WORK: Being excellent

I normally take my car to a certain tire repair shop and I’m normally pleased with their services.  One day, though, my tire was going flat so I took it to a local store that would patch it while I shopped.  The man that took care of my tire was astounding.  He was professional, courteous, and very enthusiastic about his job.  He won me over and from now on I will take my car to him for any tire needs.

Are you good at what you do?  Do you excel or just do enough to get by?  Is customer service your number one priority?  If your aim is to be excellent at your profession, chances are people will want your services.  Excellent customer service sells and you may even find yourself getting promotion after promotion. God tells us that whatever we do, we should do our best for him and not for man. (Colossians 3:23) Make the extra effort and go the extra mile.  God is watching.

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

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. 

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

LIFE: 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.  

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

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.

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