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You have heard it said, "familiarity breeds [[contempt]]" and yet here we are [[encouraging]] you to become conversationalists of an ilk you are unfamiliar with. You presume, perhaps, that we would have you give your deep dark [[secrets]] to each other in this structured [[communication]]. No, we are not asking you to divulge the [[skeletons]] in your family closet. Familiarity is a crude second place to what we are fostering, which is [[intimacy]].

You have heard it said, "familiarity breeds [[contempt]]" and yet here we are [[encouraging]] you to become conversationalists of an ilk you are unfamiliar with. You presume, perhaps, that we would have you give your deep dark [[secrets]] to each other in this structured [[communication]]. No, we are not asking you to divulge the [[skeletons]] in your family closet. Familiarity is a crude second place to what we are fostering, which is [[intimacy]].

There are those of you who misconstrue my use of the word intimacy to be related to [[intercourse]] of a different ilk also than I intend to convey. This [[social]] intercourse, the art of [[communication]], is based upon your sonship/daughtership. That you are each indwelt by [[The Father]], that you recognize that you are brothers and sisters in the [[spirit]], affords you an understanding of that comforting [[presence]] of [[The Father within]] that would allow for [[intimacy]] of [[expression]] without lapsing into [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familiarity#Intimacy familiarity].

There are those of you who misconstrue my use of the word intimacy to be related to [[intercourse]] of a different ilk also than I intend to convey. This [[social]] intercourse, the art of [[communication]], is based upon your sonship/daughtership. That you are each indwelt by [[The Father]], that you recognize that you are brothers and sisters in the [[spirit]], affords you an understanding of that comforting [[presence]] of [[The Father within]] that would allow for [[intimacy]] of [[expression]] without lapsing into [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familiarity#Intimacy familiarity].

"Familiarity breeds [[contempt]]." It is like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibling_rivalry sibling rivalry] -- and there are always [[opportunities]] for you to lapse into sibling rivalries, even among yourselves -- but if you have practiced communicating intimately, as a [[dignified]] son and daughter of the [[Most High]]s, as a well-rounded, well-balanced [[personality]], you refrain from the smallness [[inherent]] in familiarity. Your level of communication has been elevated to a new [[plateau]]. It affords The Father [[opportunity]] to include Himself in your [[rapport]].

"Familiarity breeds [[contempt]]." It is like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibling_rivalry sibling rivalry] -- and there are always [[opportunities]] for you to lapse into sibling rivalries, even among yourselves -- but if you have practiced communicating intimately, as a [[dignified]] son and daughter of the [[Most High]]s, as a well-rounded, well-balanced [[personality]], you refrain from the smallness [[inherent]] in familiarity. Your level of communication has been elevated to a new [[plateau]]. It affords The Father [[opportunity]] to include Himself in your [[rapport]].

For instance, in a [[marriage]], many of you have seen or known couples -- perhaps you are party to one -- where the [[husband]] and [[wife]] have known each other for so long, part of their [[communication]] is this [[affectionate]] bickering that goes on between them, and that they are [[comfortable]] with, but that is irksome to [[strangers]], although it is understood by strangers, for they themselves are [[guilty]] of that [[practice]].

For instance, in a [[marriage]], many of you have seen or known couples -- perhaps you are party to one -- where the [[husband]] and [[wife]] have known each other for so long, part of their [[communication]] is this [[affectionate]] bickering that goes on between them, and that they are [[comfortable]] with, but that is irksome to [[strangers]], although it is understood by strangers, for they themselves are [[guilty]] of that [[practice]].

And when we hear you [[sharing]] as you shared this evening -- [[quietly]], calmly, sincerely -- we hear you speak intimately, for you are aware that [[The Father]] is hearing you; indeed, it is possible that The Father may be speaking through you, and so we pay closer [[attention]]. We [[honor]] your words, for you are His child.

And when we hear you [[sharing]] as you shared this evening -- [[quietly]], calmly, sincerely -- we hear you speak intimately, for you are aware that [[The Father]] is hearing you; indeed, it is possible that The Father may be speaking through you, and so we pay closer [[attention]]. We [[honor]] your words, for you are His child.

It puts it in a different light than the familiarity of your [[culture]] and your [[society]] - which is not to be disdained! [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familiarity#Intimacy Familiarity] is indeed a viable [[method]] of [[communication]] -- but we have been working on this new [[understanding]] of [[sharing]] amongst each other. In that [[intimacy]] you may promote an aspect of [[association]] that is rich in [[ethics]] and [[humor]] and [[affection]].

It puts it in a different light than the familiarity of your [[culture]] and your [[society]] - which is not to be disdained! [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familiarity#Intimacy Familiarity] is indeed a viable [[method]] of [[communication]] -- but we have been working on this new [[understanding]] of [[sharing]] amongst each other. In that [[intimacy]] you may promote an aspect of [[association]] that is rich in [[ethics]] and [[humor]] and [[affection]].

There were other things I had [[hoped]] to discuss this evening, and Merium, of course, is [[eager]] also to spend some time with you. Your evening, once again, has already been full. I, however, will [[persevere]], since we are all together. One moment.

There were other things I had [[hoped]] to discuss this evening, and Merium, of course, is [[eager]] also to spend some time with you. Your evening, once again, has already been full. I, however, will [[persevere]], since we are all together. One moment.

It [[encourages]] us when we acknowledge the [[assistance]] of our teachers. It [[encourages]] us to not [[rationalize]] and justify our [[behaviors]] and our [[errors]], but to say, "I have erred. I should have done it this way, and next time I will! I see now how I was [[thinking]], but I can see clearly now ... the rain has gone. There are no [[obstacles]] in the way." Yes, it is a [[song]]. It is a song to learn.

It [[encourages]] us when we acknowledge the [[assistance]] of our teachers. It [[encourages]] us to not [[rationalize]] and justify our [[behaviors]] and our [[errors]], but to say, "I have erred. I should have done it this way, and next time I will! I see now how I was [[thinking]], but I can see clearly now ... the rain has gone. There are no [[obstacles]] in the way." Yes, it is a [[song]]. It is a song to learn.

We had a [[wonderful]] song on Tuesday when we met in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler,_Pennsylvania Butler]. It has been an inactive assemblage there, but it is [[summer]], you see, and we do appreciate the [[steadfastness]] of you here in this anchor, that you so well [[adapt]] yourselves to accommodate the comings and goings of each other in order to [[maintain]] the singular [[solidarity]] of this [[teacher base]], this [[devotion]] to [[The Father]] and to His work and His world. We thank you, our teachers, for you teach us also.

We had a [[wonderful]] song on Tuesday when we met in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler,_Pennsylvania Butler]. It has been an inactive assemblage there, but it is [[summer]], you see, and we do appreciate the [[steadfastness]] of you here in this anchor, that you so well [[adapt]] yourselves to accommodate the comings and goings of each other in order to [[maintain]] the singular [[solidarity]] of this [[teacher base]], this [[devotion]] to [[The Father]] and to His work and His world. We thank you, our teachers, for you teach us also.

I have played my part for the evening. I embrace you, my little birds.

I have played my part for the evening. I embrace you, my little birds.

TOMAS: I am so [[eager]] to hear it! May I hear it?

TOMAS: I am so [[eager]] to hear it! May I hear it?

Elizabeth: We have never really bumped into this [[character]] that is referred to as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archangel_Michael archangel of Michael], and we didn't know that he had an [[archangel]]. What does that actually mean, from the reading tonight, "Michael's [[archangel]]"? Is it just one of his many archangels that follow him? Or is it a special archangel that Michael has attending him?

Elizabeth: We have never really bumped into this [[character]] that is referred to as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archangel_Michael archangel of Michael], and we didn't know that he had an [[archangel]]. What does that actually mean, from the reading tonight, "Michael's [[archangel]]"? Is it just one of his many archangels that follow him? Or is it a special archangel that Michael has attending him?

Hester: It was singular.  

Hester: It was singular.  

Group: ([[Laughing]]) Thank you, Merium.

Group: ([[Laughing]]) Thank you, Merium.

Leah: Tomas or Merium, either of you, would you help us to see who [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jude_the_Apostle Thaddeus] was at the [[Last Supper]]? There's a statement in [[The Book]] where Jesus takes the cup from Thaddeus.

Leah: Tomas or Merium, either of you, would you help us to see who [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jude_the_Apostle Thaddeus] was at the [[Last Supper]]? There's a statement in [[The Book]] where Jesus takes the cup from Thaddeus.

TOMAS: I am well aware of the inquest. Gerdean has enjoyed chewing on this gristle and I am not going to deprive her of the [[challenge]] of continuing her [[research]], and I hope you are not [[disappointed]]. I am going to follow up, however, and say that I admire Gerdean's [[tenacity]], for it is understood that it is in many cases entirely too easy to ask a teacher to answer the question, and it then relieves you of the challenge and the sense of accomplishment at finding it out by your own devices. I like that in a [[student]]. I hope you don't think that's a cop out, but I'm not going to tell you who [[139:9|Thaddeus]] was, although it is a good [[question]].

TOMAS: I am well aware of the inquest. Gerdean has enjoyed chewing on this gristle and I am not going to deprive her of the [[challenge]] of continuing her [[research]], and I hope you are not [[disappointed]]. I am going to follow up, however, and say that I admire Gerdean's [[tenacity]], for it is understood that it is in many cases entirely too easy to ask a teacher to answer the question, and it then relieves you of the challenge and the sense of accomplishment at finding it out by your own devices. I like that in a [[student]]. I hope you don't think that's a cop out, but I'm not going to tell you who [[139:9|Thaddeus]] was, although it is a good [[question]].