tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99604592024-02-22T05:07:36.284-08:00ULC Online SeminaryThe Universal Life Church Seminary provides free online instant ordination, free minister training, wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and more. Non-denominational and all faiths welcome. We also have a great online Seminary program. For our main site, go to www.ulcseminary.orgUniversal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.comBlogger1168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-89652247646643132222013-03-06T13:49:00.001-08:002013-03-06T13:49:21.451-08:00Final essay for Comparative Religion course<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Final Essay for the Comparative Religion Course<div id="yiv106331196"><div><div dir="ltr"><span class="yui_3_7_2_38_1362523034098_77" style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;"></span><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;"><br></span></div> <div class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span class="yui_3_7_2_38_1362523034098_78" style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;">I found this course to be extremely informative. As a minister and a funeral director I am faced daily with people of various backgrounds and cultures. I have worked with almost every major religion and have long been a student of religions. I find the differences fascinating, but conversely also find their similarities equally fascinating. Most people are unable to look past the proverbial "end of their noses" to see that there are many cultural universals in this world. I like to use the <span style="COLOR:#2e2e2e;">model inspired by an old Indian tale - that of the blind men who tried to describe an elephant. It is said that once upon a time a king gathered a few men who were born blind. They were asked to describe an elephant, but each one was presented with only a certain part of it. <br></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span class="yui_3_7_2_38_1362523034098_78" style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;"><span style="COLOR:#2e2e2e;"><br></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span class="yui_3_7_2_38_1362523034098_78" style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;"><span style="COLOR:#2e2e2e;">To one was presented the head of the elephant, to another the trunk, to another its ears, to another the leg, the body, the tail, tuft of the tail, etc. The one who was presented with the head said: "The elephant is like a pot!" The one who was presented the trunk answered, "The elephant is like a hose." The one who touched only the ears thought that the elephant was a fan, the others said that it was a pillar, a wall, a rope, a brush, etc. Then they quarreled among themselves, each thinking that he was the only one right and the others were wrong. The obvious truth is that the elephant is a unity of many parts, a unity that they could not grasp in their ignorance. <br></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span class="yui_3_7_2_38_1362523034098_78" style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;"><span style="COLOR:#2e2e2e;"><br></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span class="yui_3_7_2_38_1362523034098_78" style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;"><span style="COLOR:#2e2e2e;">I personally believe that a better illustration to envision is that many paths lead to the same mountain peak. We are all or we all should be seeking enlightenment, the path and vernacular we choose is of secondary importance. <span> </span>It is important to know that this is not the case. As an example both Christianity and Islam each claims to be the only right path to God. Therefore the other option is that world religions are not pieces of the same puzzle or parts of the same spiritual elephant or different paths to the same goal or mountain peak. We as a race are very ethnocentric. A little understanding through knowledge would do us all good. However, both possibilities exist. So, a proper evaluation of these opposite views should be done before we decide a course of action. If the first is true, that all religions lead us to the same finality, and we choose the second, that only one of them is right, then we have lost nothing. <br></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span class="yui_3_7_2_38_1362523034098_78" style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;"><span style="COLOR:#2e2e2e;"><br></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span class="yui_3_7_2_38_1362523034098_78" style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;"><span style="COLOR:#2e2e2e;">Despite our ignorance, we will arrive at the same end result as others who have chosen different spiritual paths. A worse outcome would be if the second were true, that only one path was correct and we had chosen the wrong one. A third and much worse possibility is that all spiritual paths are wrong. This possibility is denied by our nature and thirst for a spiritual quest, which demands fulfillment. Otherwise, our hunger for ultimate truth could not be justified and all religions would be nothing but human fantasy.</span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';FONT-SIZE:12pt;"><span style="COLOR:#2e2e2e;"><br></span></span></div> <div class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';COLOR:#2e2e2e;FONT-SIZE:12pt;">What I liked best about this course was the depth of the knowledge imparted by the author.<span> </span>I found this course to be well written and a wonderful resource for future independent study. The author alluded to a second part to this course. I certainly hope the ULC Seminary will provide this course in the near future. </span></div> <div class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';COLOR:#2e2e2e;FONT-SIZE:12pt;"></span> </div> <div class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';COLOR:#2e2e2e;FONT-SIZE:12pt;">Peace be with you,</span></div> <div class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';COLOR:#2e2e2e;FONT-SIZE:12pt;"></span> </div> <div class="yiv106331196ecxMsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT:115%;FONT-FAMILY:'Times New Roman', 'serif';COLOR:#2e2e2e;FONT-SIZE:12pt;">Rev. Steve Harris</span></div> <br><br> <br><br> <div class="yiv106331196body"><i><strong>"Dreams are illustrations...from the book your soul is writing about you."<br></strong></i></div> </div></div> </div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-57392973574524616032013-02-22T08:35:00.001-08:002013-02-22T08:35:58.944-08:00Master of Chaplaincy Studies by Rev. Osborne<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif"">Chaplain</span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> </span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> When I started this course I was trying to get my four Chaplain units to apply for a job.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My interest was to get it done as fast as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then after a couple of weeks they decided that my units thru you were not enough to qualify me for the job.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They needed like you described " many employers of chaplains will also require candidates for chaplaincy to undergo specialized training called Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). I was very disappointed that these units could not be counted for this as far as they were concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I rattled some people and found that there were many others that were applying for the same job that had certificates from you or similar schools.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After not finding the right person, they were looking into trying to rewrite the description for their applications to include you or similar school certificates.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But it would not help my application at this time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It took me some time to come to terms with what had happened and how it is to play out in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> </span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> The first few classes came two a week and then slowed down to once a week for the term of the class.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am very glad that my non responsiveness did not stop the classes coming.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I found that I was enjoying them and learning a lot about being a Chaplain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During the time that they were looking for the right person for the job I was able to volunteer as the volunteer Chaplain for three months.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had not been looking for a job at the time and was not aware of all the qualifications that were required.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I learned a lot about looking for qualifications and knowing my community and all the places a person could volunteer or possibly find a job.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are many ways that I can give, Hospice is only one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> </span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>I learned during my three months volunteering for Hospice that I could see many people during a day and make a difference.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some days I would start at 8 am and work until 6 or 7 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I loved the way people would relax, you could see their shoulders drop a little.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Being a vessel for God's love and caring … A hug or handshake or hand on their back or arm was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All the classes that talked about active listening were useful to remind me to stop with each person and really listen to them and not get caught up in having to see everyone that was on my list to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Treating each person or client as the only one was a mantra that I said in my head before I entered their home or room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I take three deep breaths to center and ground myself and clear my space to be able to enter with no baggage from my day or the last client.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I ask God to be with me and to give me the questions and actions that this individual or family needed at this time.</span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> </span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Being a Chaplain is a privilege and earning peoples trust is very precious.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I take it very seriously and honor the information that is given and shared with me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Taking the classes confirmed a lot of things that I already have been doing with respect to privacy and confidentiality.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Learning some of the details of when I could or should share or inform other people was very helpful and more informative than what I have had in the past classes that I have taken.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> </span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> </span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>I had not had to think about setting limitations or boundaries in the past but am glad about reading Lesson thirteen on "Avoiding Traps".<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I let an older gentleman hug a little longer than was really comfortable<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">, </span>but he was very glad for the human touch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He had lost his wife six months earlier and had not had anyone touch him other than a handshake for so long that it bought tears to his eyes after we hugged.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But when I left that day after a very good visit when we said goodbye he hugged me, which was fine, but then he kissed me on the lips.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was very quick and it took me by surprise. After that I have been very conscious of not letting it happen again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He has not tried again but I am very aware of not giving him the aura that it is ok.</span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> </span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> The "Accountability" Lesson Seventeen, is something that I have had to work on.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My husband works long haul and is out of town during the week.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This makes it so my days and evenings are open.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That did make it so I was seeing people until six or even seven pm at night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I began to feel a little used in the situation of being a volunteer and having a long list of people that needed to be seen each week.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also that I could not do the job and be paid for my time but I was good enough to volunteer and do the job.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I prayed about this and was lead to do my job to the best of my ability and to do it in a reasonable timing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The results were that the person that was hired was held to higher standards than the past Chaplain due to my handling of the position during the time that I was doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> </span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> I am working on what I want to do within Hospice or within another framework.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I may do some time with the new Chaplain that took the job I was volunteering for and shadow her for awhile, while I am looking into other positions in my area or if I want to work more one on one in a soul counseling position in my own business.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This class work has really helped me to look at myself and the position of Chaplain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am a Minister and have done births, marriages, funerals.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have counseled individuals, families or even work partnerships.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What I do know is that helping others and spreading Gods Love is something that I can not turn off.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is part of who I am and I don't have to make someone convert but maybe just think about them not being alone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> </span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="Standard"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""><span 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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-85818722433071276832013-02-22T08:30:00.001-08:002013-02-22T08:30:22.416-08:00Final essay for the Master of Chaplaincy Studies program<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman", "serif";font-size:12pt;">Final essay for the Master of the Chaplaincy Studies program.</span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><br><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div id="yiv1954866106"><div><div dir="ltr"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><br><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I have been a ULC minister for about ten years and a funeral director for over thirty three years. I have always had a very strong desire to minister to people; I feel that is what led me to the funeral profession many years ago. I as a young man wished to become a minister and it was at that time I started quite by happenstance to begin my work in the funeral profession. I was torn as to what to do and asked the advice of a trusted local pastor. He suggested that maybe my ministry calling was as a funeral director and embalmer. I do find great reward in my ability to assist families at the worst time in their lives. For many years I struggled with what I felt was an additional calling. As a young man I was asked to serve as a deacon at my home church I found this to be great honor but still felt a little unsure. I felt I should or could be doing more with the feelings I had about serving God and His people.</font></font><br><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><br><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><span> </span>It wasn't until I discovered the ULC and the opportunity to become an ordained clergy that I started to feel part of a larger plan for my life. I was at first hesitant to tell anyone about my ordination. But in the fullness of time it became apparent that I had made the right choice. It started when an un-churched family who had no clergy to perform a funeral service for them and asked me to say a few words on the deceased's behalf. They had no idea that I was in fact a minister as I did not share it with them; they just felt that I had a reassuring presence and felt comfortable with me officiating at the services. It was then that I really began to take my ministry seriously. I have since officiated at many services, mostly for families that are lost without a church and also for families that could not afford the "honorarium" that many of today's clergy require. I have never asked for a stipend from any family I am asked to serve. I am also very active as a per diem employee for our local hospice as a trained chef I work in the kitchen at the local hospice care center. It was there that I found the work of the hospice chaplains to be very inspiring. Their ability to help the dying and their families arrive at a place of acceptance and to be able to come to grips with the end of life issues was a wonderful thing to witness. It is because of my background and this exposure to the work of chaplains that I decided to take on the challenge of becoming a chaplain.</font></font><br><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"></font></font> <br><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> I found this course to be very helpful. There is a lot of good information imparted in this course. It was however in my case a reaffirmation of many of the things that I have been practicing my entire professional life. Due to my training and years of interacting with families and clergy I found this course to be a good source of review and a helpful resource for my future endeavors. I hope that I can continue to be a help to the bereaved families I come in contact with. I hope to be able to enlarge my ministry as a funeral director and embalmer and a clergy person. I would like to establish a ministry as a funeral officiant. To be able to serve <span> </span>un-churched families in this time of anguish. <span> </span>I feel it is very important that people have a sense of compassion as their earthly existence draws to a close and as a person with a Christian Universalist view, I feel that no person or their family should have to come to the end of their loved ones life and not have a sense of peace and closure at the time they lay their loved ones to rest. Jesus came to save all mankind not just those that profess a certain dogma or doctrine. I believe that salvation is only by faith in God and was finalized by Jesus Christ "who gave Himself a ransom for all" (1Tim 2:6). I feel that many people today are lost and searching and it isn't until they are faced with a tragedy that the look for a higher power to find consolation. That is why I feel the work as a chaplain is so important. Many times a hurting person does not know where to turn. Often times they may be intimidated by going to a church or feel uncomfortable with organized religion. A thoughtful and compassionate chaplain can be that bridge between the lost ones and the Lord. The work of a chaplain should be as an instrument of God, to do the work of Gods mercy. It is clearly stated in the Book of Matthew in the New Testament,<span class="yiv1954866106ecxwoj"> 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.</span> </font><span class="yiv1954866106ecxwoj"><font size="2"><sup><span id="yiv1954866106ecxen-NIV-24044">35 </span></sup></font><font size="3">For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,</font></span><font size="3"> </font><font size="2"><span class="yiv1954866106ecxwoj"><sup><span id="yiv1954866106ecxen-NIV-24045">36 </span></sup><font size="3">I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'</font></span></font></font><br><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><br><font face="Times New Roman"><span id="yiv1954866106ecxen-NIV-24046"><span class="yiv1954866106ecxwoj"><font size="2"><sup>37 </sup></font><font size="3">"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?</font></span></span><font size="3"> </font><span id="yiv1954866106ecxen-NIV-24047"><span class="yiv1954866106ecxwoj"><font size="2"><sup>38 </sup></font><font size="3">When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?</font></span></span><font size="3"> </font><font size="2"><span id="yiv1954866106ecxen-NIV-24048"><span class="yiv1954866106ecxwoj"><sup>39 </sup><font size="3">When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'</font></span></span></font></font><br><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><br><span id="yiv1954866106ecxen-NIV-24049"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="2"><span class="yiv1954866106ecxwoj"><sup>40 </sup><font size="3">"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'</font></span></font><font size="3"> Matthew 25 34:40</font></font></span><br><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><br><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span class="yiv1954866106ecxwoj">I think one way to improve this course would be to give a little more information about what is needed to actually become a chaplain. I have been researching this and it appears that there is a lot more education needed to obtain a position as a chaplain in an institutional setting. You could probably work as a chaplain in a volunteer setting after completing the entire Seminary Chaplain program, but I doubt it would suffice for say a hospital or even a hospice position.</span></font></font><br><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><br><div class="yiv1954866106ecxMsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman", "serif";font-size:12pt;"><span> </span>As I continue on with my studies at ULC Seminary I have found a new sense of enthusiasm for my role as a minister, and have gained confidence in my abilities to serve all of Gods people. <span> </span>I also hope to branch out and possibly become a hospice chaplain or possibly start a nursing home chaplaincy of my own.</span></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><br><div class="yiv1954866106ecxMsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman", "serif";font-size:12pt;">Peace be with you,</span></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><br><div class="yiv1954866106ecxMsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman", "serif";font-size:12pt;"> </span></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> Rev. Steve Harris</font><br><br> <div class="yiv1954866106body"><i><strong>"Dreams are illustrations...from the book your soul is writing about you."<br></strong></i></div> </div></div> </div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-11666629844925228192013-02-19T12:29:00.001-08:002013-02-19T12:29:16.802-08:00Religious Philosophy final essay<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div><span><br></span></div><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Religious Philosophy Essay<div id="yiv786871234"> <br> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> The study of Religious Philosophy is philosophical thinking that is inspired and directed by religion. There are different philosophies for each religion such as those of: Christian Philosophy, Islamic Philosophy, Buddhist Philosophy, etc… "Philosophy of religion is the philosophical examination of the central themes and concepts involved in religious traditions. It involves all the main areas of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, logic, ethics and value theory, the philosophy of language, philosophy of science, law, sociology, politics, history, and so on." ( cited, Taliaferro, Charles, "Philosophy of Religion", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.) Comparative Religions is a field of study seeking to derive general principles from a comparison and classification of the growth and influence of various religion. <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> Of course individuals come from different walks of life and have not shared the same paths, so our journeys will not always be in line with others, and our experience will differ. From before the time of the first mammal to present day we all can agree that there has been suffering, and that in itself makes for a great argument while dissecting the reasons for Religion as a whole. In the analysis of religion, through many years of study by some of the great Anthropological and Philosophical minds, and after all of the ex cogitating it remains decisively personal. Each individual holds the "truth", whether it is developed from our experiences Economically, Psychologically, or Physiologically really makes no difference. The only thing that matters is that it works for the individual.</div><div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> Examining the different Philosophers from Anthropology (individual) and Sociology (community) backgrounds, I was able to see why there are differences in their hypothesis. Like Frazier, who didn't travel very much, and spent most of his time in close contact with missionaries and administrators who provided him with his information from their travels, and then he interpreted them. I was able to see a more distinct portrayal of the development of their differing Philosophies (people develop philosophies for a reason).</div><div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> I found it to be very interesting on how they came to categorize the World's Religions into three distinct groupings; Natural (How to get along with the physical world), Social (How to get along with each other), and the Psychological (How to get to know ourselves so we can make sense of it all). <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> Partiality because of Doctrinal or Philosophical beliefs, from the Evolutionary classification they started with, which alienated a majority of the World's Religion by classifying them on the "low end" of the scale, compared to the three monotheistic Religions Christianity, Judaism, and Islam being on the "high end." The progression that it has taken as a result of the world taking part in the analysis is essential to its structure. <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> The exercise given in lesson 12 really showed how arduous it would be to decorously decipher ancient writings especially from a dead language. It definitely substantiates how their can be so many various accepted Rabbinic translations just for the first three words of the Christian Bible ("In the beginning"). <br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> It seems the more science investigates Religious Expressions the more they find that there is validity to them. Archaeology and Geology have played sizable roles in the coherence of Science and Religion. Deuteronomy 27; talks about Joshua's alter on Mt. Ebal, Science (Archaeology) has found an alter on Mt. Ebal discovered by a known atheist, Dr. Adam Zertal (Chairman of the Dept. of Archaeology at the University of Haifa) The Alter itself was made out of uncut stones as it describes in Deut., and 942 bones were found from three different types of animals sheep, goats, and cattle all being Kasher (Kosher) animals, and all being 1 year old males. Pottery found at the sight was dated to the time of the Exodus (13<sup>th</sup> century B.C.). Also found were Egyptian Scarabs dated around the time of Ramses II (1245-1220 B.C. This is just one example of how Science has validated religious accounts. And for some of the doubters of Archaeology being a Science Archaeology is a science. It deals with real artifacts and falsifiable theories.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal">I am grateful to have taken this course it has allowed me to heighten my thought process. The more we keep an open mind and are willing to aside our personal bias, the sky is the limit!</div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> Enjoy your next 24, PEACE!</div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="yiv786871234MsoNormal"> Rev. C Watson</div> </div><br><br> </div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-43678114086240913212013-02-14T14:43:00.001-08:002013-02-14T14:43:52.971-08:00Master of Chaplaincy Training Essay<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div><span><br></span></div><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <div id="yiv1251999136"><div><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:10pt;"><div><br></div><div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:13.3333px;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;"> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><b style=" "><span style="font-size:18.0pt; "><span style=""> </span>Master of Chaplaincy Training study course</span></b></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><b style=" "><span style="font-size:18.0pt; ">By: Rev. Dr. Charles P Mulvaney DD. PhD.'s</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size:18.0pt; "></span></b></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">How the course on Master of Chaplaincy with twenty lessons enhanced my knowledge and ministry. What did I learn from this course of twenty lessons? What helped me? What could improve this course? What I hope to accomplish as a result of taking this course? <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">This course taught me that there are various approaches to use when dealing with people of all cultures and religious beliefs. As I approach an individual I need to observe their entire behavior, body language, tone of voice, posture, energy level and their mood. This course has motivated me and given me more tools to work with in these modern days we are living.<br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">This course opened my eyes more and helped me to see the much need for Chaplains in this world in which we live in today. It has given me a deeper desire and my passion is stronger to fulfill my calling by God. We as Chaplains need to assist the Police Department, Fire Department, and Sheriff's Department and Prison Systems. Also, assist in Hospitals, Hospice, Nursing Homes and Corporations. Chaplains are also needed in Grammar Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, College, University's and Trade Schools. All Chaplains need to be able to communicate with Christians and Non-Believer's, as well as individuals with various religious beliefs like Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Buddhism, Hinduism and Moslems, etc. The course should me how to communicate properly all the do's and don'ts in being (Politically Correct) in the world we live in today. <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">When communicating with a patient and or individual do not be overly optimistic to a fault… When a patient and or individual bring up a concern or problem one must listen closely and avoid insisting that all is well. We need to encourage the patient and or individual to have a positive outlook; but this is not always the answer or the case. One must be open minded and approach them with an open heart and kindness. Keep yourself focused on the individual; be aware of your posture and body language. Always orient yourself directly towards the individual and avoid closed posture. Do not interrupt or pass judgment in advance. Probe for more information, but do not force them to speak of something they would prefer not to. Do not preach to the individual on how they should feel or what they should do, etc. Be an active listener; repeat back what you understood them to say, with a brief preface. Don't ask open ended questions; don't ask (yes or no) questions; ask questions that will give more detail of their feelings. <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">The information I received from these lessons will help me with my Chaplaincy skills. I must believe the information that the individual and or patient shares with me regarding their pain and or coping mechanisms. Do not discount their perception or experience, even mildly. Do not say "I know how you feel." The information will help me in my visits with patients in the hospital or nursing home and in their home settings. I must introduce myself and ask permission if I may enter. Allow them to feel the freedom to express their religious beliefs. At the end of our visit ask if the individual has a religious preference and if they would like to pray. <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">Often people will ask for advice not because they really want it but because it provides them with an opening to talk about their own problems. Instead of answering their questions in detail turn the conversation back to them as quickly as possible. Give them helpful phrases and establish your willingness to listen. You must be able to discern / interpret the meaning behind the information or words they are speaking, hearing and acknowledging their feelings. Assisting the person think about what he or she already knows and feels. One must assist the individual person in making a proper decision with proper dialogue; by using scripture or therapy… depending on their beliefs. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">I must be careful with my non-verbal communications; like facial expressions, tone of voice, posture, and clothing. Also gestures made with hands, arms, legs, face and body, etc. Do not avoid eye contact. All of the above will help me counsel all the patients and or individuals I should come in contact with.<br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">As I prepare myself to go out into the world and do Gods work I must be prayed up. I pray and ask Gods Holy Armor to clothe me, I ask for the Fire of the Holy Spirit to surround me and cover me with His Precious Blood and his Holy Angels to go before me and to cover and protect me from all evil. I ask him to use me to heal the broken hearted and suffering, and to bring peace into their lives. I clear my mind and relax… I have a positive mental attitude; meditate with God's word, knowing that he goes before me. I must also be prepared with a map with directions to the address and phone numbers. I must carry a note book and pen to take notes. I will approach each case and or individual as led by the Holy Spirit; to guide and assist me with the individual in their spiritual and personal needs and problems. I trust and know that the Holy Spirit will direct, convict and enable me and the individual in their process of healing. I will seek to apply biblical principles in leading an individual to find freedom from each specific problem they struggle with. We do not judge an individual for where they are or have been. But we seek to follow the direction to the Lord to resolve and lead the individual to freedom and peace. <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">The course I took back in 2009 on the subject matter called Soul Clinic, helped me to become well versed and knowledgeable on assisting individuals of various religious backgrounds. I feel confidant and have the desire and passion to help those in need as a Counselor and Chaplain. I received a Religious Counseling Therapy License from the Universal Life Church. In December of 2011 I took a course on Crisis and Trauma Counseling and a course in helping those going through the process of Grieving Crisis. I also have the training as a first responder with the City and State Crisis Intervention Management of the County of Dallas, TX. <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">Also, I have read the book on {Death and Dying} What the Dying Have to Say, By: Elizabeth Kubler-Ross M.D. It is about the five stages of how people deal with death and dying. This book taught me how to assist the patient in the transition to death. I can help them to deal and to accept the death and life thereafter.<br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">I also took classes from School of Oncology Counseling and received the following Certificates of Certification in Distress Management in Cancer, Cancer a Family Affair, Loss, Grief and Bereavement, Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Cancer Care. These Oncology Counseling classes assisted me to be a more knowledgeable and fluent in the understanding for the terminal and critically ill patients. <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"> In these current times that we live in with all the budget cuts from government to state and within the cities; I see the positions of Chaplains being cut out of the budgets. At the same time there is a crucial need for spiritual guidance with all the violence erupting throughout the country. <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">Currently in American society, there is an increasing awareness of the value of spiritual interventions in the lives of people involved in crisis at the national and local levels. However, there is also the realization that Ministers and Pastors cannot rely solely on their seminary training and CPE to prepare them for the demands of critical stress management. In fact, it is common for Chaplains without appropriate training to become frustrated by the lack of improvement in the people they are trying to help or to become so enmeshed in the situation that they are worse off after the crisis intervention that at the beginning. I have the training now to work as a crisis and trauma Counseling Chaplain with my certificates in Training and Spiritual Care. Training recognized by Police, Fire and EMS Departments and with FEMA, grief following a trauma. I am also trained for School Crisis and Trauma, Death Assistance. <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">As an Ordained Chaplain my dreams and desires of my heart are to be the best Ambassador and Representation of God on this earth for fellow man kind. I desire to work with individuals of all walks of life, (all faiths). My future desires are to enroll in a class for Homeland and Terrorism Crisis and Leadership Training. I desire and want to make a difference in this Country Nationwide (USA) and if possible worldwide! Our country is in such turmoil, a state of violence, in which we need to step out and reach out to those who are willing to listen and be helped. I desire to work with the local schools and communities, in hopes to decrease the violence in our schools and cities. My goal is to reach as many individuals as possible so that each one will have a proper and better understanding of God's love and his Word. So that this individual's heart will be right with God; and furthermore be at peace with themselves and others. <br><br></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">My recommendations on how to improve this course would be to add a crisis trauma training lesson. It should include on how to work with families and individuals on dealing with acts of violence in the work place, schools and public locations. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">I truly appreciate and enjoyed taking the course on Master of Chaplaincy Training. The quality of the study course gave me a broader spectrum of the duties of a Chaplain in today's society.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; "></span></div> <div class="yiv1251999136MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">By: Rev. Dr. Charles P Mulvaney DD. PhD's</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></div> </div></div></div></div><br><br> </div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-90950223131591528052013-02-08T10:22:00.001-08:002013-02-08T10:22:38.195-08:00Final essay Comparative Religion by Rev. Hackler<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><br> <div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Mary Jane Hackler <br><div id="yiv1862828509"><div><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:18pt;"><div> <div class="yiv1862828509MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;">FINAL ESSAY <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/comparativerreligion.php">Comparative Religion</a> FINAL ESSAY </span></div> <div class="yiv1862828509MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;">What have I gained from this course. Of course I got all the wonderful knowledge, but I gained a greater understanding of the differences between us, as individuals and as groups. what I have learned has enriched my life and opened doors I didn't even know were closed. I was amazed at all the religions this course was able to cover. It really did compare them and show me not only the similarities, but I saw the differences as well. I learned to reach out to the different churches in my area. I also learned most people were as curious of me and my schooling as I was about them and their beliefs. I met a lot of wonderful people. <br><br>All the wonderful holidays people of different beliefs celebrate teaches me many are similar, just like our beliefs have similar stories written long, long ago. I want to embrace all it openly, and tell each and every person it's okay not to believe like others. </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">I got to soul search and found answers to questions I had never thought about. </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">Being able to simply explain what religion is has helped me greatly: Religion is beliefs held by a person or group of people. There are many different religions, each with what they believe is different from other religions. And many of their beliefs are different, but in many religions there are similar beliefs with just a few alterations. Religious beliefs are about the world and people in it, it is about how the earth and the people came to exist, and what purpose people serve. Religious beliefs are often associated<span style=""> </span>with supernatural beings such as a god or a number of gods and/or spirits. <br><br>They also put forth an idea path one should take to be good, truthful and dutiful to that god, and/or spirit, it is that religion's moral code that should be reflected in the life you lead. Generally every religion has days they gather to worship and their own rituals, prayer, communion, dancing, singing, etc. Every religion also has their own days of celebration, (aka holidays). </span><span style=" font-size:10.0pt;" lang="EN">In one lesson, at first, I really had to fight my narrow, set opinion. I wondered why people chose a religion that didn't allow them the freedom to grow, or the freedom to question, but as I read on and did further research I gained a greater understanding of the needs of others. I was lifted out of myself and saw others must take their own path to get to where they are going. This is a very informative course and I've learned far more from it than I expected Thank you ULC for making the complicated subject simple. </span><span style=" font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">In my small town I couldn't find people of all the beliefs we went over, but Internet research was great and got into a few chat rooms. </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;">Buddha was born a Hindu, but left it and became spiritual enlightened. He disagreed with the Hindu caste system, ( Social classes),<span style=""> </span>because he believed that it is unjust<span style=""> </span>to judge people solely by their social class. It is his opinion that all people be should by judged by their actions instead of their social position. I agree. <br><br><span style=""></span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;" lang="EN">Some beliefs have no deity.T</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;">he Christian religions I grew up around there was one G-d and he ruled, what he said was all truth, there was no questioning it. For one lesson I asked several people I know about their Christian religion and they said the same as what I was taught in my youth. No magic, no secrets, nothing hard to understand... live by the ten commandments, publicly confess your belief in Jesus, and only one said you didn't have to be baptized, but you must publicly state your love and belief in the Holy Trinity.<span style=""> </span>I can't go over every religion in this course, but I can say I will take individual courses on some of them to understand them better at a later date as I am taking several right now. I liked all of this course, mostly how much information was in it, and how it was easy to read and understand. <br><br>My least favorite thing was how the pictures overlapped the words and I had to cut and paste to read it. maybe my PC, but that did happen with every lesson. Don't know anything to improve it. It is wonderful. This course helps in my </span><span style=" font-size:10.0pt;" lang="EN">my ministry because we believe all paths lead to the same higher power, it gives me understanding of the path these other religions travel. </span><b style=" "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;"></span></b></div> <div class="yiv1862828509MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;"> </span></div> </div></div></div></div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-75598437183054370462013-01-09T11:15:00.001-08:002013-01-09T11:15:55.806-08:00Final essay Master of Chaplaincy by Rev. Hackler<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Final Essay <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/chaplaincy.php">Master of Chaplaincy</a>: <br><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div id="yiv851839209"><div><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><div><div class="yiv851839209MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>The questions I was asked: <i style=" "><u>What did I learn?</u></i> A chaplain's most important service is to listen, to provide spiritual guidance, comfort, and counseling. And this course has reinforced my belief that no one should be judged or turned away because of their beliefs, sex, race, sexual orientation, and anything else that makes them stand out as an individual. I knew from a very early age I was set apart, I have spent my life spiritually searching, this course has given me direction, not a new path, but a piece of the road map that I was missing. These lessons reinforced the need to live the life I represent, through my life, the life I live daily, through my faithfulness, trustworthiness, reliability, as a chaplain my job is not 9 to 5, it is a life, 24/7. A chaplain is Faithful in their belief, but accepting of all. I learned a chaplain needs to have good communication skills. A chaplain needs to be able to separate themselves from a situation. My connection with my higher power must be strong, I must set aside time for that connection. My unwillingness to not accept failure isn't part of my position as a chaplain, there will be times I cannot help. <br><br>As chaplain I would have to be well acquainted in the nature of the business or agency in which I would be working. Understanding the business or agency helps a chaplain in counseling individual employees that are facing career crises and job pressures. Chaplains are often required to meet one-on-one with employees and managers, as well as in small groups or in conferences, seminars and meetings. The main areas that need a Chaplain in my areas are related to health care and we went over that last week. If I worked for a company I would follow what my research has shown me. Privacy, trustworthiness, reliably, and respect are my greatest assets, and I would use them as much at work as I do in my personal life. To gain trust I would know the rules of the organization I work for, be honest, trustworthy (no gossiping), consistent, reliable, available. I would work on healthy relationships with the other employees and my superiors. Knowing who to refer people to if I'm not the one they need would also build an area of trust. As one can see there are many steps to building trust, another <br><br>BIG TRUST BUILDER is to live the life you are projecting during work hours, goodness, honesty, and trustworthiness doesn't have a time clock. Oregon law requires clergy to report abuse. I can have a strong <span style=""> </span>my ministry by: Not compromising myself in any situation, my own or others. Always walking in my faith while accepting others' rights to their beliefs. Praying before making any decisions and have those seeking my help pray. Surrounding myself with smart, moral people. Loving my family and not putting them aside while I reach out to help others. Taking care of myself, mentally and physically. Learning from stumbles, and using them to grow closer to my higher power. Always living what I talk. Pray for those that upset me. Let go of anger quickly as I learn to stop it before it enters me. Live an open and honest life. Always doing what I know is right. <br><br><a href="http://www.onlineseminary.org/">SELF AWARENESS</a>: Know my limits: When ask to help in areas I haven't got experience in I will refer them to someone who can. Be aware of manipulation.<span style=""> </span>Contra-transference: I avoid it by setting appointments, not meeting away from scheduled places, keeping myself physically and mentally healthy. Respect sex: To avoid the trap I keep all my inner actions with the person on a professional level. I keep myself emotionally and physically healthy, (a good diet and plenty of sleep keeps the brain working as we want it to). And I keep all my personal relationships strong, mate and friends. All gifts I receive are handed over to my ministry to decide their destiny, that includes cookies, etc. Money: One set fee, donations may be made to our ministry through a check made out to it, not me. Pride: I have no problem saying I don't know something, but I will help that person find the answer, either through listening to them, research, or a referral to a person with knowledge of what they seek. I know I'm replaceable, I take my vacations and leave my work to rest or to someone else. I always listen when my friends counsel me.<span style=""> </span>In our ministry we celebrate every holiday one of our members brings to us. Everyone is welcome to join in or leave the room. We have a loving group that has, so far, joined into every celebration. We encourage the younger ones to bring in wacky, fun holidays. We've celebrated "take your pants on a walk day (while we are wearing them)", "Teddy Bear Picnic Day", and many more. And by doing these activity I've found the young ones more interested in our celebrations, the meanings behind them and the desire to participate.<span style=""> </span>Making a sacred place: Any corner or empty space that you deem "sacred"<span style=""> </span>is perfect. Place a room divider, beads, or a curtain to section off your place. Add a comfortable chair or a pillow on the floor. Create an altar with objects that will bring the energy of spirituality. An altar can be as simple as<span style=""> </span>a small table with special to you fabric or paper on it. You can have candles, oil, crystal, etc on it. Place a symbol from your own religious belief on it, a cross, a rose, etc.<span style=""> </span>Add plants and colors, depends how much room you have. Photographs of gardens and or flowers may be uplifting. Add soft music, a book, a pen and paper. Weddings: never assume anything, get it in writing. A chaplain needs a soul friend: I have a few<span style=""> </span>very close friends, now I have a special name for these very close friends: <br><br>SOUL FRIENDS. benefit. How we became so close is an item that took thought because we have shared this for many years, but thinking it over I can say we became close in our spiritual quest, our mutual respect, and have grown closer as we seek further enlightenment. My Mentor: A mentor In the lessons we were told we need a mentor. My mentor is a very wise and knowledgeable, retired clergy person. She listens, advises, laughs and tells me not to take myself so seriously, that God is in control. And we're taught we need a self-care plan: My spiritual self-care plan is: First know when to say no. Overloading myself is a sure way to burn out. Give myself plenty of sleep, proper diet, time to enrich my mind, time to grow spiritually, time to pray, time to meditate, time to spend grounded. Spend time with family and friends, and never skip vacations. Be prepared: I have a bag packed with everything I might need, other items in my car, like food and water. Along with the physical, material things that I take with me, I take a lot of smiles, positive attitude, confidence in myself, good posture, a strong connection to my higher power, prayers, and most importantly good listening skills. <i style=""><u><br><br>What helped me</u></i>? the clear way the lessons were written and Amy's fast response to all my questions. <i style=""><u>What could improve this course?</u></i> I believe it's right on, see no improvements needed. <i style=" "><u><br><br>What you hope you will accomplish as a result of taking this course. </u></i>Of course there is always the search for knowledge and enlightenment, but I am working on becoming a chaplain and this is the first course I took to show me what it completely entailed and I believe it accomplished exactly what I expected from it and more. from <br><br>Rev. Mary Jane Hackler <br></span></div> <div class="yiv851839209MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><i style=" "><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;"><span style=" text-decoration:none;"> </span></span></u></i></div> </div><div><br></div></div></div></div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-60824329469259971282012-12-21T10:22:00.001-08:002012-12-21T10:22:31.785-08:00Defining Spirituality ~ Final Essay by Rev. Murman<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:14pt"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br><div id="yiv1561300809"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><b style=""><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Lesson 19 ~ Defining Spirituality ~ Final Essay</font></span></b></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><b style=""><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">By:<span style=""> </span>Rev. Trent Murman, OSM, OSF</font></span></b></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></b></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:justify;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font><span style="">There are few things in this world that can make one sit up and say wow.<span style=""> </span>This <a href="http://www.store.ulcseminary.org/">Defining Spirituality</a> course is that wow course for me.<span style=""> </span>I learned about many of the great philosophers of both the ancient and present society's.<span style=""> </span>Each to their own rites of thinking and observing the world and its players around them.<span style=""> </span>At times it was difficult to accept and/or agree with their thinking and expressions, but when I put my own beliefs aside and actually thought about what they were saying, it was amazing to me how they were able to decipher and persuade the masses to their position of thinking.<span style=""> <br></span></span></font></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><br><span style="font-size: 18px;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></font></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font><span style=""><span style=""></span>It was interesting, when studying Socrates to find out he was sentenced to death and when asked for his last words, instead of pleading for his life to be spared he responded by standing by his convictions which in turn made many more of his accusers upset and agreed he should be executed.<span style=""> </span>There were numerous leaders of the world that I did not agree with, but in the free world we do have the right to freedom of thought.<span style=""> </span>Sometimes we have to pay the ultimate price for vocalizing our personal agenda when we try to impress it on others.<span style=""> </span><br></span></font></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font><span style=""><br></span></font></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font><span style="">I think during the course I was most moved by the endurance these men had to stay with their convictions.<span style=""> </span>Every time I began studying about another philosopher it constantly made me remember not to judge and be more tolerant of others right to express themselves which can definitely be filtered in to our work as ministers.<span style=""> </span>There are many so called "prophets" out there starting with the ancient biblical to Hitler and on to present day leaders which in their own minds were doing what they thought their gods wanted.<span style=""> </span>To change or attempt to change another's way of thinking is not what we are here for.<span style=""> </span><br></span></font></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font><span style=""><br></span></font></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18px; font-family: Times New Roman; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="yiv1561300809Standard"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font><span style="">Beware of false prophets for their downfall is eminent.<span style=""> </span>Be ever mindful of whom you choose to associate with.<span style=""> </span>A great man once said "<i style="">keep your friends close and your enemies closer" </i>in my opinion there has never been a truer statement.<span style=""> </span>When face to face with the devil or a misguided person, I say to him:<span style=""> </span>Do Your Worse, for my God will keep me from harm.<span style=""> </span>May the Peace of the Lord be with you through eternity.<span style=""> </span>Go In Peace.</span><span></span></font></font></span></div><font size="1"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Times New Roman"> </font></span><br clear="all"></font><div><i><b>Rev. Trent Murman, OSM, OSF</b></i><br> </div><br></div><br></div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-2481333679562152112012-12-20T14:02:00.001-08:002012-12-20T14:02:47.198-08:00Comparative Religion Course from Universal Life Church - Rev. Longsden<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:14pt"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/comparativereligion.php">Comparative Religion</a> lesson one</span></u></i></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"> </span></i></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB" lang="EN-GB">I have subscribed for yet another course and it looks quite interesting in the sense I know have a reading list of suggested books this in itself appeared rather interesting. I tried the quiz only too find my religion is in cyber space could this in itself be an act of god or some supreme being ie I should already know.</span></i></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"> </span></i></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>As I am from the uk we are constantly being reminded on how diverse or multi cultural we are within a mile radius we have numerous churches and chapels add a few yards and we have mosques and temples due to the various communities and nationalities</span></i></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB" lang="EN-GB">These cover Bangladeshi Somali Pakistani west Indian and polish to name a few.</span></i></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span 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Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-70982497725072557592012-12-19T11:16:00.001-08:002012-12-19T11:16:25.811-08:00Religious Philosophy ~ Rev. Murman<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:14pt"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br><div id="yiv1263885418"><div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv1263885418Standard"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Lesson 20 ~ Religious Philosophy ~ East is East and West is West ~ Essay</font></span></b></div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv1263885418Standard"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">By:<span style=""> </span>Rev. Trent Murman, OSM, OSF</font></span></b></div><div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv1263885418Standard"><b style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"></font></span></b> </div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:justify;" class="yiv1263885418MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;">What does "dominion" mean to you? Does it entitle you to kill anything you want? For food? For sport? What about non-living natural resources? Does dominion give you the right to take whatever you want or need, and not worry about the long term impact? </span></i><span style="color:red;font-size:10pt;"><br></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic;" class="yiv1263885418MsoNormal"><span style="color:red;font-size:10pt;"><br></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic;" class="yiv1263885418MsoNormal"><span style="color:red;font-size:10pt;">The topic of dominion can be quite controversy to many people.<span style=""> </span>However, I feel in my personal opinion, there is proprietary dominion and civil dominion.<span style=""> </span>Proprietary dominion would encase your personal possessions where on the other hand civil dominion would encase anything outside of your personal possession.<span style=""> </span>In the years when this great nation of ours was just being formed the settlers entitled to kill game for means of survival.<span style=""> </span>The American Indians killed game for food, clothing and housing.<span style=""> </span>In these circumstances I believe even by today's standards it would be permissible to kill what you needed for man's survival.<span style=""> </span>As for killing for sport….I personally do not believe in this.<span style=""> </span>However, there are family members that do this every year when hunting season comes about….but, they know how I feel about this.<span style=""> </span>I do not believe dominion gives anyone the right to take what you want or need from others that have attempted to provide for their families and if we were back in the settlers days you might be jailed, hung or shot for stealing.<span style=""> </span>This would also be termed as breaking one of the Ten Commandments.<span style=""> </span>Ignorance of the civil law or God's law would be no excuse for these people. </span><i style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic;" class="yiv1263885418MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic;" class="yiv1263885418MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="font-size:10pt;">The Chinese invented paper, gun powder, wine, and numerous other things that we now take for granted. And yet, it was the West that developed the "scientific method", and the West that created the entire "field" of science. Since China was clearly capable of brilliant individual inventions, why do you suppose the organic development of science happened in the West rather than in China?</span></i><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style=""> <br></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10pt; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic;" class="yiv1263885418MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style=""><br></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.3333px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic;" class="yiv1263885418MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style=""> </span><span style="color:red;">I think perhaps China was more into the developing things of personal needs and to survive on a one-to-one basis.<span style=""> </span>They invented things of need.<span style=""> </span>They even came to America as sometime forced labor when we were settling the west.<span style=""> </span>We used their explosives to blast away or forge onward through the mountains and mining etc.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately, they were greatly misused and pushed around as were the American Indians, but I am inclined to believe our fore fathers were using them as they thought was acceptable in those days.<span style=""> </span>As for the west developing the "scientific method", perhaps the west was a bit more socially developed at that time.<span style=""> </span></span></span><b><font style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" color="#3333ff">Go In Peace</font></b></div> </div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-74020601177026701302012-11-16T09:43:00.001-08:002012-11-16T09:43:24.947-08:00Heart Attacks for Women - useful Information from the Universal Life Church<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14pt"><br>------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> <br> NURSE HAS HEART ATTACK - she describes what women feel when having one! ~MEN: For Your Wives<br><br> Ladies please be aware! Guys please forward to women in your life.<br><br> NURSE'S HEART ATTACK EXPERIENCE<br><br> I am an ER nurse and this is the best description of this event that I have ever heard. Please read, pay attention, and send it on!<br><br> FEMALE HEART ATTACKS<br><br> I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever read.<br><br> Women and heart attacks (Myocardial infarction). Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack.. you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies. Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack.<br><br> 'I had a heart attack at about 10:30 PM with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might have brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, 'A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up.<br><br> A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation--the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m.<br><br> After it seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasms), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR).<br><br> This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws. 'AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening -- we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack!<br><br> I lowered the foot rest dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself, If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else... but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment.<br><br> I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to un-bolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.<br><br><br> I unlocked the door and then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the radiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like 'Have you taken any medications?') but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stints to hold open my right coronary artery.<br><br> I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stints.<br> Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned first hand.<br><br> 1 Be aware that something very different is happening in your body, not the usual men's symptoms but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up... which doesn't happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before. It is better to have a 'false alarm' visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!<br><br> 2 Note that I said 'Call the Paramedics.' And if you can take an aspirin. Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!<br><br> Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER - you are a hazard to others on the road.<br><br> Do NOT have your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road.<br><br> Do NOT call your doctor -- he doesn't know where you live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr will be notified later.<br><br> 3 Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high and/or accompanied by high blood pressure). MIs are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.<br><br> A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.<br><br> *Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends (male & female) who you care about!<br> <div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;"><font size="3"><br></font></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-67520270164712401512012-09-26T10:52:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:52:38.672-07:00Master of Chaplaincy Studies by Rev. Akers<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div><span></span></div><div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <h1>ULC Seminary Chaplaincy Course – KaZ Akers</h1> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">What It Means to Be a Chaplain</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">In the last year it has become very evident to me what it means to be a chaplain, especially in the hospital setting.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">I had to rush a dear friend by ambulance because the blood thinning medication he was taking had thinned his blood to such an extent that he was bleeding out through his skin. </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">When I found him at home, he was nearly unconscious and had fallen in his bathroom<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He couldn't focus and struggled to fight what was happening to him.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">At that very moment it seemed like the world slowed down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was extremely calm and knew exactly what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While keeping him quiet, I called 911 and spoke to them making sure they knew his vitals and exactly where he was located.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I gathered together all his medicines and clothes, and his cell phone then called his out-of-town family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everything was effortless.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was guided moment by moment by God.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I knew exactly what to do and when to do it. I knew exactly what to say and how to say it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">Once the paramedics arrived I answered their questions while they worked on my friend.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was no anxiety, and no panic. I knew he was divinely protected.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I followed the ambulance to the hospital got him admitted to surgery then went about the task of informing his pastor and his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">I visited him almost every day in intensive care.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Critically ill people surrounded him in the ward.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I would enter the ward with a kind of reverence I never knew.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Honoring each person and where they were in their life journey.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Honoring the families in their suffering and worry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Knowing that I had the ability to be there for them and be strong and supportive.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">Of course, I was worried about my friend, but not once did I feel like crying.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I surprised myself that I stayed very present.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I KNEW there was a Divine process occurring.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Something completely out of anyone's control. </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">In the ICU I was comfortable and knew I belonged there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My conversations with my friend's doctors and nurses were comforting for my friend. I could be there for him in a loving, supportive way and also be there for him when he needed me as a liaison to the medical staff - expressing his needs and desires when he could not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">When he needed prayer, I was there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When he needed a drink of water, I was there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When he needed a joke or a story or someone to read his email, I was there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For three weeks I held a type of vigil for my friend.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And made sure each time I stepped in to the hospital that I had a smile, a kind word and a positive outlook for anyone whom I encountered.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">I stayed available sometimes in an obvious way and sometimes in a very neutral way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It all ebbed and flowed depending on the day, the situation, the people around and my friend's health status.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">If I could express it as a freeing feeling to be available to ANYONE there for his or her spiritual unfoldment, that may be the most accurate description I can impart to anyone.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">Being in a chaplaincy position is to release the ego and be a conduit for the ailing and their families to access their Divine connection and be at peace in their Divine journey. To know when to step forward and when to step back and to anticipate the needs of the patient and the family at the right time, in the right way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To remain in the background as a touchstone when necessary, all the while being there the moment you are called upon to serve.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">On an even more personal note, my father has been in and out of UCLA Medical Center for two brain surgery procedures.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of course, this has been extremely stressful for him and for my mother and my sister.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It became very obvious to me what my role needed to be in this scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I needed to be at peace at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I needed for nothing to be too much to ask and for me to be the voice of reason when family members could not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I ascertained when I needed to speak up either to the medical staff or my family and when I needed to be still.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">First and foremost, I needed to be available to my father without a single thought for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That came easily and effortlessly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a revelation. I transcended myself and put myself in a position of complete service.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">The Medical Center has a beautiful interdenominational chapel and I would go down at least once and day and pray and meditate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At one point my father asked me where I was going and I told him that I was going to the chapel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>"Are you going to pray for me?"<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>"If you want me to, I will."<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>"Yes, I need all the help I can get."<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">So even in that way, not being in his room or in his presence, he called upon me to help him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And THAT is one of the most profound things about chaplaincy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Whether you are in a patient's presence or not, they feel your support.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They know you are a loving, caring component in their recovery, convalescence, or transition.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">Knowing when to be present and when to make your presence known even if it is simply at a distance is the delicate but very vital calling for a chaplain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal">The relief I see in patient's eyes when someone is there supporting them, is a gift and a blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">When you stand in the knowledge that you are being of ultimate service to people by supporting their spiritual needs is sometimes all that is needed.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">It has shown me that I have a strength I never really knew I had.<span 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mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-39045651746096543632012-09-26T09:18:00.001-07:002012-09-26T09:18:26.448-07:00Dr. of Spiritual Awareness final Essay by Rev. Wolf<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Dr. Judith G. Wolf<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div id="yiv1966986956"><div><div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;" align="center"><span style=""> </span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style="">It has taken me a bunch of years to finish this course. Finally however it has been completed. <span style=""> </span>Every time I started a lesson I wondered at the process, not so much of becoming aware, but more importantly of staying aware. It seems that it is much too easy to practice awareness while taking a course, but once the course is over it becomes even easier to slip back into an unaware state.<span style=""> </span>Reading the Bible or praying helps but in the busy days of our lives slipping into old habits just seems to happen. As a Reverend it is my responsibility to guard against the slippage.</span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style="">It is curious to me that I waited three years to complete the course. I began because after all those years I felt drawn to it. Figuring out why, what I was meant to take from the course, has been an experience. First of all I have been reminded over and over that we are spiritual beings, living this life to learn things that we have chosen for ourselves (soul lessons). It is incredibly reinforcing to believe this. It brings a feeling of peace and calmness. It helps to deal with the everyday aggravations of life. It enables truer connection with our Source. This in and of itself would make taking this course worthwhile, but there is much more to glean from it.</span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style="">Some of us have qualities or abilities that we hide because we feel that others would not understand. Strong intuition would be one of these. Speaking easily to our spirit guides would be another. How about speaking with people who have died? Not easily accepted by many of those around us. But this course talks about these abilities and even tries to teach some of them. How reassuring is that?</span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style="">By far to me the most wonderful lesson relates to light. "The Light that each of us has…comes to us from the Source….The amount of light that each of us can shine is directly dependent upon our ability to be positive, loving individuals. The more positive and loving that we can be, the more of that Light that we will channel through us, and the brighter our own Light will be."</span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style="">How beautiful is that. If nothing else were to be internalized from this course (and there is of course, much more to learn) this thought, this idea would be enough. I highly encourage everyone to indulge themselves and grow by taking Dr. of Spiritual Awareness.</span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></div> <div class="yiv1966986956MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></div> </div></div> </div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-12912152398811344572012-09-26T08:52:00.001-07:002012-09-26T08:52:02.211-07:00Dr. of Spiritual Awareness by Rev. Crosson<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div><a href="http://www.onlineseminary.org/spiritualawareness.php"><span>Universal Life Church</span></a></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span>Dr. of Spiritual Awareness</span></div><div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The lessons included in this course are interesting and thought provoking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The idea of using psychic ability to heal is always intriguing, and to do so from a distance is always available and comforting as thought and intention are never limited by time and space.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To be reminded of this, especially in these precarious times, is extremely settling to this troubled heart.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The main culprit that causes my dis-ease is, of course, the evening news.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How anyone can watch the turmoil in the middle east, the unrest within the borders of our own precious country, and the increased tension between races and religions and not be disquieted is beyond me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I hear friends and acquaintances more and more frequently tell me they simply have stopped watching, stopped listening and have found peace in their ignorance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My question to them is how they can ever be prepared for any disaster that may come, and how will they react when it "sneaks" up on them?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When you get into your car, you fasten your seat belt, check your mirrors and look up and down the street and behind you before and as you back out of the drive.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You have done all you possibly can to avoid disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If it still happens, perhaps the damage would be less severe than if you'd made no preparation at all.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It may be just as personally devastating, but the damage may be more easily and quickly repaired if you've prepared properly.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The same goes for the country.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In this volatile political season, when absolute nastiness seems to be drawn from even the meekest among us, it is good to watch, ponder and prepare for the worst possible contingency, just in case it happens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If it doesn't, then you end up a very organized human being!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If it does, you just may survive with a slightly more comfortable lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What does preparing mean?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Different things to different people, I imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some will prepare for food shortages, others will collect weapons and ammunition, still others will do both, plus gathering survival gear, water purification systems, and a host of other means of survival in the worst possible scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then, if their nightmares do come true, they will at least feel they have a fighting chance of living through it until things get better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>In all of this preparation though, are they giving thought to their spiritual survival at all?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When the world seems to spin faster toward total loss of control, that is the most vital time to be still and get quiet inside, to listen to that "still, small voice within," and to wait for direction to come from that divinity that lives inside us all.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is necessary to go to a quiet place, away from the chaos, separate from the collections and amassed stuff, into a space of calm, of beauty, of peace - inner peace - and listen, really listen to our spiritual hearts. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The television is blaring the latest news of the most recent incendiary statement by the politician of the moment, and talk show hosts on the radio tell of impending doom, and the topic of conversation overheard at restaurants and retail stores is angry, disbelieving or just plain mean.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is in the air, especially during a really divisive political campaign, and the atmosphere is charged with negativity and chaos and fear.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It's difficult to find that quiet place, that peaceful moment, so we push on, ignoring the nagging feeling that we've forgotten something important.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We forgot to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We forgot to meditate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We forgot to listen.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>It is this forgetfulness, more than anything else, that will bring about our ruin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It has been said that we are not human beings on a spiritual journey, but we are spiritual beings on a human journey.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I've seen that thought attributed to everyone from Albert Einstein to Stephen Cope to Chief Joseph, so I'm not sure who actually said it, but they were right.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Spiritual beings on a human journey make their way as best they can by human endeavor, which, for some inexplicable reason, seems to overpower their spiritual sense until it is drowned by the howls of human despair or elation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those howling voices rise and fall each time the need arises for peace and quiet to distract us from the path we should walk, the way we should go, the lessons we should learn.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Time must be taken to sit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Moments must be given to that deep, calming breath before angry words are spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mouths must be shut and opinions held, to dissipate with the emotion that accompanies them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are spiritual beings, period.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We've forgotten.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>So how to remember?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Discipline, that most horrible of ideas that is resented and resisted with great success every single day around the globe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If your spiritual path tells you to pray, then you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">must</i> take time every day to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If your spiritual path tells you to meditate, then you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">must</i> take time to meditate every day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If your spiritual path tells you to talk a walk in nature and listen to her music, then you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">must</i> take time to walk in nature every day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No exceptions, no excuses, no delays, no forgetting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even if you only sit or walk for five minutes, they are the most crucial minutes of your entire day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is in those minutes, those precious minutes, that you find your true nature, your true self, as an idea of God, a thought of divine mind, a spark of the divinity of pure consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How could we forget such an important thing?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Martin Luther said, "I would never have time to do everything I must in a day if I did not pray for three hours each morning."<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Three</i> hours!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The time we spend resting in peaceful contemplation clears the decks and aligns our minutes and hours to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They take on a kind of flow, as the Taoists say, and when we are quiet inside, we can listen and know the best way to stay in that flow to move through our day with the least resistance and the most joy.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Listening inside involves the intuition mentioned in this class in order to touch that spark within us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is not something that can be seen on an xray or CAT scan; not something that be observed with the physical senses.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a deeper part of us that resides in our spiritual hearts, the size and extent of its influence being determined by our devotion to our spiritual practice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It never leaves us, though, but it can, through neglect, be malnourished and sickly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>We must nourish it!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We must feed it!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We must cherish and protect that most precious part of ourselves - our Selves - and recognize that we are, indeed, spiritual beings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>From there, our preparations to care for and guard our human selves will be imbued with that care and loving kindness that comes from a gentle, sweet caretaker.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You will be taking the very best care of You, and this is the best preparation there can be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Use the intuition, psychic and psychometric abilities, and the other ideas the lessons of this class include, but foremost, prepare - you!</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div> <br>Rev. 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mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-37801899387704883892012-08-28T06:50:00.001-07:002012-08-28T06:50:25.792-07:00Essay master of buddhism<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><font size="3">Master of Buddhism.</font><br><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div id="yiv1585765740"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"> <br><font size="3">First of all, thank you to ULC for offering such an interesting course and to Tricia Stirling for writing it. I have taken many courses over the years, but few have had any life-changing effect. This course has not only drawn me to Western Pure Land Buddhism but has also been responsible for me taking the vows and precepts. I have been living in Japan for the past twenty-five years, married to a Japanese woman and have two grown up daughters. Living in such an environment, I have naturally gone to many temples and shrines for such rites as funerals, celebrations, child blessings and so on. Although I can perform the actions, I have done so without giving much thought to what I have been doing. This may also be said of a lot of young people, as many do not know the difference between Shinto, the traditional religion, and Buddhism. All they know is to equate festivals and happy times with Shinto, and death and sadness with Buddhism. In Japan, Shinto and Buddhism co-exist to the point where they have almost meshed, at times sharing the same ground and complex. Although separate religions, it is not uncommon for the two to actually blend. Many people say that you are born into Shinto and die into Buddhism. Unfortunately Japan has a reputation for funeral Buddhism, but fortunately Shin Buddhism, or True Pure Land Buddhism has recently been trying to change this image through education and community events. Shin Buddhism has the most followers of any Buddhist sects in Japan, including Zen.</font><br><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3">Why has it taken me almost twenty-five years to realize the importance of Buddhism in my life? I grew up in Australia, and although my family were not practising Christians, there was always a Christian presence in schools, neighbourhoods, and so on. Unfortunately young impressions are lasting. We were exposed to zealots who kept telling my brother and I that we were condemned to hell. We thought this rather severe for just skipping school to ride our bicycles to the river. So, we just gave up on being good as we were constantly being condemned to hell. Basically, we just gave religion a wide berth and went on with our lives. The past twenty-five years in Japan has not really deeply exposed me to religion here. It was not until last year that within the space of six months, I had a stroke, my brother died suddenly, and then followed my mother. I don`t know why, but around this time I was drawn to the ULC web site, and saw the Buddhism course. I wondered if I may find something to make sense of the last six months.</font><br><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3">Well, it certainly motivated me to delve deeper into Buddhism. Although there were no ready fixes, I did realize a lot of things about myself, and how to better relate to my universe. I ended up reading around thirty books concerning Buddhism, particularly Pure Land Buddhism. From being pointed in the right direction, by this Course, I believe I have found solace and answers to many of my questions. I firmly believe in Pure Land and can now get on with the business of living, enjoying what is left of this life, and comforted in the knowledge of birth into the Pure Land. Through my reading I became indebted to Master Honen, the founder of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, and to his disciple, Master Shinran. Pure Land is the most popular sect in Japan due to several reasons. The first is that it is a religion of the common people. Anyone who recites homage to Amida Buddha can attain birth into heaven unconditionally. All sins are absolved, along with Karma. There are no further reincarnations or re-births, and one does not need to live through Samsara repeatedly. There is only this life, now, and after death one remains in heaven for eternity, choosing between Buddha-hood or Bosatsu.</font><br><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3">There are no forms of meditation or any other rituals to follow, just sincerely call the name of Amida Buddha at least ten times to be unconditionally accepted into heaven. Of course there are additional ways of obtaining credit, but as Honen says, ` these are auxillary and not necessary for birth into heaven. Only the nembutsu, the calling of the name of Amida Buddha, is necessary`. How satisfying to learn this, to know that you are already accepted into heaven, instead of waiting for a Judgement Day to find out if you are going upstairs or downstairs. Having already been consigned to a place downstairs since I was young, it was a huge relief to know I now have a reserved ticket upstairs in a beautiful heaven. Honen realized that most people are too busy to perform daily rituals of meditation, and too poor to donate money. By relying on the 18th. vow of Amida, everyone who recites the Nembutsu is heaven-bound. The description of heaven certainly is a place of bliss.. As described in the Sutra on Amida Buddha, it is a paradise of wildlife, weather, food, music and all the nice things in life, even to the promise of a casual stroll around a beautiful lake after breakfast. One can also visit anyone in any universe.</font></div><div dir="ltr"><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3">This is exactly what I have been hoping for, a beautiful place to retire and a chance to meet old friends and family. Pure Land Buddhism is often referred to as the easy way, due to its limited requirements to acheive salvation and stop rebirth into this world. It has no practice of meditation nor chanting rituals. Shouldn`t religion be easy and accesible? Shouldn`t all have hope? I leave this to the individual to judge the merits. Maybe all religions can espouse this. I became a firm believer and follower, and am so thankful to be a Pure Land Buddhist. It may be the easy, or lazy way, but all I needed was to find comfort and relief in the knowledge that my future is accepted and determined. No more need to worry or speculate, or to accrue further credit; just get on with enjoying this life and continuing into an even better life. There is no death in Pure Land Buddhism, only birth.</font><br><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3">Master Honen was one of the most outstanding monks of the Tendai Sect during the Kamakura Period. His main concern was how to make region more accessible for the common man. It wasn`t until he studied the commentaries on Pure Land Buddhism by the Chinese Master Zendo, or Shan Tao, that he discovered the perfect religion for the Japanese common man. Honen left the Tendai Sect and later founded the Japanese Pure Land Sect. Although other sects were opposed to this new sect, it quickly became ensconsed in the heart of the commoner, who was previously denied grass-roots access to the monastery and unconditional salvation. Honen even explained that people working in the meat industry, prostitues, in fact anyone can be saved by reciting the Nembutsu. This curried great favour with almost everyone. Previously, abbatoir workers were told they could not gain salvation because they were taking life. Pure Land granted them salvation if they would recite the Nembutsu. From that time, the stigma of meat-eating was diminished, a break-away concept for a Buddhist sect. That is why meat-eating is so regular in Japan, with not a second thought given. After the death of Honen many disciples carried on the teachings, but not until Master Shinran did the teachings reach maximum poularity.</font></div><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3">Shinran was the first monk to marry and have children. All other sects, including the Master Honen, practised celibacy. Shinran wanted to prove that all humans are the same, that all have desires and do foolish things. He believed a monk to be no different, and should find a middle way between sainthood and that of a completely depraved person. His interpretation of the 18th. Vow was that we are already saved, that we now just need to offer sincere thanks to Amida Buddha for our salvation by reciting His name. All of our past sins and those of the future are forgiven. We only need to live this life and show compassion to others. Because we are foolish beings, we will commit sins, but Amida will absolve us and cancel our Karma, or take it over, upon our birth into the Pure Land. This is why there is no re-birth or reincarnation, only heaven for those who believe. </font><br><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3">The appealing aspect for me is that I need not follow rituals, meditate, nor do anything more from now on to assure my passage to heaven. It is already decided, leaving me with the pleasure of concentrating on the here and now. Although open to debate, another appealing aspect is that Buddhism has never caused bloodshed in any wars invoked in its name. It must be remembered that Japan used the Emperor, and the religion of Shinto, to promulgate their war effort. Buddhism was not involved. The ministry at that time conveniently separated Shinto and Buddhism to create a rallying effect around the personage of the Emperor, the traditional symbol of the native religion, Shinto. Fortunately, Shinto has been able to recover its image of a religion of peace and nature. It is sad when people can use the good nature of a religion to justify their less than honest deeds and intents. Shinto and Buddhism now reside peacefully entwined.</font><br><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3">I know I have changed for the better after studying this course. I enjoyed the suggested readings, particularly the book on Siddartha, which I purchased. I was glad to learn the overview of Buddhism, which gave me the chance to delve into my specific area of interest. I believe this course has allowed me to reflect on my shortcomings, and to find ways to be a better person; to make more use of my time; to be more thankful and patient. I sincerely thank Rev. Amy and ULC for such a wonderful, life-changing course. I thoroughly recommend this course, and will be doing more through ULC.</font><br><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3">Wayne Cuthbert,</font><br><font size="3">Japan.</font><br><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3"></font> <br><font size="3"></font> <br> <br> <br></div><div dir="ltr"> </div> </div></div> </div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-2682184503460205752012-08-24T10:24:00.001-07:002012-08-24T10:24:35.192-07:00Druidism Essay from Universal Life Church Seminary Student Rev. Dr, Patrick M. Benner. Sr. D.D.,Ma,PhD<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div><br></div><div class="yui_3_2_0_33_134582293944961" style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;"><div>From: Rev. Dr, Patrick M. Benner. Sr. D.D.,Ma,PhD.</div><div><br></div> <div>The following is my dissertation concluding my five month study under the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.com/">Universal Life Church</a> course title; Master of Druidism. Along with this thesis I have included a disc containing 188 documents used in support of this course of study. I found this course of study to be most interesting. While that phrase is superficial I would like it to be understood that my course work not only increased my knowledge and understanding of the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> religion but also caused me to leave my fifty one years of belief in Catholicism and to convert completely and wholly my entire life to the path of the Druids. I have always felt the call to this path I knew that their beliefs and teachings were that of my own soul. And as I began this course I knew immediately that this would fill the void that existed in my heart since my youth. During my studies I acquired membership in five separate Druidic fellowship organizations. And have pledged myself to one specific Druidic organization for continuing education and possible future clergy training. So as you can see my life was transformed and enhanced.</div> <div>From the start; we learned the very beginning of the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a>/Celtic history. History indicates that the beginning of these people could go back as far as 4000 years BCE. And also indicates its start in Gaul, (an area of Western Europe now occupied by France, Luxemburg, Belgium and Switzerland). It must be understood that it is difficult to nail down <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> history partly due to the fact that all of its history was by word of mouth, family tradition and priestly and scholarly theatrical acts. Where battle between tribes and wars between families and country verses country and king verses king were all influenced by segments of religion, magic theory, alchemy, and politics. They were a people of wide and varied beliefs that when pulled apart to a single act would strike one as ridicules. But when looked upon as a whole it pans out to a mathematical and cultural simplicity. One begins to understand why they did, what they did and how they felt about their life and culture. The other reason making it hard to nail down the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> history besides the fact that they didn't write down anything, their history was passed down through the families, through the tribes, through the lands and the very countries they inhabited through song. Then we have the issue of the wars between those of the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> culture and the Christians under the leadership of Julius Caesar attempting to wipe clean what they considered to be the stain of Druidism and the misbeliefs of the Celtic people in general. So some of their history survived and some survived the scouring of the other religions that sought to eradicate them.</div><div><br></div> <div>If I were to take the history of the Druids and their society as a whole and overlay it on our current day society, I am in awe at how little our current society in comparison has grown and how far the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> society had grown over 6000 years ago. Here are some examples:</div> <div>Women in today's society were until the 1950's, were considered to be second class citizens, extensions of their husbands. And in some cases did not even hold jobs. And, in our country didn't even gain the right to vote until the beginning of the 20<sup>th</sup> century. And in other countries around the world they can be second or third class citizens who cannot even show their face. Where, the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> women of the past had the right to vote at the age of majority, they were taught to fight alongside their husbands and family members. They were taught battle tactics; they were masters of weaponry, and in some cases leaders of tribes and leaders of countries. We can learn a lot from their history. Another comparison would be that even in today's modern Catholicism a woman cannot be a priest. Or hold the title of clergy in any respect. Whereby; in <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> history if a woman was willing to devote herself to the training she could become a priestess of the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> clergy with all of the equality of her male counterparts.</div><div><br></div> <div>Now whether male or female I would be remiss if I did not comment on the importance of the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> clergy. A <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> priest in their day was so powerful was said to have so much wisdom and to have mystic powers, to have been so well trained from everything from scholastics to battle tactics, that a king would not think of making a court decision without consulting his priest. And the thought of doing battle without your priest at your side was unheard of. It is said that a king who followed his priest's advice would always win though the tactical advantage. And they were more than priests, within their tribes they were the lawyers, judges, councilors, policeman, poets, singers and leaders. They did everything and they did it well. It is said that a priest of the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> religion would need a minimum of 20 years training before he could take the title. We give doctors the power of life and death after 8 years of medical school. Lawyers can become judges after a 4 year law degree. And we give them the power of life and death. But a <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> priest would have to study for 20.</div><div><br></div> <div>There are stories passed down that one would have to visualize to believe. Imagine if you will, two tribes, 10,000 strong on each side. Each member of the tribe, a well trained blood thirsty warrior, whose only task that day under the command of his chieftain would be to slaughter every man possible during the battle with the other tribe. And moments before the battle starts with 10,000 warriors on each side of a divide, when out walks a <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> priest to stand in the middle, raise his arms and declare, <strong>"Go home this is an unjust war, and you will not wage it today" </strong>only to have 20,000 warriors turn and go home. That was the power of a <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> priest. They were said to have the power to see into the future and to alter the present and there by direct the path of mankind in a positive direction. I do not condone it, but I understand why a man such as Julius Caesar "a Christian" would seek to destroy <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> history and keep it from advancing.</div><div><br></div> <div>In their society they prized education, truthfulness, honesty and responsibility for one's own actions as primary beliefs. Their code of ethics was without comparison even in today's society. In their day a man's name, the family name and the county they came from was of the utmost importance to them. A person would be afraid to do any wrong for fear of slandering the family name or even the land of your birth through your actions. The system of law was equal to and in some cases surpasses our own today. They believed that a man of little wealth would be held responsible for his crime (as he should be) but a man of great wealth would be punished to a greater extent because he had so much to begin with that his crime would be a greater transgression. There is a simplicity to the fact that a man of great wealth should be more grateful and thereby less willing to commit a crime than would be a man of little or no wealth who might only steal to feed his family.</div><div><br></div> <div>When we go through our daily routines here in America and in even most of the world we use watches, calendars, calculators and other devices of time keeping. We take our system of linguistics in common stride. But one must remember that the calendar we look at every day, known as the Julian calendar is approximately 3000 years old. Our American language passed down through the British colonies is no more than 4000 years old. So now you must understand that the original methods for time keeping; calendar days, hours in a day, days in a year, astrological projections and so on can be traced back to over 6000 years ago to the original Irish, Celtic and Gailic tribes along the Irish countryside. That puts them about 2000 years ahead of this country. If they were allowed to flourish instead of having to fight to survive, this country and others could possibly be 2000 years further advanced. When you consider the advances this county has made from 1912 to 2012 a mere 100 years, and think of those advances and project forward 2000 years to where we would be today had we followed their examples The possibilities are staggering.</div><div><br></div> <div>Their beliefs in their Gods and Goddess were of such a strong nature that it kept them focused on the important things: family, friends, fellowship, education, ethics, morality and culture. Fame and fortune was of little interest to them. And farm and family was everything to them. This kept their minds, morals and culture on an even keel.</div><div><br></div> <div>As I said this course of study was life changing for me. I could write for hours and hundreds of pages on the topic of what I liked about this course of study. But I think all of the above summarizes all of the highlights.</div><div><br></div> <div>Let us switch topics to what I will term and only for lack of better words what I disliked about them. This will be short because there wasn't much I didn't like and respect about them. Catholicism is what is known as a monotheistic religion. That is belief in one god. The <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> religion is what is known as a polytheistic religion. That is a belief in many gods. They had as many as 300 different gods and goddesses. It must be understood, that there is the theory known as "<strong>aspects</strong>". That is to say it was widely accepted that a god or goddess depending on whom he or she appeared to or when he or she appeared or why he or she appeared could appear as three different gods or goddesses and under three different names. That reduces the 300 gods or goddesses to 100 gods or goddesses. Assuming we start with 100 gods some because they were regional, some because they were seasonal, and some because they were only worshiped by a handful of tribes. One could extrapolate that it was probably more like 50 gods which in my opinion is still a bit much but as I said it did tend to keep them focused and morally and ethically bound to do the right thing. Even today in 2011 we say "<strong>do unto others as you wish others to do unto you</strong>". Now you must understand that the phrase with little or no change goes all the way back to the very beginnings of Druidic history almost 6000 years ago. It is known as the "<strong>the Rede</strong>". It was commonly quoted as simply "<strong>An it harm ye none, do what thou wilt". </strong> They strongly believe that you were free to do absolutely anything you wanted to do as long as it did not harm your neighbor in doing so. When you factor in millions of people praying 100 different ways to 100 different gods their religion was open to a wide interpretation but the ethics, morals, standards, rights and regulations remained constant. So it boils down to, as a <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> I can believe what I want, where I want, and to whom I want to pray to as long as my morals and ethics stay intact and I don't harm anyone else in doing so.</div><div><br></div> <div>Though various parts of this thesis I have used the words "<a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> religion". I did this for the benefit of the layman. Who would look upon any belief system that was not his or her own as another man's religion? This is in essence a misnomer. True <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a>'s and even fledging Druids (like myself) understand that it is not a religion. Druidic belief is exactly that, it is a "belief system". And, is more commonly called, "the <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> way of life" or "The <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/druidism.php">Druid</a> path of life". We believe that this is not something remembered each day or visited each Sunday. We believe that it is something that becomes part of your very soul, something that comes from the heart and from the deepest sense of the mind. You must live it walk it eat it and breath it every second of every day. With only that one thought in mind, do only that which harms no one else and maintain a standard of high morals and ethics. It means to me that you show the same respect for the smallest of earth's creatures that you do for that of earth's largest mammals. That you show the same respect for the budding house plant as you do for a 1000 year old oak. These are very, very, very simple boundaries to live within. And I find that my life within these boundaries is better, purer and more simplistic than ever before. And I am quite comfortable with my mind, heart, and soul at the conclusion of these studies and at the writing of this thesis.</div><div><br></div> <div>In conclusion I thank you for proving the knowledge and the opportunity to transform myself into a better person than I was before.</div> <div> </div></div><span></span><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-42635573619819462942012-08-21T09:40:00.001-07:002012-08-21T09:40:36.951-07:00Four Gospels Course by Rev. Michael<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><header> <div class="header"> <div class="headerimg"> <img src="http://www.ulcseminary.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/cropped-UniversalLifeChurch-Header-C.png" alt="" height="200" width="1140"> <hgroup class="siteinfo"></hgroup> </div> </div> </header> <h2 class="the_title"><a href="http://www.ulcseminary.com/four-gospels-by-rev-michael/" rel="bookmark" title="Four Gospels by Rev. MichaelPermanent Link to ">Four Gospels by Rev. Michael</a></h2> <div><strong>Final Essay on the Four Gospels </strong></div> <div><strong>Rev. Michael</strong></div> <div><strong> </strong></div> <div>As I meditated and reflected on the four gospels it brings me good news to my soul. It gave me an understanding of the Father, one in sovereignty; the son, the second person, in incarnation and salvation, delivering from every enemy; the Holy Spirit, the third person, realizing in us and to us Divine things that are seen as God's creative works.</div> <div>In life itself we all need a teacher. Jesus is a great teacher who teaches true happiness that result in <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/spiritualdevelopment.php">spiritual</a> growth and blessings. He teaches about the Law of the Old Testament and how we need to teach others to obey those Laws. He teaches about anger, adultery, divorce, vows, revenge, love for your enemies, (so that you will stay closer to him), charity, and prayer. I try very hard to apply these things as the nucleus of my own life. This is why we all must stay alert and <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/spiritualdevelopment.php">spiritual</a> because no one knows when the day or hour will come; it might be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or at sunrise.</div><div><br></div> <div>As Jesus spoke in parables he was giving an earthly message with a heavenly or <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/spiritualdevelopment.php">spiritual</a> meaning. The parable about the sower reveals the reaping. If we sow love we get love, if we sow kindness we get kindness, if we sow joy we get joy, if we sow faith we get faith, if we sow hope we get hope. The parables are <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/spiritualdevelopment.php">spiritual</a>, that is why Jesus said "they may look but not see, and listen but not understand".</div> <div>The gospels are a blueprint or manual in the way we should live our life. Jesus blesses the children by placing his hands on them and praying for them. We know how important the children are for our future. So we must pray for them and with them, teach them, until we reach them, encourage them, motivate them, and uplift them so that they can build confidence in themselves so they can become righteous and productive adults.</div><div><br></div> <div>When the final judgment comes we will be divided into two groups, the righteous on the right of the Son of Man and the others on the left, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, the least of these are on the left, so we must help the least of these by feeding the hungry, give those who are thirsty a drink of water, clothed those who are naked, take care of the sick and visit those in nursing homes and in prisons and welcome the homeless in for shelter. We are here to serve and help the least important ones. If you refuse to help the least of these, then you are being disobedient to the precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ.</div><div><br></div> <div>Jesus is the eternal Word of God, who became a human being and lived among us. Before the world was created, the Word already existed. Jesus was the Word. He was compassionate, forgiving, loving, caring, comforting, just and righteous. These are characteristics that I need and that we all need to strengthen our <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/spiritualdevelopment.php">spiritual</a> being. Also, Jesus never forgot the women that followed him in his teaching and <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/spiritualdevelopment.php">spiritual</a> journey. There was Mary Magdalene, Martha and her sister Mary and lets not forget the women mention in his ancestors, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba.</div><div><br></div> <div>As Jesus hung on the cross, he asked God his Father to forgive them for they know not what they are doing. After going through all the suffering, pain, and misery he still was able to forgive. Forgiveness is a powerful and <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/spiritualdevelopment.php">spiritual</a> characteristic. Jesus has earned his PhD. (Promise of Heavenly Deliverance). The gospels really challenge me to be the best person I can be with the help of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</div> <div><strong><br> </strong></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-33563193287504168802012-08-16T11:15:00.000-07:002012-08-16T11:29:51.851-07:00Metaphysical Healing Essay by Rev. 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Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Barbara Hirnyk</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Master of Metaphysical Healing</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">I can Honestly say that this course was the best so far I have been doing healing for 10 years and you still have manage to teach me a thing or too.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I loved the information given on the body it's always good to know where everything is. Energy fields I was always a little weak on this but you help me to understand even better Loved going into the state of consciousness, well what can I say "Hot Hands" my sensors are up and running, loved the unruffling the field and sealing I have used it ever since reading about it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was amazing doing the visualization shower how easy could that be couldn't understand why I didn't think of it before. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think history taking is very important do it before every client so I have a heads up before I start on their health issues.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">I believe that good Hygiene is essential when working with clients And the information given on Traditional & Spiritual Healers was helpful<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>other healing methods was interesting something worth knowing and I do agree that if you have a lot of negative in your life that you will become ill so changing your life for the better will have a lot of healthy people on earth Soul mapping would of loved<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>to have more on this and doing soul retrievals, need more on the inductions I was in Haaaaa when I read it wish there was more and the authoritarian and permissive technique was amazing always knew that the way you talk & tone has a lot to do with the healing always loved anything that had to do with past life & soul retrievals would love to do more on this one .now for the creating realities boy did you make me want to bite my tongue the things I say all the time and you say NO don't say this WOW I guess I have to rethink. Now creating realities would love more of this one, really love the shadow OMG never thought of that would like to go into that further. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Now for absent healing I do it all the time and I love it you put a little twist on it which I feel I could use when working on my clients. Now for the aura Readings I LOVED IT.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have never been able to see aura but I do feel them and know how the person it feeling you made it so that I could finally see it and thank you for that. I have learned so much from this course it only added to my healing already Thank you so much.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-77285818173520970942012-08-13T08:09:00.001-07:002012-08-13T08:09:08.215-07:00Four Gospels Seminary Course<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> 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5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-1.25in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:-1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">Summary/Retrospective</span></u></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-1.25in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:-1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">The Four Gospels</span></u></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-1.25in"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN"> </span></div> <h1><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">In the book of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Matthew</i> (Matter-of-fact/common sense),</span></h1> <div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">(2 commandments, love God, love yourself as you love those close to you)</span></u></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN"> one might be impressed with the authority and assertiveness of Jesus, over circumstances, diseases and even death. Common sense not foolish ignorance (if people are hungry then they should eat). Straightforward and direct is the text's thrust. </span></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">TWO COMMANDMENTS (cover it all)</span></u></b></div> <div class="MsoList"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">1.<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>"Love the Lord with all your heart" </span></div> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <div class="MsoList" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">2.<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>"Love those close to you as you love yourself"</span></div> <div class="MsoList" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN"> </span></div> </div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN"> </span></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">The gospel of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><u>Mark</u></i><u>, the Metaphysician/one man-one woman</u></b>, one may strongly sense, the feeling of the honest ministry of Christ supported as he presents Himself as the servant of God. Mark emphasizes a SPIRITUAL FOCUS. Mark makes use of metaphor to illustrate intent ie; fig tree. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><u><span style="color:red">THIS book is my favored one for its Metaphysical references, tendencies, and weight</span></u></i></b><span style="color:red">. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Mark's account might be borrowed, in part both large and small, by all of the other books in the New Testament.</b></span></span></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN"><br></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">A Metaphysical reference to the spirit/soul is present here as the Spirit lives forever, and the physical body is left behind. </span></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">Another metaphysical reference: "</span>those who came before Him are part of Him and part of God." The spirit has no beginning and no end.</b></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN"></span></b></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">Mark and committee also reference Jesus' compassion for serving his creation, HUMANITY, by healing on the Sabbath. "Which is allowed on the Sabbath, doing good or doing evil? Saving lives or killing?</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN"><br></span></div> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">MARK and Marriage: Jesus said, "A man shall leave his mother and father and stick to his wife. And the two shall become one living thing." <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><u>MAN and WOMAN </u></i></b>…no question about this one, in my opinion!</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN"><br></span></div> </div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">The book of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><u>Luke</u></i><u>, the Diplomat</u></b> is written by a man/committee that, quite possibly, didn't<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>KNOW anyone that even lived during the time of Jesus!!!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aside from the aforementioned, there is, however, the compassion and empathy of the Son of Man present in the text. A caring for those in need is again noticed, yet expected! <br></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN"><br></span></div> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">On the other hand, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u>Luke, the Diplomat</u></b> is presented as trying to ease the pressures of the Roman government on Christians.</span></div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN"> </span></div> </div> <h2><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN;font-style:normal;mso-bidi-font-style:italic" lang="EN">As I wrap the fab four up and in the book of </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">John… </span></h2> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">In the <u>first section </u>he is the miracle worker. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">In the <u>second section</u>, one experiences the teacher. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">And in <u>the last section </u>of John, one might experience the Victor.</span></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">Could there, therefore, be a case for a <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/gospels.php">Gospel</a> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">by committee</b>? Such a diverse set of guidelines for each section of John, I'm not convinced.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN"><span style="color:#FF99CC"></span></span></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">One last note of clarification:</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN"><br></span></div> <div class="MsoBodyText">The author of The Gospel According to St. John, 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John in the New Testament is <u>John the Beloved</u>, <u>one of the original Twelve Apostles under the authority of Jesus Christ, or is it?</u> We, of course, know that the books were a compilation of stories given names for easier labeling.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> (1)</b></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><br></b></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u> </u></b>John the disciple of Christ was the brother of James and the son of Zebedee. He was one of the "Sons of Thunder", and he was also the disciple who went on to be imprisoned on the island of Patmos, where he received the Revelation that makes up, I think, the final <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Did_St_John_the_Baptist_write_the_book_of_John_in_the_Bible##"><span class="itxtrstitxtrstspanitxthookspan"><span style="color:windowtext">book</span></span></a> of the Bible. </div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br> John the Baptist was beheaded before Christ was crucified, and before the <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Did_St_John_the_Baptist_write_the_book_of_John_in_the_Bible##"><span class="itxtrstitxtrstspanitxthookspan"><span style="color:windowtext">writing</span></span></a> of the Greek Scriptures started. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Another</i></b> faith based test.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <h3 style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In Summation</span></h3> <h2><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Matthew the "Matter of Fact" Assertive and direct … </span></h2> <div class="MsoBodyText">2 Commandments (Love God, Love those close to you as you love yourself) (an adaptation of Mark)</div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Mark the "Metaphysician"</i></b> …always was , is now, ever shall be … "ONE man and ONE woman" says it all.</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Luke the "Diplomat"</i></b> A report from a man, or a name given to this book, that probably didn't know anyone who lived during the life of Jesus. A TRUE political/diplomat that could weave a believable story from historical hearsay. (another adaptation of Mark)</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br></div> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt; padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:double windowtext 2.25pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">John "By Committee"</i></b> here is an example of parts of stories put together to formulate a book, as is the case with all of the books in the New Testament. How could one person have written this entire text, I just can't wrap my mind around the fabric of the line. It is true that it is written in a strong, familial, and poetic manner. It is true that the book of John is easier to read, it flows. BUT, one man did not write this entire book, a fact of realism. I realize that the above may have some redundancies; however, they are necessary in order to make my point.</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:double windowtext 2.25pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> </div> </div> <div class="MsoBodyText">Is the Bible the greatest book ever written? In my opinion, yes, there is no doubt. Has reading the Bible, in layman's terms, given me a greater insight into the possible multiple applicable messages? Yes.</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText">Now, if God, the infinite energy source, hadn't given us the ability to think for ourselves, there would be no need for the speculation of life after the physical, Metaphysically speaking!</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText">The wisdom of the second century still translates today. Though the names chosen for the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Phillip, Thomas, etc. may not be the ones who actually penned the books the lessons are, to this day, applicable.</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br></div> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt; padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:double windowtext 2.25pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Did <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.net/">Jesus</a> walk the earth? In my opinion, yes He did. For one man to have an earth-shattering effect on ALL of humanity proves that we, as a race, are looking, Metaphysically, toward the next life in the hopes of eternal salvation.</div> </div> <div class="MsoBodyTextFirstIndent"> </div> <div class="MsoBodyTextFirstIndent">This course has given me many a moment to pause and reflect on my former education in the church. If the general public could only hear the Gospels in this light and be able to flex their individual minds respectively, we … as a society … would be better off, in my opinion. <br></div><div class="MsoBodyTextFirstIndent"><br></div> <div class="MsoBodyText">"We" only learned what "They" wanted to teach us. I <u>can't</u> say that I <u>haven't</u> used what "They" taught me constructively, but I'm now better equipped to converse with my Jesuit friends, contemporaries, and mentors. I'm better equipped to dissect and assimilate the New Testament into my own thought processes.</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br></div> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Thank you for the opportunity to grow spiritually and independently, amen.</div> <div class="MsoBodyText" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> </div> </div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> </div> <div class="MsoBodyText"> </div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">(1)</b></div> <div class="MsoBodyText">.Fn … this explains very much …again, thank you for the clarification…academic as it may be…(in Thomas' faqs …)</div> <div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">No one knows. The four canonical gospels and Thomas and other gospels such as the Gospel of Philip (found at Nag Hammadi) were given their names some time in the second century. Scholars of the New Testament generally agree that none of the gospels were written by people who had ever met Jesus of Nazareth during his lifetime. 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mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-1.25in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:-1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">Written by:</span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-1.25in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:-1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:-1.25in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:-1.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center" align="center"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">Dr. Robert G. Manginelli</span></div> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; background:white;margin-left:-1.25in;margin-right:0in"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="color:black"> </span></div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-38008131755995483242012-07-24T13:00:00.001-07:002012-07-24T13:00:04.335-07:00Master of Buddhism Course by Rev. Judith Wolf<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div><span><br></span></div><div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:PixelsPerInch>72</o:PixelsPerInch> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> 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QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">Master of Buddhism</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">Final Essay</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">Dr. Judith G. Wolf</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">One wonders whether Eastern spiritualism, dominated by <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/blog">Buddhism</a>, has been a calming influence during the trauma of the recent earthquake and tsunami. I can only wonder at the apparent calm of the general reaction. Contrast that to the hysteria of those in the United States who denounce the birthright of our president or shout falsehoods to the general public usurping their exalted places as congressmen and senators.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">The lessons of the Buddhists are to be extoled. If everyone in the world followed their basic tenets, we would have a world of peace. It might be relatively easy to wish only good for all people, or hope that all humans are free from suffering. It is not so easy to be generous to ones' enemies, to be forgiving, to hope that a person is free of suffering no matter what he or she has done to you. It is also not easy to rejoice in and feel proud of those we do not know. And finally, it is particularly difficult for many to see all beings as equal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The latter is demonstrated by the degree of racial discrimination that exists in the world; by the suffering imposed on people by those who perceive themselves as different and better. </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">But if at least some of us try to cultivate Buddhist virtues, it is a start. By practicing generosity, ethical behavior, patience, joyous effort and concentration, we can perhaps generate the wisdom of emptiness; the wisdom to know that the reality as we see it is a function of our projections and misunderstanding it is empty of these falsehoods. On the other hand, is trying to cultivate Buddhist virtues so different from trying our best to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, sometimes described as the heights of virtue that God desires of all his children? </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal">I believe that there are many paths to God and to living the life that God desires us to live. <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/buddhism.php">Buddhism</a> is one of them.</div> <font size="3"><br><br></font></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC 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Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Master of <a href="http://www.ulcseminary.org/religiousphilosophy.php">Religious Philosophy</a></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Final Essay</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Dr. Judith Wolf</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">This is the best course, maybe my favorite. Robert Chamberlain asks interesting and challenging questions and then presents different sides. The course involves you in the discourse by making you think. A real treat.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Of great surprise was the number of different religions there actually are in the world. Our usual Judeo/Christian view limits us in a variety of ways, but most importantly has the potential of limiting our understanding of how much we have in common with others in the world.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Regardless of how the presentation is organized (and the author presents many different ways), the most fascinating question to me is: Why do so many of us believe in a higher power? And how do we explain that this started eons ago. Religion is not a modern phenomenon. It goes back thousands of years. Do we in fact have a God gene? And if there is, how long ago did the gene appear? </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Let's consider common ants. In their colonies there is a queen, drones and worker bees. Is the queen a focus of worship. Or birds, as they fly north and south following a leader, is the leader a focus of worship. How about ancient tribal chiefs and medicine men? And how about the concept of any monarch? Does the awe inspired by Kings and Queens fit into this paradigm?</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">If conclusions reached by Dr. Dean Homer in his research are correct, there is an inverse relationship between the amount of serotonin in a person's brain (determined by the concentration of serotonin receptors in the brain) and that person's degree of religiosity (how religious a person is). The course goes into this in greater detail, but suffice it to say the amount of serotonin <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">is genetically determined</b>. When you think about the fact that some people have a "religious calling," it simply boggles the mind. Incredible food for thought.<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">In spite of the depth of this course the question of whether or not there is a God cannot be answered definitively by us right now. As some wise person said to me one time, either there is a God or there isn't. If there isn't it doesn't matter, but if there is well….</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></div> <span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: JA;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">And this brings us to faith. That all important concept. A discussion saved for another course, another time. Or isn't it necessary. Should we just believe and feel the blessing.</span><div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:16px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-style:normal;"><font size="3"><br></font></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-86923666156715758462012-07-23T19:05:00.001-07:002012-07-23T19:05:13.465-07:00Final Essay - Spiritual Development<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:tahoma, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div style="font-family: tahoma, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br><div id="yiv1901015356"><style><!-- #yiv1901015356 _filtered #yiv1901015356 {font-family:"Cambria Math";panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;} _filtered #yiv1901015356 {font-family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;} _filtered #yiv1901015356 {font-family:Tahoma;panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;} _filtered #yiv1901015356 {font-family:"Arial Narrow";panose-1:2 11 6 6 2 2 2 3 2 4;} #yiv1901015356 #yiv1901015356 p.yiv1901015356MsoNormal, #yiv1901015356 li.yiv1901015356MsoNormal, #yiv1901015356 div.yiv1901015356MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"sans-serif";} #yiv1901015356 a:link, #yiv1901015356 span.yiv1901015356MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1901015356 a:visited, #yiv1901015356 span.yiv1901015356MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1901015356 p.yiv1901015356MsoAcetate, #yiv1901015356 li.yiv1901015356MsoAcetate, #yiv1901015356 div.yiv1901015356MsoAcetate {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"sans-serif";} #yiv1901015356 span.yiv1901015356EmailStyle17 {font-family:"sans-serif";color:windowtext;} #yiv1901015356 span.yiv1901015356BalloonTextChar {font-family:"sans-serif";} #yiv1901015356 .yiv1901015356MsoChpDefault {font-family:"sans-serif";} _filtered #yiv1901015356 {margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;} #yiv1901015356 div.yiv1901015356WordSection1 {} --></style><div><div class="yiv1901015356WordSection1"><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">This was the last course in my series towards the Chaplaincy degree (and I will continue with the rest of the courses.</div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">It took me quite a while to finish—the last year I have been sidetracked with many other spiritual/religious activities (more about that in my final essay for the complete chaplaincy program).</div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">When starting the Spiritual Development course, I had a hard time getting into it. Even though I understood everything being explained, my heart/mind did not quite follow the materials. I am not sure why—maybe initially I thought some of the ideas were a bit far-fetched, or maybe because some of the subjects scared me a bit. Let's face it: it is a bit scary to start exploring other planes, other worlds, spirits, and so on.</div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">But the further I got into the course materials, it all started to make sense to me, and suddenly I realized that a lot of the materials were actually already familiar to me, in some form or another. I may not have called it NLP , "6-Step Reframe", or other terminology as used in the course, but over the years of management training, employee coaching, problem solving and so on many of the same subjects were lightly covered there. This course brought it all together, and with a lot of detail to actually start using it in practice.</div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">That brings me to a whole other subject related to this course: It will probably take me months or even years to fully digest the materials and put it all into practice. I have done many of the exercises, but especially the ones in the second half of the materials are ones that need a lot of time, practice, and repetition. As Dr. Crouch mentioned, some people will "connect" with the materials a lot quicker than others. I have a feeling that I will be fairly quick, but to really take advantage of this vast pool of treasures I will need to go through it several more times while I practice and practice some more until it will come more natural to me.</div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">As mentioned, a lot of the materials felt familiar. I am not sure if that also has to do with my history as an avid Science-Fiction reader when I was younger. Many of the stories I read were about alternate universes and changing outcomes.</div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">One thing that came to mind as I was going through the course materials was a book I read many years ago as part of my self-discovery and self-improvement: Dianetics from L. Ron Hubbard. At the time, I did not know about the Scientology Church, and the fact that Mr. Hubbard actually used to be a SF author himself (it clicked later when I remembered I read some of his SF work).</div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">As initially with this course, I ended up having a hard time with Dianetics, as I thought some of the concepts went off into an area which I thought was very improbable. However, after having finished the Spiritual Development course, I have to rethink that. I am even thinking of picking up Dianetics and read it again, in light of what I have just learned. I think that may be an interesting experience.</div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">Thank you for yet another excellent course made available through the ULC Seminary!</div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal">Rev. Peter van Sluis</div> <div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D;"> </span></div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D;"> </span></div><table class="yiv1901015356MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" align="left" border="0"><tbody><tr style="height:27.15pt;"><td style="width:77.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:27.15pt;" valign="top" width="103"><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color:navy;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jwR-Agv8I53qHuFir-fw2mRegLsQZ6JJ4g72b0t0prXx1oqHSghHSYDNfhdfzcnIUFwcof58mHU0e-RPAvSvp85CvQraKtB9H9jbymdWP_inOJ3nkuaKHTk5c9JTQTG3XiHWVA/s1600/image001-713466.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jwR-Agv8I53qHuFir-fw2mRegLsQZ6JJ4g72b0t0prXx1oqHSghHSYDNfhdfzcnIUFwcof58mHU0e-RPAvSvp85CvQraKtB9H9jbymdWP_inOJ3nkuaKHTk5c9JTQTG3XiHWVA/s320/image001-713466.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5768551305795180130" /></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:navy;"></span></div></td><td style="width:3.05in;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:27.15pt;" valign="top" width="293"><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal" style=""><b><span style="font-family:"sans-serif";color:navy;">Rev. Peter Paul<br><br></span></b><span style="font-family:"sans-serif";color:gray;">Multifaith Minister, Universal Life Church<br>Universal Spiritual Philosopher<br><br><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ulchq.com/" title="http://www.ulchq.com/"><span style="color:blue;"></span></a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ulcseminary.com/" title="http://www.ulcseminary.com/"><span style="color:blue;">www.ulcseminary.com</span></a><br>Phone: (612) 208-9168</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D;"></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv1901015356MsoNormal"> </div></div></div></div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-35889511829613060852012-07-21T18:31:00.001-07:002012-07-21T18:31:53.344-07:00Final essay Druidism<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:tahoma, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div style="text-align: center;">FINAL ESSAY</div><div style="font-family: tahoma, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri"></font><div id="yiv363581406"><div><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt;"><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal;" class="yiv363581406MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="Calibri">DRUIDISM</font></div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" class="yiv363581406MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">What an interesting discourse!<span style=""> </span>I enjoyed that the lessons utilized a variety of authors, giving different perspectives, opinions and expressions of <a href="http://www.onlineseminary.org/druidism.php">Druidism</a>.<span style=""> </span>The overview was one of the traditions language and history of the Druid clans.<span style=""> </span>I did notice there is similarity between the celebration of holidays between the Druids and the Pagan practices.<span style=""> </span>It does seem like the modern day Druids, especially in America have turned towards the folly of the celebrations, maybe not the seriousness of the 'old days'.<span style=""> </span>The history of the Druids is also left to interpretation due to the lack of documentation.<span style=""> </span>It is not easy to grasp the real life style of how these people went about their daily living.<span style=""> </span>Their gods/goddess are brought to life by the holidays they celebrated.<span style=""> </span>I would have enjoyed being part of the simple life, the closeness of the clan and the strong support to Mother Earth, respecting all living animal and plants, showing concern for the environment.<span style=""> </span>I see a correlation between this idealism and the Native Americans.<span style=""> </span>Would it not be wonderful if this concept was shared in the present day!</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" class="yiv363581406MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">My personal curiosity on Druidism stems from my heritage of being Irish.<span style=""> </span>My grandfather came from Cork County as a child to America.<span style=""> </span>He was a proud Irishman, and in hind sight I now wish I could have learned more from him regarding his heritage.<span style=""> </span>At one time I had a past life regression, one of my previous lives was served as a seer within the Druidism culture.<span style=""> </span>I also worked the Templars as a seer.<span style=""> </span>In this time frame I was well respected and protected by the Templar's for my abilities.<span style=""> </span>For these two reasons I was drawn to experience this discourse to learn more and to see if any of the information brought back a memory for me of my past life.<span style=""> </span>Each week I read new information and yet at the same time I felt I already knew what was being lectured . . . interesting . . . </font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" class="yiv363581406MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">The one section I really enjoyed was the language and written words/symbols.<span style=""> </span>I made a set of divination sticks, using the Ogham alphabet with their meanings and interpretation.<span style=""> </span>I use these sticks regularly to receive guidance and am amazed at their accuracy.<span style=""> </span>I loved working with the lettering of Ogham and symbology.</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" class="yiv363581406MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">My overall critique of the class is positive.<span style=""> </span>I was a little overwhelmed by the holidays and figures presented.<span style=""> </span>This class offered so much information and was very well presented.<span style=""> </span>Thank you for the opportunity to join in this class.</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" class="yiv363581406MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"> </font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" class="yiv363581406MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">Rev. Constance J. Hitts</font></div><div> </div><br><div> <var id="yiv363581406yui-ie-cursor"></var></div></div></div></div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-13397959798138577722012-07-21T18:29:00.001-07:002012-07-21T18:29:39.140-07:00Final essay, Insights Into Awareness<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:tahoma, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><br> <div style="font-family: tahoma, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br><div id="yiv1599246725"><div><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt;"><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;text-align:center;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="Calibri">FINAL ESSAY</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;text-align:center;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal" align="center"><font face="Calibri">INSIGHTS INTO AWARENESS</font></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style=""> </span>The spiritual path for me began approximately ten years ago.<span style=""> </span>For the years previous I denied many</font><font face="Calibri"> of my Catholic up- bringing beliefs and looked more towards the mystical aspects for answers of why I</font><font face="Calibri"> am here on earth.<span style=""> </span>With hours of study and research along with interaction with fellow searchers, I have</font><font face="Calibri"> come full circle with knowing God and Jesus Christ.<span style=""> </span>I now cherish my religion and background, with the</font><font face="Calibri"> understanding that it is not the structure of the church it is more about grasping the concepts of God</font><font face="Calibri"> and the Love that is unconditionally given to each of us.<span style=""> </span>Thru the years the Celestine Prophecy was one</font><font face="Calibri"> of the books I have read and re-read frequently.<span style=""> </span>Author, James Redfield, did a fine writing of the</font><font face="Calibri"> Insights with a story line that held my interest.</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"> </font></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style=""> </span>Most interesting was the concepts of drawing and using others energy to raise your personal levels of</font><font face="Calibri"> energy.<span style=""> </span>I have spent hours watching this occur within my social circle.<span style=""> </span>One person is always reaching</font><font face="Calibri"> for the top of the energy fields from others.<span style=""> </span>Thru the Fourth Insight the fact of using your childhood</font><font face="Calibri"> experiences from your parents and what their "drama" was and then how this affected your own</font><font face="Calibri"> personal drama, shaping the traits that you carry with you throughout your lifetime.<span style=""> </span>If you do not</font><font face="Calibri"> recognize and define your personal traits and dramas the road to self awareness will be slower.<span style=""> </span>Once</font><font face="Calibri"> these attributes are resolved the possibility of acting upon the universal energy is shown to you thru</font><font face="Calibri"> synchronicities.<span style=""> </span>This leads to a connection with the universe and the universal mind.</font><br><br><font face="Calibri"><span style=""> </span>Recognizing the synchronicities in your life is spiritually uplifting.<span style=""> </span>The 'knowing' and then the</font><font face="Calibri"> validations from the Divine gives us the confidence to move forward.<span style=""> </span>This occurs as either positive</font><font face="Calibri"> reinforcement that the path is correct or the not so good feeling in the solar plexus that points to a</font><font face="Calibri"> change in plans is needed to fulfill your heart's desire.<span style=""> </span>All the coincidences that occur have a deeper</font> <font face="Calibri">meaning that meditation can help us see objectively.</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"> </font></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style=""> </span>There does seem to be a mass of people who have taken upon themselves a self-realization of the</font><font face="Calibri"> 'Greater Power of the Divine' that is ever present.<span style=""> </span>We are not left on this planet to fend for ourselves;</font><font face="Calibri"> we do have help from God and the Higher Spirit realms to tap into thru prayer and listening to the</font><font face="Calibri"> Word for the answers.<span style=""> </span>Each of us travels our own journey and paths may cross, still it is our path is our</font><font face="Calibri"> only concern. <span style=""> </span>Branch out to see the paths of others, but do not interfere with their decisions, show</font><font face="Calibri"> only love for what they are trying to accomplish while at the same time look lovingly at your journey</font><font face="Calibri"> during this lifetime.<span style=""> </span>Allowing, without judgment.<span style=""> </span>Allowing is generally not to difficult, judgment can be</font><font face="Calibri"> the challenge.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>There is a certain amount of judgment in every interaction.<span style=""> </span>Try using 'opinion' versus</font><font face="Calibri"> judgment when reaching out to someone or having them reach out to you, they do not want to be</font><font face="Calibri"> judged, just understood.<span style=""> </span>Helping with an opinion of their situation is most kind, rather than pointing out</font><font face="Calibri"> the right or wrong of their predicament.</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"> </font></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style=""> </span>As a Spiritual Counselor, bring awareness to the client lets them know that there is a Universal Power</font><font face="Calibri"> that can lead them straight.<span style=""> </span>Living the life is the best example for anyone.<span style=""> </span>Listening and waiting for the</font><font face="Calibri"> person to ask the important questions.<span style=""> </span>They know in their soul the question, sometime we can just act</font><font face="Calibri"> a facilitator to bring these questions and answers to the foreground.<span style=""> </span>Yet, above all it is about the</font><font face="Calibri"> listening skills that gives comfort to the client.<span style=""> </span>Also, presenting yourself in a peaceful, loving manner</font><font face="Calibri"> exudes confidence in all situations.</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"> </font></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style=""> </span>The final Insight as explained in Lesson 18 was my most profound lesson.<span style=""> </span>"Creating confidence" in</font><font face="Calibri"> our personal spiritual journey is the way.<span style=""> </span>Letting go of others judgment is finding confidence and</font><font face="Calibri"> knowing within ourselves.<span style=""> </span>Accept guidance and if you are fortunate enough to have a spiritual mentor,</font><font face="Calibri"> listen to their advice. With all that said it is still your choice for the direction you take.<span style=""> </span>The connection</font><font face="Calibri"> you make with the Divine is personal, and with that great connection, comes the enlightenment of the</font><font face="Calibri"> connection to the ALL. <span style=""> </span>The knowing of just what unites the masses.<span style=""> </span>As is said that the flap of a</font><font face="Calibri"> butterflies wings can be felt across the universe.</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"> </font></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style=""> </span>Thank you, Rev. King, for an outstanding presentation on the Celestine Insights.<span style=""> </span>I enjoyed these</font><font face="Calibri"> lessons whole heartily.<span style=""> </span>Rating this among the top of the classes I have taken at the <a href="http://www.onlineseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a></font><font face="Calibri"><a href="http://www.onlineseminary.org/"> seminary</a>.</font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"> </font></div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">Rev. Constance J. Hitts</font></div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="yiv1599246725MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"> </font></div><div> <var id="yiv1599246725yui-ie-cursor"></var></div></div></div></div><br><br> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9960459.post-30596917541786573702012-07-20T14:02:00.001-07:002012-07-20T14:02:35.052-07:00Doctor of Spiritual Development Course - Essay<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:tahoma, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> 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line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Doctor of Spiritual Development Course - Essay</div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By</div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Donald A. Fiorito, Jr.</div> <div class="MsoNormal">To begin with, I must say that I found this course to be of considerable value to me. Although it could be difficult, at times, to comprehend some of the concepts expressed with the totality of their implications, the effort is most assuredly worth it. The homework assignments range from "do able" to, often, downright difficult. However, Dr. D. Crouch is to be commended for writing a course of such significant value. His particular style of writing is quite provocative thus causing one to constantly question his/her thoughts, assumptions and personal biases.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="MsoNormal">This is not the type of course to be taken lightly, and certainly not one, once finished by the limitations of a linear time constraint, to be considered over and done. This is the kind of course that is never over; is never done; and is always… on going. After the first few lessons, I started to realize the magnitude of the information, concepts, techniques, and gems of practical wisdom written within its pages. In addition, I knew that what was being expressed was valid and true because it coincided with many of my own personal life experiences.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="MsoNormal">Here written down in a clear, logical manner for all to behold was an approach for living a healthier life, getting more in touch with an individual's true inner self, and even the possibility of connecting with the divine. However, the "Rub Is", this journey is far from easy. It requires many things, but, among them is a burning passion for self-awareness, truth, discovery, complimented with boundless perseverance. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Saying it another way,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was shocked to see , written here ,thoughts, ideas ,experiences, and self-improvement<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>methods and techniques that have taken me a considerable part of my life time to come across. This course jump starts the individual's developmental process with focus.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="MsoNormal">If ten people critiqued this course there could be ten essays that appear quite different because of the vast amount of material expressed within it. However, they really are not. They are only expressing different aspects of the course that appealed most to them. What follows are just some of mine.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="MsoNormal">I liked the neuro-linguistic programing techniques, the giving of permissions to try or succeed, the questioning of biases and the filters that people unknowing use each day to make important assumptions, decisions that critically affect their lives. The intent of focus and trying to quiet down the chatter and clatter in our external and internal worlds is quite scary to some folks. They might realize when the noise goes off that they are unique in and of themselves and that what they do really does matters to themselves and others. <br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="MsoNormal">Of special interest to me personally, are the sensory modalities and positive words that one says to ourself. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>" I can ,I will, I must , I have done, I will continue to do more, I will continue<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>to accomplish, I will strive for a better performance each time ,etc."<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Contrary to the old rhyme "sticks and stones", bad thoughts, bad words can really hurt ones emotional psyche and physical body. Words, thoughts, ideas, perceptions are extremely important the way they are intermingled and expressed in language and in our mind. <br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div> <div class="MsoNormal">Some may say that prayers, sacred trance, religious meditation, reading the bible, good deed s ,church activities are the appropriate ways <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>to attain spiritual development. What I am saying is that the approach expressed within this course's pages is simply… just another way. One way does not necessarily work for all. I say, find what works for you as an individual that will help you connect with the all, the <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>other, the cosmos, the multi-<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>alternate<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>universes, the divine…God.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I say this because I feel our nature is connected to the divine. To roughly recall a piece of learning from my youth- "There is a divine spark that animates us from the cradle to the grave if we are but willing to make the effort to seek it out."</div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">As an ordained minister with the <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/">Universal Life Church</a> for many years and it's <a href="http://ulcseminary.org/seminaryProgram.php">Seminary</a> since its inception, I've had the privilege of watching the Seminary grow.</div>Universal Life Church/ULC Seminaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05048516827639671845noreply@blogger.com0