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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">SEI TeaM </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">4-4-04</P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Subject:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Trust</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Teacher:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Daniel</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">TR:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Nancy K.</P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Opening prayer: (Ken A.):<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><I><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Dear Parents, we come before You this evening with love in our hearts.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We ask for your presence this evening.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We accept Your love.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>May we have the ears to hear, and the voice to speak.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>May we join with you in thought, in word, and in action?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We gather in your name.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Amen. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Daniel:</STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"> Greetings friends, I am Daniel, greatly pleased to be with you this spring afternoon in your world.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Marlene, it is my pleasure to welcome you to this extended family group.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Thank you, it is an honor to be here.)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is our privilege.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Friends, this spring day provides an opportunity to engage in a review of principle, you know well, and yet, a refresher course is often beneficial.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Spring is one season in the cycle of seasons, following winter that follows fall that follows summer that follows spring.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">This cycle of seasons, in parts of Urantia, that has this style of season, is known to you, is understood, is natural.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yet, sometimes encased in the cold of winter, with the frigid temperatures, a seemingly endless snow, the knowledge that spring will come can be difficult to internalize.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Now there are those who, of course, love winter, love the challenge provided by the cold and snow, love the opportunity for recreation, and the range of experiences that cannot be had in other seasons. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And these stalwart individuals can be likened to those who enjoy a spiritual challenge; who eat-it-up and ask for more.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But there are others of you who find the other seasons easier to deal with, prefer the spring and the fall, that are mild and temperate, and so, being encased in snow, battling the elements, can be difficult and these people can long for the spring.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In your lives, the challenges of material living, with its certain change, its losses, its partings through death, can feel like this type of winter. And when you are experiencing loss, experiencing grief, experiencing struggles with health, it can be hard to trust that spring will come, that flowers will bud, that joy will fountain, that peace will reign supreme.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Tonight’s lesson is, again, about trust.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The lesson is to remind you that the resurrection followed Jesus’ death; to remind you that Michael, too, has experienced times of struggle, in the material unpleasantness.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And, yet, His supreme trust in His Father provided the balm, the life-line, to support Him in His human existence.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Because we will not be meeting next week, I have taken this opportunity to bring together the concept of renewal promised by the inevitability of spring, following winter, in the promise that Michael shared with humanity and His universe, by living a life dedicated to portraying the beauty to be found in living the Father’s will, day by day.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">The spiritual principles to which I referred to earlier, you well know.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Take that time daily to fill your spiritual reservoirs that you may trust the coming of spring and the promise of eternity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">I apologize for the lengthy pause.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>PamElla is experiencing difficulty in the connection.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I wish to open the floor to discussion, questions, and a reformulation of the obvious.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Virginia:</STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"> Daniel, I’m not sure I understand what you want us to reformulate, your lesson, or what.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I’m not just sure.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Daniel:</STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"> The reformulation of the obvious, yes, would refer to my lesson, which is old, but is not intended to be tired.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My intention in the choice of topic this evening was to provide encouragement to a somewhat emotionally weary, and physically tired crew.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Unfortunately, my delivery is not as easy and as light as I had intended it to be.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The connection was strained.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Bob D.: </STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The topic tonight brought to my mind a song called “The Rose”, and I was thinking about the opening line where it talks about what love is; just the idea of the transition of seasons, and recognizing that each one leads to something else.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There is no real death, but a continued cycle of rebirth and re-growth.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I don’t know what I’m thinking! <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These are just kind of feelings that were flowing though me as the lesson was coming through.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was pondering some of these thoughts.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I thought I would share that.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Daniel:</STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"> Thank you, Simeon.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yes, that was the intent of the lesson, to link the current beautiful spring day, with the promise of emotional relief.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, as with all material things, this too shall pass.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There is the continuity of the cycle, and yet, it is not limited to repetition with no greater purpose, with no evolution.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The cycle is in fact a spiral.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thank you for sharing your thoughts.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Bob D.</STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And, as far as an emotional weary crew, I guess I have been a little bit under the weather today, in general.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I’ve had a friend of mine, actually a fairly good friend that I communicate with regularly, kind of called me on the table because they didn’t like some of the things I’ve been doing.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I found whenever I get questioned by somebody, if it is somebody I don’t know, it doesn’t bother me as much, but when it is someone I do know, it’s like there is a second guessing process that goes on, so I think some of your comments today are probably helpful, in being able to process and recognize the value in that.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you have anything to add, to help me in working through both my insecurities and questions about directions, I would appreciate your comments.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Daniel:</STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"> Bob, it is always my pleasure to be of service to you.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Always is it beneficial to try to set aside the ego aspect of one’s self that desires protection (Question: perfection?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Group comments and laughter.)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am chuckling, yes, the ego that desires perfection must seek protection.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(More comments and laughing.)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Truly, is it impossible to even contemplate the meaning of perfection, at this level.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And, so, indeed, the ego seeks protection, it wants to be well thought of, it wants to think well of itself.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But, it does not recognize its connection to either the personality or the Parent.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So, it is important for the personality to understand the fragileness of the ego, love it, calm it, set it aside.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Try to view the situations as they occur from many perspectives, in order to benefit from situations that can arise and grow.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If the ego is allowed to run the show, when it is desiring protection, growth is not possible or it is very slow.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Do you see?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And so, Bob, my words to you are, first of all, to love the most fragile aspects of your being, nurture those tender parts, love the other person or people involved in the situation, and from this perspective of love, view the situation and see what you make of it.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">With regards to the “second guessing”:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>once you have undertaken this exercise, you will not need to second-guess, for you will have greater clarity and greater certainty.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sometimes individuals can be very much in the right, but be afraid to really look because they may not be.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In other situations, individuals may not be in the right, but again, very afraid to look.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This ties back to a discussion we had a couple of weeks ago regarding shame, and the difficulty that people have with error because of the shame that is imbued in this world, as a result, ultimately, of the rebellion. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When one can separate shame from error, it is much easier to adjust and grow.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Thank you, my friend, for your trust in raising this issue.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Thank you for your comments.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I appreciate them.)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Virginia:</STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"> You know Daniel, I can’t help but think in terms of the resurrection, and how many times Jesus told His apostles what was going to happen, and how they just simply could not even hear what was being said, because of their own expectations and desires.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I think that the expectations could be good, in that they thought it was going to be the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, but it also could be very bad in the sense, that now, when He is telling them that He will rise again, they expect Him to be killed by the Roman authorities and by the Sanhedrin.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So on either end, humanity can fail to see the springtime, the resurrection, the promise of good, because of our own fears and expectations.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Daniel:</STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"> You have made an interesting connection here, with expectations and fears.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Although this …. One moment please. … I apologize, for PamElla is second-guessing me.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Group: humorous comments)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I do wish to finish my thoughts, which were mine, not hers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The interesting connection I wish to respond to is the use of expectation and fear.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Before, you see, the Apostles had their own expectations, yes, but it was their egos that were desiring protection that fought hearing what Michael, Jesus, so clearly told them.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Therefore, my closing message this evening is to love those fragile, dependent, insecure, self-inflated aspects, those tender egos, that their interference in hearing may be reduced; that their need for protection may be calm; that your communication with our great Parent may be enhanced.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Are there other thoughts, concerns, or observations? …. Please stand, and hold hands.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><B><I><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Great Parent, we thank you for your plan, that includes us, that leads us from animal origins to Your perfection.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thank you for Michael, His bestowal, and His example; a life dedicated to knowing You and doing Your will.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>May we all contemplate Michael’s life, Jesus’ life and its relationship to us, in this next time frame.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Be with these our students as they seek to serve You in the here and now.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Amen.</SPAN></I></B></DIV>
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