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What is in a Name?   Two Hawks, Running Turtle, Standing Bear, Raven Hawk, Beautiful Painted Arrow, Little Bear, Fire Horse, Fire Dog, Black Eagle, Two Feathers, Crazy Horse, Wild Horse Woman, Eagle Chief etc. etc., names that are running rampant in the urban areas of South Texas.  I am sure there are so many more names that are out there that would be indicative of an Indian Identity.   But what about Furry Rabbit, Two Mice, No Lice, Don't know who I am, Lost in the white world, Two Cappuccinos,  Triple scoop of strawberry,  Two Bowls of Menudo, Dances with SUV,  names more adequate for the times for urbanites that have found there identity without a connection to their ancestors or future generations.   No disrespect, on my part to those families who from birth carried their name with honor and pride, like the Standing Bear family and others names that too many are very sacred as well, like Crazy Horse.  So the QUESTION still remains what is in a name?  Another Question why do people change their names from Martinez to Two Feathers, Gutierrez to Two Hawks, Sandoval to Standing bear and so on and so on?  It is predicament that still baffles me.  Here in Texas, because of the colonization of Spaniards and through the Spanish Land Grants, we as Indian people were only part of the fauna that the Gauchpines owned.  We were mere property of the Land owners.  We were the first slaves in the United States due to the "encomiendas" of the Spaniards.  The Spanish Land Grants became the owners of our lands and our being, but not our spirit.   Landowner's last names were added to the renaming of the property, including our ancestors.   Recording names by ruthless priests who forced acculturated our ancestors to the point of cutting our heads, hands, feet; this is documented in a cave at Lake Alan Henry in Post, Texas (i.e. same cave that has the moth man).  Landowners like Garcia, Arocha, Cruz, and so on were given to our Indian Ancestors.  In some cases, the priest would give the name of Tribe, Band,  trait of Band, or of one the clans, like  Cano (canyon), Garza (crane), Mancias, (people of prayer) Hipolito (name of trait of the deer clan), San Miguel (name of Saint Michael for the warrior's societies).    This effort of the colonizers was to make sense of our existence.  It was their effort to make us more like them.  We were not human we were just property to their bidding.  They were stealing our identities by changing our ancestors to something they could understand.  The colonizers were uncertain of the communication we had with the Creator and the creation.  They were ignorant, greedy, and most of all afraid to know the reality of living with the creation.  They wanted to own the wealth that does not belong to them in the first place.  They brought their methods of controlling even their own God.   So, the control over all that was owned became the attitude and mentality.    There is a book out there called the CANNIBAL COAST, that makes reference to the Chiefs of the Karankwa were given Spanish names as were the Hasnai, the Caddo and the Tonkawa.  The Americans that came in with Moses Austin could not speak Spanish very well so they 'Americanized' names like Chief Jose Miguel to Chief Hozzie McGill.  Just like the word 'vaquero' became buckaroo; la riata became lariat.  Just like Bison was misnamed to Buffalo, Human Beings became Indians, all misnomers.   So what is in a name?  It is certainly not something that can be explained in the colonizers language.  You have to consider that both English and Spanish ARE foreign languages (one reason the colonizers could not understand).  Both Languages are from Europe.  The Name Witkiko Tshunka came in a sacred way and given in the same way in the language of the land.  Tecumseh's name came in a sacred way as well in the language of the people.    So what is in name?  Identity through language, history, customs, connection to the ancestor, connection to the future generations certainly is prerequisites to knowing your name.  Now, for those who are going down to the court house and changing their name to Black Eagle, Cheyenne, Rain Man, Running Turtle, Walking Eagle, I say know your people, respect your people, respect the ancestors, and walk with your people.  Don't just Change your name to accommodate the Colonizer Mentality and romanticize the comfortableness of the colonizers.  We are Indian, because our people have survived an American Holocaust that no one wants to admit to.    So STOP changing your names in English to Crazy Horse, Black Horse, Standing Bear, and Running Water Woman and so on and so on.   Just because you found you had Indian blood a few years ago and you needed to show how Indian you were you changed your name to make it more Indian.  Saying, I am Jane "Running Dove" Jones does not make you more Indian today or tomorrow to me.  You are still using the Colonizer's language. Do your people call you Running Dove in your language when you are with them?  Then, only then, you will understand what it means to be Indian.  Then you will know that we are not Indians but Human Beings in the language of the people.    If you insist on doing this be an Indian of your times and age.  Here are some suggestions to Change your name to, Road Rage, Makes the white man Comfortable, Quarter Pounder with Cheese Man, Votes Republican woman,  Dooney Burke woman, Macy's Shopper, Cabela's man, Budweiser Man, Dances for the White man, Wannabe Medicine Man, Looks like Santa Claus man.  Now, you can put your Indian name in Apostrophes, Jane "Wears Victoria Secrets" Jones.   This very reason of changing our names in English does not make anyone more Indian.  We have to wake up to our people and the ongoing American Holocaust that we are a part of through the acculturated name that was given to us by our fathers and mothers, and by their fathers and mothers,  We must trace the "point of contact"  as sociologist like to say.  We must connect to the reason that was misunderstood, not add on to it by accommodating the romanticization of the oppression.  By doing so we accept the fact that nothing wrong has occurred, that our people were not raped, murdered, tortured or erased from history.    Your effort to be more Indian is admirable, but not helpful to the countless of dead relatives that suffered.  Your effort is without guidance of the people who still suffer to bring a message to overcome the oppressive attitudes of "New World Order" mentality.   My people are my passion.  The WASP Male mentality does not make me credible.  My People make me Credible.  The same people that call themselves Esto-k , the Human people.  Now, that is where your name is.   What is in Name?   Ayema Payese'l Yen nawi's Nepol'k Kiapan'k Juan Benito Mancias. ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

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Prayers from the ULC of True Grace Opening Prayer: Father/Mother God, we invite your presence into our midst, that we may enjoy the fellowship of your love.  Make known to us your Divine Will, and bless us with your peace. Amen. Benediction: Beloved God, thank you for your presence here.  As we leave this gathering, we carry your love and your peace in our hearts, and out into the world to make a difference in ourselves and in others.  Help us to remember to show gratitude for the opportunity of spiritual growth which we have been given through our life on this earth.  Give us strength, understanding, and patience to live our lives in such a way as to glorify you.  Amen Sending Prayer: As we are reminded to maintain the Christ presence of mind, that we speak only peace from our lips, with truth from our hearts, please join me as we say:  Aum, Peace, Amen. Thank you for allowing us to share our prayers. Dr. Rev. Anne DeMille, Pastor Universal Life Church of True Grace ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

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FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY Lori Cahill aka: Lorin Stanley   READING:  Mary's Song - Luke 1:46-57   "He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty."  Luke 1:53   A man comes into a meeting room carrying a tray.  On the tray are glasses of water.  He says to the people in the room, "If you are thirsty take a glass of water."  Those who are thirsty take a glass of water; those who are not shake their heads no.  Those who take the water are refreshed; those who are not thirsty do not feel they are missing out on anything.   But consider this:  What if someone who is not thirsty says, "Sorry, mister, you can't come in here with that water.  We don't want any water, and you're interrupting our meeting"?  How would you feel if you were one of the thirsty people?  Jesus has something to say both to those who are thirsty and to those who are not.   In Matthew 5:6 Jesus calls those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness "Blessed" and promises that they will be filled.  In Psalm 14:2 it says, "The Lord looks down from Heaven on the sons (and daughters) of men (and women) to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God."  God is looking for people who hunger and thirst; ANYONE who is hungry and thirsty for God, He says, "Come, eat and drink".  God is EQUAL OPPORTUNITY; there is NO DISCRIMINATION toward anyone or anything.  He calls to EVERYONE!!   Everyone has a void inside that only God can fill.  People often try to fill the void with things that do not satisfy us.  One of the biggies that most people try to fill the void with is money.  If they can get "big" money, they can buy big cars, multiple homes, vacation homes, seasonal homes, all kind of electronic toys and equipment, etc.  But after the newness wears off, that void is still there.  How many actors, actresses, millionaires can we name who have everything and are still unhappy; some jump from relationship to relationship, some end their lives.  They had it all, but they didn't have God in their lives.   In Ezekiel 7:19, God says, "They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing.  Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the Lord's wrath.  They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin."   In Haggai 1:6, God says to His people, "You have planted much, but have harvested little.  You eat, but never have enough.  You drink, but never have your fill.  You put on clothes, but are not warm.  You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."   Another big item people try to fill the void with is religion.  People are constantly looking for a greater power, whether in themselves or other "deities"; they go from church to church, religion to religion, as I can attest to, as I did myself.    The only true filling of this void is God, Himself, and the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, God's Son.  As I have found out through my own search, there are many who claim they are of God, but only preach their own agendas and their own interpretation of God's Word.  There are those who make up things or take out things to attract people to their group or church.  I have found that reading God's Word and asking Him, through the Holy Spirit, to guide me and show me the way He wants me to go, is the only way; as David said in Psalm 27:11 "Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.   As Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman who came to draw water from the well and said in John 4:10-14, "If you know the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you Living Water."  She said to Him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep.  Where can you get this Living Water?  Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"  Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to Eternal Life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.   God promises that He will fill the hungry with Joy and Peace as they trust in Him and they will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 15:13); He also promises to fill us with knowledge of His will through spiritual wisdom and understanding (see Colossians 1:9). If you are feeling a void in your life and you have searched and can not find the peace and joy of God in your life, go to Him and ask Him to fill you with His love and peace and take the void that is in your life.  Ask God into your heart, to take the dark and replace it with His light, His Son, Jesus Christ. ********************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with theUniversal 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

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The Confession and absolution Rev. Clayton Priest: 'Yet do we many wrong deeds, in the forgetfulness of our hearts. We are gods; yet do our misty eyes deceive us, and we ever strive in ways of error. Help us, Lordly ones of our hearts, to forgive ourselves and one another for the wrong we have done, and shall still do. And, if we need forgiveness of you, our loving parents, grant that also'. All: 'Lords and ladies of the eternal spirit, Who are the true parents of our hearts; Help us to remember ourselves; That we are as you. Help us to show forth our true nature and purpose in the world. Help us to forgive ourselves the wrongs we have done; Help us to forgive the wrongs of others, done to us; And if we need ask forgiveness of you, our loving parents, Grant that to us also. Help us remember our starry race; And help us to live as our true selves; As the children of the eternal Gods'. Priest: 'May the Lord lift up his face to shine on you; And the Lady extend her hands in blessing. Strength and forgiveness are given you. Go forth in joy to live as you were made'. ********************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with theUniversal 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

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The Living Room:  When your heart needs a Father "Our Father who is in heaven ..." With these words Jesus escorts us into the Great House of God. Shall we follow him? There is so much to see. Every room reveals his heart, every stop will soothe your soul. And no room is as essential as this one we enter first.  Walk behind him as he leads us into God's living room. Sit in the chair that was made for you and warm your hands by the fire which never fades. Take time to look at the framed photos and find yours. Be sure to pick up the scrapbook and find the story of your life.  But please, before any of that, stand at the mantle and study the painting which hangs above it. Your Father treasures the portrait. He has hung it where all can see. Stand before it a thousand times and each gaze is as fresh as the first. Let a million look at the canvas and each one will see himself. And each will be right. Captured in the portrait is a tender scene of a father and a son. Behind them is a great house on a hill. Beneath their feet is a narrow path. Down from the house the father has run. Up the trail the son has trudged. The two have met, here, at the gate. We can't see the face of the son; it's buried in the chest of his father. No, we can't see his face, but we can see his tattered robe and stringy hair. We can see the mud on the back of his legs, the filth on his shoulders and the empty purse on the ground. At one time the purse was full of money. At one time the boy was full of pride. But that was a dozen taverns ago. Now both the purse and the pride are depleted. The prodigal offers no gift or explanation. All he offers is the smell of pigs and a rehearsed apology: "Father, I have sinned against God and done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son" (Luke15:21). He feels unworthy of his birthright. "Demote me. Punish me. Take my name off the mailbox and my initials off the family tree. I am willing to give up my place at your table." The boy is content to be a hired hand. There is only one problem. Though the boy is willing to stop being a son, the father is not willing to stop being a father. Though we can't see the boy's face in the painting, we can't miss the father's. Look at the tears glistening on the leathered cheeks, the smile shining through the silver beard. One arm holds the boy up so he won't fall, the other holds the boy close so he won't doubt. "Hurry!" he shouts. "Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get our fat calf and kill it so we can have a feast and celebrate. My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost but now he is found!" (Luke 15:22-24). How these words must have stunned the young man, "My son was dead ..." He thought he'd lost his place in the home. After all, didn't he abandon his father? Didn't he waste his inheritance?  The boy assumed he had forfeited his privilege to sonship. The father, however, doesn't give up that easily. In his mind, his son is still a son. The child may have been out of the house, but he was never out of his father's heart. He may have left the table, but he never left the family. Don't miss the message here. You may be willing to stop being God's child. But God is not willing to stop being your Father.  Min. Johnathan Hester ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church.

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Great and Godly Marriages A wife woke up one morning and said, "Honey, I just had a dream that you bought me a new gold necklace. What do you think it means?"  "I don't know, but Valentine's Day is coming soon. Tuesday, you'll know," He replied. A few nights later, she again woke up after having a dream, "This time, I dreamed you gave me a pearl necklace. What do you think it means?" "You'll know Tuesday," He replied. The night before Valentine's Day, she again woke up telling him about her dream, "This time I dreamed that you brought me a diamond necklace. What do you think it means?" "Honey, be patient. "You'll know tonight." he said. That evening, the husband came home with a package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it--to find a book entitled, "The meaning of dreams." Valentine's Day has come to mean a lot of things these days. But it is not all about "puppy love." It is about Great and Godly Love. Valentine, the priest who Valentine's Day is named for, was martyred for the great and godly institution of marriage. The emperor of Rome at the time, Claudius, passed a law banning marriages. His reason was simple. Men would not volunteer to join his Roman army with wives and girlfriends to leave behind. Valentine knew that God instituted the family and His will included great marriages. So, he kept on performing marriage ceremonies – but secretly. He would whisper the words of the ceremony, while listening for soldiers on the steps outside. One night, he did hear footsteps. The couple he was marrying escaped, but he was caught. He was thrown in jail and sentenced to death. Valentine tried to stay cheerful while imprisoned, and many young people came to the jail to visit him—actually performing ceremonies while imprisoned. The jailer's daughter would often visit Valentine in his cell, and they sat and talked for hours. She believed he did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and performing marriage ceremonies. On the day, Valentine was to die, he left her a note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. He signed it, "Love from your Valentine." That note started the custom of exchanging love notes on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day he died, February 14, 269 A.D. Great and Godly marriages are worth that kind of dedication because Great and Godly marriages are the beginning of Great and Godly families. And Great and Godly families help to keep the world focused on our Great God. This fact is not unknown to Satan, and that is why he has attempted to sabotage the marriage even from the beginning, driving a wedge in the first couple's relationship. It began in the Garden, and now marriage is under attack in America. We are at a place where we have to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Is the issue really that important? You better believe it! Marriage is on the top of the spiritual priority list—Satan wants to destroy it, God wants his people to preserve it. Someone once said, "A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it." Well, we know at least some of the ingredients to a Great and Godly marriage. In this Genesis passage, we find four essentials to great and godly marriages: Monogamy, Fidelity, Longevity, and Intimacy. Genesis 2.21-25 "So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." 1.) The first essential is MONOGAMY. a. One man, one woman. There is no place for same-sex marriage and there is no place for polygamy. You might not think that people are readily trying to have multiple wives, but as time progresses, American culture becomes acceptant of behaviors that were once repugnant to our nation. Some of the first behaviors to be accepted culturally were adultery [sex outside the bonds of matrimony], cohabitation [an unwed couple living together], and pornography. Originally considered both shameful and illegal, adultery and cohabitation are now widely practiced and accepted both legally and culturally. Pornography is not only legal, but widely popular in every sector of our society. --Abortion has become widely accepted both culturally and legally. Prior to 1973, many people did not even know what abortion was. Now it is legal and very widely accepted and practiced all across America. --Prostitution has become viewed less shamefully than it had in the past. And it is even legalized in some parts of our country. --Homosexuality is now accepted as a normal form of sexuality. First the American Psychiatric Association declared it was no longer a disease. Then the public began to accept it as "normal". And in 2004, the courts said that homosexuals should be allowed to marry one another. My thinking is that if people are using insurance benefits as a rationalization for homosexual marriage, then what is to stop people from using the same rationalization for polygamist marriages. After all, all the spouses would be covered on a family plan. b. We often think of the Old Testament men who had more than one wife: Abraham (Sara and Hagar) Jacob (Rachel and Leah), David (Michal and Bathsheba), and Solomon (700 wives and 300 concubines) but just because these men practiced the behavior doesn't mean that God is affirming the behavior. Abraham lied about Sarah being his wife: The Bible reports it but doesn't support it. It describes it but doesn't prescribe it for us. Contrast the first group with the Old Testament saints who preserved the monogamous marriage: Adam and Eve, Noah, Job, Isaac and Rebekah, Moses and Zipporah, Mary and Joseph. One man, one woman, one life. So the first essential for a godly marriage is monogamy. c. If you will look at the previous verses of our Genesis text, you will see that God had one and only one mate for Adam. Read vs. 18-20. Can you imagine the parade of animals, going by two by two. Adam's not so dense that he can't see what's going on here. He comes to realize that every animal has its mate. But he has no mate. Then after he wakes, there she is! Adam finds that God has made him the mate perfectly suited for him. Just one. For most everyone here, God has a unique mate for you. If you are married now, just take a look at that person. Yes!, I'm sure that's him. God doesn't promise that our mates will always live up to our every expectation. Both Adam and Eve let each other down when Satan came to tempt. And our mates will let us down too, but they are chosen for us by God. Remember the beautiful story of how God selected Rebekah for Isaac? It tells us that God brings us together for a wonderful monogamous relationship. 2.)The second essential for a godly marriage is closely related: FIDELITY. Our Genesis text points out that a man and woman in marriage will become one flesh. a. Keep your Bibles open at Genesis chapter 2 and go to Hebrews 13.4: "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." The marriage bed is to be undefiled. This means that nobody else is to be in your life sexually—only the spouse. (And in the Gospels, Jesus makes sure that we know that fidelity—even on a mental level—also counts!) If everyone believes that marriage is honorable, then why does our society have such a problem keeping the marriage bed pure? One answer is found in Romans 1—I believe that purity is under attack from those who are refusing God and some can't even see the unrighteousness of it any more. READ Rom. 1.24-29 b. Look again at our text, v. 24. "a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." There is the "leave," then comes "cleave," and becoming one flesh, we can call "weave." Breaking up one woven material certainly comes with a price. Have you ever glued two pieces of construction or craft paper together and then needed to pull them apart again? The pages are so entwined that neither piece remains intact and usable. This is why God says that He hates divorce. It causes so much destruction, that he literally hates it. --In 1 Corinthians, Paul attempted to explain the high price married couples pay when a partner is unfaithful. 1 Corinthians 6.16 says, ""Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh." --And in Ephesians 5:28, Paul explains that how we treat our spouse has a boomerang effect on ourselves. "So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself." If married spouses are unfaithful, they risk the destruction of their marriage, their family, and even their own soul. 3)That thought brings us to the third essential: LONGEVITY. a. How long do you think God meant for you to cleave to your wife? Whether it is a 25-day Hollywood marriage or a 25-year marriage that goes bad, they both are not what God has planned for married couples. God's Word says we are to cleave. Cleave and never leave. That word cleave means "to glue." The couple is glued or stuck together and cannot come apart. Marriage is meant for longevity. --Romans 7:2 tells us that we are to be bound together until death. Ecclesiastes 5:5 warns us that it's better never to vow than to vow and not live up to the promise. b. Turn to Matthew 19:3-8. The Pharisees are hitting Jesus with questions about divorce. Divorce seems to be just as much an issue then as it is now. In order to help those questioning divorce, Jesus, first, asks, "what does the Bible say." He explains that a couple is one flesh, and you really can't separate one flesh. His theology on marriage is simple: God has joined one man and one woman, they become as one. God is the joiner and if what is joined together is separated, it is by the cruel hand of man. God had nothing to do with it. But the Pharisees want to know the "what if's," and Jesus speaks to that. Didn't Moses tell us that we could divorce? Jesus tells us, that Moses did permit divorce but that was not from God, that was from Moses. But doesn't that still matter? Yes, God gave Moses the privilege as Jesus gave the Apostles to bind on earth and loose on earth. That meant that Moses permitted divorce, but that was not the way God intends things to happen. Divorce needs to be eradicated from the Christian population, and "till death do us part must be upheld. c. The following letter appeared in the Ann Lander's newspaper column a few years ago. It is a great image of what marital love is like. "Dear Ann Landers: I'm going to tell you about a love story that I witness every time I go to the nursing home to see my husband who has Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, I know firsthand how this terrible illness affects family members, but I would like the world to know what love really is. I see a man who, I understand, has spent the last eight years caring for his wife who has Alzheimer's. They have been married more than 50 years. He cooks and feeds her every bite of food she eats. He has bathed her and dressed her every day all these years. They have no other family. She lost a baby at birth and they never had any more children. "I cannot describe the tenderness and love that man shows for his wife. She is unable to recognize anyone, including him. The only things she shows any interest in are two baby dolls. They are never out of her hands. "I observed him when I parked my car beside his the other day. He sat in his old pickup truck for a few minutes, then he patted down, what little hair he had, straightened the threadbare collar of his shirt and looked in the mirror for a final check before going in to see his wife. It was as if he were courting her. They have been partners all these years and have seen each other under all kinds of circumstances, yet he carefully groomed himself before he called on his wife, who wouldn't even know him. This is an example of the love and commitment the world needs today." 4.) The last essential I see in our text is that of INTIMACY. a. "And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed" (Genesis 2:25). This verse speaks of intimacy. God designed marriage to be the most intimate of human relationships (even more intimate of that between a mother and a child, I believe). The kind of intimacy we see in the Garden was complete openness and sharing, with the absence of any barrier what so ever. It's not just describing their sexual relation-ship—although that is a major part of the Godly Marriage—Biblical intimacy envelopes the whole person: It includes --emotional intimacy—closeness that comes through shared feelings --mental or intellectual intimacy—when a couple has a mutual understanding of who they are and where they're going—life goals --spiritual intimacy—the couple share beliefs and observe practices together --recreational intimacy—when you enjoy doing things together --physical intimacy—when couple share the power of human touch b. Biblical intimacy is what our Lord uses to describe His desire to be close to us because that is the closest of human interaction. Jesus calls the Church his Bride. And Paul explains this even more in Ephesians 5:22-33: "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body." c. And in 1 Cor. 7 Paul actually addressed that physical intimacy problems some in the congregation were facing. (He was like a Biblical Dr. Phil, I suppose). READ 1 Cor. 7:4–7. I think two words sum up what Paul is saying here about physical intimacy: AUTHORITY and AGREEMENT. Authority and agreement if kept in balance help a married couple prevent opportunities for weakness. On the other hand, if this is not addressed in your marriage, you have opened your marriage up to Satan's temptations. Closing A good marriage is really like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it. And you know if you want your marriage to be Great and Godly, it must be filled with large helpings of monogamy, fidelity, longevity, and intimacy. Do you want your marriage to be great and godly? It takes growth, communication, romance, and especially Jesus Christ. Cultivate your relationships that you can model a Great and Godly marriage for those of who need to see what God has intended for us. ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

Nature-Centered Imbolc Service By Dr. Katherine MacDowell, D.Div, M.Ed., OCP, Sh., RPDP Doctorate of Divinity Masters, Counseling Psychology Doctoral Candidate, Clinical and Health Psychology     Ritual Supplies: Quarter/Element symbols: Incense for altar, set in the East 1 red candle for altar, set in the South Water dish for altar, set in the West Sand dish for altar, set in the North   Center altar symbols: 1 blue candle for altar (reflecting Spirit) 1 tan candle for altar (reflecting Earth) 1 white candle for altar (for the unified Deity, Male and Female) Athame and/or wand, I use a driftwood wand to symbolize the power of the elements which are joined by natural forces to create the wand. Chalice for water for altar to be passed to each participant during the reception of the blessing Pentacle for food for altar to be passed to each participant during the reception of the blessing Altar cloth   Imbolc altar symbols: One central white candle to symbolize Brigid's light White candles for all participants Fresh white flowers and dried grasses to offer Brigid Basket for altar to hold flowers and symbolize the womb   Invocation   Welcome everyone to our Imbolc celebration.  Today we come together in celebration and honor of holy Queen and Mother Goddess Brigid, as her presence returns to seed our world with new growth as Her Light returns. She, the Exalted One, shall rise arise in our land as the brilliance of the shining sun. She, the Exalted One, shall renew life through inspiration, regeneration, and healing. We come together today to be nourished by her Holy Milk, as it begins to break free from the Winter's icy chill to flow down into the valleys.   Opening Meditation Let us take a moment to clear our minds and prepare our spirits. Begin by taking several slow and deep breaths. Allow the nourishing air to feed you, calm you, and still your minds. Allow all thoughts of your everyday life to drift away with each exhalation.   Now imagine you are standing amidst a cool, snow covered valley. The wind is crisp; the valley is silent and still. It is a time of the deep winter, where the land is sleeping under a thick white blanket. The evergreens rise tall, reaching the steel gray sky, a dark green against the snow-white background. The maples, oaks, and willows stand thread-bare and exposed, with small seed pods barely perceptible dotting their limbs. In the distance you hear the sound of water. It is faint at first, but as the sun rises high overhead to warm your cheeks, the sound increases. You follow the sound toward a brook; clear ice covers it, but you see that it is melting. The shimmering glass of the ice is being transformed to living water as you watch. And soon the sun's transformative heat unlocks the brook and water flows. You bend low, no longer feeling the cold of the winter landscape, and cup your hands into the cool water. You splash your face and take a deep breath. You feel refreshed. You feel grounded. You feel centered. You feel purified by the sun-infused water. Take a moment to allow yourself to soak up the cool water and feel the heat of the sun.   Opening & Consecration In love and trust, we come together to perform the sacred rites of the Creative Force. Our Mother and Father, our Lord and Lady, our Beginnings and our Endings, the force that dwells in all of Nature and within each of us.    [holding up a Blue Candle]   In love and trust, we welcome the divine energy that is within each of us to our holy rites.   [lights the Blue Candle]   [holding up a Tan Candle]   In love and trust, we welcome the divine energy of Earth that envelopes us to our holy rites.   [lights the Tan Candle]   [holding up a White Candle]   In love and trust, we welcome the Creative Force, the union of the Divine Mother and Father, the spirit of birth, of death, and rebirth, to our holy rites.   [lights the White Candle]   Group Says: Blessed Be.   [holding up incense, using a driftwood wand makes the Air pentagram]   I consecrate you, Breath of Life, source of spirit and earthly life, the inspiration and expiration of the Divine Mother and Father.   Group Says: Blessed Be.   [holding up a red candle, using a driftwood wand makes the Fire pentagram]   I consecrate you, Energy of Life, transformative spark of spirit and earthly life, the passion and will of the Divine Mother and Father.   Group Says: Blessed Be.   [holding up a dish of water, using the driftwood wand makes the Water pentagram]   I consecrate you, Nourisher of Life, food of spirit and earthly life, the compassion and love of the Divine Mother and Father.   Group Says: Blessed Be.   [holding up a dish of sand, using the driftwood want makes the Mineral/Earth pentagram]   I consecrate you, Rock of Life, foundation and form of spirit and earthly life, the strength and purpose of the Divine Mother and Father.   Group Says: Blessed Be. Casting the Circle We will now cast our circle to create our sacred space and secure our protection as we work together.  Please repeat after me and visualize your own energy linking with each person.   [Raising driftwood wand and standing in the East to move clockwise around three times]   Group Says: With my Breath.   Group Says: With my Energy,   Group says: With my Compassion.,   Group Says: With my Strength of Purpose   Group Says: I craft this circle three times round   Group Says: To protect and unify My being with the Divine.   Group Says: May this sacred circle   Group Says: Be filled with love, trust, and peace.   Group Says: So do I will,   Group Says: So mote it be.   The circle is cast. Calling of the Quarters   [Standing in the East, draws an invoking pentagram with driftwood wand and lights the incense, placing it in the eastern quarter]   Sylphs, nature spirits born of the Air, Who reside in the sky and speak on the wind, We call to you to share your wisdom and guard our work. By the Breath of Life, come to us.   Group Says: Blessed Be.   [Standing in the South, draws an invoking pentagram with driftwood wand and lights the red candle, placing it in the southern quarter]   Salamanders, nature spirits born of Fire, Who reside in the magma and speak in the volcanos, We call to you to share your passion and guard our work. By the Energy of Life, come to us.   Group Says: Blessed Be.   [Standing in the West, draws an invoking pentagram with driftwood wand and holds the dish water up, placing it in the western quarter]   Undines, nature spirits born of Water, Who reside in the oceans and speak in the tides, We call to you to share your compassion and guard our work. By the Nourisher of Life, come to us.   Group Says: Blessed Be.   [Standing in the North, draws an invoking pentagram with driftwood wand and holds up the dish of sand, placing it in the northern quarter]   Gnomes, nature spirits born of sand and stone, Who reside in the deepest mountains and speak in streams of dust, We call to you to share your steadfastness and guard our work By the Rock of Life, come to us.   Group Says: Blessed Be.   We now stand between the worlds where all are joined and one. We are linked to the Web of Life; We have only one Spirit, Divine. We have only one Body, Earth. We have only one Feeling, Love. We have only one Thought, Oneness.   Group Says: Blessed Be.   Message/Invocation of Brigid   [each participant should hold up their candle]   Mother–Queen Brigid, be with us and within us. Group Says: Bless us and be blessed.   We carry within us your Divine Light, which melts the snows of winter and begins to shine offering a glimmer of Spring, of renewed hope, healing, and inspiration.   Group Says: Bless us and be blessed.   [all light your candles]   We honor Brigid's Light, rising as the Sun. The seeds buried deep beneath the cold ground quicken. The Earth is awakening, Brigid arise and be our Guide, our Comforter, and our Protector as we worship you in our sacred space today, and in our thoughts, actions, and relationships through your Season.   Group Says: Bless us and be blessed. Offeratory   [holding up a basket of fresh white flowers, seeds, and corn husks, to be scattered outdoors after the ritual]   Holy Queen, Holy Mother Brigid, Bringer of Healing, Rebirth, and Wisdom, Goddess of the Quickening and Coming Spring, We honor Your presence in our lives. Accept our gift, knowing that it comes from our Hearts, Minds, Bodies, and Spirit.   Group Says: Blessed Be   [holding up your own cup of water to drink from]   Bless our Water, that we may be renewed.   [holding up edible seeds, fruits, bread or sweets to eat; if you do not have this, you can definitely eat make a point to eat later to receive the blessing]   Bless our Food that we may be fortified.   Group Says: So mote it be.   Concluding Prayer Let us pray:   Brigid, young Bride of the Horned God, of Faunus, and the Green Man, You are the keeper of the eternal flame, the Sun that never leaves us. You have nourished the hearth of our world through the Dreaming Time of Winter, watching over us as we slept, keeping us warm and secure.   You are Transformation, The Fiery Forge that both splits and connects. The seed breaks open in your flames, and from its death, new life begins.   Group Says: Blessed Be Benediction/Parting [taking the drinking water that has been blessed]   We receive Your blessing in our lives. May we be blessed with what nourishes us.   [drink]   [taking the food that has been blessed]   We receive Your blessing in our lives. May we be blessed with what strengthens us.   [eat]   We thank you Brigid, Exalted One, Goddess whom Inspiration has adored, for being with us on this, Your holiest of days.   Group Says: In gratitude we say farewell.     [Standing in the North, drawing a banishing pentagram]   Gnomes, nature spirits born of sand and stone, We thank you.   Group Says: By the Rock of Life, we say farewell.   [Standing in the West, drawing a banishing pentagram]   Undines, nature spirits born of Water, We thank you.   Group Says: By the Nourisher of Life, we say farewell.   [Standing in the South, blows out the candle, drawing a banishing pentagram]   Salamanders, nature spirits born of Fire, We thank you.   Group Says: By the Energy of Life, we say farewell.   [Standing in the East, puts out the incense, drawing a banishing pentagram]   Sylphs, nature spirits born of the Air, We thank you.   Group Says: By the Breath of Life, we say farewell.   [holding Driftwood wand, I cut through the circle]   What has been crafted is now undone, Spirits joined are now themselves once more. Energies raised have returned to Mother Earth. We are between the worlds no more. Our circle is now open and our rites have ended.   Group Says: Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again.   ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Ordination story

I became a minister in 1985 while living in Orlando, FL. I was doing astrology readings and the city said I had to be licensed either as a minister or a vendor. So I became a minister.

My employer at the time was the Wyndham Hotel SeaWorld which is now a Stouffers hotel I believe. My boss, John Arnesen, thought doing weddings in the hotel would be a great thing for tourists.

So, the first wedding I ever performed was in the hotel lobby! Mr. Arnesen, made a huge media event out of it and comped the couple's room for an extended stay, meals, tickets to Sea World and Disney - it was GREAT FUN!

I have been performing weddings ever since! In 1989, I moved back to my birth home of Cleveland, OH. and together with my friend who also is a minister, Patricia Wagner-Soteros, we started Creative Wedding Officiants to market our wedding business.

We now perform well over 100 weddings each per year. You can see us and get more info about us and our other associates Wayne and Traci at www.creativeweddingofficiants.com

I am also a Usui Reiki Master and do Spiritual healings, house blessings and baby blessings.

Feel free to use the info for your newsletter.

Blessings.

Rev. Teresa George

For more stories like this, go to Online Ordination

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Ordination with the Free Online Ordination button.

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

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

The Universal Life Church ordained me on March 27th, 2000. I didn't start actually performing ceremonies/rituals for anyone other than family and friends until 2002, as I felt I needed more time to become proficient at it.

Looking back, I think being a member of the clergy has always been my calling. I remember, as a small child going to Catholic school, wanting to be a priest when I grew up. I could never get a straight answer from any of the adults as to why I couldn't! Just that girls could be nuns, but only boys could be priests. Never any explanation! That was just the way it was. Later, during my "atheist phase", During one of those career placement tests, Clergy kept coming up as the thing I was best suited for. What a laugh I got out of that! (I guess the joke was on me.)

Over the years, I explored many different organized religions, atheism and a couple of cults. What I finally discovered is that there is no one "right" path, but that everyone has a specific path that is right for them. What's more, a person's path can contain spirituality, wisdom and philosophy from any number of different sources, and that it is no less valid as a belief system than a specific religion. Since then, I have encountered numerous people who have spirituality, but do not subscribe to any set religion, many of whom have mentored me in my spiritual path. In searching for actual clergy members who were not affiliated with a particular sect or religion, however, I came up conspicuously empty handed. I found plenty who were more tolerant of different beliefs, but in the end, it seemed that all of them wanted to conduct things according to a set tradition. It had been suggested to me by friends and family members that I become that clergy member that I couldn't find; that I start my own church. I laughed it off, thinking that I couldn't do it, even though that inner voice that we all have had been telling me the same thing for some time by that point. I still didn't listen to that voice even when I started having recurring dreams about being some sort of "spiritual leader". It wasn't until things kept on coming up in my medicine card reading and one of my mentors suggested I may want to do this that I really took a serious look at the option. I am very grateful for being led to this, as this work is fulfilling in a way that no other has ever been. Follow the link for the rest of this story........

For the rest of the story, go to Online Ordination

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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