Universal Life Church

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this  beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.. It was pouring  outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so  much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We  all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others  irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always  mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens  washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running,  splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve  from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it  broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in 'Mom let's run through the  rain,'
she said.
'What?' Mom asked.

'Let's run through the  rain!' She repeated

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a  bit,' Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute  and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain,'

'We'll get soaked  if we do,' Mom said...

'No, we won't, Mom.. That's not what you  said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not  get wet?

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about  his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us  through anything!'

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear  you couldn't hear anything but the rain... We all stood silently. No one  came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a  moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her  for being silly. Some might even ignore
what was said. But this was a  moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust  can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are  absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet,  well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran.  We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars  and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their  heads just in case.. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who  screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And  yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or  people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your  money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away  your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the  opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season
and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL  TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN. 

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Kind Words

WoW  Rev. Amy,

That is so powerful.....

I thank God for you....

Stay Blessed

Ron Arrington

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As a long time member of ULC, I created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Seminary since the beginning, I've watched and facilitated the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.  I also started sending out Kind Words, which has been a huge hit with the congregation.

Universal Life Church

GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED - AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT KEVIN THINKS

Actually, I envy Kevin. He is a really good person! Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed.

At least, that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'

  

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor.  I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

   

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.

   

He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?

Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.

   

The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.

   

He does not seem dissatisfied.

He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.

He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.

   

His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

   

And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.

  

He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.

   

His life is simple, and for him, it is comfortable and complete.

   

He will never know the entanglements of wealth of  power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God!

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.

It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.

It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

FRIENDS ARE ANGELS WHO LIFT US TO OUR FEET WHEN OUR WINGS HAVE TROUBLE REMEMBERING HOW TO FLY

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Kind Words

Hello Amy, So ofter I have preached of the angels in heaven, but as I see people such as yourself I realize just how many angels are here on earth so often I may feel down and you are the angel who lifts me up and sets me going again. We have finished a sozo training ministry team at our church and I truly feel as a man of God that we all need to install it into our ministries. Amy you are truly a woman of God , and I have a prophetic word for you-Keep going you are succeeding, take time and love yourself,take time for yourself relax,rejuvinate spend time alone in his presence.
   Take Care because God Cares     John.
To become an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church is free and fast.  At our Online Seminary, we believe in training our ministers through distant learning courses, online sermons, weddings and funeral ceremonies and a lot more.  Many of these testimonials are from people who have been receiving our kind words' mailings.  They're free and heartfelt.  I hope you take advantage of them and sign up.

Kind Words

This is just to say 'Thank you'. What a lovely site you have, with so much useful and thoughtful information to support your ministers and their efforts.

Since applying for ordination, I have become more interested in starting my own church in the UK, and have been reading around the information you provide, and which has been shared by others. Excellent. Your own sermon regarding the 'Angel' was very touching; thank you for sharing it. The live feed on current religious topics is also excellent, as are the materials on starting your own church.

I've joined the seminary, and will be taking advantage of the development courses offered there, and will be in touch for further support materials as my ministry develops.

Thank you once again for what is clearly a labor of love.

Luke

The Universal Life Church offers free online ordination and online seminary courses. 

Universal Life Church

Because of Love   

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-  Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly  Parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they  Had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge  Pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the  Tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a  Landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories  Of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more  Excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.  The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had  Taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty  Mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in  The mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each  Year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and  Contentment at day's end.  Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the  Old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of  The Old One." She  Is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals  From her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for  Yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but  Expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"  The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes,  Scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of  New boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he  Drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her  Ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing  Else, just love."  Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his  Wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness  Stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in  Sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their  Cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the  Peace of the love that filled their hearts?  So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed  The insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.  None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".  In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry  Flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror  And despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he  Raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were  Roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing  To the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from  Calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other,  They wept at their loss.  By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing  Ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their  Grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as  They rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to  The firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man  Turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as  His shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red  Bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has  Spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength  And climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in  Times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks  To God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most  Precious gifts that have been taken from us.  And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy  Hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and  Withered hand.  The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep  Snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the  Hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the  Old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the  Incredible beauty before them.  Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught  Up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine,  And it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most  Bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had  a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were  Breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.  Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.  Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her  forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist  hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas  gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.  Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was  the entire herd, safe.  At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her  muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great  dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping  cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed  about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry  flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips  and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new  years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she  moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now,  she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his  wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was  brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were  filled with devotion as she offered her gift---  Because of love. Only Because of love.  Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And  again the peace of love filled their hearts.  This is a true story.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Kind Words

Amy,
           You are an inspiration to me. Did you happen to see that your ministry made national attention on the David Letterman Show. Of course he was making fun of it but I think it's a great opportunity for people who don't have the time or money to attend seminary. I have officiated 1 wedding and 1 funeral and my ministry credentials have gotten me into 2 different prisons to minister to inmates. Keep up the good work. You are a blessing to me.

~ Forrest

   Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.  We also offer some kind words, mailed weekly, to brighten your spirit.

Universal Life Church

Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.  We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.  My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.  My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really friendly.  So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined  your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The  Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.  As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it  personally.  Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.  Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so ... Love the people who treat you right and Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it! 

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Kind Words

Dear Amy-I know you have many challenges and are a shining light the way you handle things.  Keep up the good work, I am proud of you!

Emily 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.  We also offer some kind words, mailed weekly, to brighten your spirit.