading us to see what we would not otherwise and do what we
inherently would not.” (Page 9)
What can I do to make a difference in a world that is often overwhelming
hope with misery? The Rev. Dr. Thane P. Glenn says we make a significant
difference just by living our lives with kindness and charity. “There really is no
limit,” he says, “to the hearts that can be touched around the world by our daily
choices, our daily gestures of fairness and faithfulness.” (Page 22)
The Rev. Edward Akotey, pastor of the Nteso Group of the New Church
in Nteso, Ghana, looks at the lessons of Abram and writes in a sermon that
“Unity brings progress into every aspect of human life.” (Page 27)
Following an article in the May/June 2016 issue of New Church Life by the
Rev. Gerald Waters, “Surely We Are Not Swedenborgians,” and several letters
in agreement, the Rev. Derrick A. M. Lumsden describes, “Why I call myself
a Swedenborgian” – “because I believe it is an honest and effective way to
communicate with non-Swedenborgians while pointing to Divine revelation
itself.” (Page 32)
When the Rev. Dr. Ray Silverman did a memorial service for Shareen
Blair in the fall he noted that she was fondly remembered for her Word-based
meditations accompanied by soft music. As a tribute to her he offers a preamble
to his memorial address, “The Lord is Speaking to You.” (Page 35)
In Introducing Our Ministers the Rev. Brett D. Buick tells how he served
for four years in the U.S. Army after college, then into a six-year career as a
lawyer, before even thinking of entering the ministry. And now this assistant
to the pastor in Kempton, Pennsylvania, says, “I can’t imagine doing anything
else.” (Page 38)
In a sermon, “I Am the Bread of life,” the Rev. Brett Buick says that as we
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