A Course in Miracles

A Course in Miracles At this moment… At this moment, life is happening.  At this moment, not the past, not the future but at this very moment.  When we stay in the moment all other focuses fade away, we stay in-focus at the same time we are out-of-focus.  At this moment, your moment is different than mine but we all are on the same field working with no Ego, no fear, no anger, no pain and no petty issues.  At this moment is when Magic happens.  For when we are in the moment everything falls into place as actions and questions become clear and obstacles are removed.  These difficulties are created and controlled by the Ego. The Ego cannot be part of the moment for in the moment is God.  Once we leave the moment we fall prey to the Ego and all the fallible that it entails.  Prejudices, wars and power are all part of the Ego.  If we are to become one with God we have to practice the focus of the moment.  Each moment, is just a simple touch of the infinite and as the ticking of time goes by we must learn to lengthen the moment creating an eventual eternity of one single moment.   Then and only then, do we really become one with God. God is the creator of the moment.  The moment is his son Jesus.  To get to God you must go through Jesus.  By focusing on the moment you now focus on Jesus and allow yourself access to God.  Each moment extended gets you closer to being one with God.  Darkness of thoughts lead to the Ego controlling the person which then leads to creating power and wars issues that ultimately can destroy our world.  The Ego is a way-ward thought of the past or future and takes you away from God.  By focusing on other things the Ego is allowed to grow and take over causing the person physically, mentally & spiritually to become stressed leading to an unhealthy, diseased and dying person.  When we are in the moment we retain health, vitality and access eternal youth.  But what is the Ego?  The Ego is that which takes you out of the moment, it pulls, tugs, and twinges it way in.  Thoughts of what if, why that, why me, if only, are just a small sample of what the Ego likes to play with.  As long as you entertain these thoughts the Ego grows and darkens.  Ego cannot survive in the light of the moment.  As we go about our daily lives we need to be vigilant to what & where our thoughts flow.  This requires practice and loving patients with ourselves along with forgiveness of the unintended wander be aware and bring yourself back to the moment.  Do not let the Ego take over.  We must intentionally go forth with determination and create a moment.   At this moment we make a better world.  At this moment we smile because we are that much closer to God.     Rev. Savrina Griego ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, 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

Four Gosepls

Final Essay on the Four Gospels Course Rev. Derek Kemp I have found this course very challenging and absorbing to read and study giving me a different perception about the Four Gospels than before. The modern translation supplied with the course opened new points of view in a down-to-earth way making it much more readable than conventional translations, particularly for this type of course. I am not in agreement with everything in the notes but they have been caused me to stop and think more deeply about the gospels. The point has been made that Jesus at times becomes frustrated or angry or even childish. This view is understandable but surely, we are forgetting that the central fact of the Christian faith  is that Jesus is both divine as the son of God and also human as the son of humanity - in effect a sort of dual personality which must have been difficult even for him to reconcile from time to time.  He did not come straight into the world as a figure from heaven (would he really have been accepted if he had ?- I doubt it!) but was born of a woman in very humble circumstances and lived his life among mankind for about 30 years so that he could experience and understand human problems and failings.  At the same time, when he started his ministry, his divine nature enabled him to heal and  do other miraculous works, which one might have expected would convince the people that here was someone special. So I feel that the human element is bound to show through when his hearers are being deliberately dense or misunderstanding him. We, as humans, must have been in situations that caused us to be angry or frustrated when people we were talking to refused to understand. As to being childish, the Jews were about to stone him for blasphemy, and to run away until tempers cooled would have been a sensible thing to do. The Pharisees and lawyers were always asking trick questions and producing rather stupid stories to try to trap him but never seem to want to understand his replies. They were the learned section amongst the Jews and should be able to follow his meaning through their own knowledge of scripture.  The Pharisees and lawyers were honoured amongst the people by getting the best seats in the church, at dinners and generally being on a higher plane  by expecting as of right the salutations of more humble men.  They refuse to understand his message because they do not want to change their lifestyle which is so good even under the Romans - though the life offered by Jesus would surely be better.  The Jewish faith was protected in the Roman empire and they did not want to change the status quo. In other words, they are more concerned with this world and its benefits (like many people today) than the heavenly world proclaimed by Jesus. They and the leaders of the synagogue wanted to keep in with the Romans and they fear that Jesus' teaching could attract reprisals from Rome. This would upset their lives and create problems they did not want. Can one wonder that Jesus is frustrated and angry on occasions as he would expect the Jewish leaders to be ready for his message and support him, not to cause rebellion against Rome, but to stir up the Jewish faith and the lives of the people to a better understanding of God? I feel that this study has helped to heighten my perception as well as, to some extent, changing it for the better. Rev. Derek Kemp ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, 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

Four Gosepls

Final Essay on the Four Gospels Course Rev. Derek Kemp I have found this course very challenging and absorbing to read and study giving me a different perception about the Four Gospels than before. The modern translation supplied with the course opened new points of view in a down-to-earth way making it much more readable than conventional translations, particularly for this type of course. I am not in agreement with everything in the notes but they have been caused me to stop and think more deeply about the gospels. The point has been made that Jesus at times becomes frustrated or angry or even childish. This view is understandable but surely, we are forgetting that the central fact of the Christian faith  is that Jesus is both divine as the son of God and also human as the son of humanity - in effect a sort of dual personality which must have been difficult even for him to reconcile from time to time.  He did not come straight into the world as a figure from heaven (would he really have been accepted if he had ?- I doubt it!) but was born of a woman in very humble circumstances and lived his life among mankind for about 30 years so that he could experience and understand human problems and failings.  At the same time, when he started his ministry, his divine nature enabled him to heal and  do other miraculous works, which one might have expected would convince the people that here was someone special. So I feel that the human element is bound to show through when his hearers are being deliberately dense or misunderstanding him. We, as humans, must have been in situations that caused us to be angry or frustrated when people we were talking to refused to understand. As to being childish, the Jews were about to stone him for blasphemy, and to run away until tempers cooled would have been a sensible thing to do. The Pharisees and lawyers were always asking trick questions and producing rather stupid stories to try to trap him but never seem to want to understand his replies. They were the learned section amongst the Jews and should be able to follow his meaning through their own knowledge of scripture.  The Pharisees and lawyers were honoured amongst the people by getting the best seats in the church, at dinners and generally being on a higher plane  by expecting as of right the salutations of more humble men.  They refuse to understand his message because they do not want to change their lifestyle which is so good even under the Romans - though the life offered by Jesus would surely be better.  The Jewish faith was protected in the Roman empire and they did not want to change the status quo. In other words, they are more concerned with this world and its benefits (like many people today) than the heavenly world proclaimed by Jesus. They and the leaders of the synagogue wanted to keep in with the Romans and they fear that Jesus' teaching could attract reprisals from Rome. This would upset their lives and create problems they did not want. Can one wonder that Jesus is frustrated and angry on occasions as he would expect the Jewish leaders to be ready for his message and support him, not to cause rebellion against Rome, but to stir up the Jewish faith and the lives of the people to a better understanding of God? I feel that this study has helped to heighten my perception as well as, to some extent, changing it for the better. Rev. Derek Kemp ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, 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

Spirit Quest

Final Essay – Spirit Quest – Master of Metaphysics     

By Dr. Rev. Nancy Kimes

This study course is a great course for those beginning their path and while serving others through ministerial pursuits. One of the deepest studies in this course is lesson 13, "Your Spiritual Path". Not many know or understand that we choose our parents and our experiences. This understanding is needed to make wiser choices and take responsibility for our selves. If one learns this it can change the course of their life and make giant steps on their spiritual path. Lessons can be learned quicker and bring more awareness to making conscious choices.

One has the opportunity to sense that their thoughts are things and will project what they are thinking outside as well as inside of themselves, emotions such as fear and love. All thoughts stem from one or the other. This is an opportunity to make conscious choices conditioning the mind for a favorable outcome.

The bigger the lesson the stronger the impulse to change patterns that better serve you and prepares you to live a better life. It also helps when interacting with others.

I am not fond of destroying roses while doing the meditations, which are great by the way, so I replaced roses for bubbles or balloons instead.

Also, there is great information on the chakras. It was hard to choose one subject for this essay as all the chapters are "gems" of knowledge. This course helped me solidify my beliefs and create a deeper connection and foundation for those beliefs.

Sometimes, I tend to get somewhat philosophical when talking to someone about spiritual matters. This course helped bring me back to the basics clearly and concisely so those who are beginning their path can ease into this knowledge. The lessons provide stepping stones of beliefs they can grow into. This course will help everyone! 

In His service,

Dr. Rev. Nancy Kimes              

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

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

Spirit Quest

Final Essay – Spirit Quest – Master of Metaphysics     

By Dr. Rev. Nancy Kimes

This study course is a great course for those beginning their path and while serving others through ministerial pursuits. One of the deepest studies in this course is lesson 13, "Your Spiritual Path". Not many know or understand that we choose our parents and our experiences. This understanding is needed to make wiser choices and take responsibility for our selves. If one learns this it can change the course of their life and make giant steps on their spiritual path. Lessons can be learned quicker and bring more awareness to making conscious choices.

One has the opportunity to sense that their thoughts are things and will project what they are thinking outside as well as inside of themselves, emotions such as fear and love. All thoughts stem from one or the other. This is an opportunity to make conscious choices conditioning the mind for a favorable outcome.

The bigger the lesson the stronger the impulse to change patterns that better serve you and prepares you to live a better life. It also helps when interacting with others.

I am not fond of destroying roses while doing the meditations, which are great by the way, so I replaced roses for bubbles or balloons instead.

Also, there is great information on the chakras. It was hard to choose one subject for this essay as all the chapters are "gems" of knowledge. This course helped me solidify my beliefs and create a deeper connection and foundation for those beliefs.

Sometimes, I tend to get somewhat philosophical when talking to someone about spiritual matters. This course helped bring me back to the basics clearly and concisely so those who are beginning their path can ease into this knowledge. The lessons provide stepping stones of beliefs they can grow into. This course will help everyone! 

In His service,

Dr. Rev. Nancy Kimes              

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

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

Spirit Quest

Universal Life Church

Spirit Quest - Final Paper

By Rev. Heather L. Boyd

 

I have given a great deal of thought to exactly what I wanted to express about this course and how it has effected my life, because it has made an effect.  I guess the first thing I want to express is my lack of belief in reincarnation.  I believe that when you die you go to heaven and all of your loved ones who have passed on before you are there to greet you when you arrive.  I look forward to that as there are some people who have passed, both family and friends that I miss greatly.  Because of this deeply ingrained belief, I had a difficult time with some of the lessons surrounding this particular topic.  I do have to admit though, I did enjoy wondering about the souls around me a trying to guess how old they would be under the guidelines given, "and so and so must be a new soul", etc.  Imagination is a fun tool.  I know little to nothing about Karma and Chakras and found that these areas interested me.  I would like to explore them more.  As my grandmother always told me, "the day you stop learning you die".

The central idea of meditation was the most valuable part of the course for me.  From this study I learned that I was stuck in a rut.  I had a great deal of negative energy in my space and a very negative individual creating more and more negative energy in my space all the time.  This course helped me to take a look at my future, from where I was standing at the time, and make a decision to either follow the path already laid out before me or to step off that path into the unknown and see where that takes me. 

When I looked down the path I was already traveling, I noticed that the unhappiness and the constant dire struggle I was experiencing probably would not end any time soon.  I was a smoker, drank what most people would consider to be too much and over-weight.  My husband offered me no support as a spouse; in fact he was more prone to doing a little sabotage.  So . . . I stepped off the path. 

In June of this year I quit smoking and when that went I noticed I didn't need the alcohol either.  I never realized how much time these bad habits consumed.  I began eating a more healthy diet and to date have lost 15 pounds.  I separated from my oh-so negative husband of seven years and we will be getting a divorce.  I am in the process of cleaning my home from top to bottom and redecorating, painting, etc. along the way.  I have picked up a new hobby, photography and I have time now to spend with my family.  Unfortunately, the isolation in which I lived with my husband has resulted in my not having any close friends, but I am looking to remedy that situation.  I have more time to spend with my son, who has an autism disorder, and help him learn the tools he needs to succeed in life.  I am relearning the concept of playtime. 

I found the meditation, when I could do it, was soothing and created a center within me from which I could objectively proceed back out into the world.  I try to meditate now when I can, and plan to do it more often once things become a little less hectic.  I am rearranging my bedroom with the goal of creating a corner in my world where I can go to "unplug".  This involves painting the walls a nice relaxing color, eliminating clutter, rearranging the furniture to give me space for a new chair.  I am planning on getting one of those zero-gravity chairs where I can sit and really relax and listen to my relaxation CDs by candle light.   Overall, my outlook on life has changed dramatically.  I am happier, I am more positive, I am calmer, I have more time to devote to the things that really matter and I know that I need to make myself one of those things.  Here's to the future!

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

Become ordained with the Universal Life Church, which is free and lasts for life.  You can use the Free Online Ordination, button to fill out the form.

Rev. Long, a member of ULC for many year, has created this seminary to help train our ministers. The Seminary also has a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials and free minister training. Those who have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning have enjoyed its ongoing growth and change.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spirit Quest

Universal Life Church

Spirit Quest - Final Paper

By Rev. Heather L. Boyd

 

I have given a great deal of thought to exactly what I wanted to express about this course and how it has effected my life, because it has made an effect.  I guess the first thing I want to express is my lack of belief in reincarnation.  I believe that when you die you go to heaven and all of your loved ones who have passed on before you are there to greet you when you arrive.  I look forward to that as there are some people who have passed, both family and friends that I miss greatly.  Because of this deeply ingrained belief, I had a difficult time with some of the lessons surrounding this particular topic.  I do have to admit though, I did enjoy wondering about the souls around me a trying to guess how old they would be under the guidelines given, "and so and so must be a new soul", etc.  Imagination is a fun tool.  I know little to nothing about Karma and Chakras and found that these areas interested me.  I would like to explore them more.  As my grandmother always told me, "the day you stop learning you die".

The central idea of meditation was the most valuable part of the course for me.  From this study I learned that I was stuck in a rut.  I had a great deal of negative energy in my space and a very negative individual creating more and more negative energy in my space all the time.  This course helped me to take a look at my future, from where I was standing at the time, and make a decision to either follow the path already laid out before me or to step off that path into the unknown and see where that takes me. 

When I looked down the path I was already traveling, I noticed that the unhappiness and the constant dire struggle I was experiencing probably would not end any time soon.  I was a smoker, drank what most people would consider to be too much and over-weight.  My husband offered me no support as a spouse; in fact he was more prone to doing a little sabotage.  So . . . I stepped off the path. 

In June of this year I quit smoking and when that went I noticed I didn't need the alcohol either.  I never realized how much time these bad habits consumed.  I began eating a more healthy diet and to date have lost 15 pounds.  I separated from my oh-so negative husband of seven years and we will be getting a divorce.  I am in the process of cleaning my home from top to bottom and redecorating, painting, etc. along the way.  I have picked up a new hobby, photography and I have time now to spend with my family.  Unfortunately, the isolation in which I lived with my husband has resulted in my not having any close friends, but I am looking to remedy that situation.  I have more time to spend with my son, who has an autism disorder, and help him learn the tools he needs to succeed in life.  I am relearning the concept of playtime. 

I found the meditation, when I could do it, was soothing and created a center within me from which I could objectively proceed back out into the world.  I try to meditate now when I can, and plan to do it more often once things become a little less hectic.  I am rearranging my bedroom with the goal of creating a corner in my world where I can go to "unplug".  This involves painting the walls a nice relaxing color, eliminating clutter, rearranging the furniture to give me space for a new chair.  I am planning on getting one of those zero-gravity chairs where I can sit and really relax and listen to my relaxation CDs by candle light.   Overall, my outlook on life has changed dramatically.  I am happier, I am more positive, I am calmer, I have more time to devote to the things that really matter and I know that I need to make myself one of those things.  Here's to the future!

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

Become ordained with the Universal Life Church, which is free and lasts for life.  You can use the Free Online Ordination, button to fill out the form.

Rev. Long, a member of ULC for many year, has created this seminary to help train our ministers. The Seminary also has a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials and free minister training. Those who have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning have enjoyed its ongoing growth and change.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar