CALIFORNIA DIGEST 2017
A Newsletter for New Church residents and friends of California www.californiadigest.org April
1
Does prayer impact healing?
by Rev. Erik Buss
(Taken from New Church Connections magazine 2008 issue 3)
“I’m going in for an operation; pray for me.” "My mother is sick and they are not sure if she’s going to pull through. Would you please pray for her?”
What could be more natural than to ask for help from a loving God when we or someone we care for is in need, and especially when we we’d like to have some reassurance that we are not alone? It is frightening to face a threat to our health, and perhaps even more so to watch someone we love slide slowly downhill. So people reach out to the Lord, the one who can make a difference when no one else can. And we ask others to do so.
But does it do any good? It may make you feel better, but is it really a pain killer that simply numbs you to reality? Surely the Lord is doing all that can possibly be done for that person. How would the prayers of one human being sway the God of the universe to give someone more healing power, or more courage to pull through a hard healing process?
I’m going to assume that you believe that praying for others is a good idea. After all, in the Lord’s prayer we ask for all of us to receive blessings – “give us this day our daily bread … lead us not into temptation.” And the Lord tells us to pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us (Matt 5:44). In New Church teaching that prayer means that we should “intercede” for them, meaning that we should seek to stand between them and the harm that is coming to them. (Apocalypse Explained # 644:23). Imagine a parent willing to stand in harm’s way to protect a child and you are picturing what interceding means. That’s a pretty clear message to pray for others, especially in their times of need.
But what can we pray for? We know we can pray for spiritual wellbeing; that’s obvious, and should be the main thing we pray for. The Lord is interested in things that last. Can we also pray for a new car? For a solution to a health crisis?
I would say that a prayer is as good as the intention of the person asking it. If you have a sincere desire for something good, your spirit will be open to the Lord’s purposes.
One way to ensure that we are open to the Lord’s way of doing things is to do what He did while on earth. When He was in the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed, “Father if it is possible let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). This, for me is the best answer. Pray for almost anything, but when you are done, turn it over to the Lord, telling Him, in so many words, that you trust His leading and providence.
Here’s a good reason to pray for people when they are in need: it works. Look at this famous study about prayer for others done by Randy Byrd: “In 1988, as a cardiologist at the UCSF Medical Center, his double-blind study of 393 cardiac patients showed that those prayed for by Christian prayer groups used in the study were five times less likely to require antibiotics, three times less likely to develop pulmonary edema, and, compared with the control group, fewer prayed-for patients died.”
The Christians in this study were simply given the first name and initial of the last name. They did not know the people, nor did any of the hospital workers know that the study was occurring. A similar study was carried out by Zvi Bentwich at Kaplan Hospital in Rehovor, Israel. In this study patients were not prayed for, but were given “healing intention” (meaning well-wishes) by volunteers.
One interesting aspect of the research done of the effectiveness of prayer is that non-directed prayer – prayer that is simply opening ourselves up to the Lord without any goal in mind – seems to be somewhat more effective than directed prayer. That is one of the reasons why it is so important to end our prayers, as the Lord did, with “nevertheless, not as I will but as You will.”
People in the medical profession sometimes say, “God heals; the doctor sends the bill.” This is obviously true. Think about it this way: If you think of someone with love, your spirit is touching that person’s. If you pray, your spirit is open to the Lord’s presence in an unusually heightened way. If you pray for someone else, you share a bit of that connection with the Lord with that other person. If in some small way that presence of the Lord could help, it would be worth doing.
Prayer, in the end, is speaking with God. Its real aim is to change ourselves. It is turning to the source of life and hope. Whenever something that we value is threatened, we will benefit from turning to Him. His purposes are higher than ours and He will not always answer us in ways that we might like, but He will answer us. Our job it to turn to Him daily and especially when we are in need. And if we cultivate patterns of asking for His help we open ourselves up to the best chance of receiving the gifts He has to offer.
New Book Release!
The Secrets of Spiritual Growth Found in God’s Principles for Living
By Emanuel Swedenborg
Introduction by Ray Silverman
Edited by Morgan Beard
Translated byB. Erikson Odhner, Jonathan S. Rose, and George F. Dole
248 Pages
Paperback: $9.95
Kindle: $1.00
Epub and Pdf downloads FREE
Go to Swedenborg.com for more information
Book Desrciption:
Swedish scientist and visionary Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772) writes that the Ten Commandments are the most important part of the Bible. They encapsulate what we need to do to grow as spiritual people, with a meaning that penetrates far beyond the surface level of words and deeds.
One of the fundamentals of Swedenborg’s theology is the concept that underlying the literal text of the Bible is an inner spiritual meaning. Using this method of interpretation, Swedenborg peels back the layers of the Ten Commandments to reveal a cohesive set of teachings with both practical applications and far-reaching spiritual implications.
Although Swedenborg discusses the Ten Commandments in many places throughout his writings, he wrote four extended commentaries on the subject in four separate volumes: Secrets of Heaven (volume 7, published in 1754), True Christianity(1771), the short work Life (1763), and the posthumously published Revelation Explained (1758–1759). Those four commentaries are now being combined in a single volume for the first time, allowing the reader to compare and contrast Swedenborg’s approach across a seventeen-year span.
This book offers new insights for spiritual seekers and students of Swedenborg alike, illuminating what is at once a familiar set of biblical teachings and one of the cornerstones of Swedenborg’s system of personal growth.
Stay Connected!
Alumni, General Church Members and Friends, if you would like to receive updates on what is currently happening at the Academy Secondary Schools, Bryn Athyn College or the General Church, please provide us with your address, if it has changed recently, and/or your e-mail address and/or phone number. As we try to go paperless, many of our communications are electronic.
In addition, if you would like to make a special request you can reach us at: or 267.502.4895
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Boynton Beach Retreat
Eighty-six participants have recently enjoyed another amazing Boynton Beach Retreat in Boynton Beach, Florida. We had four days of inspiring, informational talks by speakers Dr. Soni Werner, the Rev. “Mac” Frazier, and one of our returning favorites, Brian Henderson. The Florida weather blessed us once again as we gathered at the beautiful Duncan Center among old friends and new. Keep us in mind to join us next year! The dates will be: January 28 - February 1, 2018.
Jacob’s Creek Family Camp
July 23 – July 26
This camp is located at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania.
This year’s theme is: Behold, I make all things new!
Get your registration forms online at: jacobscreekcamp.alotspace.com, and/or friend us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/JacobsCreekFamilyCamp
Or, you can contact James or Julie Uber to receive forms in the mail, by phone at 412-782-2710 or by email at .
Save the Date:
Glencairn Museum Mythology Summer Camp
This camp is for children ages 9 and 10, and there are two weeks to choose from.
· Session One: June 19 to 23
· Session Two: June 26 to 30
Daily hours are 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. The cost is $125 per student. Registration brochures will be mailed out on Monday, March 13th.
Each day of summer camp will start with a short worship service including a Bible story. Students will explore the mythologies of the ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, Greek, Romans, Mesopotamians, and Celts. Daily activities include cooking, storytelling, crafts, and archery. The overall theme of the summer camp is to show how the moral lessons taught in Bible stories are reflected in the myths of ancient peoples.
Please contact Christine McDonald with any questions at 267-502-2995 or
Philippines News
Several San Diego New Church members arrived in Bataan in advance of the graduation of our New Christian Church School (NCCS) kindergarten on March 31st.
Demi & Jess Lagman, Al & Junia Galela and Elwi Delacruz will also be visiting relatives, shopping and sightseeing.
Also arriving were Jojo and Eva Baltazar, primarily to visit Eva's ailing father.
SDNC pastor, Rev Mark Perry and Bryn Athyn’s Rev David Lindrooth were on the later list of arrivals to be at the NCCS graduation.
Already in Bataan since January, Franklin Rogers had another kidney stone experience in early March.
It was his third stone in five years requiring surgical intervention to remove. After attempts to remove the stone failed at the first hospital, he went to another with a special Stone Center where it was "blasted” apart by shock wave.
Rev Merlita Rogers started a Filipino Sari-saring Balita to be included in the Philippine New Church Sunday program. It will contain various news of church people and activities, as well as birthday notices. It stems from a desire to inform members and build camaraderie.
-Franklin Rogers
A Note From Mark Perry
I am headed back to the Philippines on March 26th. I am going to attend the School Graduation services. I believe this is the 15th year. We are also working on By-laws for the new School Board, which will allow for greater autonomy in government and administration. Traveling ahead of me will be Jess and Demi Lagman, Elwi Delacruz, Junior and Al. Franklin and Merlita Rogers have remained in the PI since my last visit in January with Rt. Rev. Brian Keith. Rev. David Lindrooth will be joining me in the Philippines for the School Graduation and one of us will surely be preaching in Bataan on the Sunday following the school graduation.
One of our hopes for this year is to raise the funds to remove the roof of the school, go up a floor, and add three more grades. We estimate this project will cost $150 thousand USD. Enlarging the school is an ambitious goal and comes with a number of challenges. If we can raise the funds to build the second story addition, construction could begin as early as the summer of 2018.
We will be working with the School Board which includes Pastor Sam Requiero and Head-teacher Veron to approve a budget to ensure that the school becomes financially self-sustaining. This goal is ambitious, yet we believe it achievable.
Although I have done this in private, I would also take this opportunity to publicly thank Rev. Ian Arnold and the Rev. Trevor Moffat for their excellent service to the Philippine New Church not only in Bataan, but also in Pampanga and Manila. Their efforts following in the footsteps of Bishop Louis King have paved the way for the growth and development of the New Church in this beautiful corner of the world and have helped to lay a solid foundation to build upon. People quietly working in the background are Bergan Junge and Geraldo Gomes. Without the outstanding efforts of these men I am sure that much of what has already been accomplished could never have been achieved. Also, to the many generous donors (you know who you are), THANK YOU!
I am excited about returning to the Philippines so soon after my January trip. I am looking forward to seeing good friends again and being among these happy, sweet and beautiful people.
"Kano aka, pero pusong Pinoy" - I am an American, but my heart is Filipino.
While I am far from fluent in Tagalog (the national language of the PI) I am improving. I am not quite ready to preach and teach in this mellifluous language, but that is my aim.
More next month - Cheers Pastor Mark
-A note (entitled innocence) to thank all military personal, both currently serving and those retired for their dedicated service to this country, and a message to the Clergy.
INNOCENCE
One Sunday morning, the pastor noticedlittle Alex standing in the foyer of thechurch staring up at a large plaque. It wascovered with names and small Americanflags mounted on either side of it. Thesix-year old had been staring at the plaquefor some time, so the pastor walked up,stood beside the little boy, and said quietly,“Good morning, Alex.”“Good morning, Pastor,” he replied, stillfocused on the plaque.“Pastor, what is this?”The pastor said, “Well son, it’s a memorialto all the young men and women who died inthe service.”Soberly, they just stood together, staring atthe large plaque. Finally, little Alex’s voice,barely audible and trembling with fear asked,“Which service, the 8:15 or the 10:30?”