Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts

Sunday, September 18, 2016

LIFE: Aspects

Life has many aspects to it- love, family, friends, relationships, losses, successes, joys and miseries. All of these go hand in hand in one’s life. If any aspect is missing it makes the person incomplete. If one only desires happiness in his/her life, s/he would not be able to fully enjoy it until s/he has been sad. To fully enjoy a success, one has to have suffered a loss because its only then that success tastes even sweeter.
People can live on their own their whole lives, but the luxury of having friends and family to go back to in hard times is then missing. If one has family and friends, then disappointments and heartbreaks come along with it. One can choose the way to live, and with that they choose the hardships and the comfort they want, therefore, one should choose wisely.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

HEALTH: Diet

God created us and as our Creator, it makes sense that He knows what is good for us physically. In the Old Testament, God made laws concerning the body and food and commanded the Israelites to follow them. God knew that by abiding by His laws, His people would live in optimal health.
God laid out a diet for his people in the Old Testament. He instructed them to eat such things as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. (Genesis 1:29, 2:16, 3:18)

Doctors affirm that this type of diet is beneficial to our health and many diseases are attributed to poor eating habits. Make the effort to introduce these healthy foods into your diet. Look up recipes with these ingredients and try out various meals. You will learn to love eating healthy and feel better physically and mentally.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

HEALTH: Faith 2

Faith plays an important role in healing and walking in divine health. Many doctors admit that their patient’s faith plays an important role in their recoveries. Those with great faith usually recover faster and have a better attitude than those with little or no faith.

In the New Testament we read about a woman who suffered from a health problem for 12 years. She heard about Jesus and his desire to heal people and she believed that if she simply touched him, she would be healed. She pressed through the crowd and as she touched his robe, she felt healing power surge through her. Jesus looked at her and said, “Your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” (Luke 8)
Where is your faith today? God wants you well. Between faith in God and the various medicines available today, you can be live in divine health.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

HEALTH: Jesus Heals

Jesus was an extraordinary man. He spent a great deal of his time going from city to city not only teaching people about God, but also praying and healing people. There are many references in the New Testament of healings and miracles taking place. In Matthew 8:16-17 it speaks of Jesus driving out demons from people that were brought to him and healing all that were sick. Matthew 11:5 states that the blind could see, those who were lame could walk, and the deaf could hear.

If God’s son, Jesus, was so concerned about healing all the sick, then it’s safe to say that God wants us healed and whole also. God wants us in optimal health. God laid out a diet plan in the Bible and if we heed God’s instructions, we will be able to walk in better health to enjoy this awesome life we’ve been blessed with.

Sunday, July 31, 2016

LIFE: Influence

You choose the company you keep, and no matter how much people deny it, they are influenced in some way or the other by the people around them. Usually it is the norms of Society that decide what is right or wrong for the person. There will always be a spark of individuality in everyone, but to some extent, the morals of the person are determined by the company he keeps.

To spread awareness of this phenomenon, in Psalms 1:1 it says “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers”. The more you stay away from people, who indulge in sin, the more likely you are to keep on the path of righteousness.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

HEALTH: Being tired

As we age, we tend to become more and more tired. Perhaps we are not getting enough sleep, or are overly stressed, or haven’t taken care of our bodies very well. Whatever the reason, fatigue can set in. When we find ourselves in seasons like this, it is important to first, be sure to drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods. Along with exercise, your physical body will be restored.

Second, ask God to restore you physically, mentally, and spiritually. In the book of Isaiah we read, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even the young grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like an eagle; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
Rest assured knowing that as you do your part by taking care of your body, God will renew your strength and restore you.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

LIFE: Circle of life

The disasters and happenings over the course of the past century, whether man made or cosmic, have shaken and shattered the belief of man in himself, his being, the creator, convincing him firmly of the frailty of human life, and the ultimate futility of human endeavor.

Yet, we go on. In the words of the Ecclesiastes: ‘One generation passeth away, and another cometh; but the earth abideth forever…and the sun also rises’, reflecting upon the ever abiding nature of this life: despite our unshakeable belief in the fragility of our existence, the consequential dogma of living in the present moment, and the death of life as we know it, life carries on, the same as before.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

HEALTH: Stress

Stress affects such a high population of America that the U.S. Public Health Service has made decreasing stress a high priority. Stress has a tremendous impact on our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Disorders such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes are at higher risk for those whose stress levels are high.

There are various ways to reduce and manage stress. Doctors recommend various techniques such as exercising, eating healthier, getting plenty of sleep, prayer, and meditation to alleviate symptoms of stress. God does not us walking around all stressed out. In Matthew 6:34 we find the writer admonishing his readers to trust God and stop being anxious about the future. Worrying about things does not help matters. Live one day at a time and allow God to take care of your needs just for today.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

MARRIAGE: Partners

You and your spouse are partners and you are called to join together to fulfill the purposes that God has laid out for you. As God told us in his word, when two people are married they are no longer two, but become one flesh.

Two individuals unite to love, honor, and cherish God and each other. Marriage is a partnership that involves husband and wife fulfilling their duties inside the home as well as outside the home. Balance is essential. The next time you feel alone, know that God has given you a partner to face life with and journey together through the good and the bad, relying on God for strength and wisdom.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

LIFE: Telling the truth

Telling the truth has become important to me. I value the truth and I want to be a positive example to others. Lies corrupt, deceive, and hurt. The truth can hurt as well, but I would rather hurt someone telling them the truth than deceiving them.

It's easier to lie, let me assure you. I do not like confrontation so the temptation to lie is great when asked a question that telling the truth could land me in such. I remember a day last summer when I lied to avoid confrontation. It weighed heavy on me for about an hour and then I went ahead and told this person I had lied and apologized. It was very hard to do! I do not want the weight of lies and I do not want to hurt people!

Read this quote by Charles Edward Montague: "A lie will easily get you out of a scrape, and yet, strangely and beautifully, rapture possesses you when you have taken the scrape and left out the lie."
Did you get that? Rapture, or joy, possesses you when you tell the truth instead of lying? It's called honesty and integrity. Doing the right thing and feeling GOOD about it! It is not going with the status quo and not doing it because "everyone else does it".

I challenge you to make a decision to tell the truth. Live a life of honesty and integrity and let others know it's not alright to lie and deceive.