"Restoring Honor" Washington DC The theme for this rally was to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King's niece, Dr. Alveda King, was a featured speaker honoring his legacy and good name. Also highlighting this event on August 28, 2010, was Sarah Palin and those awarded through recognition of living their lives in Faith, Hope and Charity. Glenn's message was far from political. It was inspirational! The message was and is about restoring our core values and principles, returning to the core essence of our Founding Fathers. Beck urges us ALL to pray on our knees for our country, our leaders - to pray in our churches, synagogues, and mosques – and restore our country's founding principles under God. If we do not bring God back into our country (our lives), we will fall as a nation. From the moment I committed to this journey everything synchronized into place. The energy at the gathering was electrical yet peaceful. I did not come across one rude or indignant person. There were hundreds of thousands of people there, nearing 500,000, which is a conservative estimate! I was very proud to be a part of this gathering – history in the making. Those of you who have only heard of Glenn Beck in a derogatory sense, I urge you to watch him on Fox News and really listen to what he has to say. Don't just believe what he is conveying -instead research his findings yourself. Then and only then will you have an accurate viewpoint about Glenn and his message, as well as the history of our Founding Fathers and the future of our nation. Will we stand or will we fall? Learn what we the people need to do to secure our future, our children's future, and our grandchildren's future. Nancy Kimes Cambria, CA ********************** 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 |
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Online Sermon
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Universal Life Church
ULC SEMINARY SERMONS
How to be a man
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly sermon. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly sermons sent straight to you. These sermons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don't agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next weeks.
ULC Sermons
www.ulcseminary.org
How to be a man
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly sermon. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly sermons sent straight to you. These sermons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don't agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next weeks.
ULC Sermons
www.ulcseminary.org
Universal Life Church Seminary
**********
#49 - How to be a Man
Steve Pavlina
How to be a man.
What does it mean to be a man today? How can men consciously express their masculinity without becoming cold or closed-hearted on the one hand...... or wimpy and emasculated on the other? What's the most loving way for a conscious man to express himself?
Here are 10 ways to live more consciously as a man:
1. Make real decisions.
A man understands and respects the power of choice. He lives a life of his own creation. He knows that life stagnates when he fails to decide and flourishes when he chooses a clear path.
When a man makes a decision, he opens the door he wants and closes the doors he doesn't want. He locks onto his target like a guided missile. There's no guarantee he'll reach his target, and he knows this, but he doesn't need such guarantees. He simply enjoys the sense of inevitability that comes from pushing the launch button.
A man doesn't require the approval of others. He's willing to follow his heart wherever it leads him. When a man is following his heart-centered path, it's of little consequence if the entire world is against him.
2. Put your relationships second.
A man who claims his #1 commitment in life is his relationship partner (or his family) is either too dishonest or too weak to be trusted. His loyalties are misplaced. A man who values individuals above his own integrity is a wretch, not a free thinker.
A man knows he must commit to something greater than satisfying the needs of a few people. He's not willing to be domesticated, but he is willing to accept the responsibility that comes with greater challenges. He knows that when he shirks that duty, he becomes something less than a man. When others observe that the man is unyieldingly committed to his values and ideals, he gains their trust and respect, even when he cannot gain their direct support. The surest way for a man to lose the respect of others (as well as his self-respect) is to violate his own values.
Life will test the man to see if he's willing to put loyalty to others ahead of loyalty to his principles. The man will be offered many temptations to expose his true loyalties. A man's greatest reward is to live with integrity, and his greatest punishment is what he inflicts upon himself for placing anything above his integrity. Whenever the man sacrifices his integrity, he loses his freedom... and himself as well. He becomes an object of pity.
3. Be willing to fail.
A man is willing to make mistakes. He's willing to be wrong. He'd rather try and fail than do nothing.
A man's self-trust is one of his greatest assets. When he second-guesses himself by worrying about failure, he diminishes himself. An intelligent man considers the prospect of failure, but he doesn't preoccupy himself with pointless worry. He accepts that if a failure outcome occurs, he can deal with it.
A man grows more from failure than he does from success. Success cannot test his resolve in the way that failure can. Success has its challenges, but a man learns more about himself when he takes on challenges that involve risk. When a man plays it safe, his vitality is lost, and he loses his edge.
4. Be confident.
A man speaks and acts with confidence. He owns his attitude.
A man doesn't adopt a confident posture because he knows he'll succeed. He often knows that failure is a likely outcome. But when the odds of success are clearly against him, he still exudes confidence. It isn't because he's ignorant or suffering from denial. It's because he's proving to himself that he has the strength to transcend his self-doubt. This builds his courage and persistence, two of his most valuable allies.
A man is willing to be defeated by the world. He's willing to be taken down by circumstances beyond his control. But he refuses to be overwhelmed by his own self-doubt. He knows that when he stops trusting himself, he is surely lost. He'll surrender to fate when necessary, but he won't surrender to fear.
5. Express love actively.
A man is an active giver of love, not a passive receiver. A man is the first to initiate a conversation, the first to ask for what's needed, and the first to say "I love you." Waiting for someone else to make the first move is unbecoming of him. The universe does not respond positively to his hesitation. Only when he's in motion do the floodgates of abundance open.
Man is the out-breath of source energy. It is his job - his duty - to share his love with the world. He must wean himself from suckling the energy of others and become a vibrant transmitter of energy himself. He must allow that energy to flow from source, through him, and into the world. When he assumes this role, he has no doubt he is living as his true self.
6. Re-channel sex energy.
A man doesn't hide his sexuality. If others shrink from him because he's too masculine, he allows them to have their reaction. There's no need for him to lower his energy just to avoid frightening the timid. A man accepts the consequences of being male; he makes no apologies for his nature.
A man is careful not to allow his energy to get stuck at the level of lust. He re-channels much of his sexual energy into his heart and head, where it can serve his higher values instead of just his animal instincts. (You can do this by visualizing the energy rising, expanding, and eventually flowing throughout your entire body and beyond.)
A man channels his sexual energy into his heart-centered pursuits. He feels such energy pulsing within him, driving him to action. He feels uncomfortable standing still. He allows his sexual energy to explode through his heart, not just his genitals.
7. Face your fears.
For a man, being afraid of something is reason enough to do it. A man's fear is a call to be tested. When a man hides from his fears, he knows he's fallen out of alignment with his true self. He feels weak, depressed, and helpless. No matter how hard he tries to comfort himself and achieve a state of peace, he cannot overcome his inner feeling of dread. Only when facing his fears does a man experience peace.
A man makes a friend of risk. He doesn't run and hide from the tests of fear. He turns toward them and engages them boldly.
A man succeeds or fails. A coward never makes the attempt. Specific outcomes are of less concern to a man than his direction.
A man feels like a man whenever he faces the right way, staring straight into his fears. He feels even more like a man when he advances in the direction of his fears, as if sailing on the winds of an inner scream.
8. Honor the masculinity of other men.
When a man sees a male friend undertaking a new venture that will clearly lead to failure, what does the man do? Does he warn his friend off such a path? No, the man encourages his friend to continue. The man knows it's better for his friend to strike out confidently and learn from the failure experience. The man honors his friend's decision to reach out and make the attempt. The man won't deny his friend the benefits of a failure experience. The man may offer his friend guidance, but he knows his friend must fail repeatedly in order to develop self-trust and courage.
When you see a man at the gym struggling to lift a heavy weight, do you jump in and say, "Here... let me help you with that. Maybe the two of us can lift it together"? No, that would rob him of the growth experience - and probably make a quick enemy of him as well.
The male path is filled with obstacles. It typically includes more failures than successes. These obstacles help a man discover what's truly important to him. Through repeated failures a man learns to persist in the pursuit of worthy goals and to abandon goals that are unworthy of him.
A man can handle being knocked down many times. For every physical setback he experiences, he enjoys a spiritual advancement, and that is enough for him.
9. Accept responsibility for your relationships.
A man chooses his friends, lovers, and associates consciously. He actively seeks out the company of people who inspire and challenge him, and he willingly sheds those who hold him back.
A man doesn't blame others for his relationship problems. When a relationship is no longer compatible with his heart-centered path, he initiates the break-up and departs without blame or guilt.
A man holds himself accountable for the relationships he allows into his life. He holds others accountable for their behavior, but he holds himself accountable for his decision to tolerate such behavior.
A man teaches others how to treat him by the relationships he's willing to allow into his life. A man refuses to fill his life with negative or destructive relationships; he knows that's a form of self-abuse.
10. Die well.
A man's great challenge is to develop the inner strength to express his true self. He must learn to share his love with the world without holding back. When a man is satisfied that he's done that, he can make peace with death. But if he fails to do so, death becomes his enemy and haunts him all the days of his life.
A man cannot die well unless he lives well. A man lives well when he accepts his mortality and draws strength from knowing that his physical existence is temporary. When a man faces and accepts the inevitability of death... when he learns to see death as his ally instead of his enemy... he's finally able to express his true self. So a man isn't ready to live until he accepts that he's already dead.
Talk to you next week!
**********
#49 - How to be a Man
Steve Pavlina
How to be a man.
What does it mean to be a man today? How can men consciously express their masculinity without becoming cold or closed-hearted on the one hand...... or wimpy and emasculated on the other? What's the most loving way for a conscious man to express himself?
Here are 10 ways to live more consciously as a man:
1. Make real decisions.
A man understands and respects the power of choice. He lives a life of his own creation. He knows that life stagnates when he fails to decide and flourishes when he chooses a clear path.
When a man makes a decision, he opens the door he wants and closes the doors he doesn't want. He locks onto his target like a guided missile. There's no guarantee he'll reach his target, and he knows this, but he doesn't need such guarantees. He simply enjoys the sense of inevitability that comes from pushing the launch button.
A man doesn't require the approval of others. He's willing to follow his heart wherever it leads him. When a man is following his heart-centered path, it's of little consequence if the entire world is against him.
2. Put your relationships second.
A man who claims his #1 commitment in life is his relationship partner (or his family) is either too dishonest or too weak to be trusted. His loyalties are misplaced. A man who values individuals above his own integrity is a wretch, not a free thinker.
A man knows he must commit to something greater than satisfying the needs of a few people. He's not willing to be domesticated, but he is willing to accept the responsibility that comes with greater challenges. He knows that when he shirks that duty, he becomes something less than a man. When others observe that the man is unyieldingly committed to his values and ideals, he gains their trust and respect, even when he cannot gain their direct support. The surest way for a man to lose the respect of others (as well as his self-respect) is to violate his own values.
Life will test the man to see if he's willing to put loyalty to others ahead of loyalty to his principles. The man will be offered many temptations to expose his true loyalties. A man's greatest reward is to live with integrity, and his greatest punishment is what he inflicts upon himself for placing anything above his integrity. Whenever the man sacrifices his integrity, he loses his freedom... and himself as well. He becomes an object of pity.
3. Be willing to fail.
A man is willing to make mistakes. He's willing to be wrong. He'd rather try and fail than do nothing.
A man's self-trust is one of his greatest assets. When he second-guesses himself by worrying about failure, he diminishes himself. An intelligent man considers the prospect of failure, but he doesn't preoccupy himself with pointless worry. He accepts that if a failure outcome occurs, he can deal with it.
A man grows more from failure than he does from success. Success cannot test his resolve in the way that failure can. Success has its challenges, but a man learns more about himself when he takes on challenges that involve risk. When a man plays it safe, his vitality is lost, and he loses his edge.
4. Be confident.
A man speaks and acts with confidence. He owns his attitude.
A man doesn't adopt a confident posture because he knows he'll succeed. He often knows that failure is a likely outcome. But when the odds of success are clearly against him, he still exudes confidence. It isn't because he's ignorant or suffering from denial. It's because he's proving to himself that he has the strength to transcend his self-doubt. This builds his courage and persistence, two of his most valuable allies.
A man is willing to be defeated by the world. He's willing to be taken down by circumstances beyond his control. But he refuses to be overwhelmed by his own self-doubt. He knows that when he stops trusting himself, he is surely lost. He'll surrender to fate when necessary, but he won't surrender to fear.
5. Express love actively.
A man is an active giver of love, not a passive receiver. A man is the first to initiate a conversation, the first to ask for what's needed, and the first to say "I love you." Waiting for someone else to make the first move is unbecoming of him. The universe does not respond positively to his hesitation. Only when he's in motion do the floodgates of abundance open.
Man is the out-breath of source energy. It is his job - his duty - to share his love with the world. He must wean himself from suckling the energy of others and become a vibrant transmitter of energy himself. He must allow that energy to flow from source, through him, and into the world. When he assumes this role, he has no doubt he is living as his true self.
6. Re-channel sex energy.
A man doesn't hide his sexuality. If others shrink from him because he's too masculine, he allows them to have their reaction. There's no need for him to lower his energy just to avoid frightening the timid. A man accepts the consequences of being male; he makes no apologies for his nature.
A man is careful not to allow his energy to get stuck at the level of lust. He re-channels much of his sexual energy into his heart and head, where it can serve his higher values instead of just his animal instincts. (You can do this by visualizing the energy rising, expanding, and eventually flowing throughout your entire body and beyond.)
A man channels his sexual energy into his heart-centered pursuits. He feels such energy pulsing within him, driving him to action. He feels uncomfortable standing still. He allows his sexual energy to explode through his heart, not just his genitals.
7. Face your fears.
For a man, being afraid of something is reason enough to do it. A man's fear is a call to be tested. When a man hides from his fears, he knows he's fallen out of alignment with his true self. He feels weak, depressed, and helpless. No matter how hard he tries to comfort himself and achieve a state of peace, he cannot overcome his inner feeling of dread. Only when facing his fears does a man experience peace.
A man makes a friend of risk. He doesn't run and hide from the tests of fear. He turns toward them and engages them boldly.
A man succeeds or fails. A coward never makes the attempt. Specific outcomes are of less concern to a man than his direction.
A man feels like a man whenever he faces the right way, staring straight into his fears. He feels even more like a man when he advances in the direction of his fears, as if sailing on the winds of an inner scream.
8. Honor the masculinity of other men.
When a man sees a male friend undertaking a new venture that will clearly lead to failure, what does the man do? Does he warn his friend off such a path? No, the man encourages his friend to continue. The man knows it's better for his friend to strike out confidently and learn from the failure experience. The man honors his friend's decision to reach out and make the attempt. The man won't deny his friend the benefits of a failure experience. The man may offer his friend guidance, but he knows his friend must fail repeatedly in order to develop self-trust and courage.
When you see a man at the gym struggling to lift a heavy weight, do you jump in and say, "Here... let me help you with that. Maybe the two of us can lift it together"? No, that would rob him of the growth experience - and probably make a quick enemy of him as well.
The male path is filled with obstacles. It typically includes more failures than successes. These obstacles help a man discover what's truly important to him. Through repeated failures a man learns to persist in the pursuit of worthy goals and to abandon goals that are unworthy of him.
A man can handle being knocked down many times. For every physical setback he experiences, he enjoys a spiritual advancement, and that is enough for him.
9. Accept responsibility for your relationships.
A man chooses his friends, lovers, and associates consciously. He actively seeks out the company of people who inspire and challenge him, and he willingly sheds those who hold him back.
A man doesn't blame others for his relationship problems. When a relationship is no longer compatible with his heart-centered path, he initiates the break-up and departs without blame or guilt.
A man holds himself accountable for the relationships he allows into his life. He holds others accountable for their behavior, but he holds himself accountable for his decision to tolerate such behavior.
A man teaches others how to treat him by the relationships he's willing to allow into his life. A man refuses to fill his life with negative or destructive relationships; he knows that's a form of self-abuse.
10. Die well.
A man's great challenge is to develop the inner strength to express his true self. He must learn to share his love with the world without holding back. When a man is satisfied that he's done that, he can make peace with death. But if he fails to do so, death becomes his enemy and haunts him all the days of his life.
A man cannot die well unless he lives well. A man lives well when he accepts his mortality and draws strength from knowing that his physical existence is temporary. When a man faces and accepts the inevitability of death... when he learns to see death as his ally instead of his enemy... he's finally able to express his true self. So a man isn't ready to live until he accepts that he's already dead.
Talk to you next week!
*******************************
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 , 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
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Universal Life Church
ULC SEMINARY SERMONS
About Women
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly sermon. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly sermons sent straight to you. These sermons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next weeks.
ULC Sermons
About Women
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly sermon. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly sermons sent straight to you. These sermons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next weeks.
ULC Sermons
Universal Life Church Seminary
**********
#50 - How to be a Woman
Suzie Fleming
In the past hundred years or so, women have caused and experienced unprecedented social change. Whereas in previous years they were extremely limited in terms of their public power, they now have choices, experiences and opportunities. Many women are now playing multiple 'roles' - in addition to being a mother, a wife, and a daughter, they are also career women or running small businesses, writing, engaging in community work, active within politics, studying and many more things.
Steve Pavlina recently wrote a post in which he outlined his concept of what it meant to become a man. At the end he challenged his readers to write the opposing post - how to be a woman. Initially, I felt fairly excluded. What is there to stop any woman from meeting any of the points he makes? The answer is none, except possibly inclination. After some thought, however, I decided that there are some fundamental value decisions that women may have a different perspective on.
1. Take control, accept responsibility
Women tend to be raised to believe that group consensus matters. They will seek approval from their family and friend before major choices. They may give way to people they perceive as having more authority. All of this can be very positive at times - but it's important to understand that ultimately your life is your responsibility. The choices you make should reflect your values, not those of the people around you. If you want to trek across three continents on your own, then you should. Yes, it will be dangerous, and yes you may face dangers that are overwhelming, but that's life and that's how we grow.
To put this in perspective, when I was 18 I traveled to the USA (I'm English) to meet and stay with friends I had only spoken to online. I repeated this when I was 20, but in Europe. That first trip I made was the first time I had ever flown, and I made a transatlantic flight by myself with no guarantee of who I was meeting. It was very scary, but I would never take that experience back. I learned more about myself in those two weeks than I had done in the entire previous year.
2. It's okay not to do everything
There are women who manage to balance a very successful career with bringing up several children and being a loving wife. Usually they succeed, however, because they love what they do. If you hate kids then don't have them. If you hate corporate life then don't try and be a high-powered business woman. There is absolutely nothing wrong with focusing on your children and bringing them up well - and your kids will thank you for it.
I once heard a child say to his mother "We are not your children. Your business is your children". Don't do two things badly - do the thing you really want to do well.
3. It's okay to do everything
Long gone are the days when women, once pregnant, were consigned to a house. Now you have incredible opportunities. Most employers should offer flexible working options, so that you can work and raise your children. Equally, men are much more open to the idea that they are equally responsible for bringing up children and doing household chores.
Additional income from a second working adult can spell the difference between no investments and future wealth. Equally, a job means you can maintain independent friends, income and hobbies.
There are also plenty of options for the home business owner. The internet is an incredibly powerful tool - use it wisely.
4. Be honest, not manipulative
Women tend to be better at manipulating people. They are often more aware of social nuance, and can 'read' hidden fears and desires much more astutely than some men. Used wisely, this can smooth over potential conflict, and allow people to communicate more effectively. Used badly, this can result in manipulation. Taking advantage of people and their vulnerabilities for your own personal gain is never okay. Sometimes expressing yourself honestly is the best path, even if it does lead to conflict.
5. Speak out
Women were silenced for thousands of years. Their writing was consigned to the literary pulp bin. They were not educated for fear their brains couldn't take it. But they still managed to produce classic works, they still managed to make significant social changes, and they still managed to get and use power effectively. Right now we are the most educated and the most powerful that we have ever been.
We have also been ruled by a hierarchy of rich, white men for thousands of years. When they act according to their interests it is not in the best interest of everyone else. We finally are starting to see diversity in the people who make decisions that affect us all. The more diverse the experiences that make up a group, the more adaptable that group is. The more varied the skill set, the more varied the knowledge, the more resources a group has. Every group of people has a unique history, a unique perspective, and unique guidance to offer.
If you have something to say, then say it. Ask questions in class. Suggest improvements to your boss. Reveal corruption and crime to other people so that collectively we can deal with it. Be an example to other women - that we matter, that our problems are important, and that our suggestions are valuable.
6. Listen and learn
Part of speaking out involves listening. Dismissing male experience and male problems is as wrong as men dismissing female experience and female problems. Right now we are at a turning point of human social evolution. Everything the individual does impacts the larger social organism. Equally, the larger social organism impacts every individual. If China pollutes the skies, then we all feel the impact. If America declares war on a particular country, then every country has to deal with the aftermath - whether it is the refugees, or the economical downturn.
Therefore, someone else's problem is our problem too. If we don't help them create a solution that benefits everyone, then we may end up negatively impacted by their personal solution. On a smaller scale, if someone is abused as a child and does not receive help and attention from the people around them, they are very likely to abuse others when older.
In medical terms, prevention is better than cure.
7. Don't wait for someone else
Traditionally, it was men who began courting and who proposed, and it was men who made major financial and life changing decisions within the family unit. But do you honestly want to sit around waiting for someone else to make up their mind to ask the question? If you want something, you have to take action to get it. That means popping the question. It means deciding where your money goes. It means working out what is important to you, and taking steps to achieve it.
It all comes back to equal opportunity - and equal responsibility.
8. Be fluid
Women are cyclical. Their hormones change, their moods and focus change. Our cycles are not something we should fight and struggle against, as that is tantamount to struggling against your own body. Equally, our cycles should not be allowed to rule our lives. We have to make the decisions to understand our bodies and what they need. We need to take advantage of the different parts of our cycle.
I am only just starting to understand my own mood and focus changes, but already the difference it has made is amazing. Instead of struggling to complete tasks that I 'should' do, I do the tasks that are related to my focus. I've noticed that during the first half of the cycle I am very sociable, very outward orientated, and very goal focused. During the second half I draw inwards, I become more concerned with myself, my immediate environment, and my health.
Now clearly I can't quit working for two weeks out of every four, but what I can do is ensure that difficult and time-consuming tasks are completed in the first half of my cycle, and that easier or more personal projects are completed in the second half.
Listen to your body. It knows what it needs.
9. Eat Well
I've rarely met a woman who didn't have some sort of issue with food. From fad diets to binging and detoxing, from hyper-controlled portion sizes to complete chaos. Food is a very fundamental part of our health and our social lives. The media in particular is very fickle when it comes to how it talks about women and their body shapes.
We all know that being undernourished is unhealthy and that being obese is unhealthy. There are a vast range of ideal weights however, and we all have one that is appropriate for us. Far more important than our weight is our happiness, our confidence and our personality.
Food is here to be enjoyed. It is here to be colorful, interesting and to replenish us. Half a celery stick and a piece of lettuce is not enough. It is much better to eat lots of varied foods, and exercise than it is to restrict calorie intake and remain sedentary.
Aim for optimum health, not optimum weight.
10. Accept your sexuality and love your body
You are beautiful. You are a sexual being. Enjoy sex, don't do anything you don't want to do, experiment, and don't be afraid to take control once in a while. Sex is a wonderful thing, but it takes a bit of work and experimentation to understand it. Masturbation is a great way to gain confidence and knowledge before inviting someone else in. It's okay to have one night stands as long as everyone is honest with each other, and everyone stays safe (use condoms!) It's okay to wait for the one person you are sure about, even if it takes a while, as long as you are making yourself happy meanwhile. It's okay to have fantasies. It's okay to be single. It's okay to be in relationship as long as you feel loved and safe.
Talk to you next week!
**********
#50 - How to be a Woman
Suzie Fleming
In the past hundred years or so, women have caused and experienced unprecedented social change. Whereas in previous years they were extremely limited in terms of their public power, they now have choices, experiences and opportunities. Many women are now playing multiple 'roles' - in addition to being a mother, a wife, and a daughter, they are also career women or running small businesses, writing, engaging in community work, active within politics, studying and many more things.
Steve Pavlina recently wrote a post in which he outlined his concept of what it meant to become a man. At the end he challenged his readers to write the opposing post - how to be a woman. Initially, I felt fairly excluded. What is there to stop any woman from meeting any of the points he makes? The answer is none, except possibly inclination. After some thought, however, I decided that there are some fundamental value decisions that women may have a different perspective on.
1. Take control, accept responsibility
Women tend to be raised to believe that group consensus matters. They will seek approval from their family and friend before major choices. They may give way to people they perceive as having more authority. All of this can be very positive at times - but it's important to understand that ultimately your life is your responsibility. The choices you make should reflect your values, not those of the people around you. If you want to trek across three continents on your own, then you should. Yes, it will be dangerous, and yes you may face dangers that are overwhelming, but that's life and that's how we grow.
To put this in perspective, when I was 18 I traveled to the USA (I'm English) to meet and stay with friends I had only spoken to online. I repeated this when I was 20, but in Europe. That first trip I made was the first time I had ever flown, and I made a transatlantic flight by myself with no guarantee of who I was meeting. It was very scary, but I would never take that experience back. I learned more about myself in those two weeks than I had done in the entire previous year.
2. It's okay not to do everything
There are women who manage to balance a very successful career with bringing up several children and being a loving wife. Usually they succeed, however, because they love what they do. If you hate kids then don't have them. If you hate corporate life then don't try and be a high-powered business woman. There is absolutely nothing wrong with focusing on your children and bringing them up well - and your kids will thank you for it.
I once heard a child say to his mother "We are not your children. Your business is your children". Don't do two things badly - do the thing you really want to do well.
3. It's okay to do everything
Long gone are the days when women, once pregnant, were consigned to a house. Now you have incredible opportunities. Most employers should offer flexible working options, so that you can work and raise your children. Equally, men are much more open to the idea that they are equally responsible for bringing up children and doing household chores.
Additional income from a second working adult can spell the difference between no investments and future wealth. Equally, a job means you can maintain independent friends, income and hobbies.
There are also plenty of options for the home business owner. The internet is an incredibly powerful tool - use it wisely.
4. Be honest, not manipulative
Women tend to be better at manipulating people. They are often more aware of social nuance, and can 'read' hidden fears and desires much more astutely than some men. Used wisely, this can smooth over potential conflict, and allow people to communicate more effectively. Used badly, this can result in manipulation. Taking advantage of people and their vulnerabilities for your own personal gain is never okay. Sometimes expressing yourself honestly is the best path, even if it does lead to conflict.
5. Speak out
Women were silenced for thousands of years. Their writing was consigned to the literary pulp bin. They were not educated for fear their brains couldn't take it. But they still managed to produce classic works, they still managed to make significant social changes, and they still managed to get and use power effectively. Right now we are the most educated and the most powerful that we have ever been.
We have also been ruled by a hierarchy of rich, white men for thousands of years. When they act according to their interests it is not in the best interest of everyone else. We finally are starting to see diversity in the people who make decisions that affect us all. The more diverse the experiences that make up a group, the more adaptable that group is. The more varied the skill set, the more varied the knowledge, the more resources a group has. Every group of people has a unique history, a unique perspective, and unique guidance to offer.
If you have something to say, then say it. Ask questions in class. Suggest improvements to your boss. Reveal corruption and crime to other people so that collectively we can deal with it. Be an example to other women - that we matter, that our problems are important, and that our suggestions are valuable.
6. Listen and learn
Part of speaking out involves listening. Dismissing male experience and male problems is as wrong as men dismissing female experience and female problems. Right now we are at a turning point of human social evolution. Everything the individual does impacts the larger social organism. Equally, the larger social organism impacts every individual. If China pollutes the skies, then we all feel the impact. If America declares war on a particular country, then every country has to deal with the aftermath - whether it is the refugees, or the economical downturn.
Therefore, someone else's problem is our problem too. If we don't help them create a solution that benefits everyone, then we may end up negatively impacted by their personal solution. On a smaller scale, if someone is abused as a child and does not receive help and attention from the people around them, they are very likely to abuse others when older.
In medical terms, prevention is better than cure.
7. Don't wait for someone else
Traditionally, it was men who began courting and who proposed, and it was men who made major financial and life changing decisions within the family unit. But do you honestly want to sit around waiting for someone else to make up their mind to ask the question? If you want something, you have to take action to get it. That means popping the question. It means deciding where your money goes. It means working out what is important to you, and taking steps to achieve it.
It all comes back to equal opportunity - and equal responsibility.
8. Be fluid
Women are cyclical. Their hormones change, their moods and focus change. Our cycles are not something we should fight and struggle against, as that is tantamount to struggling against your own body. Equally, our cycles should not be allowed to rule our lives. We have to make the decisions to understand our bodies and what they need. We need to take advantage of the different parts of our cycle.
I am only just starting to understand my own mood and focus changes, but already the difference it has made is amazing. Instead of struggling to complete tasks that I 'should' do, I do the tasks that are related to my focus. I've noticed that during the first half of the cycle I am very sociable, very outward orientated, and very goal focused. During the second half I draw inwards, I become more concerned with myself, my immediate environment, and my health.
Now clearly I can't quit working for two weeks out of every four, but what I can do is ensure that difficult and time-consuming tasks are completed in the first half of my cycle, and that easier or more personal projects are completed in the second half.
Listen to your body. It knows what it needs.
9. Eat Well
I've rarely met a woman who didn't have some sort of issue with food. From fad diets to binging and detoxing, from hyper-controlled portion sizes to complete chaos. Food is a very fundamental part of our health and our social lives. The media in particular is very fickle when it comes to how it talks about women and their body shapes.
We all know that being undernourished is unhealthy and that being obese is unhealthy. There are a vast range of ideal weights however, and we all have one that is appropriate for us. Far more important than our weight is our happiness, our confidence and our personality.
Food is here to be enjoyed. It is here to be colorful, interesting and to replenish us. Half a celery stick and a piece of lettuce is not enough. It is much better to eat lots of varied foods, and exercise than it is to restrict calorie intake and remain sedentary.
Aim for optimum health, not optimum weight.
10. Accept your sexuality and love your body
You are beautiful. You are a sexual being. Enjoy sex, don't do anything you don't want to do, experiment, and don't be afraid to take control once in a while. Sex is a wonderful thing, but it takes a bit of work and experimentation to understand it. Masturbation is a great way to gain confidence and knowledge before inviting someone else in. It's okay to have one night stands as long as everyone is honest with each other, and everyone stays safe (use condoms!) It's okay to wait for the one person you are sure about, even if it takes a while, as long as you are making yourself happy meanwhile. It's okay to have fantasies. It's okay to be single. It's okay to be in relationship as long as you feel loved and safe.
Talk to you next week!
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Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday School Lesson
ULC Sunday School
www.ulcseminary.org
Universal Life Church Seminary
**********
Sunday School Lesson 18
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly Sunday School Lesson. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly Sunday School lessons sent straight to you, for your use in teaching the young of your congregation. These lessons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are also not checking them for accuracy. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next week"s.
Our Faith - Twenty Lessons separated into four. (17-20)
Lesson Seventeen
Alas for him who never sees
The stars shine through his cypress trees!
For Life is ever Lord of Death,
And Love can never lose its own.
Whittier.
I. THE TALK.
We must turn to the New Testament for Bible light on the subject of life after death, not to the Old.
Little Argument.
Jesus rarely enters into any arguments with those who put questions to him on this subject. Once he replied at some length to the Sadducees, who did not believe in immortality, and ended thus:
"As to the dead, and the fact that they rise from the grave, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God spoke to him thus: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not God of dead, but of living people. You are greatly mistaken."
The Father's House.
In another conversation, this time with his disciples, Jesus uttered these words:
"Believe in God, and believe in me, too. In my Father's house there are many rooms. I am going to prepare a place for you."
His Last Words.
The last words Jesus spoke revealed his thought of the future:
"Jesus called out loudly, 'Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit.' And with these words he expired."
Other Sayings.
But we are not left to these for our only light and information. Under all that Jesus taught, and through the life he lived, ran the faith in immortality that shows itself in three ways.
Life Everlasting.
The Great Teacher was always pointing out the way that led to life everlasting. Enter in by the narrow gate; strive and falter not; seek the pearl of great price; keep the lamp filled with oil.
These and other similar teachings referred to the strong life, the good life, which was the everlasting life. Death could not destroy it.
The Eternal Life.
Jesus also exhorted men to be sure and obtain part in the life eternal. He did not mean by this that men should prepare and wait for some great thing to come to pass. Eternity is now and here. Eternity is God, and God is here and now. He who is "accepted of God" is already living the eternal life. It is not true or good to say, "Prepare for eternity," as though that meant some far-off time and place.
The Victorious Life.
And the third way Jesus taught immortality, or enforced its reality, was by calling on all to live the victorious life.
Jesus sought to stir the sense of sonship to God in every heart, to make it strong, so that confidence would take the place of timidity.
"Even now," said an apostle, "we are children of God, and if children, then heirs," -heirs of the gift of life everlasting, given to us by our heavenly Father.
Q. Did Jesus often speak in figures?
A. Most of his teachings are in parables, or pictorial form.
Q. How ought we to read them?
A. Always remembering to separate the idea from the imagery.
Q. Is this especially true of everything he said about the future life?
A. Yes. Great harm has been done by failing to follow this rule.
Q. Can we think of any particular cases?
A. Yes. About the resurrection and about heaven and hell.
Q. What has happened in these instances?
A. His allegorical, pictorial language has been taken literally.
Q. What has been the result?
A. The spiritual idea has been lost in the material description.
Onward.
We believe that every soul goes onward at death, but it may not go at once upward. It may undergo discipline for a while. Some souls are better prepared than others. It will not be the same to all, without regard to conduct and character.
Upward.
This means that the good, the noble, the honorable, are the spiritually minded.
That he who loves the low and mean checks and hinders his progress here and hereafter: he is earthly minded.
Such are the teachings of Jesus and of the writers in the New Testament.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
You will do well to elaborate what is only suggested in the lesson, and illustrate how Jesus spoke in metaphors, in poetic, pictorial language. It was Oriental; it was simple and graphic; it was understood correctly at the time. But in after times the idea became confused with the setting, and the frame was of more consequence than the picture. Jesus said little definitely about the future; but his faith in that future was evident in all he said and did.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* Where do we look for light on this subject in the Bible?
* Did Jesus enter into argument about immortality?
* Why?
* How did he once describe the future?
* What were his last words?
* Can you explain the phrase "life everlasting"?
* "Eternal life"?
* "Victorious life"?
* Did Jesus often use figures of speech in referring to the future?
* How do careless readers make mistakes?
* Do we believe that all souls go onward and upward alike?
* Why not?
Lesson Eighteen
When falls the night upon the earth,
And all in shadow lies,
The sun's not dead, his radiance still
Beams bright on other skies..
Minot J. Savage
I. THE TALK.
Q. What have we ascertained?
A. That some kind of hope or faith in future life has always existed.
Q. Was it clear and strong?
A. No. It varied with the age and civilization of the peoples.
Q. What light did Jesus bring?
A. He taught a faith in everlasting life.
Q. How did that help?
A. By showing that he who has the true life now has proof of future life.
If.
Now let us see the consequences. If we believe in the progress of mankind onward and upward forever, then there are certain things we must keep in mind.
Prepare to Live.
The most important duty is to be ready to live, day by day. Sometimes we think our duty is to prepare for death, because that event seems so strange and solemn. But he who fills each day nobly will meet death triumphantly.
Living Nobly.
Living day by day does not mean a careless, ordinary way. We must make the most of our time, follow the highest examples, do good, and leave the world better. We must listen to conscience, and obey the truth as we see it.
Dignity.
Another thing to be remembered: If we are to live hereafter, then the present takes on more dignity and greatness. It is true, this is God's world, and therefore sacred and noble; but when we think of other worlds and continued life, we look out over a grander existence.
Large.
A plan that is made for a day only is not so large as a plan made for a week, while a plan for a week is smaller than a year's. At the thought of immortality we see endless opportunity, perpetual growth, that gives courage and strength. But, further, we lay our plans large for some results no few years can compass.
Progress.
What does progress mean? We may expect to know more. Many mysterious things will be made clear. Is there anything greater than going on and on, learning, enjoying more and more? Sometimes we have thought of heaven as a place where good people did nothing. Would you not tire of that?
New Opportunities.
We believe there will be new opportunities for those who have failed here, but who had noble aims. Circumstances are not our masters, but they have great power. We must not be hasty to judge. Some will go up higher, who failed, judged by the world's tests: others will go lower, who were praised by men. God knoweth all.
Q. What now are the reasons for believing in the future life?
A. That mankind has desired it.
Q. Another.
A. That it completes the present life.
Q. Have we a third reason?
A. We cannot think of the soul as dead.
Q. Is this all?
A. No. It is true to our highest conception of God and His justice.
Q. Still more?
A. Jesus, the greatest religious teacher, enforces the belief.
Other Arguments.
There are other reasons; but they are not easily treated in talks of this kind, so I omit them. Therefore, I come back to our first thought: If these reasons make our faith stronger, then we ought to be happy and brave. A wise man of old - Socrates - said, -
"Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man either in life or after death."
A greater than Socrates gave us the Beatitude: Happy are those that have been persecuted in the cause of Right, for it is to them that the kingdom of heaven belongs.
The Eternal Goodness is our source of trust. We will go forward hopefully.
I know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.
Whittier.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
Actual life, the life of today, interests the young. But his thought of a future life must be unfolded early, and taught in reasonable views. Not doing this, we run great risks of errors creeping in as life matures. Christianity did not create the idea of immortality, neither did it make clear the place where souls dwell in the next world. But Jesus deepened the reasonable faith in personal life hereafter, and asked us to trust the Eternal Goodness for the rest. Impress this is all ways.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* What is meant by the poetry quoted from Mr. Savage?
* How does a tree bear leaves and fruit?
* How does it survive the winter's cold?
* How does this figure apply to our subject?
* What is everlasting or enduring life?
* What is the best preparation for death?
* How do you define "living nobly"?
* How does the thought of another life affect our thought of this one?
* What is meant by "progress"?
* Can you give some of the reasons for believing in our "fifth point"?
Lesson Nineteen
I. THE TALK.
We have now finished our talks on the five points. Let us add one on some things that follow. What are we intending to do with Our Faith?
A. We will make it grow.
Q. What do you mean by that?
A. Apply it, enlarge it, enrich it.
Q. How can this be done?
A. By keeping the mind open.
Q. Ought we to welcome new truth?
A. Always.
Q. Is there any danger?
A. There is danger in refusing to listen to new truth.
Three Ways.
There are three ways of using a Faith, three ways of applying our religious belief.
First, by making it strengthen and develop our characters.
Second, by using it to organize a church and to create a denomination.
Third, by putting it forth, with others, as a grand missionary cause, a gospel of "Good news" to the world.
Q. Are there any dangers in this?
A. Yes. And we must be careful.
Q. What are some things to be avoided?
A. Bigotry and persecution.
Q. Can we be zealous for our faith and remain broad?
A. Certainly.
Q. Is it narrow to be in earnest?
A. No. Some narrow minds are never enthusiastic.
Universal Church.
We often hear of a church universal. But that does not mean one church, one form of worship, for all. It means a unity of spirit and aim, - the spirit and aim of Jesus, with different churches.
Q. How did Saint Paul speak of this?
A. Different "administrations," different forms, but the same spirit.
Q. What is meant by the "same spirit"?
A. Love to God, service for man, discipleship of Jesus.
Unity in Variety.
If all persons accepted Our Faith, they would not necessarily think just alike or have the same church. This belief we have studied allows for variety of application and unfolding. That is one deep reason why we think it will spread and become powerful.
Two.
There are two words we must always remember, and keep in mind what they stand for in religion.
Q. What is the first?
A. Reason.
Q. The second?
A. Reverence.
Q. How does the first help us?
A. By showing us the truth.
Q. What does the second stand for?
A. Reverence is love and admiration for truth.
Together.
They work together. Reason gives us the truth, and reverence impels us to be obedient to the truth.
Q. But is reason opposed to faith?
A. No. Without reason we could not have faith.
Q. Is faith greater than reason?
A. Yes. Because we believe on and beyond what we know and prove.
Q. What is faith without reason?
A. Superstition.
Q. What is reason without faith?
A. Half-developed character.
Q. Could the world go on a day without faith?
A. No.
Going Forward.
As we go forward, loyal and zealous to Our Faith, how can we come into union with others and prove that we are truly "liberal"? Perhaps Rev. W.C. Gannett's four tests will do:
* Freedom of reason and freedom of conscience.
* Fellowship, the Spirit.
* Service, the Aim.
* Character, the Test.
Vaster.
There is a stanza by Tennyson that tells us well how we ought to use Our Faith:
Let knowledge grow from more to more,
But more of reverence in us dwell;
That mind and soul, according well,
May make one music as before, - but vaster.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
You can do an important service to the pupils, if you enforce the idea of this lesson. The right use and the full use of a statement of belief is yet to be understood by Christians. It must be made a source of progress in thought, of guidance in conduct, of joy in life, of fellowship in religion. "Creeds" and doctrines have been used in just the opposite ways. Let us prove to the world that our young people can learn a "faith," love it, and stand by it, with liberty of mind and breadth of view.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* What must we do with Our Faith?
* How do you explain it?
* Ought we to welcome new truth?
* What are the three ways of using Our Faith?
* What two evils ought we to avoid?
* What do we mean by "the universal church"?
* What two words should we remember?
* Can you mention Mr. Gannett's four tests of a "liberal"?
* Can you repeat the lines from Tennyson?
* Will you explain their exact meaning?
Lesson Twenty
A Summary and Review.
We have reached the end of our talks. It seems to me fitting to five one more treasure into the keeping of memory. At the beginning we learned Mr. Mott's "Therefore." Now, as a summing-up, as a review, let us get well acquainted with Mrs. Clara Bancroft Beatley's valuable
Exposition of Our Faith.
I. The Fatherhood of God. .
By the Fatherhood of God, we mean that God is a Father and that all are His children. God is more loving than the best father we know, or can in any way dream of. As children trust their earthly parents, so we trust the Father in heaven.
If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, as in heaven so on earth.
II. The Brotherhood of Man.
By the Brotherhood of Man, we mean that all are members of one family, and so are brothers and sisters. Our lives are happiest when we recognize this bond of Brotherhood.
Therefore let us lay aside bitterness, and wrath, and evil speaking, and be kind to one another, forgiving one another.
If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
O Brother-man fold to thy heart thy Brother!
Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;
To worship rightly is to love each other.
Each smile, a hymn; each kindly deed, a prayer!
III. The Leadership of Jesus.
By the Leadership of Jesus, we mean that we believe that Jesus has shown the way of life beyond all other teachers. He has taught us that God is our Father, and man our Brother; and that heaven is within the heart. He has given us the Golden Rule of life, and has taught us the prayer that has never grown old. We accept him as our Leader, and would walk in his path.
Where'er we walk, our Shepherd goes before.
I am come, that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
O Lord and Master of us all,
What e'er our name or sign,
We own thy sway, we hear thy call,
We test our lives by thine.
We faintly hear, we dimly see,
In differing phrase we pray,
But dim or clear, we own in thee
The light, the truth, the way.
IV. Salvation by Character.
By Salvation by Character, we mean that the highest peace and joy can only come as we follow the right, forget self, and grow more and more toward perfection. We may have fine ideas of right, and recite Our Faith every Sunday, but only as we live the right, do we follow the Leadership of Jesus, and find the peace and joy of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Not every one that saith unto me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.
Behold the Kingdom of Heaven is within you.
To be saved is only this, salvation from our selfishness.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace!
The tissues of the life to be
We weave with colors all our own;
And in the field of Destiny
We reap as we have sown.
V. The Progress of Mankind, onward and upward forever.
By the Progress of Mankind, onward and upward forever, we mean that we were made to grow toward God, the Father of our spirits. There is no end to this growth. We have the hope of growing wiser and better as long as we live in this world, and of finding new opportunities of growth in the heavenly life to come.
Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul,
As the swift seasons roll!
Leave thy low-vaulted past!
Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,
Till thou at length art free!
Leaving thine outgrown shall by life's unresting sea.
In love to God and love to man
Our simple creed finds ample scope;
Secure in God's unerring plan,
We walk by faith, are saved by hope.
www.ulcseminary.org
Universal Life Church Seminary
**********
Sunday School Lesson 18
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly Sunday School Lesson. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly Sunday School lessons sent straight to you, for your use in teaching the young of your congregation. These lessons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are also not checking them for accuracy. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next week"s.
Our Faith - Twenty Lessons separated into four. (17-20)
Lesson Seventeen
Alas for him who never sees
The stars shine through his cypress trees!
For Life is ever Lord of Death,
And Love can never lose its own.
Whittier.
I. THE TALK.
We must turn to the New Testament for Bible light on the subject of life after death, not to the Old.
Little Argument.
Jesus rarely enters into any arguments with those who put questions to him on this subject. Once he replied at some length to the Sadducees, who did not believe in immortality, and ended thus:
"As to the dead, and the fact that they rise from the grave, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God spoke to him thus: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not God of dead, but of living people. You are greatly mistaken."
The Father's House.
In another conversation, this time with his disciples, Jesus uttered these words:
"Believe in God, and believe in me, too. In my Father's house there are many rooms. I am going to prepare a place for you."
His Last Words.
The last words Jesus spoke revealed his thought of the future:
"Jesus called out loudly, 'Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit.' And with these words he expired."
Other Sayings.
But we are not left to these for our only light and information. Under all that Jesus taught, and through the life he lived, ran the faith in immortality that shows itself in three ways.
Life Everlasting.
The Great Teacher was always pointing out the way that led to life everlasting. Enter in by the narrow gate; strive and falter not; seek the pearl of great price; keep the lamp filled with oil.
These and other similar teachings referred to the strong life, the good life, which was the everlasting life. Death could not destroy it.
The Eternal Life.
Jesus also exhorted men to be sure and obtain part in the life eternal. He did not mean by this that men should prepare and wait for some great thing to come to pass. Eternity is now and here. Eternity is God, and God is here and now. He who is "accepted of God" is already living the eternal life. It is not true or good to say, "Prepare for eternity," as though that meant some far-off time and place.
The Victorious Life.
And the third way Jesus taught immortality, or enforced its reality, was by calling on all to live the victorious life.
Jesus sought to stir the sense of sonship to God in every heart, to make it strong, so that confidence would take the place of timidity.
"Even now," said an apostle, "we are children of God, and if children, then heirs," -heirs of the gift of life everlasting, given to us by our heavenly Father.
Q. Did Jesus often speak in figures?
A. Most of his teachings are in parables, or pictorial form.
Q. How ought we to read them?
A. Always remembering to separate the idea from the imagery.
Q. Is this especially true of everything he said about the future life?
A. Yes. Great harm has been done by failing to follow this rule.
Q. Can we think of any particular cases?
A. Yes. About the resurrection and about heaven and hell.
Q. What has happened in these instances?
A. His allegorical, pictorial language has been taken literally.
Q. What has been the result?
A. The spiritual idea has been lost in the material description.
Onward.
We believe that every soul goes onward at death, but it may not go at once upward. It may undergo discipline for a while. Some souls are better prepared than others. It will not be the same to all, without regard to conduct and character.
Upward.
This means that the good, the noble, the honorable, are the spiritually minded.
That he who loves the low and mean checks and hinders his progress here and hereafter: he is earthly minded.
Such are the teachings of Jesus and of the writers in the New Testament.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
You will do well to elaborate what is only suggested in the lesson, and illustrate how Jesus spoke in metaphors, in poetic, pictorial language. It was Oriental; it was simple and graphic; it was understood correctly at the time. But in after times the idea became confused with the setting, and the frame was of more consequence than the picture. Jesus said little definitely about the future; but his faith in that future was evident in all he said and did.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* Where do we look for light on this subject in the Bible?
* Did Jesus enter into argument about immortality?
* Why?
* How did he once describe the future?
* What were his last words?
* Can you explain the phrase "life everlasting"?
* "Eternal life"?
* "Victorious life"?
* Did Jesus often use figures of speech in referring to the future?
* How do careless readers make mistakes?
* Do we believe that all souls go onward and upward alike?
* Why not?
Lesson Eighteen
When falls the night upon the earth,
And all in shadow lies,
The sun's not dead, his radiance still
Beams bright on other skies..
Minot J. Savage
I. THE TALK.
Q. What have we ascertained?
A. That some kind of hope or faith in future life has always existed.
Q. Was it clear and strong?
A. No. It varied with the age and civilization of the peoples.
Q. What light did Jesus bring?
A. He taught a faith in everlasting life.
Q. How did that help?
A. By showing that he who has the true life now has proof of future life.
If.
Now let us see the consequences. If we believe in the progress of mankind onward and upward forever, then there are certain things we must keep in mind.
Prepare to Live.
The most important duty is to be ready to live, day by day. Sometimes we think our duty is to prepare for death, because that event seems so strange and solemn. But he who fills each day nobly will meet death triumphantly.
Living Nobly.
Living day by day does not mean a careless, ordinary way. We must make the most of our time, follow the highest examples, do good, and leave the world better. We must listen to conscience, and obey the truth as we see it.
Dignity.
Another thing to be remembered: If we are to live hereafter, then the present takes on more dignity and greatness. It is true, this is God's world, and therefore sacred and noble; but when we think of other worlds and continued life, we look out over a grander existence.
Large.
A plan that is made for a day only is not so large as a plan made for a week, while a plan for a week is smaller than a year's. At the thought of immortality we see endless opportunity, perpetual growth, that gives courage and strength. But, further, we lay our plans large for some results no few years can compass.
Progress.
What does progress mean? We may expect to know more. Many mysterious things will be made clear. Is there anything greater than going on and on, learning, enjoying more and more? Sometimes we have thought of heaven as a place where good people did nothing. Would you not tire of that?
New Opportunities.
We believe there will be new opportunities for those who have failed here, but who had noble aims. Circumstances are not our masters, but they have great power. We must not be hasty to judge. Some will go up higher, who failed, judged by the world's tests: others will go lower, who were praised by men. God knoweth all.
Q. What now are the reasons for believing in the future life?
A. That mankind has desired it.
Q. Another.
A. That it completes the present life.
Q. Have we a third reason?
A. We cannot think of the soul as dead.
Q. Is this all?
A. No. It is true to our highest conception of God and His justice.
Q. Still more?
A. Jesus, the greatest religious teacher, enforces the belief.
Other Arguments.
There are other reasons; but they are not easily treated in talks of this kind, so I omit them. Therefore, I come back to our first thought: If these reasons make our faith stronger, then we ought to be happy and brave. A wise man of old - Socrates - said, -
"Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man either in life or after death."
A greater than Socrates gave us the Beatitude: Happy are those that have been persecuted in the cause of Right, for it is to them that the kingdom of heaven belongs.
The Eternal Goodness is our source of trust. We will go forward hopefully.
I know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.
Whittier.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
Actual life, the life of today, interests the young. But his thought of a future life must be unfolded early, and taught in reasonable views. Not doing this, we run great risks of errors creeping in as life matures. Christianity did not create the idea of immortality, neither did it make clear the place where souls dwell in the next world. But Jesus deepened the reasonable faith in personal life hereafter, and asked us to trust the Eternal Goodness for the rest. Impress this is all ways.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* What is meant by the poetry quoted from Mr. Savage?
* How does a tree bear leaves and fruit?
* How does it survive the winter's cold?
* How does this figure apply to our subject?
* What is everlasting or enduring life?
* What is the best preparation for death?
* How do you define "living nobly"?
* How does the thought of another life affect our thought of this one?
* What is meant by "progress"?
* Can you give some of the reasons for believing in our "fifth point"?
Lesson Nineteen
I. THE TALK.
We have now finished our talks on the five points. Let us add one on some things that follow. What are we intending to do with Our Faith?
A. We will make it grow.
Q. What do you mean by that?
A. Apply it, enlarge it, enrich it.
Q. How can this be done?
A. By keeping the mind open.
Q. Ought we to welcome new truth?
A. Always.
Q. Is there any danger?
A. There is danger in refusing to listen to new truth.
Three Ways.
There are three ways of using a Faith, three ways of applying our religious belief.
First, by making it strengthen and develop our characters.
Second, by using it to organize a church and to create a denomination.
Third, by putting it forth, with others, as a grand missionary cause, a gospel of "Good news" to the world.
Q. Are there any dangers in this?
A. Yes. And we must be careful.
Q. What are some things to be avoided?
A. Bigotry and persecution.
Q. Can we be zealous for our faith and remain broad?
A. Certainly.
Q. Is it narrow to be in earnest?
A. No. Some narrow minds are never enthusiastic.
Universal Church.
We often hear of a church universal. But that does not mean one church, one form of worship, for all. It means a unity of spirit and aim, - the spirit and aim of Jesus, with different churches.
Q. How did Saint Paul speak of this?
A. Different "administrations," different forms, but the same spirit.
Q. What is meant by the "same spirit"?
A. Love to God, service for man, discipleship of Jesus.
Unity in Variety.
If all persons accepted Our Faith, they would not necessarily think just alike or have the same church. This belief we have studied allows for variety of application and unfolding. That is one deep reason why we think it will spread and become powerful.
Two.
There are two words we must always remember, and keep in mind what they stand for in religion.
Q. What is the first?
A. Reason.
Q. The second?
A. Reverence.
Q. How does the first help us?
A. By showing us the truth.
Q. What does the second stand for?
A. Reverence is love and admiration for truth.
Together.
They work together. Reason gives us the truth, and reverence impels us to be obedient to the truth.
Q. But is reason opposed to faith?
A. No. Without reason we could not have faith.
Q. Is faith greater than reason?
A. Yes. Because we believe on and beyond what we know and prove.
Q. What is faith without reason?
A. Superstition.
Q. What is reason without faith?
A. Half-developed character.
Q. Could the world go on a day without faith?
A. No.
Going Forward.
As we go forward, loyal and zealous to Our Faith, how can we come into union with others and prove that we are truly "liberal"? Perhaps Rev. W.C. Gannett's four tests will do:
* Freedom of reason and freedom of conscience.
* Fellowship, the Spirit.
* Service, the Aim.
* Character, the Test.
Vaster.
There is a stanza by Tennyson that tells us well how we ought to use Our Faith:
Let knowledge grow from more to more,
But more of reverence in us dwell;
That mind and soul, according well,
May make one music as before, - but vaster.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
You can do an important service to the pupils, if you enforce the idea of this lesson. The right use and the full use of a statement of belief is yet to be understood by Christians. It must be made a source of progress in thought, of guidance in conduct, of joy in life, of fellowship in religion. "Creeds" and doctrines have been used in just the opposite ways. Let us prove to the world that our young people can learn a "faith," love it, and stand by it, with liberty of mind and breadth of view.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* What must we do with Our Faith?
* How do you explain it?
* Ought we to welcome new truth?
* What are the three ways of using Our Faith?
* What two evils ought we to avoid?
* What do we mean by "the universal church"?
* What two words should we remember?
* Can you mention Mr. Gannett's four tests of a "liberal"?
* Can you repeat the lines from Tennyson?
* Will you explain their exact meaning?
Lesson Twenty
A Summary and Review.
We have reached the end of our talks. It seems to me fitting to five one more treasure into the keeping of memory. At the beginning we learned Mr. Mott's "Therefore." Now, as a summing-up, as a review, let us get well acquainted with Mrs. Clara Bancroft Beatley's valuable
Exposition of Our Faith.
I. The Fatherhood of God. .
By the Fatherhood of God, we mean that God is a Father and that all are His children. God is more loving than the best father we know, or can in any way dream of. As children trust their earthly parents, so we trust the Father in heaven.
If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, as in heaven so on earth.
II. The Brotherhood of Man.
By the Brotherhood of Man, we mean that all are members of one family, and so are brothers and sisters. Our lives are happiest when we recognize this bond of Brotherhood.
Therefore let us lay aside bitterness, and wrath, and evil speaking, and be kind to one another, forgiving one another.
If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
O Brother-man fold to thy heart thy Brother!
Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;
To worship rightly is to love each other.
Each smile, a hymn; each kindly deed, a prayer!
III. The Leadership of Jesus.
By the Leadership of Jesus, we mean that we believe that Jesus has shown the way of life beyond all other teachers. He has taught us that God is our Father, and man our Brother; and that heaven is within the heart. He has given us the Golden Rule of life, and has taught us the prayer that has never grown old. We accept him as our Leader, and would walk in his path.
Where'er we walk, our Shepherd goes before.
I am come, that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
O Lord and Master of us all,
What e'er our name or sign,
We own thy sway, we hear thy call,
We test our lives by thine.
We faintly hear, we dimly see,
In differing phrase we pray,
But dim or clear, we own in thee
The light, the truth, the way.
IV. Salvation by Character.
By Salvation by Character, we mean that the highest peace and joy can only come as we follow the right, forget self, and grow more and more toward perfection. We may have fine ideas of right, and recite Our Faith every Sunday, but only as we live the right, do we follow the Leadership of Jesus, and find the peace and joy of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Not every one that saith unto me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.
Behold the Kingdom of Heaven is within you.
To be saved is only this, salvation from our selfishness.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace!
The tissues of the life to be
We weave with colors all our own;
And in the field of Destiny
We reap as we have sown.
V. The Progress of Mankind, onward and upward forever.
By the Progress of Mankind, onward and upward forever, we mean that we were made to grow toward God, the Father of our spirits. There is no end to this growth. We have the hope of growing wiser and better as long as we live in this world, and of finding new opportunities of growth in the heavenly life to come.
Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul,
As the swift seasons roll!
Leave thy low-vaulted past!
Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,
Till thou at length art free!
Leaving thine outgrown shall by life's unresting sea.
In love to God and love to man
Our simple creed finds ample scope;
Secure in God's unerring plan,
We walk by faith, are saved by hope.
********************
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. 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
I had a friend who had done a bunch of weddings and thought that was a fine idea since it's a contract more than anything in our state and why should judges and clergy get all the fun of performing weddings.
He got me ordained and I casually mentioned to friends I was ordained and within a year or so some close friends asked if I'd be interested in doing a small ceremony. It turned out to be a lot of fun, they were more nervous than me, and will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.
Once I popped my minister cherry....it seems like word has gotten around and I've done seven....including a beautiful Wiccan ceremony in Oklahoma (I learned you have to be pre-approved there).
And coming from a childhood full of annoying bible thumpers and dogmatic where I was really turned off by organized religion. With the ULC I was able to shuck off some of that crap and actually pursue my own spiritual journey.
He got me ordained and I casually mentioned to friends I was ordained and within a year or so some close friends asked if I'd be interested in doing a small ceremony. It turned out to be a lot of fun, they were more nervous than me, and will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.
Once I popped my minister cherry....it seems like word has gotten around and I've done seven....including a beautiful Wiccan ceremony in Oklahoma (I learned you have to be pre-approved there).
And coming from a childhood full of annoying bible thumpers and dogmatic where I was really turned off by organized religion. With the ULC I was able to shuck off some of that crap and actually pursue my own spiritual journey.
Ignacio
Universal Life Church
********************
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
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Universal Life Church
| Should Christian Parents Spank Their Children? By Rick Creech To Spank Or Not To Spank Should Christians spank their children? Some Christians think that a parent should spank their children because they think the Bible tells them to do so. Because Christians believe the Bible to be their instruction book on both faith and practice, it's very important to carefully consider exactly what the Bible has to say on the subject of the parent-child relationship, especially in regards to spanking. To spank or not to spank, that is the question. If you love your children, then one of the great desires of your heart is to see your children grow up and do the right thing and become the best that they can be. There are no guarantees, but loving parents want to make sure that they do everything that they ought to do in order to increase the odds in the favor of their children. There is a warning to parents in the New Testament to make sure that they do not do something that ends up provoking the children to wrath. The first part of Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath." What a shame it would be if a parent should start the responsibilities of parenting with the wrong idea about what is important in the upbringing of their children. In spite of how much the parent loves the child, the parent might end up influencing the child in the wrong way. We are going to look at what the Bible has to say on the subject of disciplining children. Does the Bible instruct parents to spank their children? Chapter 2 Important Principles To Know To Correctly Interpret The Bible In order to interpret the Bible correctly, we must always remember that some passages are meant to be taken literally and others are meant to be taken symbolically. If you take a particular passage of the Bible literally when it was meant to be symbolic, then you will not understand its true significance. For example, Jesus often taught by using parables. When He taught about a sower who went forth to sow seed, He was not primarily talking about real seed that a farmer plants in the ground. The seed was symbolic of the Word of God. If you do not understand the symbolism, then you do not understand what is really being taught. The Bible is accurate and reliable and literally true in all passages, but passages that have symbolism cannot be completely understood unless the symbolism is understood. Another important thing to realize when studying the Bible is the fact that the Bible is divided up into the Old Testament and the New Testament, and some of the things of the Old Testament were done away with when the New Testament came into place. John 1:17 says, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." There is a difference between law and grace. Some of the things emphasized in the Old Testament were a part of the law, and the requirements of the law, and the strictness of the law. Many of the strict requirements of the law we no longer practice, because we now know a more complete revelation of how the Lord wants us to live: that of grace and truth that was brought by Jesus Christ. For example, the law of the Old Testament stated very clearly that if anyone committed adultery, they should be put to death. But when a woman who was taken in adultery was brought to Jesus, Jesus did not allow the men to put her to death. Instead, Jesus said to the men, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." Jesus did not change the moral principal that was in the law, because He still told the woman, "Go and sin no more." But Jesus did change the way that the requirement of the law was enforced. Jesus did away with the harsh physical punishment, but He still upheld the moral standard. ******************************************** 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. |
Friday, September 10, 2010
Universal Life Church
ULC SEMINARY Spiritual SERMONS
Feng Shui
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly sermon. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly sermons sent straight to you. These sermons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next weeks.
ULC Sermons
Feng Shui
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly sermon. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly sermons sent straight to you. These sermons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next weeks.
ULC Sermons
www.ulcseminary.org
Universal Life Church Seminary
**********
#51 - Feng Shui Elements
Author Unknown
Learn More About Feng Shui Elements Here...
For energetic and emotional balance in your space, fung shui includes the use of the Five Elements present in nature: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
Incorporating the Five Elements enhances motivation, creativity, stability, and abundance.
Here are some Quick and Easy Tips on how you can change your space using Color with the Five
Elements:
WOOD: Greens and aquas; live or silk plants, wooden furniture, picture frames; wooden sculptures, images of leaves, trees, forests, flowers; cotton, rayon, linen fabrics.
FIRE: Reds and oranges; fireplace, candles, lamps; images of the sun, a lit fireplace; silk fabrics.
EARTH: Yellow and earth tones; pottery, stone, ceramics, natural crystal jewelry; images of landscapes; earth tones in upholstery and art.
METAL: Bronze, copper, silver, gold; metal jewelry and picture frames or other artifacts; images containing and metal and metal sculptures; metallic fabrics.
WATER: Blacks and blues; glass, mirrors, fountains, aquariums; images of lakes, rivers, the ocean, waterfalls; shiny, see-through, and shimmering fabrics.
The Feng Shui Elements
Wood
Wood is: Intuition.
Yang=tree, Yin=flower
Sense: Vision & seeing (Odin hung from a tree to get wisdom.)
Ch"i Qualities: Trust, openness, receptive, inner guidance, progressive in thought and action, flexibility, expansion, cooperation, continual new growth.
Symbols: Wooden furniture & accessories wood paneling, siding, roofing, decks, kitchen cabinets, wicker, bamboo, picture frames. Indoor & outdoor plants & flowers, (silk, plastic, dried) Art depicting landscapes, gardens, pants, flowers, carvings Floral prints, upholstery, draperies, linens, natural fiber, hemp, flax, rayon.
Shapes: Columns, tree trunk, beams, pedestals, poles, stripes.
Colors: Green and blue spectrum
Excess: Over-expansive, overwhelming, Type A behavior
Lack: Bonsai: undergrown, lack of trust, skeptical, scientific, stunted growth
Fire
Fire is: Emotional
Yang=blazing fire, Yin=oil lamp.
Sense: Touch. Digestion.
Ch"i Qualities: Dynamic vitality, enthusiasm, excitement, decisiveness, assertiveness, creativity, originality, leadership, motivation, emotional balance. Ancient fire ceremonies, gathering around a hearth, Acupuncture (touch). TV is our current "fire".
Symbols: All lighting, electricity, oil, candles, sunlight, fireplaces. Things from animals: fur, leather, bone, feathers, wool. Pets & wildlife, Art depicting people, animals, fish, butterflies, sunshine, light, fire.
Shapes: Triangles, pyramids, cones, stars, diamonds.
Colors: The color red & red spectrum, Heat, movement.
Excess: Aggression, anger, impatience, impulsive, overly ambitious. Burn out, crash and burn.
Lack: Lack of enthusiasm, lethargic, dull, cold, unmotivated. Lack-luster, cool as a cucumber.
Earth
Earth is: Physical
Yang=planet, Yin=mother
Sense: Taste (Ancient Masters tasted the earth to see if it could produce crops)
Ch"i Qualities: Fertility, practicality, stability, sensuality, being grounded, organized.
Symbols: Adobe, brick tile, ceramics, earthenware, pottery, soil. Art depicting landscapes, deserts, fields, meadows, grids.
Shapes: Square, rectangles, long, flat surfaces.
Colors: Yellow, earth tones
Excess: Overly disciplined, anal, serious, conservative.
Lack: Spacey, ungrounded, disconnected, lacking stability, shaky, barren.
Water
Water is: Spiritual
Yang=ocean, Yin= ponds, lakes
Sense: Hearing
Ch"i Qualities: Mystical, meditative, relaxed, calm, flowing, trusting the higher order, synchronistic. Water takes on the shape of its container. (like our soul which has no shape only the shape of our body) Water always seeks its lowest level.
Symbols: Streams, rivers, pools, fountains, water features. Reflective surfaces, cut crystal, mirrors, glass. Art depicting waterscapes.
Shapes: Asymmetrical, flowing, free-form, movement, natural forms.
Colors: Black, dark blue, charcoal gray, midnight blue, indigo,
Excess: No structure, passive, inconsistent, "wishy-washy", yin.
Lack: Anxiety, inability to handle stress, need to dominate, lack of flow, disconnected to spirit, dry, combustible.
Metal
Metal is: Mental
Yang=scaffolding, Yin=gemstone
Sense: Smell (Human skeleton is metal. Epitome of strength & endurance)
Ch"i Qualities: Mental clarity, determination, concentration, perseverance, wit, brilliant even during hardship or failure. Connective, quick, networks, communicates.
**********
#51 - Feng Shui Elements
Author Unknown
Learn More About Feng Shui Elements Here...
For energetic and emotional balance in your space, fung shui includes the use of the Five Elements present in nature: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
Incorporating the Five Elements enhances motivation, creativity, stability, and abundance.
Here are some Quick and Easy Tips on how you can change your space using Color with the Five
Elements:
WOOD: Greens and aquas; live or silk plants, wooden furniture, picture frames; wooden sculptures, images of leaves, trees, forests, flowers; cotton, rayon, linen fabrics.
FIRE: Reds and oranges; fireplace, candles, lamps; images of the sun, a lit fireplace; silk fabrics.
EARTH: Yellow and earth tones; pottery, stone, ceramics, natural crystal jewelry; images of landscapes; earth tones in upholstery and art.
METAL: Bronze, copper, silver, gold; metal jewelry and picture frames or other artifacts; images containing and metal and metal sculptures; metallic fabrics.
WATER: Blacks and blues; glass, mirrors, fountains, aquariums; images of lakes, rivers, the ocean, waterfalls; shiny, see-through, and shimmering fabrics.
The Feng Shui Elements
Wood
Wood is: Intuition.
Yang=tree, Yin=flower
Sense: Vision & seeing (Odin hung from a tree to get wisdom.)
Ch"i Qualities: Trust, openness, receptive, inner guidance, progressive in thought and action, flexibility, expansion, cooperation, continual new growth.
Symbols: Wooden furniture & accessories wood paneling, siding, roofing, decks, kitchen cabinets, wicker, bamboo, picture frames. Indoor & outdoor plants & flowers, (silk, plastic, dried) Art depicting landscapes, gardens, pants, flowers, carvings Floral prints, upholstery, draperies, linens, natural fiber, hemp, flax, rayon.
Shapes: Columns, tree trunk, beams, pedestals, poles, stripes.
Colors: Green and blue spectrum
Excess: Over-expansive, overwhelming, Type A behavior
Lack: Bonsai: undergrown, lack of trust, skeptical, scientific, stunted growth
Fire
Fire is: Emotional
Yang=blazing fire, Yin=oil lamp.
Sense: Touch. Digestion.
Ch"i Qualities: Dynamic vitality, enthusiasm, excitement, decisiveness, assertiveness, creativity, originality, leadership, motivation, emotional balance. Ancient fire ceremonies, gathering around a hearth, Acupuncture (touch). TV is our current "fire".
Symbols: All lighting, electricity, oil, candles, sunlight, fireplaces. Things from animals: fur, leather, bone, feathers, wool. Pets & wildlife, Art depicting people, animals, fish, butterflies, sunshine, light, fire.
Shapes: Triangles, pyramids, cones, stars, diamonds.
Colors: The color red & red spectrum, Heat, movement.
Excess: Aggression, anger, impatience, impulsive, overly ambitious. Burn out, crash and burn.
Lack: Lack of enthusiasm, lethargic, dull, cold, unmotivated. Lack-luster, cool as a cucumber.
Earth
Earth is: Physical
Yang=planet, Yin=mother
Sense: Taste (Ancient Masters tasted the earth to see if it could produce crops)
Ch"i Qualities: Fertility, practicality, stability, sensuality, being grounded, organized.
Symbols: Adobe, brick tile, ceramics, earthenware, pottery, soil. Art depicting landscapes, deserts, fields, meadows, grids.
Shapes: Square, rectangles, long, flat surfaces.
Colors: Yellow, earth tones
Excess: Overly disciplined, anal, serious, conservative.
Lack: Spacey, ungrounded, disconnected, lacking stability, shaky, barren.
Water
Water is: Spiritual
Yang=ocean, Yin= ponds, lakes
Sense: Hearing
Ch"i Qualities: Mystical, meditative, relaxed, calm, flowing, trusting the higher order, synchronistic. Water takes on the shape of its container. (like our soul which has no shape only the shape of our body) Water always seeks its lowest level.
Symbols: Streams, rivers, pools, fountains, water features. Reflective surfaces, cut crystal, mirrors, glass. Art depicting waterscapes.
Shapes: Asymmetrical, flowing, free-form, movement, natural forms.
Colors: Black, dark blue, charcoal gray, midnight blue, indigo,
Excess: No structure, passive, inconsistent, "wishy-washy", yin.
Lack: Anxiety, inability to handle stress, need to dominate, lack of flow, disconnected to spirit, dry, combustible.
Metal
Metal is: Mental
Yang=scaffolding, Yin=gemstone
Sense: Smell (Human skeleton is metal. Epitome of strength & endurance)
Ch"i Qualities: Mental clarity, determination, concentration, perseverance, wit, brilliant even during hardship or failure. Connective, quick, networks, communicates.
Symbols: All types of metals, stainless steel, copper, silver, gold, brass, iron, aluminum, pewter. All rocks and stones, marble, granite, flagstone, concrete, all natural crystals, rocks and gemstones. Art depicting metal or stone, sculptures of metal or stone. Floral prints, upholstery, draperies, linens, natural fiber, hemp, flax, rayon.
Shapes: Circles, ovals, arches.
Colors: White and light pastels
Excess: Rigid, unable to compromise, fixed, stuck, sharp tongue, isolated.
Lack: Weak, indecisive, procrastination, dull, cloudy, foggy, unclear, indeterminate, non-specific, spineless.
Talk to you next week!
Colors: White and light pastels
Excess: Rigid, unable to compromise, fixed, stuck, sharp tongue, isolated.
Lack: Weak, indecisive, procrastination, dull, cloudy, foggy, unclear, indeterminate, non-specific, spineless.
Talk to you next week!
*******************************
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 , 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
Sunday School Lessons
www.ulcseminary.org
Universal Life Church Seminary
**********
Sunday School Lesson 17
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly Sunday School Lesson. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly Sunday School lessons sent straight to you, for your use in teaching the young of your congregation. These lessons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are also not checking them for accuracy. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you
don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next week"s.
Our Faith - Twenty Lessons separated into four. (13-16)
Lesson Thirteen
I. THE TALK.
We have reached the fourth point:-
Salvation by Character.
In using this word "salvation," we must be sure and start right. Why do we talk about being saved? What are we to be saved from?
There must be dangers of some kind that are before us all. Firemen save persons from burning houses. Doctors save patients from death. Life preservers are made to save from drowning. Now what does religion save from, and how is it done? And, first, what are the dangers?
Two Kinds.
When we read history, we find there have always been two kinds of dangers, on of this world, and one of the world beyond. That is the way men have looked at the subject.
The Strong Life.
In order to escape the dangers of this world, men have tried to live the strong life; and they meant by that the good life. Because it was good, it was strong.
Why Strong?
Because a good life obeys God's laws, and he who is obedient to God's will is one with the power of the universe. The good man does not escape dangers of sickness, accident, and age; but he is free from punishments and sufferings that attend wickedness.
The Other World.
Then we find there has been a wonder and fear about the other world. Great questions came up. What ought to be done to make one's self ready for the next life? How would God judge the soul? What was the best way to prepare for death?
Character.
The wisest men have believed that the same way of escaping the evils and dangers of this world was the best way for securing acceptance in the life to come. And that is what we believe. So we say, Salvation by character, here and everywhere; now and at all times.
What is it?
But some one may ask us, What do you mean by "character"? And we reply, It is the whole result of our thinking and doing. It is what we really are, not simply what we say we are, or what we say we believe.
Q. Suppose I say, "Character by salvation"?
A. That is the same thing with a different emphasis.
Q. Why do you prefer the former?
A. Because it is the Jesus way, which is the truer way.
Q. What do you more fully mean?
A. To be saved, you must have Christian character: therefore, put the emphasis on character; the cause before the effect.
Salvation.
You see the argument: We can use this fourth point either way, Salvation by character of Character by salvation; but the first is far the better. Why? Because there are many strange ideas about Ô³alvation.Ô It means to some an escape from an angry God; to others, a reliance on the goodness of another; in others, a profession of faith; to others, sacrifices and forms of worship; to others, acceptance of a scheme of theology.
The True Idea.
In our belief we think of "salvation" as rescue from evil and obedience to right, love of the good and hostility to the bad, and that salvation comes through God's help, by many ways, but greatly in the leadership of Jesus. Our own efforts joined with help divine makes salvation, makes character, makes the soul victorious in life and death. In that sense salvation is character. Just as surely and more accurately we can say character is salvation.
Our Duty.
Salvation by character is not easy. We are kept on guard all the time. We are warned not to believe in "good works" alone. We are obliged to look beyond, to help and light higher than ourselves. On the other hand, we are cautioned against lip service, and substitute merit. Our lives must have faith and works combined. "By their fruits ye shall know them."
Morality Alone?
No! Not morality alone.
Q. What do we mean by "being good"?
A. A life of two elements, -religious faith and moral purpose.
Q. Can the Golden Rule exist of itself?
A. No! It must have a spiritual inspiration.
Q. What is meant by "spiritual inspiration"?
A. The sanctions and power of religious sentiments.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
"Character Building," a manual published by the Unitarian Sunday-School Society, may prove helpful. But life, biography, are full of aids. Your object must be, in this lesson, to deal justly with both sides of the question, leaving the emphasis on character. We do not make ourselves. Yet we are in a measure responsible. Religion and morality, God and man, ideals and practice, -united produce character.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* Are there dangers in this world?
* Are there any in the world beyond?
* How can we escape them?
* What do we mean by "the strong life"?
* What is character?
* What is salvation?
* How do they depend on each other?
* Which do you call the cause, and which the effect?
* What two things must be combined to make character?
* Can you tell the meaning of "spiritual inspiration"?
Lesson Fourteen
I. THE TALK.
When we search the Bible to learn the teachings about salvation, we find in the Old Testament stories and records of ancient habits. They belonged to the times when religion was not free from idolatry.
Sacrifices.
In order to please Jehovah, the people offered sacrifices of animals: sometimes they did not spare human lives. By such means, worshippers hoped to secure the favor and protection of God.
Many Gods.
There were those, also, who believed in more gods than one. These gods were always fighting, and the object of worship was to get the good will of the strongest. All these ideas belonged to the early times of the world. But in savage nations the superstition remains.
Focus and Prayers.
Another way to salvation was by repeating prayers and by going through forms. To keep safe and well, men wore charms and observed certain customs. This way is still pursued by many.
The Prophets.
Q. Did superstition go unrebuked?
A. No. Among the Jews the prophets rose to protest.
Q. Who were they?
A. The greatest were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Micah.
Q. Did Moses teach the true view of salvation?
A. Yes. He taught the religion of character and the holy life.
Q. What did Micah say?
A. "Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."
Jesus.
The prophets and best teachers in the Old Testament stood for salvation by character: they denied the claim that costly sacrifices could take the place of goodness and holiness. Now, if we search the New Testament, we see Jesus rebuking the other evil, -the idea that forms and prayers can be substituted for character.
Plain Speech.
The rulers and priests grew angry because Jesus spoke so plainly. He called some of them "whited sepulchres." He used the word "hypocrites." He declared they were the blind leading the blind.
Jesus denounced these false leaders because they were making religion hollow and teaching the worst kind of doctrine. They were encouraging the people to believe that salvation could be secured by something else than character.
In Meaning.
Character means reality.
Character stands for sincerity.
Character represents conscience.
Character has deep faith roots.
Character flows toward an ideal.
Isaiah.
Jesus often quoted from the sayings of the prophet Isaiah when rebuking the people. Once he exclaimed:
Well said Isaiah when he foretold such as you, in the words:
"This is a people that honors God with their lips, while their hearts are far removed from Him. But vainly do they worship Him, for their teaching is only the commands of men."
Then he added, You neglect God's commandments, and cling to the traditions of men..
Everywhere.
All through the teaching of Jesus is this condemnation of the belief in salvation by habits, or external forms. He even says that at some future day many will come and say, "Lord, I did miracles in thy name." But they will be rejected, because their spirit and aim were not those of their Master.
By the Well.
One great saying of Jesus stands out, uttered at the well in Samaria: "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship spiritually, with true insight." Forms, prayers, habits, may help worship; but they are not worship itself.
Right Understanding.
With this knowledge of what the prophets and Jesus taught, we can understand correctly certain phrases.
"Saved by faith" means made strong by faith in the right life, and daily striving to realize it, God helping.
"Reconciled to God" means put into right relations of knowledge and obedience, knowing His laws, and obeying them.
"Conversion" means turning about from the wrong path and going the right way, leading the right life.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
Here is a good opportunity to prove that the Bible is a record of religious development in the nation and the individual. Through superstition and idolatry shines the light of the prophets and of Jesus. The spiritual truths of the New Testament gather around the growing idea that reality and righteousness make genuine religion. The Old Testament said "righteousness," the New Testament says "righteousness and mercy." (Read Emerson's essay, "Character" and Spiritual Laws.")
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* Can you give the principal idea of the preceding lesson?
* What is our object in this one?
* How did the ancients try to get salvation?
* Who rebuked them?
* What was a prophet?
* Against what evil did Jesus speak?
* What did he once quote from Isaiah?
* What did he say by the well at Samaria?
* For what does character stand?
* Can you explain the terms "saved by faith," "conversion,"
and "reconciled to God"?
Lesson Fifteen
How happy is he born or taught
Who serveth not another's will;
Whose armor is his honest thought,
And simple truth his highest skill.
Sir Henry Wotton .
I. THE TALK.
We conclude in this lesson our consideration of the subject, Salvation by Character.
By looking into history and by examining the Bible, we have learned certain things.
Salvation.
Salvation means safety, strength, happiness. It means right relations. It means peace of mind and power of soul.
Character.
Character means completeness, righteousness, faith in God, and faith in man. It means conviction and conscience. It means worship and work.
The Way of Jesus.
Jesus taught The Way. Walk in it and you will be saved, he said. That Way was none other than the one we have described, - The Way of Holiness.
Holiness.
Holiness is whole-ness, and whole-ness is character. Of course, no one is perfect, said Jesus, no one is whole; but we are to strive for completer characters, and walk in The Way.
Purpose.
We are not saved - that is, we are not acceptable in the sight of God - because of what we do alone. Our works are sadly short of what we ought to do. But the purpose redeems us. We are estimated by our best efforts, thought those efforts may often fail.
Completing.
I prefer the word "completing," or finishing, rather than "salvation." It is true we need to be saved from many dangers, but our greatest need is to grow.
We are incomplete, half-built, not fulfilled. Saint Paul preferred the word "completion," for he urged them of old to grow up into the full stature and strength of the children of God.
Growth.
Q. What is man?
A. A growing soul.
Q. What does he need?
A. Knowledge and enthusiasm.
Q. Is knowledge enough?
A. No! We must add a love for God and man.
Q. What is "completion"?
A. Constantly coming nearer to an ideal.
Q. What is the ideal of human character?
A. The example of Jesus, his spirit and aim.
Helps.
There are many helps to character-making. While forms cannot take the place of religion, they assist. It is not right to say we will not go to church, we will not recite Scripture, we will not say we believe things, because some persons do all this in a wrong way.
Examples.
The study of biography is a help. Great lives remind us we can aspire and achieve. Read the records of noble men and women who were true to themselves and true to their Maker.
Facing Forward.
Always face forward. Look for more light. Never give up. Expect to grow and to ascend. "We are saved by hope," said an apostle. As long as you live, keep moving forward. Be true to the old, and be ready for the new.
Tastes.
We grow by our tastes. We are saved by what we like. These lines are worthy of memorizing:
To live for common ends is to be common.
The highest faith makes still the highest man;
For we grow like the things our souls believe.
We are in very truth that which we love.
Punishment.
I have not said anything about punishments. What are they? The penalties paid for breaking laws.
Q. What are God's punishments?
A. Intended to educate and help.
Q. Do they come because of anger?
A. God is never angry.
Q. Does He forgive?
A. He is always forgiving, and changes not.
Q. What does He demand of us?
A. That we obey His commandments as fast as we know them.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
In a sense this lesson gathers up the two previous ones. Bring out clearly the mutual relations of salvation and character. Show the fallacy of substitution religion, whether as sacrifice, charms, forms, or schemes of theology. But do not end with negative results: leave the positive impression last, -the greatness and glory of completed Christian character as title to "salvation."
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* What does "salvation" mean?
* What does "character" mean?
* What is meant by "The Way"?
* Can you give another word for "holiness"?
* What really "saves" any one?
* How does the word "completion" bear on our subject?
* What is our ideal?
* What are helps to character-growing?
* Will you explain the meaning of "punishments"?
* How do our tastes affect us?
* Is God ever angry?
* What is obedience?
* What is forgiveness?
Lesson Sixteen
As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. -SAINT PAUL.
I. THE TALK.
On our steady course we have reached the final, the fifth point of our belief:
Progress of Mankind Onward and Upward Forever.
Following our habit, let us first look backward to see what was thought about the future life in old times, the long ago of history.
Something.
We find, even among savages, something of a belief in immortality. But the hope was very dim, and not spiritual.
Some believed that life was greatly the same in the future. The warriors fought and led the tribes to battle. The Indian buried his friend with bow and arrows by his side, -a sign that something would be needed of that kind after death.
Egyptians.
The people of old Egypt believed in a judgment day. There was nothing cheerful in the future, as we consider cheerfulness. Just where and how souls were to live never seemed clear. The body having served the soul so well was thought worthy of embalming.
Greeks and Romans.
These ancients talked about the Elysian Fields, where spring and joyous days were the portion of the blest. Suffering and darkness attended the wicked. But there was no progress. They seemed to believe in spirits and oracles and a world of supernatural beings. The body, having finished its service at death, was often burned, and the ashes put into an urn,-
our modern cremation.
Norsemen.
Those sturdy men of Iceland and Scandinavia had religious customs that recognized a future life. We have their poems and records paying honors to heroes and rulers who continued to be famous in gorgeous halls and lordly palaces beyond the grave. What became of the people, the human beings who were not great and famous, very little is told us that we can understand.
Q. What was one old custom?
A. The honoring of ancestors, parents.
Q. Where do we find this now?
A. In China.
Q. What does it really mean?
A. Gratitude to the departed, wherever they may be.
Q. Does this show belief in immortality?
A. Only indirectly, as a possibility
Today.
All of these beliefs, and many others we cannot mention, exist today, somewhere in the world. And in all ages, even to this time, men have thought about death, and wondered what it meant. Does it put out our life, like blowing out a lighted candle?
Two Views.
We can see, running through the ages, a dividing line. Some have always believed that what we call death is a blessing, a part of divine goodness. Others have always believed that it represented God's punishment of man for his sins. Here is a great difference.
Q. What do we further find, looking backward?
A. A view of this life as probation.
Q. What does that mean?
A. One test life for man, and then judgment.
Q. What else was taught as true?
A. Two places hereafter, one for the good, one for the bad.
The New.
By the light of Christianity and from the teachings of later times we have come to new truth.
This life joins the next life.
The next life continues this life.
All life is progressive.
Death is not a crisis, but a change.
Judgment days are every day.
Many Worlds.
In olden times it was thought our world was the only one. The sun, moon, and stars existed merely to light the earth. Even our own globe was little known; and one tribe, or nation, thought itself to be the only important one.
Enlarged.
We have now a great thought. Thousands of worlds are discovered by the telescope. Human beings, all over the earth, are seen to be of one family. God is educating His children. As He has made a place for us here He will make a place for us elsewhere. We do not think now so much of heaven as a particular spot.
The following lines fitly end our conversation at this time:
We cannot think of them as dead
Who walk with us no more;
Along the path of life we tread
They have but gone before.
The Father's house is mansioned fair
Beyond our vision dim:
All souls are His, and, here or there,
Are living unto Him.
F.L. Hosmer
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
The wise use of material relating to ancient customs and beliefs will prove interesting to the class. See Gould's "Beginnings," chapter on Immortality. Lubbock's "Prehistoric Times" is suggestive. Alger's "History of the Doctrine of the Future Life" is the great storehouse of facts.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* What is the quotation from Paul?
* Has some kind of belief in immortality always existed?
* How have savages expressed it?
* How the Egyptians?
* How the Greeks?
* What is the prevailing custom in China?
* What two views of death have always existed?
* Can you explain the saying, "This life is a probation"?
* What is the "new view"?
* How have we learned the new and better truth?
Universal Life Church Seminary
**********
Sunday School Lesson 17
Hello,
Welcome to our weekly Sunday School Lesson. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly Sunday School lessons sent straight to you, for your use in teaching the young of your congregation. These lessons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are also not checking them for accuracy. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you
don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next week"s.
Our Faith - Twenty Lessons separated into four. (13-16)
Lesson Thirteen
I. THE TALK.
We have reached the fourth point:-
Salvation by Character.
In using this word "salvation," we must be sure and start right. Why do we talk about being saved? What are we to be saved from?
There must be dangers of some kind that are before us all. Firemen save persons from burning houses. Doctors save patients from death. Life preservers are made to save from drowning. Now what does religion save from, and how is it done? And, first, what are the dangers?
Two Kinds.
When we read history, we find there have always been two kinds of dangers, on of this world, and one of the world beyond. That is the way men have looked at the subject.
The Strong Life.
In order to escape the dangers of this world, men have tried to live the strong life; and they meant by that the good life. Because it was good, it was strong.
Why Strong?
Because a good life obeys God's laws, and he who is obedient to God's will is one with the power of the universe. The good man does not escape dangers of sickness, accident, and age; but he is free from punishments and sufferings that attend wickedness.
The Other World.
Then we find there has been a wonder and fear about the other world. Great questions came up. What ought to be done to make one's self ready for the next life? How would God judge the soul? What was the best way to prepare for death?
Character.
The wisest men have believed that the same way of escaping the evils and dangers of this world was the best way for securing acceptance in the life to come. And that is what we believe. So we say, Salvation by character, here and everywhere; now and at all times.
What is it?
But some one may ask us, What do you mean by "character"? And we reply, It is the whole result of our thinking and doing. It is what we really are, not simply what we say we are, or what we say we believe.
Q. Suppose I say, "Character by salvation"?
A. That is the same thing with a different emphasis.
Q. Why do you prefer the former?
A. Because it is the Jesus way, which is the truer way.
Q. What do you more fully mean?
A. To be saved, you must have Christian character: therefore, put the emphasis on character; the cause before the effect.
Salvation.
You see the argument: We can use this fourth point either way, Salvation by character of Character by salvation; but the first is far the better. Why? Because there are many strange ideas about Ô³alvation.Ô It means to some an escape from an angry God; to others, a reliance on the goodness of another; in others, a profession of faith; to others, sacrifices and forms of worship; to others, acceptance of a scheme of theology.
The True Idea.
In our belief we think of "salvation" as rescue from evil and obedience to right, love of the good and hostility to the bad, and that salvation comes through God's help, by many ways, but greatly in the leadership of Jesus. Our own efforts joined with help divine makes salvation, makes character, makes the soul victorious in life and death. In that sense salvation is character. Just as surely and more accurately we can say character is salvation.
Our Duty.
Salvation by character is not easy. We are kept on guard all the time. We are warned not to believe in "good works" alone. We are obliged to look beyond, to help and light higher than ourselves. On the other hand, we are cautioned against lip service, and substitute merit. Our lives must have faith and works combined. "By their fruits ye shall know them."
Morality Alone?
No! Not morality alone.
Q. What do we mean by "being good"?
A. A life of two elements, -religious faith and moral purpose.
Q. Can the Golden Rule exist of itself?
A. No! It must have a spiritual inspiration.
Q. What is meant by "spiritual inspiration"?
A. The sanctions and power of religious sentiments.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
"Character Building," a manual published by the Unitarian Sunday-School Society, may prove helpful. But life, biography, are full of aids. Your object must be, in this lesson, to deal justly with both sides of the question, leaving the emphasis on character. We do not make ourselves. Yet we are in a measure responsible. Religion and morality, God and man, ideals and practice, -united produce character.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* Are there dangers in this world?
* Are there any in the world beyond?
* How can we escape them?
* What do we mean by "the strong life"?
* What is character?
* What is salvation?
* How do they depend on each other?
* Which do you call the cause, and which the effect?
* What two things must be combined to make character?
* Can you tell the meaning of "spiritual inspiration"?
Lesson Fourteen
I. THE TALK.
When we search the Bible to learn the teachings about salvation, we find in the Old Testament stories and records of ancient habits. They belonged to the times when religion was not free from idolatry.
Sacrifices.
In order to please Jehovah, the people offered sacrifices of animals: sometimes they did not spare human lives. By such means, worshippers hoped to secure the favor and protection of God.
Many Gods.
There were those, also, who believed in more gods than one. These gods were always fighting, and the object of worship was to get the good will of the strongest. All these ideas belonged to the early times of the world. But in savage nations the superstition remains.
Focus and Prayers.
Another way to salvation was by repeating prayers and by going through forms. To keep safe and well, men wore charms and observed certain customs. This way is still pursued by many.
The Prophets.
Q. Did superstition go unrebuked?
A. No. Among the Jews the prophets rose to protest.
Q. Who were they?
A. The greatest were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Micah.
Q. Did Moses teach the true view of salvation?
A. Yes. He taught the religion of character and the holy life.
Q. What did Micah say?
A. "Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."
Jesus.
The prophets and best teachers in the Old Testament stood for salvation by character: they denied the claim that costly sacrifices could take the place of goodness and holiness. Now, if we search the New Testament, we see Jesus rebuking the other evil, -the idea that forms and prayers can be substituted for character.
Plain Speech.
The rulers and priests grew angry because Jesus spoke so plainly. He called some of them "whited sepulchres." He used the word "hypocrites." He declared they were the blind leading the blind.
Jesus denounced these false leaders because they were making religion hollow and teaching the worst kind of doctrine. They were encouraging the people to believe that salvation could be secured by something else than character.
In Meaning.
Character means reality.
Character stands for sincerity.
Character represents conscience.
Character has deep faith roots.
Character flows toward an ideal.
Isaiah.
Jesus often quoted from the sayings of the prophet Isaiah when rebuking the people. Once he exclaimed:
Well said Isaiah when he foretold such as you, in the words:
"This is a people that honors God with their lips, while their hearts are far removed from Him. But vainly do they worship Him, for their teaching is only the commands of men."
Then he added, You neglect God's commandments, and cling to the traditions of men..
Everywhere.
All through the teaching of Jesus is this condemnation of the belief in salvation by habits, or external forms. He even says that at some future day many will come and say, "Lord, I did miracles in thy name." But they will be rejected, because their spirit and aim were not those of their Master.
By the Well.
One great saying of Jesus stands out, uttered at the well in Samaria: "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship spiritually, with true insight." Forms, prayers, habits, may help worship; but they are not worship itself.
Right Understanding.
With this knowledge of what the prophets and Jesus taught, we can understand correctly certain phrases.
"Saved by faith" means made strong by faith in the right life, and daily striving to realize it, God helping.
"Reconciled to God" means put into right relations of knowledge and obedience, knowing His laws, and obeying them.
"Conversion" means turning about from the wrong path and going the right way, leading the right life.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
Here is a good opportunity to prove that the Bible is a record of religious development in the nation and the individual. Through superstition and idolatry shines the light of the prophets and of Jesus. The spiritual truths of the New Testament gather around the growing idea that reality and righteousness make genuine religion. The Old Testament said "righteousness," the New Testament says "righteousness and mercy." (Read Emerson's essay, "Character" and Spiritual Laws.")
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* Can you give the principal idea of the preceding lesson?
* What is our object in this one?
* How did the ancients try to get salvation?
* Who rebuked them?
* What was a prophet?
* Against what evil did Jesus speak?
* What did he once quote from Isaiah?
* What did he say by the well at Samaria?
* For what does character stand?
* Can you explain the terms "saved by faith," "conversion,"
and "reconciled to God"?
Lesson Fifteen
How happy is he born or taught
Who serveth not another's will;
Whose armor is his honest thought,
And simple truth his highest skill.
Sir Henry Wotton .
I. THE TALK.
We conclude in this lesson our consideration of the subject, Salvation by Character.
By looking into history and by examining the Bible, we have learned certain things.
Salvation.
Salvation means safety, strength, happiness. It means right relations. It means peace of mind and power of soul.
Character.
Character means completeness, righteousness, faith in God, and faith in man. It means conviction and conscience. It means worship and work.
The Way of Jesus.
Jesus taught The Way. Walk in it and you will be saved, he said. That Way was none other than the one we have described, - The Way of Holiness.
Holiness.
Holiness is whole-ness, and whole-ness is character. Of course, no one is perfect, said Jesus, no one is whole; but we are to strive for completer characters, and walk in The Way.
Purpose.
We are not saved - that is, we are not acceptable in the sight of God - because of what we do alone. Our works are sadly short of what we ought to do. But the purpose redeems us. We are estimated by our best efforts, thought those efforts may often fail.
Completing.
I prefer the word "completing," or finishing, rather than "salvation." It is true we need to be saved from many dangers, but our greatest need is to grow.
We are incomplete, half-built, not fulfilled. Saint Paul preferred the word "completion," for he urged them of old to grow up into the full stature and strength of the children of God.
Growth.
Q. What is man?
A. A growing soul.
Q. What does he need?
A. Knowledge and enthusiasm.
Q. Is knowledge enough?
A. No! We must add a love for God and man.
Q. What is "completion"?
A. Constantly coming nearer to an ideal.
Q. What is the ideal of human character?
A. The example of Jesus, his spirit and aim.
Helps.
There are many helps to character-making. While forms cannot take the place of religion, they assist. It is not right to say we will not go to church, we will not recite Scripture, we will not say we believe things, because some persons do all this in a wrong way.
Examples.
The study of biography is a help. Great lives remind us we can aspire and achieve. Read the records of noble men and women who were true to themselves and true to their Maker.
Facing Forward.
Always face forward. Look for more light. Never give up. Expect to grow and to ascend. "We are saved by hope," said an apostle. As long as you live, keep moving forward. Be true to the old, and be ready for the new.
Tastes.
We grow by our tastes. We are saved by what we like. These lines are worthy of memorizing:
To live for common ends is to be common.
The highest faith makes still the highest man;
For we grow like the things our souls believe.
We are in very truth that which we love.
Punishment.
I have not said anything about punishments. What are they? The penalties paid for breaking laws.
Q. What are God's punishments?
A. Intended to educate and help.
Q. Do they come because of anger?
A. God is never angry.
Q. Does He forgive?
A. He is always forgiving, and changes not.
Q. What does He demand of us?
A. That we obey His commandments as fast as we know them.
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
In a sense this lesson gathers up the two previous ones. Bring out clearly the mutual relations of salvation and character. Show the fallacy of substitution religion, whether as sacrifice, charms, forms, or schemes of theology. But do not end with negative results: leave the positive impression last, -the greatness and glory of completed Christian character as title to "salvation."
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* What does "salvation" mean?
* What does "character" mean?
* What is meant by "The Way"?
* Can you give another word for "holiness"?
* What really "saves" any one?
* How does the word "completion" bear on our subject?
* What is our ideal?
* What are helps to character-growing?
* Will you explain the meaning of "punishments"?
* How do our tastes affect us?
* Is God ever angry?
* What is obedience?
* What is forgiveness?
Lesson Sixteen
As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. -SAINT PAUL.
I. THE TALK.
On our steady course we have reached the final, the fifth point of our belief:
Progress of Mankind Onward and Upward Forever.
Following our habit, let us first look backward to see what was thought about the future life in old times, the long ago of history.
Something.
We find, even among savages, something of a belief in immortality. But the hope was very dim, and not spiritual.
Some believed that life was greatly the same in the future. The warriors fought and led the tribes to battle. The Indian buried his friend with bow and arrows by his side, -a sign that something would be needed of that kind after death.
Egyptians.
The people of old Egypt believed in a judgment day. There was nothing cheerful in the future, as we consider cheerfulness. Just where and how souls were to live never seemed clear. The body having served the soul so well was thought worthy of embalming.
Greeks and Romans.
These ancients talked about the Elysian Fields, where spring and joyous days were the portion of the blest. Suffering and darkness attended the wicked. But there was no progress. They seemed to believe in spirits and oracles and a world of supernatural beings. The body, having finished its service at death, was often burned, and the ashes put into an urn,-
our modern cremation.
Norsemen.
Those sturdy men of Iceland and Scandinavia had religious customs that recognized a future life. We have their poems and records paying honors to heroes and rulers who continued to be famous in gorgeous halls and lordly palaces beyond the grave. What became of the people, the human beings who were not great and famous, very little is told us that we can understand.
Q. What was one old custom?
A. The honoring of ancestors, parents.
Q. Where do we find this now?
A. In China.
Q. What does it really mean?
A. Gratitude to the departed, wherever they may be.
Q. Does this show belief in immortality?
A. Only indirectly, as a possibility
Today.
All of these beliefs, and many others we cannot mention, exist today, somewhere in the world. And in all ages, even to this time, men have thought about death, and wondered what it meant. Does it put out our life, like blowing out a lighted candle?
Two Views.
We can see, running through the ages, a dividing line. Some have always believed that what we call death is a blessing, a part of divine goodness. Others have always believed that it represented God's punishment of man for his sins. Here is a great difference.
Q. What do we further find, looking backward?
A. A view of this life as probation.
Q. What does that mean?
A. One test life for man, and then judgment.
Q. What else was taught as true?
A. Two places hereafter, one for the good, one for the bad.
The New.
By the light of Christianity and from the teachings of later times we have come to new truth.
This life joins the next life.
The next life continues this life.
All life is progressive.
Death is not a crisis, but a change.
Judgment days are every day.
Many Worlds.
In olden times it was thought our world was the only one. The sun, moon, and stars existed merely to light the earth. Even our own globe was little known; and one tribe, or nation, thought itself to be the only important one.
Enlarged.
We have now a great thought. Thousands of worlds are discovered by the telescope. Human beings, all over the earth, are seen to be of one family. God is educating His children. As He has made a place for us here He will make a place for us elsewhere. We do not think now so much of heaven as a particular spot.
The following lines fitly end our conversation at this time:
We cannot think of them as dead
Who walk with us no more;
Along the path of life we tread
They have but gone before.
The Father's house is mansioned fair
Beyond our vision dim:
All souls are His, and, here or there,
Are living unto Him.
F.L. Hosmer
II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.
The wise use of material relating to ancient customs and beliefs will prove interesting to the class. See Gould's "Beginnings," chapter on Immortality. Lubbock's "Prehistoric Times" is suggestive. Alger's "History of the Doctrine of the Future Life" is the great storehouse of facts.
III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.
* What is the quotation from Paul?
* Has some kind of belief in immortality always existed?
* How have savages expressed it?
* How the Egyptians?
* How the Greeks?
* What is the prevailing custom in China?
* What two views of death have always existed?
* Can you explain the saying, "This life is a probation"?
* What is the "new view"?
* How have we learned the new and better truth?
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