MARRIAGE: Don’t be shallow

If you know anything about wells, the depth of the well is important.  In order to get pure water, your well must reach a certain depth.  A shallow well will not produce pure water.

Shallow thinking is not pure either and may be dangerous.  With depth comes clarity.  A shallow relationship will not produce the fruit that God would like to see.  Challenge yourself and your spouse to explore the depths of each other.  As you dig to the core of each other, you will find treasures and a purity that God has placed there. 

Begin digging today. (iching)

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

LIFE: Determination

John and Washington Roebling are two of the most determined men ever heard of. John was inspired in 1883 to build a bridge that would connect New York with Long Island but his engineering peers thought he was crazy and that I couldn’t be done.

John convinced his son, Washington, that it could be done and they began building the bridge.  After a few months, there was a traffic accident on the bridge and John was killed.  His son suffered partial brain damage and could not talk or move. 

Washington did not let this tragedy keep him down.  He was determined to see that bridge built.  Eventually he could move one finger and he learned how to communicate with his wife using a code of communication using his finger.  For 13 years he used his finger to tap instructions to some engineers and the result was the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge.  Washington, despite many odds, never gave up and allowed his determination to overcome a monumental obstacle.

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

MARRIAGE: Putting children in their place

When a married couple has children, things change.  Life sometimes becomes more about taking care of the baby than taking care of each other.  It’s more difficult to find quality time to spend together and if you are not careful, conflict can arise. Wives need to especially be sensitive here because if your life becomes totally consumed with the children and you neglect your husband, you may notice changes in him.

When a wife puts her children ahead of her husband, it tends to make him feel neglected, lonely, disrespected, unloved, and even resentful.  It is understandable that children require a lot of time and energy, especially when they are young, but to completely neglect your husband or relationship is not God’s will.  The key here is balance. 

Remember to take time to invest in your marriage.  Hire a babysitter sometimes and go out on a date, or take the children to a friend’s house and have a nice, romantic evening at home with your spouse.  Leave him little love notes or buy him little tokens of appreciation.  Be open and communicate with your husband about this.  Come up with various ways to keep the romance alive despite the extra time spent raising the children. 

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

WORK: Pursue your dreams

Do you have a dream job?  Have you pictured yourself working in a career that you absolutely love?  Most of us have but the sad news is that the majority of people are working in a job that they do not like.  For various reasons, they continue on day after day, countless hour after hour, in a job that they dread getting up in the morning for.

I challenge you to pursue your dream job.  Stop the excuses and begin taking the necessary steps toward your passion.  Dedicate yourself to doing what it takes, whether it is going to college, sending out resumes, or relocating.  Get momentum going and challenge yourself.  

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