MARRIAGE: A prayer by Thomas Kemphis

A prayer by Thomas Kemphis

Praying for your marriage to be blessed and successful is very important.  With two people living together, conflict will arise and prayer and help from God is necessary.  Listen to a prayer by Thomas Kemphis regarding marriage. 

“And may your love surmount every obstacle that comes your way! 

May you have much joy and be the light of each other’s days. 

May you always be in love and honor and cherish your relationship.
May you always see and encourage the best in each other.
May the challenges that life brings your way make your marriage grow stronger.
May you always be each other's best friend and greatest love."

This is a beautiful prayer that you can add to your prayers for your marriage and watch how God helps your marriage to flourish. 

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

WORK: Belief

 

To have a successful career, you not only have to develop a plan and work hard, but it is also important to visualize success.  Jesus said that if we believe, we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:22) Ask. Believe. Receive.  It’s that simple.

 

Be encouraged here.  Create your goals and have faith that you will achieve them. Actually visualize yourself with that new house, job, partner, or baby.  Feel the excitement of the answered prayer beforehand.  You must understand that nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37) 

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

HEALTH: Being cheerful

The human heart is an amazing organ and necessary for life.  It continually pumps life through our bodies, beating about 100,000 times a day.  Many things can affect the health of our hearts, such as stress and poor diet, but God tells us that it is good for us to have a cheerful heart and joy is medicine for our bodies. (Proverbs 17:22)

Having a positive and cheerful attitude is one key to abundant life.  God tells us that being happy, or cheerful, is good for us spiritually and physically.  With stress being so prevalent in our culture, it is important to remember to do things that make you laugh.  Take time to watch funny movies or go out with friends and simply enjoy yourself. Manifest the motto: Live, laugh, love.   

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

LIFE: Positive expectations/Faith

“If you can believe it, you can achieve it!”  Perhaps you’ve heard the previous phrase before. It may sound too good to be true, but there really is such power in having positive expectations.  Living with an attitude of expectancy, or having faith as the bible describes it, can be beneficial and make a big difference in our day to day attitude.

The bible explains faith as the evidence of things not seen.  It’s an expectation of what you want.  Mark 11:24 reads, “…whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” 

Did you get that?  It says ask, then believe, and then receive!  You have to believe it first before it manifests.  No matter what the circumstance is or what your physical eyes see, you must believe you’ve already got it. Faith is such a powerful force.  If this is a struggle for you, begin small.  Believe for something small and eagerly wait in expectation as it manifest.  Like the growth of a seed into a giant tree, our faith can begin as a little seed and grow to become great faith if we are determined to be persistent. 

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

HEALTH: Healthy decisions

It seems that when we try to live lives independent of God, we end up feeling empty and perhaps even disappointed.  We try to fill a never-ending void with things such as material possessions, food, work, or hobbies and end up not being able to satiate our greatest need: Connection with God. 

Proverbs 3:7-8 reads, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear and respect the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."

This proverb tells us that as we reverence God and connect with him, we will be more apt to make wise decisions and those decisions will cause us to be healthier.  Perhaps as we stay spiritually connected with God, our desires for things that harm us, such as unhealthy food, will decrease and we’ll be able to make healthier eating decisions.  Ask God today to help you make healthy decisions regarding your diet. 

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

MARRIAGE: Marriage is God’s design

God said that he did not want Adam to be alone so he made Eve to be his mate.  God designed their union to be special, namely, husband and wife.  (Gen 2:18, 21-24) This union was the first recorded “wedding” in Christian history, thus, the institute of marriage was God’s idea. 

Marriage is a wonderful partnership between man and woman that involves intimacy.

Marriage is a journey between two people who share their lives together and commit to honoring one another above themselves.  It is a holy institution that can be a most beautiful and rewarding experience.

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

Servants....

I am a servant of the lord....greater works than these you will do.

LIFE: Happiness: Joy

I remember years ago hearing the song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” and thinking to myself, “If only it were that simple.”  According to an article in the New York Press, Americans are, on average, only 69% happy. (Seligman, M.E.P, 2002, Authentic Happiness, New York: Free Press). The general consensus is that we pursue happiness by purchasing things, which only produces a temporary state of happiness.  

For example, buying a new car can make us feel very happy, but usually that wears off so we think about what else we can buy to produce that elated feeling.  Many will admit that shopping is a natural high and can become addicted to it.  Though buying things is not necessarily a bad thing, if done with the intention to “feel better”, it has negativity surrounding it. 
 

What we are really seeking is joy, as happiness and joy are quite different.  Happiness is a temporary feeling that comes and goes. Joy is more of a permanent state and tends to last, even in difficult times.  Psalm 95 states that when we seek God we can find peace, strength, forgiveness, and love and these will bring about inner peace and joy.  Galatians 5:22 reminds us that one of the fruits, or advantages of the Spirit, is joy. 
 

If you’ve ever met someone who had great joy while going through difficult circumstances in life, you’ve probably met someone who has found their source of joy in God.  Jesus endured the suffering of the cross for the joy that was set ahead of him.  He saw the big picture and if we will get connected to God, and draw our joy from him, we will be able to discover joy bubbling deep inside of us and radiate it outward, no matter what we are going through! 

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

Full of Prayer

On this day, my heart is full of prayer for my loved ones, their families and everyone upon whose eyes I connect.  May your days and nights be filled with blessings and words from GOD.


©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

MARRIAGE: Your wedding day

A wedding day is a celebration of love and of life.  It is a celebration not to create a bond or a union, but rather to rejoice in the one that already exists. It marks the continuation of a journey, the next step in ensuring that all that a couple shares now shall deepen and grow stronger through the seasons of life.

It is the day that a couple will formally and publicly make their promises to one another.

Although this is indeed very exciting and a high point, let us remember that marriage is not a destination, but a journey for a lifetime.

·         A journey that involves a coming together at all levels of being: mind, body, and spirit.

·         A journey that involves the entrusting of your deepest selves into the loving care of each other. 

·         And it is a promise, a beautiful and sacred expression of your love for one another.

God wants marriage to be an amazing and beautiful journey shared for a lifetime.

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

Grant of Absolution and Plenary Indulgence

The Universal Life Church through its Monastery grants full Absolution from all sin from preconception to the present date.

In addition, the Universal Life Church through its Monastery grants Plenary Indulgence which is forgiveness of the punishments for sin in this life.

The Grant of Absolution and Plenary Indulgence does forgive all sin including the punishments of sins in this life.

The Universal Life Church through its Monastery does not ask for any individual to confess any wrongs, to declare any sins or announce any misdeeds done in private.

Sincerity and the willingness to do right is respected above all.

In the Universal Life Church no one is above anyone else and as such no one is entitled to demand anyone to confess any wrongdoings. The individual that asks for Absolution of Sins and Plenary Indulgence does so in secret, in private communication with the Church and by name only without any personal identification other than name and date.

To receive absolution,  email  your requests. As a service, we will fax or email back an absolution certificate for your private us.

Ministry email: ecumenicalministries@gmail.com 

We are another step closer to gaining our 501(c)(3) status. We can begin to great things with your blessings.

©2010-2013 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

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HEALTH: Small Steps

Eat healthy foods and exercise.  It sounds so simple doesn’t it? Just about everyone has the ability to do this, but yet so few follow through.  It's all about choices. 

Changing eating habits is a choice and a process.  Gradually reduce consumption of unhealthy foods and add healthy foods.  Make a list of healthy foods and each time you shop be sure you are buying items from that list.  Determine to begin an exercise routine.  Find someone to exercise with you, as accountability will make it easier. Walk for 30 minutes a few days a week, join a gym, or a sport.  There are a lot of options and it’s well worth the effort as you’ll find yourself feeling better physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

WORK: Talents/Creativity

God is such a creative spirit!  Just look around and take in the beauty and uniqueness of our world as well as human beings.  Not one human is exactly like another.  That takes creativity and an endless reservoir of inspiration and talent. 

God has given each of us talents and passions.  Perhaps yours lie dormant, or were once awake and vibrant, but for one reason or another, they have been stifled.  It’s time to awaken to what talents and passions lay deep within you. It says in Matthew 25:15 that God gave different talents to different individuals.  Some were given more than others, but God expected each person do develop and utilize their talents.  This would ultimately bring God glory. 

 

I encourage you to take some time to evaluate what you are passionate about.  What makes you happy?  What drives you?  Perhaps it is teaching, doing yard work, or being a stay at home parent. Perhaps you are passionate about caring for the environment or helping those less fortunate. Discover your talents, develop them, and begin utilizing them as soon as you can.

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

LIFE: Difficulty

Most people will agree that life is full of unexpected twists and turns as well as bumps in the road.  No matter one’s race, religion, background, financial status, ect., difficulties come.  Do you realize that as believers in God, we have quite an advantage over non-believers because we are told in the Scriptures that God is with us in every trial, in every difficulty?  That’s right.  God guarantees His presence with us to walk through trials!  When tempted to become discouraged or angry, remember that God promised to give us power to stay calm in the midst of trouble (Psalm 27). 

Things may not turn out exactly as planned, but expect God to be with you in difficult times, and God will get you through.  Jesus stated in John 16:33 that in Him we will have peace.  Jesus went through an incredible amount of obstacles in His life. He did not let discouragement stop Him from fulfilling His plan.  He was an overcomer and you can be too!

©2010-2011 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

Ultimately we are all one.

Ultimately we are all one. The path chosen to spirituality is available to all that seek it. I am an Interdenominational minister that performs ministerial functions and offers services that include: weddings, civil unions, baptisms, naming ceremonies, life coach services, private ministerial services, house blessings, hospital visitations and funerals.

Our YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/EcumenicalRecon

Focus areas

Our ministry will speak to four areas on a weekly basis:


Life
Work
Health
Marriage


We will rotate discussion on a weekly basis and look for feedback and discussion.

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Global Ecumenical Ministries

GEM is an Interdenominational church that is open to all. The ultimate goal is to bring all people together. We believes in the concept of Ecumenical Reconciliation. This concept has a central theme in that all faiths and religions are valid and should be respected. All have emotional and spiritual truths that at its' heart bring people together. One of the goals is to encourage citizens to acknowledge the differences in all of us and further understanding of each other.

Who we are....

Our corporate face is Global Ecumenical Ministries.  Minister Claretta Taylor Pam was ordained through the Universal Life Church Monastery.  We will establish a non-profit and operate under Glocal Ecumenical Minstries LLC d/b/a Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusets.

Ministry email

Ministry email: ecumenicalministries@gmail.com

Our twitter account

http://twitter.com/EcumenicalRecon

Formation of my ministry

...ordination is a personal calling by God to minister others. I received my calling on several occasions. I didn't understand why at those times. The first was in May 1990. The second time was in May 1998- at this time, I was going through a difficult period in a marriage and prayed for guidance. In May 2004 is was finishing my studies to receive an MBA and felt like my life was not as full as it could be. This last time, in May 2010, I felt as though many people were always turning to me for advice and comfort and I felt at peace with myself and extremely happy. I am ready to spread my knowledge and his word to all that will listen. Please join me.