WHERE ARE THE YOUTH?

This last weekend I attended the Gathering at the Hood. A regional conference put on by the newly formed Urantia Communities of the Northwest. It was truly an amazing event, to say the least, but it was missing youth participation.

So where are the young people? They are everywhere! They are all around us everyday. Ok, yes, you know I’m speaking specifically about young Urantia Book readers. Well, unfortunately they seem to be in shockingly short supply. But it wasn’t always this way.

When I talk with people about the history of the movement I often hear about how many people found the book in the late 60’s and 70’s. The open minded cultural movement of love and self discovery of those times was the perfect soil for the revelation to grow and an amazing number of people (including many young) became readers in a short period of time.

The UB tells us:

“As the human mind reckons backward into the past, it is evaluating past experience for the purpose of bringing it to bear on a present situation. As mind reaches out into the future, it is attempting to evaluate the future significance of possible action. And having thus reckoned with both experience and wisdom, the human will exercises judgment-decision in the present, and the plan of action thus born of the past and the future becomes existent. “ 118:1.4

To me this quote means that we continue to acknowledge the past of our movement as we plan for the future. Otherwise it seems we will be discussing solutions to a problem we don’t fully understand.

My understanding of this problem has developed out of my life experiences. I was born into a UB home, I’ve traveled on evangelical missions, and I have been a founding member of the Youth and Young Adult Committee. Therefore, I feel my experiences have given me an understanding of my generation that few share.

When I’ve traveled I would hear very personal stories about what some people went through in the 70’s and 80’s. The break up of the Foundation and the Brotherhood, the Fall of Vern Grimsly, and the growth of the teaching mission. All of these events had incredible effects on the Urantia community of those days, and continue to influence us today.

The events of those times should not be taken lightly. Not that they need to be dug up but that they need to be acknowledged if we desire to have a honest conversation about our history and where we find our movement in 2015 and going forward.

These events had a devastating effect on our community for a few specific reasons.

1. One, they started a culture of separation. That groups of us had separate missions while studying the same exact teachings.
2. Two, they caused incredible disappointment. When you have such strong leadership, that you place so much expectation on, the let down is significant if they falter. The desire to support new leaders and trust in strong leadership has been largely lost in our community. Instead of a focus on training young leaders inside the Fellowship we continue as a culture of “study, study, study”.
3. Third, in my opinion, we have not yet figured out what our primary mission is as kingdom believers.
4. What do I mean by “our mission” ? Well when I say Buddhist you instantly have a clear image of what being Buddhist means right? What about Mormon? Same thing? These groups have established who they are and that’s how the world knows them.

Us UB readers are still just “readers” if you ask most people. In fact as we left the gathering at the Hood one of the staff said “the book club group is leaving today at noon”. That is how we come across to observers. And if you visit your average study group that is what you will find, “readers”.

That is not to say these readers are not living these teachings in their daily lives or are kind and beautiful people. We know they are. I’m saying as a community of Urantia Book students, and believers in Jesus Christ, we have not yet come together in unity of purpose and therefor we are known as readers. Because that is what we primarily do. We read. I know some of you would say that having a unifying mission is not the goal but I would argue it’s why we have so few young people in our movement.

People, especially young, want to be part of something. Not something deep and complex but something tangible, fulfilling, and now! Being part of a book club is not very exciting. Though it might have some spiritual fulfilment, once you get deep enough, it is not enough to attract but a few.

Here is my idea for moving forward and discovering who we are as a movement. I’m proposing that we do EXACTLY what the revelation instructs. It is a fact that the 5th Epochal Revelation does not in fact tell us to study and know the 196 papers of the Urantia Book. It just doesn’t say this. What it DOES say is this:

“Of all human knowledge, that which is of greatest value is to know the religious life of Jesus and how he lived it.” (196:1.3)

This to me is our path to becoming who we know we can be as a community and a worldwide movement. To focus on Jesus’ message first and foremost.

The rest of the Urantia Book is just incredible knowledge and truth to help us become better messengers of the world’s most important Gospel!

As Jesus instructs, this does not mean banging on doors declaring “The Master has risen!” We must meet people where they are in their spiritual path and along the way serve all we find in need. When the whole of our movement, most importantly the leadership, is committed to this mission we will be overflowing with families and youth.

When our message and purpose is simple and tangible we will be shocked by how many people find us and join our cause.

“No cult can survive unless it embodies some masterful mystery and conceals some worthful unattainable” 87:7.9

Do we have this in our movement? If you think we do please leave it in the comments. I don’t personally see one. Not one that unites us and makes us jump out of bed every morning! And until we do find this our community will continue to splinter into many different minimally effective social groups. Losing the potential power we all know we would find if we united behind Jesus and his life saving message.

Let us develop together a message we can all unite behind. It won’t be comfortable for some at first, and it shouldn’t be, but it is the way. When the revelation says it so clearly  “Of all human knowledge, that which is of greatest value is to know the religious life of Jesus and how he lived it.” (196:1.3)  will we just continue to ignore this? Will we continue to be a book club when we are called to be teachers and leaders for the master? I pray not. I pray we find our common purpose in these teachings and work together to reach the masses with this BEAUTIFUL NEW Gospel we all know will change lives as it has changed ours.

And when we do this the youth will start knocking on our door day and night.

Note from the Author: I feel like I could write 20,000 words about this subject. How to attract and inspire young spiritually minded youth to find and understand revelation. There is no one answer. It really is all wrapped up in how we each move towards following the Masters leading and being true cosmic citizens. I’d love to hear your thought for the future of our movement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello! I hope you do enjoy this and the beautiful content from our inspired world wide community. This website has been a vision of mine from a very long time. This recent redesign is the latest effort to try and provide our community of believers with inspiring stories, information, opinions, events, and more. If you believe in this work please show us your support by donating to the Fellowship.

Here on earth throughout our long 1,000,000 year history after the arrival of an evolutionary being with human will dignity (mankind) their have been beings from other of the whirling world's of space visit this world and alter its destiny. This discussion is to explore who they where and how they altered the evolutionary and cultural destiny of man and mankind.

1679 Prophecy to the Sons of God By Jane Leade

Therefore let it be known with truth and assurance that the sons of God belong in all things to a higher realm. Unto this high realm many are now proceeding, and from it the world will be filled with the knowledge and government of the Lord.

"Now that you are ambassadors of my Father's kingdom, you have thereby become a class of men separate and distinct from all other men on earth. You are not now as men among men but as the enlightened citizens of another and heavenly country among the ignorant creatures of this dark world. It is not enough that you live as you were before this hour, but henceforth must you live as those who have tasted the glories of a better life and have been sent back to earth as ambassadors of the Sovereign of that new and better world. Of the teacher more is expected than of the pupil; of the master more is exacted than of the servant. Of the citizens of the heavenly kingdom more is required than of the citizens of the earthly rule. Some of the things which I am about to say to you may seem hard, but you have elected to represent me in the world even as I now represent the Father; and as my agents on earth you will be obligated to abide by those teachings and practices which are reflective of my ideals of mortal living on the worlds of space, and which I exemplify in my earth life of revealing the Father who is in heaven. From the teachings of the Urantia Revelations (1955)

The following remarkable prophecy, given in the year 1679, forcefully confirms the truths written above. We quote it in its entirety for your benefit and blessing. Please read and re-read it for its truths are profound:


01 "There shall be a total and full redemption by Christ. This is a hidden mystery not to be understood without the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is at hand to reveal the same unto all holy seekers and loving enquirers. The completion of such a redemption is withheld and abstracted by the seals of Revelation. Wherefore as the Spirit of God shall open seal after seal, so shall this redemption come to be revealed, both particularly and universally. In the gradual opening of the mystery of redemption in Christ doth consist the unsearchable wisdom of God which may continually reveal new and fresh things to the worthy seeker. In order to which the Ark of the Testimony in Heaven shall be opened before the end of this age, and the living testimony herein contained shall be unsealed."

02 "The presence of the Divine Ark (Christ) will constitute the life of this Virgin Church, and wherever this body is, there must the Ark of necessity be. The unsealing of the living testimony within the Ark of God must begin the promulgation of the everlasting gospel of the Kingdom. The proclamation of the testimony will be as the sounding of a trumpet of alarm to the nations of professed Christendom. Authority shall be given by Christ to the putting an end to all controversies concerning the true church that is born of the New Jerusalem mother. This decision will be the actual sealing of the body of Christ with the name (or authority) of God, giving them a commission to act by the same. This new name (or authority) will distinguish them from the seven thousand names of Babylon.

03 "The election and preparation of this Virgin Church is to be after a secret and hidden manner. As David in his ministry was chosen and anointed by the prophet of the Lord, yet was not admitted to the outward profession of the kingdom for a considerable time afterward, of the stem of David a Virgin Church, which hath known nothing of a man or human constitution, is to be born, and it will require some time for it to get out of the minority and arrive at full and mature age."

04 "The birth of this Virgin Church was typified by St. John's vision where the great wonder appeared in heaven, bringing forth her first born, that was caught up to the throne of God (or identified with the authority of God). For as a woman brought forth Christ after the flesh, so shall a Sonship Family bring forth the first born after the Spirit, who shall be endowed with the seven spirits of God. This spiritual family so brought forth and sealed with the mark of divine authority will have no bonds or impositions; but the holy unction among these new born spirits will be " I AM all in all a new revelation of the Supreme Being.

05 "There is not at this day (1679) visible upon the earth such a church; all profession being found light when weighed in the balances. Therefore they are rejected by the Supreme Judge, which rejection will be for this cause, that out of them may come a new and glorious church. (Comprising a single human family) Then shall the glory of God and the Lamb so rest upon this typical tabernacle, so that it shall be called the Tabernacle of Wisdom, and though it is not now known in visibility, yet it shall be seen as coming out of the wilderness within a short time. Then will it go on to multiply and propogate itself universally, not only to the number of the first born (144,000) but also to the remnant of the seed, against whom the dragon will make war continually."

06 "Wherefore the spirit of David shall revive in this church and most especially in some elect members of it as the blossoming root. These will have might given them to overcome the dragon and his angels even as David overcame Goliath and the Philistine army. This will be the standing up of the great Prince Michael, and it will be as the appearing of Moses against Pharaoh in order that the chosen seed may be brought out of hard servitude." Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world…(the Power Elite)

157:4.5 Jesus, still standing, then said to the twelve: "You are my chosen ambassadors, but I know that, in the circumstances, you could not entertain this belief as a result of mere human knowledge. This is a revelation of the spirit of my Father to your inmost souls. And when, therefore, you make this confession by the insight of the spirit of my Father which dwells within you, I am led to declare that upon this foundation will I build the brotherhood of the kingdom of heaven. Upon this rock of spiritual reality will I build the living temple of spiritual fellowship in the eternal realities of my Father's kingdom. All the forces of evil and the hosts of sin shall not prevail against this human fraternity of the divine spirit. And while my Father's spirit shall ever be the divine guide and mentor of all who enter the bonds of this spirit fellowship, to you and your successors I now deliver the keys of the outward kingdom -- the authority over things temporal -- the social and economic features of this association of men and women as fellows of the kingdom." And again he charged them, for the time being, that they should tell no man that he was the Son of God.From the teachings of the Urantia Revelations(1955)

Eph. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the full armour of God, that ye may withstand the evil day.

Eph. 6:14 Girt your loins about with truth, and have on the breast plate of righteousness…

Eph. 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Eph. 6:16 and above all, take the Shield of Faith…

Eph. 6:17 the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

07 "Egypt doth figure this servile creation under which Abraham's seed groans, but a prophet, and the most prophetical generation, will the Most High raise up who shall deliver His people by the force of spiritual arms; for which there must be raised up certain head powers to bear the first office, who are to be persons in favor with God whose dread and fear shall fall on all nations visible and invisible, because of the mighty acting power of the Holy Spirit which shall rest upon them. For Christ will appear in some chosen vessels to bring into the Promised Land the New Creation state."

08 "Thus Moses, Joshua, and Aaron may be considered types of some upon whom the same Spirit will come, yet in greater proportion. Whereby they shall make way for the ransomed of the Lord to return to Mt. Zion; but none shall stand under God but those who have become "tried" stones after the pattern and similitude of Christ. This will be fiery trial through which a very few will be able to pass or bear up in it. Whereby the waiters for this visible breaking forth are strictly charged to hold fast, and wait together in the unity of Pure Love. This trial will be of absolute necessity to all for the clearing away of all remaining infirmities of the natural mind, and the burning of all wood, hay, and stubble. For nothing must remain in the fire, for as a refiner shall He purify the sons of the Kingdom."

09 "There will be some who will be fully redeemed, being clothed upon with a priestly garment after the Melchizedek order. This will qualify them for governing Authority. Therefore it is required on their part to suffer the Spirit of burning and fanning of the fiery breath searching every part within them until they arrive at a Fixed Body from whence the wonders are to flow out."

10 "Upon this body will be the fixation of the Urim and Thummim that are the portion of the Melchizedek priesthood whose descent is not counted in the genealogy of that creation which is under the fall, but in another genealogy which is a New Creation. Hence these priests will have a deep inward search and divine sight into secret things of Deity; will be able to prophesy in a clear ground; not darkly and enigmatically, for they will know what is couched in the first originality of all beings, in the eternal anti-type of nature, and will be able to bring them forth according to the divine counsel and ordination.

11 "The Lord sweareth in truth and righteousness that from Abraham's line, according to the Spirit, there shall arise a holy seed, produced and manifested in the last age. The mighty spirit of Cyrus is appointed to lay the foundation of this Third Temple and support it in building."

12 "There are characteristics and marks whereby the pure Virgin Church shall be known and distinguished from all others that are low, false, and counterfeit. There must be a manifestation of the Spirit whereby to edify and raise up this church, bringing heaven down upon the earth and representing here the New Jerusalem state, in order to which spirits are thus begotten and born of God, ascended to New Jerusalem above where their Head in majesty doth reign."

13 "None but those who have so ascended and received His glory can condescend and communicate the same, being thereby His representatives upon the earth and subordinate priests under Him now. He that has ascended and glorified has made Himself, as it were, our Debtor. Consequently, He will not be wanting in qualifying and furnishing certain high and principal instruments who shall be most humble and as little regarded as David was, whom He will dignify with honour and priestly sovereignty for drawing to them the scattered flocks, and gathering them into one fold out of all nations."

14 "Therefore, there should be a holy emulation and ambition stirred up among the bands of believers that they may be of the first-fruits unto Him that is risen from the dead, and so be made principal agents for Him and with Him, that they may be, if possible, of the number of the First-born of the New Jerusalem mother. All true waiters of His Kingdom in Spirit, under whatsoever profession they may be, ought to be numbered among the virgin spirits to whom this message appertains. Be watchful and quicken your pace."

155:6.2 You have come out from among those of your fellows who choose to remain satisfied with a religion of mind, who crave security and prefer conformity. You have elected to exchange your feelings of authoritative certainty for the assurances of the spirit of adventurous and progressive faith. You have dared to protest against the grueling bondage of institutional religion and to reject the authority of the traditions of record which are now regarded as the word of God. Our Father did indeed speak through Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea, but he did not cease to minister words of truth to the world when these prophets of old made an end of their utterances. My Father is no respecter of races or generations in that the word of truth is vouchsafed one age and withheld from another. Commit not the folly of calling that divine which is wholly human, and fail not to discern the words of truth which come not through the traditional oracles of supposed inspiration. From the teachings of the Urantia Revelations(1955)

SOURCE Link

When speaking with Robert Walugosi the Director of Butiiki Children's Ministry I discovered a random act of kindness that is worth sharing!

Young Ava pictured above had decided to spend over three weeks of her allowance by making a donation to a children's ministry in Uganda. 

I immediately was inspired to match Ava's spontaneous act of kindness and decided that this response may multiply her efforts among the world's good Samaritans. So if you are moved by Ava's act of kindness click on the Donate Button to match her efforts on her mother's YouCaring site for Butiiki Children's Ministry in Uganda. 

Beth; Ava's mom wrote and told me about this event in Ava's life.

Ava had that $10 from saving up her allowance which is $3 a week. She had been trying to decide how to spend it for about a month.Yesterday I was talking to Ava about what the kids have to eat at BCM (Butiiki Children's Ministry ) and how I was concerned knowing that they don't get enough protein in their diet because Robert can't afford to have it all the time. I showed her a picture of what they were eating that day. She said, "Mom, I am thinking I want to give them my $10 bill." She got busy making a note to Robert and I sent the money to him and the picture of Ava's note and money. Then Robert told me how the new baby was born that day and had no clothes. So I asked Ava if it would be ok if Robert used the money to buy the baby's first clothes. Of course she loved that. She was so happy to see the pictures of the new clothes and the baby.

  FundraiserActivities  

The Children you supporting can be seen here.

Group Activities can be seen here.

Daily children activities can be seen here.

Many, many times during his years of teaching, Jesus told and retold this story of the prodigal son. This parable and the story of the good Samaritan were his favorite means of teaching the love of the Father and the neighborliness of man.  "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of cruel brigands, who robbed him, stripped him and beat him, and departing, left him half dead. Very soon, by chance, a certain priest was going down that way, and when he came upon the wounded man, seeing his sorry plight, he passed by on the other side of the road. And in like manner a Levite also, when he came along and saw the man, passed by on the other side. Now, about this time, a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed down to Jericho, came across this wounded man; and when he saw how he had been robbed and beaten, he was moved with compassion, and going over to him, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and setting the man upon his own beast, brought him here to the inn and took care of him. And on the morrow he took out some money and, giving it to the host, said: 'Take good care of my friend, and if the expense is more, when I come back again, I will repay you.' Now let me ask you: Which of these three turned out to be the neighbor of him who fell among the robbers?" And when the lawyer perceived that he had fallen into his own snare, he answered, "He who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

Passing through the fringe of Conflict

Forewarn all believers regarding the fringe of conflict which must be traversed by all who pass from the life as it is lived in the flesh to the higher life as it is lived in the spirit. To those who live quite wholly within either realm, there is little conflict or confusion, but all are doomed to experience more or less uncertainty during the times of transition between the two levels of living. In entering the kingdom, you cannot escape its responsibilities or avoid its obligations, but remember: The gospel yoke is easy and the burden of truth is light.

What does the greatest teacher of truth ever to appear on this world mean by the saying " The gospel yoke is easy and the burden of truth is light."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWLrfNJICeM&feature=youtu.be

Cancer - The Forbidden Cures