Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts: June 2016

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.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

MARRIAGE: Don’t stop dating

Remember when you first met your spouse and all the dates you went on? Remember how you would take your time in getting ready, making sure your appearance and clothing were just right? I’m sure you have wonderful and warm memories of your dates.

Don’t let the dates stop just because you are married. Dates are a time where you and your spouse can spend quality time together and simply delight in each other. There are many date ideas you can choose from. Go to the movies. Go out to dinner. Pack a lunch or dinner and go to a peaceful place to eat. Go roller or ice skating. Go out on the town and stay at a hotel for the night. Take a dance class together. Be creative and have some fun and watch your marriage soar to new heights.