Seminary Program

This is where we post the essays from many of our Universal Life Church Seminary students. When students finish a ULC course, they write a comprehensive essay about their experiences with the course, what they learned, didn't learn, were inspired by, etc. Here are their essays.

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Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Wedding Stories

Funny Couple
By Rev. Amy Long

I had a funny wedding this weekend.

As I waited for the groom and the best man to walk down the aisle, I was chatting with the bride at a distance. When it seemed enough time had passed, I walked down the aisle as well. When I got there, there was no groom or best man to be found.

I looked in the front row...and there they sat!

They looked like guests waiting for the main event.

I said, "Did you want to get married today?" He said yes, so I said, "Then get up here!" He did and everyone laughed, including the best man, who continued to sit in the front row. I said, "And you are the best man, right?" He nodded and I told him to get up with me too.

Then when the bride walked down the aisle, gave her dad a kiss and had the groom shake hands with her dad, she leaned in to kiss him!

I jumped in with a bit of waving and a, "Hey, hey now. You're not married yet!"

It was a crack-up! They were a very amused couple and had a great day.


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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Monday, May 23, 2005

Universal Life Church

Dinner with Jesus
By Unknown - Submitted by Mara Fonseca

There is a beautiful story about a woman who heard a knock on her front door and went to see who it could be. When she opened the door no onewas there except for a letter addressed to her on her door mat. When she opened it, she found a note from Jesus saying that he was coming over for dinner. She became frantic for she didn’t have anything to eat and was having financial difficulty. She was able to find a few dollars in her cookie jar and walked to the nearest grocery store to pick up whatever she could afford.

On her way to the store, she encountered a man shivering in an alley way asking if she could spare any change for a cup of hot coffee. His look of desperation tugged at her heart and she gave all her money and her coat so that he could get something to eat and stay warm. In tears, she walked back home knowing that she had nothing to serve Jesus for dinner. What is she going to serve? What will she say to him?

As she walked to her doorstep wiping the tears off her face and praying for guidance, she found another letter from Jesus. In the letter Jesus said: “Thank you for the coat and the delicious meal. I will not go to sleep hungry tonight, and I will stay warm in the streets.” The woman smiled knowing that she had served Jesus well.




*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Wedding short stories

The following are wedding stories from Rev. Amy Long:

Here are a few stories from some of the weddings I've been to and some stories that have been sent my way.


"I've yet to see a bride or groom pass out, but twice I've seen ring bearers do it!"

"I performed one wedding in an ice rink. After the bride and groom skated away, I had to get one of the groomsmen to practically carry me off the ice."

"Once, I walked out on the grass to the ceremony site and had a number of guests and quite a few family members greet me warmly and tell me how good it was to see me. I couldn't figure out why, until I realized that I'd performed the wedding of the bride's sister about a year or so prior."

"At one indoor wedding, the groom was mopping his brow and complaining frequently and loudly about how hot it was in the house. (I was in black with a robe on and it was only a little warm) His hands shook during the ceremony, but he got through it okay. Afterwards he said, "Wow, someone must've turned on the air-conditioner. It sure got a lot cooler."

"I performed one wedding when I was nine months pregnant. The contractions were about 10 minutes apart, which was how long the ceremony happened to take. A guest in back was timing them for me. My son was born 48 hrs. later. Who would've thought the baby would come on time?"


I'm Amy with the Universal Life Church and it's Seminary. I've been a member of ULC for many years and my site has created a terrific ULC Forum. We are also members of the ULC Minister's Association and have the most extensive catalog of Universal Life Church materials.

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Being a Mother

After 21 years of marriage, My wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie.

She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you."
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, butthe demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. "What's wrong, are you well," she asked?
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
> "I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded.
> "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."
> That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date.
> She waited in the door with her coat on.
> She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car.
"They can't wait to hear about our meeting." We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy.
> My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu.
> Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.
"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said.
> "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation--nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
> As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.
> "How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.
> A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same
place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."
> At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.
> Nothing in life is more important than your family.
> Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."
> Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby .... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "normal" is history.
> Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by
instinct ... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
> Somebody said being a mother is boring .. somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good" Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
> Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices ... somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.
> Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
> Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first .... somebody doesn't have two children.
> Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books.. somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.
> Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ... or on a plane headed for military "boot camp."
> Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back .... somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.
> Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married... somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
> Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home... somebody never had grandchildren.
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.

This isn't just about being a mother, it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them.................no matter who that person is.


My name is Rev. Amy Long and I've been a minister with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since its inception. I've been a member of ULC for many years and my site has created a terrific ULC Forum. We also have the most extensive catalog of Universal Life Church materials.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Wedding Stories

Facing away from the audience?
By Marilyn Tenney


I do have a comment and suggestion about performing a wedding: I recently attended a wedding in a small country church where the minister had the couple stand up on the first step at the front of the church facing the congregation, and the minister stood down below (with a cordless mic on her lapel). This way the couple were seen by all in attendance. It was very nice!

(note from Amy: I have done that a couple of times and it feels very weird to me to talk with my back to people. I usually just have the couple facing each other and talk through them, but I'd be interested to see how it works for others.)




*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Monday, May 16, 2005

Wicca

Broad Approach to Spirituality

I would like to express my sincere thanks for our instructor and the material presented throughout the course.

I found it to be a great benefit to me, not only in bringing to light the purpose and practical function of ritual, items used, the deities and workings of elementals. I very much enjoyed the weekly challenges of stretching myself with the exercises given and finding that all helped to make sense of what I have intuitively done for most of my life.

I feel that this course helps put me in touch with deeper meanings to the "why's and wherefores" of the physical and spiritual that is all around us in our daily lives.

It has helped to bring, with more confidence, my desire for a broader approach to my ministry and helps to reaffirm my trust in "flying by the seat of my pants", as it where, when called upon to perform a pastoral service, be it a wedding, or baby naming. I am more comfortable now with bringing in many elements to whatever I am called on to do. And with the knowledge imparted by the course, I have more to draw from than ever before, and with a clearer understanding of why I would feel drawn to include certain stone, herbs, etc.

My thanks again to Lord Starwalker for his wealth of knowledge and his time spent in preparing and sharing this material with us. I will refer to it often, and practice much of it daily.

Bright Blessings,
Betty Taylor

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.


Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Friday, May 13, 2005

Universal Life Church

By Unknown
Realizing the Value

To realize
The value of a sister
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize
The value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize
The value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend:
Lose one.



*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Thursday, May 12, 2005

ULC Seminary Seal

This is the seal that we use on the Universal Life Church Seminary website. You are welcome to use it if you like to link to our website.




My name is Rev. Amy Long and I've been a minister with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since its inception. I've been a member of ULC for many years and my site has created a terrific ULC Forum. We are also members of the ULC Minister's Association and have the most extensive catalog of Universal Life Church materials.

Wicca

Background and Insight about Wicca
A Final essay from Frank Orr

I took this course for the same reason that I will be taking further courses from the seminary: to gain a deeper insight into the way things are. I will probably never become an active practicing Wiccan, but I now know in a deeper understanding, what is happening. The course has helped me to better direct my actions and life. I think (or hope) I will be a better person. I have always been interested in the New Age or Pagan beliefs.I think that the old ways of life have more valid effects than the modern people give them credit for.

I want to gain more knowledge about the natural healing powers that herbs and aroma therapy introduce into the human existence. My wife and I live our life with complete respect of nature and the old ways. I am trying to gain knowledge in every phase of life. I am learning along with my wife American Sign Language. I support and learn from her Reiki practice. We do our fulfillment spells trying to better our existence. I found nothing disturbing in the course I just finished. Many of the rituals that were covered in the course were very detailed and time consuming but I found them to be very interesting and they will be very useful and helpful in my life when I will need a more calming influence in my life.

I will always have the course materials to reference in the future. I also took this course because I noticed the understanding and change in my wife when she practices the old religion and through her training in the art of Reiki, in which she is a master. I want to learn more so I may become a better person.




*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Spiritualism

By the Reverend John Powell
My body, my mind and my spirit

Spiritualism is a very hard term to define. What I think of the course is a lot easier. This course was put together with a lot of heart, research, tears and love. When we live in a world of materialism, we tend to put the things of the spirit on the back burner. Those who do so, Do so at their own peril.

As we study the thought processes that have influenced ourselves and mankind, we are struck with the overwhelming depth of mans search to define himself and his reason for being. Socrates looked at the world and wondered if what he was seeing was the reality or if the reality was something that was not or could not be understood. As a side note he began to believe that which he could not see and called it faith. Sigmund, on the other hand, looked within himself and searched for the forces that drive or what he felt drove the behavior of himself and man. Hitler looked at the world around him and felt he could cure the evils of the world by changing the world to an image he believed was perfect. Newton, Einstein, and other scientist of the world take the world apart in an effort to learn what makes it tick and to see if they can improve it by tinkering with its parts. Priest, ministers and instructors in faith believe that the spirit of man can be found through rules or faith in a belief system.

Are these things, and people involved, part of a spiritual world? I believe so. Passion for the ideas that make us believe in who we are and why we exist, to me, define the spirit of the human being.

Now last, what does it mean to me? As a frail human in the temple of my frail body, I have learned that my existence is spiritual. I am fully aware of the frailty of my worldly temple. Realizing, even with the best of intentions, that I have hurt people And I have lived a life that far under-exceeded my and others expectation of me, I have needed something to calm my mind and body. In my opinion, the spirit that I share with the universe is the only glue that holds my temple and that of the totality of souls together in harmony.

Thank you for an interesting course.

John Powell.
Ordained: April 13, 2000



*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Sunday, May 08, 2005

Wedding Story

By Debbie Kalinowski & newspaper article
Keep an eye on your wedding gifts


Hi,

From what I've heard recently, this is the latest "trend". And now this newspaper article confirms it. Please warn all your Brides & Grooms to keep a lookout for "uninvited" guests at their weddings! These "guests" are making off with the wedding gifts! (By the way, I have done/will be doing weddings at all of the catering halls mentioned in this article and I find this news very distressing!)

Debbie

________________________________________________

Posted on Sat, Dec. 04, 2004

A wedding pest admits to thefts at receptions
A South Philadelphia man has told authorities he stole $10,000 in cash and checks from three recent events.

By Sam Wood
Inquirer Staff Writer

An uninvited guest at wedding receptions in South Jersey has admitted to making off with $10,000 in cash and checks intended for the newlyweds, authorities said.

Anthony Rossi, 30, of the 2600 block of Percy Street in South Philadelphia, surrendered to police yesterday and confessed to absconding with gifts from three recent receptions, said Detective Michael DeLorenzo of Berlin Borough police.

In the most recent incident, on Nov. 13, Rossi told police, a wedding guest - the groom's cousin - pursued him down the Atlantic Expressway after he grabbed the gift box at a reception at Venice Catering in Berlin and tried to make a getaway, DeLorenzo said.

The pursuit broke off only after he tossed the gift collection box out the window of his 1991 Lexus and the cousin stopped to recover it, DeLorenzo said.

Berlin Borough police said they received numerous tips about the identity of the wedding thief after WPVI-TV (Channel 6) broadcast a composite drawing of the suspect Thursday night.

One of the tips led police to Rossi yesterday.

DeLorenzo said Rossi was charged after confessing to the Nov. 13 heist; a Sept. 4 theft at the Renaissance Room in Washington Township; and a Sept. 11 theft from Anthony and Cleopatra Caterers in Williamstown.

He also told police he had tried to strike at the Woodbury Country Club but was scared off when off-duty Philadelphia police officers at the reception grew suspicious, DeLorenzo said.

Rossi told investigators he would randomly choose a catering hall on a Saturday and pose as a wedding guest, dressing the part. And, just in case he might be spotted leaving with the loot, he would take the license plates off his getaway vehicle.

On at least one occasion, Rossi enlisted the help of an unwitting catering hall employee, DeLorenzo said.

"He would just walk up and say, 'You want to clean up now? Maybe we should take this out to the car.' They thought he was part of the family and gave him a hand," DeLorenzo said.

In the wake of the thefts, local caterers have beefed up security and have asked guests to keep a close eye on their wedding gifts, DeLorenzo said.

DeLorenzo said the unemployed Rossi had told investigators he was not responsible for any thefts where only a few cash envelopes were taken.

"He has no reason to lie," DeLorenzo said. "He's been honest and open. He said he wasn't interested in anything small. His main goal was to take the whole shebang."



*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Friday, May 06, 2005

Wiccan Studies

Good afternoon Amy,

To conclude the Master of Wiccan studies program, Lord Starwalker has asked that I write a page or so on what I have learned during this course, how it has affected my life and then send the assignment to you. To this end, I submit the following:

This course is presented in a very logical fashion and delivered in a format that makes it very easy to follow. It is an enjoyable learning experience. By sending the course in a weekly e-mail, it reminds you that you have a lesson to review so that you don't fall behind. The lessons don't take too much time to go through so, personally, I would go through them during my lunch break. That way, I could meditate on the lessons taught during my ride home in the evening.

Wicca, as a religion, as so many have said in recent times, is very misunderstood. This is mainly due to the entertainment industry. Although it's very entertaining to watch Satan and his demons get beat-up by
Catholic Priests, Vampire Slayers, and other assorted "heroes", we should always remember that these are based on a fundamental Christian belief in the Devil and Hell and have no connection to the Wiccan religion
whatsoever.

What I enjoyed most about this course is the way Lord Starwalker writes the lessons and presents the material. He is a great educator and comes across as a very friendly individual. I can only hope that he gets
involved in presenting other courses that the ULC Seminary will be offering in the future.

What this course has done for me is to make me think about things in a more spiritual way. I had been so caught-up in work that I had let my spiritual life shut down. My life had become mechanical. We must keep a
place in our lives for spirituality if we are going to feel fulfilled. For me, the best part of the Wiccan religion is that you can practice it in solitary at your leisure, and still feel a real connection to the universe and all the beings who dwell in it.

I highly recommend this course to all modern Christians and people of
all religios beliefs. It's a wonderful learning experience and opens
your eyes to an other belief system. Lord Starwalker and Amy Long are two
of the nicest people to deal with.

Amy I hope the above is satisfactory. I could have elaborated more but, I'm a very private person so there are some things I feel are too personal to share on a web site at this time.


Best regards

Robert Pelot





*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Thursday, May 05, 2005

Spirit-Quest

Spirit-Quest Program
Forgiveness



Dear Amy,

I apologize for not having sent in the essay earlier.

I thank you for amazing discourses, here is my review:



I received 30 discourses with different topics. My list of spiritual goals grew long. After one year now I am proud to announce that there are only few left which I am still working on.



On my free weekends I take Reiki, Healing and Meditation seminars, and I teach online classes at a British spiritual website. I found all the meditation discourses very helpful. To mention the “Protection Rose” as a good starter as well as the Chakra and the Karma Affirmations.



I was deeply impressed by “How Spirit communicates”, discourses 18 through 22. They work brilliantly with beginners trying to find their paths. This is a journey of self discovery. When we feel our own empowering Spirit we’re getting more and more receptive to Spirit around us. We become aware of a different dimension, the vibration of energy. It is a lot of practice to set this in motion but once we’ve connected we know, no matter what level we have reached in our development we all have much to offer. My students benefit from what I have learned because I keep telling them that each of us is unique, is loved and safe in the arms of the Divine. This is not typical for Europeans, so to speak. Scientists are still exploring the mysterious ways of life, especially those where they believe the mind influences the body. The mind, our invisible part of the body, and the body, our visible part of the mind don’t always work perfectly together. We have to pay attention and practice awareness.

Discourse 22 “Pictures” and 24 “Asking the right questions” are my favourites. There are always questions to be answered and I love talking in pictures.



All happens for some purpose, there are no coincidences, we know that. My life dramatically changed around the time when the “Forgiveness” letter was in my mailbox. I admit not having paid much attention to the content even though I read it. There were more important things I had to deal with. When I thought I would already know what pain is life taught me better, and what I had to experience then was beyond my imagination. My beloved partner died of cancer. What is grief? I went through all stages of it. I felt anger thinking not having done enough. I am a healer, a wise woman. People ask for my help and I couldn’t even do that anymore. Why had he come into my life showing me heavens to then suddenly leave me? Why wasn’t I capable of helping him? Believe me have I tried and I saw he was going. I didn’t want to understand, the pain was too big. Our relationship could not be repaired, not on this plane. I was told to let go, told to accept that it was meant to be. But I focused so much on what I had lost. Step by step and in between I hated him, lost motivation, lost interest in myself. This cut was so deep that I fell into the valley of never ending tears ignoring all what I had learned. As an active spiritualist I should have known that he hadn’t died to make me feel bad. And then I came upon a book where I read in the foreword that forgiveness is the greatest healer of all. Instantly, I remembered the discourse and worked several weeks on it. It said very clearly that I would hold on to bitterness if I wouldn’t forgive the person causing me sleepless nights and bad days. This had the greatest impact on me. I became friendly again and considered professional help. One year after I am still alone, still missing him, but I can smile and by the way, it was me who was sent to him making his last years beautiful. An attitude I can live on with!



Forgiving is healing, forgiveness is a choice. You have my greatest respect for bringing up not only an informative Spirit-Quest program but also an absolutely helping eye-opener. As you say in the very last line of the discourse: “forgiveness is a gift”. I am thankful for finally having received this gift.




*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Christian Sermon

By Scott Phillips
In A Moment

In a moment life can change.

Sunday afternoon my wife and I were headed to a birthday party for a sweet young girl in the church. As I was headed out, I picked up my two year old and discovered that either he was carrying a dead rat in his pocket, or he had a very dirty diaper. Becky, my sweet wife, gathered him in her arms from mine and we went back inside.

The other two boys, Keaton and Nate were excited about riding in my new/old truck. So they were in the backseat. I walked outside and thought, "I will back up the truck so my wife don't have to walk on the dirt when she comes out." So I look in my mirrors to be sure we are not about to destroy another tricycle and backup about five feet. When, I look in front of me, Noah is standing there crying because he thought we were going to leave him. In a moment, life stops and I realize all in one moment, life could have changed.

When I got out and picked him up, he was all smiles, but there were heavy thoughts running through my mind that made me shudder. When the excitement died down, my wife was now in the truck and we are ready to go, I stop and we all say a prayer of thanksgiving, that that moment did not happen.

How many times do these moments come in our lives and we don't even know it? This is the first time I have felt quite like I did.
Even now as I think about it, it makes me appreciate the fact I know Noah is finally asleep after a long day running, playing, and being a little boy. There in the darkness you can hear his steady breathing and I know it is another day to be thankful for.

I am sure some of you have experienced those moments when your life changed. I have stood by as I watched people I love go through these times. I am not sure the moments you have faced and the pain that they brought with them, but I want you to know in that Moment, is when nothing else matters. The things we dream about, fade.

The things we want to do are forgotten and the things that are truly important come into focus.

Everything is temporary. What seems new, will get old. What you want, when you get it will no longer register value on the radar. However, there are some things that really do matter.

Today, take a moment and savor the things you have to be thankful for. Because, in a moment when your not expecting we will meet the Lord. Either in death or the rapture, in a Moment, everything will change. Tragedy will become triumph. Loss will equal gain.
Sickness will result in health. Trials will transform into trophies. In a moment, time will become eternity, and tears will be gone, hearts will be mended and old acquaintances will be renewed.

It will be worth it,
It will make sense,
It will seem like something so small,

In a Moment.



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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.


The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



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