Faith is believing, even when we do not know. It is easy to have Faith that the sun will rise tomorrow, that Spring follow will Winter. We KNOW those things with the certainty of our earthly life experience.

Having Faith means to be just as accepting of the belief that Spirit, GOD, has a plan. Faith requires each of us to be open, receptive and accepting when our part in that plan is revealed. Uncertainty often is accompanied by fear on our earthly plane, but when we are strong in our Faith, we see beyond appearances and know that we are always loved and safe and blessed. Where there is love, fear can not exist.

It is easy to demonstrate ones Faith when times are good and trials are few. But when uncertainty attempts to challenge that Faith remember to stop, close your eyes, take a few long, slow cleansing breaths and connect to your heart and feel the love within. Connect to your inner knowing and be calm and still and rest in that stillness.

Rest peacefully in the knowledge that God's got THE Plan. GOD'S Got IT! And when the time comes we will all be ready for our Leap of FAITH!

I see you Loved, Safe and Blessed!

And So It Is!

Carla

I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and the best New Year ever!!!!!!! I look forward to spending the Holidays with my family (biological and UCC). May all your your Holiday wishes come true.Forget about the material Christmas and open your hearts to the true meaning of Christmas.Like the song "Hand"," In the end only kindness matters".

I think of Ucc as a caterpillar and feel we are going to transform into a beautiful butterfly in 2010.

Stick with Ucc the best is yet to be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love & blessings,

Michelle

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.  Getting together with family and friends, enjoying holiday food, and a break from the usual work day tasks have topped the list of enjoyable activities in years past.  However, recently, Thanksgiving has taken on a different, more spiritual meaning for me.  I realized that I am grateful for all of my life experiences, whatever the appearance might be.

As a result of this knowing, I am not only thankful for all aspects of my earthly experience, but I’m also grateful that I can express my gratitude every minute of every day.   This knowing is available for the choosing.  When we experience the joy that comes with the realization that we are truly blessed in every situation, we become more and more able to consciously choose gratitude.  Being grateful for our experiences brings more joy into our lives. 

I’m not proposing that it is always easy to consciously choose gratitude for an experience, but I am proposing that it is possible to become more aware of your ability to choose.   Being aware allows you to choose gratitude more and more frequently.  Along this path, affirmations can remind us that we can choose to not react negatively to situations or persons.  Developing our ability to consciously choose gratitude over negative reactions brings us more joy and more peace.

For me, forgiveness was the key to unlocking my ability to recognize my choices.  Ultimately, forgiveness helps us develop the understanding that all is well and as it should be in every situation.   We have nothing to fear.   God’s wisdom and guidance are always available.  In these moments of acceptance, we find joy and peace. 

May you have a joyful holiday full of gratitude. 

Pam

National day of Prayer 2009 was a big success. Many of the prayers in the prayer box have already been answered.

So that means they will all be answered in one way or another.

Thank you sooo much UCC for supporting your prayer chaplains.

We could not have done Sunday's service without your love & support. We are here for you so use us.

Love & blessings,

Michelle

If you have a prayer request please send an email with your need to chaplain@unitychristcenter.org