Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts: 2014

Thursday, December 25, 2014

LIFE: Be Thankful

Throughout life we are told to be grateful for all that we have, to look at those who have less than us, rather than to those who have infinite times more, in order to be able to appreciate the blessings we have been showered with.

Despite these constant reminders, we find it easier to look at all that has, in fact, been denied us, leading to the building up of frustration and anger towards the world, our family, God, ourselves-whichever force we hold responsible for having deprived us of what it was we wanted-leaving us bitter, and dissatisfied. However, as it has been said in the Bible, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’.” so we will often find compensation if we think more of what life has given us and less about what life has taken away. Peace and satisfaction will be ours if we rejoice in the gifts the Lord has given us, and if we seek our happiness in what we have, as compared to what we could have had.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

LIFE: Patience

We spend our lives looking to others, trying to copy their success stories, while not understanding why the same could not work for us, or cursing their good luck: the bestselling Self-Help books are a no-go, your mum casting up the impeccable grades of the neighbor whom you hate, in a bid to motivate you doesn’t help-and you end up even more bitter, internalizing all the anger and frustration.

However, as Carl Jung says, ‘The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases’, similarly, we each need to be allowed the freedom to make our mistakes, be given the courage to face our faults, yet not let them bring you down by needless and futile comparisons with vastly different Others, and as the Bible instructs us: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed”, therefore teaching us an important lesson in patience, contentment and belief.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

LIFE: Searching

Many people spend their lives trying to achieve the magnificent, believing that the magic of living exists only if manifested through grandiose action. If an act is not grand and awe inspiring, there might as well be point of doing it.

However, in their search for the magnificent, they tend to over look the many, little, ordinary things they could do, which, when seen as a whole, create a magnificent picture. In the material race to fulfill our moral obligation, we often fail to realize how our biggest challenge in life is to be able to excel in our very ordinariness, which would enable us to become majestic. As the Bible remarks: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”, thus do not seek glory in grand actions with which to gain the praise of your fellow beings: little deeds of kindness, done with the right intention and only to seek the pleasure of your Lord hold more importance.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

LIFE: Existentialism

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s saying ‘Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood’ is indeed a representation of one of the most important schools of thought operating in the twentieth century, which helped shape much of modern thought, and how people conducted their lives: existentialism. Existentialists believe in the importance of individual, subjective experiences: they believe that only through acting upon individual choices could a person arrive at the significant truths of this life.

Therefore, it allowed people to break out of the mould of convention and orthodox practices; it allowed them the room to deduce what meaning they chose out of the world around them, and engulfed them in a terrifying freedom, to interpret, live and experience life to its core, as they each saw fit respectively, which helped them to realize and make sense of the inexplicable workings of this world. This idea is presented in I Ching as “The sage, who is living outside the routine of the world, contemplates his own character, not as an isolated ego manifestation, but in relation to the laws of life.”

Thursday, November 13, 2014

LIFE: Fate

Man is a great believer in fate. Even those of us who scoff at such an idea and are great proponents of free will as compared to pre destination, find some comfort in knowing-when stuck in particularly tricky situations-that what will be, will be.

However, our lives are not dictated by the fates alone, and the aforementioned knowledge should not be such a comfort, knowing that the reason we’re stuck in that particular situation is not merely the play of fate alone-rather, it is the result of our own individual actions and choices which have led us to whatever point in life we are at: as Jawaharlal Nehru has said ‘Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will.’ Thus, we play a part in deciding our path in life as much as fate or pre-destination, and as the Bible states “Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”

Thursday, November 6, 2014

LIFE: Judging people

Humans have a tendency to judge other people through their actions, their appearance, their behavior and manners. They think that all the above mention criterion describe them as people and their traits can be generalized and they can be put into specific categories of people. People do this to some extent; they can be judgmental to the extreme of being racists, sexists, or biased on the sexual orientation or creed, or just as small as claiming another person to be “hyper” or aloof.

The most appropriate way of dealing with the natural feelings of generalizing is to see every individual as a separate identity with various aspects to him or her. Not everyone is the same, and everyone is the not the same al the time. So, if you judge others, there is a good chance that you will be judged at some point in time as well. As it says in the Bible, “Judge not lest you be judged”.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

LIFE: Learning

A man is brought into this world, where he knows nothing, but he grows in a Society where he adapts and learns the culture and the norms. He is taught the difference between right and wrong, about the world, about his beliefs, about etiquettes and manners, his conduct.

However, during this process of learning and adaptation, one should not forget one’s own identity. One should not let other people take decisions for him and force their opinions on him. He should learn the way to discern the truth from falsehood and then choose the path for himself on his own. As it says “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Romans 14:5), God wants us to see the facts around us and use our logic to determine the way for us. It is a sign to not let other people coerce us into making decisions not beneficial for us, and if there have to be decisions that go wrong, they should be our mistakes, something we learn from and not repeat again.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

LIFE: Existential concern

The choice to take one’s own life is a very existential concern. It’s a question of one exercising his existential right, to live, or not to live, taking the core issue of one’s life being shaped by their own individual choices, owning up to the responsibility of one’s actions to the extreme; thus, very justifiable by our post modern morality and its emphasis on passionate individual experiences, as essential to reaching truths in this life, as this act pertains only to the Self, and no other.

However, viewing it in a more conventional light, the 6th commandment forbids man from committing murder: in essence, from taking life. That, is solely a privilege of God. By taking one’s own life, we are in complete discord with the teachings of the 6th Commandment. Thus, though the act seems to embody the ultimate existentialist right of man, it is a direct flouting of the teachings of God.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

LIFE: Respect

“Do onto others as you would have them do onto you”. This is a clear statement which applies to all people, regardless of their creed, race, gender. To prosper in this world, they have to do good to be successful in life.

The most desired behavior of conduct of all mankind is to treat another person the way they would want to be treated, in need, in sickness or health, in good times and bad. If you want people to treat you with respect, you have to treat them with respect. If everyone started thinking this way, there would be no crime, no fights, no wars and no loss of life or otherwise.

Monday, October 6, 2014

HEALTH: Think positive

Proverbs 23:7 states that as we think, we are. The thoughts that we think about ourselves are exactly who we are. Who we are today is a product of the thoughts we’ve thought of all the years before today.

How do you see yourself physically? Strong, healthy, vibrant? Sick, tired, and apathetic? Your thoughts and perspective can help you or hurt you. If you struggle with negative thinking patterns, it’s time to change that. It’s time to begin thinking positive thoughts about you and everything about you. I encourage you to envision yourself healthy, strong, happy, and vibrant. No matter what your situation is or how you are feeling, visualize you at optimum level. Also, use positive affirmations such as, “I am strong. I am healthy. I eat healthy. I am confident, successful, and happy. I can do anything through Christ, who strengthens me.”

Before long, you will notice that you will change the way you feel and see yourself. You are not your thoughts, but your thoughts greatly influence your perception of yourself.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

LIFE: Keeping an open mind

“Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keeps the law, happy [is] he.” This clearly states the importance of one keeping its mind open to new things and ideas. The person who shuts his mind to the world will remain ignorant and will not be able to live as fully as he would have otherwise.

The person should be able to think and decide for himself, and not be influenced blindly by the opinion and views of other people. The person who lives truthfully and according to the rules of the world, only s/he will be truly happy, the others who pretend to be someone they are not will always be under the complexes which complicate their lives further. Live truthfully, honestly with a clear open mind, in other words-an enriched life.

Monday, September 29, 2014

HEALTH: Your career

Our physical health can affect other areas of our lives such as career and family. If we are not feeling well or are battling sickness and disease, it affects not only us, but those around us.

God has given us the best diet plan in the Bible. If you will read Leviticus and Deuteronomy, you will find a diet blueprint that will help you walk in optimal health. Walking in good health requires discipline and commitment. You might not feel like eating fruits and vegetables over cookies and hotdogs, but the rewards of feeling energized and fully alive are well worth the effort. Educate yourself on how you can live a healthier lifestyle and share your good news with others.

Monday, September 22, 2014

HEALTH: Learn the art of meditation

Various cultures and religions have used meditation for healing for thousands of years. Studies have revealed that mediation can help those who suffer from stress, pain, depression, and high blood pressure, as well as an assortment of other ailments.

Meditation calms the mind and allows individuals to learn to take back control of their lives. There are various meditation techniques used throughout the world. The bible explains that if one meditates and follows God’s word continually, then he/she will have success. Take some time to learn about mediation and commit to spending time each day in prayerful meditation.

Monday, September 15, 2014

HEALTH: Lifestyle

God has a divine plan for optimal physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Through Scripture, prayer, good nutrition, and modern medicine, we can walk in health, strength, and joy.

The Bible says God made all of our delicate, inner parts of our body and knit us together in our mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) God created our bodies with organs and systems that work in perfect order. Ask God to help you live a healthy lifestyle and understand the healing power of God.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

LIFE: Live each moment

“In the end, life lived to its fullest is its own Ultimate Gift.” – Jim Stovall. Everyone comes in this world alone and goes to the next world alone; whatever he chooses to make of his life depends on the person. People can either wallow in their sorrow, or they can take the low phase in their life as a challenge and try to overcome it. They can either be sad about it, or they can choose to see the glass half full.

When you try to live each moment of your life, be it in the happiness or grief, there would be no regrets, because the person would have the satisfaction of making the best out of what they had. As Jim Stovall says, a life well lived is a gift in itself. It’s a cherished feeling, which everyone should strive for.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

LIFE: Making mistakes

People commit mistakes, they stray from the right path, sometimes knowingly and other times unknowingly. However, if one spends some time thinking in what is the right or the wrong thing to do; one will be able to figure it out for oneself. As it says “For the Truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us and shall be with us forever.”

Everyone just needs to look within themselves and seriously ponder which path to take, and surely, the right path will be apparent to them. Right and wrong may be subject to people’s perception about the small and petty things in life, but the things that matter, it stays the same for everyone. The truth is within all of us, and the more clearly we are able to see it, the better it will be for us.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

LIFE: Respect

People in this world are judged by their actions. People who do good deeds are known to be good people and vice versa. Therefore, to be respected in the eyes of your peers, family, and friends you need to have honorable actions. As it is quoted in Proverbs 20:11 “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.” As clearly stated, everybody is known his actions, even children who are naive, which leaves no room for adults.

Doing good deeds can only make a person be respected in this world and Hereafter. Society will have no reason to point fingers or to question the person’s characters if everything is done with a good intention. Therefore, to have a peace of mind, and not be at conflict with the norms of Society and their beliefs, one needs to have honorable actions.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

LIFE: Critics

The hardest critic of man is man himself. Having committed a wrong, we condemn ourselves to a life of depravity thereafter, not thinking ourselves worthy of redemption. Because we are unable to forgive ourselves, we immerse ourselves even further in vice so as to escape from the realization of our guilt.

However, just because we lived in folly in the past does not mean there is no hope for our future. None of us is entirely bad, and by acknowledging where we went wrong, and taking past experiences as guidelines for what not to do in the future, we can rekindle hope in ourselves from these words of the Bible “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” We are all given second chances: to learn from our mistakes; grow out of them as a person, and gather the strength to start anew.

Monday, July 28, 2014

HEALTH: The Heart

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.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

HEALTH: Being independent

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.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

MARRIAGE: Endurance

If it is endurance you want, you must begin to train. Just as athletes are diligent to train for a race, so we ought to be diligent to train to be successful in our marriages. Knowing our purpose in marriage is to honor God and our mate, we are motivated to do what it takes to develop perseverance.

Stay active through movement. Stagnation kills.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

LIFE: Purpose

Finding a meaning or purpose in life is important to us, although it’s not always easy to do. Some struggle their whole lives trying to find a sense of purpose.

Discovering one’s purpose takes effort. It takes taking time to pray and discern what gifts, talents, and passion one has. Once this is done, it takes effort and action to begin walking it out.

One way to discover purpose is by serving others. Start with your family and friends. It doesn't matter a bit if you are on your way to saving the world if you are neglecting your immediate family. Spend quality time with them and educate yourself on how to be a better spouse, partner, mother, father, or friend. If you feel you have this area down pretty well, volunteer in your community. There are plenty of non-profits in your area needing help. Do the footwork.

Be aware that finding your purpose is not a one day thing. We are on a journey and we may have many "aha" moments toward living out our purpose. All we have is today and I encourage you to use this day to pray and contemplate your purpose. It's not supposed to be complicated. I could not sit and tell you every single purpose of my life, but I do know that it involves loving and helping others person by person, day by day.

You're on a path to purpose. Smile.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

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.

Monday, June 16, 2014

HEALTH: Body and mind exercise

Exercise is good for your body and mind, and especially good for your heart. Aerobic exercise is wonderful for your cardiovascular system as it strengthens your heart.

Just as walking with God benefits our spiritual heart, walking for exercise strengthens our natural body. Walking is considered one of the best ways to exercise and is very easy to do.

You can walk just about anywhere for exercise. In your neighborhood, at the gym, walking trails, even the mall. I see people walking in the mall for exercise all the time.

Commit to going for short walks to begin with and ask a friend to join you. You will feel refreshed and renewed afterwards and be on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

LIFE: Loving GOD

Sometimes it’s easy to neglect God and let self rule. Eventually though, when self rules for a period of time, we usually end up face down in the dirt, crying, frustrated, and ready to give up.

When this happens to me, I know deep within I want to please God so I get back up and begin again. I commit to live my life loving God and others and taking steps to fulfill God's plan for me. I've done my fair share of what I want to do to please myself in this life, but my deepest intention is to please God. My deepest desire is to enjoy God and God's gift of life, as well as share awesome love with others.

Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many plans are in ones mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for that one that will stand."

I believe God's purposes for me will stand as I walk in love and humility and seek to live a life that adds value to others. I will not fear. God's Spirit lives in me! How awesome is that!

Monday, June 2, 2014

LIFE: Going through change

Change is difficult. It is far easier to just stay where you are. We get very familiar where we are and to begin to make changes takes us out of our comfort zone. The very first thing that needs to be done when considering making a change is to write your goal down and commit to take steps toward fulfilling that goal! If you don't know what step to begin with, ask around, do some research. There is help available.

Commitment means I’m going to give 110% and not give up when I get tired, ridiculed, frustrated, or negative.

When you decide to make a change, write it down and begin visualizing making progress toward that goal. Make a plan. Write out steps to getting out of debt, or losing 20 pounds, or getting a new job. If you want action, you have got to take action, be disciplined, and persevere.

Believe in yourself and keep a positive attitude. Change sometimes takes time and more effort than you may think you have, but it is possible! Successful people often have this attribute of commitment, even when the storms come. Don’t be afraid. Believe.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

WORK: Meeting resistance

You may meet resistance when working toward achieving your goals. You may want to consider a strategic retreat on your journey. This does not meant that your retreat in surrender, but that you take time to evaluate your options and regain resources.

By taking some time to pray and gauge your options, you will gain wisdom and strength for your return. Be confident in yourself and your God. You will get the victory and achieve your goals in due time.

Monday, May 12, 2014

HEALTH: Eating and Disease

According to the Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, people who exercise regularly throughout the week reduce the risk of developing symptoms of the leading causes of illness and death in the U.S. such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Combine that with eating a healthier diet and risks are reduced even further. Why does exercising and eating healthy give people such a hard time? Why can’t people commit to a healthier lifestyle?

It’s easier to not exercise. It’s easier to eat whatever we want. We live in a culture that wants instantaneous gratification and is not always willing to pay the price for good health. Nothing of value comes cheap though. The Bible tells us to take good care of our bodies and it does so for good reason. No one wants to be sick or develop a condition or disease. If God tells in his word that eating healthy and exercising are good for our well-being, then we ought to take this serious and begin making changes today toward a healthier lifestyle.

Monday, May 5, 2014

LIFE: Use positive affirmations

Positive affirmations are simply positive sentences about yourself and your life and they help develop a positive attitude! Take time daily to speak positive affirmations such as, “I am confident, beautiful, positive, happy, blessed, healthy, etc.” I have printed out various affirmations and taped them to my bathroom mirror so that I can see them and speak them frequently. You become your thoughts and what you speak so make sure you are thinking and speaking positive things!

I encourage you to take some time to listen to your internal dialogue. Are you thinking more negative or positive? You can train yourself to think more positively but it does take practice and persistence but is well worth the effort.

Monday, April 28, 2014

HEALTH: Exercise

Exercise is important for optimal health, but if we are solely exercising to “look good” for others, then God would consider that to be vain. First Timothy 4:8 states that, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Timothy is not saying that we don’t need to exercise because we do. What he is saying is that godliness is more important than exercising and to be off balance is not God’s will. We ought to be putting forth effort in being fit physically and spiritually.

Spending time exercising as well as connecting with God are both beneficial to our overall well-being.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

MARRIAGE: The power of prayer

If you want a strong marriage then you would benefit from learning about the power of prayer. Couples that pray together tend to keep God at the center of their marriage and act as partners with him. Problems can be taken to God and each partner can be held accountable for their part in possible solutions.

It takes humility to pray together before God as a couple. God will honor your humble hearts as you agree in prayer. Jesus said if two people agree in prayer, God would hear and answer their prayer according to his will. (Matthew 18:19-20) Sit down with your spouse and discuss when and how often you’d like to gather together to pray. Make a commitment to follow through with what you decide.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

WORK: Don’t stress

No need for anxiety. You will have great progress and success at work, perhaps even advancement. It may take longer than you want, but trust that success is guaranteed. Continue taking steps and action toward your goals as this keeps the momentum going in your favor.

Be teachable, submissive, and receptive. Do what is right and be firm and correct in your attitude and behavior. Success and fortune will come. Only believe. (I ching reading)

Thursday, April 3, 2014

MARRIAGE: Encouragement

I bet you know who to go to when you need encouraged. There are usually certain people in our lives that we know will encourage and admonish us when we are facing depression or discouragement.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 states that we ought to encourage one another and build one another up. This is especially important in marriages. Can your spouse come to you for encouragement when he/she is down or hurting? Or are you the type that will point out that they are simply complaining. God wants us to encourage our spouses, even if we don’t feel like it. If you think your spouse is simply complaining, take it to prayer and ask God to reveal this to him/her. Let your spouse know that you are behind him/her and will take time to pray.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

WORK: Impress your boss

Do you want a promotion? Good references? Peace at work? Then perhaps you ought to think about ways to impress your boss. Management likes it when their employees kick it up a notch and not only take their job serious, but partner with their co-workers and boss to increase productivity.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Ask God to help you come up with ways to go the extra mile at work. You might want to come in early or stay late. Come up with ways to boost productivity or decrease expenses. Ask for extra work or volunteer to do what no one else wants to do. There are a various things you can do to be noticed. By doing so, your boss will be impressed and that is always helpful at promotion time.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

MARRIAGE: Little things matter most

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a relationship soar to a blissful state. Life gets busy with work and kids and oftentimes our relationship gets neglected. It doesn’t require a lot of time to put some romance and fun back into a relationship, but it does take commitment and a little creativity.

Here are some ideas that are sure to show your spouse that you not only love him/her, but that he/she is on your mind throughout the day.

Make your spouse a cup of coffee in the morning and bring it to him/her in the bed.

Slip a love note into his/her car at night so they will see it in the morning.

Book a night away for just the two of you, for a romantic evening. Buy a little gift and set it on the bed.

Write positive qualities about your spouse and give it to them.

Rent a movie for just the two of you to watch.

Cook his/her favorite dinner.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

WORK: Ants are wise

Don’t be surprised if you go to God asking for wisdom regarding fiancés and productivity and he tells you to learn about ants. In Proverbs 6 God states, "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man."

Laziness can become a habit but it is a habit that can be broken. You have been given gifts and talents but those are not going to amount to anything unless you develop and act upon them. If you need help, ask around to see if someone will sit down with you and help you formulate a plan for success. It will take hard work and diligence, but it will be worth it.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

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.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

WORK: Do your best

No matter what your occupation is, it is important to perform it with a great attitude and do your very best. Even if you don’t like our job, your co-workers, or your boss, your attitude reflects what is inside you. Are love, peace, and joy inside you? Or grumbling, anger, and hate?

I’ve had jobs where most of my co-workers simply complain the whole shift. If you are not careful you may find yourself beginning to join them. Be strong and ask God to be a light in your workplace. Ecclesiastes 9:10 admonishes us to do our work with all of our might and Colossians 3:23 states that we should work hard and cheerfully at all we do, just as we were working for God and not simply our bosses.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

MARRIAGE: Forgiveness

I assure you that you will have conflict in your marriage. It is inevitable. The keys to resolving conflict are humility and forgiveness. Humility means thinking of yourself as lower than others. It is the opposite of being prideful. God says he gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud.

Forgiveness means forgiving another no matter what they did or how many times they’ve done it. God forgave us of our many sins and will continue to do so because of his unconditional love for us. We all need to forgive and ask others to forgive us when we hurt them.

If you want a successful marriage, commit to walking in humility and forgiveness. Be quick to forgive your spouse and ask for forgiveness when necessary. Don’t bring up past offenses as this will only cause further conflict. Walk close to God as he will help you and your spouse to reflect God’s love in your marriage.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

WORK: Work doesn’t always bring monetary income

In order for God to be glorified, one does not have to work in a sacred profession. God can be glorified whether you are a plumber, clerk, or CEO. Jesus was a carpenter. He used his talents to build things for people. Jesus was also a prophet. He had a secular and sacred profession and he glorified God in both.
In John 17:4-5 he told god that he had glorified him and finished all the work that he had given him. Jesus was concerned about doing what his father wanted him to do. He delighted in pleasing his father, whether it be building a table or teaching in the Synagogue.

We can learn from Jesus. God has laid out a plan for us and it is up to us to fulfill it. As we do, we glorify him and he is pleased. How do we know what his plan is? Pray and ask him. Be led by his spirit. Take time to get to know God’s voice.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

MARRIAGE: Vulnerability

Vulnerability is a precious thing and necessary for a beautiful relationship. In a day and age where vulnerability may be viewed as being “weak”, it is important to learn the value of being vulnerable in your relationship.

Vulnerability means letting your guard down and letting your spouse into the depths of who you are. It means giving them complete access to your heart, even if you fear getting hurt.

Listen to this quote by Joyce Brothers: “Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable.” Open your heart and let your spouse in. As you do, your level of intimacy will increase and your marriage will bear greater fruit and bear greater witness to God’s love.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

WORK: Rest from your work

God created the earth and all its inhabitants in six days. History tells us that on the seventh day he rested from all his work. (Genesis 2:3) Work is important, but rest is also important. In our busy culture, it is easy to get in the “rat race” and spend enormous amounts of time working, taking care of the kids and the house. Stress and burn out is becoming more and more common.

What does God say about this? Rest. Take some time and simply relax and be refreshed. God rested on the seventh day and he commanded the Israelites to do the same. Jesus told those who were weary to come to him and he would give them rest. Take a day off, take a vacation, go to the spa, or do something that you find relaxing. You will find yourself not only renewed but also closer to your creator.

©2010-2014 Oracle Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved

https://twitter.com/ULCMM
https://www.facebook.com/ULCMM
http://ulcmm.blogspot.com/
http://ministers.themonastery.org/profile/OracleCPam

Thursday, January 23, 2014

MARRIAGE: Purity

God thinks it very important to have a pure heart and to keep your marriage pure. In Hebrews 13:4 it states that, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” God does not even want a hint of sexual immorality. (Ephesians 5:3)
What does it mean to be pure in your marriage? Be faithful to God first as well as your spouse. Don’t entertain impure thoughts. Refuse the temptation to daydream about intimacy with others, look at pornography, or let your eyes wander. If you keep your eyes on God and live according to his word, you can remain pure. (Psalm 119:9)

It’s not easy, but anything of great value is not easy. We live in a society that bombards sensuality and lust as a commodity, but you do not have to allow it in your mind or home. Honor God. Honor your spouse. Be strong and courageous and go against the status quo, for it is the pure in heart that shall please God.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

WORK: Who is our boss?

Not many people like to have a boss. In fact, the majority of those employed would probably much rather work for themselves and have no boss at all. Whether you have a boss or not, remember that as Christians, God is our ultimate boss. It is God we are to be serving moment by moment, day by day. Whether it be work or play, our ultimate calling is to be servants of God, keeping heavenly things in the forefront of our minds and not earthly things.

Take time each morning to connect with God and get your instructions for the day. Throughout your day be sure to spend moments in fellowship with God. If you ignored your boss at work I’m sure it would not go over well. By not taking time to connect with God, you are basically ignoring him and that makes it difficult to know what he would like for you to spend your time doing.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

MARRIAGE: Make God’s word our guide, not our feelings

Sometimes we just don’t feel like being nice to our spouses or sacrificing for them. Sometimes the feelings of love and intimacy just aren’t there. We have a bad week, the kids are driving us crazy, and our spouse’s character defects seem to be out of control. Relax. Sometimes this happens in relationships and it does not mean it’s the end.

The Word of God tells us to walk by faith and not by sight, or feelings. (2 Corinthians 5:7) If we are led by our feelings, we will encounter more trouble than we’d like. Make God’s word your guide, not your feelings. God tells us to love, even when we don’t feel like it. God tells us to honor one another above ourselves, even when our spouse is driving us crazy. God tells us to love him and others, even when we are depressed, angry, or hopeless. Faith is a decision, not a feeling.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

WORK: Woman

Have you ever known a very productive woman? I mean someone who is a very hard worker and takes pride in her work no matter what kind of job it is. I think of Mother Teresa often and what a diligent worker she was for God. She did not care about money or status, she simply wanted to please God and love people.

Proverbs 31 teaches us that a godly woman uses her skills and talents and works vigorously. It talks of her taking care of her husband and children, even rising before the sun to begin preparations for the day. It also states that she works with her hands and sells various items to help provide for her family.

Furthermore, it declares that she is strong and secure in her God. She takes time to strengthen her relationship with God and this directly affects her role as a wife and mother. I encourage you to read Proverbs 31 and ask God to reveal to you how you can become more of a godly woman.