"We Are Family"
Every time I hear that phrase I think of the song by Sister Sledge, and it makes me feel like toe-tapping. Every time I think of family, I think of the TV series "The Waltons," and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Everybody has a sense of what an ideal family should be, but family isn't an easy thing to come by. It's not about how many pups are born in the litter. It's not about how much education or social standing your clan enjoys in the community.

"The family is the fundamental unit of fraternity in which parents and children learn those lessons of patience, altruism, tolerance, and forbearance which are so essential to the realization of brotherhood among all men." Urantia Papers, p. 941

THE FAMILY CONCEPT was recently discussed by the host of the Woods Cross Teacher Base. TEACHER ABRAHAM said:
"Greetings. I am Abraham. What faith and trust you exemplify in welcoming me each week. What dedication and perseverance you show in living these lessons every day. I feel quite at home walking among you, knowing that you each love me as I am. In turn, I pray that you know we look at you in the same way. Everyone has their flaws, but also everyone has their talents. All have been shaped by their personal experiences and their decisions made.

How comforting it is to know that we can be exactly who we are, good or bad, and still be welcomed and loved. That is the meaning of a real family. The family concept will follow you and be built upon throughout your eternal career. It has been proven that biological families are not always encompassing that ideal unconditional love and acceptance. We here are quite blessed to know that there really is not much greater love to be found than right here in this very group.

There are men here who are excellent fatherly examples to those who have not the experience of a father. There are men here who have not the experience of that confiding comfort of a beloved brother. There are men here who are not typical of the average man on Urantia that seem to be led by ego instead of spirit. How blessed are we to have you, our brothers, among us. We each will benefit by your counsel and comfort throughout our days. On that same note, how wonderful it is for us to be blessed by the various female personalities here. Many are wonderful examples of motherly caretakers, who are always on the watch for one and all's well-being. How comforting it is to also know the benefits of an understanding and loyal sister.

What a beautifully balanced family we have to rely upon throughout our adventures in the flesh. How blessed are we that we may meet our universe Parents through one another. How wonderful it is to know that where one may be lacking there is another to bring comfort and understanding. This is the family. This is the Kingdom. This is our rock. Out in the everyday busyness of life we are many times overcome with various difficulties and this is so draining spiritual, emotionally, mentally and physically. What a blessing it is to know your family awaits your presence each week to aid you in recharging that spiritual energy. What strength there is to venture back out into the busyness of life. Of course, there will always be those family lessons we will learn with one another. There will always be some hurt feelings or misunderstanding, yes, but never do those occurrences ever outweigh the good to be gained from the family.

Lessons on family life are usually the first taught upon arriving on the mansion worlds. While some solitude can be quite serene and rejuvenating, isolation can be quite detrimental to ones overall well-being. When we view the Master's life with His apostles we can find the various personalities that created conflict, the differing personalities that were diplomatic, the personalities that rallied faith and hope, the personalities who stopped pettiness and brought positive focus, yes.

Those worlds settled in Light and Life are taught 'the world is my family, every woman is my sister, every man is my brother, every child is my child.' As you each grow closer to the spirit you will find it easier to embrace this concept for yourselves. There will not be too much of that awkwardness between strangers, because deep down we all have a great deal in common. There will always be those certain personalities that cannot seem to be reached and this is not to worry, only to feel comfort in that you have put forth your best effort and sometimes you just have to move on. When your resources have been exhausted with certain difficult personalities it is acceptable to leave them to Father.

How do those families on enlightened worlds deal with family difficulties, injustices or misunderstandings? Usually the problems are discussed between those individuals involved in the difficulty. Many times there are older family members who aid in mediation and offer guidance. Sometimes there are experts elicited. There is always a point to where many families will seek the counsel of a spiritual counselor. My point here being that always is there action taken towards reconciliation. Never do these family members allow resentment to be built because of pride or slothfulness. All difficulties are handled immediately to maintain the well-being of the whole.

You, my friends, have been through many difficulties and have grown considerably with each hurdle. This is indeed part of your training, part of your morontia correction, part of what you will be teaching in the future. I find it wonderful to see your efforts towards contacting one another during the week and not just at meeting times, no. Fellowship is filled with benefits that bring comfort to the soul as well as the mind. In this age of disposable families there are a great many difficulties arising because individuals are seeking that comfort from family life.

This week as you reach out and communicate with one another, reach also for those in your own families, as well as coworkers, neighbors or even strangers. As we move forward towards Light and Life we will be dealing with everyone on a family level. We feel safe here in this room to be who we really are. Let us practice this week on taking that idea out into the world. Reach out to those individuals you meet with a brotherly attitude and see the power of God at work. Are there questions?

CALVIN: Abraham, speaking of families in your lesson, the importance of a family, it would appear then during the dark ages prior to the Correcting Time here, it was quite an asset then that some of these religions that had a strong family structure or base or teaching probably held things together. Would you comment on that?

ABRAHAM: There is not a more excellent example of that than the Master's family. There was spiritual lessons taught, the basics really, but not text book laws and rules. The Master taught by example. He lived a righteous life and therefore His words to His family had meaning. He did not preach spirituality one day and then go against that concept the next. It is most beneficial when parents can live a right life and teach children from their example. At each age children are ready to learn new concepts. (TR: I am sorry. I am about done here. I am hot. I am getting tired.) It is best to teach those new understandings when children ask questions. Forced spiritual learning is very detrimental to that child who is supposed to believe God is about love and doing good.

Yes, yes, we are finished. (Laughter.) You each know my love grows for you more and more every week. Until next time, shalom."
* * *

All humankind is one vast family
this world our home.

We sleep beneath one roof
the starry sky.

We warm ourselves before one hearth
the blazing sun.

Upon one floor of soil we stand
and breathe one air,
and drink one water,
and walk the night
beneath one luminescent moon.

The children of one God we are
and brothers of one blood,
and members in one worldwide
Family of God.
-- Vern Grimsley

Christ Michael:
Greetings, my children. I am Michael, your Sovereign of Nebadon, and your dearest friend, right at your side. Always remember that I shared my mortal life with family, initially my brothers and sisters in the flesh, and then later my chosen apostles and friends. In both cases we were a family, as indeed you are, both in the times that you meet and in between those times as well.

Your life together is very important, for your sonship and daughtership has to be expressed through brotherhood and sisterhood. You are not the only children; you are part of an immense, wondrous, indeed stupendous conclave of love-brothers and sisters, not only throughout my universe, but throughout the whole Grand Universe.

When you reach the shores of Mansonia #1 and reach your appointed status on the mansion world appropriate for you, you will be amazed to notice how enormously varied is the constituency of the mansion worlds. You will meet faith ascenders from all kinds of planets, non-breathers as well as breathers. You will discover that your most broad-minded of concepts regarding the variety and diversity in God's universe is so far short of the reality that it will take your breath away!

These are not the worst of times nor the best of times. These are God's times! They have value only as you make use of them. So all times can be the best of times, or conversely all times could be the worst of times. You, my friends, have chosen to follow me and therefor all times can be the best of times.

Understand in your hearts that I know what it is to be mortal. I truly have experienced everything that you go through, not exactly in the same circumstances, but with the same emotional effects. When you become angry, I understand that. I became angry when I saw the injustice that was perpetuated upon the weak; when I saw the rich discounting their poor brothers and sisters; when I saw the men, greedy with power and for power, oppressing those who had little power. Most of all I was angry when I beheld my Father's temple a "den of thieves", a desecration of its holy purpose. But I did not let anger overcome me. Instead I channeled it, and arrived at the place where I understood the weakness so inherent in human nature, the propensity to go to the animalistic, to live as animals only. I overcame anger in forgiveness and understanding.

I knew sorrow and disappointment when my family of origin misunderstood me, and when meeting them I was foiled by the Pharisees who were pursuing me. It was so long before we finally were reconciled after my resurrection. But disappointment and sorrow did not master me, because I turned them over to my Father Who does all things well. And I said, as you know, "Not my will, Father, be done, but yours. You know best."

I could go on with other examples of my humanity, but I tell you all this, (although you know it intellectually), so that you will seek me as a friend to confide in; for indeed am I within you with my Spirit of Truth. He is just like me, except he can be everywhere, whereas I was restricted to the presence of my physical form. Again I remind you, "Abide in me, and I in you", that together we may bring forth much spiritual fruit. On your own, cut off from my strength and the guidance of the Father, you can do very little. But it is not necessary that you be on your own, for I am always ready to give you the waters of life. I am always ready to give you the bread of life.

Dear ones, yes, you are my children, but you are more than my children. You are also my apostles! The Correcting Time apostleship is much more than 12 in number, and you are among this company. Don't neglect coming together; and even between your formal meetings seek out one another, for you have great strength in each other's companionship. My peace I leave with you. My peace is your inheritance. Good evening."
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KALEIDOSCOPE
This year marks ten years since I was introduced to a UB study group and Teaching Mission group. In my case, I became a participant in both at the same time. What a blessing this has been!!! Patije Mills in Sarasota had a UB study group and was the facilitator of the Teaching Mission group. Patije did an outstanding job in both roles. Paitje's UB classes were incredibly helpful in helping me grasp some of the principles of The Urantia Book and under her guidance the book became alive for me.

The Teaching Mission was just in its infancy in this country in 1992. Patije was a tireless worker -- transmitting, transcribing, communicating with other groups around the country and sharing their transcripts with all of us in the group. She was most instrumental in encouraging those in our group to transmit. I came to the meetings and was most impressed with the messages. In the beginning, I was comfortable being in the group with opportunity to listen to the various teachers. Looking back and reading the transcripts from many other groups over the years, I believe now that our group was in some ways an experimental group, as we had such a variety of teachers of different orders.

My first experience of receiving a message was from Michael himself. I was just sitting there ready to listen to others transmit, when he said to me, "This is Michael. Tell them I'm here." I didn't believe that Michael was actually speaking to me and I didn't say anything. He repeated his message to me several times and finally I very hesitatingly said what I was hearing. Others in the group confirmed that yes indeed Michael was with us. I still remember those moments.

In telling my mother about it, she was interested in learning what had happened to me, but doubtful that this was indeed true. I could only tell her that I could understand, but that if she had felt the loving presence of Michael she would believe it. I had never felt the incredible love that enfolded me as he spoke to me. This is an experience never to be forgotten. Even with all of Patije's encouragement, which was a lot, I was still hesitant to share anything I was hearing as I did not want to speak anything that could be of my imagination. Aflana, our group teacher, helped me get beyond this with a real demonstration. As she was trying to share her words through me to the group and I was remaining silent, I saw in my mind's eye clearly in front of me a ticker tape. As she said the words, I saw them on the ticker tape.

What was truly amazing is that the letters were coming on the tape with the last letters of the word first and yet as I easily read the words all the letters were in the correct order!!! Now not in my wildest imagination or at my very best could I do this with a simple sentence like, "See Dick run." This made a real believer out of me. I have since learned that I wasn't the only one to have this ticker tape experience.

I often think of Daniel Megow's famous words at our first Teaching Mission Conference, when he was talking about his first experiences and described his first reaction - "I don't think so." It made us laugh as it was so typical of many of our first responses. I still laugh when I think of this, but now "I do think so!"

How fortunate we are to have The Urantia Book. To me it is a like a giant oak tree, where I can put all the bits of truth amidst all the distortions and mythology that I found through years of reading and searching - a leaf here, a twig here and a branch there. It is a great comfort to see how they all fit. No how many times I read the book, I always find something new and inspiring.

I think we are even more fortunate to have the Teaching Mission, for The Urantia Book teaches me a lot that I have always been hungry to know, but the Teaching Mission is teaching me how to live what I know. There is a big difference between feeding the mind and feeding the soul.

My friend Ellen and I have been meeting for years now with Michael and Mother Spirit. With their loving guidance, we have made great progress in our spiritual growth and understanding. This year Michael has been introducing us to various orders of beings in our cosmic family and what a family it is!!! It certainly does change one's perspective to know more about our cosmic family. The wonderful thing is this experience is one that is available to everyone. So, I offer my encouragement to all of you to take time out from the busy pace of your lives and spend time each day in Stillness - quiet time with Father and ask to know more about the incredibly loving family that he has created for us.
Allene Vick, Associate Editor
***

Teaching Mission
Heavenly Father and Mother in One, take us close to you; hold us in your grasp, comfort us through our worrisome trials of day to day life, hold our hands as we go along your path. - Bertrand

Urantia Book
Our Father who dwells in the secret places of the universe,
Honored be your name, reverenced your mercy, and respected your judgment.
Let the sun of righteousness shine upon us at noontime,
While we beseech you to guide our wayward steps in the twilight.
Lead us by the hand in the ways of your own choosing
And forsake us not when the path is hard and the hours are dark.
Forget us not as we so often neglect and forget you.
But be you merciful and love us as we desire to love you.
Look down upon us in kindness and forgive us in mercy
As we in justice forgive those who distress and injure us.
May the love, devotion, and bestowal of the majestic Son
Make available life everlasting with your endless mercy and love.
May the God of universes bestow upon us the full measure of his spirit;
Give us grace to yield to the leading of this spirit.
By the loving ministry of devoted seraphic hosts
May the Son guide and lead us to the end of the age.
Make us ever and increasingly like yourself And at our end receive us into the eternal Paradise embrace.
Even so, in the name of the bestowal Son And for the honor and glory of the Supreme Father.
-- Midwayer Commission

OUR FATHER
As long as we teach the child to pray, "Our Father who is in heaven," a tremendous responsibility rests upon all earthly fathers so to live and order their homes that the word father becomes worthily enshrined in the minds and hearts of all growing children. The Urantia Book, Page 1923
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On June 16, 2002, in the Rio Rancho, NM, Team,
Teacher Tomas discussed: The Universal Father
TOMAS: Good afternoon. I am Tomas. I am proud to be here in your midst today. You are beauteous blooms in the garden of the Master Gardener, the Creator of all truth, beauty and goodness. I walk among you and see your beauty and my heart calls out to yours to embrace your spirit; thus we come together in a communion that gives rise to increased bonding of spirit fellowship.

I will spend some time with you today in honor of Our Father, the Universal Father, whose nature is revealed in the character of his Sons, and the sons of the Sons. Now let me not exclude you women, for you, too, have the nature of God. You, too, can reveal the Father. You, too, can know a fatherly affection, for the Father is the father and the mother in one.

The nature of God is so all-powerful, it is often that you find Him impossible to comprehend. His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence put Him so far removed from you that you feel insignificant, for surely He must be busy upholding a universe. And while that is very true, it is also true that He comes to you each and every one and he tells you "you are his own" for He has implanted in you a part of Him, that part which will help you reveal His nature in your very lives.

From the human father you learn the first early lessons about the Universal Father, just as, as an infant, your first impressions are found in the loving nature of the mother, the Divine Minister and nurturer of your care. The pattern of mortal life at this juncture in your development as an evolving race of humanity may depict many views of the Father which are so varied as to offer little commonality for you as brothers. For some, their earthly fathers are severe disciplinarians, reflecting their belief that God is a strict disciplinarian. There are those who have no belief in God and who have no supernal value to offer their young. There are those fathers who are capable representatives of the nature of God in this form of existence that adequately testifies to the nature of the Father in heaven. The offspring of these fathers all will have an interpretation of Our Father in heaven based upon the influence of earthly fathers. And thus the relationship of Father is of great importance to you and the condition of your world and its future.

In full recognition and appreciation of the greatness of this infinite God, our Universal Father, who indwells each of you, even those whose first impressions of the nature of a father have been less than ideal, are afforded many opportunities in their life by the unstinting service of the Indwelling God Fragment, to experience moments of reality - a reality greater than the temporal reality of which you are a part - in such a way that these glimpses of divinity and perceptions of eternity are often able to enable these sons of God to appreciate the divine nature of the Father in heaven, and when this occurs, it is then possible for the sons of the Sons of God to lavish upon their own earth fathers the affection that the Father in heaven lavishes upon His children far and wide.

To say that the role of a father is a responsibility is truly redundant. There is no way to overemphasize the importance of a father's impact on his children, and so, how you fathers approach fatherhood is a measure of the degree of maturity you contribute to your civilization.

It is so important that you appreciate the nature of God through knowing Him, through feeling His infinite, divine, and personal love for you, that you long to know Him and learn from Him. You want to serve Him because of His goodness and His greatness. Out of respect and love for Him, not out of fear. You aim to please Him and worry not about His judgment for His counsel is always steeped in wisdom and in mercy. This attitude of the Father, when learned by the Son, is the attitude that we will use in our relations with all we know.

To love one another with a brotherly affection is the level of love possible for those who have not risen to a full appreciation of the limitations of mere brotherhood, for how often are brothers and sisters engaged in countless acts of sibling rivalry and competition for Father's attentions and Mother's affections. But as you have a fatherly affection for all you know, and all you see, you bring with you into your environment the qualities of the nature of God which are not jealous, not judgmental, but a reflection of infinite and divine love.

That may seem like an impossible challenge, and yet it is entirely possible for you to know the Father and to feel such affinity with Him, that He will enable you to represent Him in the world as you pass by, much as He has manifested Himself in the lives of other great and humble men and women of God.

The final quality of Fatherhood I'd like to pause for a moment to appreciate, is the nature of God that envelops even those rebellious sons and adventurous youth who would turn their back on His plans and dreams for the sons' best interests, and who does not alienate Himself, but holds himself open to receive his wayward offspring and embrace them even before they think to return home to his bosom. How forgiving the Father seems from our perspective, but from the divine point of view, the lost sheep are simply that - and thus he sends those of us who will, into the field to aid the Good Shepherd in finding the lost sheep, in embracing them back into the fold of the Father's love and the Mother's family.

Let us all lift our voice in praise and thanksgiving of the Father of all who has created such a wondrous universe that we might experience life and share the creative nature with Him.
* * *

OUR PARENTS
"The Master went on to explain to John how a child is wholly dependent on his parents and the associated home life for all his early concepts of everything intellectual, social, moral, and even spiritual since the family represents to the young child all that he can first know of either human or divine relationships. The child must derive his first impressions of the universe from the mother's care; he is wholly dependent on the earthly father for his first ideas of the heavenly Father. The child's subsequent life is made happy or unhappy, easy or difficult, in accordance with his early mental and emotional life, conditioned by these social and spiritual relationships of the home. A human being's entire afterlife is enormously influenced by what happens during the first few years of existence." UB - Pg. 1921
* * *

On May 12, 2002, Rio Rancho, New Mexico,we gathered around to hear MERIUM talk about MICHAEL and NEBADONIA
"Let's look at the universe and how it's set up and what the roles are of our local universe parents, Michael and Nebadonia. I appreciate you sitting so well and graciously, little ones, and listening to me tell stories. All children love to hear about what it was like when their parents were little. Everyone wants to know where they come from. Everyone has a longing to have a sense of history and connection. And so it is my pleasure to offer to you a divine connection as well as a material connection that will help you appreciate how you are situated as a very real and relevant reality in the moment you are today.

Mr. & Mrs. God, in the form of a Creator Son and Divine Minister, court before they get married. They are introduced and fall in love. In their courtship, they think about the many dreams they would like to have in their life together. They sit down in their leisure, in their love, and they plan their house, their home, their estate. They have an understanding of their financial capacities, therefore they understand what they can afford and what their limitations will be. They have only one local universe, but within that local universe they have the potential of filling it with constellations and systems and inhabited worlds that will produce X number of children that they can manage and attend to and raise up. In this picture you can see that you are born of them, you are conceived of them, of their concept.

The Creator Sons are given the opportunity to create their universes in league with their brides, the daughters of Infinite Mind, Infinite Spirit. It is the Creator Sons, offspring of the Eternal Sons, who experience their creation. However, the influence of your parents, the Michael Son and his bride, are always going to be a part of you.

The training your planetary circumstances have provided you are askew, are in error, and have relegated womankind to be a part of the property of the landowner rather than the honored position of divine partner in creating the realm of reality which you are given by the Father in heaven to do. But look to see how it is that even while Mother may not be departing from Salvington, she has sent her emissaries. Just as the Eternal Son in Paradise does not leave Paradise, but sends his Creator Sons into the universes to fulfill the divine purpose. There are all the ministering spirits under her wing.

Having attained a certain degree of God-consciousness, having made some commitments to your soul, you will receive the ministry of the Mother and the Father, that is to say Nebadonia and Michael, for their entire purpose as Creator Son and Daughter is to create the worlds of time and space that will spawn and foster the Greater Universe, thus all of the universe is in service to you and others like you throughout the seven super universes

Even now you are being raised by them. They guide you through your material life, through the mansion worlds, as attain knowledge of the constellation spheres, and arrive in Salvington as adults. In other words, you grow up to eventually leave home to attend the advanced universe schools en route to the Father in heaven, even while your parents, MICHAEL AND NEBADONIA, stay in the local universe, your natal home, for eventually you will serve Grand Father God in His far-flung, Grand Universe.

"The Son functions as a father in his local universe. The Spirit, as mortal creatures would understand, enacts the role of a mother, always assisting the Son and being everlastingly indispensable to the administration of the universe. In the face of insurrection only the Son and his associated Sons can function as deliverers. Never can the Spirit undertake to contest rebellion or defend authority, but ever does the Spirit sustain the Son in all of everything he may be required to experience in his efforts to stabilize government and uphold authority on worlds tainted with evil or dominated by sin. Only a Son can retrieve the work of their joint creation, but no Son could hope for final success without the incessant co-operation of the Divine Minister and her vast assemblage of spirit helpers, the daughters of God, who so faithfully and valiantly struggle for the welfare of mortal men and the glory of their divine parents." (UB Pg. 368)

OUR MOTHER
MERIUM: Look around and express how it is that you perceive the essence and energy of the Divine Minister, our Mother indeed, in your daily life, in this setting here, and in all you do.

In Laughter. Laughter is certainly one of the gifts I accredit to our Mother for she has such joy in her. Her joy stems from knowing who she is and how she serves. Not how she rules, but how she serves.

In Service. And the natural response in the greater universe of service is the reflection of that attitude and goodness that is at the heart of the need to be attentive and caring to those you love and who look to you for direction, just as I look at you children here playing on the floor with me, with your fine hair all tousled by the wind and your socks on backwards. How can I not love you little rascals? How can Our Mother not adore her creations?

In Childlikeness. When you retain your attitude of childlikeness, when you continue to look to your parents for their overcare, you continue to be manageable and adorable. When you think you're too old for Mother's attentions, when you push her aside to show off how big you are and how you don't need her anymore -- fussing over you, counseling you, admonishing you -- you have run aground.

In Respect. Your experience here may have shown you that it was necessary for you to cut the cord between you and Mother in order for you to grow up and embrace the ways of the world, "man's world", but in the spirit realm, the truth is, Father will always share his throne with his Bride. You cannot love one more than the other for they are one. You cannot pay more homage to the authority of Father than the ministry of Mother, for they are united.

In Knowing. The Mother's influence is everywhere. Her spies are upon you! There is no way you can get into mischief without the Mother having a full understanding of what it is you are trying to engage yourself in, whether it is experientially attempting to gain mastery, whether it is an act of defiance in response to a perceived injustice, whether it is an adventure you are eager to undertake and have no real knowledge if she would appreciate your exploratory tendencies - she knows. She knows what you are doing just as the Father knows -- at all times -- what you are doing.

In Caring. And She sees you little ones crawling around on the floor as a mother will see her child crawling around on the floor, maybe poking at an electrical outlet with a knife; she is ready to snatch you up, in order to save yourself from hurting yourself in those ways, while allowing you to make those necessary mistakes that will teach you how to be a grand expression of the Parentage that is your inheritance, your divine inheritance, such as learning to walk and learning to talk.

But right now, in my minds eye, my beloved little brothers and sisters, you are only now beginning to learn how to walk and how to talk. Your communications skills are funny and your best communications are still best conveyed through gestures, like bopping each other on the head or reaching out to poke that which appears to be different from what you know. Think of each other as toddlers, even as you aspire to become mature and adult, for if you can perceive of the childlike aspects in each other, it will be a natural and innate - shall we say "genetic" -- disposition for you to adore your brothers and sisters or ignore their antics as mere learning experiences in the art of living.

In Working. Mother's work may never be done, but it is not an unpleasant chore. Loving is never a chore. Caring for each other from that font of affection which is from Paradise Source is a never-ending experience in expression.

In Devotion. This is the Mother at work. These are Her legions of angels in collusion to bring you into an awareness of our great and wonderful Parents and their supervisory offspring who spend their lives, their very existence in eternity, tending to you as Mother in her garden might hoe the soil, aerating the dirt, stirring up the worms, pulling the weeds. And this is a task she does lovingly and carefully, for she is devoted to her Bridegroom who has devoted Himself to the care of their mutual creation. They indeed are the ideal.

But let me step back from the podium and allow you to again appreciate the delights of the nature of the children of God, and having come from a happy home wherein the Father and Mother are in conjoint harmony, and where their affectionate embrace is readily seen and felt by their children, in this loving glow, are we embraced. We, in this embrace, at once are grateful to our father/brother Michael for all of his efforts in bringing to this emerald orb in the System of Satania the light of his presence and the seed of his path. And in honor of our Divine Minister, who shines upon us like the sunshine, who washes us with her rain, who feeds us with her bounty, nurtures us and cradles us in her arms, all of us offer to her our good wishes and say, "Happy Mother's Day, Nebadonia, and to all your Daughters throughout your huge family in Nebadon."

TOMAS: Tomas again, at your service. Are there questions you have for us or for each other?

Elena: I have a question, Tomas. My question has to do with the way that Mother Nebadonia ministers to us. How does she change our thought processes? That's what I'm curious about, how she ministers to our thought processes.

TOMAS: The Divine Minister helps you to formulate your thinking by being a constant. Thus it is that when you waver in your development, as you seek for that which is real, it is recognizable as a facet of the Mother when you recognize the clarity that she is. She is not going to help you in your thinking process like the Thought Adjuster helps you adjust your thoughts godward, but she is ensconced in perfection, and so when your mind finds her, you have found perfection, and you'll not forget her teaching.

Mother ministers to you. She embraces you. For instance, if and as you are troubled or weary, as little children will snivel and fuss without reason. As their mother holds them in her arms they recognize her warmth, her scent, her love. They recognize their innate connection to her and they are at once enveloped in her reality such that they now know who they are and they no longer need to struggle. You, when you reach those moments of fussing, if you would just simply allow yourself to lie down in her arms and ask her to embrace you, to hold you, to comfort you, to minister to you, she will in fact come, and her energies will surround you and carry you into the bosom of love that will nurture and feed your soul.

This is an actual energy of hers, and which you can ask for and realize, as many before have asked for and realized her reality. It is as if it were a blanket that covered you, whereas the Indwelling Spirit, which is indeed indwelling you, is an energy that emanates from deep within you and externalizes as personality expression. Hers is an embrace from the outside that reaches into you to assure you, you know who you are.
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"The Son and the Spirit now preside over the universe much as a father and mother watch over, and minister to, their family of sons and daughters. It is not altogether out of place to refer to the Universe Spirit as the creative companion of the Creator Son and to regard the creatures of the realms as their sons and daughters--a grand and glorious family but one of untold responsibilities and endless watchcare."
Urantia Book, Pg.369

OUR FAMILY
The Melchizedek order of sonship occupies the position, and assumes the responsibility, of the eldest son in a large family. Under the aegis of Planetary Prince Machiventa Melchizedek, the Teachers of the Teaching Mission have come to teach us be teachers.
* * *

On May 24, 2002, in SE Idaho Klarixiska prayed:
"Father, we thank You that the roots of Your love are deep in the souls of each one of us, and that You do enrich the soil and cause each of us to get that which will cause us to continue to grow toward You. We thank You that these mortals believe in us and continue to return to hear what lessons we can give them. Open their minds; open their hearts as if they were leaves on a tree absorbing the love that we give them, the love that You give them, and all of the knowledge that will cause them to continue to blossom. For we do ask this in the name of Michael, whom we serve. Amen."
* * *

Most of the balance of this issue will be samplings from the various wonderful Teachers of this Teaching Mission who have become not just our trusted Teachers but our true and lasting Friends.

"The spirit personalities of the vast family of the Divine and Infinite Spirit are forever dedicated to the service of the ministry of the love of God and the mercy of the Son to all the intelligent creatures of the evolutionary worlds of time and space. These spirit beings constitute the living ladder whereby mortal man climbs from chaos to glory." P.107 - §13

ALFONSO on FAMILY
Greetings, this is Alfonso, and I'd like to speak with you tonight on family. Family can mean many things. It can mean a biological family. It can mean a congregation of close friends. But I choose to speak of family as those connected through the heart. Indeed, there are many on this world who erect barriers to such a connection, and look for differences in people, rather than similarities. The connection between people is part and parcel of the circuits that have been discussed recently.

I would like you to visualize for a second, two live wires, each with the light of the Father flowing through them, but not connected. Until there can be a bridge between the two they may forever be separated. We ask that each of you take one end of the wire in one hand and one in the other, and become the conduit for the Father's love that will connect those two wires.

By doing this you have created a circuit that permits the love of the Father to flow unimpeded through those connections. You have also opened your heart circuits and created a linkage which we will, for this purpose, call extended family. When others in this circuit are able to connect with other people the family extends further.

Finally, in the exponential growth of this family, we will connect all people on this planet through the heart circuits to each other. This will require that we bridge all barriers, all differences, all impediments to this type of energy flow and love. This will not be accomplished through the destruction of those barriers, but we shall do it through the raising of the depth of love on this planet so that no barrier will be tall enough to interrupt this circuit. This is our plan; this is our goal.

Each of you is an integral part of that plan, and each person on this planet is a necessary ingredient to the final completion of a heart based family. This is when this planet will reach light and life, when each person can be connected through the heart to each other person, and each can be concerned about the well being of their family, that is, all other people on this planet.

That is the sum and substance of our mission. It is not going to happen over night, but it must begin somewhere. Already if you look around, you'll see that many connections are already in place, and we ask that you continue to reach out and put those circuits into place whenever you can.
* * *

April 20, 1997 T/R Sandy Montee
MACHIVENTA MELCHIZEDEK
On BEING A FAMILY MEMBER
This is Machiventa, and I do have suggestions.
Now that you are together I would like to bring across the idea that of our group practice being a family and showing unconditional love to one another. This would be closer if each of you took a real interest in how the other members are doing in their personal lives as well as in the spiritual life. The burdens and fights for survival could be handled much easier if we could join together and help each other as a family unit.

This exercise could bring about the idea of complete sisterhood and brotherhood. To be an example with your teachers at the steering wheel could bring deep emotional love for, first, your group members and after you have seen the miracles, take it on outside of your group. To truly begin being teachers we must feel free to do and to ask of each other the truth of how each of you really feels and join together to applaud challenges and especially the happiness in your lives, much as you have been talking before I started to talk.

The key word from us is brotherhood and this can be taken beyond the existence of day by day chores and thoughts and silence, when you do know you should make that phone call because you know or you feel that the members of your group need to be in touch.

Brotherhood and sisterhood can be taken to great heights, but the foundation needs to be good living everyday, thoughts of the other person, just to do such things as make that phone call.

Say: "I know you are terribly busy, but I love you" today and make the other feel so loved that the outside world really has trouble getting in front of your happiness.

This subject will be presented to you as a goal, not necessarily for yourselves, but for us, as it is a part of the mission that is loose, flapping in the breeze, not brought together, and it would take so little adjustment with each of you to become that strong family unit. I ask that you think about this, and now I will let others speak.
* * *

LIN EL on BONDING AS A FAMILY
NW TeaM 98 Conference, July 3, 1998 Thea: T/R
Greetings. This is LinEl. Dear little brothers and
sisters, I greet you tonight from the rest of your family who are standing with you now, amongst you. You have sometimes wondered, some of you, about the status of the Teaching Mission. I think you know tonight from the feeling of love we have shared with this family that the Teaching Mission is alive, and well and thriving. For one of the most important things that we hoped that we could bring to you was this ability to bond together as a family closer in the image of what was intended originally for your world. When we see you together like this, you cannot know the joy that we feel, because you are learning to live light and life. You are the seeds from which much will spring, and you have already grown. Think about the years we've been coming together. Look at the pattern that is now unfolding and blooming and blossoming amongst you. Every year brings new levels of love, tolerance, Understanding, support, and my friends, my brothers, my sisters, we are only beginning. I will keep my words brief for the moment, but I want you to know that our pride in your loyalty is immense, for we cannot do what we have come to do without you, and you are here loyally helping us. We love each and every one of you. We watch you tenderly. We embrace you with love when you do not even know, but you are all learning love in manifold ways. And as your family grows, our family grows, for you also are our family.

I will speak with you again. I love you all, but my love is nothing compared to the love of the Father who has blessed each and every one of us with joys beyond belief. Accept those joys into your hearts. They are yours. They are the Father's gift of love to you. Farewell.
 * * *

May 6, 2001 Johathan T/R
SPIRITUAL FAMILY OF GOD
A Parable from ELYON
Greetings, friends. I join you today to fellowship, to share in the love that you express for one another; to be rewarded by your conversation, your experiences, and the wisdom you gain. I, too, am a student in this classroom and have benefited from your company. Today I wish to return to the topic of parables, for it is applicable to your discussion prior to my entrance. I am Elyon.

The master's parables were commonplace events. They did not describe a religious ceremony, nor were they directly addressing a philosophic or spiritual principle. They were mundane life situations of commerce, of family. They were about ordinary associations and ordinary actions, yet their effect by way of the master's description illuminated a universal truth, a truth that could be found regardless of the common, earthly context. We have spoken of being of greater service to your fellows to provide a meaningful form of ministry which illuminates the reality of the spiritual family of God.

You have wisely discerned the variety of attitude and receptivity inherent in the many people you encounter. Some willingly approach the subject; others are resistant or guarded. Here is where the value of a parable comes in. But the best parable is a living parable, one in which you compose from the specific context of the individual to whom you are seeking to present a universal truth.

To become a better righteousness recommender it is worthwhile to practice translating your daily, apparently mundane events into a principle that has eternal qualities. How you develop it does not need to conform to any rule, any method, so I will not give any sort of approach. It is as variable as it is for any artist who walks up to a blank canvas what picture may unfold. However, the relevancy of the context of the story will have its best impact if it is current, personalizeable, and immediately able to be put into practice.

The master often began a parable by saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like..." and then proceeded to describe a quality of the kingdom that could be comprehended by the following who stood to hear. This conviction of the master drew forth the attention of the listeners. He did not say, "I think perhaps the kingdom might be like..." By addressing with such certainty others who are truly desirous of grasping the truths of the kingdom will be that much more attentive. Your conviction is what is convincing. If you make the gospel your sustenance and apply it with persistence, you will meet with little resistance.

You have noted in your study of the life of Michael on earth that he often needed to retreat from the throngs that gathered around him for personal peace and quiet and time with the Father. You also know from the study of his personality that he was not one to pursue celebrity status, and yet ever more people would gather to be about him. He knew the value of enriching the value of another human being by considering them, whether they believed it or not, to be his brother or sister. To feel so readily accepted is magnetic and will draw another into your presence for that soothing enrichment that the soul of one who is uncertain so desires.

By inquiring of another what their dilemmas are at the time, what their triumphs are at the time, you begin to discern a framework wherein you may compose a relevant parable for the illumination of truth. "He who has ears to hear let him hear" applies to the one also who is composing the parable to be portrayed. Discerning relevancy is a major element to the success of the story. One's conversion into a trust that one is truly a son or daughter of God often is brought about by the simple conversation that you share with them, not as much the content, as that you willingly, caringly, and openly spoke with them inclusively, accepting their status as a child of God in spite of the doubt of the one with whom you are sharing. Believing in another breaks down many barriers of doubt, of insecurity and uncertainty.

We have spoken over the years that each of us is a teacher, that I am not your teacher and you my students, but that we are all teachers in the mission for Michael on this world. To be of value to the spiritual advancement of your fellows, "teacher" is not as appropriate a term as is "coach", for athletes know how a coach's confidence in them has brought them to excellence in performance. It is admirable that many on your world are motivated toward evangelism, the desire to help another realize the importance of the relationship with God.

However, I would hope to see as the years progress on this world that this evangelistic approach would adopt the attitude that the one being sought evangelically is already considered one of the family of God, not to be coerced, scared, or enticed into becoming a member of the family, but rather that it is revealed that they already are, that trust and faith are all that lack. Every child who grows up in a healthy family already knows they belong, and this is true throughout the universe. It is only on spheres where the family structure has been broken through rebellion that the sense of orphanhood has become established. This is why Michael taught the family relationship of Creator to all creatures. I will remain by your side.
* * *

Arcadia Teaching Mission, Oct. 1, 2001, George TR
TEACHER JAREL
LEARN TO TRUST AND FORGIVE
Good evening, it is I, your teacher, JarEl. It is good to see all of you again. There is great wisdom among you all. You must remember that you are all brothers and sisters and you must treat each other as such. You must forgive each other when your brother or sister errs. Take the simple lessons and learn them; appreciate them. This is a pattern you must repeat over and over again and that pattern will be repeated on the larger scale if this pattern is begun.

You must learn to come together as one and trust each other, become family. A family built on love and understanding. As you trust each other in this group, so must also trust others outside your group. It is good to pray for those who have hurt you. Perhaps they will see the error of their ways and have a change of heart. But do not expect them to come back to you and tell you that they have changed. Trust that they will change, hand them over to God and He will do the work for you.

Everybody goes through bad moments in their lives. You are all prone to committing error, yet the Father has forgiven everyone of you and so you must forgive those who have hurt you as well. At this time the world needs much healing and forgiveness. Learn to forgive so you may teach others how to forgive also. You are useless if you yourself cannot be an example of what forgiveness is. Everyone of you knows better. Learn to trust one another. Learn to trust each other even if you know that person will commit another error. Still you must allow that person to feel that they are trusted.

You will learn that trust is like a jewel, like a precious jewel that you give to one another. When you trust someone, it is like you giving him or her all the riches in the world. It is like you presenting to them the gates to Paradise. When you trust you give love and under-standing. When you trust you give them an endless vessel of every good thing that can come out of you. God has all the intention and trust in you, which is why He gave you freewill. He does not take away this trust from you even though you continue to commit error. He doesn't deprive you of this jewel that He so graciously endowed you with. His trust is consistent and eternal. His trust is unconditional. It is natural for Him to trust you. In the same fashion I ask you to trust one another. Be perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect. Trust one another, ask the Father in heaven to trust you. I will now allow others to speak.
* * *

June 22,1999, Ontario Canada, TR Tara
A Message from BERTRAM
TARA: I feel there may be a message for us tonight. I truly desire to get back on line once more. It is good to be back home again.

BERTRAM: Little one, we have sorely missed you and are glad to see you at your home base once more and ready to continue on in this mission work of the Master. Yes, we do want to bring you this message this evening. We have told you so often that Urantia is heading into a period of dire correction and trials, and that you should not fear when you hear dire prognostications of a doomsday scenario. Michael's bestowal planet will not be destroyed, of this you can rest assured. She will surely go through a severe period of trial, cleansing and correction. All this is needful in order to set her course anew on the path leading to Light and Life.

Many are now awakening to the need of change. The old ways must be Changed and made new, with new ideals and concepts that lead to peace and prosperity for all Gods children everywhere. It may seem that these messages are repeated over and over, and indeed they are, for we must press upon you the need of your preparedness, that you be alert and watchful in the days and months and, yes, years ahead. You must all learn to grow ever closer to the Father, and come to know His will for you, now and in the dire time of trial ahead. We are sent in the service of the Father to guide and prepare you now.

It is needful:
-that you grow strong in faith,
-that you know whereon you stand this day,
-that you will not be tossed to and fro in the chaotic and confused times approaching,
-that you will be able to be that strong and faithful demonstration of HIS righteousness,
-that you will be showers of the way into the new age of enlightenment.

Many are being called now into an understanding of the Fifth Epochal Revelation. More and more of Gods children everywhere are becoming aware of the Urantia Book, reading and studying it, embracing and believing it. The Master is needful of more teachers as you go into this new age coming upon you. Many are answering the call to service. Do you realize the privilege you have to be alive on your beautiful Urantia at this time in the history of your planet?

The Master is calling out and preparing that special people to lead His people into the new age now coming upon you, those who will be leaders in the world tomorrow. These are the called and chosen leaders who will be the true spiritual teachers of the religion of Jesus, teaching all mankind the true Gospel of Jesus. These will teach again the truths so often brought to this world and lost from view in previous epochs of revelation.

Yes, you are all called to be teachers, each in your own way, right where you are; called to advance the Fifth Epochal Revelation throughout Urantia, in the service of Christ Michael. So do we admonish you now, to grow in your personal relationship with the Father and truly come to know that YOU ARE ALL, INDEED, HIS CHILDREN and that ALL, ARE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, traveling together on the ascension paths leading homeward. Now do we leave you to think on these things and to set your feet on the path leading to light and life. Your teacher and guide, Bertram.
 * * *

Aug.18, 2000, Costa Rica, Central Am., TR Susan
"The Dance of Disappointment"
TEACHERS ALANA & LEGION
Yes, this is ALANA once again. And I would continue to speak to you about Self-love, self-love, and family love. The family is made up of many individuals, at least three, struggling to develop into their mature selves. Yes, even parents are still involved in this struggle. At the same time, these individuals have been born into a grouping that instills in them the idea of loyalty to kin, especially when the family gives comfort. This loyalty is the early understanding of the loyalty-love that we would have you experience toward God, our Father and Mother Spirit.

Early loyalty is based on love and care, safety, and in the most despairing of families, fear. Later in time, each individual differentiates, especially children growing out of early innocence and ignorance. Then loyalty is tested because new ideas and untoward experiences, changing lives, even the development of new families, create situations in which one must decide what one will believe, and what one will stand for as meaningful and valuable. Unless one has developed the power of the stillness, the inclination to consult your center within for God's council, it is possible to make mistakes from ones limited view-point or defense of old patterns, and thus break with family loyalty and stand alone. This division may also occur when one is standing for Gods will, which is to love. In the first situation, one must eventually break down the personal belief system to understand the disloyalty. In the second situation others will break down their belief system in order to turn toward the higher loyalty.

Naturally, in family groups -- and most groups resemble families of one sort or another -- the separate egos test themselves out against one another, children testing themselves against parents, siblings rivaling to distinguish themselves against one another. Until the ego has established itself as strong enough to withstand the disruptions and disappointments of ordinary life, and to discern the disloyalties that can cause betrayal, it is vulnerable. The strength that goes beyond ego strength is the strength that comes from God's love. And so we recommend that families teach prayer, the prayer that is stillness and seeking within for God's love and strength.

Children find this stillness even when they are taught word prayers. But the trick, the major challenge, is to learn to consult this confident stillness even when the ego is being required to keep up with the social and developmental challenges that the social world demands. Many mistakes are made along the way and hearts are broken. Disappointment is the river over which God's love carries you. You know that your earthly life comes to an end. You imagine that end will be your greatest disappointment, but still it must be accepted. It is in this acceptance that you will find stillness and peace and the will to go on living with Gods joy. So it is with even your small disappointments. Stillness and peace can be found if you will go within and watch, from within that quiet loving place, the dance of disappointment.

LEGION: I will give you an example: you tense up your muscles at times when your mind has "locked up" surrounding an issue that is unresolved for you. Carrying the stillness within you, is to bring the relaxation you now feel speaking with me into those moments, into those habits of tension and worry. Your tension is a form of intention: a focus designed by the ego function in life and intended to serve you. The focus of Faith is upon the ease with which God loves you. Our Fathers love does not need tension in order to create clarity. Gods love is clarity, clarity of mind and heart. Love takes all tension of whatever kind and surrenders to joy, joy in the light that shines upon your world and surrounds your very being. Ease your tensions into Gods love at every opportunity.
* * *

Snowbird Conference Sunday Morning Session, Closing Message July 8, 01 TR: Nina
MOTHER NEBADONIA
"See Those Children, They Are Mine"
Greetings my little ones. When I look at you I am overcome with the desire to say, "See those children. They are mine." You are not hidden from us, we know you through and through. Be it good or bad we are most deeply in love with you.

We are all a character in a most wonderful novel. It is perhaps a combination history and love story. I play your Mother. The story is filled with evolution, sin, rebellion and darkness but we cannot forget those who stand out in fighting for this young planet. Chapter upon chapter there is light, love, knowledge, progress and heroes.

Your chapter is being written. What would you like it so say? The choice is yours, you are writing the chapter. With your faith, your willingness to serve, your willingness to be spirit led, your sincere humility will be a wonderful catalyst to the next chapter. Your integrity, devotion, sincerity and love of our Father will set in motion all that will be written from this day forward. You are a co-author. You are a directory of destiny. You play a key role in how the story will turn out. Have not fear for the turmoil within this beloved mission, for this is only a chapter it is not the end.

Be conscious my children, be aware for all that you do directs, produces effects. Remember who you are co-authoring with. Allow him to speak, allow him to assist, allow him to comfort you when you cannot see your way through. We are made more because Father is in us and we are in Him. Take up your pens of responsibility, integrity, tolerance and love and let each one of us be a part of this grand love story.

See those children? They are mine, and I love them dearly. Go your way my little ones. Let us be about the Father's business.
* * *

OLFANA on MERCY
"Mercy falleth like the rain." How often this symbol of mercy flowing down upon our lives is used. This an appropriate image, for God's mercy showers down upon us unannounced, just as the spring rains refresh the flowers. This nourishment of His Love, indeed, increases our growth. Mercy comes as a part of the natural pattern of growth, just as the rains nourish the flowers. The turmoil, the challenge, the difficulties of life, are like the winds of March which buffet the new growth of spring. After these winds, come the gentle rains, which cause blossoming to occur.

We also recover from the experience of defeat, demoralization, and thoughts of failure, by the reviving energy of God's love, which strengthens our resolve to continue on in life. This mercy from the Father allows for change in our lives, which opens up new possibilities of choice and direction. The waters flowing from the sky are indeed an image of this merciful love flowing down upon the events of life, causing new growth to come forth in our souls with this infusion of changed opportunities. Mercy alters attitudes, feelings -- and beliefs also.

When the cold winds of life's difficulties buffet and sweep us into attitudes of fear and defensive protection, again the rains of God's mercy soften the earth and allow for new growth to move through our beings, opening our minds to changed direction, new goals, and safe possibilities.

This, then, defines mercy as the power of change, the possibility of forgiveness of yourself and others, the possibility of trust rising anew in your soul, the attitude of hopefulness and resolve to attempt again those things which have thus far meant defeat. Mercy provides forbearance in your emotional make-up. It is God's way of allowing transformation to continue in your lives when you would otherwise feel defeated.

Mercy may be passed on from God, through you, to others. You become a means by which his mercy can manifest itself in others' lives. These times when you feel moved to mercy in your attitude toward others, never doubt that this is the Father working through you. Make yourself available to him as a conduit for this beautiful possibility of merciful change!"
(This lesson and the next were transmitted in 1992 and submitted by Susan Kimsey, the T/R for Olfana at Half Moon Bay, CA. For other lessons by Teacher Olfana, please visit the website at <hmbtm.com>)
* * *

TARKAS on PATIENCE
Patience is a virtue so desired by those of you who struggle with the difficulties of life. Patient actions are those which evoke a sense of relationship between you and those you wish to synchronize your efforts with. Imagine the image of those who work as a team gliding those beautiful boats, racing sculls, used by men at institutions such as Harvard where they have teams which row together. Imagine the development of patience and coordination which comes from such an effort, working with your teammates to synchronize and coordinate the efforts that you make to move with the water.

Patient actions are those which develop such a sense of consciousness, that your efforts, synchronized with those of others, will cause the entire activity to move with more quality, synchronized effort, and power of the combined energy working in unison. There is a laying aside of one's own agenda, or sense of timing in this effort. You become conscious of your role as a town member. This patient sense of activity also recognizes the efforts of those around you as coordinated with you. You see their desire to work with you, not making the judgment that they are the adversary, to be somehow conquered or subjugated to your own sense of timing.

Now consider patience from the broader perspective of God's timing. When you allow yourself to see that the best outworking of events comes with guidance from God, then you hold lightly to your plan, your expectations of how things may go. It is not an abandonment of your schedule; it is merely an open-minded attitude that perhaps alterations to your timing schedule are the Father's, and therefore, most welcome in the events of your life. Patience requires a gentleness in your attitude, a willingness to allow for quiet moments of contemplation. This gives opportunities for your Thought Adjuster to speak to you, to impress you with an expanded perspective of how you perceive events.

Then there is the patience you show to yourself. This can be a great challenge at times. We can be so harsh in our judgment of our own efforts. This is not of God. The angry, insistent voice saying, "This is not enough. This fails. This is inadequate." This is not God speaking within you. This voice comes from pain, rejection, the inability to see you in your full capacity. Do not allow this voice to speak for you. It is indeed a spirit poison which contaminates all that it touches. Let yourself realize that patience cultivates an attitude of good humor toward yourself and others. It is the desire to see your flaws, and others', as the weaknesses that create the challenge for you and others in life. It is as if God has put these vulnerabilities into our natures with the intention of allowing us to remain humble, and at the same time, recognize more clearly that we all, indeed, have growth yet to accomplish in our ascendant careers.

You do not reject a blossom whose petals are only partially open. You say, "Ah, there is beauty in this flower and more beauty to come as it continues to open to the light." Take this attitude with your own closed petals. Say, "There is beauty here yet covered. But in time, with growth, this beauty will be exposed to the light." This is an attitude of patience. If you can offer patience to the growth of a flower, imagine the quality of patience offered by the Father toward you as another of his beautiful, blooming creations!

Let me close this lesson by saying that you can take this patient attitude of seeing all life as a garden which is slowly opening to the light. A patient attitude gives one an ability to appreciate what is in that moment! One no longer projects other perceptions, forcing them upon that moment. Instead, one remains an observer of what is, seeking the beauty there. Remember, that you strive for patience, that you are seeking the beauty of that moment. Now my lesson is complete.
* * *

ASSURANCE OF SONSHIP
"Concerning the kingdom and your assurance of acceptance by the heavenly Father, let me ask what father among you who is a worthy and kindhearted father would keep his son in anxiety or suspense regarding his status in the family or his place of security in the affections of his father's heart? Do you earth fathers take pleasure in torturing your children with uncertainty about their place of abiding love in your human hearts? Neither does your Father in heaven leave his faith children of the spirit in doubtful uncertainty as to their position in the kingdom. If you receive God as your Father, then indeed and in truth are you the sons of God. And if you are sons, then are you secure in the position and standing of all that concerns eternal and divine sonship. If you believe my words, you thereby believe in Him who sent me, and by thus believing in the Father, you have made your status in heavenly citizenship sure. If you do the will of the Father in heaven, you shall never fail in the attainment of the eternal life of progress in the divine kingdom." Urantia Book Pg 1602
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Publication Page
High Lights from the Melchizedek University
The TeaM Edition of the Light and Life Journal
Managing Editor: Gerdean Bowen
Associate Editor: Allene Vick
Contributors this issue: Nina McKee, Vern Grimsley, Mark Rogers, Sonny Schneider, Gerdean Bowen, Virginia Kelly, Sandy Montee, Thea Hardy, Rick Giles, George (from Arcadia), Tara Logan, Susan Butterfield, Debbie Roberts, Rebecca Bynum and Susan Kimsey behalf of their Teachers.

The TeaM Edition is a Light and Life Publication, published quarterly through the auspices of Light and Life Publications, 848 N. King Street, Xenia, Ohio 45385 (937) 374-2660. L&L Founder and Editor-in-Chief Jim Cleveland invites you to visit our website at http://www.LightandLife.com. All TeaM Editions are accessible on-line on the Teaching Mission page of LightandLife.com and available to download and distribute.

Light and Life's TeaM Edition is an independent publication dedicated to the spiritual advancement of the mortals of the realm, especially formatted in the relationship between the mortal and the divine helpers of celestial origin. Transmitting/receiving Teacher messages has been an integral part of our movement. Teacher Bases have been established throughout the United States as well as Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Finland, France, Greece, New Zealand, Thailand and Venezuela. More Teachers stand in readiness to teach.

The Teaching Mission supports its fellow LightWorkers everywhere in the arena of spiritual advancement. We derive our basic cosmology and philosophy from the Urantia Papers, regarded as the fifth epochal revelation to humanity. We seek to put the principles of the religious life of Jesus into practice in all our affairs. Contact Managing Editor Gerdean Bowen for more information or to contact the Teacher Base nearest you.

Subscription Information: Subscriptions for print editions are $10.00 per year for four issues, effective January 1, 2002, payable by check (no cash, please) to OBE (O'Dell-Bowen Enterprises), 1101 Garcia, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112. Attn: Gerdean Bowen, Managing Editor. The OBE phone number is (505) 294-1311. The next issue is scheduled for October 2002. Thank you for your spiritual, emotional, mental and material support in these efforts to enhance humanity by disseminating the good news of the gospel as it is transmitted and received through this Teaching Mission.

A special commendation to Ron Besser for his superlative contribution to disseminating these lessons through the new website:  http://www.tmarchives.com/. 
* * * 

A Message from HAM
June 24, 2002 TR Rebecca
Greetings, children, I am Ham and I am grateful to have you all together again this evening. We have much to speak about. You are all growing and making progress in your lives. You are each moving forward with your commitment to your struggle to be more and more God-like in your humanness. You are all working to create lives that are an expression of your values. It is a joy to work with such honest and courageous people.

There is also within you each a struggle for balance and for inner peace. I say a struggle for inner peace because so much of your lives are engaged in the battle of believing that peace can be elusive. Each of you is also going through inner change, transition, in your lives.

All of you have been relatively wild in your youths. You have been people that rebelled, that charted out a course of individualism. None of you are the docile types who follow the beaten path. You have all been thought of as somewhat crazy by your peers and family at one time or another. And this very rebelliousness, this refusal to be simply accepting of life as you find it, this is what makes you part of that precious few who do in fact change the world just a little bit.

People tend not to question the reality that is taught, the world view that is passed from one generation to the next. But every so often, there is a generation of original thinkers born into this world and these people are instrumental in changing the course of history in actual fact. You, my friends, are so absorbed in your immediate problems and your immediate struggles that you fail to see that you are truly part of something much larger and much more important, far reaching, and noble. For as you work and worry and struggle with life, you are actualizing higher values than those who have gone before you.

You are bringing forth the fruit of a growing tree, a tree with roots deep in the human soil, but with branches reaching up to heaven receiving life from the greater spiritual realms. This generation has a very important role to play in the future of your world. The values which you bring to bear in your daily lives are greater and more profound than most generations before you had to tackle. The progress of humanity depends on this very thing, this very ability of you children to reach high for spiritual strength, value, and purpose and to pull this into your every day lives.

Progress of a nation, or a civilization is not found in the speeches of its leaders. It is not found in its political organization, in its justice system, in its philosophy, nor in its art, though all those things reflect what I speak of. Progress is truly made when you grapple with the problems of the day and grasp for the highest response, the highest valued understanding you can achieve and bring this down to the level of the small daily trouble. You do not make progress by espousing one set of values in church on Sunday or in synagogue, or at a mosque, and then using the common value, the everyday coinage of how people treat one another in your daily lives. Civilization does not progress by reverting to magic, superstition, nor idolatry, though these things are rampant in all society throughout the world. They are simply unacknowledged.

When you live by a higher value system, others do not mistake it in your lives, it is plain to everyone. When you live on a higher spiritual plain, you give light to those who sit in darkness. It does not help them to talk about light, you must be light. Again, do not be surprised to find that you are human. Have sympathy with your human failings as you would that of a child. Don't try to hide your shortcomings from your selves. Acknowledge them, embrace them and transform them. It takes true courage to see yourselves, to admit your failings to God and yourselves. This is the root of humility. Humility is honesty.

When you have tried something, tried and failed, that is when you can glimpse your true self. It is also when you can remove your fear of failure. It is also when you can understand that within failure, there is really the truth of victory. When you have tried and failed, there is nothing left to do but try again and then the fear of failure is not so strong and eventually the understanding grows that there is no failure. You each grow in your inner truth through all your experiences. It is this inner truth which glows in the darkness of ignorance. It is this inner truth which draws others to you.

The world is made up of darkness and light. The more you incorporate the values of the spirit, the more you grow toward that light, the more you become that light. Make no mistake, you are like candles that the Father places to give light to his children. The Father will place you where you need to be. Think only of growing in the light and shining more and more and thus you will be placed higher and higher.

You are all doing wonderfully well. I know you question yourselves, I know you doubt yourselves, and you doubt your purpose at times. But let me reassure you each that the light within you is just beginning to burn and you absolutely must shine your light for all to see. That is your purpose.
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SHARING JOY with DANIEL
April 19, 1992 TR Debby
Good evening. I am Daniel. I am your teacher. It gladdens my heart to be amongst you on this joyous occasion. Your camaraderie and openness to one another are refreshing, are welcome. The love you share reaches out and spreads to others. My lesson this evening is on joy, jubilation, happiness. Many in life do not understand real joy, real happiness, real peace. Joy is that feeling you covet most, for in joy you are feeling without a doubt the love of the Father. It makes His love real for you. Joy is that special quality that cannot be bought, cannot be purchased, cannot be gotten through the material outer realm. True, you can have lasting moments of gratification and happiness. This is the outer. The things in the outer realm that bring you joy and happiness are necessary. It is the true inner joy that brings you the lasting peace, the lasting happiness that you strive most for.

Many of you are beginning to experience this. As your foundations have hardened, are becoming firm, you are sensing a joyfulness, a sense of serenity and peace even though the trials of the day, the storms go through. Happy are those who feel this, who understand that this true joy is conceived, is brought to birth in the inner life. Christ Michael was a true example of this. Have a sense of peace, a sense of joy, a sense of jubilation in your mortal life. Look not on your trials with sorrow. Look with an upper more healthy look. See things as offering you potential for growth. That is what brings the joy to life, to know that all things work for a greater good, a greater cause, and that the hope that the risen Christ has given to you is real.

See joy in your fellow man, in his heart, in his doings. Look to joy in the beauty of a flower opening. Sense the fragrance of joy in a summer rain. Feel the touch of joy in the skin of a new born babe. Listen with joy to the sound of the morning bird. Use life as an opportunity to see joy in all that you do, even the drudgery of dishes, housework, or even scrubbing the toilet can bring a sense of joy to those who will it.

Know that in all your work, all your actions you can bring joy to others to make their lives a bit brighter. And as you become one in alignment with the Father, your presence alone emits joy. And people will want to be in your presence because of this, because the joy, the happiness you have about your being brings them to happiness. So the work for you this week is to look for the joy. Be the one with the smile, the one who reaches out.

Seek the inner joy that it may become a part of your outer joy. Those who dwell on the negative find it. Those who seek and do the positive find this reaction. Do not be afraid to soar with the eagles, to take in the air currents and fly above the earth, for joy should be part of your nature as well. So, my dear students, this week take a breather from the heavy teachings of the past and seek a week of joy. Let this become part of your foundation.
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CONCLUDING
"It was just before midnight when Jesus, knowing this would be the last night he would ever sleep through with his chosen family on earth, said, as he dispersed them for the night: "Go to your sleep, my brethren, and peace be upon you till we rise on the morrow, one more day to do the Father's will and experience the joy of knowing that we are his sons."

With prayers for Susan, we share this
Prayer from Olfana:
Our Dear Father,
Who knows us so well,
Help us to come to understand
The beauty that you see in each of us.

Help us to learn the true meaning
Of loving each other's hearts,
Each other's souls,
Each other's full beings.

Give us the words, Father,
To express our truest hopes,
Our greatest dreams,
Our highest desires.

Give us the ears to hear
When our brothers and sisters
Speak to us of these same things.

Lead us, Father,
In a joining together of our beings
Into the most beautiful and perfect plan
Which truly expresses
Your Will for us in our lives. Amen.

MEN ARE THE SONS OF GOD
From the Urantia Book, we share one of Jesus' final appearances, following his resurrection:
"Peace be upon you. This is the most representative group of believers--apostles and disciples, both men and women--to which I have appeared since the time of my deliverance from the flesh. I now call you to witness that I told you beforehand that my sojourn among you must come to an end; I told you that presently I must return to the Father. And then I plainly told you how the chief priests and the rulers of the Jews would deliver me up to be put to death, and that I would rise from the grave. Why, then, did you allow yourselves to become so disconcerted by all this when it came to pass? and why were you so surprised when I rose from the tomb on the third day? You failed to believe me because you heard my words without comprehending the meaning thereof.

"And now you should give ear to my words lest you again make the mistake of hearing my teaching with the mind while in your hearts you fail to comprehend the meaning. From the beginning of my sojourn as one of you, I taught you that my one purpose was to reveal my Father in heaven to his children on earth. I have lived the God-revealing bestowal that you might experience the God-knowing career. I have revealed God as your Father in heaven; I have revealed you as the sons of God on earth. It is a fact that God loves you, his sons. By faith in my word this fact becomes an eternal and living truth in your hearts. When, by living faith, you become divinely God-conscious, you are then born of the spirit as children of light and life, even the eternal life wherewith you shall ascend the universe of universes and attain the experience of finding God the Father on Paradise.

"I admonish you ever to remember that your mission among men is to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom--the reality of the fatherhood of God and the truth of the sonship of man. Proclaim the whole truth of the good news, not just a part of the saving gospel. Your message is not changed by my resurrection experience. Sonship with God, by faith, is still the saving truth of the gospel of the kingdom. You are to go forth preaching the love of God and the service of man. That which the world needs most to know is: Men are the sons of God, and through faith they can actually realize, and daily experience, this ennobling truth."
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Taken from the internet:
I wish you enough
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye."