Norman Ingram is back with his Urantia Book table on the «anything goes» Venice Beach boardwalk in Los Angeles, California, joyfully introducing the revelation to people from all over the world. Fellow readers were recently within that throng, a small part of an every week-end mass gathering, so diverse that could be likened to the Capernaum crossroads of Jesus’ time.

What an opportunity to talk to myriads of people from all over the planet about the Urantia Book!   Besides international visitors, there are New Age aficionados, L.A. locals, Christian fundamentalists, henna tattoo artists, Rastafarians, Hare Krishna’s, Jewish observants on their way to the Jewish Center, skaters, bladers, surfers, rappers, conservative businessmen, tourists, musicians, artists, store owners, free speech activists, lawyers, athletes, and every other type of person you can think of–all this amidst the many stores and vendors spread along the walkway in front of the sand and sea. .

At the Venice booth one can encounter truth seekers who are sincere in their efforts to make some sense of this world, as well as religious fundamentalists trying to save our souls. To sit quietly at the booth, shining forth the Father’s love, being available to anyone who wants to talk about Urantia Book concepts, or philosophy, religion and spirituality in general, is an act of service that is both enjoyable and productive. It is fruitful not only for those being introduced to the revelation, but also for the volunteers who tend the booth.  The experience gives us a chance to try to put into words and actions the teachings we’ve gleaned from the book.

One woman had the book but didn’t know where to attend a study group–and she was from Chicago! We gave her the phone number for the study group closest to her, which was 533 Diversey Parkway-Urantia Foundation headquarters!  Will they ever be surprised to learn where she heard about their group!

The UBLA Society is sponsoring the Venice Beach booth, which is up every Sunday from 9am to 6pm, right where So, on Rose Ave., meets the boardwalk. We are always looking for volunteers to help out.  Even if it is for just a few hours once a month, this service opportunity is rich with insights into life. All are to invited to visit or drop by. Just to be safe, email Norman at norlastar@aol.com  Cell: 562 822 8316; Tel: 552 698 2122 first, to make sure we’ll be there on the day you plan to come. If you are an artist or have a secondary work based on the UB, you are welcome to set up right alongside us to showcase your wares. This is one of the most dynamic and interesting UB outreach posts on the planet.  If you like the sun, the beach and people of all types, plus 10,000 to 12,000 folks passing by each week-end, come on down!

Got extra books?  Poor students, the homeless, and the financially handicapped often show interest in the book, but can’t afford the cost of a new edition.  If UB readers have extra’s (old) UB’s lying around, contact Norman Ingram.  Your unused books can do some real outreach.  After all, we never know who will be drawn to the booth.  Think of the joy in learning (some day) that your book donation was utilized by the angels

By the time of Michael’s final review of the Urantian situation, just before embarking on the bestowal, the Mithras cult had developed its own, unique character and was spreading rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. Mithraism had, in fact, become the dominant, though unofficial, religion of the Empire.

In his pre-bestowal planning, did Michael choose to identify his mission as Jesus with elements of the Mithraic story? What is the significance of Jesus’ question recorded in Matthew 16:15?

What if a new reader in your Urantia Book study group declared, «I just don’t get Jesus»?  In this case, the reader knew some of Part IV, but was confused about Jesus’ over-all context.   Some of us when hearing this might pause to consider the easiest way to explain the purpose and origin of our majestic Sovereign, and why he means so much to this planet and universe.

When Kathy Hughes heard this comment at her Heart of America Society study group, it struck a chord in her, and lingered.  Before long, Kathy found herself deep in study, tracing the details of Michael’s pre-Sovereign history, going back to his beginnings on Paradise.  The revelation, of course, weaves in periodic glimpses of Michael’s early experiences.  Kathy’s goal was to tell that story in a linear progression, including the essential presence of the Complemental Daughter.

As happens so often with service impulses, Kathy soon experienced her task as a blessing.  At subsequent study groups, while she continued to research, she often expressed delight in her on-going discoveries–such that many of us (including yours truly) could hardly wait for her to finish!

The night Kathy presented Michael’s early history, the entire group was intensely engaged, despite the group’s varied levels of book comprehension.  Personally, I’d grown up feeling close to Jesus, and later easily connected to Michael.  Even so, my inner picture of Michael expanded astonishingly that night, something I’d not quite anticipated.  Under Kathy’s step by step direction, I absorbed some of the incomprehensible depth of Michael’s earned competence, including the stunning enormity of its scope, and the mind-boggling eons of time invested in his training.  Before the meeting, I had general head knowledge of Michael’s early stages. That night, however, as I contemplated it in detail, my heart rose into my expanding awareness, evoking splendid, heartfelt worship.

We know that Michael was created in perfection.  Yet, he worked tremendously hard (and long) so he could likewise rule with perfection, even while offering his sublime companionship to each and every creature who desires it.  As such, he’s the most exquisite brother/father/friend who exists in Orvonton.  (Likewise for Mother Spirit!)  Kathy insightfully noted that our Universe Sovereign did as much (or more) work to earn the right to serve us in his universe, as we ourselves will do in our extended evolutionary process to equip us for eternal service. Perhaps, she said with a smile, such awareness could help counter the predictable human tendency to whine (!).

Looking ahead, Kathy plans to share her presentation of Michael’s early life with others.  The first study group on her list is the Heart of America group which meets at the Independence Library, led by Ken Raveill.  Later, she’ll do a presentation to a Heart of America study group in Kansas City, led by Barbara Heckathorn (a reader who also offers introductory Urantia Book classes as part of a community education effort called «Communiversity»).