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<p>05/15/2005</p>
<p>Ham: Greetings, children, I am Ham and I am glad to have this
opportunity to speak with you each once again. Let us speak of the
requirements of love. When you find your God-connection it will be in
love and so to maintain this living spiritual bond requires remaining
in love as much as possible. Remaining with love requires constant
vigilance against those spirit poisons that destroyed love and so
destroy they connection to the spirit. </p>
<p>None of you has trouble with hatred, but fear is more subtle and
fear creeps in when you are not looking and suddenly that fear will
spawn other poisons like resentment, envy, greed, laziness, and so on.
Then you have a lot of little seemingly trivial attitudes towards
things that must be removed one by one as you weed your garden and
nurture the tender plants of vulnerability, helplessness, child-like
faith, hope, and love for your self and your fellows coupled with
forgiveness. These little plants are vulnerable and can be easily
choked out by the weeds of selfishness and fear. They must be watered
with truth, and fed with the bread of life, the Master’s true spirit,
so that through love these plants will grow strong and bear fruit in
your maturing characters. </p>
<p>The old habits, the old reactions are gradually giving way to a new
and better way of living. The way of living truth is never static, it
is constant change, constant molding, constant realignment of your
thoughts, feelings, and priorities. The fruits of the spirit will lead
toward a natural service and a way of giving that is yours alone. Each
of you has a unique contribution to make to the spirit and to the
spiritual lives of others. </p>
<p>Each of you, as you bloom and grow into bearing the nutritious
fruits of the spirit so that others can partake, gives something in
actual substance to the God of experience in time and space, the
Supreme Being. The God of experience is formed and created through
experiential contact with the material world. This contact is made
through material creatures, born of clay then reborn is spirit.
Spiritual growth is born through giving. No growth can be achieved
without the active giving of the spirit as well. You love because you
are loved, this is the Father’s spiritual circuit that then creates him
in his experiential form, the trinity translated in time and space. </p>
<p>Each of you is finding that to grow toward God you must release the
things of the world and you must release your attachment to the
material world. This releasing has to be coupled with a growing faith.
Faith will grow with the releasing of fear and attachment to the world.
Faith will grow as you learn to feel, as a real part of your
experience, the Father’s love in increasing measure day by day. </p>
<p>The Master released all things to the Father’s good keeping. Every
moment he consciously released himself and all his worldly cares to the
Father’s hands. Every prayer was ended, nevertheless it is my will that
your will be done. Though he walked in the lowly places of mankind, and
though he knew the human feelings of fear, disappointment, and
disillusion, through each individual trial after expressing his
thoughts, he turned it over.</p>
<p>To follow him then, you must each learn to do the same. Whatever
your human fears, desires, or feelings, you must release them in order
to grow in the spirit. After you pray my children, and you ask for his
blessings, remember, as the master did, to say "Nevertheless, your will
be done" and then face reality as it is releasing that which you would
want it to be. </p>
<p>What are your questions.</p>
<p>Q: I’m not sure I understand what you mean by releasing our
attachment to the world. This is not to be confused with disengaging
from the world? Are you talking about continuing to be engage but not
being personally invested in the outcomes? But I think this does not
mean we should necessarily be disinterested in the outcomes of our
actions in the world. So could you clarify a little more please?</p>
<p>You are correct my son. The Master told the apostles, be in the
world, but not of it. Be engaged, do your best, but after you have done
you work, say nevertheless, your will be done. This will help you
release your attachment to the outcome. </p>
<p>Q: Human beings often have very mixed motives, some positive and
some not so positive. How does this relate to the way we motivate
ourselves to act?</p>
<p>Ham: Yes, each of you pushes and pulls to get through the various
chores of this life that are set before you. Gradually, though, as you
grow in service, you can begin to release the negative motivational
side, the "if I don’t work who will pay my mortgage" type of
motivation. Gradually you will be able to switch into positive service
oriented motivation saying "Father, today I will serve you and I trust
that you will provide for me". This is different and going from one
side to the other is not like flipping a switch. It is not a matter of
one single decision, but the cumulative effect of many decisions. The
direction you can set through your conscious mind and through prayer
you can ask for aid and comfort as you step out in faith as did the
apostles of old. </p>
<p>Essentially my children, you are gradually realizing the truth that
you were born into this world naked and helpless and so this is how you
will eventually leave. Letting this sense of helplessness coupled with
strong and strengthening trust will bring you correctly through this
life and all its trials. Each of you is helpless to know what will
befall you tomorrow. None of you knows when your last day will come.
Most human beings resist these thoughts and the fear they inspire by
keeping busy with things that you can control. But ultimately, you
control nothing. This is the truth and to realize it takes faith and to
realize it you must release the illusion of security that most humans
cling to. The only thing you will take with you when you leave this
world are your memories and your treasures in heaven, that is your
growth in spiritual substance, that which is real because it is part of
God. Everything else, even the body, is not real because it is not
lasting. It is temporal and it is material. The material world is the
shadow of the true substance that is spirit and that is all it is. Is
this helping?</p>
<p>Q: Could I have a message please Ham?</p>
<p>Ham: Of course my son. My son, you are doing very well. You are
growing in faith and in the true righteousness of the spirit.
Differentiating what is real from what is not real is the task of all
human beings. But there are those who can discern the spirit and
describe it. This is the aim of art and what gives art its meaning. The
Father’s spirit lives through each of his children and only the spirit
can discern the spirit. All your work will mature as you grow in
spiritual maturity yourself. Follow the Master’s loving presence as he
gently guides your steps and leads you into truth. Rejoice then, give
thanks in humble spirit for the gifts he is giving you every day. The
way opens, you are doing well.</p>
<p>Q: Do you have anything for me this evening Ham?</p>
<p>Ham: Yes my daughter, be at peace. You are finding it is not that
difficult to take the big steps if you hold tightly to the Master’s
hand as you do. Have faith that he has placed you, have faith that you
are learning the lessons he wants you to learn. Have faith that you can
cling to him through the difficult times and you can cling to him then
through times of ease as well. Rejoice, you are set upon the pathway my
dear. You have been tested and found not wanting. Gradually he will
place greater burdens upon you but not before you can carry them. This
week place one foot before the other. Do each days chores to the best
of your ability and then release them to the Father’s care come
nightfall. Rejoice my daughter, be joyous through all things. Be joyous
and trusting and gentle. Be gentle with yourself first, then you can be
gentle with others as well. </p>
<p>Q: I have gone through lots of changes and challenges these last few
years. Am I on the right path now?</p>
<p>Ham: My daughter, you have truly overcome great difficulties and it
is these things that are the most valuable teachers. No one becomes
wise when things are too easy. No one develops character without being
challenged and so the greatest adversities become in the end our
greatest blessings. Walking in the spirit is not the easy way, but it
is the only way to move toward God and one’s ultimate destiny. Truly my
daughter you are giving of yourself and this giving is also what you
need. Rejoice then and be exceedingly glad. All things are becoming new
and though you will have difficulties in the future, your growth in the
spirit will equip you to meet these challenges with ease and grace. Be
at peace my daughter, all is well.</p>
<p>Q: Do you have anything for Rebecca?</p>
<p>Ham: Yes my daughter, before you are many challenges but you are
meeting them from a safe place and you must understand the great
support you have around you. Each piece of work will be given. As you
find these steps placed before you, you must trust in the spirit ever
more completely. Trust, trust, trust, this is your watchword and your
way. Let your work develop for then you will be used more fully as you
grow strong in this safe place. Give thanks then and be at peace. You
do well.</p>
<p>Q: Jarad?</p>
<p>Ham: My son you are also growing very much in the spirit. The way of
gratitude and humility is your path ahead. Little do you understand the
power of your blessing and your gift. To receive, you must be a child –
innocent, humble, helpless. To find this ever growing gift you must
embrace those three. Rejoice and be glad my son, you are doing just
fine. </p>
<p>Q: Do you have a personal message for Wendering?</p>
<p>Ham: Yes, my daughter, have peace. Realize there are many things
that are not controllable by you in this life. Each step is a test of
faith and faith is tested more by letting go that through grabbing on
and doing. Rejoice, move toward the spirit in humility and gratitude.
All is well. </p>
<p>Q: Katie wants to know if you can tell her anything about Vern?</p>
<p>Ham: My daughter, do not fear. This is an opportunity for you to
distinguish what you can control and what you cannot. There will be
challenges, as always, for you in this relationship. You have handled
many situations and problems concerning this man before. What is ahead
will be no less difficult but your faith is stronger, even though you
may not perceive it to be and you will not have the deep emotional
difficulties that you have gone through before. Use each challenge to
strengthen your faith. Have no fear, all is well.</p>
<p>Q: Do you have a personal message for Charlie B?</p>
<p>Ham: Certainly. My son, you do well. You are meeting the
difficulties of the hour with strength born of the spirit, a strength
that includes grace, tolerance, and ultimately love. Let love dominate
your mind and permeate your soul so that all things reflect this
awareness. Let your actions be dedicated to him. All is well.</p>
<p>Very well then my friends, until next week my love and my prayers
are with you. Farewell. </p>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
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<title>Signature</title>
<hr style="width: 100%; height: 2px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">David
G. Schlundt, PH.D.</span><br style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Associate Professor</span><br
style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Department of Psychology</span><br
style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">301 Wilson Hall</span><br
style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Vanderbilt University</span><br
style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nashville, TN 37203</span><br
style="font-weight: bold;">
<br style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Phone: (615) 322-7800</span><br
style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">E-mail: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:David.Schlundt@Vanderbilt.Edu">David.Schlundt@Vanderbilt.Edu</a></span><br
style="font-weight: bold;">
<br>
<hr style="width: 100%; height: 2px;">Belief has attained the level of
faith when it motivates life and shapes the mode of living. The
acceptance of a teaching as true is not faith; that is mere belief.
Neither is certainty nor conviction faith. A state of mind attains to
faith levels only when it actually dominates the mode of living....
Faith does not shackle the creative imagination, neither does it
maintain an unreasoning prejudice toward the discoveries of scientific
investigation. Faith vitalizes religion and constrains the religionist
heroically to live the golden rule. The zeal of faith is according to
knowledge, and its strivings are the preludes to sublime peace.<a><b>
---The Urantia Book, Page 43<br>
</b></a>
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