<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">ABRAHAM<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><?xml:namespace
prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:date
Month="4" Day="19" Year="2004"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">APRIL
19, 2004</SPAN></st1:date><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">WOODS CROSS GROUP<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: #ffffcc"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">I am ABRAHAM. Greetings. This meeting does
me so much good in mind and spirit. Many times I am made to remember that my
purpose is not solely about working. I love my work and yet meeting with you
reminds me that there is so much more. For many of you this small allotment of
time is the only time you can really generate this spiritual
refreshment.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: #ffffcc"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Various religious institutions provide for
their member’s services that for the most part uplift the spirit. While our
</SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Mission</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"> is informal, this is your time to unify,
fellowship, find balance, engage in reasoning and solutions, and share in faith.
Informally speaking, this is your church. I thank you for having me. Believe me
when I say I am learning right along with you. You have been a wonderful teacher
to me. I am with comfort to be among you just as I am.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: #ffffcc"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Again, this week as we allow our concerns
to go by the wayside, let us take a step higher in mind to that place of peace.
Here we are whole. Here we are accepted and adored for exactly what we are. This
place is a moment’s rest from striving or being bogged down with duties, from
being entrapped by miscellaneous concerns. Here we are what we are and that is
indeed good. Over these many years we have discussed spirituality in conjunction
with human behavior and tonight will be no different. I am apt to give where I
can see there is a need.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Last week we spoke a bit on the Master’s
life and the strength He gathered over time to become a perfected mortal. In
this day and age impatience is rampant and to have everything immediately is
looked at as common. To have everything includes to be well on the way to being
accepting of the evolving self. Human weakness is abhorred in this society and
great efforts are made to hide them. It would appear that when weaknesses are
viewed by others they are confirmed and seemingly here to stay. Many view their
real selves riddled with weakness and make great effort to be anything but
themselves.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">What I love about the Master’s example
here on earth was the fact that He was always genuine, always Himself, always in
tune with the spirit, and therefore an authentic extension of the Father in
Heaven. If He had lived His life the way others had expected, where would the
world be now? <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">The Master’s
loved ones wanted Him to fulfill their greatest expectations and perform
miracles. His loved ones viewed His forthcoming greatness as their greatness or
ego satisfaction by association.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Some of the
Master’s comrades desired that He take the Kingdom by force. Everybody wants to
be on a winning team.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">The so-called
educated, wealthy and/or most holy in the land wanted the Master to disappear
altogether. His presence made their self-perception crumble with truth. In His
life of genuine goodness, the holy men of that day recognized their life to be
selfish and fake.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Did the Master have physical pain? Yes.
Did He have emotional pain? Of course. Did He not love and hurt for those who
rejected Him? Yes. The Master could have very well followed popular opinion. He
could have chosen to live by man’s rules and not universal law. It is possible
His life could have been a bit more easy and certainly extended. The Master
however had an eye single to the glory of His Father in Heaven. He had a purpose
and there was no one or thing or amount of any seemingly earthly goodness that
could take Him from it.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">His purpose to reveal Father to us and us
to the Father kept Him selfless. It kept Him focused on the task at hand. All
other things were kept by the wayside. The Master’s relationship with His
internal Father was the key in strengthening Him to be about the business. His
everyday practice of spending time with Father strengthened Him a little more
each day to go forth with the Father’s plan. Had He not had this excellent
relationship with Father maybe He would not have had such strength. You can see
how He did make effort to relate more with Father and then deal with His mortal
counterparts thereafter. The Father was first.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">Of course, the Master understood weakness.
He understood life’s experience is indeed strengthening for those tasks Father
has planned. The Master well understood whom He served. This was His strength to
be about the everyday mundane tasks that were beset before him. Many mortals
striving in today’s world find their personal weaknesses to be overpowering and
even when they fall, they have a difficult time recovering. To make effort to do
good is a boost in moving forward. To slip in a sinful direction is indeed
tearing down self-esteem for anyone who has a well balanced
conscience.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">To do good is to feel good. It is to be in
tune with the spirit. To knowingly or perhaps unknowingly, go forward in a
negative direction is to be sorely discouraged. It is to feel desolate or
perhaps abandoned. Certainly this is an embellished perception of a guilt-ridden
mind. In mortal life there will always be some weaknesses, some places where you
will fall short. This will happen. You will make effort of course in the
direction of self-mastery and many times you may find it unattainable. Do not be
so harsh with your budding soul, your evolving self. We are each in a state of
becoming and patience is required to see it through.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">This week do as the Master did in
strengthening himself to handle everyday tasks. Spend time with the Father. Rise
to that higher place in the mind. Find a moment every day to ponder in whom do
you serve? When moments of weakness arise think not to tear yourself down
immediately. No. Dissect the weakness, find its origin. Know that in some way
the mortal cries out. That is all. Know that I am with growing affection. Go in
peace. Until next time, shalom.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: #ffffcc"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>