1999-10-17. Spiritual Strength And Endurance
Woods Cross #258
Topic: Spiritual Strength and Endurance
Group: Woods Cross TeaM
Teacher: Abraham
TR: Nina
Opening
ABRAHAM: I am ABRAHAM. How I am touched each week by your valiant efforts to grow. In your sharing with one another there is higher thinking activation, and a stronger bond between you each and us, your unseen friends, yes.
Lesson
Adversity
In our youth we believe that all things are possible. As we mature we think life is not as it should be. However, my friends, I have witnessed many of your fellow elders who have lived a whole life and express, “life was as it should have been.” Your elders did not reach that conclusion with ease, no. Time and experience drinking the cup brought them to believe that life is not only about good and bad, but how you can personally endure while upholding your fellows.
My student \ friend, who has chosen to drink the cup with grace, has made his journey through illness somewhat easier. In his ministrations to others he finds his mind free from self, free from the consciousness of pain and fear of loss. In his decision to go with Father’s will he is receiving heightened spiritual assistance. He has chosen to not dwell upon self, but to take this mortal challenge and do his utmost for his Father in Heaven. When my friend chooses to heal–he feels healed. When he chooses to give hope–he is hope filled. When he acts as a light from God–God shines back upon him. That is spiritual strength and endurance.
Choosing to experience the whole Urantian adventure comes complete with joy and despair. Be not surprised when adversity befalls you. Choose to take the challenge as an opportunity to be a light from God. In adversity we find what really matters. We find how important love is and how unimportant deadlines are. We find money to be useless, and family and friends to be priceless. In adversity we find God, we feel the realness of our mortal path.
Should my student \ friend have chosen to be beaten by his illness he would not have felt those moments of closeness with Father. He would have spread hopelessness and received hopelessness. Had he chosen to blame others for his illness he would have only stirred within him the spirit poisons. Had he chosen to seek sympathy for his plight he would have become weaker and susceptible to more pain and difficulties. Had he chosen not to be a light from God he most definitely could not feel the light of God shining upon him, yes.
This week look at your adversities to be an opportunity to be a light from God, heal and be healed, love and be loved, shine and be shined upon. As promised, I will accept questions.
Dialogue
RACHEL: Father Abraham, this evening we have a new brother with us. His name is Allen, and I bet you he has some questions for you. (Greetings Allen.)
Love, Faith
ALLEN: Hi. I am not sure I really have any questions for you, except I was listening to some people say that they didn’t feel that they knew that they loved the Father, but they did have faith. I wondered about that and I thought perhaps faith follows love. I would just like to know about that.
ABRAHAM: Certainly, my son. Each mortal experience will differ when it comes to this area. How one has lived their life is a major key in answering this question. Childhood upbringing can have an effect on how you would perceive love and faith. Faith has its roots embedded into the area of intelligence. Many a scholar would trust and have faith that the information is there to learn, but not particularly have feelings for the teacher. Mortal concepts of love is rooted in the emotions. Emotions, being fleeting or transient, a non-substantial foundation to build upon. Spiritual love however will be rooted in intelligence–alongside of faith. Love will be the most significant proof that God is. In time faith and love are becoming more equal, but no one can say which can come first. Can one love a God who they do not know if He is real or not, or how can one not love such a brilliant and powerful Caretaker? Good question. You can indeed come to a conclusion which is more true to your mortal experience. I am most happy to speak with you again, my son. Another question?
The Teachers
MIRIAM: Abraham, I have been wanting to ask this question for awhile. You know, when Ian first told me about you and Ellanor, and I was talking to some people and they were telling me about you, at first it was like you were kinda like this serious guy and I was like–Oh wow, and I came and you are the most wonderful friend. I have kinda have that same experience with the idea in concept, in reality of Machiventa. Like when I first heard about him I thought–wow, what a serious guy and isn’t he involved with all this stuff that is so important. Then when I heard him share through Willie V., in Nashville, it was like the most loving experience–just like with you. For some reason I wonder about him a lot. I always love reading what he shares. So here is my question: I don’t know why, but I get thoughts about him a lot. Would it be appropriate for me to do one of my Miriam questions–like how’s he doing and what’s he up to. Could you share some information about him–whatever would be appropriate. I just have this real desire to know more about him. Would that be okay?
ABRAHAM: Certainly. I can say he frequents this meeting. He is still a wonderful mentor to me. I constantly use his wisdom in our lessons. He does oversee the teaching network, insuring that all proceeds according to Michael’s plan. He is in an administrative position, and yet whenever possible he finds time to help with unusual spiritual difficulties, including difficulties among groups such as this, difficulties with race, racial problems or difficulties where inequality abides, yes. Machiventa is always a powerhouse of enthusiasm to me, and I find that I thrive spiritually from our association, yes. As this Correcting Time becomes prevalent in all areas of mortal living, you will find yourself knowing certain personalities on a more personal level, personalities who are also likened to yours will become more familiar to you as they are able to minister to you in the method which best suits you. Yes, thank you for your question. He is well, my daughter. Another question?
Miriam: Thank you.
ABRAHAM: I You are welcome.
Teacher Contact
HARRISON: Abraham, you answered a question for me just now about getting closer to this personality. I have a strong desire to make some sort of better connection with some personality. Is it important that I know their name, or maybe what is the technique you would recommend, or what should I do to facilitate this process? What should I do as part of this process to make it happen quicker or stronger?
ABRAHAM: Do not try too hard. Do not force contact or be impatient with yourself. Always stillness is advised, and random journaling is helpful in clearing the mind, but the main key for effective communication is the release of your intentions and desire. Should communication occur–so be it–should it not–so be it. This attitude would do you well in receiving an accurate communion. Is this answering?
Harrison: Yes. Thanks.
ABRAHAM: I Another question?
CALVIN: Abraham, what could I do during–I know I could take more stillness time, I think that is for sure, but any tips you can give me for further contact with Father and even with Father’s love, cause I think that is the point I need to find most for strength to let go of this and to have more trust and faith.
ABRAHAM: You do well and need not worry about Father closeness. It occurs in all aspects of your daily living. To ponder upon being within the stillness mind would do you well. Using the stillness mind when speaking with your acquaintances can lead you to see Father in action. Adversity is a route in which we can know our Father better. The more we know Him the closer we are, the more we love Him, yes. To ride the tide of adversity is a cleansing of the soul, cleansing from spirit poisons, a clearing of prejudice or preconceived notions allowing for Father to guide, comfort and be known as a constant presence. Yes. That is all. Another question?
INERIA: This isn’t a question. Abraham, I just wanted to say hello, and I love your lessons, and I missed the classes, and I am glad to be here.
ABRAHAM: Noted, my daughter. I am also happy to have you here. This class is indeed an anchor in the stormy seas of everyday living. You most certainly reap your lessons from all directions, but feel free to call upon me to help you define those lessons, yes.
Ineria: Thank you.
ABRAHAM: I You’re welcome. Another question?
Detachment
ANESIA: Abraham, I am very thankful to be back here with this group and all my friends and with you. I have been going through some hard times with my father, and maybe if you could just give me some advice or some words that would help me for my future with my father and our relationship, and even my future–if you have anything to say?
ABRAHAM: Yes Anesia, my daughter, I understand this dilemma and how you are hurt by it. I perceive that you reach out to your earthly father and he is confused by it. Sometimes our biological parents are not what we expected or needed, but nonetheless he is a lesson in endurance for you. My suggestion to you is a time, a short amount of time to feel detached from him. View him as a mortal man, a fallible being which feels the same fears that all mortals feel. Detach and expect not results. Allow him to be released into the Father’s hands for further evaluation. You will find who you truly are in this detachment. His definition of you will hold no meaning or further cause you pain. He most certainly loves you, yes, but a time to step back is needed to redefine the boundary lines. You are his daughter, yes, but you are also a grown woman and a child of God. That is all. Another question?
Tradition
RACHEL: Father Abraham, I know that in the past you and Father Ham have both told us that you are all working on different heads of organized religions. I know that you are probably seeing results from it too. With this last general conference in President Hinkley speech I was quite impressed when he told all of his membership that now is the time for restitution–not retribution, but restitution. When I looked that up in a dictionary I think it means practically the same thing as our Correcting Time. Do you care to comment?
ABRAHAM: Yes. You are correct, my daughter Rachel. The churches are viewing the masses as having intelligence. If enough individuals rise up this can bring change or a loss in attendance and revenue. (Snickers.) The heads of the churches do not want these losses and will be forced into evolving with the times. The churches need to accommodate the people and address the changing times. They need to administer to people where there are in their lives right now. The people are becoming ingrained with a burdening feeling that the churches do not provide enough for them to grow spiritually and find comfort in dealing with difficulties in everyday living. Yes. You are correct. Does this answer? (Yes it does and I thank you. I want you to know that when the Relief Society come over to teach me–I read them your prayer.) Well done. I thank you. Another question?
Acceleration
HARRISON: Abraham, I get the feeling we are on an accelerated program here and that we are probably learning more than we think we are. I don’t know if the feeling is correct or not, but I do want to thank you so much for your lessons.
ABRAHAM: You are on an accelerated teaching program only because you have requested it, you are allowing it, you are participating in it. Well done. Every individual who seeks will surely find, yes. I can say that the world around you may appear to be bleak in the first beginning of this our Correcting Time, but worry not the people have spoken and know within what needs to be done to create change. Yes, this is accelerated learning. You are correct, my son. Another question?
Teaching
MIRIAM: I have been at a crossroads lately. In one way everyday is exactly what it should be–what comes into my life and who comes into my life is, as you were saying, the daily cup. I have also had some confusion as to which path to take. My new friend, Charlana, has really been helping me. It is just such a wonderful thing to get helpers, seen and unseen. She was saying that maybe I was kind of crippling myself because I had to choose one of three ways. She was saying maybe you can be all. Could you give me some help or some guidance there? I have been pondering that for awhile.
ABRAHAM: I am understanding that there are still some issues dealing with your ability to find your self worthy to accept all of Father’s abundance. There is a discomfort with accepting the fact that you have learned a definite path and are indeed qualified to teach others. The assignment to teach is causing some fear and you are afraid to step forth with too much confidence because you are unsure of your ability. I say you have experienced things that would qualify you to minister to a great many people. You have a definite poise and grace when it come to your fellows. Be not afraid to step forth and act–using the spirit as your lamp.
Closing
We will draw these questions to a close. I have enjoyed our meeting and always look forward to our interaction during the week. I say to you, my friends, this group is a rock in which its foundation will carry us for a long time to come. As always my love is with you. Until next week, shalom.
