LIFE: Realize tough times and pain can help us to grow.

I like the quote, “The pain passes, but the beauty remains” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.  He tells us that the pain that we encounter in life does not have to be a lost cause.  No one likes to go through tough, painful times but it is inevitable along our journeys.  As painful as certain seasons or situations in life can be, we tend to gain some invaluable insights, lessons, strength, and humility during those times.  

Think back to a tough time in your life and remember the lessons you learned while persevering through it.  Take note of the positive traits, lessons, or relationships that came as a result.

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

WORK: Work doesn’t always bring monetary gain

1.      

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. 

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

MARRIAGE: Intimacy

Intimacy is a spiritual, emotional, and physical giving of oneself to another and it is a beautiful thing.  God created us with a desire to be intimate and we long to share intimacy with another. God loves intimacy as well and longs for an intimate relationship with us.  Sharing a deep closeness and love with another is so rewarding.

As we share intimate time with our spouse, we are allowing God’s love to flow through us into each other.  It is an amazing experience and the depth of intimacy can grow to great heights as we commit to fostering intimacy.  Devote time to develop a greater intimacy with God as well as your spouse and take time daily to nurture your relationships.

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

LIFE: Practice meditation/enjoy nature

God sure did create an amazingly beautiful earth.  I encourage you to get out into nature and enjoy the beauty and serenity found in creation.  Breathe deeply and enjoy a time of rest from everything.  Learn the art of meditation and prayer.  Life can get so busy and our minds seem to always be churning with a hundred thoughts at once. 

It is important to take time daily, even if just for a few moments, to go to a quiet location and quiet yourself.  Take a walk in the woods or sit outside on your deck.  Take a vacation to the beach or wherever you can find peace and nature.  Meditation, silence and prayer are all ways to refresh your spirit and to become a more pleasant, positive person.

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

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.

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

HEALTH: Ask God

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.

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

MARRIAGE: Lessons

There will be times in your marriage when you will get weary and perhaps think that you don’t feel the same way about your spouse as you used to.  I encourage you to take this to God as he will teach you how to deal with this struggle. 

Just as those crossing a strong river will get tired, yet will persevere and indeed get to the other side, so can you get through weariness, disappointment, boredom, or whatever else comes against your marriage. Be strong for their will be progress and success. 

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

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.

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

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. 

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

HEALTH: As we think, we are

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. 

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