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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">ABRAHAM & MARY<?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"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:date Month="7" Day="11"
Year="2005"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">JULY 11, 2005</SPAN></st1:date><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">WOODS CROSS GROUP<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">I
am ABRAHAM. Greetings. Even though we had not a meeting last week, I am glad I
could spend individual time with you. Your discussion concerning the work
environment was informative to me, for I am a small part of a much larger body.
I realize that some things seem overlooked and very well may be, by myself or
other teachers, but always do I rejoice in the fact that Father knows all. He
tends to all. No one job is more important than another, for we all are part of
a much larger body.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">I
am MARY. I am grateful for the comfort I am feeling to be among friends, family,
so to speak. I know that I am one of the many that serve in the Kingdom. Every
day I am more and more amazed at my own joy of being one of the many. >From where
I am now, to be set apart from the many or given some recognition, feels quite
unnatural. Of course, I would tell you a different story when I had lived a life
in the flesh.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">As
a child I felt not as a part of anything good. Certainly was I starved for
attention and affection. I realized the basis of my self-esteem was seeing
myself through the eyes of others. If I received praise, I felt deserving to be
a part of the many. Upon receiving criticism, I felt separated, as to be labeled
as abnormal and therefore undeserving of any good thing. Of course, there were
times where elevated self-esteem overtook me and I lived my life to maintain the
elevation. Of course, this was always short-lived. Reality or true humility
would bring me back to the focus of my attention.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">In
my day it was saintly to sacrifice. Those who could sacrifice without
recognition were indeed close to the spirit and the understanding of the
universal law of abundance. Many in my day, as well as the present, wear the
robe of sacrifice for the benefit of themselves, boosting their own feelings of
self-worth.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">I
am not speaking on this subject to point fingers or induce guilt, label
individuals or create paranoia. I speak on this subject because for many years
my own self-esteem was the driving force behind my actions. Living a life in the
flesh, you will experience as much as you possibly can handle. Especially
circumstances that create feelings of elevated self-worth or superiority, are
illusions the ego wants you to focus on. To be connected to spirit fills a part
of the whole, not more or less, not set apart, but thriving on service, thriving
on things that feed the soul, not the ego.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">Even after some years spent in service to the Master’s
cause, the temptation to receive ego satisfaction was still present. Of course,
Father, in His infallible ways, would teach me of my fallibility. Father’s
teachings were always leading me toward Him, not even any attempt to battle the
ego or the animal within, but pointing me to a new and better way. As I matured
in spirit I felt Father to be a loving, guiding hand, not an authority figure,
who would limit my happiness or put walls up in the path of my desires. The
walls then were guidance, not limitations.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">Father is always leading you to Him, helping the budding
spirit to grow, not conditioning it in a way that simply makes you a submissive
servant. The mortal path is full of barriers and the more you serve the ego the
more difficult it is to surmount them. You are most definitely not rats in a
universal maze, no. Certainly are you the children of the First Source and
Center, who is ever lovingly and most definitely guiding you into becoming. Most
things that appear to be gratifying in this mortal life are temporary, but those
things that you really make effort towards are soul building, leading you
God-ward.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">Think about your day to day living and the seeming
limitations that are set before you. Are you to break away to sit upon a
mountaintop pondering universal cause and effect? Are you to make effort and
sacrifice to get that temporary high of the ego fulfillment? Are you to exercise
your spiritual understanding so that you can receive guidance from the One that
knows all? How does the presence of Father feel when you are striving to be a
working part of the whole? How is this building your eternal
career?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">I
most definitely understand various driving forces that would serve self. Many
individuals carry life-long beliefs and patterns that would create the longing
to be seen as truly valuable. It was certainly a welcome reality for me when I
could see beyond myself as a voiceless individual to becoming a part of the
whole that served without pausing to ask ‘why?’<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">There have been and will still be times when your spirit
feels beaten and unable to move. There are various habit patterns of the human
brain that are well worn and difficult to overcome. To strive to build upon
continuous faith is an open door to assistance from the spirit. As you have
heard quoted, but still wonder about, “With God, all things are
possible.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">I
am ABRAHAM. I find this week’s lesson to be challenging and certainly worth
personal effort. Mary spoke of the continuous building of faith and exercising
the spiritual muscles, meaning study, stillness, prayer and striving to live
truthfully. Many things of this mortal life appear to be fleeting and not worth
the time and effort. We all know now who is a perfect judge of that. Remember
that humor, fun and relaxation are always energizers to what seems to be a
well-worn spirit. Again I will make time to spend with each of you individually
this week. I thank you for your willingness to stay the course. My love goes
with you. Until next time, shalom.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
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