A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.
When someone struggles against their evils, the Lord gives a quiet inner peace as a result. (DP 41)
“Once a spiritual crisis is over we at first fluctuate between truth and falsity, but then the truth shines forth we feel peaceful lighthearted.” (NJHD 197)
Since temptations serve to strengthen the truths of faith and to implant forms of the good of charity, and also to subdue cravings for evil, it follows that temptations are the means by which the spiritual or internal man gains dominion over the natural or external man, that is, the good of charity and faith gains dominion over the evil of self-love and love of the world. Once this has been accomplished the person becomes enlightened and enjoys a perception of what truth is and what good is, and also of what evil and falsity are. This brings him intelligence and wisdom, which increase daily after that. (Arcana Coelestia 8967)
Hatred is not just a feeling — it's a chasm. When we hold contempt in our hearts, even while acting “religious,” we separate ourselves from the Lord.
In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus tells of a Pharisee who prays with pride and judgment — and a tax collector who prays with humility and sorrow. Only one walks away justified.
Swedenborg writes:👉 “Hatred for other people is that intervening, hellish chasm.”— Secrets of Heaven #904
As someone who grew up listening to Carl Sagan describe the vastness of the universe, I think the rarity of life in the universe paired well with this verse from Jeremiah. Each life is precious and unique...a MIRACLE.
Maybe you’ve made the same New Year’s resolution 5, 10, or 20 times—and still feel like you haven’t changed. That’s okay. The Lord never gets tired of lifting us, guiding us, restoring us. Swedenborg says regeneration is lifelong—not a one-time event. It's a process. And the Lord never gives up on it.
Your part? Keep showing up. Keep turning. Keep asking. The Lord’s part is to renew your heart, one patient day at a time.
Secrets of Heaven 8326:When a tree is planted it grows into branches, leaves, and fruit, then from seeds in the fruit it grows into new trees, and so on. A person's regeneration is similar, which also explains why in the Word a person is compared to a tree, and one who has been regenerated to a garden or paradise. The truths of faith within that person are compared to the leaves, and forms of the good of charity to the fruit; the seeds from which new trees grow correspond to truths which spring from good, or what amounts to the same thing, to faith which springs from charity. The expression "regeneration going on continuously" is used because a person's regeneration has a beginning but never ceases; the person is continually being made more perfect not only while living in the world but also in the next life for evermore. Yet no one can ever reach any kind of perfection that enables them to be compared with the Divine.
Christmas is not the end of the journey—it’s the beginning. The Lord is born into our hearts so He can teach us how to live. Swedenborg reminds us that spiritual life is a path of continual learning, of turning from what is harmful, and seeking what is good. Our part is to be willing students of divine truth, not just on Christmas, but all our lives.
Apocalypse Explained 803: It’s important to know how we can be in such enlightenment as to learn the truths that must constitute our faith, and in such desire as to do the good deeds that must constitute our love. These things are possible as follows: (1) Read the Word every day—one or two chapters—and learn from a master and from preaching the teachings of your religion. Learn especially that God is one, that the Lord is the God of heaven and earth, that the Word is holy, that there is a heaven and a hell, and that there is a life after death. (2) Learn from the Word, from a master, and from preaching, what works are sins. Learn all of these things from childhood to youth. (3) When you begin to think for yourself, it must be the first and chief thing to refrain from doing what is harmful (evil) for the reason that it is a sin against the Word, thus against God. Afterward, as you grow up and become old, you must turn away from what is harmful [not only in action, but also] in intention and thought. But in order to so refrain from them and shun and turn away from them, you must pray to the Lord for help. (4) To the extent that we detest these evils, because they are opposed to the Word and thence opposed to God, to the same extent there is granted us communication with the Lord, and togetherness is effected with heaven (5) To the extent, then, that we detest these sins, so far good desires enter. (6) To the extent that we are in these good desires, we are led by the Lord and not by ourselves. (7) The desires that are granted are a desire for knowing and understanding the truths and goods of heaven and the Church, together with a desire for willing and doing them; also a desire to combat with zeal against falsities and evils and dispersing them—both within ourselves and others. (8) Thus and in no other way are we reformed; and to the extent that we know and believe what is true, and also will and do it, to the same extent we are regenerated, and from being earthly we become spiritual.
At Christmas, the angels proclaim peace—but not as something passive or distant. Swedenborg teaches that peace arises when goodness and truth are united in our lives. Our part is not only to believe in peace but to live it, through small acts of goodwill, forgiveness, and care. The birth of the Lord in us is the birth of this love in action.
Secrets of Heaven 352: Love and love-based faith is the firstborn. All love is the Lord's and no particle of love is ours, which is why the Lord is the only firstborn. In the early churches, this fact was represented by the consecration of firstborns and of firstborn animals to Jehovah (Exodus 13:2, 12, 15). It was also represented by the fact that the tribe of Levi was taken in place of all the firstborn and became the priestly order (Numbers 3:40-46; 8:14-20), even though Levi, who on an inner level symbolises love, was born after Reuben and Simeon, who on an inner level symbolise faith.
Hope is not passive—it’s a sacred task. Swedenborg teaches that during spiritual struggles, infernal spirits try to stir up doubt, but angels from the Lord preserve a sense of hope. Our part is to lean into that hope even when light seems faint. Mary believed—and that belief was her part in the miracle. So too with us.
Secrets of Heaven 2338: [Spiritual trials bring with them] doubt concerning the Lord's presence and mercy and concerning salvation. The evil spirits then present with us, who bring on the crisis, inspire strong negativity. Good spirits and angels, however, on behalf of the Lord, use every method they can to do away with this doubt, keep hope always alive in us, and eventually reinforce a positive outlook. As a consequence, we hover between denial and affirmation during our inward struggles. When we fail, we continue to doubt, and sink into pessimism. When we win, on the other hand, we do still have doubts, but those of us who allow hope to set us on our feet remain optimistic.
Advent reminds us that divine light does not wait for us to be perfect—it reaches out to us even in our confusion, our questions, our sorrow. According to Swedenborg, even those in falsity can receive truth if their hearts are turned toward goodness. No matter where we find ourselves today, the Lord’s light is already shining.
Heaven and Hell 522:The divine mercy is pure mercy toward the whole human race, to save it. It’s also unceasing toward every person. It is never withdrawn from anyone, so that everyone is saved who can be saved. And yet no one can be saved except by divine means, which the Lord reveals in His Word. These divine means are what are called divine truths (symbolised by light in the Word) which teach how we must live in order to be saved. By means of these truths the Lord leads us to heaven, and implants the life of heaven in us. The Lord does this for all people.
Who would’ve thought a wild prophet from 2,000 years ago, quoting Isaiah from 3,000 years ago, would still be relevant in the age of AI?
But here we are.
Like John, I feel like “a voice crying in the wilderness”—only now the wilderness is digital. And too often, the church becomes complicit in cruelty, deception, and pride. We mistake aggression for strength, celebrate division as conviction, and elevate falsehoods simply because they affirm our biases. We mock strangers from behind screens in ways we’d never dare in someone’s living room. We publicly shame others for clout, forgetting the charity, forgiveness, and mercy we ourselves depend on—and that the Lord calls us to show.
But if we don’t change course, we’re not just lost—we’re leading others into ruin.
The time has come again to prepare the way of the Lord.
Consider these words from Swedenborg's Secrets of Heaven 2708.9, in light of the state of our world today:
The saying of Isaiah: “The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord! Straighten his paths!’” (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3)
What they mean is that the church was then completely devastated, so that there was no longer any goodness or truth. This becomes obvious when you consider that no one then knew that people had any inner dimension, or that the Word did either. So they did not know that the Messiah, or Christ, was coming to save them forever.
Our Part One thing the reader of Swedenborg comes to understand clearly is simply this; That the Lord takes care of everything, hardly means that we don't have to do anything. In other words, while it is the Lord who regenerates us, each of us has a role to play in opening ourselves to the Lord's influence and allowing Him to do his His work. This Swedenborg writes about in the following passages: True Christianity 438. Still, none of us can purify ourselves from evils by our own power and our own force. On the other hand, neither can we purify ourselves without having power and force as if they were our own. If we did not have apparent power, none of us could fight against the flesh and its cravings, although we have all been ordered to do so. In fact, we could not even think about battling them. We would let our mind go into evils of every kind. We would be held back from actually doing evils only by the laws of justice that have been passed in the world and the penalties they prescribe. Inside we would be like tigers, leopards, or snakes that utterly fail to reflect on the cruelty that their hearts enjoy. Clearly then, because we are rational in a way that animals are not, we have to resist evils using the powers and abilities the Lord gives us, although as far as we can tell, those powers and abilities appear to be our own. The Lord gives us all this illusion in order to regenerate us, attribute goodness to us, forge a partnership with us, and save us. Arcana Coelestia 9297. The person who considers theoretical truths for the sake of practical ones and sees how the theoretical fit in with the practical, the person who therefore sees how the two combine to result in a good and useful life and feels an affection for them both with this end in view, he has the faith that comes from the Lord. The reason for this is that the useful life, which is his end in view, consists in the good that resides with him; and it is that life which gives form to all things, the truths of faith being the means.
Spiritual Shorts
On the usefulness of our struggles.
A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.
When someone struggles against their evils, the Lord gives a quiet inner peace as a result. (DP 41)
“Once a spiritual crisis is over we at first fluctuate between truth and falsity, but then the truth shines forth we feel peaceful lighthearted.” (NJHD 197)
Since temptations serve to strengthen the truths of faith and to implant forms of the good of charity, and also to subdue cravings for evil, it follows that temptations are the means by which the spiritual or internal man gains dominion over the natural or external man, that is, the good of charity and faith gains dominion over the evil of self-love and love of the world. Once this has been accomplished the person becomes enlightened and enjoys a perception of what truth is and what good is, and also of what evil and falsity are. This brings him intelligence and wisdom, which increase daily after that. (Arcana Coelestia 8967)
1 day ago | [YT] | 6
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Spiritual Shorts
Hatred is not just a feeling — it's a chasm.
When we hold contempt in our hearts, even while acting “religious,” we separate ourselves from the Lord.
In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus tells of a Pharisee who prays with pride and judgment — and a tax collector who prays with humility and sorrow.
Only one walks away justified.
Swedenborg writes:👉 “Hatred for other people is that intervening, hellish chasm.”— Secrets of Heaven #904
1 week ago | [YT] | 7
View 1 reply
Spiritual Shorts
As someone who grew up listening to Carl Sagan describe the vastness of the universe, I think the rarity of life in the universe paired well with this verse from Jeremiah. Each life is precious and unique...a MIRACLE.
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 9
View 3 replies
Spiritual Shorts
Maybe you’ve made the same New Year’s resolution 5, 10, or 20 times—and still feel like you haven’t changed. That’s okay. The Lord never gets tired of lifting us, guiding us, restoring us. Swedenborg says regeneration is lifelong—not a one-time event. It's a process. And the Lord never gives up on it.
Your part? Keep showing up. Keep turning. Keep asking. The Lord’s part is to renew your heart, one patient day at a time.
Secrets of Heaven 8326:When a tree is planted it grows into branches, leaves, and fruit, then from seeds in the fruit it grows into new trees, and so on. A person's regeneration is similar, which also explains why in the Word a person is compared to a tree, and one who has been regenerated to a garden or paradise. The truths of faith within that person are compared to the leaves, and forms of the good of charity to the fruit; the seeds from which new trees grow correspond to truths which spring from good, or what amounts to the same thing, to faith which springs from charity. The expression "regeneration going on continuously" is used because a person's regeneration has a beginning but never ceases; the person is continually being made more perfect not only while living in the world but also in the next life for evermore. Yet no one can ever reach any kind of perfection that enables them to be compared with the Divine.
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 12
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Spiritual Shorts
Christmas is not the end of the journey—it’s the beginning. The Lord is born into our hearts so He can teach us how to live. Swedenborg reminds us that spiritual life is a path of continual learning, of turning from what is harmful, and seeking what is good. Our part is to be willing students of divine truth, not just on Christmas, but all our lives.
Apocalypse Explained 803:
It’s important to know how we can be in such enlightenment as to learn the truths that must constitute our faith, and in such desire as to do the good deeds that must constitute our love. These things are possible as follows: (1) Read the Word every day—one or two chapters—and learn from a master and from preaching the teachings of your religion. Learn especially that God is one, that the Lord is the God of heaven and earth, that the Word is holy, that there is a heaven and a hell, and that there is a life after death. (2) Learn from the Word, from a master, and from preaching, what works are sins. Learn all of these things from childhood to youth. (3) When you begin to think for yourself, it must be the first and chief thing to refrain from doing what is harmful (evil) for the reason that it is a sin against the Word, thus against God. Afterward, as you grow up and become old, you must turn away from what is harmful [not only in action, but also] in intention and thought. But in order to so refrain from them and shun and turn away from them, you must pray to the Lord for help. (4) To the extent that we detest these evils, because they are opposed to the Word and thence opposed to God, to the same extent there is granted us communication with the Lord, and togetherness is effected with heaven (5) To the extent, then, that we detest these sins, so far good desires enter. (6) To the extent that we are in these good desires, we are led by the Lord and not by ourselves. (7) The desires that are granted are a desire for knowing and understanding the truths and goods of heaven and the Church, together with a desire for willing and doing them; also a desire to combat with zeal against falsities and evils and dispersing them—both within ourselves and others. (8) Thus and in no other way are we reformed; and to the extent that we know and believe what is true, and also will and do it, to the same extent we are regenerated, and from being earthly we become spiritual.
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 8
View 0 replies
Spiritual Shorts
At Christmas, the angels proclaim peace—but not as something passive or distant. Swedenborg teaches that peace arises when goodness and truth are united in our lives. Our part is not only to believe in peace but to live it, through small acts of goodwill, forgiveness, and care. The birth of the Lord in us is the birth of this love in action.
Secrets of Heaven 352:
Love and love-based faith is the firstborn. All love is the Lord's and no particle of love is ours, which is why the Lord is the only firstborn. In the early churches, this fact was represented by the consecration of firstborns and of firstborn animals to Jehovah (Exodus 13:2, 12, 15). It was also represented by the fact that the tribe of Levi was taken in place of all the firstborn and became the priestly order (Numbers 3:40-46; 8:14-20), even though Levi, who on an inner level symbolises love, was born after Reuben and Simeon, who on an inner level symbolise faith.
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 9
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Spiritual Shorts
Hope is not passive—it’s a sacred task. Swedenborg teaches that during spiritual struggles, infernal spirits try to stir up doubt, but angels from the Lord preserve a sense of hope. Our part is to lean into that hope even when light seems faint. Mary believed—and that belief was her part in the miracle. So too with us.
Secrets of Heaven 2338:
[Spiritual trials bring with them] doubt concerning the Lord's presence and mercy and concerning salvation. The evil spirits then present with us, who bring on the crisis, inspire strong negativity. Good spirits and angels, however, on behalf of the Lord, use every method they can to do away with this doubt, keep hope always alive in us, and eventually reinforce a positive outlook. As a consequence, we hover between denial and affirmation during our inward struggles. When we fail, we continue to doubt, and sink into pessimism. When we win, on the other hand, we do still have doubts, but those of us who allow hope to set us on our feet remain optimistic.
1 month ago | [YT] | 13
View 2 replies
Spiritual Shorts
Advent reminds us that divine light does not wait for us to be perfect—it reaches out to us even in our confusion, our questions, our sorrow. According to Swedenborg, even those in falsity can receive truth if their hearts are turned toward goodness. No matter where we find ourselves today, the Lord’s light is already shining.
Heaven and Hell 522:The divine mercy is pure mercy toward the whole human race, to save it. It’s also unceasing toward every person. It is never withdrawn from anyone, so that everyone is saved who can be saved. And yet no one can be saved except by divine means, which the Lord reveals in His Word. These divine means are what are called divine truths (symbolised by light in the Word) which teach how we must live in order to be saved. By means of these truths the Lord leads us to heaven, and implants the life of heaven in us. The Lord does this for all people.
1 month ago | [YT] | 13
View 2 replies
Spiritual Shorts
A Voice Crying in the Wilderness
Who would’ve thought a wild prophet from 2,000 years ago, quoting Isaiah from 3,000 years ago, would still be relevant in the age of AI?
But here we are.
Like John, I feel like “a voice crying in the wilderness”—only now the wilderness is digital. And too often, the church becomes complicit in cruelty, deception, and pride. We mistake aggression for strength, celebrate division as conviction, and elevate falsehoods simply because they affirm our biases. We mock strangers from behind screens in ways we’d never dare in someone’s living room. We publicly shame others for clout, forgetting the charity, forgiveness, and mercy we ourselves depend on—and that the Lord calls us to show.
But if we don’t change course, we’re not just lost—we’re leading others into ruin.
The time has come again to prepare the way of the Lord.
Consider these words from Swedenborg's Secrets of Heaven 2708.9, in light of the state of our world today:
The saying of Isaiah: “The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord! Straighten his paths!’” (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3)
What they mean is that the church was then completely devastated, so that there was no longer any goodness or truth. This becomes obvious when you consider that no one then knew that people had any inner dimension, or that the Word did either. So they did not know that the Messiah, or Christ, was coming to save them forever.
1 month ago | [YT] | 9
View 1 reply
Spiritual Shorts
Our Part
One thing the reader of Swedenborg comes to understand clearly is simply this; That the Lord takes care of everything, hardly means that we don't have to do anything. In other words, while it is the Lord who regenerates us, each of us has a role to play in opening ourselves to the Lord's influence and allowing Him to do his His work. This Swedenborg writes about in the following passages:
True Christianity 438. Still, none of us can purify ourselves from evils by our own power and our own force. On the other hand, neither can we purify ourselves without having power and force as if they were our own. If we did not have apparent power, none of us could fight against the flesh and its cravings, although we have all been ordered to do so. In fact, we could not even think about battling them. We would let our mind go into evils of every kind. We would be held back from actually doing evils only by the laws of justice that have been passed in the world and the penalties they prescribe. Inside we would be like tigers, leopards, or snakes that utterly fail to reflect on the cruelty that their hearts enjoy.
Clearly then, because we are rational in a way that animals are not, we have to resist evils using the powers and abilities the Lord gives us, although as far as we can tell, those powers and abilities appear to be our own. The Lord gives us all this illusion in order to regenerate us, attribute goodness to us, forge a partnership with us, and save us.
Arcana Coelestia 9297. The person who considers theoretical truths for the sake of practical ones and sees how the theoretical fit in with the practical, the person who therefore sees how the two combine to result in a good and useful life and feels an affection for them both with this end in view, he has the faith that comes from the Lord. The reason for this is that the useful life, which is his end in view, consists in the good that resides with him; and it is that life which gives form to all things, the truths of faith being the means.
1 month ago | [YT] | 9
View 2 replies
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