1. **Comprehensive Exploration:** "The Urantia Book" provides a comprehensive exploration of various topics, including cosmology, theology, philosophy, and the spiritual evolution of humanity. It offers a holistic view of existence, encouraging readers to broaden their understanding of life's purpose and meaning.

 2. **Spiritual Insights:** For those seeking spiritual insights, Urantia offers a unique perspective on the nature of God, the universe, and the spiritual journey of individuals. It delves into profound spiritual concepts that can inspire personal growth and a deeper connection with the divine. 

 3. **Intellectual Challenge:** The book challenges conventional perspectives and stimulates intellectual curiosity. Readers are encouraged to engage with complex ideas, fostering a sense of intellectual exploration and discovery. 

 4. **Expanding Cosmic Consciousness:** Urantia introduces readers to a vast cosmic framework, offering insights into the organization and workings of the universe. It expands cosmic consciousness, providing a grander context for human existence within the cosmic order.

 5. **Philosophical Depth:** The philosophical depth of Urantia invites readers to contemplate profound questions about the nature of reality, morality, and the purpose of life. It serves as a rich source of philosophical exploration for those interested in deepening their understanding of these concepts. 

 6. **Personal Growth and Reflection:** The teachings of Urantia encourage personal reflection and application. Readers can use the insights gained from the book as a guide for personal growth, fostering positive changes in their attitudes, behaviors, and spiritual understanding.

 7. **Community Engagement:** Joining a community of Urantia readers provides an opportunity for communal exploration and shared insights. Engaging with others who are also on this intellectual and spiritual journey can enhance the overall experience and provide different perspectives. 

 8. **Interfaith Dialogue:** For individuals interested in interfaith dialogue, Urantia offers a unique perspective that can contribute to conversations about spirituality and the nature of God. It provides a bridge for understanding and connecting with diverse belief systems. 

 9. **Guidance for Living:** The practical application of Urantia's teachings can serve as a guide for living a more purposeful and meaningful life. The principles and moral values outlined in the book offer a foundation for making thoughtful decisions and navigating life's challenges. 

 10. **Source of Inspiration:** Many readers find inspiration in the poetic and insightful language of Urantia. It has the potential to awaken a sense of wonder, awe, and reverence for the mysteries of existence, serving as a source of inspiration for those exploring the depths of spirituality and philosophy.

When The Urantia Book was given to this planet about a hundred years ago, the writers spoke of the need for “world-wide social reconstruction and economic reorganization.” That’s no surprise, considering what the book reveals about the disastrous Rebellion and Default. The crisis in Urantian civilization has only become more obvious since the book arrived.

Our civilization is beginning to change. It is beginning to be uplifted, restructured, and redirected. It feels like chaos and uncertainty!  But we need to see it in a different light. This is the beginning of one of Urantia’s “most amazing and enthralling epochs of social readjustment, moral quickening, and spiritual enlightenment.” (195:9.2 [2082.7]) 

You may recognize that quote from the Urantia Book. It is a promise. The book said in 1935, Urantia is on the brink of this epoch of change for the better. This Fifth Epochal Revelation is initiating that enthralling epoch. We feel like we are living in chaos and change. But we who have the Urantia Book are called to a whole new way of seeing ourselves and our world. We need to focus on what is truly important and let the lesser things of life drop away. We have the opportunity, if we choose it, to contribute to this spiritual renaissance!

How do we contribute to the coming spiritual renaissance? Our book says, “Only the real religion of personal spiritual experience can function helpfully and creatively in the present crisis of civilization.” (99:2.1 [1087.4]) In the midst of such change, we all need the support of real religion—a genuine connection with spirit and a love for our sisters and brothers here on earth.

Real religion opens us to the love of God. We are beloved children. Experiencing God’s love changes us inside. We feel accepted, encouraged, strengthened, and hopeful.

Loving and appreciating God as a nurturing, supporting, caring parent causes us to want to be like God. And we seek the beautiful values we see in deity. Those values draw us into growing. Developing higher and higher values in ourselves is the very definition of growing!

Our love expands. We see our brothers and sisters with new eyes. Instead of judgment, we see their need for the loving parent we have found. And when we open the door and allow our love to flow to them, joy blooms…and we love them more. We become even more connected as divine love flows to us and through us to our human family in service.

Let’s live our religion. Let’s share the real religion of personal spiritual experience with everyone we can. Let’s become the new teachers who are exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration of our sisters and brothers. We can give hope to the world in this present crisis. 

Sisters in Spirit—Sharon Porter, Kaye Cooper, Nancy Votrain, and Cecelia Lampley— will be leading a Urantia University Institute course in the spring of 2024:

In this article I am going to explore the experience of God on our world, Urantia – as framed within the contexts outlined in that book. Before I do, I’d like to take a moment to outline some experiences and insights I have acquired from my career and then later use these to contextualise and explore ideas put forward by the text. I worked in the medical device manufacturing industry for almost two decades. While there are an almost innumerable host of devices available to assist and promote health they generally fall into two classes: one could be categorised as for external use only [like a wheelchair or blood pressure monitor] the other as internal devices [like hip joints or pacemakers]. The internal devices can equally be divided into two classes: one could be classified as purely mechanical, while the other is a device that would be mechanical PLUS some active ingredient – such devices are known as combination devices. Devices that introduce APIs [Active Pharmacological Ingredients] have a whole universe of additional quality controls on them that govern their function and release.

The manufacture of medical devices is governed by very carefully designed procedures. There is zero room for tinkering with the process. With few exceptions, the manufacturing process has to be performed exactly as prescribed or it goes in the bin. Every device has to be calibrated and the calibration documented. Even the devices used to measure other devices have to be calibrated and their calibration documented. All of this to ensure and prove that the device in question was made to the exact specification required and that the proof of this is documented. Any deviations from the process are reviewed by a suitably qualified board. They will deliberate on the nature, effect and cause of a deviation, how to eliminate that cause going forward, and determine if the item can be safely reworked or if it needs to be disposed of. The exactitude associated with these processes is impressive. It needs to be, lives are at stake. Getting it wrong can lead to serious harm or even death.

In this space, ‘Tinkering’ can only be legitimately carried out in designated research areas by qualified and suitably trained personnel. It is in the research stage that every single control is determined, but only after testing. Every single element of the device is controlled, from the room temperature to who handles it and why – especially is this true of APIs. Inappropriately administered APIs can have lethal consequences. As a result the procedures in place surrounding these substances are significant, and in this I see considerable parallels in the Urantia Book.

I know the parallel is crude but one can see the celestials approach LIFE much as Quality Engineers would approach the handling of an API. There are very specific procedures and suitably qualified personnel associated with it. Devising life vehicles, and establishing life on the spheres, even its evolution from initial inception to the final realisation of Light and Life, is executed according to very specific procedures. However, unlike APIs, LIFE is considered SACRED and is approached by those who are charged with its elaboration and preservation with a holy reverence.

According to the UB, ninety percent of the worlds of space and time are built to according to specific and unchanging procedures and managed by appropriately trained personnel. However, ten percent of the worlds [approximately one in ten worlds] are designated as Life Experimentation Worlds, also known as Decimal Planets. These are essentially the Research and Development Departments of the Heavens. On these worlds, the celestials try to do things a little differently. These adventures/experimentations are thoroughly reviewed before they are signed off on. Consequently, the evolving life experience on these planets differs from other worlds. However, even on worlds such as these, though the expression of LIFE might vary somewhat in spirit the challenges are the same – self mastery, service, perfection attainment personally and socially. That said, life on these worlds differ and as a result the experiential appreciation of God will vary slightly also. Hence, when compared to the dominant trend on the other ninety percent of planets, the Father would be understood in a different way on such worlds.

I remember once thinking that LIFE is a ‘controlled substance’. It is, without question, the most precious resource in the Universe of universes. The UB flatly contradicts much of modern philosophy and science, which probably contributes much to its slow uptake. The revelation teaches that Mind comes only from mind, energy comes only from energy, spirit from spirit, personality from personality and that in the Great Source all these phenomena are one. Life does not come from not life, mind does not emerge from not mind, energy is not created ex nihilo. So, though the argument may seem circular, life does not emerge from nothing – it emerges from something, from LIFE - it is through the auspices and agencies of Living Beings that it is established.

Having been once established those that brought it into being bear a responsibility, a divine duty, for that life. Such beings are answerable to those by whom they were entrusted to foster its potential. This inescapable duty becomes the inspirational source of the efforts to ‘save’ the wayward worlds, the divinely rooted urge to restore them to the divine family that brought them into being and to which they belong, and to re-establish them on the high and divine destiny that the Creator had ordained for them since before they were even formed.

Of all the worlds out there [and ten million spheres have been projected for habitation] few suffer the ravages of rebellion. Our world started out as a Decimal Planet, then it was cursed by the affliction of rebellion by the ‘Head of the Department’. This created considerable commotion in terms of competing regimes [loyalists and secessionists] and their conflicting agendas and goals, practically knocked our world back into the Stone Age, retarding and hampering social and cultural development. Efforts to get the world back on track were further derailed by the default of Adam and Eve, whose progeny, it was hoped, would eventually restore the world to harmony with the celestial administration and get our world back on track. These are major celestial car-crashes to try and recover from, such was the catastrophic nature of the calamities that befell us that it drew the attention of our Universe Sovereign and He courageously chose this sin stricken and wayward sphere as his home. It is certainly arguable, at least from a regime or administrative point of view, that the arrival of Jesus on this planet instituted an upheaval no less profound than either two previous defaults.

To revert to the medical device analogy, when there’s a major breach in quality all manufacturing is immediately suspended (depending on how serious the issue is) while the source of the breach is “root-caused”. During this phase the Quality Engineers endeavour to ‘scope’ out the extent of the issue. Everything is stopped. Everything is counted. Nothing moves. If deliveries leave the site they are recalled, or a detention order is issued to the receiving site. You will, no doubt, be familiar with the term Product Recall. These are issued when a breach in procedures occurs that could result in harm to consumers. It becomes, therefore, necessary to have consumers return the goods to the store and seek a refund. Until we can be certain of the extent of the issue nothing moves. These remind me of the protocols that came into play during the rebellion.

During a major event nothing comes onto the site or leaves it, and all communications are restricted and channelled through pre-approved lines. Rebellion, such as we have been subjected to, is astoundingly toxic. It represents a major breach in procedures, one that can have harmful life altering effects at best or soul destroying effects at worst. Consequently, safety protocols would necessitate the suspension of all traffic to and from the affected sites. One wonders if these protocols are what is behind the revelation that regular procedures regarding sleeping survivors were put on hold, procedures that prevented even Elijah and Moses from taking their rightful seat on the Mansion worlds – prior to the advent of Michael?

It is certainly arguable that one of the clearest pieces of evidence we have of the fact that our world has been caught in the cross-fire of a War-In-Heaven is in the astounding silence of space. We are receiving not one single signal that might indicate life on other worlds. On the surface, we appear to be alone and adrift, but those of us blessed with the gift of the revelation know that this is not true. We detect the comings and goings of high level staff who are eagerly working to bring things to a close, who are as distressed by the delays as anyone but who are bound to procedures – specifically those procedures through which the full, final, and complete redemption of the world will be effected. However, they will not yield to the temptation to deviate from the procedure -  ‘even if it takes a million years’ to wind up the consequences.

On troubled worlds such as ours conventional universe wisdom can be unavailing. Here our divine overseers must implement experimental wisdom, apply policies and procedures not tried on many worlds. Consequently, new things can be learned here that cannot be learned elsewhere and that makes our tiny little sphere especially intriguing. It is also instructive that the author of paper 35 [one of the Chiefs of Archangels, no less] points out that our administrative troubles have been so profound as to transform our universe into one vast clinic. An interesting thing about this observation is that the Archangels are one of the few beings capable of communicating from our world. They form part of the divine administration whose duty it is to save our world, to eliminate the stain of rebellion and bring us back into communion with the spheres of light.

Consequently, our experience and appreciation of God is markedly different from the majority of the worlds out there. Being born on the wrong side of the cosmic tracks, as it were, we begin our cosmic adventure at what would seem a decided disadvantage. In many ways, the children of this world are born to a spiritual warzone – facing levels of poverty, desperation, and isolation that is in marked contrast with an average world. In a sense, we are like spiritual war orphans – cut off from, and deprived of the benefits of, sound direct celestial guidance. Now we face endless explosions of crisis and competing orders and conflicting priorities coming at us from every conceivable angle, disorienting, confusing and frightening us. Injustice, deception, and tragedy seem to proliferate. The corrupt seem to have the upper hand, and there appears to be no power on earth that can prevent them from enslaving the whole world. Finding God under such circumstances is quite the challenge. Consequently, the God we know and the God we need – is markedly different from the face with which He is more generally known throughout the galaxies. And those of us who succeed in finding the Creator under such difficult circumstances are, indeed, the Children of the Lesser Known God.

When our race on this troubled little sphere is run, the children of the far spreading household of Heaven will be intrigued and fascinated by our vision of the God who sustained us throughout these struggles. When our stories of salvation are heard on high His glory will be multiplied and amplified, as the universes learn that His light shines brightest in the darkest corners.

Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."

Helping the needy cultivates gratitude, strengthens communities, and makes the world better. You can contribute through volunteering, donations, spreading awareness, supporting local initiatives, or simple acts of kindness. Let's collectively create a world where compassion drives positive change, fulfilling the teachings of love and kindness found in the Bible

https://spiritualfamily.net/permalink/default/65121/streets-to-smiles-initiative-fundraiser

"And if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."

Isaiah 58:10 encourages us to go beyond mere charity and truly invest ourselves in helping those in need. When we selflessly devote our time, energy, and resources to the hungry and oppressed, we not only illuminate their lives but also experience personal spiritual enlightenment and renewal.

https://spiritualfamily.net/permalink/default/65121/streets-to-smiles-initiative-fundraiser?uh=f05dbde180fb50e1bdacbcd0ff1aa638

Every child deserves a chance to dream, learn, and grow. Let's give them another chance.

Donate now to make a difference!
We have organised this one month fundraiser to help address some of the challenges of these innocent souls. Click on the link.

https://spiritualfamily.net/permalink/default/65121/streets-to-smiles-initiative-fundraiser?uh=f05dbde180fb50e1bdacbcd0ff1aa638

In Uganda, a growing crisis silently plagues the nation – the plight of street children. These innocent souls, who should be in the safety of homes and schools, face unimaginable challenges daily but the world seems to have forgotten or not to care about them.

As of our last available data in 2021, Uganda had an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 street children suffering on the streets of Kampala with over 50% of these children are under the age of 15. However, there are more thousands of children in the other parts of the country in the same situation.

Street children in Uganda face a daily battle for survival. They endure hunger, exposure to harsh weather, violence, and exploitation. They are vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse, often falling prey to substance abuse as a means of escape.

Your generosity can provide a lifeline for these children seemingly forgotten souls. Donations can be directed towards Shelter, Education, Healthcare and Nutrition.

Your contribution can transform the lives of Uganda's street children. Together, we can break the cycle of suffering by offering them a chance for a brighter future. Please consider making a donation today, and be the ray of hope in these children's lives.

"The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor."

Proverbs 22:9 reaffirms the idea that generosity leads to blessings. When we share our resources, particularly food, with the poor, we not only provide for their immediate needs but also invite divine blessings into our own lives.

Click to find Campaign and share link

https://spiritualfamily.net/permalink/default/65121/streets-to-smiles-initiative?uh=f05dbde180fb50e1bdacbcd0ff1aa638

Click to find Campaign and share link

Isaiah 58:10 (NIV):

"And if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."

Isaiah 58:10 encourages us to go beyond mere charity and truly invest ourselves in helping those in need. When we selflessly devote our time, energy, and resources to the hungry and oppressed, we not only illuminate their lives but also experience personal spiritual enlightenment and renewal.

Corinthians 13:4-7 (New International Version):

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres."