What are the Priorities in Parenting?

The most important things in life can easily get lost in the shuffle. The same applies to parenting—in the crazy that is having kids, school events, homework, sports, friends, etc., a parent can easily lose focus on the bigger picture. Derrick offers a re-focusing based on the teachings about parenting found in the Writings. -Editor

Today I am going to offer a few reflections from New Church teachings about parenthood. Since I am a father, my reflections are probably going to lean that direction. But most of my thoughts are going to apply to all parents.

Parenting Is the Highest Priority

From the Lord's perspective, parenting is the most important work you could be doing.

[Marriage's] use excels all other uses in creation, for by marriage is the orderly propagation of the human race and also of the angelic heaven, which is from the human race. (CL 156)

Propogation is a fancy way of saying reproduction. Marriage is the Lord's mechanism for creating more people. And parenting is the Lord's mechanism for getting more angels.

Click to read more ...

Spiritual Sustainability, a Response

Derrick responds to John Frost's article published here last week. Rather than focusing on changing the forms of worship in the General Church to attract a wider, younger audience, Derrick feels our relationship to, and confidence in the values behind the forms we currently have is the crucial place for our attention. Ultimately, he feels the laity has the power to change the church for the better. -Editor

I agree with the major proposition of Mr. Frost's article: the current practices of the New Church (really the General Church) are unsustainable. If we do not create sustainable practices, the current New Church organizations will fade away. I pray that if that happens the Lord will raise up new organizations that will bring His Word to His people.

I would like to take a step back and expand Mr. Frost's call to change practices in response to a change in culture. Practices derive from culture. The General Church culture has developed certain perspectives on truth, values, and priorities. These as a whole make up the church culture, and the current practices are living out of this culture.

Click to read more ...

Why I Believe in Organized Religion

Derrick observes that many people are drawn to spirituality, yet repelled by religious organizations. While admitting his fundamental bias, he argues for organized religion and asserts that both the individual and the community have something to gain from engaging with each other fully. -Editor

"I am athletic, but not sporty."

"So you don't like group sports, but do you run?"

"No, running is too boring."

"So, do you swim or surf?"

"No, I don't like the water—I always feel like Jaws is going to chomp me from underneath."

"So, then you train at the gym."

"No, I bought a membership but never went, so I dropped my membership."

"So, is there anything you do?"

"No, I am just athletic."

Click to read more ...

4 Reasons Most New Year's Resolutions and Other Habit Changes Fail and What You Can Do to Succeed

Derrick's essay on effective habit changing is appropriately timed with the turning of the New Year. He explores the reasons why people so often lose their resolve and fall back into familiar patterns. He offers short and simple recommendations for making lasting changes and he also provides further reading from the Writings of Emanual Swedenborg and the Bible.

Making and keeping resolutions to change habits is hard. You will probably see a lot of blog posts or magazine articles about making and keeping your New Year's Resolution this time of year. The New Church offers some new perspective about what goes wrong when we try and fail to change our ways. Here are four things that often go wrong and what you can do to prevent or fix the problems.

Click to read more ...