Changes

You are impressed with your spiritual [[transformation]] and you have had a somewhat similar [[epiphany]] of the presence of [[Jesus]], [[Christ Michael]], as occurred to me when the graciousness of our Lord broke through my stubborn and [[proud]] [[hatred]]. I am not saying that you were proud and [[hateful]] so that the [[parallel]] is not perfect. But you have received a truly convincing meeting between [[your soul]] and [[Christ Michael]], as I did in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_to_damascus#The_conversion_in_Acts_of_the_Apostles blinding light of his merciful intervention].

You are impressed with your spiritual [[transformation]] and you have had a somewhat similar [[epiphany]] of the presence of [[Jesus]], [[Christ Michael]], as occurred to me when the graciousness of our Lord broke through my stubborn and [[proud]] [[hatred]]. I am not saying that you were proud and [[hateful]] so that the [[parallel]] is not perfect. But you have received a truly convincing meeting between [[your soul]] and [[Christ Michael]], as I did in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_to_damascus#The_conversion_in_Acts_of_the_Apostles blinding light of his merciful intervention].

I [[regret]] that my letters have been canonized and turned into inviolate scripture. I was of a strong opinion, of course, but I have learned much since my departure from this planet. If I could, I would rewrite some of those letters with new information. That will not be granted me; but I have been given permission to address you this evening so that you know that when you think about me and you notice my faults, remember I still am alive. I truly wait to greet you as morontia citizens when our hour will come.

I [[regret]] that my letters have been [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonization canonized] and turned into inviolate [[scripture]]. I was of a strong [[opinion]], of course, but I have learned much since my departure from [[this planet]]. If I could, I would rewrite some of those letters with new [[information]]. That will not be granted me; but I have been given permission to address you this evening so that you know that when you [[think]] about me and you notice my faults, remember I still am alive. I truly wait to greet you as [[morontia]] [[citizens]] when our hour will come.

Your were discussing the pride which covers the insecurity of the unforgiven heart. You were discussing how it was for me before I met the Lord on that road to Damascus! [Editor's note: During the break we had not discussed Paul at all, just people in general. But he thinks it applies to him.] Yes, there are some among you who cover their insecurities with protest, who are afraid of love for fear that it will be temporary and leave them stranded when it is withdrawn. Real love can never be withdrawn! True love can never strand anyone. Yes, indeed, love is the greatest thing, for love is the cement that holds together the structure of the universe.

Your were [[discussing]] the [[pride]] which covers the insecurity of the unforgiven [[heart]]. You were discussing how it was for me before I met the Lord on that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_to_damascus#The_conversion_in_Acts_of_the_Apostles road to Damascus]! [Editor's note: During the break we had not discussed Paul at all, just people in general. But he thinks it applies to him.] Yes, there are some among you who cover their insecurities with [[protest]], who are [[afraid]] of [[love]] for fear that it will be temporary and leave them stranded when it is withdrawn. Real love can never be withdrawn! True love can never strand anyone. Yes, indeed, love is the greatest thing, for love is the cement that holds together the [[structure]] of [[the universe]].

While I do not need your forgiveness for my errors as a mortal, I would, nevertheless, appreciate your mercy. Now, you know more, far more, than I did in terms of your environment and the wealth of information that you are privy to. But all people, while unequal in environment or in the times of history that they live, all people are identical in the gift that indwells them, so that while your mortality is unequal, your spiritual heritage is the same. God is able to use the weak to confound the wise. He is able to take the small and bring down the large. He is infinite and He does all things well. Have living faith, my dear friends. Throw away your doubts. Let your hearts be comfortable and relaxed in the sure knowledge of the overcare of our loving Father.

While I do not need your [[forgiveness]] for my [[errors]] as a mortal, I would, nevertheless, [[appreciate]] your [[mercy]]. Now, you know more, far more, than I did in terms of your environment and the [[wealth]] of [[information]] that you are privy to. But all people, while unequal in environment or in the times of [[history]] that they live, all people are [[identical]] in the gift that indwells them, so that while your mortality is unequal, your spiritual heritage is the same. God is able to use the [[weak]] to confound the [[wise]]. He is able to take the small and bring down the large. He is [[infinite]] and He does all things well. Have living [[faith]], my dear friends. Throw away your [[doubts]]. Let your [[hearts]] be comfortable and [[relaxed]] in the sure knowledge of the [[overcare]] of our loving Father.

I did not know Jesus as he went about his mission, therefore, I was not an apostle according to the ordinary meaning of the word. My knowledge of Jesus was the risen Christ who addressed me on that road and who talked to me frequently thereafter. There were experiences that I had that are not recorded in your writings. I had few that I could share them with, for they had not had the same experiences. I was granted a vision of the future and today I have also been granted a contact with the future from my mortal time perspective, contact with you.

I did not know [[Jesus]] as he went about his mission, therefore, I was not an [[apostle]] according to the ordinary [[meaning]] of the word. My knowledge of Jesus was the risen Christ who addressed me on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_to_damascus#The_conversion_in_Acts_of_the_Apostles that road] and who talked to me frequently thereafter. There were [[experiences]] that I had that are not recorded in your [[writings]]. I had few that I could [[share]] them with, for they had not had the same experiences. I was granted a [[vision]] of the [[future]] and today I have also been granted a contact with the future from my mortal time [[perspective]], contact with you.

As I live on in the mercy of our Lord and in the joy of the life to come, so will you. Cherish your friendships, for they are permanent! This playground here on Urantia is just that, your first playground. Much, much greater are the playgrounds of the seven heavens. You will see and you will know.

As I live on in the [[mercy]] of our Lord and in the [[joy]] of the life to come, so will you. Cherish your [[friendships]], for they are permanent! This playground here on [[Urantia]] is just that, your first playground. Much, much greater are the playgrounds of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Heavens seven heavens]. You will see and you will know.

All that was given to me in the flesh to know was fulfilled. I was never led astray by my spiritual mentors. Only my own thinking could lead me astray, even as only your own thinking can lead you astray. So, think on the highest things. Be done with lesser concerns. To live is Christ and to die is gain. I said these words, and they are true.

All that was given to me in the flesh to know was fulfilled. I was never led astray by my [[spiritual]] [[mentors]]. Only my own [[thinking]] could lead me astray, even as only your own thinking can lead you astray. So, think on the highest things. Be done with lesser concerns. To live is Christ and to die is gain. I said these words, and they are true.

To the women in this group, I wish to express my regret that I was unfair to your gender as a man. It was partly culture and it was, also, a lack of a full understanding of Jesus' attitude toward his sisters. But I also chose to retain that male chauvinism of the Pharisees, even though our Lord worked hard with me. I know better now, and if I could live among you now, I would be different in that regard. So I ask you to accept this apology, if you will.

To the [[women]] in this group, I wish to [[express]] my [[regret]] that I was unfair to your [[gender]] as a man. It was partly [[culture]] and it was, also, a lack of a full [[understanding]] of [[Jesus]]' [[attitude]] toward his sisters. But I also chose to retain that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_chauvinism male chauvinism] of the [[Pharisees]], even though our Lord worked hard with me. I know better now, and if I could live among you now, I would be [[different]] in that regard. So I ask you to [[accept]] this [[apology]], if you will.

===Closing===

===Closing===

There are great times ahead for you, my friends, both in this life and the next. Don't become discouraged. Don't give in to the animal nature. Let the Spirit bring you ever alive in the Lord. Thank you for listening. I am Paul. Good evening.

There are great times ahead for you, my [[friends]], both in this life and the next. Don't become [[discouraged]]. Don't give in to the [[animal nature]]. Let the Spirit bring you ever alive in the Lord. Thank you for [[listening]]. I am Paul. Good evening.

Group: (blown away) Good evening!

Group: (blown away) Good evening!

[[Category: Paul, the Apostle]]

[[Category: Paul, the Apostle]]

[[Category: Bill K.]]

[[Category: Bill K.]]

[[Category: Mercy]]

[[Category: Mercy]]

[[Category: 2001]]

[[Category: 2001]]