Universal Life Church

It seems every Christmas story has to have a Scrooge, from Hallmark dramas to children's books. The reason we always write a jerk into our holiday stories is because it's true. In real life there's always a jerk. 

Today, I want to encourage you not to be a Christmas jerk. Don't be the Scrooge. It's all too easy. Maybe you're expecting an Xbox and you get a sweater. Maybe you're parents have to tighten the belt and you have fewer packages under the tree especially you teenagers admit you do like those expensive items. Maybe Christmas is a tough time because you're reminded again of the dysfunction of your family. Perhaps you wish you're family would be like the others who seem to have it all together or have all the money. 

Or . . . maybe you're stressed out because you have a ton of stuff to do. Recitals, plays, people, parties. 

The circumstances and environment around the holidays make it all too easy to fall into jerk mode. And I'm saying, don't let it happen. Why? Because, of all people, it is Christians who should be full of joy on Christmas. Why? Becasuse this is the celebration of our Lord and Savior's story, how God moved dramatically to rescue His creation by sending Jesus to live, first as a baby, then as a growing boy, and then as a man. 

Christmas is good news and let it be known. It is God's entrance into the world. God didn't stay in Heaven, he moved to become flesh. What a powerful story we have in Christmas. 

One of the questions we should ask is How do you avoid becoming a Christmas jerk? First, Think about the story. Go back to the chapters in Isaiah and Matthew and Luke. Remember why we celebrate. Second, go with the Christmas flow which I mean is hold your Christmas plans loosely. Remember its about love, about giving, about peace. So if you get stiffed on the Xbox or that Ipod or that cell phone, let it go. Third, find ways to give back this Christmas and remember God loves a heartful giver. Is there a needy child, a program at your church, a community center that needs you're time and perhaps you're money? Give.  Fourth, don't get hung up on frivolous stuff. Don't be a Christian who whines about everything that you think that things should be, or about. Just fight against those with genuine, Holy-Spirit-led Christmas cheer. That's not being nice.

Strive this year, to be part of the good at Christmas. And leave the jerkiness to Hallmark Channel, and others.

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Robert G.

Merry Christmas from The Griffus Family.

Universal Life Church

Online Sermons

Jesus Was Tempted Too
Online Sermon

Today's Scripture

"We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help." Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV (suggested reading for this week: Luke 4:1-15)

Thoughts for Today

Every Christian is tempted to fulfill the natural desires of life in illegitimate ways on a daily basis. Some of us struggle more with sexual temptation. Others with eating too much, desiring to control others, looking good at any cost, taking things that are not our property. The list could continue for pages, but you get the point.

It is surprising for some people to learn that the Bible shows us that Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted. This week we will look at some of the specific temptations Jesus experienced and how he handled them. He was tempted—but he did not sin.

Consider this …

Jesus knows from experience what temptation is like. He is our high priest who intercedes for us with the Father. How comforting to know that he understands what we are going through when we are tempted. We can go to the Father when we are struggling with temptation with assurance that we will find understanding and help. How encouraging today's scripture text is: "So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help."

Prayer

Father, I am so grateful for the knowledge that Jesus experienced temptation too. This helps me know that you will continue to love me and will respond with kindness and help when I turn to you in the midst of a struggle with temptation. In Jesus' name …

http://www.eawweg.com
Universal Life Church

Online Sermon

Thought

The word for the day is thought.  Recently I uploaded the Home Course in Mental Science to my website

Wisaac3rd.com in installments of a chapter every day or two so it took me probably a month to upload all twenty chapters plus the study guide.  This is a very challenging course as far as study content.  It will make one think if their mind is open to any extent at all.

Thought is what I am into at this time.  Thought is very interesting for the course brings out that our world, our bodies and for that matter is all thought, nothing but thought.

As Scripture says as One thinks so it is.

Which sort of interesting for last year I had the epiphany that all there is was belief and perception.  The more I study the more things I find that lead me to believe this more and more that the only reality there is, is the one we believe it to be.

As we believe so do we endeavor to bring others into our beliefs so we have our different religions.

Actually, I believe the only reason there are so many religions and branches of religions are that leaders within each one seek to get the attention they think they deserve and if they do not get it they break away to form their own form of whatever it was they were selling this week.

No different from a MLM marketer jumping ship to form their own MLM. 

Guess, I am getting cynical as I advance in years.  The only thing truthfully I have ever found to satisfy me is when I discovered Spirit and what a Friend it is to me.  It walks with me and it talks with me and goes by many names, God, Allah, Buddha, Jesus.  Although it matters not what it is called for to me it is the great comforter.

I find I can rest in Spirit while giving all of my challenges to it and knowing they will be worked out.  It is not for me to know how only to know it will be.

It is left to me to have faith that Spirit has me in the palm of it’s hand always looking over me. Protecting me and loving me.

It shows me that as long as I seek to harm no one I shall not be harmed.

As ever con man out there knows it is impossible to cheat or to con an honest person. Only the greedy can be conned.  Those that are seeking something for nothing.  The quick buck, over night success, flash in the pan.  The one hit wonders.

Most true over night successes spend years to get the opportunity to be an overnight success. 

As much as I am enjoying American Idol this year I am wondering if they will appreciate their success as much as those that spent years in the bars, saloons, county and country fairs, playing on the back of a flat bed trailer.

The true successes I see and it matters not whether it is in the entertainment arena, the world of business, science, medicine, academia, sports or whatever it may it are those that go to the office or to work everyday knowing that if the lottery were theirs tonight that tomorrow they would still be reporting in to their specialty, for they love what they are doing.

Anyone that can bring a passion to what they are doing will be a success.  In fact if they are truly passionate about what they do they are already a success.

My website is only a few pages from hitting the three hundred page mark and that at this time is my passion as well as making my sweetie as happy as I possibly can for that is my passion in life  to be the best companion I possible can, while serving you through my website by finding and bringing to you the best self-help materials in as many genres as I possibly can.

There are many paths in this world in fact since there are almost seven billion people in our world now that means there are almost seven billion paths to find our way to the top of the mountain as we seek to find our way home again.

The way I am finding my way is by loving and believing in you.

Universal Life Church

Why I became Ordained

Universal Life Church

I became ordained because there was something inside of me that said I should help other people realize their spiritualism without the confines of being associated with an organized religion.

Tolerance for all beliefs is the key to true peace and spiritualism may come in many forms. Doing that which is right is an excellent motto to live by for anyone and I do my best to spread this message. Whether you believe in God or gods or an order in the universe or whatever it might be that helps you to center yourself in life.

All should have an open mind and respect that others might not feel the same way as you do, but that there is nothing wrong with what is spiritually important to you and how you feel about it and express it. Live and let live.

Rev. Dr. Rick

ULC

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

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 

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

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Why I became ordained

Universal Life Church

Well I can say this. I became ordained through ULC because:

1. It is a lot easier getting credentials from ULC and you do not have to build a church immediately.

2. I do most of my preaching in Nightclubs. Flogger in one hand Bible in the other preaching The Word of God in BDSM Nightclubs. How I got the nickname the Evil Wicked Cardinal of Evil. :devil:

3. I have vast knowledge of The Bible and know where most of the relics are which are described in the Bible.

4. I love a good debate on religion. I never lost a debate yet. For it is the individual on how they interpret The Bible.

5. I go to religious seminars where my vast knowledge improves religion. And, I talk on my own experiences.

6. ULC is the best place to start as an ordained minister. But, when you preach never implement ULC in any way shape or form. I never tell anyone about my credentials with ULC. I let my knowledge of The Bible do the talking.

7. People ask me where I became a Minister. I say four words. "It was my calling." Why say where you became a Minister. You build a church and call it ULC for instance it is not connected with ULC HQ. It is your church and do not break the law or implement ULC HQ in any way shape or form.

8. All ULC HQ is vouch that we are ordained ministers. Other than that you are on your own. So be smart and use The Bible. It is a powerful weapon.

9. Do not think you can evade IRS just because your a Minister. Because Churches and Ministers do get taxed. But, I do this volunteer and I accept no donations. It is Volunteer Work for me.

So; one thing always preach The Word of God, that is why we became ministers. And, teach others our religion.

Universal Life Church

Online Ordination

Universal Life Church

I am currently looking for work in both the Christian world and the secular world. I am hoping and praying that God will lead me to where He wants me to be.

I have felt a calling to minister since I was a child but for some reason things always were in the way or seemed more important at the time. I was raised in the United Methodist church and was away from church until a few years ago when I met my wife and started going to church with her. She was attending a non-denominational church and that is where I learned the most about God and His Word.  I once again started feeling the Calling again and I started looking into man's procedure for ordination.  I believe that God is the only one that can truly ordain but man's laws need to be respected as long as they are not in conflict with God's laws.

I am currently taking a Christian Seminary course through ULC and I am looking into other courses as well. I want to learn all that God has to offer and receive it. 

Pastor Todd

ULC

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

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Online Ordination

Universal Life Church

Believe it or not...... my day starts at 630 am, Take my boyfriend to work and the little one to school then I come back home and take my catchupfromsleeplessnight nap, This morning during that nap I had a vision of me performing my cousin's wedding ceremony, I used to play an online MMORPG and was a guide in that game and as a guide I would perform various wedding ceremonies.

I had the dream and it was so vivid and it even went further then the wedding ceremony, it went into the hospital here where my other cousin is recovering from a massive brain injury and I have been going to the hospital every other day to visit with him. He doesn't know who I am or anything but knows I am there and will play ball with me and talk with me and count... My god did you all know when you get a brain injury sometimes all you do is count? Anyways... back to my story.. In this dream I was helping small children and other people suffering from various elements... The dream seem to last months, I woke up physically exhausted and yet revived.... I did a google search on Ordain and landed here....

I know I am fresh meat to the lambs but this dream really kicked my midlife crisis into high gear.
I am in between jobs right now and while I was posting my resume to various places it dawned on me to get information and for whatever reason I did and here I am..... where I am going..... No clue. I am sure it will be an enlightening road of many events though!! 

 Paladin

ULC 

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

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 

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

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Ordination

Universal Life Church

I was raised in a liberal protestant household. My mother grew up in the Pentecostal Holiness church and often spoke of the rampant hypocrisy that she saw there. Mom goes to church for the music...doctrine means nothing to her. "Be a good person" is the only catechism she needs.

My father was raised in the same church in which I was baptized. He has done his share of praying and contemplation and is at peace with his relationship with God.. Occasionally he and I will have wonderful, sharing conversations on the subject, but he is not the sort to share his beliefs in public.

I was an enthusiastic student in Sunday school and bible study. I was even "born again" at church camp. That is, until I was scolded for suggesting that the Apostle Paul might have been speaking from within his cultural paradigm when he discussed the role of women in the church. I knew then that I would have to continue on my own path.

I became, and continue to be, a student of religion and religious history. Long ago, I realized that I was more familiar with the history of western religious traditions and of the Bible than most of the "Preachers" I encountered. I developed an urgent need to teach...to free people from the ignorance in which many organized religions want to trap them.

I have always been the "Dear Abby" in my circle of friends. I guess that, somehow, I was just naturally empathetic.

I want to teach....I want to serve.. I want to comfort.

I heard about internet ordination, but the first place I found was the Church of Spiritual Humanism. I read their forums, I thought it was right for me, and I became ordained in that church. It was not for several years that I stumbled into a forum where I was berated and belittled and generally treated ill...all because I confessed a belief in the Divine. It turns out they are Orthodox Atheists and have NO tolerance for hopeful agnostics or other 'superstitious' folk. This was stated, very obtusely, in their materials, but I just didn't get it before then. I have since resigned my ordination with them.

I continued my search and, at the urging of a Wiccan friend, I came to ULC. I now feel that I have found my "church home" where I can learn and grow and share.

I have performed several weddings (gay & straight) and one baptism.


Yup...that covers it.

Rev. Kate

ULC

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

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 

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

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Why I became ordained

Universal Life Church

Well, this is the 8th year anniversary in ULC for me. I came here because of the different paths that were celebrated here.  I became ordained here because I knew ministry is one of my life missions.  I am also a board certified holistic health practitioner, certified expressive art therapist, am earning a ph.d in holistic ministries from American Institute of holistic theology, and I earned a doctor of divinity from universal light church.

I completed the soul clinic class offered by ULC -- very good. I am a certified pastoral counselor, and board certified chaplain through the international pastoral counselors association.  My ministry is growing, as am I.  I held a beautiful service in my home where 12 of my closest friends showed up"the journey of our nativity" a metaphysical story of the nativity.  I participate in many beliefs. I volunteer w/young gay youth. 

I live w/ fibromyalgia daily and am writing for the fibromyalgia frontiers a quarterly news journal. I am a known art therapist and writer, look under Kurt Fondriest art therapist. so all this brought me here.  All this came from me being here. The journey is still going....

Peace,

Rev. Kurt

ULC 

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

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 

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

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Online Ordination

Universal Life Church

My reason for becoming Ordained was first to get a better relationship with God by doing something to help.Having faith no matter what happens is sometimes hard and things happen that can pull you away from God.That did happen to me.I realized that God is not the reason some things happen,a lot of it is our wrong doing or thinking.I feel much better about doing this and plan on moving further in this.

I was called into the ministry. I was a youth leader in a church in this town for five years, after growing up in church and exploring what I believe on my own, and finding my own self, I decided I don't like what the word christian means anymore, I left the church and called myself a Christ follower. Now me being gay and leaving the church for that and many other reasons, I still wanted to keep my calling, and my dad and my sister are both ordained through the ULC and I thought well lets make it a family thing, and so I did, my wife and I are both ordained we are new, ordained 10 31 05.... and now we want to do marriages and counseling soon. and are fortunate that we have a friend that owns a shop that will get our names out there when we are ready 

Rev Michelle 

ULC 

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

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 

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

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar