2003-10-19-Invitation to Friendship

Session

Opening

PRAYER: Mathew: Let us place ourselves in the presence of Jesus, the Christ Master Teacher, We come to you today with a new person to appreciate the process that you have made possible through the long years of the Christian message having been brought to us. But our purpose is not just the Christian message (although that is first and fundamental in the presentation of our attitudes toward one another, and toward you and our Heavenly Father), -- but our attitude and principle, that we have learned through this process, through the Urantia Book -- and all that we've acquired in our knowledge base to date, is that love is the first and foremost energy and reason for being. And, consequently, all teachings are one, as they blend into one golden chain of truth and purpose and being and loving. As we continue to go through our struggles, they become less because there is no need to fight but to practice the principle of non-resistance in all ways and in all principles. So we relax we relent and we allow the teachers to come to us through you to make all things new as we present ourselves to you as vehicles of truth and light.

And for all those things of our hearts and minds that you know of us, we place before you now on the altar before Our Father to be transformed as we are transformed as vehicles of light and love here and now, and for eternity. With all else we are forever grateful. Amen.

Group: Amen.

TOMAS: Good afternoon, my friends, I am Tomas, your Teacher.

Group: Good afternoon.

Lesson

TOMAS: I perceive you today as a five-pointed star, twinkling and flashing your perfection into the atmosphere, into the spheres. What a delight to have you join us, SharEl . charming lady, child of wonder. What must you think of us! Well, this is what relationship aspires to, isn't it? We feel each other out. We take time to be still in each other's presence to recognize the light within us each. We begin to feel safe. We begin to relax into greater consciousness super-consciousness which is aware . not only of our Self, but of other Selves. Not only in your range of reality, but in Reality arenas beyond your vision. Once again we salute "invisible friends." But what of friendship? What are friends for? What are unseen friends for? As compared to your mortal associates. How do we differ and how are we the same? And what do you look for when you look to your own kind -- and when you look to those outside your vision -- in faith? We are like you. We are simply older. More advanced. But what good does our advancement do if we are on a plane that is so far removed from you that you cannot reach us? It is thus necessary, in this particular kind of association, that we reach down to you as you reach up to us and we meet there, somewhere in the ethers, in the netherworld of Paradise . just underneath the presence of God. For, were we to sit in the presence of God, we would overlook our association in the experience of worship. Which is fine! Which is desirable. Which is encouraged as it is a part of the appreciation of the relationship that exists between you, as sons and daughters of this Precious Energy which fills the air with spirit fragrance.

Learning to be who you are in the kingdom . that is to say, learning to be who you are in truth, and in full embrace of your divine nature as well as your human nature,. affords you an opportunity to operate on a new plateau of existence. It gives you a chance to step up from the chaos of partial perfection into relative perfection . from darkness into light.

Judgment

We have been talking about judgment lately. Particularly since it is something that confuses you and troubles you, as its definition is clouded by your perception of what judgment means, based on your comprehension of the Old Testament's admonition and your fear of judging lest you be judged -- to hell, fire, and damnation! All you who sit in the presence of the unseen friends are aware already that the Loving Presence of the Divine is impossible of inflicting such pain and distress upon Its children, and so this fear of God and His wrath is inappropriate for our current day comprehension of the wondrous love that is our Creator and the divine plan He has in store for all of us, as we walk the talk of what we are learning and becoming. The story of the prodigal son is a reminder that the father will run out to get his wayward children even when they are a long way off. Even as they are feeling wretched, after having spent/squandered their fortune, their inheritance, and their future on self-indulgence and in ways which were unsatisfying, unfulfilling and unfruitful. What condition is that child in as he grovels back to his home, fully expecting to be whipped, abused, ignored, outcast, begging for crumbs, asking only for a place at the foot of the table?

By anyone's standards they have judged themselves poorly and sorely already. They do not need any of their elder brothers or sisters to hurl at them any remarks as to their neglect or immaturity. But it is understandable that the siblings would stand back, as if to say, "Well, my brother, I am glad you are home. It was our loss that you were not among us. We rejoice in your return. We embrace you back to share with us the Father's bounties and blessings. Perhaps this experience will teach you that respect and sense of purpose in this family that you are created to uphold. We trust you will not wane in your enthusiasm to be embraced back into the fold, to return to your arrogant and self-seeking ways. We will be watchful for we truly love you. We would have you enjoy the blessings of sonship with us in order to carry on this holy family, in order to carry on the Father's business. What you learned out there will pass away. What you encountered in your uphill climb back into the security of humble sonship will keep you from arrogance and complacency. Rather, you will be better able to serve in the Father's fields those who are lost in pleasure-seeking, in frantic attempts to seize the day, or in those who fear His judgment such that they are even fearful of looking you in the eye, lest they see their own short-comings." This is friendship: that the sons of God reach out to their siblings even when they are yet a long way off, and invite them into the fold of love and joy.

Pray for those who fear God and fear the joy of knowing Him. And let the answer to this prayer be your own bright light of truth, beauty, and goodness. Prevail. What an awesome privilege, to shape and mold the universe, to have a hand in creating light and life on your world. Formidable! Overwhelming, perhaps, to your consciousness, but to the super-consciousness, it is an opportunity to relish life and all it provides - the good, the bad and the ugly - for there is where the choices are made, the choices that impel you forward or deter you in your path. And, subsequently, in the path of others -- inasmuch as you are a reflection of the divine itself. As you are able to reflect, so shall they see. Let us reflect the love of God, the joy and goodness we know as His. This lesson is directed to the future of our association, the extension of the family of God and the delight of our unseen friends. Let us hear from our associate.

Matthew: We have Christ Michael, or Jesus, here.

Divinity

MICHAEL: Welcome, all who are here for the first time, or, as if it were the first time. Welcome with new hearts and new minds, new eyes and new ears to hear that which may be, for the first time, a message that is deep and true to my heart as well as your own. And that is, the purpose of being that exists in the world as you know it, and well beyond that which you know to be evidence of their being more, as the song had illustrated, even in its playful nature, the unseen friends are with you always, and your belief in them is not as important, perhaps, as their belief in you! As my heavenly Father had made known to me in the hours of our worship together: all that exists is here as the bounty of creation, and in his benevolent gift of life, He gives that which is to be utilized for the benefit of all of those who choose to partake in that bounty. So as you were talking in weeks past about the teaching or parable of the ten talents, for example, and how those investments were made, and for those who made the most of their talents or investments, those who were too frail, fearful or shy to invest that which they had were told to give what they had to those who made the most of it, and that this principle or parable may to some appear to be unholy, unwise and insensitive, but, my friends, the purpose of life is to participate, and to seek full bounty of that which is given!

There are those that you know that make or take full advantage of that which is presented to them, and have made wondrous examples of what to do with just a little bit of material and a lot of gumption. This is what I wish to share with you today: to be full and active and complete participants of the bounty that is presented to you . both in terms of your individual lives and of your collective lives, that lead to a full complement to that which is present, alive and real. Your unseen friends are a rooting gallery, a cheerleading squad, that wishes you well and knows your capabilities to help bring the flock forward. In fact, these cheerleaders, or triumphal assistants, are there with you to assist in the collective nature of your ministry. This is done in cooperation with the bounty and the life-giving nature of creation here before you and well beyond your imagination.

So I implore each and every one of you to take full advantage of the life that is given you and to maximize its potential -- for yourselves in your love-giving capability, and for your brothers and sisters, that they may fully participate in the life of creation with or without the unseen friends. But for those of you who are aware of their presence, you are joined with a choir of heavenly assistance to help in the uplifting of this age and all ages to come. I can only encourage you with all of the zeal that is within my heart, for knowing your true nature and that of our heavenly Father as being One, there is only success, there is only triumph, and there is only the light that you witness as the reason for being.

So be true to your nature, both divine and human, and allow the imperfections that you see to be incorporated into the perfect pattern. I wish you, with every beam of my light: peace, joy and unity of purpose in your individual and collective beings. Peace be with you, and know that I am always there and never any farther than the Presence of your Being. I am with you always.

Until we meet again, may the presence of our living and loving Father surround you, now and always. Peace be with you.

TOMAS: Beloved Creator -- he is such a brother and father and friend. You, my siblings, in ascension, are now the torchbearers, and in this capacity of advancing your world, what questions would you have to address that may contribute to this worthy work, or to your own unfolding as an important personality in the overall configuration of infinity?

Talk to me. Do you have questions? Or comments? Complaints? Laments?

Dialogue

Christianity

Matthew: Just one, that concerns me somewhat (but less than it did 20 years ago). The Urantia Book says that we are to work toward unity but not uniformity. Do you see in our lifetimes perhaps, in relation to light and life being created, at least Christianity coming closer together, in terms of the Pauline dominance that exists now as a perspective on Christianity? For it to come any closer to the message that Jesus had originally--, prior to Paul's entry into it? In other words, the blood sacrifice dominance that exists. Is it possible in our lives yet that that would be lessened, and we will turn more toward a brotherly love perspective? That's the question. Or is that so far off in the distance it's all we can strive to contribute to its change, ultimately?

TOMAS: All this will depend upon how you perceive the impact of the church and the importance of the church's participation in the evolution of your world. The church is undergoing tremendous labor pains. "The church" -- I am using in terms of the Pauline philosophies that you regard as your cultural heritage and religious training, for the most part. These labor pains are suffering a natural result of the need for yet more revelation of the reality of God to inject a greater dimension of divine reality into that organized format which man demands as an avenue of adulation. And so as humanity comes forth from the darkness, so must the church.

Thus, there will be poles pulling the paradigm of church-religion in many directions, and the traditionalists will become yet more consolidated and the living God will be the catalyst which allows the many more progressive sects to relinquish their hold on traditional religion in an attempt to embrace a broader spectrum of humanity that might also want to join in the song of praise for life, love and laughter.

There is great progress being made in that direction now, as I see it. And you are certainly contributing to this process by adding to the living legacy of love rather than fostering fear through holding fast to those judgmental constraints that have become an albatross around the neck of the church, weighing them down into a crystallized presentation of pattern. Which pattern offers an original point of reference, which even includes the sanctity of religion and the treasures of history; it is an icon of an age that fostered the reality of Jesus for 2000 years between the fourth and fifth revelations to mankind. Church literally will become a shrine. But the rivers of earth will run with living waters, set free to follow on the winds of change, until such time as the Divine is allowed to lead humanity into the future it has destined, of which you are a part.

Thus, the Church will never disappear, anymore than the Sistine Chapel will disappear or the other monumental works of art man has created in homage to God and his relationship thereto. Much as a sacred museum provides a perspective, thus too will the Christian church, in due time. It is, you know, honored and preserved by the angels of the churches. They are not the enemy. They are a force of advancing spiritual evolution for your world as you are and as we are.

We will have our impact in the future, whereas their impact has been in the past. In time in may be anticipated that we, too, will become relics, that what we represent today will be a part of the history of the advancing spirit reality of this planet. But the fact remains, we will have contributed to the advancement of spirit reality and this is the destiny of all the worlds of time and space - to reveal God and his nature - as you can and as you know how. As you enjoy today. Is this addressing your concern, Matthew?

Matthew: Yes, that's hopeful, and I was looking for a hopeful answer. Thanks.

TOMAS: It helps to have a perspective that goes beyond the mere material perspective, the mechanical universe. This perspective is available to you, but you have not practiced using it. You have judged your ability to contain such a view. Like most, you have sold yourself short by not allowing the farther view. In the Stillness, you can put aside these mortal limitations and embrace the divine perspective such that you will be lifted above the common consciousness into the realm of superconsciousness, which is liberating, joyous and, yes, I admit, perhaps more frustrating. But this is where the real experience lies . not in simply transcending life, but in living it. In working out the balance between the mortal nature and the divine nature such that you are able to touch and develop real relationships with both realms and without personality disintegration, rather, with personality integration, that will serve you better.

I feel like your coach, giving you a pep talk. Somehow you must have needed encouragement, that your team might not win.

Matthew: No.

TOMAS: Or that your struggle was all uphill. It seems that way sometimes, when you neglect to take these opportunities, such as we enjoy today, to companion one another at a soulful level, in order to reinforce the integrated personality that you truly are. That you know yourself, that you love yourself, that you are human, that you are growing, that you are delightful. And you see these reinforced in your relationships such as we have here, this five-pointed star, will allow your light to twinkle brighter, reaching farther into the night. But what is this talk of stars in broad daylight? We have, rather, the full abundance of the sun; the radiance of the fall season upon you; the dazzling array of colors and the security of the harvest. What more can anyone ask for?

Such a replete place. Carry this peace with you into your lives this week.

Remember the Source. Return to the Source to remember your path, and remember your peers and your unseen friends, who walk with you on that path toward Paradise.

Closing

Anatolia and I are proud to be your Teachers and to work in conjunction with the Teacher Corp of the Melchizedek University in enabling you to reclaim your place in the natural ascent. And in this on-going effort, I'll see you next week. Farewell.

Group: Thank you.