President’s Report – Winter 2026
I stumbled upon ‘Superman’ starring Christopher Reeve a while back while searching something online …as you do!… Remember how he had an accident and was bound to a wheelchair and lots of outside assistance for many years. Quite an inspiring story the way he picked up his life and found meaning in unexpected places.
This is what he said:
“Spirituality is found in the way we live our daily lives. It means spending time thinking about others. It’s not so hard to imagine that there is some kind of higher power. We don’t have to know what form it takes or exactly where it exists; just to honor it and try to live by it is enough. … As these thoughts unfolded in the process of learning to live my new life, I had no idea that I was becoming a Unitarian.”
Here’s a definition of Unitarian from Wikipedia:
Unitarian Universalism (UUism or UU) is a liberal religious tradition characterized by its commitment to theological diversity, inclusivity, and social justice. Unitarian Universalists do not adhere to a single creed or doctrine. Instead, they are unified by shared covenants across congregations based on foundational values and principles centred on love and pluralistic worship.
Modern Unitarian Universalists may view Jesus more broadly as a profound spiritual teacher or a model for social justice rather than a literal son of God. (from Wikipedia)
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it even if their view of Jesus has not become a personal relationship – yet. This might take a personal revelation of some kind for those open to receive it. In any case the Spirit of Truth is mightily at work don’t you think?
Even though the Paradise Father functions through his divine creators and his creature children, he also enjoys the most intimate inner contact with you, so sublime, so highly personal… 12:7.13 (139.2) (my emphasis)
There are so many ways individuals go through trials in their lives, no matter which race or belief system they belong to, making decisions and choices according to their circumstances, struggling for a better outcome. It must be fascinating to our unseen helpers, and to the Master himself, to observe the various intents and motivations all Urantia mortals have to come to terms with in order to direct this urge to ‘grow up’ and overcome great difficulties.
Luckily, none of us are in a position to judge the many coloured/flavoured views and actions of our earthly siblings. By understanding our diversity and how the heavenly Father planned it as such, we can only try each day to become more accepting of others and their views, extend a smile and some kindness, a generous helping hand in the knowledge that the ‘LOVE thing’ is the most powerful force in the universe.
From the ‘Lessons from the cross’ we learn that LOVE is the foremost dynamic ‘driver’ in God’s attitude towards his creation.:
The triumph of the death on the cross is all summed up in the spirit of Jesus’ attitude toward those who assailed him. He made the cross an eternal symbol of the triumph of love over hate and the victory of truth over evil when he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 188:5.6 (2018.5) (emphasis added)
(2019.4) 188:5.11 Make sure, then, that when you view the cross as a revelation of God, … make sure that you see in the cross the final manifestation of the love and devotion of Jesus to his life mission of bestowal upon the mortal races of his vast universe. See in the death of the Son of Man the climax of the unfolding of the Father’s divine love for his sons of the mortal spheres. The cross thus portrays the devotion of willing affection and the bestowal of voluntary salvation upon those who are willing to receive such gifts and devotion. There was nothing in the cross which the Father required — only that which Jesus so willingly gave, and which he refused to avoid. 188:5.11 (2019.4) (emphasis added)
What I am trying to say here is that although it is extremely hard to love many of those ‘troublesome mortals’ who seem to inhabit this great blue sphere – which the images of Artemis’s Astronauts so recently showed us again – the final destination of us all is in the hands of the creators.
It remains for us to find ways to translate what we learn from studying The Urantia Book, and the Master’s example of a spectacular life, into practical responses to whoever we might come across in our daily lives, believers or heathens! Again, practise makes perfect!
And just to wind up with another Christopher – remember another ‘Strongman’ besides Superman – St. Christoper, patron saint of the travellers. An old catholic legend tells us how he carried the Christ-child across a river and wondered why he was so heavy – just as if he carried the whole world on his shoulders.
Isn’t it a good thing for those who can find inspiration in all sorts of places? ☺
In this issue of the Arena you will find more of such inspirational material. Graeme from Brisbane puts to paper what he conveyed to us at last year’s conference in Ormiston, Qld. Both Phillip and Rex shared their thoughts about the theme of the love of God in different ways, and our dear friends from ‘across the ditch’ in New Zealand let us know what they are up to. Finally, an article from Gabriel Rymberg, Israel, which is from a presentation he gave at the Scientific Symposium at Urantia Foundation in Chicago last November. He grabs our attention by explaining how AI can actually enhance our understanding of Urantia Book concepts and questions we might have provided we know how to formulate our queries clearly and succinctly. Then an announcement of the theme and general information about our next conference in late October in South Australia is provided. We’re hoping you can make your decision to attend soon because as it’s time to look around for flights and travel arrangements!
