Universal Life Church

By Scott Phillips

Pizza Delivery in a Volvo

I was driving into my neighborhood when I saw something that caused me to do a double take and giggle and go hmmm at the same time. I saw a car coming out of our neighborhood sporting a lighted sign declaring Papa Johns was the pizza of choice. It was not this alone, for we see many pizza deliveries, however it was the car sporting this sign. It was a pretty new white Volvo. I would say no more than two years old and a higher end model, a very nice car.

There are many conclusions you can draw.

Parents are letting their kid borrow the car for a part time job.

Parent has been laid off and delivering pizza to pay the car note.

Kid is off to college and dad has cut the purse strings, but he gets to keep the car.

The owners help all called in sick, so he had to deliver pizza himself.

There are a myriad of possibilities to consider. The thing that struck me is the fact there are so many conclusions to draw, that it would be unfair to jump to a conclusion and I may be off base for chuckling.

This little experience I pondered over for the next few minutes while I made the turns on the golden pathway that leads me home. Of course I did not think of it after I walked into the door, until now.

You cannot judge a book by it's cover. You cannot judge men by their demeanor or seeming success. You cannot value the life of a man by the car he drives or job he works at some given point.

A few possible lessons from this Volvo delivering pizzas.

A man without a car can have a higher sense of satisfaction than the man that has a car he cannot afford.

or

You better appreciate your parents, or you might have to deliver pizzas. As a side note, I delivered pizzas and enjoyed eating the pizza.

or

Parents might instill a little bit of appreciation in their children by letting them get a good honest job.

Or

And finally,

If you can't find the job you want, at least do something in the interim. It is not a matter of settling, but a little here and there can often be more than a bunch at one time. We Americans are a prideful bunch. You are more likely to find opportunity out in the world than waiting for someone to knock on your door.

Don't get me wrong, I don't won't to go back, but there is something to be said for the character and virtue that is borne out in the souls of those that experience very hard and hungry times.

Comparing these with the characters that prosperity is producing is not always an encouraging exercise.

In our service for the Kingdom, let us use whatever means we have been given to do what God would have us do. If it be an alabaster box, a little spit and dirt, a few loaves and fish, whatever you have use it and see what God can do. It might be a in a White Volvo and it might be delivering pizzas.

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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

In A Moment

In a moment life can change.

Sunday afternoon my wife and I were headed to a birthday party for a sweet young girl in the church. As I was headed out, I picked up my two year old and discovered that either he was carrying a dead rat in his pocket, or he had a very dirty diaper. Becky, my sweet wife, gathered him in her arms from mine and we went back inside.

The other two boys, Keaton and Nate were excited about riding in my new/old truck. So they were in the backseat. I walked outside and thought, "I will back up the truck so my wife don't have to walk on the dirt when she comes out." So I look in my mirrors to be sure we are not about to destroy another tricycle and backup about five feet. When, I look in front of me, Noah is standing there crying because he thought we were going to leave him. In a moment, life stops and I realize all in one moment, life could have changed.

When I got out and picked him up, he was all smiles, but there were heavy thoughts running through my mind that made me shudder. When the excitement died down, my wife was now in the truck and we are ready to go, I stop and we all say a prayer of thanksgiving, that that moment did not happen.

How many times do these moments come in our lives and we don't even know it? This is the first time I have felt quite like I did.  Even now as I think about it, it makes me appreciate the fact I know Noah is finally asleep after a long day running, playing, and being a little boy. There in the darkness you can hear his steady breathing and I know it is another day to be thankful for.

I am sure some of you have experienced those moments when your life changed. I have stood by as I watched people I love go through these times. I am not sure the moments you have faced and the pain that they brought with them, but I want you to know in that Moment, is when nothing else matters. The things we dream about, fade.

The things we want to do are forgotten and the things that are truly important come into focus.

Everything is temporary. What seems new, will get old. What you want, when you get it will no longer register value on the radar. However, there are some things that really do matter.

Today, take a moment and savor the things you have to be thankful for. Because, in a moment when your not expecting we will meet the Lord. Either in death or the rapture, in a Moment, everything will change. Tragedy will become triumph. Loss will equal gain.  Sickness will result in health. Trials will transform into trophies. In a moment, time will become eternity, and tears will be gone, hearts will be mended and old acquaintances will be renewed.

It will be worth it,

It will make sense,

It will seem like something so small,

In a Moment.

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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 submitted by JoAnn Jenkins

How We Treat People

Five (5) lessons to make you think about the way we treat people.

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the

school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello". I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 P.M., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm.  Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night.  The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and

unselfishly serving others."

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy

entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.  Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.  After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.

Lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease.  Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek.

Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away". Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was

going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

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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

Universal Life Church

By Queen Mother - Constance Ekon

The Angelic Path
The Angels Cometh

"If we had made it an Angel, we should have sent him as a man".

Quran: Sura VI - Verse 9

Through our history most religions have professed a particular belief in Angels as messengers or servants of God. Many Angels have come to us in the form of spiritual beings with super natural powers. We have imaged them with wings being able to fly and even they can just disappear. This is the power endowed upon them by God, as being sent to perform an Angelic charge.

Angels were given and imagined with wings to give them the level above humans because; people have always felt that there is power in being able to fly. Yet, they would generally, appear in the form much like we are use to seeing in our everyday life. When Angels appeared it is usually to certain people that are spiritually charged, that will communicate with them.

We have been taught that Angels have powers above humans. This is the power endowed upon them by God.

The nature of God is in the earth and the entire universe therefore; God can summon any part of creation to the Angelic path. It can be a man woman child animal the winds such as storms the waters or whatever God endows the spirit of Angelic behavior.

Now, to embark on the Angelic path as a natural person you must be chosen by God just as the spiritual Angel is chosen by God it is not an impossible task for almighty God to send a natural human being on the Angelic path to exhibit the will of God through methods that is unexpected of others.

God so loved the earth that man was created in the nature and the image of God and above all of creations given the abilities to be a creator. God has given us the ability to perform superior duties with wisdom and knowledge above all other earthly creations.

We also have the abilities of being an Angel should God decide to use us in that way.

When Angelic events happen it will be of some form from the earth and that event will be of a phenomenal understanding. Remember the powers of God.

Moreover, it should be no question in your mind about humans obeying the call of God to walk in the path of Angels. Therefore, prepared yourself to be commissioned as an Angel for the sake of humanity.

God has given us dominion over all that was created on earth. God put the control of our earthy processions in the hands of man.

Meaning that man is the supreme being of earth, the caretaker of the earth. It is our responsibility to protect and govern the earth.

Many of us have disregarded our given rights as protectors of the earth.

I believe God have given this message to bring people back to their original commission of caretakers of all the earths inhabitants. Bring us back to the path of righteous, in an effort of willing us to save ourselves.

Even though, you may not understand what is coming to you in this message. Angels will be summoned to earth through natural human beings to protect the earth from the devastation of man.

Universal Life Church

By Rev. Dr. Hobart J. Crusenberry

Going for the Gold

Noticeable at the 2004 Olympic competitions:

1. No Olympic athlete from any country other than America ever mentions God (or any other godly being).

Can you imagine, say, a Muslim track-runner from Somalia giving a post-competition interview in which the Muslim credits Allah for helping him beat the "crusader infidels"? Would there then be a furor of protests by the jingoistic American announcers about "religion" being brought into the Olympics?

Have you ever heard a Chinese athlete claim that he lost a competition because Buddha had not planned he win a medal?

Can you imagine a weightlifter from India claiming that Shiva helped him cross the finish line ahead of all the Muslims and Christians? What would be the outcry then by America's evangelical ministers when they found out that Shiva is often represented by a penis and that three-foot high, stone, phallic statues representing Shiva are all over the place in India? The Christian god beaten by a "penis-god?? The horrors!

2. Only black American athletes mention God.

Why is this? Are white American athletes, unlike white American politicians, ashamed to admit that they believe in a giant, unseen "tooth fairy" god who hovers in the sky above each venue and who diddles in athletic competitions? The so-called "God-of-the-Gold?"

3. Only black American athletes kneel down on tracks, fields, etc. and "pretend" to talk to this powerful unseen, godly being hovering in the sky above the venue. We know where the athletes think this God is; they often point upward to show us non-believers where this God is.

Why do these black athletes do this only after they win an event, not after they lose an event? After losing are they ashamed their mojo doesn't seem to be working?

What if all athletes prayed after the competitions?

Can you imagine, say, a shot-putter from Iraq spreading down a blanket on the field, aligning himself to the east and then bowing repeatedly to an unseen Allah?

What if a judo-contestant from Israel put on a kippah (yarmulke) and tallit (prayer shawl) and began swaying and nodding toward the east as the Jew chanted the Shema?

Meanwhile a Chinese would be lighting a stick of incense, nodding three times to an unseen Bodhisattva, clappin' his hands three times, and chanting a mantra to Buddha-Amidaha?

What if the pagans disemboweled a chicken before and after each event and publicly studied the entrails to see who the gods had ordained to win?

And, I ask: Do these black athletes pray similarly when they know there is no camera watching them? A Zen paradox: Does it still count as prayer if no camera is watching?

Are the black athletes ignorant of (the mythical) Jesus's "Sermon on the Mount" in which Jesus admonished his listeners about praying in public? Don't the athletes read the Bible? Don't they hear about the Bible in their church? It seems they do not. Here quoted:

Matthew 6:5/6 "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the 'hypocrites' are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy father, which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

Their praying in public brings back memories for me.

During the forties and fifties, as I grew up in Southwestern Virginia, a steady stream of local fire-and-brimstone preachers visited my "unwashed" father at our isolated, ramshackle house in Rocklick holler. I assure you that these preachers always had to arrive unannounced and uninvited; otherwise, my coal-miner father would have chosen that evening either to go fishing or to go to a local beer-joint.

During these visits, always-- it seems-- during the warm, humid twilight summer evenings, I'd sit fascinated on the front porch with my father and these proselytizing preachers. While watching the "lightnin' bugs" and listening to the crickets and Whip-o-Wills, I'd watch my father being "sermonized" by these visiting preachers. As we all swatted at mosquitoes and no-see-ums, the preacher's exhortations seemed to go on and on. Despite their railings though, the preachers seemed to make little progress against my father's stoical, but usually polite iconoclasm.

Clutching their well-worn Bibles, and frothing at the mouth with their church's "gospel," each preacher hoped to drag my father (and later our entire family) into HIS church. There, the preacher would "save my father's soul," whatever that meant. (It is worth noting here that each minister told my father that ONLY his, that minister's, church and religion could save my father. Each assured my father that all the other churches were worthless.)

"But, Brother Crusenberry," they'd finally plead in frustration, "don't ye want t' get down on yer knees hyar 'n' pray t' Jesus t' save yer soul?"

By this time a couple of hours or more would have passed and we'd all be covered with bug-bites and scratching furiously. The preacher would have by this time threatened my father repeatedly with visions of Hell and descriptions of countless-souls like my father writhing in the eternal, fiery, sulphorous stench of damnation. The preacher would be covered with righteous sweat, and beginning to look a bit desperate. Daddy on the other hand would still be sitting there in his favorite rocker, looking nonplussed.

At the invitation to "get down and pray," my daddy would always ask slyly, a hint of a smile on his face, "Preacher, don't we have t' find a closet first t' pray in? Remember Mathew 6: 5/6?

Didn't ye bother t' read yer Bible? Well, uhhhhh, we don't have a closet, but we could crawl up under the front porch where no one could see us. But then hit's pretty dirty and lots of spiders, maybe even a snake or two under there, so I ain't a'gonn? under there. But unlike me, yer "saved," so ye probably have no fear of going under there by yerself.

Hit's either that fer ye, er be one of them thar hypocrites Jesus talks about who prays in public."

I don't ever remember a preacher crawling under our front porch to prove his faith. At my father's death in 1975, daddy still remained a member of the "unwashed heathens" doomed to roast in the apocalyptic Hell. I look forward to being with him there someday, complaining about the heat and all the Christian ministers there with us.

Back to the Olympics:

On the other hand, it is noticeable that none of the Muslim athletes has credited their wins (or losses) to the will of Allah.

No Asian, mostly Buddhist, have credited their wins (or losses) to the influence of Buddha or their prayers to Buddha for a medal.

Most frequent statements by these black athletes:

?God gave me that extra push at the finish line.?

?God intended that I win this gold medal.?

?God did NOT intend that I win this race?

My questions:

Why do these athletes bother to train for these competitions? Won't God take care of their running techniques and speed? Isn't it an insult to God to train for the competitions, knowing that God can do it by Himself/Herself?

If God predetermines the race, how does God prioritize the prayers of the athletes, all praying to get the Gold?

If God predetermines the race, is that really fair to the rest of the competitors?

If God predetermines the winners, how come He/She wastes the athletes' time by allowing them to compete in events in races in which He/She has already picked some other winner? How come God doesn't just go ahead and announce the winner before the competition starts?

4. I have another, final, big question: If the count of gold medals is equal between the two leaders, United States and China, does that mean that God is running neck-to-neck with Buddha-- even on God's home turf? Does that mean Buddha will have the home-field advantage in Beijing in 2008 and can be predicted to whoop God's divine ass?

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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. 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.
 

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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.  
 

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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.

*******************************

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