Universal Life Church

By Rev. Stacy Zemon

Your Grand Awakening

There comes a time in your life when you finally begin to really 'get it.' When in the midst of all your fears and incessant mind chatter you suddenly stop dead in your tracks and realize, 'Enough!' Enough fighting and crying over and struggling with ?what is.? Suddenly you grow up. And, like a child quieting down after a temper tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your Grand Awakening. The moment when you realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for happiness, safety and security to present themselves to you on a silver platter. You come to terms with the paradox of life that miracles occur all the time, and yet there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) to situations or relationships in your life. You realize that "happily ever after" must begin with you and within this realization a sense of self-empowerment and serenity emerges.

You awaken to the fact that in your humanness you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who you are. And that's okay. You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself, and in learning to do this you discover a new found sense of confidence born of self-approval and self-love.

In the moments that flow from this Grand Awakening, you stop blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you). You realize that the only thing you can really count on is that you are a child of God and that things in your life will change. Knowing this, you stop fearing and learn to embrace the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say, and that not everyone will always be there for you, and that it's not always about you. You begin to appreciate the gift of learning to take care of yourself, and in this process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers, and you begin to accept people as they are, and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties. You learn to forgive. And you realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. And you begin to sift through all the crap you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, whom you should sleep with or marry, and what you have the right to expect of yourself and others.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing, and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown or should never have bought into to begin with. And in the process you learn to go with your instincts and with the Divine Guidance you feel inspired by.

Inside of your awakening, you come to know that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is incredible bliss and glory in creating and contributing, and you stop manipulating your life because you simply don?t trust that everything is perfectly alright just as it is. You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by gone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a just and righteous life.

And you learn that you don't know everything. It's not your job alone to save the world, and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility, and about the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say "no." You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry. Then you learn about love in its almost infinite varieties. You discover who to love and how to love them, how much love to give and when and how to express your love. You learn not to project your needs onto a relationship, and to see them as they really are, not as you would like them to be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcome. You realize that just as people grow and change, so it is with love.

And you learn that being alone does not mean being lonely. You come to the realization that you do deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and that you are no longer willing to settle for less. You allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you to honor you with their touch. In the process you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

You learn that for the most part in life, you get what you truly believe you deserve, and that much of life truly is self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for, and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen. You also learn that while no one person can do it all alone, each of us makes a difference because of our individual contributions.

As you step right into and through your fears, you know that whatever happens you can handle it. And you start enjoying your life and not squandering it living under a cloud of impending doom. Yes, life doesn't always seem fair. You don't always get what you think you deserve. Sometimes bad things do happen to good people. However, this isn't because God is punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It's just life happening now. And there is always a valuable lesson inside of painful experiences if you can only see what that lesson is.

You learn to be grateful and to take comfort in the simple pleasures of life. Things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, a long hot shower, laying down in a comfortable bed at night without fear that you and your loved ones will be killed while you sleep.

Slowly you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself, and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself. And to never, ever, settle for less than your true heart's desire. And you smile in the quiet moments of realization that you are being true to yourself. And you make a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility. Finally, with courage in your heart, and with God and your loved ones by your side, you take a stand. You take a deep breath. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, you fly into the new life you have designed as the new you. And you know that the sleeper has awakened.

Copyright 2002, Reverend Stacy Zemon

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

By REV. KURT FONDRIEST

SAMMY THE SNOWFLAKE

So many years have passed since I had to tell this story. However, every now and then someone like you will ask, ‘Whatever happened to Sammy, the snowflake’, or you might say to me, ‘Naw, that’s all made up’. But I can assure you, there’s no need to doubt. Doubting sometimes takes away our imagination. And a world without imagination is a world without hope, dreams, music, laughter or just the joy of the life of living. So, why don’t I tell you of the little raindrop who wanted to become a snowflake. All it would take was a miracle, something that is always around us, just like now. However, we sometimes grow up in a way that we forget the child within, the child who is waiting to be told a beautiful story, the child who we are’ simply a miracle in the making.

Now do forgive me if I lose my thought, for I have been known to embellish here and there. But isn’t that what storytellers do’ It was the first day of the new weather and, what’s that, you’ve never heard of the first day of new weather’ Let’s see, maybe you know it as the creation. Ah, I see you nodded your head. So, it was the first day and all was going the way it was supposed to go. We all had so much to learn back in those early days. My rays were so much more vibrant than they are now. Oh well, age does that. I was in charge of The Atmosphere Academy for Young Weatherlings. It was a beautiful first day of light and I was so proud because that was my department. All the clouds were numbered by the stars. The class was on how to be a raindrop 101. I had so many students so wet with their wishing to learn. There were the clear little droplets so attentive, so proud, so rainfull. There were the cloudy droplets, you know, young ones who were not quite sure of it all yet. I must admit that I thing we were all somewhat cloudy on that first breath of time. And there were also the thunder droplets who wanted to be different, not troublemakers, but in need of a lot of rainfull reminders.

Now on the third cloud were the gentle fall droplets and this is where I first got a glimpse of Sammy. I had just finished raincall and had begun class. I still remember the topic, How Can we Fall to Earth in Our Own Special Way. Oh so many winded, ‘pick me, pick me’. I must say learning was different back then. Sammy is one I called on. ‘Well’, he softly spoke, ‘I think, no, I know we choose the way we fall to earth.’ I asked him to go into rainfall, or detail as you might know it. ‘Um’, he flowed, ‘it’s all about reflection. What do we take with us as we fall to earth’ Is it just from here to the ground, or do we absorb the journey downward to the face of the earth’ ‘Good answer, Mr. Sparkle’, I said. You see that was Sammy’s last name. Yes, Sammy Sparkle, address: 3 Star Drift, Cloud Cuff Corner. He was the third droplet of Day and Doppler Sparkle.

Sammy was like any other droplet his age except for his ability to reflect. This was a drowning gift for him and would also become the reason that the other droplets would tease him. You see, Sammy had a wish, a secret wish, one that, if others knew, he could or would be teased about. What was his wish you ask’ Well, Sammy wanted to be a snowflake. Yes, you heard me right, a snowflake’the white cold flakes that glisten as mirrors of spectrums. Now I know you have wishes, too, right’ We all do. But do all wishes come true’ And are all wishes good for us’ You see, wishes can be beautiful or they can become a storm of a nightmare.

Now Sammy grew and was becoming one of the best and quickest raindrops. ‘Speedy silver steamed the Sammy’ is what all his droplet mates were calling him. By now he had graduated to the Elevator Evaporator Club. These were the fastest raindrops to fall and evaporate back to the skyway rainshop. Sammy enjoyed all types of falling to earth, especially on a good cold front from the winter whisper. I can still hear the whisper’s chanting his name, ‘Sleet, the Sam’.

Now you know days, or time is not the same here as they are down on the fields of earth. Why 100 years in your time is just a cluster of clouds coming and going across the canvas sky. So time moved on in Weatherland and Sammy grew up and excelled, the first in his class, I must precipitate.

Now, I’m getting to it, the snowflake part. Let’s see, I believe, no, I remember just as if it was yesterday. It was the turning of the breath from the one voice, a Saturday night. I was told, as were all teachers of the sky that it was the moment of the miracle. This night would be one of the holiest on your earth. You see, it was the night of our creator’s son’s birth. All time was vibrant in motion. Not a single spirit was left unsounded. Now, I stormed ahead a little here. Let’s go back to that very morning. All the heavens were spiraling in every imaginable direction. We had to choose the exact point from which the lighted messenger would laminate so that the kings and the shepherds could find their way. Sammy, so excited, came up to me. ‘Teacher Ray, I must speak to you’.

‘Oh now, Sam’, I said, ‘We are all so busy. Why, aren’t you on the twinkling team for tonight’’

‘Yes’, he said so fast. ‘But I want to’’

Oh no, I thought. Here we go so early in the day, personal choices. I must confess at times I don’t know why each soul has been given this gift since the start of this thing called time. So many abuse it or claim it to be their birth rite never thinking it is not theirs. It is not an individual thing but rather, a group way of thinking, a decision that expresses what is the most good for the wholeness. If we all got that, the world would turn oh so much more peaceful on its axis. No wonder she needs the seasons to hug her all the time. Oh, but back to Sammy.

‘Well, what is it you wanted to do’’ I asked.

Sammy, so serious said, ‘I want to be a snowflake.’

‘A what’’ I sun shouted.

‘A snowflake’, He softly said.

‘I know. I heard you. I just wanted to make sure you heard yourself.’ ‘ Sam’, I said. He knew when I called him Sam that I was being sunny serious. ‘You can’t be a snowflake. You’re a raindrop. Then, for the first time in the millennium Sammy was wetless, or voiceless. He reflected off of me for a moment. Then he squirted out, ‘I’m everything. I’m a part of you. You are a part of me. I reflect you into beautiful colors so that songs will be written. I express your warmth and the whisper’s coldness of calm. I fall into the oceans and return to the clouds. I dance among the greenness of the earth and stray from the dryness of her voice, the desert. I echo the songs of the sky on rooftops. I mirror the caterpillar’s cocoon into winged expression of colors in flight. A part of me stays there when I fall just as a part of me stays here in the sky, just as forever is.’

My soggy student taught me a lesson. He sprinkled the wisdom of the holy child that was to be born this night onto my bright soul. But I was not the one who could grant Sammy his wish. No, it was someone beyond someone. Not a person, a sun, a star, a planet, a moonbeam, a blade of grass, a sparkle of ice or a thought in time. It was the creator of all which is all whose one name is unconditional love.

‘Why a snowflake, my teacher, Sam’’ I dulled my brightness as I asked.

‘Because snow is snow. Oh so white, a pure reflection of our spirit’s heartbeat’, he smiled.

I could tell my eyes were falling into clouds. ‘Samuel’, I whispered, ‘You need to go to the loving source and ask about this beautiful sight you have.’

He flowed around me and echoed into my ear, ‘I know. Off I must go.’

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

By Kurt A. Fondriest

The Little Tree

In a forest of magic and wisdom of rainbows and fairies, lived a little tree who was smaller, by far than any other. He knew that his branches were supposed to be strong and always reaching upwards because his mother and father would tell him so ? Little tree,? they would say, ?stretch your branches up to the sun so the birds may come and play music on your limbs.? With all his might, he would try to reach for the sky but he could not hold his branches so high for very long. Little Tree would lean sadly against his mother while he watched all the branches of all the other trees in which birds of all colors and sizes were nesting and singing praises to the magic of the forest. His own little branches could barely hold his leaves, as they ached with pain.

Across the valley of blue and sunlit flowers lived an old wise forest elf. Little tree?s mother called upon him to see why her son was having a hard time with his childhood roots. It was a cloudy day in the forest when he came to see little tree and the silver reflection on leaves from the recent rain mirrored his image and his magical bag of potions. The elf was the wisest soul in the forest; surely he could heal little tree. Wise old elf embraced little tree. Ouch cried little tree. Father tree started to scold his son quit being such a little sapling. Let the old one touch you; he will heal you. Little tree started to cry.

Wise old elf said, Why do you start a rainstorm on me, little tree? Little tree turned his leaves so he could better see the magic one. I hurt from my roots to the tip of my crown; my branches feel all twisted and knotted. My trunk feels as if a thousand wood-peckers were doing their noise making dance on me. As his tears continued to fall, he said, I feel more like a weeping willow than a royal oak. My branches cannot hold the beautiful song makers of the valley or the colorful rainbow of butterflies that take flight. With this little tree dropped his branches to where they took the shape of heavy, wet rope.

Wise old elf stepped back from under little tree. He stood there with all his magical devices, rubbing his fingers through his snowy, white beard. The clouds were parting and sunlight started to dance down from the sky, warming the valley. The blessings of the wood fairies could be heard as they gathered on the shoulder of the wise old elf. One magically whispered in wise old elf's ear. What is wrong with little tree?

Hurry and fix him so we may color his leaves with the tones of earth for the coming fall.

Wise old elf held his powerful arms up to the eyes of the creator and asked the forest for guidance. You see, wise old elf could do many things of wonder, but he could not heal little tree. To him this tree looked just liked any other small tree in the forest. He came from strong roots, and from a family of shading grace. Wise old elf had seen the entire forest grow from the beginnings of time. He remembered the first rain onto this once barren field, which was now linked together by intertwining branches of love.

Little tree leaned his heavy burdened branches around his mother?s. ?I?m so scared because of how I feel. It hurts mommy, and no birds will sing their songs in my branches because I cannot hold my arms to the sky. Why do I have this pain and hurt? It is not fair that no other tree my age feels this way. All I hear is the echo of tree teasing from the others. Sometimes I wish a lumberjack would come along and..?

Just then a radiant light danced down from the golden spiral in the sky, lighting up the face of wise old elf. A low humming noise was whistling through the valley until it came upon the ear of the old elf. Little tree, Spoke wise old elf. Little tree turned his leaves once again so he could see the old elf. All was silent in the valley. Even the wind had become voiceless. The birds of the forest bowed their heads of feathers in silence.

The animals crept up to little tree filled with love for their brave, little branched friend. The fairies surrounded little tree, holding circles of light that were reflections of the sun?s warmth. Wise old elf walked under little tree and raised his head, looking upward into his branches.

He lifted his hand to touch one of the small, drooping ones. Do you know why you feel pain in all your branches? No, whispered little tree, as his leaves were gently stroked by his mother?s caring branches. The wise old elf summoned for all the forest to listen by singing an ancient forest song.

?GOLDEN LIGHT IN THE AIR I BREATH TOUCHING ALL MY BRANCHES FROM YOU TO ME. WE ALL ARE BRANCHES OF THE ONE LOVING TREE. BLESS THIS FOREST WITH UNDERSTANDING THE PAIN OF OUR LITTLE TREE

Little tree, spoke wise old elf, ?The name of your pain is FIBROMYALGIA. The word was winded throughout the entire forest. Fibromyalgia is a painful bark

condition. It can make your roots so painful that you will want to cry, and it is okay to cry. You must understand that maybe your branches cannot hold the birds to make their music, but they can hold caterpillars until they are born into butterflies. Maybe you will not be able to reach all your branches to the sky to touch the sun, but earth needs shade at times and lower branches like yours are perfect ones. Yes you will feel pain for no forest is perfect. However you must remember you are a royal oak and you will always be a tree of strength and truth. With this, the entire forest of trees interlocked their branches to form one. The old elf lowered his head, turned and walked toward the hills of home. A swarm of lighted fairies lit his path as the sun lowering its face into the sky. Fall came to the forest and then did winter. Months passed while old elf spent his days doing deeds of good throughout the forest. It was on the first day of May when a purple passionflower fairy landed on old elf?s shoulder. Ah, said wise old elf. ?You come to bring me news of my dear friend little tree?. The old elf snuggled the fairy into his vest pocket and spoke he must journey to see for himself.

The fields were of mustard yellow and the scent of dandelion blanketed the spring ?top crescents. The winding road seemed steeped for our friend of the ages. As he came through the clearing clouds of rolling white peaks cast shadows to the earth below. At the top of the hill stood little tree, who was not as little as before. The old wood elf stepped up the hill to the trunk of his dear friend. What he saw was not the same as nearly a year ago. Little tree turned his leaves so he wise old elf.

?Your branches are filled with light color butterflies and your roots blossom the most beautiful flowers that grow in any forest shade.? Little tree spoke with a voice of confidence and quiet strength. Old wise one, take heed of the forest vines that grow around me. The old elf squinted through his glasses. He saw how the vines of the earth had grown up little tree's limbs and wrapped and secured them with their support. Wise old elf' spoke little tree, ?each day in our forest I awaken in pain. I still pray to the great creator of the forest to take away this spell in hopes that one day my bark will all be well. But I must tell you that there is no pity here, only courage. Courage, coming from my friends of the forest, who help me each day with this spell of FIBROMYALGIA. When the rain comes down too fast and hurts my limbs, the older keep me dry, and the sun will dance warmth down onto my crown which helps the pain every morning, especially after a night of pain.

Wise old elf spoke while touching one of little tree's branches. In our forest, we will someday break this spell. Until then, little tree, you overshadow us all with the courage and the strength of the beauty you tell. And with this, the old woods elf embraced little tree while dancing fairies sang songs of the wood bees.

THE END

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

The Alchemy of Poverty

By Rev. Jeremy Yates

Now, when I speak of Alchemy we all probably believe that we can change base metals such as lead into gold.

Indeed we can if our symbolism is not off- base.

Lead IS base metal and thus in our first operations we must learn to appreciate what is important for us to learn in or from Lead.

The 3 most important lessons are Humility, the ability to share with others, and how to save for a rainy day.

And that my fellow alchemists is the alchemy of poverty.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

Cherish the Choice of Love

By Dr. Ronald P. MacIntyre

Love is not a feeling or game to be played like a game with no rules but, to say one quits or one wishes to make rules that only they will play the game of Love by.

What is love when love has so many unfounded rules to live by.

To say a man loves a woman for feelings of birth and family. To have that till,? death do we part ?.

A relationship only to sneak about to find other relationships that have no meaning, but, of a lust that last only long enough for one quick desire of flesh.

Even for a man to love a man is no different then that of a man loving a woman or a woman loving another woman.

Is not love something of meaning and understanding of two people who have committed and cherished each other in a time of truth, or, was it just a moment of lust felt a the moment of desire?

When I think of love, I think of friendship and a relationship of trust, understanding and knowing that it?s held lovingly and tenderly to the heart. A Heart that sings out sounds of soft sung songs of beauty and a pleasure of contentment that means never to venture to just a moment of lust without feeling.

So that means tenderness is felt in the warmth of another persons arms, those feelings are feelings that go deep within.

Only I, and I mean only I can feel that love and no one else can feel that deep willingness to touch that untouched feeling or tear it away from my cherished soul.

The heart is one. One within it?s only moments of sweet tenderness that only one can feel openly and honestly enough to say,? this is love and a love of my own self?.

A self who knows those special times of happiness, and tender dreams of feeling deep inside the memories of each hurting false love of past, yet, also moments to have and cherish, that were also tender within the heart that is like a treasure chest of love that was once gold. Gold that is filtered through the fingers and as it drifts towards the soft green velvet grass without a sound , you quickly grab onto the pieces be collected and cherished forever, locked away to be memories of those tender golden moments.

Moments so long ago and yet so fresh in each new passion of which is fresh with each new love.

Cherish and hold onto the time spent for today, and why it is today. What happened to yesterday and for what will happen tomorrow will not be as the happiest as the moment that is with you now.

Man and woman, man and man, woman and woman. May we be yellow, black, green or blue. Whether we believe God takes us to Heaven or not. One God a spirit, one God an idol that resembles various objects of being. Yet one representing a symbol of Love that to whom every God gave to all to cherish.

To my understanding love is gentle, kind , and giving. Not hurt, selfishness, and to destroy what is given as choice to cherish.

I am who I want to be and give my love to who I love, and be for the person That I love.

He made you in his image and gave you love from birth. So let that love be for all to share and be nourished with the thought that we are as we choose to be no matter what is going on in life.

Do not let humanity destroy this love with false images of no tomorrow. Bring forth the love for there is tomorrow.

Cherish choice of love today and choose the moment to change to the moment of now in love.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

By Ronald MacIntyre

Honor and Rejoice

Greetings Beloved Children of the Light and in the light of GOD.

Blessings to you all and welcome to our beloved home where we come together in the Presence of God to celebrate Life as One.

A place where we may honour each others Higher Being as the Truth, that we are truth, and that truth, already being of Love?s Eternal Presence. I AM, I AM, I AM.

A Place where we may rejoice in the God/Goddess energy and become one with the flow of Universal Life and allow all to come into the natural being of just knowing we are one with all.

As we each open our hearts to our own beliefs and allow that special Angel, Master, Creator, God/Goddess to come into our heart centres this day, I light this candle to represent the UNIVERSAL GOD SOURCE in all of us to join us and guide us in our prayers of healing through out this day and each day following this day.

At this time I would like everyone to join me in a meditation:

(Acknowledge to each group before any meditation;

Know in your heart at anytime in any meditation no harm can come to you and you can just open your eyes and you are back in the room)

Now allow yourself to relax and even if you do not see anything know that it is happening on a cosmic level. See yourself placing all your problems of the week into a big box or small depending on the week. All the anger, sadness, frustration and all the other things that bothered you. Put them all in the box. (Pause for 3minutes)

Now light it with the great cosmic flame (violet flame) and watch all that stuff from the week before burn into a cloud of white smoke and go up into Heaven and know it?s being taken care of(Pause for 1minute)

Now repeat after me; dear GOD thank you, thank you, and thank you!

I would like to start off with passages from the bible. They comes from the King James Version John 1 Chapter 4:1-21

As I read these passages, I became wrapped up in one passage that struck a cord in my heart, that seemed to make me ponder over and over what this meant to me as a Child of Light; A Child of God. Someone so insignificant to the world at times, but, I know inside I AM someone who makes a difference, someone who can make a difference and so can you be. So can you be that some one.

That one passage that stuck out for me was verse 4; Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

What this says for me is that we can overcome all obstacles just knowing that ?I AM of GOD.? That?s all that need matter at any given moment. Is the knowledge that we are of GOD and that we are greater then any obstacle in our way.

Yet sometimes those obstacles may seem even mightier then you, this is when we must stop and take a moment to see the greatness inside and know our true GODSELVES and know that if we see the greatness in ourselves we will see the greatness in all, and those obstacles will become moments in the past that we no longer need to focus our attention on so that we will know that ?greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world?.

It is time to focus our attention on the love within and know that GOD is always there to assist us in all our needs and when it is necessary He will guide to where we are to be.

Because when we focus the love within to ourselves we are also focusing our attention inward to the truth of the source, which is GOD. GOD is LOVE

By LOVING OURSELVES, we LOVE GOD, by LOVING GOD we LOVE OURSELVES.

Plus I love that statement There is no fear in love 1 John 4:14 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

These passages I quote from the Bible. So I ask as I wind down today by saying, we come together as one to acknowledge how GREAT we are each as individuals on a path seeking one common balance and that is LOVE. GOD?s LOVE a place to call home in our hearts.

So when you go home and before you go to bed go look in the mirror tonight, smile, wrap your arms around yourself and just say ?Thank you GOD, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Thank You for the Greatness in I that is in I

At this time I would like to remind everyone how when we do a healing for others this healing never comes from us but through us from God to the client and how when the client shows his or her thanks by leaving an offering of love in exchange which in turn assist in keeping with the up keep of the office and building.

We hope that you too have received some kind of healing or guidance from today?s sermon and show it when the plate comes around or you may place an offering inside the envelopes provided on the seats.

Now if I can have everyone bow his or her heads in prayer:

Dear Universal Source, this day I call upon you to join us in oneness and being in your greatness.

Our knowingness is the knowingness of your universal Love. This same love you so loved your Son Jesus with. This same Love that guided him through the desert and fought down the darkness that came upon him. This same greatness within Him that raised the sick and assisted the blind to see. The LOVE that overcame all His obstacles and raised him from the dead. This Greatness LORD, this greatness that is in each of us. I call upon this greatness to flood each of us in this moment and to those that are open to receiving the oneness with the Universal Source, may they be filled with that LOVE now and be set free from all past doings knowing from this moment on they walk in the LIGHT of GOD. AMEN

May your days ahead be filled with the light of Father, the Son and the HOLY SPIRIT and may your days be filled with peace, joy and contentment as the Goddess wraps you in her cape of LOVE.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

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By Scott Phillips

In Him By Him Through Him

Don't play in the sand when it is wet

This morning I noticed that my boys had written out new years resolutions. I had missed them before and I was looking at them.

There were a few funny things like, "Don't annoy my brothers." That I could see someone had forgotten. One that really struck me funny was Nate's, my five year old tow headed boy. It made me laugh out loud and wonder, "Where did that come from?"

Don't play in the sand when it is wet.

In the mind of a five year old this was a great commitment I am sure. There are some things that seem very important at the time, but as time passes, the significance is lost. There are things that you face right now that seem so pressing, however as time passes the significance and urgency will not be understood.

As I walked out of the door, today I was thinking and praying, "Lord help me to appreciate fully what you are and have been doing." It is easy to let the immediate muffle out the sound of miracles that surround you. Nate, is such a sweet boy. He is easy to love, his vibrant smile and high pitched laugh just makes you want to hug him.

He was out yesterday hunting for frogs. Here is a picture of the one he caught.

Don't let the wet sand incident weigh to heavy on you. Enjoy the little things and remember you have in your life now things that were once a prayer request.

Just my thoughts....

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

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The Scapegoat

By Rev. Faith P. Hannah

The Scapegoat (noun) means somebody made to take the blame or wrongly blamed.

Today 3 May 05; I went to a military meeting with a General and other officers pertaining to an inspection I did on my unit and another unit. Let me give you some history on the inspection. About two weeks ago I was doing an inspection in a military game and I found a great deal of items that needed to be looked into and changed. I found some outdated actions and found that our unit was not playing with other units the way they should. Throughout the inspection I would check back with the Chief inspector before I did anything about what I found. The Chief Inspector would tell me what to do and told me to press on with what I was doing. Then on the day that all the inspectors bring their findings to the table I received a shocker. I was told that all my findings were dismissed because the units I inspected was not playing the game properly. Then I was told that I inspected the unit wrong and I became the scapegoat that was placed on the plate for the unit to look at. Never once did I tell anyone that the Chief Inspector gave me the right away to inspect the different units and to write up my findings.

Wrongly blamed for others I became very bitter and lost my self esteem. I continued to talk to myself over and over and tried to tell myself that I should dismiss everything that took place. I spoke to God about how he would not give me a promotion and then I would remember that God gave me many promotions in the past. I told myself that my parents did not want me and how my life was a disgrace. I also told myself that I could not preach or be a minister for God because my life literally sucked. Then I would remember that God has been good to me and blessed me over and over. I have been become my own self inject poison tongue viper. Then, I read my favorite quote on the wall of my office:

Be joyful always;

Pray continually;

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God?s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not put out the Spirit?s fire;

Do not treat prophecies with contempt.

Test everything. Hold on to the good

Avoid every kind of evil

1 Thessalonians 5 V16-22

Never let others use you as a scapegoat but if they do, remember that God has your back and you must never let anyone steal your joy. ?For this is the day that the Lord has made and I will be glad and rejoice in it?. Amen and may God receive the Glory.

Now, the burden has been lifted and my joy has returned.

Rev. Faith P. Hannah

Community Readiness Consultant

Peterson AFB, Family Support

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

By Scott Phillips

The Wisdom of a Bird

Singing in Faith

I could hear it as I walked through the foyer of our home. The birds were singing. It struck me, they were singing at the beginning of the unknown.

None of us knows what kind of day that lies ahead of us. We all have frustrating days; in addition to sad, trying, exasperating and exhausting days. However I believe we can consider the birds, which over time the programming inside of them, makes them sing. There is no forethought, but instinct, they sing because they are birds.

Consider with me the blessing of having a bird like faith. We haveheard of birdbrains, and we know this refers to the size of abirdbrain. However consider the spiritual lesson, singing at the beginning of the day.

So often in life we get what we look for. I remember growing up, when my parents would get a new car, I would begin to notice all of the same kind of cars driving down the road. I never noticed them before, but because it became something I looked for I saw them everywhere. Our life, with all its challenges, we can in many ways create our environment, buy living, walking and even singing in faith.

I anticipate good things today. I have no reason to feel this way, but I feel this way anyway. It will be a good day, and if I could

sing, this is the song I would sing today.

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know he's watching me.

Have a Great Day!

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

By Bruce Wallace

What I Want for Christmas

What do you want for Christmas this year? I think each year our list just gets longer and longer. The truth being known, I think most of us want too much way to much, mostly of the wrong things and not enough of the right things. I think we spend way to much on ourselves and not enough on others. Christmas is the time of the year to spread good cheer, make friends with that person you have been not talking with. Give a little time to someone who has less then you. Not worrying about just what to put under the tree.

We fill up under the tree with toys, and many gifts most of us will never use anyway.

Stop and think what do you think I might want for Christmas this year?

have you ever opened up all the present and feel there is still something missing?

Well I have prolong this long enough all I want for Christmas this year is that people know that a child was born. A son was given. He was given the name the everlasting father the Prince of Peace. Not all the toys not all the fancy gifts. We are forgetting that we are all Gods children, and yes my friends God is alive. The everlasting father the Prince of Peace.

Amen

Bruce Richard Wallace

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

By Scott Phillips

God Loves to See You Smile

The other day my wife was rushing around the house helping someone get ready for a wedding that attends the church in Clinton. The couple did not have a lot of money and my wife just saw an opportunity to do something nice, because that is the way she is. For the next few days she was focused and motivated on the task at hand. Through out this process of hard work, I marveled at how thrilled she was doing something for someone else. Through this I had a "TADA" moment. She was demonstrating a characteristic of God.

God loves to see you smile.

He has/does and will go to great lengths to bring joy into your life. If you think of the history of God dealing with man, it is amazing to consider everything he has done had a single overriding purpose and that being for man to find that place of Joy and Completeness.

It started with the carefully planned habitat in Eden. Then his custom made companion for Adam. He then tailored clothing to cover the shame of their sin with clothes. And from there the list goes on and on.

I have heard it communicated that God did it all because he wants praise or love or some other thing. I however don't believe that is true.

I think God gets more glory when from a thankful heart a smile transforms a face, a heart is filled with love and words of sincere communication transpire. I don't think he does it for praise, I think that God does it simply because he loves to see you smile.

It is sort of like the Chicken or Egg debate. What does God want from you? Is it just to see you "serve him" and worship him or is it that God truly loves his children and wants to see them happy and fulfilled.

The answer is found in the picture of a parent. No doubt parents love for a child to get up publicly and tell how great they are. However I truly believe what is the greatest source of joy for a parent is to see their children happy and living purposeful, meaningful lives.

Your Heavenly Father loves to see you smile.

The natural outflow of the Goodness of our Father is for us love him. When we think of the great price God has paid to reconcile us back to him and redeem us from the curse of sin, it helps to know why. The purpose is not so he has someone to sing for him, testify for him or even give money for him. The purpose is to see his children experience true joy.

I did not say God wants you to be a spoiled brat. No good parent gives their children everything they want. No good parent is going to let everything come easy. However the overriding driving passion of God is see his children prosper and lead productive and meaningful lives.

The scripture says, "If ye being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Ghost to everyone that asketh."

Does he give the Holy Ghost to his children for "self serving" purposes or does he do it because he sincerely and deeply loves to see his children experience the joy that only the Holy Ghost can give.

I have heard so many preachers preach about praise and worship and they present it as God doing everything because he likes to be praised. I really don't think that is what God likes. I truly believe that what God likes is what produces true praise and worship.

When we recognize that every good and perfect thing in our life comes from one source, when we can see the tremendous price paid for the saving of our souls, when we get a glimpse at the vast reservoir of his love there is a natural by-product that will come flowing from us like a rain swollen river rushing, flowing toward the source of the rain.

When you smile at God, God smiles back at you. If you have anything you can smile about, it is because of the tender mercies of a savior that has spared no expense to see his child in that place of meaningful purpose. If you have a need and will sincerely and honestly seek his face, he will answer your prayer and meet your need. Why? He wants to see your life filled with purpose and meaning? Why? Because he loves to see you smile.

Smiling.

In Him, By Him, Through Him,

Scott Phillips

http://www.newbirth.us

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

Affirmations

By Bettina Goodwin

I was always one to not pay much attention to all I’ve read about affirmations seeing them as merely lip service and not of much value in my life. Louise Hay writes a lot about affirmations and is a firm believer in them as are many other teachers and writers.

Recently, I attended the I Can Do It Toronto Conference and had the great pleasure to listen to several of the many great teachers that were presenting throughout the weekend. And there was one thread that seemed to weave through every one of those talks – affirmations

A few days later the idea of affirmations came up again somewhere else. Following what I’ve learned, I sat up and took notice of the frequency with which this subject had appeared in my life.

So I thought I’d give it a try, especially since there were some things I was working through and I thought it a good opportunity to put it to the test. Pretty presumptuous of me to be putting God and the universe to the test but what the heck, it had been testing me for years!

I began with two simple affirmations that I could remember and I started repeating them whenever I remembered throughout the day. Then I added a few more and before long I had a nice little list of affirmations that would pass through my head on a regular basis becoming a regular litany for me.

And then things started to happen, doors began opening and better yet, I started to feel unstuck and more motivated. Who knew?

Every word we speak is an affirmation. If we say, “No one is calling me”, “I never seem to have enough money”, or “I’ll never find a man or woman to spend my life with” then that is the idea that we are putting out to the universe. We are affirming that we are not good enough, are in lack or not worthy.

Since we were children we have been using affirmations to build our belief system. If our parents told us we were bad little girls or boys because we got angry or didn’t follow the rules. If the things we did never felt good enough or even if they talked about never having enough money, these were all affirmations that we chose to believe.

So if we are believing these affirmations that have been rattling around in our heads for years, then why can’t we change the affirmations to something positive that will help us to have the life we desire.

Instead of attaching to the thought “No one is calling me” change it to “The calls are coming in every day.” Instead of “I’ll never find a man or woman to spend my life with,” try, “The perfect partner for me is coming into my life.” And instead of “I never seem to have enough money,” use “I have more than enough money to enjoy my life.” If you find yourself thinking something unkind about another person, change it to something positive that you like about them. Remember that everything we say is an affirmation.

Write your affirmations every morning, say them whenever you remember during the day, use them in meditation, or whenever you find yourself attaching to negative affirmations.

Notice the change in not only how you look at life but how life is changing for you.

Be inspired, feel peace and live the life you desire.

Author's Bio
Bettina Goodwin is a Certified Life Coach, Reiki Practitioner, speaker and facilitator who has experience working with children, teens and adults in a wide variety of personal, family and relationship issues. Her background and training of four years of personal growth work, training and certification followed by case studies give her the tools necessary to delve into the core issues that are causing concern for her clients.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar