n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 6
engaged in this spiritual work will be an outpost of heaven in the world.
Our contribution to the process of changing the world, therefore, is to
bring the high ideals and shining principles of truth which constitute heaven
down into our daily thoughts, words and acts. And that work begins with
repentance, by means of which the Lord delivers us from evil.
As more and more people – in their individual lives and in that little
part of the world over which they have some control – are drawn out of the
influence of hell and come under the influence of heaven, the Lord’s kingdom
will come, “as in heaven so upon the earth.”
(WEO)
valuing everyone’s contribution
to the sphere of worship
What is the sphere of worship and how is it formed? The Lord said that where
two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in the midst of them.
“His name” means the qualities He represents: goodness and truth, humility
and trust, love and peace. A sphere of worship goes forth from all who have
love to the Lord in their hearts, and light from His Word in their minds.
When I go into the Cathedral on Sunday mornings, I don’t know exactly
who is contributing to the sphere of worship that day, or what exactly they
are contributing, or how strong their contribution is on that particular day,
but I feel that everyone contributes something. The people who maintain the
beautiful gardens you walk through as you approach the building, the person
who greets you at the front door, the preacher, musicians, chancel girls, ushers,
those who serve refreshments, and those in the pews who say the prayers and
the recitation and sing the hymns . . . they all contribute to the sphere of
worship.
It’s probably best if we don’t think too much about the fact that we are
contributing something, and aren’t especially conscious of what we might be
contributing – much less what someone else is or is not contributing. A sphere
of worship is a quiet, subtle thing; just listening, affirmatively and gratefully,
contributes to it.
A sphere of worship is a treasure the Lord brings forth from the hearts of
those who unite in worship of Him. It is really His contribution.
(WEO)
birth pangs
The process of being born is traumatic for the baby, who comes into the world
bawling and with his fists clenched. The mother’s labor is also difficult and
painful. But then the newborn babe is carefully wrapped and placed upon the
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