By the time the next meeting occurred, one week later, Teri has read the entire book of Matthew.  Of course she barely understood anything, ‘but at least I read it,’ Teri comforts herself by saying this.  Teri has been dedicating two to three hours worth of  reading the book of Matthew every day and during the weekend, she is able to really read through the various chapters.  Since she has been listening to the bible on her portable tape player, it has made it easier for her to understand a couple of key chapters. 

At times Teri will read a verse several times, hoping to get a better understanding.  Despite her best efforts often times no matter how many times she reads it, she still fails to fully comprehend what is being said.  Although she still can not stand up when asked if she has read all four gospels, but at least now she can stand if asked if she has read one.  Teri is so happy that she is going to hear the second foundational meeting that she nearly gets a ticket, trying to speed to the church. 

Sister Kelly lifts her head.  “There are so many wonderful hidden treasures within the word.  So many people go outside of it to find interesting twists and turns, but if you really read it and let the Holy Spirit shine a special light on it.  Oh the wonderful things you will find, encounter, do, know, feel, say and fall in love with, it is beyond amazing. 

The Holy Spirit is so important.  Although the Holy Spirit has many functions, one that is over looked is the fact that He, is like the specific camera movements that you see in movies, which magnifies and reveals special and hidden things.  If you like to feel special the Holy Spirit is definitely what you need.  The Holy Spirit will guide and lead you.  You are able to make better decisions when you have that extra knowledge like a special decoder badge or 3-D glasses or hearing a whisper or seeing something behind close doors, or any specific person, scene or thing that connects the various pieces. 

This is why you need to have the Holy Spirit, to help lead, teach and guide you on your paths.”  Sister Kelly smiles as she is looking at all of the attentive faces.  “I normally do not do this, but I can tell that everyone here is now reading the bible.  So I will ask my question again.  Has anyone here read the four gospels?”  No one stands, Sister Kelly then asks has anyone read any of the four gospels all the way through?”  Everyone stands. 

Sister Kelly applauds as she looks at their beaming faces.  “Please clap and cheer for yourself and your fellow sisters.  I know you want to.  Immediately everyone begins to cheer.  Everyone is excited to be able to joyously applaud their hard work and dedication.  When everyone finally sits down feeling a great accomplishment, Sister Kelly applauds their efforts once again.  Sister Kelly’s grin is so wide and full of approval. 

One lady pulled out a tissue to wipe a tear away, because she had just finished reading, about five minutes before Sister Kelly started.  She was having a hard week last week, but she was able to get to the church early and was able to finish.  The tears seeped out, because she knew that would not have been able to stand despite her best efforts, and that would have really hurt her feelings.  Therefore, although a few tears fell, there was a huge smile across her face as she whispered “Thank you God!” to herself as she laughed at her feeling of accomplishment.

Sister Kelly puts her hand over her wide grin then motions a praise to God.  “Now I will not do this anymore, I just had to because your hopes that I would ask the question again was written all over everyone faces.”  Again there were cheers and a couple of enthusiastic ‘Thank you’s!’  Sister Kelly nods and continues, “I normally would continue on the three points but first I need you all to know the importance of the Holy Spirit.  Now that you are all concentrating on getting to know mans history with God, I am sure that you are probably confused about a lot!  That is why I am mentioning the Holy Spirit.  He can help teach, lead and guide you so that you can comprehend and know.  And more importantly, He will show you what you need when you need it.”  Sister Kelly smile weakens as she continues.

“It is sad that people have used so many other things to get that special feeling that only the Holy Spirit can provide.”  She turns and sits down on a stool that is in the middle front of the room.  “So many people use drugs especially weed, or X to get that feeling like they are seeing ordinary things in a very special light.  I have spoken with so many people who party, club, have intercourse, drink and so much more, all in hopes of getting that feeling.  Wanting and sometimes needing and craving that special feeling or high.  That is why so many people are hooked on drugs, because that special feeling is so great. 

What they do not know is that it is a pathetic substitute to the Holy Spirit.  The delusional feeling of awareness fades as the drug passes through the body, but when the Holy Spirit takes hold, it does not come out of your rear end.  Instead it abides within you showing you hidden and secret things. It is given to you to help you know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.  Allowing you to understand things made new.  Jesus spoke in parables so that things would not be completely understood.  That is the job of the Holy Spirit, to help open your eyes, ears and all of the rest of your senses—naturally and spiritually so that you do know and understand. 

So the insightful knowledge and comprehension that you receive is so powerful and strong, it lifts you up naturally, spiritually, emotionally but most importantly it stays on strong and does not fade away if you release yourself into it.  So many people are willing to loose themselves to chemical enhancements or plants, in order to achieve that special feeling, which fades and becomes harder and harder to achieve.  That is why people who do one drug more times than not end up using others because they are not able to achieve the same feeling without a higher dose. 

This spiritual high is only a very small aspect of the Holy Spirit.  Imagine what else can be achieved if people would allow themselves to fully loose themselves in the Holy Spirit.  Instead of people waking up from getting intoxicated or drunk and saying ‘I got so wasted I barely remember the night before.’  Then when they do remember there comes a time when they are embarrassed or something bad happens because someone has been drinking or getting high.  If it is inevitable that losing yourself in things like drugs and alcohol can cause fatal accidents and tragedies, why do so many people do it? 

Because that special, heightened feeling, magnified surge of power feels so good that people are willing to take the risk.  Even though they know that eventually something could happen that is not worth it to them, usually it takes time before it happens and by that time they are way too addicted.  Now lets just see how this whole lose yourself and control feeling works when you choose to do this with the Holy Spirit.  John the Baptist was born with the Holy Spirit and he was so powerful….”  Sister Kelly’s face is full of respect as she closes her eyes and lets out a long sigh.

  “Speaking about John the Baptist is a lesson in itself, so for the sake of staying on the point I will just say that he was so powerful that he had his own disciples.  I have to at least make this point about John the Baptist.  Lets say that I worked for an important car, fashion designer or shoe company, and I told you for years that the company is making a 25^th anniversary special edition item.  By the time the 25^th anniversary comes up, and you have the money to buy the item, would you even consider buying any of last years items, with this rare item on the market for such a limited time.  No!  You would buy, what I’ve been telling you about for years. 

The fact that John the Baptist was preaching about the one to come after him who is mightier than him and then professed Jesus as that man, yet he still had disciples after Jesus came and left is amazing.  Why would his disciples stay with him and not immediately follow Jesus.  Just like you buying last years trend, which costs the same, over the limited 25^th anniversary item.  John the Baptist was an amazing man. 

One of Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus to teach them like John the Baptist taught his disciples.  John the Baptist is known by kings.  The king that he spoke out against feared him and John the Baptist was talking about him, his brother and his wife.  All of the religious leaders, were careful what they said about John the Baptist in front of others because they were scared they would be stoned if they said anything bad about him.  Needless to say, John the Baptist was a powerful man and he was indeed under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Now lets talk about the one of the most vocal disciples, Peter.  When he was under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the same day that he received the Holy Spirit he with the other apostles brought in around 3,000 new people to Jesus.  He healed a lame man.  Spoke with boldness to the rulers of the people, and elders of Israel.  When a man and woman tried to negatively test the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke a word and they both died instantly.  He raised the dead and the list could go on and on.  While he was asleep in jail, he was awaken by an angel under the influence of the Holy Spirit. 

Under the influence of other substances, most people wake up nauseated, feeling lousy or embarrassed and even in a persons bed, that they quickly wished they had never gotten into.   Under the Holy Spirit you can wake up to angels.  So I urge you to continue to read the four gospels, as you develop your foundational knowledge.  Also I encourage you to learn more about the Holy Spirit.  You will really be able to rise high, if you will allow yourself to be taken away by this Holy Spirit instead of those false spirits who pretend to be Him.  Don’t let those things disguised as the Holy Spirit fool you into a massacred dilemma which will never fulfill you.”  Sister Kelly surveys the room, reading everyone’s expressions to make sure they understand her correctly.

  “As I said earlier, I will invite Bro. Sturdivant to speak about the Holy Spirit, after we have finished our foundational meetings.  Normally he speaks with the men, but from what I have been hearing lately, some of you women are as wild and bad as the men.”  A couple ladies grin, knowing she is talking about them.  He has a real knack for speaking about the troubles that are occurring today and showing solutions that the Holy Spirit has revealed to him.  I know for God there is really nothing knew under the son, but I am not God, therefore some of these things you young ladies are getting, and allowing yourself to get into seem very new and extremely strange to me.”

Sister Kelly stands at the board and begins writing.  Everyone takes out their notebooks and begins to write down what is being written.  When she finishes Sister Kelly turns around and states, “Again this is the groundwork of being a believer.  First you must have a personal relationship with God.  Second, everyday, every hour, every minute, every moment you must believe.  Third is personal and is between you and God.  Since we have already established your lack of relationship with God, I will leave that as your first homework assignment.  I want you to think through how you will develop a real relationship with the Lord and how you will make it more personal.” 

Noticing some of their confused faces, Sister Kelly adds, “The best way for you to get a personal relationship is obviously commitment, interest, communication and interaction.  If you are stuck and you feel overwhelmed, think about the best relationship you may have and think through what you did to establish it or what the other person has done.  If you can not think of a good relationship, think about what you want in a relationship and then do that.  If you always wanted someone just to talk to, then talk to God and don’t stop, talking to Him about everything.  Don’t worry, because during our next meeting we will discuss relationships.  Since relationships can be very toxic, I will take a massive amount of time breaking everything down. 

That being said, we will discuss the second stages until we run out of time--the second of course is being a believing believer.  My overall comment is that you need to do whatever it takes for you to truly become a believer.  And let me just say, as you work on believing, do not ever get caught up on debating your beliefs.  Don’t all yourself to get caught in that vicious circle.  You must believe and live like it. 

In today’s world there are so many theories, hypothesis, strange happenings or logical thoughts; none of these matter only that you stay focused in on believing in God.  The more you allow the various things in, taking the time to follow religious fades or trends, the more corrupt you can become.  You do not need to hide yourself away so that you are oblivious, but when you follow these things even just out of curiosity, you are wasting time.  Your time, as everyone knows, is limited.  Therefore, do not waste it on foolishness! 

As soon as you come to be, you are automatically Gods baby.  When you accept God you become a babe in the lord.  Too many times, people accept God, but live like there is no God.  Many times this is because they are babes, they are not rooted in God, and do not know how to display their full glory in the lord.  You do not want to stay babes in the lord.  You must grow and act like it.  We are Gods children, His divine seeds, therefore, we should be powerfully strong and steadfast.  We are no longer under the law but under Jesus, making us even greater since we are able to accomplish great things without the pressure of the law weighing us down.

I personally focus on Mark 16:15-20.  My concentration is in the proof.  This is because I was a judge for many years.  In times past, I would debate with another person regarding my beliefs and theirs.  Not until I learned to be a believer did I grasp the concept that I am discussing with you.  Like so many others I would be drawn to outrageous theories and I could not help but to follow so many of the different stories out there.  They are so interesting and sometimes well thought out.  I would listen and poke holes in the theories and different documentaries. 

It made me feel good to know that nothing was able to rock my faith, and I felt I was helping God.  It was like a test of my religion.  If I can poke holes in whatever is being said then that meant my faith is truth and I was correct to follow it.  Now I realize that the time I spent doing these things, I could have been using praising, loving and building on my relationship with Jesus!  Although what I was doing is not necessarily bad, my priorities were not correct, or fruitful.  Instead of getting offended or checking my religious foundations with every new theory, I am now building and producing fruit on my solid foundation. 

Now that I focus on the signs of a believer, I am keeping my priorities beneficial to myself and others.  Therefore, I have built on my relationship with Jesus and I truly believe.  My third step which is personal is the fact that I deal in undeniable facts or as what I like to call proof.  My personal interaction with the lord deals in the aspects of proof.  Proof of his existence, life, accomplishments etc….

One of my sister’s third focuses is concentrating on worship; centering on praise, worship, reverence, admiration, glorification, respect and uplifting divine devotions.  Another one of my sisters third focal points is love.  Each one of us has a third that has been given to us by God.  You will know what it is that you are born to do, when you build on your personal relationship with the lord.  Nevertheless, you must start on the first part of believing.  There are certain steps that Jesus stated needed to be done.  As each one of you read the four gospels try to decipher what these are.”  Sister Kelly smiles as she ends with, “Of course if you will seek you will find.”

Sister Kelly pulls up a chair and pulls out her bible.  “The rest of this time, we can use as study time, lets begin by starting and reading the book of Luke chapter 1.  Remember I am not teaching you to believe because of your respect for me, I am teaching you so that you can get closer to our source and resource, which is God.  Therefore, while we read I must say again, don’t concentrate on memorizing, just listen as if it is a story and allow yourself to be open to the Holy Spirit.  It will be clear after all of the four gospels have been read that you will know what is required of you.  Next week we will discuss what you have read.” 

Teri makes it to every on of the other four scheduled meetings.  She is a little late to the last meeting because a rep is having trouble and Teri did not want to leave the new customer service representative until the night manager has time to come over.  This is the last representative hired since the hiring freeze.  She has been with the department for close to two months but still she is having trouble doing basic procedures.  Therefore, Teri wants to make sure that a manager walks her through everything so they can decide what they wanted to do with her. 

As with the custom with the lax night manager she is an hour late.  By that time Teri has finished showing her everything and is just staying by the reps side coaching her through any new areas.  As Teri sits there looking at the familiar screens, Teri can not help but to wonder why the night manager hired this person on.  It is obvious she did not have any experience.  It isn’t until the rep says “Hi Auntie!” That Teri finally understands. 

Immediately the night manager takes her niece off the phones and begins chit chatting and showing her around as they walk off.  Teri knew that the rep will probably never be on the phones much.  Upset over the fact that Teri took so much time with this rep she storms off.  “It’s all about who you sleep with or who you know,” she mumbles under her breath.  This thought made Teri even madder considering she has neither in her favor. 

This situation at work makes Teri decide to pour herself even harder into the various groups and diverse lessons and homework that Sister Kelly gives.  Although Teri does not have any famous relatives that will leave her an awesome amount of wealth, at least she can compensate with her new relationship with the creator of the universe, and see where that takes her.