Prayer & Inspiration for the Week

WEEKLY PRAYERS AND INSPIRATION BY REV. JUDITH

Inspiration and Prayer for 4/28/13:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
                  
                    ______Martin Luther King, Jr.

Where do you stand with regard to Mother Earth today?

"Dear God, who knows our thoughts and heartfelt dreams
before we do, help us to stand for the regeneration of our
planet however you will.  Show us our tasks to create a
better environment for us and future generations.  Give
us hearts of dedicated earth healers.  We give thanks
for the work you give us today and everyday.  Thy
will be done. AMEN"

Blessings & Love,
Rev Judith


Inspiration and Prayer for April 21, 2013:An important part of our culture, our elderly, are almost always undervalued and underutilized - for they have much to offer.

In tribal cultures, the elderly play an important role. They are the keepers of the tribe‚s memories and the holders of wisdom. As such, the elderly are honored and respected members of tribes. In many modern cultures, however, this is often not the case. Many elderly people say that they feel ignored, left out, and disrespected. This is a sad commentary on modernization, but it doesn't‚t have to be this way. We can change this situation by taking the time to examine our attitudes about the elderly and taking action. 

Modern societies tend to be obsessed with the ideas of newness, youth, and progress. Scientific studies tell us how to do everything ˆ from the way we should raise our kids to what we need to eat for breakfast. As a result, the wisdom that is passed down from older generations is often disregarded. Of course, grandparents and retired persons have more than information to offer the world. Their maturity and experience allows for a larger perspective of life, and we can learn a lot from talking to elderly people. It‚s a shame that society doesn‚t do more to allow our older population to continue to feel productive for the rest of their lives, but you can help to make change. Perhaps you could help facilitate a mentorship program that would allow children to be tutored by the elderly in retirement homes. The elderly make wonderful storytellers, and creating programs where they could share their real life experiences with others is another way to educate and inspire other genera! tions. 

Take stock of your relationships with the elderly population. Maybe you don‚t really listen to them because you hold the belief that their time has passed and they are too old to understand what you are going through. You may even realize that you don‚t have any relationships with older people. Try to understand why and how our cultural perception of the elderly influences the way you perceive them. Look around you and reach out to someone who is elderly ˆ even if you are just saying hello and making small talk. Resolve to be more aware of the elderly. They are our mentors, wise folk, and the pioneers that came before us and paved the way for our future

This quote is taken from the Daily Om web site.  As you celebrate earth day, perhaps this would be an area you would like to cultivate.  Our elderly are natural resources that are seldom used.
They can teach us so much....from tutoring to techniques to make bird houses, or make a quilt.  I know the Day is about saving the Earth, and I am suggesting to save the knowledge of the elders
by utilizing their talents.
"Holy One, who gives us all on this earth, guide our hands, our hearts, our minds in the direction of all good things.  May we preserve our earth and those who inhabit it.  Help us to know and do the 
highest and best that we know.  We thank you for the Love we have each day, the Grace bestowed upon us daily.  Through our actions may we be a blessing to all we come in contact with each
day and may we be blessed in return.  AMEN."
Love,   Rev. Judith





Inspiration and Prayer for 4/14/13:

This month we are focusing on the Earth and Earth Day. What do you know about your planet?  What is happening to it because of my misuse and ignorance?  It is a question of my individual misuse because it is only through my individual actions that I can influence change on my planet. What am I willing to do to change my environment?  I have the ability to affect change by going within and asking Mother Earth what she needs. Our native brothers tell us that everything on the Earth is alive from the rocks to the fishes in the sea, and that are ONE with all life. What am I willing to do to effect change in my world and nurture my planet?

" God, maker of all our earth, show me what actions I can take today that will effect the changes I need to see in my environment. Keep me focused on nurturing my planet and my life by positive action in mind, word, and deed. Show me where I am polluting my own environment, and where I can effect change on my planet. Thank you, Lord for the Beautiful world I live in and the the power to change my planet, me and my actions. AMEN"

Love, and many Blessings,
Rev. Judith

Inspiration and prayer for 4/7/13:
This week I wondered if you have ever looked at how you color your world
on a daily basis?Our thoughts color our worlds with whatever we focus on.
Do you color it with bright happy colors, do you keep it in neutrals, 
or do you color it dark and dreary? For me I noticed that in Winter I
have a hard time coloring it brightly, so I use bright colors around
me and I pull in positive thoughts and quotes to lift me up.  What do you do?
Maybe you want to change how you are coloring your world or you may 
want to keep it the same.  Happy coloring what ever you do!!!
"Beloved Lord, who knows all that is in our hearts.  Help us to change
somber  colors in our lives for happy colors full of light and warm colors
full of your Love.  Let us focus on this day only, not on the yesterdays
or the tomorrows for they leave us with many days not lived fully and 
tend to keep us in somber colors.  Thank you for the light and love
you bring us each day as we focus on you and what colors we
paint today.  With deep gratitude for the life you give us and the
care you shower on us.  Amen." 
With love,
Rev. Judith





INSPIRATION AND PRAYER FOR 3/31/13:
In the hustle bustle around Easter and it's deep meaning to all Christianity,
have you ever taken time away to be alone and contemplate what it means
to you and your life?  This is an invitation to do just that today, Easter Sunday.
Go by yourself to a secluded place and rest in the meaning of Today....
honoring to yourself and our Lord, Jesus Christ. Accept with gratitude the gift
of today......
" Oh, Holy One, thank you for the deep pool of peace within my Heart.
A place inside of me that I have whenever I need the solitude and solace
of your peace and deep love.  There are no words to explain my union
with you within that peace.  You know what is in my heart, for you 
know me and accept me just as I am, always. You paint the true picture
of me in my mind to emulate and grow into.  Thank you, Beloved
One.  You are indeed alive and blessing my whole life with your
sacred presence.  Let me not forget this beauty and union with
you throughout the coming days, months and years ahead for
they are the gifts of Saving Grace you have given to all.
Amen.
With love, 
Rev. Judith 


Prayer for March 24, 2013
Our Sweet Lord, who has created the earth and all the creatures and plants therein, we often forget to show our gratitude for the beautiful and wondrous planet we live on.  We thank you Lord for the gift of life that we have and the awe inspiring planet that you have gifted us.  Let us be better stewards of the world around us.  Help us to be aware of the things we do each day that may harm our planet, and help us to change those habits so that our planet will be  here for generations to come.  

When we think of the celebration of Palm Sunday, let us be reminded of the honoring of our Lord that day by the multitude.  The symbolic bowing down of all life to Him through the palm fronds laid at his feet.  May we have the humility in the days ahead to honor our Lord and the earth created for us to inhabit humble hearts and acts.   With deep gratitude for the life given to us and the beautiful planet we inhabit, we thank you.    AMEN


Inspiration & Prayer for 3/17/13:

Have you ever wondered at the way our Lord watches over us and gives us a chance to serve Him under the most unusual circumstances?  You never know when you will be called to examine your life through service that He calls us to do.  
Here I am in the hospital, a patient, and I am being visited by another minister .  As he is reading scripture there is a call for the hospital emergency team on our floor. I said let's pray, and he led the prayer. Then as he finished they called a code blue and I began to pray for the other patient. How wonderful that we were here to add our prayers to the work that the medical team was doing. She made it!  Gratitude was in my heart and the need to take better care of myself came shortly afterward. 
What wonderful calls have you had from Him to serve when you least expected it and under such odd circumstances? What was your experience?  What did you learn and did you change after it?

"Holy Lord, we give thanks for the times that you call us into action when we least expect it. Thank you for showing us where we need to change in our lives through service to others. We are Grateful for your Love, your Direction for regeneration and prayer. All things can be done through your Love and Will. Amen. 
Love Rev. Judith



Prayer and Inspiration for March 10
Today your inspiration is from John Wooden. Think about it,
and decide what you will act on..............

Be true to yourself, help others, 
make each day your masterpiece, 
make friendship a fine art, 
drink deeply from good books -
 especially the Bible,
 build a shelter against a rainy day, 
give thanks for your blessings 
and pray for guidance every day.
John Wooden

" Heavenly Lord of all that is, we come to
You this day to ask for your guidance in
our lives.  We err so often in what we
think is your direction, and it turns out
that we are wrong.  Help us to hear
your voice, to be humble in putting
your direction into action, and give
us your love and peace to dwell in.
Thank you our Heavenly Father
for our very lives. Give us the
blessing of your wisdom, love, 
and regeneration. AMEN.
Love, Rev. Judith



Inspiration and Prayer for 3/3/13:

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do." - Helen Keller

This weeks inspiration is to contemplate this message put on our Exploring Swedenborg 
site by Renee Hellenbrecht.  We have looked at this quote before with regard to how we
show up and influence our world. 

 I am inviting you to look at this deeper, do we have areas where we need 
repentance?  Sometimes we do not know where to look for where we are
"missing the mark" in our lives.  With prayer, asking the Lord's Help in
naming those and beginning to work on changing them we can make a 
huge impact in every aspect of our lives and how we show up.
"Heavenly Father, our beloved Lord, we ask for revelation of our 
defects of behavior and character so that we may repent and
change how we are in our world.  We want to serve you better
and increase in our devotion to you. Help us change ourselves
so that our service to you and your people grows more and more
as we change.  Please help us to do your will and follow your 
guidance.  Give us the blessing of your influx and grace.
Thank you Lord, Amen."
Love, Rev. Judith  


Week of Feb. 24, 2013
For Cindy Gutfeldt:
 
For Cindy Gutfeldt:
                 And if I go,
        while  you're still here...
          Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
--behind a veil you cannot see through.
             You will not see me,
            so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again
          --both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest and when you need me,
          Just whisper my name in your heart
              .....I will be there.
(taken from Tom Clancy's Book, Without Remorse.) 
Let us be reminded that no matter what is going on
in our lives, if we are walking through a  hellish
situation there is always help from the other side
of the veil.....from our Angel Friends and the Lord.
Remember with love........
"Our beloved Lord, help us to remember You
when the hellacious times batter us with
doubts, fears and helpless feelings.  We are in constant 
growth and transition in this world ,walking through 
in these confusing times with faint hearts failing faith, and wishing for
strength and stability.  Help us to know that faith, full hearts, strength,
and stability come from you and are nestled deep inside our hearts
for this is where you dwell in us.  Thank you for bringing us your love 
and light.  Keep us on the path of love serving you with our talents, 
minds and hearts.  We are grateful.  AMEN.
Love, Rev. Judith







Prayer for 2/17/13
Lord, When I'm tired,bring me inspiration and rest; When  I'm stressed and resentful, bring me calm and acceptance; When I am confused and chaotic bring me focus and clarity; when I am lonely and lost; bring me companions and love. Thank you Lord for your loving mercy and direction, let me turn to you always in all times both good and bad. I know you are ever with me, will direct my way with your sweet quiet voice, and light my path with your love.  AMEN.
Rev. Judith


Inspiration and Prayer for 2/10/13:
Have you ever felt like you were not in touch with the Lord?
When nothing was going right....you lost your job, ....your 
relationships were turning negative..... Your health is deteriorating
You prayed and prayed, but the prayers seemed to fall on deaf ears.
God was not listening to you, you thought. You were having trouble 
keeping your faith alive?  We all go through times like these
in our spiritual journeys.  Sometimes it is natural to think.....
What the H......., why bother, God is not there for me...I am 
all alone. 
When this happens to you it is time to reassess 
your spiritual practices and change.   What are you doing?
Maybe you just need to increase your God time, 
maybe you need to inventory your 
thoughts and change them.  Maybe an inventory of
your behavior is in order. 
Whatever you do it is time to increase your communication
between yourself and your God.   For weeks and months on end
all your efforts were to no avail. Sometimes even these
remedies just do not work.  Then it is time to sit tight and hold

on to your faith and keep praying, because eventually this will 
pass and you will once more be part of the Sunshine of
the Spirit.  No matter what you think, Scripture tells us
that God will always be with us.  Think about it, and 
read the Word.       Whatever you choose to do, I
hope you will celebrate Happy Love Week! 
"God, our beloved Creator, in times of trouble and
travail, help us to know that whatever is happening
in our lives you will always be w[th us and will never
abandon us.  Even going through the "Dark Night of
the Soul" you are always with us,  Your Love and 
Peace are with us in our hearts.  Bless us with the
comfort and closeness we so deeply need from
You.  Let us be a blessing to all people this week
as we celebrate St.Valentine's Day!  And let us
share your love with all whom we meet.  Thank
you, Lord, thank you.  AMEN."

Feb. 3, 2013
This week I have been looking a fear.  What is fear anyway? 
We hear the word and immediately it brings up past or present
fears  we have of  some people, or places or things. It is our focus
on them that makes them expand and eventually overwhelm us. 
The focus on our fears takes away happiness and love.  We end up in
a living hell made by our own obsession.  This can easily happen 
in the current times we live in when many are in fear of losing their
jobs, their homes, their necessities in life, and sometimes their
lives. 
I love what Maya Angelou says about fear, "The opposite of 
Fear is Courage.  One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is
born with potential.  Without courage we cannot practice any other
virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true,merciful or honest." 
Fear takes away all that God intends us to be.
Am I facing my fears and surrendering them to God or
dwelling on them and making them worse?
" Dear Lord of our Hearts, help us today to rid us of those
fears that keep us in bondage.  Help us to be open to
your prompting, and regenerating Grace.  Keep us
safe from the hells of negative thinking and actions. 
In our daily service to you help us to be positive, and 
affirming. Keep us from judgment of others and 
empower all toward good useful talents and lives.
We give thanks everyday for all we have been given,
for what we are able to give to others, and receive
from others.  Thank you.  AMEN."
Love, Rev. Judith

Inspiration and Prayer for 1/27/13:
Today's inspiration is you are invited to practice gratitude. 
Gratitude for things such as Swedenborgs' writings and his birthday. 
A roof over your head, clothes on your back,
food in your belly, and our God.  What are you grateful for?
Why not write back on the blog and share it!
Precious Lord, who governs all things, teach us to
be grateful for all we have in our lives both good
and bad for they teach us and polish us according
to your will.  Give us the understanding that having gratitude 
is a precious practice, and expands our lives and hearts.
Thank you, Lord for the wisdom shared by Swedenborg,
and the other teachers in our lives.  We are eternally
grateful for all you bring us.  AMEN.
Love, Rev. Judith






Inspiration & Prayer for 1/20/13:
 
Your inspiration for today is to pray for others.
and yourself.  To practice communion with the Lord.
I ask that you say prayers for our Professor Inese Radzins, 
her husband, David, and their two boys.  David has brain
and lung cancer which is incurable by earthly means.
Pray for their comfort, love etc.......you know.
"  Lord, creator of all, we ask for your protection, care,
comfort and healing of David Kangas if it be your will.
We ask for your veil of light to surround the family as
they live with David's illness.  We know that you will 
give all of them peace, acceptance and comfort whatever
your will is.  I ask for your deepest heart felt wish for the 
entire Swedenborgian Family, and blessings for all.
May the Angels surround us at this time of crisis.
Praise to you Lord, with deep thankfulness.
Thy will be done.  Let thy light shine fully on us all.
AMEN."
Love, and gratitude for all,
rev judith


Inspiration & Prayer for 1/13/13:

This week has been a challenging week with illness and other issues.....
So. This week we sit quietly and ask for inspiration from God and/or your Angels. It is open for you to choose. Have fun and peace while you play!!

" Oh, God, this has been a trying and challenging week,  give us inspiration, an intuitive thought, or a decision about
our  work for this week. What is your will for us?  May we be blessings to our families and fellows. Give us peace, health and ease while we choose. Fill us with silence and knowing your wishes for us. With grateful hearts we pray. AMEN. "
With love, Rev.  Judith

Jan. 6, 2013

This week is a spiritual rest week.  Spend time by your self
listening to the sounds of nature or the sounds of
your own breath.  Wait in silence for the music of
the Angels that will communicate with you in their
unique way.  Have fun and write down your 
experience to read when you are not feeling
so inspired.  You might share with others the 
experience you had.....
"Dear God, who knows all and inspires the
Angels, help us to communicate with you and
our Guardian Angels being open to love and thanksgiving.
Keep us focused on the the Divine Nature of our 
lives.  Help us to heal the spiritual bumps, bruises
and cuts of our earthly existence with the true spirit
of harmony and light.  Help us in our training as 
spiritual beings to learn the mystery of Divine Love.
Keep us close to you and open a channel to our minds
and hearts for the Angels to share with us.
Let us be surround with Divine Light. 
Thank you, Lord, thank you. AMEN."
Love, Rev. Judith

Dec. 30, 2012

Today's inspiration is simply to set your intention for 2013.  A promise you make to yourself and your God about what and how you will challenge yourself to grow in a whole new way.  Ask your Angels to help you with this intention.

 " Help me, Oh Lord, to set an intention that will contribute to
the world around me and myself.  Let me discern what your
will for me is and help me to accept the challenge to carry it
out with your power behind me.  May I serve you and my
community with my whole heart, mind and body.  My
Angels, be with me as I open myself to God's will
and the challenge ahead. AMEN.
With great respect and love, Rev. Judith.


Inspiration & Prayer for 12/23/12:

To dear Ones that read this blog, I wish you the most wonderful Holiday Season, full of family,
joy and laughter, but most of all I wish you Love.
Your inspiration is to look at the Miracle of the Lord's Birth,
and how he has lightened up your life.
Be love and inspiration to others this season.

Holy God, thank you for the birth of your son in our lives,
his love and light will sustain us through all of our lives
even in times where we do not know if we will be able
to feed and shelter our families.  Lord, bless each of your
children this year with peace, plenty, love, gratitude, and
compassion for others. Help us to reach out to those who
have so little to live on,  those who's future looks bleak, the
homeless on the street, those who mourn, the ones with
health problems.  Help us to bring your light to them.
Clear our channels of anything that keeps us from
service to you.  Thank you for the love and guidance
you have given us each day. AMEN.
Love, Rev. Judith


INSPIRATION AND PRAYER FOR THE WEEK OF 12/16/12

Inspiration & Prayer for 12/16/12:
This is the third week of Advent, it's candle is Joy.  Joy at the eminent birth
of our Lord.  Have you experienced Joy in your life?  Can you remember 
that time?
I remember this time almost fifty years ago, when I was expecting
the birth of a child my self.  My first child had died at five days old.
At that time, I had a near death experience. I was comforted
by our Lord Jesus.  He told me that I would have two other children, a girl and a boy.  
For so long I had wanted a child, and I anticipated this baby with excitement.  
On December 20th, a baby girl was born.  I experienced such Joy!
I brought her home on Christmas Eve.  The next morning Christmas Day,
as I was preparing breakfast, I realized that I had a baby girl, and she
was alive and well!  The Jesus I experienced was real and my heart
bursed with Love, and Joy.  Tears were running down my cheeks
and I experienced deep Gratitude to be so blessed with a baby
and a Savior who I knew loved me deeply.  Never again would I 
doubt my Lord's existence! Never again would I fear death!
Coupled with this anticipation of the celebration of our Lord's birth
is the deep soul sorrow we feel at the murder of so many people
in Connecticut.  It is hard to fathom what drove the young man who 
killed so many.  How do we forgive this action?  It is through 
Prayer that all things can be overcome. We can ask our Angels to
help us.  We can Pray deeply for the dead and the grieving families.
Pray for the salvation of the young man who committed this crime.
Let us Pray.
"Lord, the one who holds us in your heart, Help us to 
Pray without ceasing for the souls departed and those
in mourning.  Give comfort to all, the families of the dead
and the family of the killer.  Our hearts are heavy with
this loss, and we cannot understand what drove someone
to slaughter so many children and adults. Help us to pray and 
have compassion for this young man.  Keep us close to you as
we go through this week. Comfort those who lost loved ones. 
Help us to experience the Joy that the Lord's birth brought even 
in our sorrow.  We are grateful for your Grace, Comfort, Compassion,
and Love, God.  Give us your "Peace that passeth all understanding".
Amen." 
With Love,
Rev. Judith






Inspiration and Prayer for the week of 12/2/12:
This week is the start of Advent with the focus on HOPE.  
Sometimes do you feel like there is no hope?  Do you
wonder what you can do when you are feeling powerless
and everything seems hopeless?
There is one thing that we can do when we
are feeling powerless and hopeless.  We can help
another human being by praying for them and we can help our-
selves by praying to the Lord for us asking for an intuitive
thought, a decision, or inspiration.  God always
has a plan for our lives and it is up to us to surrender 
ourselves to him letting Him guide our steps.  Life 
runs in a smooth, peaceful flow when we listen
to the Lord  and let Him  handle it.  Try it , you'll
like it!
,
"Our Lord who has dominion over all in our world,
help us to let go of our concerns for our life, and 
surrender the direction and care to you.  Let 
us be listeners of your voice, and 
action takers of your plan for us. Having
faith and trust in you and your wonderful
care, we are able to have Hope for our






 

August 26,  2012

A few weeks ago I suggested that we mind journey to that place we call Heaven. When we arrive to explore: What did we feel; what
did we see; what did we hear? Did you take the journey? Recalling what happened how did it affect your life?
What questions came up for you? Did it change you? What did you learn?
(I have had three near death experiences, and they have changed me. The first, at 20 years old, took away my grief for my daughter who died; I lost my fear of death; I knew Jesus existed even today in this world; and I knew I was loved so deeply and completely just as I was, "warts and all". In the second experience I was given a choice to leave or stay....I chose to stay for my children, and I lived
More spiritually, and my understanding of others grew. The third I chose to not go down the tunnel.... and spent more time praying. Today I appreciate life, and am able to assist those who are near death with prayer and encouragement. I have been coordinator of death vigils, and sat in vigil with those dying, praying and meditating....creating spiritual space for them to transition from.)

"Dearest Lord, thank you for all the events in our lives.
Help us to understand birth and death more deeply.
Give us the tools to bring light, love, and blessing to those
Just born, and those dying. Help us to learn to listen to our
Angels and guidance each day. We ask for you to give us
The ability to encourage and empower others as we walk
Through our lives, help us to be more open-minded, and loving
Toward all. Bless us as we bless others, keeping our hearts
Open to your will and bring light to our dark places. AMEN."
Love, Rev. Judith.




Week of Aug. 19, 2012
This week I have been thinking about how we all go through times of 

Week of Aug.  12, 2012
Inspiration & Prayer for 8-12-12:
For inspiration this week give yourself a break....Meditate on the Light and Love of he Lord. Bathe in the Light, and Silence of Peace. Know that you are loved completely by your creator.
"God, creator of all, thank you for all that you have brought into our lives.Thank you for the freedom of choice.We choose to live each day with you, asking to be a blessing to all we meet and that they be a blessing to us. Let us focus on you each moment of each day. Thank you for our Loved Ones, our homes, our work, our friends and most of all Your Love and Wisdom. May we be eternally blessed by Your Spirit and Love. AMEN



Sermon Archives for 2012
Week of Jan. 1, 2012

Sermon Archives for 2011

Week of Aug. 7, 2011

Matthew 6:25-34 TNIVMatthew
Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we

Week of July 31
"Go within" is what has been on my mind and heart this week for inspiration. No where do I find more peace than going within my heart and sitting in meditation. It is there that the answers are for me in that secret place of the Most High. There is where I am renewed, where the Lord answers, where peace abounds. When there, if you choose, express gratitude for the good and the hard times, for your achievements and your failures, for your talents and your "warts". It is there where regeneration dwells in the silence of God's love.

Dear Lord, in Gratitude we pray, Thank you for the Secret Place of the Most High that you have given us, so that we know your Will, your Peace, your Discipline, your Laughter, your Joy, and your all abiding Love. We are your children and we endeavor to do your will with open and willing hearts. In this negative world atmosphere, help us to dwell with you rather than with the appearance. We need your inspiration and give thanks for it. Help us to be mindful of all that we are, that we have and your continuing Love and Care. Bless us with your Wisdom, Truth, Love, Generosity and Understanding. AMEN.



Inspiration and Prayer for the week of July 24, 2011.

Daniel 4:1-3
King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the peoples, nations and men of every language,
who live in all the world;

 May you prosper greatly!

 2It is my pleasure to tell you about the
 miraculous signs and wonders that the Most
High God has performed for me.

 3How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!
 His kingdomis an eternal Kingdom;
    his dominion endures from generation
        to generation.

Holy Lord, who dwells in the Most High, thank you for this day for  the
opportunity to worship you with every action that we take.  Thank you for
the simple signs and wonders of this earth:  the wave of grass in a simple
breeze, the birds morning song, days of childhood when we swung in a
tree swing, a sprinkler set on high to run through, the laughter  of children
at play,  the quiet murmer of conversation on the fromt porch.....so many
things to be thankful for and to recognize a signs of a simple, love filled
life.  A Life that you have given to all of us.  Let us look each day for the
simple signs of your love.  Keep us focused there, for that is where you are
in your people, and the things of the natural earth.  Blessings abound.
May we see them always.    Amen
Rev. Judith

7/16/11
Here is the prayer and inspiration for this week:

As a little Girl I attended Christian Science Sunday School.  From that experience I learned that God was Love, Jesus loved me, and that a little man named error caused me to be sick.   I am grateful for those child like pieces of information, because I grew up believing in the Love of the Lord, the Love of Jesus, and that I had power in my  own healing.  Since that time I got rid of all kinds of pains.  Our mind is so powerful that I actually used hypnosis to control pain after a tumor operation on my jaw.  Not even the doctor believed that I had no pain and insisted that I needed to have a prescription  for pain.  I never filled it.  I had worked with a Hypnotherapist for pain and healing.  The doctor also told me that I was a fast healer at my first check up.  What is the point your ask?  The point is that we can heal ourselves and we can change our attitude about what is happening in the world.  We can be open to new opportunities for growth and change in our selves and our circumstances.  Prayer is a wonderful practice for up lifting our selves and focusing on the Lords influx.  We can also pray for healing for ourselves and others always keeping in mind to do no harm, and that God's Will be done in our lives.
What are your memories of childhood? (God,  church and prayer)


All powerful Lord thank you for all that is in my life, both the bad and the good.  From the good My spirit goes on, and from the bad I learn what is not your way.  Help me to understand this world without becoming too attached to it.  Help me to focus on you first in all things.  Give me the strength and comfort to endure when things go wrong.  Help me to look at the beauty around me rather than the ugly.  Let me be reminded that I can grow where you plant me....even if it feels like concrete. Help me to know that you are there by my side with each task I do. I ask for your blessings on my family, friends, communities, churches, and the world.  Thank You Lord!  AMEN.

Weekly Prayer
Weekly Prayer for 7/10/11:

Our inspiration comes from Emanuel Swedenborg on Love:

"A man's very life is his love; and such as the love is, such is the life, yea, such is the whole man: but it is the ruling or reigning love that constitutes the man."

Dearest Lord dwelling in the center of all beings, let us Be the most loving of servants. Encourage us to live in Love and Charity each day. Taking your word into the center of our hearts and living through it. Keep us ever mindful of all you would have us be, only our highest and best in the service of others. When we are weary and losing hope, encourage us with your Love and Truth. Remind us that we are never alone for you are ever with us in all that we do. Let us know Joy, and laughter even in the midst of trial and difficulty. Thank you Lord for your wisdom and grace. Bless us this day with your Holy Fire. Amen





Reflection and Prayer for 7/3/11
Recently, because of attending convention, my reflections have been on the those who
do small things quietly behind the scenes and are seldom recognized. Like the man
who straightens a table and sweeps the floor in an out door venue. How often is he
thanked for his contribution to the success of a Meeting or Convention? The computer
person who assisted with the setup of a venue and sees that we have power to all our
electronics. The person that cleans the bathrooms. This list could be endless. What if
these people didn?t do what they do? How successful would our convention be or a
meeting at one of our churches? How lucky we are that these people serve because
they have a” can do it spirit” and many of them go above and beyond their call to serve.
This reminds me of Helen Keller?s comments below.
“I am only one but still I am one.
I cannot do everything but I can still do something.
I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”
TO ALL OF THEM I SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION, YOUR
SUPPORT FOR THE GOOD OF THE WHOLE.
Prayer:
Holy Lord present with all of us all the time. Thank you for the gift of being your child.
Give us inspiration each day to carry out your will and our purpose in life. Grant us
safety as we go about our everyday lives this week. Help us to recognize those people
that have a can do it spirit. Thank you for each days blessings. Keep us close to you
our Lord so we will not forget your purposes for us and your Love and Wisdom. Thank
you for each day of Life. AMEN.
 






 

If you can keep your head when all about you  Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;  If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,  But make allowance for their doubting too;  If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,  Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,  Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,  And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;  If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;  If you can meet with triumph and disaster  And treat those two imposters just the same;  If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken  Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,  Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,  And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools; f you can make one heap of all your winnings  And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,  And lose, and start again at your beginnings  And never breath a word about your loss;  If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew  To serve your turn long after they are gone,  And so hold on when there is nothing in you  Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,  Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;  If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;  If all men count with you, but none too much;  If you can fill the unforgiving minute  With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -  Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,  And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

 

Prayer for the week of 5/15/11
 

 

 

Prayer for 5/1/11
Prayer for the week of 5/1/11:

Father God, thank you for the Peace you bring to us when we are forgiven for our sins. Help us to learn to forgive ourselves and others so we all may know Your Peace. Help us to have the compassion for ourselves that we give to others so we may forgive ourselves where we have fallen short as friends, family members, workers, and members of the Body of Christ. Help us to give thanks each day for life and your compassionate care. We pray that each day we remember to keep our Hearts and Minds on You only,Lord, and when we do....that is a miracle day. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the daily miracles in our lives. Amen. Rev. Judith

Prayer for 4/24/11 While opening the Word to and contemplating 1 Chronicles 29:5 today, I am caught by this one phrase......."Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?"..... On this Easter Day,I think about the Lord's example of His Life, His Service, and His Love. I yearn for renewal...I yearn for more light, more union with Him. I am willing..... Beloved Lord, thank you for your Peace, your Love, your tender Care. Thank you for the influx of understanding,for the knowledge of my short comings and for the Blessings of renewal this Easter. May I always walk In gratitude for Your Grace. Amen

Weekly Prayer for 4/17/2011.

Our Sweet Lord, who has created the earth and all the creatures and plants therein, we often forget to show our gratitude for the beautiful and wondrous planet we live on. We thank you Lord for the gift of life that we have and the awe inspiring planet that you have gifted us. Let us be better stewards of the world around us. Help us to be aware of the things we do each day that may harm our planet, and help us to change those habits so that our planet will be here for generations to come.

When we think of the celebration of Palm Sunday, let us be reminded of the honoring of our Lord that day by the multitude. The symbolic bowing down of all life to Him through the palm fronds laid at his feet. May we have the humility in the days ahead to honor our Lord and the earth created for us to inhabit humble hearts and acts. With deep gratitude for the life given to us and the beautiful planet we inhabit, we thank you. AMEN

Weekly prayer 4/10/11.

Steadfast Lord, creator of all there is, show us how to open more to you so that our inmost self and our outward appearance match. Help us to keep our hearts and minds focused on the goods of life rather than the evils of life. When we falter in our walk with you, Lord, bring us back to the good path, a positive attitude, and the power of love and forgiveness. Let us serve our community, our church, and our loved ones from that power. We are grateful. Amen.

Rev. Judith


Prayer for 4/3/11  Dear Holy Beloved Lord, bring me back to you. Whenever I am in doubt, bring me back to you. Whenever I stray for any reason, bring me back to you. It is in that prayer place of communion with you that I find my true self and your purpose for my life. Thank you Lord for Truth, Wisdom, Love, and Willingness to change. I am yours, your child, have mercy on me, give me the knowledge of the truth of my whole soul and help me in my work to change those things that lead me away from you. Thank you, Lord. Amen
Rev. Judith Vandergrift

Weekly Prayer for 3/27/11 Our Precious Lord, our Protector, Teacher, and Beloved, thank you for your steadfast presence even when we do not think you are there. We may not know where we are going or if our work is what you truly want us to be doing, but we know that your Holy presence sustains us through those times of self doubt in our Wilderness Walk. We know that you will guide us to our destination in exactly the right time and in exactly the right way. You know our deepest loves. If these are not the ones that open us to Heaven on earth, help us to realize our blindness and our errors. Help us to change and open to You and Your Loving Guidance. Wherever we are, however we are, what ever we are doing or not doing......... Give us Peace on Earth and true, honest, loving of our planetary fellows. With grateful and full hearts we praise you. AMEN

Weekly Prayer for 3/20/2011.
Beloved Creator, my heart is full of sadness, so many losses in Japan, and other countries from war and unrest, fostered by judgment, jealousy and greed. Genocide of they who are considered different. So many destructive acts against God’s children, a child just like me. How can I, as one, in a world of many make a difference? What can I change? What can I do? What can I give?

Will my dollar make a difference in the relief efforts of Japan and Haiti? Will my dollar make a difference to the homeless one asking for change on the street? Will my hello and smile make a difference to one who has lost hope? Oh, Lord, show me the way to be more generous, loving, compassionate and kind.

In this time of Lent, show us what we can do to change and thus change the world by changing one habit in us. Lord, help us to be better disciples. Please show us the way, Lord, to be a better members of God’s world and to make a difference by recognizing and changing our life’s negative habits. What ever your will is for us, that is what we want. Let us give away more smiles, more hugs, more positive comments, more dollars, more support to our brothers and sisters. Thank you for showing us the way to increase the light in us and the love in our hearts. Give us the energy to carry out our individual purposes in this life. Bless each person daily and bless us to be your givers of unconditional love this week. Thank you for your blessings and guidance. AMEN.

Weekly Prayer for the week of 3/13/2011. Our all Powerful Lord, beloved Prince of Peace, we cry out from our hearts for Your Mercy and Love upon those lost in the Japanese earthquake and the following tsunami. Lord be with the survivors holding them in your loving arms, and comfort those who morn. Bless the planet earth with your Peace, Love, Wisdom and Mercy. Let your light shine in every heart and mind the world over. Lord, help the relief workers find the living and keep them safe until their work is done. Lord help us to be compassionate with all the suffering ones in our homeland, help us to be generous with our time, our goods, our love and our understanding. There are so many suffering souls in our world today. They suffer mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Help us to serve our communities carrying out your will for us and removing the blocks that prevent us from bringing your Living Water to a thirsty people. Remove our fears and teach us to live and serve you one day at a time, trusting you for our every need and the needs of others. Thank you for answering our prayers and blessing us with your love. Let us carry that blessing into the world this week. Amen.

Prayer for 3/6/2011 Holy Lord, beloved God, You, who knows us even to the number of hairs on our head, hear our prayers, even those of our deepest loves unspoken. We thank you for the blessings of this week, for all events that come to pass in our lives, be they good or bad in our eyes, for all events are for the good of all and for the growth of all. Your word tells us that we are to depend on you for our strength, our every need, our very life. “ Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all things shall be added unto you.” Keep us mindful of your word and your commandments, help us to be better children of God, help us to be more compassionate with all, help us to love more completely, and help us to remember to cast our burdens on you when they become too heavy to bare. Show us your will for us each day so we may serve you to the fullest extent that we can. Help us to be grateful for the wonderful bounty that you have bestowed on us as individuals, as families, as communities, as the body of Christ, as citizens of the planet earth. Let us be a blessing to all those we come in contact with and may they be a blessings to us. Amen.

This is from Hellen Keller.
Dearest Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
you have entrusted us with incredible riches of doctrine and insight. Yet we have done so little with that wealth! Wake us up from our theological slumbers, and send us out into the world to lavishly spend all you have given us in loving and serving those who are poor, blind, lame, and deaf, physically or spiritually, and who long for the good news. Amen.


Weekly Prayer for Feb. 20, 2011. God, The Lord, is my source of supply, be it grace, compassion, understanding, truth, wisdom, or love. It is my love as a child of the Lord, to become ever closer to the oneness with You Lord. I hold my mind and being in readiness for your next influx to my thirsting soul. Thank you Lord for each day of service to you through my daily acts of living. Keep me aware of the needs of your children around me be they friend or stranger, so I may up lift them with your loving words and light. Let me be a simple tube open and ready with your living water flowing through to those in need this week, Thank you, Lord. AMEN.

© 2006, Swedenborgian Community
11 Highland Ave.
Newtonville, MA 02460

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