UCCA Weekly Messages

ARE YOU SOMEBODY

November 1, 2026

1 John 3:1, See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

Like a father loves his children, God loves each of us. Not just a “chosen people,” those who follow a specific faith, or any division

we might imagine. God loves us all, and we should accept that we are His children, in the sense that God is the “Ground of our being,” the “Creator of all that exists,” and the essence that unites all humankind, if we are willing to accept that Ultimate Reality. Do you?

The divisions and hatred that separate people stem from our refusal to “know God” as the “Creator of All.” Our world is divided, and we have wars, problems, and troubles because we focus on feeding our desires instead of living in godliness. We focus on what we want instead of what God wants of us. We spend our time chasing rainbows and jousting at windmills, judging others and seeking our own ways instead of living in godliness. Indeed, you do not know God; you are wandering in a lost and dying world, all of your own making, a decision you have made. What have you done?

"You are a child of God … It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." Marianne Williamson (1952-), Author

Every person who has lived, lives today, or ever will live is God’s child. They all share the same “Creator,” the same “Abba Father.” Though no two are alike, we are all the same in spirit; that spirit, the life force within us that gives us being, comes from one God, one Creator, one “Father.” When we accept this fact and set aside our prejudiced viewpoints and divisive ways, God’s Spirit begins to work through us. Then the unity of mankind finds in our differences the common factor that binds us together; we progress and grow, as God designed us to do from before creation. How are you doing with this issue?

When we understand and accept that God is our Father and resolve to live as a reflection of the Love that is God, we see others as God sees them. Not in their differences, but in their glory as reflections of God, and we desire that they see in us a godly image. What does the world see in you?

"To call yourself a child of God is one thing. To be called a child of God by those who watch your life is another thing altogether." Max Lucado (1955-), Minister

This statement is true. It should prompt each of us to ask a question. “What does the world see in me?” God sees you as you are; the world sees you as you present yourself. It’s a choice you make. When you live in godliness, the world will see God in you. A reflection, an image of God that cannot and will not be mistaken. True godliness cannot be manufactured; it can’t be faked; it can only be genuine, from the depths of your soul and without human interference. Some call it a “Spirit-led life,” and when done properly, that is true. We let our spirit commune with God’s Spirit and follow His direction. We live by God's ways instead of our own. How are you living?

“Every man is somebody because he is a child of God.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968), Minister

This is the conclusion we must face, first within ourselves and second toward all others. Indeed, I am “somebody” because I am a child of God. If I am truly a child of God, then I must accept that everyone else is God's child too, without exceptions, qualifications, or reservations. To be “somebody” is to have worth, value, and purpose, to be an individual accepted unconditionally and with true compassion. A “somebody” is the image I see in my mirror, the way the world and everyone in it see me, and, most importantly, the way God sees me. I am “somebody.” You are “somebody.” We are all members of God's family, brothers and sisters of an Eternal Father we cannot know in this life but will be part of for eternity. This family circle can never be broken; it lives on for eternity and fills our lives with hope, peace, purpose, and love. Are you somebody? How do you see all others?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO

October 25, 2026

Leviticus 19:1-2, 1The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the Israelites and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God is holy.”

We can all agree that God is holy. But what does it mean that we are to be holy as well? What does it mean to be “holy”? To be “holy” means to be set apart, distinct from the ordinary. The Hebrew word for “holy” literally means “separate” or “set apart.” People often think of holiness as moral perfection or a list of rules, but in Scripture its foundational meaning is “otherness”: being set apart from common use and consecrated for a divine purpose. God is holy because He is qualitatively different from and superior to all creation, and beyond human understanding. We are holy when we choose to live in ways that reflect God’s holiness as it is manifest in His love for others and for all creation. Does this sound like you?

Living a holy life means choosing God's standards over the world's values, habits, and moral compromises. Holiness means dedicating yourself to God's purpose and growing in grace, not striving for flawless performance or practicing harsh, self-inflicted asceticism. Living in holiness means rejecting self-righteousness and reflecting God’s righteousness. The next question is: how do we do that?

"No one is born holy, no one is born unholy. A person becomes holy through their own deeds, and unholy through their own deeds." Sutta Nipata, Vasala Sutta

This Buddhist quote captures what we are discussing. In Buddhism, true holiness is not granted by a divine power; it is achieved by purifying one's mind, overcoming greed, anger, and delusion, and practicing profound compassion. Each of us chooses who we are. We choose to follow truth or dogma; we choose to live in godliness or in sin; no one makes us do so; it is our free will. Turning from worldly ways and following the way Jesus taught is your choice; no one can make it for you. When we choose to see others through God's eyes and love them as God does, and when we see all creation as God’s and accept that we are here by His grace to care for it, we see holiness for what it truly is. What do you see?

“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act upon them?” Buddha Siddhartha Gautama Shakyamuni

This is the same message that Jesus and all the prophets gave us. It isn’t words, membership, creeds, or scriptures that make us holy. It’s how we live. No one, not even Jesus, can do it for you. It’s a choice you make: to follow Jesus, change your life, and live as a reflection of God’s love toward all others and all creation. You can’t tell someone you’re holy; they can’t read it in your writings. The only way to be holy is to live it with all your heart in all you say and do. Then the world and God will see you as unique, set apart, and truly holy. What will they see in you?

‘“It is an undoubted truth that every doctrine that comes from God leads to God; and that which doth not tend to promote holiness is not of God.” George Whitefield (1714-1770), Minister

This statement contains more truth than the preacher would have you know. When we look at it properly, we can rephrase it as: “If your doctrine promotes holiness, you can call it from God. But if not, it should be rejected.” The key words here are “promote holiness.” This applies not just to our words but, more importantly, to our actions. What we say is overshadowed by what we do, though the world witnesses both. Actions do speak louder than words in every case. Does the message you follow promote holiness, or does it sound like man? Do you follow the dogma of an institution, revere the words of a book, or do you live your faith for all to see and as an example for them to follow? Your “doctrine” is the witness of your life; is it truth? Does it come from God? Is it manifest in holiness? If not, when will you correct your path? When will you truly “repent” and turn your life around? When will you sin no more?

"Every man is as holy as he really wants to be." A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), Minister

This is true for every human being. It is your choice. What will you choose? To live in true godliness, loving as God does, seeing all others and our world as God does, caring for everyone and everything as God does, and helping others find their way. That is true holiness, godliness in action, the message Jesus and many others brought to us all. Have you found the truth? Are you free from the misdirection of institutions lost in ancient misunderstandings, free from dogmatic theologies founded on supernatural myths that mislead and misdirect? It’s up to you; no one can do it for you. Indeed, you can be holy if you put it in your heart, live it, and make it so. Do you really want to?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

WILL YOU PASS IT ON

October 18, 2026

Matthew 22:16. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality.

This passage comes from the account in which the Pharisees accost Jesus, trying to trap him into saying something incriminating about the Romans. Jesus puts them in their place with the famous words: “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” But that isn’t all we can learn from this passage.

These “teachers/Pharisees” admit they recognize that Jesus' message is grounded in “the truth” and that his motives are “sincere.” They understand that what Jesus teaches is truly “the way of God” and eternally true. They recognize that, unlike themselves and others, Jesus is indifferent to all and accepts others without judgment, condemnation, division, or hatred. It is clear that these Pharisees and their minions know who Jesus is and recognize that the message he brings is godly in every way, yet they also see his truths as a threat to themselves. They know that if people hear him and follow him, their hold on and power over their lives will diminish, and they could lose some of their wealth and status. They cannot allow this; thus, they begin plotting to stop him.

When you look at Jesus' teachings, do you hear godliness in his message? More importantly, do you recognize his truths and hear the sincerity in his words? Or do you look away and follow the teachings of those who mislead you, as the Pharisees misled Israel? If you believe that your name on a church roll is all you need, that Jesus paid your price and you can be whatever you want to be, or that belonging to any specific church or religious group is all you need, then you are as lost as you can be, wandering in a wilderness of your own making. How are you doing with that?

Jesus taught that we are to live godly lives in today's world. That means we are to live out the love of God in all we say and do, for all the world to see, without conditions or exceptions. We are to love all others just as God loves us. We do this by doing all we can to meet each other's needs. We do this by accepting others as God created them and never judging them for who they are. When we live in love, we reflect the image of God, the force within us that gives us life and being. Is this your life?

When we look closely at what Jesus taught, we stop focusing on what we are told he did for us. When we hear the truths of his message and realize he is speaking to us in the here and now, we begin to understand that it’s about how we live, not what we believe about eternity. Our eternity depends on how we live today. How does your eternity look? Your place before the eternal Presence of God will not depend on what you believe, what anyone did for you, or on what religion you follow. It will be secured and fixed by the life you live each day here on this earth. It will reflect the “Love of God” that is, or isn't, present in the life you live. When you truly “do unto others as you would have them do to you,” when you live, hurting and feeling for those less fortunate and on the margins, and decide to do what you can for them, that is a step toward true godliness; that is following the teachings of Jesus; that is what God expects from you. Are you meeting those expectations?

“We are so distracted by ancient teachings, myths, miracles, liturgies, theatrics, rites, rituals, and the “church’s” dogma that we aren’t listening to what God is saying to us in the here and now.” S. Rogers, UCCA

As in the days of Jesus and throughout our history, the people have been misled by institutions and their leaders who failed to understand that the only truth is “how we live our lives.” The only thing that truly matters in life and to our God is “how you love others.” Not just in words, but more importantly in deeds, in how you see, treat, accept, and welcome them into your life as a fellow “Child of God.” For too many generations, this message has been overshadowed by the religious dogma of our leaders and the institutions they promote. If we hope to survive as a species, build a better world, or see Godliness prevail, we must turn from these wicked ways to the “Way of God.” Which “way’ is your life following?

Those Pharisees who sent their minions to try to trap Jesus knew who he was and that he taught a godly message. He didn’t teach what to believe, which church to attend, or which religion to follow. His message is universal, eternal, and godly in every way. Those religious leaders of his time were no different from those today. Both are lost in themselves and refuse to see the truth. But some heard the truth Jesus taught, made it their own, and lived it for God and the world to see. They were spread across the world of that time, and that message is still being passed on today. This is the message I bring to you. The question is, will you accept it and make it your own? If so, will you pass it on?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

WHAT GOD WANTS OF YOU

October 11, 2026

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Atticus Finch

(‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, by Harper Lee)

How often do you do this? If we are honest, it is seldom, if ever. In our world today, we are taught to compare ourselves to others or to those we admire. Our vision, understanding, and acceptance of others are often overshadowed by our focus on “me, myself, and I.” We seldom accept others as they are, as God created them, because we are too quick to compare them to who or what we want them to be. This is sin. How are you doing with it?

The old song “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” comes to mind, but few remember it, and even fewer accept its lesson. That simple lesson has been passed down from generation to generation, but it seems this one has found a way to ignore it like no other. The selfishness, greed, wantonness, and blind lust for wealth and power have overtaken our society and turned us against anyone or anything that doesn’t meet our demands. We fail to look at ourselves and see our own flaws because we are too busy inventing “flaws” for others, which, in reality, is none of our business. When I look at many in our world today, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. The hearts and minds filled with sin, divisions, and hate are not something I would choose. What would you do?

“We must recognize that all beings want the same thing we want. This is the way to achieve a true understanding, unfettered by artificial consideration.”

Dalai Lama (1935-), Tibetan Buddhist Leader

This is true; we all want the same things. We want to be accepted, recognized for who we truly are, and, most of all, loved unconditionally. Yet most people aren't living that way, especially here. Our nation was founded on equality for all and on the idea that we all want, need, and deserve the same things: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Where did we go wrong? How do you see this?

We claim to be a nation of religious values, yet we fail to live by them. We reject the teachings of Jesus and others who gave of themselves to show us the way. Instead, we choose our own path and run over anyone we deem beneath us. We never ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” We are too busy doing it our way to pause and consider others' ways or the “Way of Righteousness.” Our “self-righteousness” rules in a world we create for ourselves rather than accepting the one God created for us. When we stop seeing all others as God’s children, we stop living in righteousness and lose our understanding of others and of God’s will for our lives. This fault begins with those who lead us, as it did in the world Jesus lived in. Who is leading you?

Mark 7:6-8, 6 He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ 8 “You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

Jesus often reminded us to look closely at our “leaders,” those who teach us, influence our lives, and guide our country. We have lost this in today’s world. We are too focused on “what will they do for me” instead of the image they project for the world to see. Our leaders today are like the Pharisees Jesus spoke against; they lead us astray. Like the Emperor of that day, our leaders today rule and reign with force and attitude instead of heartfelt godliness. The difference is that we elect our leaders; in his time, the elite, the wealthy, and the powerful appointed them—wait, perhaps I am wrong; just look at what is going on. Perhaps we have missed the mark; indeed, we have sinned, and we are now paying the price, while the debt keeps growing. We honor God with our lips and live as we choose; we worship and serve God with our lips and words, but our hearts are absent. Our churches are filled with empty precepts that honor the institutions, their dogma, and their creeds, but speak in vain of the “Love that is God, and should be our way of life.” We reject what Jesus taught and replace it with our own greed. What understanding do you follow?

John 8:43, Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word.

For over 2,000 years, Jesus has been asking this same question. And for all this time, we have been giving the same answer. Indeed, we cannot accept his words; we choose to follow our leaders. Those who twisted his simple message of unconditional love for all into meaningless creeds, dogmatic theologies, and endless myths. Not just our religious leaders, but also the leaders of our families, societies, and nations. Our leaders reflect who we are. They show the world, and us, the best and worst of who we are. We reject Jesus' teachings and his righteousness for the self-righteousness and lusts of our lives and the world around us. We do not understand his teachings because we have bought the lies of those we follow instead of his simple truths. We have rejected the “cornerstone” for the sake of wealth and power, for the judgments and condemnation of others, for the false hope of empty success. His words still echo across humankind, yet they still reject them. What are you doing?

“You can only understand people if you feel them in yourself.”

John Steinbeck (1902-1968), author

This is what Jesus and all the others are trying to tell humankind. This is the message God wants you to know and share with the world. You will never truly know anyone until you can feel them within yourself. Walk a mile in their shoes, live a moment in their life, and see the world as they do. You will never know what God wants of you until you live this truth and see others as God does.

Do you?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

WHAT GOD WANTS OF YOU

October 11, 2026

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Atticus Finch

(‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, by Harper Lee)

“We must recognize that all beings want the same thing we want. This is the way to achieve a true understanding, unfettered by artificial consideration.”

Dalai Lama (1935-), Tibetan Buddhist Leader

John 8:43, Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word.

“You can only understand people if you feel them in yourself.”

John Steinbeck (1902-1968), author

Do you?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

FORGIVENESS

October 4, 2026

Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder.” (kill)

Note: There are no qualifications, conditions, or exceptions to this statement. Are you listening?

I believe this is the true test of love. An eye for an eye only leaves two blind; there is no true justice and no godliness. If there is love, taking another's life is paramount, or love does not exist. God is the only giver of life, unless you believe in Frankenstein. God, our Creator, designed us before we were born, breathed the “Breath of Life” into us, and set us on a journey we call life. That journey is to be an example of the “Love of God,” reflecting “God’s Image” in all we say and do. Is this you?

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983), Writer

This message continues the teaching handed down from past generations of “Followers of the teachings of Jesus,” from those “Unitarians” who came before me, who walked in the “Way of Godliness” and didn’t follow those who stood too tall and spoke too loudly and boldly. We walk the “Path of Righteousness” to lead others to the truth God would have us know. I hope you will follow.

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), Theologian

For years, I have studied, researched, wrestled with, and prayed about the issue of killing, especially when it is carried out by our government in any form. I live in Tennessee. My state, in my name, just attempted once again to kill another human being. Once again, they failed and instead inflicted pain, harm, and torture on that person. I understand that person committed a horrible crime, but the more I truly look at the punishment, the more I see a “crime” committed in my name and a “sin before God.” There are ways to exact justice without this atrocity, without sinning, within the true meaning of “God’s love.” Life in prison, away from the norms of society, even separated from other incarcerated individuals, is more godly and just as effective.

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."

Lewis B. Smedes (1921-2002), Theologian & Author

Why should I want someone who has taken the life of my loved one to be allowed to live? That is a reasonable question. But I ask, “Why do you think you have any more right in the eyes of God to take a life?” The only answer is, “You don’t.” But you do have the right to put that person away from others, to punish them in a just and godly way that conveys the lesson that they have sinned against society and will pay a price.

Within each individual there is a deep sense of belonging, a need for interaction with others, a desire to be accepted as part of the whole. To take that away is to cause that person to live each day with that emptiness, and it is more just than taking their life. So, why do we still have “capital punishment?” Most of the world does not; why do we?

"Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude."

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), Minister

If we are living our faith as Jesus did, we would project the “Love of God” in our justice and judgments. We would do as Jesus did from the cross, not just say “forgive them,” but also refuse to let our hatred drive us to sin and kill them. The greatest punishment we can give is to look them in the eyes and say, “Just as God still loves you, I will do the same. I will not sin by taking your life, but I will punish you by taking your freedom.” Then they will live in their regrets, and you can rejoice in your mercy. What attitude do you have?

“Only one petition in the Lord’s Prayer has any condition attached to it; it is the petition for forgiveness.” William Temple (1881-1944). Anglican Priest

Think about that. “Forgive me as I have forgiven them.” I understand what it means when a loved one is taken from you, but look at it as a test. Stand with the “Love of God” as your foundation, and that love will give you all you need. When we live in hatred and seek revenge for what has been done to us, we allow that ungodliness to cast a dark shadow over our lives, and we will live with it forever. The hurt never goes away; the hate only increases, and in the end your peace and happiness are replaced by darkness and dread. God wants us all to “love one another”; he tells us to be like Jesus, look at those who wrong us, and say, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” What are you saying?

"Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right; it makes you free."

Stormie Omartian (1942-), Author

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, NOT YOU

September 27, 2026

Philippians 2:3-5: "3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus."

This passage speaks volumes about the world we live in today. Look around you; “selfish ambition and empty conceit” is the hallmark of today's “American Way.” It is rampant across our nation and rapidly spreading worldwide. There is nothing wrong with wanting to do better in your life, unless that ambition becomes the focus of who you are and pushes aside your empathy and compassion for others. Our lives are lived in sin when we let conceit blind us to the light of God’s love and to how we are to be living examples of it. We become an empty shell of nothing but our wants and lusts, which replace the Image of God that is our true self.

When we stop looking at the interests of others and focus instead on ourselves, we have truly strayed from the “Path of Righteousness,” lost our way, and begun to live in ungodliness. We are designed and created to be reflections of God’s presence in this world, but when we no longer see that image in all others and see ourselves above anyone, we are no longer God’s image but only reflections of the ungodliness that is in our hearts.

Me, myself, and I are the reflections we see in our lives instead of God's family. We look away from that family and feed our lust for wealth and power over others. We live in sin to climb the “ladders” we deem most important, stepping on everyone except those who can benefit us. We don’t see those who are different, hurting, sick, homeless, poor, and in need because we choose not to. We think that if we share with “those people,” we will have less, not understanding that when we don’t, we lose it all. We live for ourselves and for today, not realizing the sins we have committed and the harm we have caused. When you are the most important person in your life, it is a very lonely experience. It is void of the “Love of God,” even though God’s love for you is endless. We have no shame, for it is in the shadows of our lusts, wantonness, greed, selfishness, judgments, condemnations, and ungodliness, all overshadowed by our self-righteousness. When you look in a mirror, who do you see?

“He is courageous who endures and fears the right thing, for the right motive, in the right way and at the right times.”

Aristotle (384-322 BCE), ancient Greek philosopher

Many today claim to be “Christian.” Yet they fail to live by his example and to learn, know, and live his teachings. We are told to “accept Jesus into our hearts,” but few explain what that means. We are told “Jesus died for our sins,” and many believe that means we can live as we please, when it only means he showed the commitment and determination you are to have to live in godliness in an ungodly world. Do you? That is the question Jesus has asked for the past 2,000 years. Sadly, most don’t. Sadly, most don’t even want to try. Jesus was not a “human sacrifice” for your sins; he was a living example of the commitment and determination you are to have to live as he did, to love without limits, conditions, or exceptions, just as God loves you. Is this the life you are living? If not, perhaps this message can be a wake-up call, an invitation, and a light for your future.

Jesus never attended any church, never conducted a liturgy, didn’t baptize anyone, and didn’t read the Bible. He never preached a sermon, instituted a sacrament, founded a new religion, started a church, or practiced rites or rituals. Jesus didn’t speak to large crowds or feed throngs of people with little to nothing; he was not born in Bethlehem of Judea, nor was he a human sacrifice for your sins. He never claimed to be the “Messiah/Christ” and would soundly reject such a title. He didn’t teach a dogma to believe, but he did teach a way of living. He believed we should live the love of God by letting that love reign in all we say and do. He spoke against the control of the religious leaders of his time, and we should do the same today. Jesus wouldn’t recognize or accept the pomp or theatrics of most Christian church services today. That isn’t relevant to the message he taught and is contrary to the example he lived. Is this the Jesus you believe in?

“Only the man who follows the command of Jesus single-mindedly, and unresistingly lets his yoke rest upon him, finds his burden easy, and under its gentle pressure receives the power to persevere in the right way. The command of Jesus is hard, unutterably hard, for those who try to resist it. But for those who willingly submit, the yoke is easy, and the burden is light.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), Theologian

None of us are called to be “all we can be” for ourselves, but all are called to be all God can use us for if we place His Love as the foundation that holds up who we are. For the world to see, not for our glory but for the glory of God, just like Jesus. What will you do?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

WHICH WAY WILL YOU GO

September 20, 2026

Isaiah 40:3: A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Mark 1:2, As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.”

The first followers of Jesus called themselves “The Way” because they saw following Jesus as an ongoing, active journey rather than merely a set of beliefs. It signified a way of life and a path to follow. Before the term "Christian" was introduced in Antioch, as noted in the Book of Acts, or wherever it happened, this movement was considered an early Jewish sect. Using "The Way" emphasized a way of life centered on living, loving, and practicing compassion, rather than simply following institutional religion.

Like today, the Jews around Jesus had fallen into false teachings, adopting rites and rituals instead of living their faith as God prescribed. Jesus taught a message of returning to the “Way of Righteousness,” which had been lost, and we need to revive that message today. After centuries of misguided, misdirected, and misunderstood teaching, Jesus' simple message is needed now more than ever.

Jesus never asked you to “join a church,” make a pledge, recite a prayer, or adopt a creed. He never said to join a denomination or profess any religion. All Jesus taught or exemplified was how to live a godly life. That meant “loving all others,” seeing others’ needs and suffering, and doing all you can to help them because your heart said you should, for no other reason. He showed what a caring, loving heart should do when it sees others' wrongs, suffering, and heartache. He didn’t send them to anyone else; he stepped up himself and did what he could to feed the hungry, quench the thirst of those who thirst, heal the sick with prayer and hope, and lead those who felt lost in their hearts to the comfort of a loving God. That is not the world we live in, not even in this nation.

Instead of walking the “Way of Godliness,” we lust for wealth and power. We promote and elect leaders who embody our lusts and admire those who live in greed, arrogance, and debauchery. Our heroes aren’t the righteous, virtuous, or kind and gentle. We favor and elevate those who look down on others, divide our people into sects of “us vs. them,” and promote sin over the teachings of those who came before us, who led us to a “Path of Righteousness.”

“I made an oath to myself: as long as I live, as long as my soul remains in this body, I won't deviate from the right way, but later I looked to my left and then to my right, and I saw our beloved everywhere; how could I make a wrong turn?”

Rumi (1207-1273), Islamic Sufi Mystic

I often feel a lot like Rumi. I look all around me and see very few living the teachings of Jesus, living in the “right way.” Not that I am judging, but that I am wondering why. That is when I realize that the simple message Jesus and the others taught has been overshadowed and misused by the “religious leaders,” just as it was in the times of Jesus. Those who are supposed to be leading God’s children toward Him are too focused on themselves and the institutions that support them to fulfill the calling they answered. You don’t have to be an ordained minister to show the love of God, to live in godliness, and to demonstrate to the world the living proof of the message Jesus brought to us. All you have to do is determine in your heart, “Who will you serve?” To serve God is to live in godliness; that means living in such a way that, in all you say and do, the world sees the love of God at the center of your life. See all others as God’s children, His creation, and in His likeness at the soul level, not in their face. How are you doing with this task?

“All the holy words you read, and all the holy words you speak, are as nothing if you do not act upon them. Even if you read little and say little but live the right way, forsaking craving, hatred, and delusion, you will know the truth and find calmness and will show others the path.” Gautama Buddha, religious teacher

The Buddha has many meaningful things to say about life, and this is one of the most important. Unless we “live our faith” in all we say and do, we have no faith. That might seem odd to most Christians, but it is the truth. As Jesus said, “The truth will set us free.” Free from ungodliness, hatreds, divisions, and wantonness. Free from the love and lust for wealth and power. Free to live and love as Jesus did, as God created you to do, as we all should. Our world will never be all it can be until we walk in the way of Jesus, live as he did, and love without conditions. The “Path of Righteousness” isn’t found in your church, your “Holy Scriptures,” or your creeds and pledges. That ‘Path” is found only when we take the hand of God, walk with Him leading our way, and love as He loves us. Do you?

“The Way” is more than a name for the first followers of Jesus. It is, in fact, a statement of who they were and how they chose to live. They stood up to the “religious leaders”; they bowed to no authority but God; they lived with unconditional love and acceptance of those unlike themselves; they even loved those who hated and persecuted them. Those first followers of Jesus lived his teachings without shame or regret, guided by God's love in all they did. History records the continued life of this faith not in the annals of the “church” but in the memories of the loving kindness shown by those on the margins, the outcast, that quiet kind stranger at the edge of town. History records not the public victories of battles won, but the unconditional love shown when no one else cared. I chose to walk in “the Way.” Which way will you go?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

JUST AS YOU ARE

September 13, 2026

Psalm 139:13–14, 13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

I have often heard “God made a mistake.” If you believe this, you don’t know God. The One True God, the Creator of all, does not make mistakes. When we say this, we fail to recognize that it is we and those around us who have made a mistake, not our God. To suppose that because your life or circumstances aren’t perfect in your eyes, God must have made a mistake with you is arrogant and reflects a misunderstanding of God.

God is beyond the understanding of any human. We will never truly know the reality of God; we aren’t supposed to. And no, that isn’t another “mistake God made.” We are His creation, born not from the dust of the land but from the design and will of a Force that is simply beyond our comprehension. From the tiniest particles, all that exists is created, and when properly examined, that creation is perfect in every way. There are no flaws in anyone, only the judgments of those who refuse to accept what God has designed and created. And this is true of you and all who live. Life would be much better if we accepted the vessel God created us to be and let His Love pour from us.

Instead, we waste countless hours and years fighting the reality God has given us. We let others, with their misguided judgments and comments, reshape our lives around their demands instead of simply living in the reality of how God created us. It makes no difference what “body” you have; it is just the vessel you travel in. What matters is what is inside you, in your heart and mind. Being true to the reality of who you are is the beginning of godliness, for you can’t be close to God without living as He created you to be.

Society tries to separate us from this reality. It tells us, “You must be as we say and do as we tell you to do, or you aren’t acceptable.” It is then that we must ask ourselves, “Do I want to be acceptable to the world or to God?” The answer to that should be obvious. But, sadly, in today’s world, we spend most of our time trying to fit in with the crowd, following the leader even though they are more lost than we are, and trying to climb the invisible social and economic ladder to nowhere. How is your life with this issue?

Numbers 23:19: States that God is not human, does not lie, and does not change His mind or fail to fulfill His promises.

This verse of Scripture further describes God. God is not human, yet we make Him so to allow ourselves, or our institutions, to manipulate, control, and direct our lives. When we do, we place God behind us instead of before us. God does not lie, for all truth begins and dwells within the love of God, and in that unconditional love there is no room for lies, deceit, or wrongs. God does not change; even though we cannot truly know God, we must hold to the truth that God is eternal in every aspect of His being. And if God never changes, why would He create you to change from His creation to conform to the norms of a world He also created? God’s promise to humankind is that He will be, nothing more or less. And if God is to be, then as His creation you are to be as well. That means you aren’t to try to recreate what God has created in the image of something that society, government, a religious institution, or anyone else tells you to be for their acceptance. The only acceptance you need comes from God, and God knows how He created you to be, and that is who He expects you to be, without exceptions. Who will you bow to, the world or God?

Proverbs 3:5-8, 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.

Proverbs are meant to be “words of wisdom for living in godliness.” This Proverb makes a statement that transcends and supersedes all human teaching. We must “trust” that God knows us better than we know ourselves and not let our misguided or biased opinions get in the way of God’s will or His design for who we are. We are to get out of God’s way and trust that the “path” He has put before us is His Will and the Way we are to go. We are to set our doubts aside, turn from our wicked ways, and stop following the misguided dogma of outdated and misunderstood teachings. We are to seek the “healing” our bodies, minds, and souls receive when we direct our lives to being only what God created us to be. “Just as I am” is a phrase that comes to mind. Is that how you live? Is that what the world sees in you? If not, why?

Are you living as God created you to live? Do you face the world saying, "I come as I am because this is who God created me to be"? Or do you live with your back to God, rejecting all He has for you? It’s a decision you get to make. That’s how God made you. What will yours be?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

WHAT WILL YOU DO

September 6, 2026

Matthew 19:24, Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

If we read the Gospels properly, we see that Jesus had a great deal to say about wealth. Not so much about wealth itself, but about what it does to a person when it is obtained. It is like a thirst that can never be quenched or a hunger that cannot be satisfied; we can never get enough. If you take an honest look at the world we live in, it is obvious that “wealth,” or the lust after it, is paramount in almost everyone’s focus. How can we expect to live in “godliness,” which is the “Kingdom of God,” if our focus in life is an endless quest for more and more of that which will never be enough? Indeed, Jesus was correct: it is easier to do the impossible than for us to stop the pursuit of wealth. The lust for wealth and power is the fastest-growing obsession among humankind today. All you have to do is look at what is driving our lives to smell the stench of greed, selfishness, wantonness, and disdain for all who stand in the way, whether actually or unjustly perceived. Do you see yourself in this dilemma?

We complain about the cost of everything going up, the runaway inflation that seems to have no end. But we continue to buy, continue to want, continue to spend beyond our means, and still want more. Those who profit from your spending will continue to feed their lust as long as you feed them. When will enough be enough? When the national and perhaps the global economy crashes and fails, and we all must start over. The super wealthy will not suffer; they will take their profits and laugh at your suffering, as they have throughout history. Jesus warned you. He repeatedly taught that we should seek first to live in godliness, in God’s Kingdom. That means we are not to lust after our personal wealth; we are to look at the good of all and see how we can meet that need. We too often fail to see the importance of what it takes to provide for us because we are too lost in the pursuit of ever more wealth and take for granted those who keep everything going. Perhaps it's time for a new way, an attitude adjustment within each of our lives. Maybe we should look at ourselves as Jesus would if he were standing in our place. What would he see in you?

“You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.” Charles Spurgeon, Baptist Preacher (1834-1892)

I share this quote from the famous preacher because it speaks to our lives today. It says we will never have “enough.” Lust doesn’t work that way. It has no point of satisfaction, only an endless cycle of want. Once you reach your goal, a new one is set, and you keep reaching for more and more of whatever you desire; that is like a thirst or hunger without end. If we achieve that goal, we only set another; if we get one million, we lust after two, and the cycle continues. We see this in all walks of life at every social level. The poor want to be wealthy, the wealthy want more wealth, and the richest of all want even more. This isn’t God’s Plan for humankind, but it's our rejection of God’s Plan because it interferes with our ability to feed our lusts. We either put the love of God first in our lives, or we don’t; there is almost no in-between, no maybe. How are you doing with this?

“Make no mistake, my friend, it takes more than money to make men rich.”

Dr. A. P. Gauthey, Minister, Author, Philosopher (1892-1963)

This quote relates to the Scripture quote at the beginning of this message. We aren’t truly “rich” when we have an abundance of wealth. Richness isn’t measured by wealth alone but by the countenance of one's heart, as manifest in the witness of their life. True wealth is found in what our heart produces that serves not only ourselves but all humankind, especially those less fortunate. A “rich person” is one who looks upon life as an opportunity to take the abundance of love that God has placed within you and share it with others. You will never be “rich” until you feel in your heart the need to share the blessings God has given you for the well-being of others who aren’t as fortunate. We are not “God’s Family” until we accept that fact and act like a “family.” Do you?

“A person's true wealth is the good he or she does in the world.”

Mohammed, Islamic Prophet (570-632 CE)

To many who call themselves “Christian” or “A Follower of Jesus,” and to others who adopt misguided titles, this quote might seem strange. But truth is found within the teachings of all religions if one is willing to seek it. In a short sentence, these words express what Jesus and most other religious teachers tell their followers. It is a truth we should take to heart today, for it speaks loudly to the world we live in. Few are concerned with the needs or well-being of others; they are too focused on themselves. We too often get lost in thoughts of personal wealth and forget that we are all part of the “whole.” Without the success of us all, the success of the few will soon fail, as history repeatedly shows. How much good are you doing for the world? Is your focus on yourself or on what is more important? Will you serve God or money? What will you do?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

IS THIS YOU

August 30, 2026

Isaiah 58:10: If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom be like the noonday.

Long before Jesus, Isaiah spoke truth to the Israelites. He spoke of how they were to live, not what they should believe. He spoke of the tangible things of life, not the myths of religion. Jesus heard this message, revived it, preached and taught it, and lived it for all to follow.

Some of us today say we “follow the teachings of Jesus.” The question is: “Do we really?” Sadly, the answer is evident in the chaos, divisions, judgments, and hatred that still pit us against one another in sects of selfishness and greed. Few know the truths Jesus taught, and even fewer seek to learn them. To do so is to put yourself aside, see others as Jesus did, feel their pain, suffering, and separation, live in their loneliness and undeserved shame, and know that you were the cause of it all. Like Isaiah, Jesus knew the truth; he said that all you have to do is accept it and let it free you from your life of sin. And yes, you are living in sin if you aren’t living in godliness, at any level. How are you doing with that truth?

Matthew 25:35–36, 35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing, I was sick, and you took care of me, I was in prison, and you visited me.’

Like Isaiah, Jesus told the people the truth. He spoke to those around him all those centuries ago, and his words are just as true today as they were then. And just as then, most chose to be too deaf to hear and too blind to see. They snubbed him, rejected him, chose the pomp and arrogance of the rich and powerful over him. And in the end, they lost it all. Not because of an “act of God,” or “God’s retributions,” but because they blindly followed false hopes and reaped the true fruits of what they had sown. This makes me wonder. What will we reap when our time comes? Who will we blame when our walls come tumbling down, and the “temple” of our self-righteousness is torn down? Like those who cried “crucify him,” and watched his life end, then walked away with pride and joy, we too will reap what we have sown. What will your harvest be?

Matthew 25:40, And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’

“Do unto others.” That statement rings true throughout humanity. It is found in the moral teachings of all nations. When we realize that the “least of these” are our equals in the eyes of God, we recognize that we are only one of God’s Children, one among many, one among all. When we learn and accept in our hearts that God created each of us to be who we truly are, we stop demanding that others conform to our demands and live as we say. It is then that we begin to understand and accept this truth: when we live by doing to others as we would have them do to us, we are living as God created us to live. Do you?

This message is universal and applicable to all faiths, or even to those who don’t believe they have any. It doesn’t take faith, religious dogma, rites, or rituals to live in godliness. It only requires that you find it in your heart to do so, determine that you will, and let your life be a witness to that reality. Empathy, compassion, and unconditional love are the foundation for a godly life. They are the witness to who you truly are, to all who might know you or know of you, and to God. We truly honor God when we live in such a manner that the love God has for us is a witness to all others in all we say and do. Is this you?

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

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