It Might Get a Little Preachy

I have been inspired lately to get closer to my spiritual side. Although most of my blogs are not religious by nature I have the need to talk about my beliefs. Ever since I have decided to become a Minister, which has only been a couple of days with a lifetime of debate in my head, I have recently found the need to move forward with it. In time I will learn how to do the many ceremonies and stuff as a Minister but at this time I would like to start doing something I have been doing for many years. Helping people with their problems and issues. One of thier issues, I feel, is what to believe in. Many of us, including me, were brought up in the religion of our parents and thier parents. They didn't question things in past generations as much as we tend to today. They did what they were supposed to do for family and faith. Nowadays we question things and try to figure them out. I also think that many of the organized churches haven't changed much or caught up with times either so it leaves many of us out in the cold. I think its time to change our systems of organization and my church, The Universal Life Church, is the correct path. The ULC accepts all beliefs. There is no wrong or right religion just as long as you are trying to be good. Does that sound crazy. We need to stop labeling ourselves and putting ourselves in little boxes and see the Universe as a whole. We need to grow together as a people and change the world to be better. We need to accept each others ideals and philosophies and just do good in the world. There is no winner and loser in spirituality, we can all win. Sounds like a good place for all does't it?

I grew up as a Roman Catholic. I was baptised. I went through Communion and Confirmation and went to church on every Sunday, just like a good Catholic should. My father and mother thought this was important for me and my sister to be a part of the church. My father actually before he was married and had kids, went to the cemenary to become a Jesuit priest. He truly believed in his religion so much he wanted to be a part of it and do good work. Unfortunately, although nobody knew back in the 60's what was wrong, he had a mental Illness. The Priests of the cemenary didn't know how to handle this, to be honest not many did, so they both decided that it would be best for him to leave the Cemenary. So he got a job and eventually met a girl, my mother, got married yadda, yadda, yadda. So obviously he believed whole-heartedly in the Catholic Church. I always joked with him that he got kicked out but he always reminded me that wasn't true. I am my father's son so some has rubbed off on me. Obviously becoming a Minister would have made him proud but unfortunately he died a couple of years ago. I am not trying to bring it to a sad part but its neccessary to understand my background. See my father accepted everything the Catholic Church believed in, for the most part, but I didn't follow those ideas. I found it odd he was so dedicated to a church that couldn't handle his illness so just asked him nicely to leave. My mother, unknown saint, put up and never kicked my father out of anything because of his illness so it always amazed me how a church can't handle things but my mother could for 40 years. Look I understand that an organized Church is run by men that are hopefully inspired by God or whatever diety you choose. I think my father gave priests a lot more respect then he needed it too but that is also not my call.

In any case I had issues with the Catholic Church and some of its history does't help either. Religion carried out by men don't always follow the righteous path. This made it hard for me to accept it tottally like my father and will make me question it the rest of my life. I do realize though that in my belief, God just inspires. He doesn't make us do right, he hopes that with our free will, we will do right. This is my mission: to bring people back to God or Gods of thier choice. Some people might not need Religion in thier lives and that is fine too. I can do both; help people with problems and with thier faith. I might not be able to help people with major mental illnesses but I can help them with the basics day to day. I have an uncanny knack to see the other sides of things. Some may say I can debate with anybody on subjects that I believe in, others say that I sleep with the enemy. The truth is, I like to bring other sides to the story so that I can help people deal with thier problems. I have been doing this for friends ever since I was in my teens. At first the issues were more relationship types with a couple of other subjects on decisions we all must make in our early years. I have called myself a pseudopsychaitrist. I really enjoy talking to people and finding out about them on a deep personal level. I have helped many over the years but as we grow older we tend to deal with things by ourselves. In my new status as Minister, I now believe I can help people spiritually and mentally. I also think that people always need someone to talk to and I want to help in any way I can. Eventhough I'm not a doctor, I am still a legally ordained Minister which means that anything that is told to me will be kept secret. You have the freedom to talk to me without judgement and worry about anybody else knowing your issues.

If you are reading this and you need guidance or know somebody else that might need it, send this to them. They can send an email to me through this site or send me an email to mrmikenomad@yahoo.com. I am very serious about this and the worst that happens is I give some advice which you can do with as you want. I'm not going to force you to do anything more then be honest. I will always be honest as I see it. If I don't know what to do I will be honest about that as well. I'm still a man that is trying to do the right thing but I'm not perfect either. I am very passionate about this and will respond to all. Take the chance, you won't regret it.

Never talk about Politics or Religion, well now we need to talk.

     When friends and family get together most people talk about the personal things in life but usually stay away from the subjects that could cause debate.  We know
that in any debate we could push people away especially if our views are not the same as the other.  If we aren't excepting of other views and just push our views some
will shy away and see you as close minded.  Religion is one of those many topics.  Personally its time I came out of the closet, so to speak, and express my beliefs or
at least talk about my new chapter on life.


     Over many years I have fought inside myself about what I believe in or not.  I was brought up a Catholic by my parents and for the first 18 years of my life I
went to Roman Catholic Church.  My father whom actually at one time went tothe cemenary to become a Jesuit and my mother whom was a protestant turned Catholic, thought
it would be best for me.  When I was young it became a place to fall asleep.  When I was older I wanted to sleep but was to old to do so.  Every Sunday I hated going
to mass because I was bored and it cut into my weekend.  I didn't really care to understand anything at that point and I wasn't mature enough to do so.  I received the
sacrements of Communion and Confirmation and I went to a Catholic Grammer School and did what my parents wanted even though I could care less.  When I finally became a
man at the age of 18, I told my mother that I won't be going to church anymore because I didn't like it.  The priests that I was around during that time were actually
very good, well at least some of them were but it didn't matter to me.  I felt forced to go and that i still believe that is the wrong way to handle things at least
with me.  I'm not saying my parents are bad for trying to bring God into my life, I just wasn't ready at the time I guess.


     Over the years as I grew mature and thought about many ideals and subjects in my life, God still came up.  However, I was conflicted.  Did I believe in God
because I was force fed the information during my growing years?   Well I definitely still talked to God at times when I needed advise or I wasn't feeling well or when
I wanted God to help somebody I cared about. I questioned myself many times but always lived in a good way.  I believed at least that if I was a good person and helped
people either way with God or not, that would be a good way to live.  I didn't follow or believe in every rule set by the Roman Catholic Church but I did what I
thought was right.  I got married, divorced, and married again.  I lived my life as most people do. From time to time I would research my beliefs in God and see what
other religions are out there.  I wasn't happy with the politics of the Catholic church so I knew I would need to find a new home. In my quest to believe or not in God
I realized that I was forming my own ideas on God and his teachings.  I started to think that I wouldn't be able to find an exact church that would fit my beliefs and
I should start my own.  I love people and I have been helping them with problems for over 25 years.  I'm not a psychologist but I have helped many with questions on
life, relationships and stuff like that because I have an uncanny knack to see the other side of the issue.  Some people get annoyed by this because I can understand
your side of things and also see the sides of others which makes people think you aren't on their side. In any case its a passion of mine to talk with people and help
them see all sides of a story for better understanding so they can be happier in thier lives. God and my philosophies that I believe God would understand has now come
together.

     I always have known and heard about that I could become a Minister online with a real church under my beliefs.  I have thought about doing this for at least 15
years of my life.  I have finally been inspired and become one.  I don't take this lightly and I feel now I'm ready and mature enough to follow my path with God.  I am
a legally ordained minister of the Universal Life Church.  This church excepts all religions and beliefs from Roman Catholic to Paganism. It believes that we are all
children under the same universe.  Which means we can believe in what we feel is right and coexist with others with different beliefs and accept each other as equals
in the same purpose to make the world a better place. No competition on which religion is best and what you should believe.  I believe that God is part of everything. 
He is loving and transcends our pety thoughts.  He understands what he has created and has given the gift of free will to those who can conceive it.  There is no right
or wrong way to be spiritual but all encompasses his Grace.  I could go on and on but this is just the beginning of my new chapter in spirituality.  As I grow inside
my new church and become more active in my community through performing weddings and other types of ceremonies and acts of good will, I know that God is with me as He
is with everybody.  I want to bring God into the lives of those who need him and want him.  I want to show people that you can be with God under no exact rules but
doing what is right.  I will never force anybody to believe in something they don't feel right about but be there for them in whatever way I can to help them find
peace in thier lives.  I am here for all those who may read this.  Sexual orientation does not matter we are all God's children.  You don't even have to believe in God
and I will be there for all that needs guidance.  This is what I believe and this is what I will do.  All you have to do is open your mind and let the love through.