Changes

Group: Good evening, Tomas.

Group: Good evening, Tomas.

TOMAS: Pleased I am to be with you and to be in our customary environment with those of you who have sojourned afar and back again in your local environs; pleased we are that you have brought with you the experience of companionship in the spirit; and pleased we are that you conjoin again together in expansion of spirit family.

TOMAS: Pleased I am to be with you and to be in our customary [[environment]] with those of you who have [[sojourned]] afar and back again in your local environs; pleased we are that you have brought with you the [[experience]] of [[companionship]] in the [[spirit]]; and pleased we are that you conjoin again together in expansion of spirit [[family]].

The days are upon us that the surge forward is momentous. The momentum of the days around the celebration of our Creator Son's natal birthday brings your emotional and sentimental minds to the fore along with your aspiring spirit appreciation for his life among you. It is, we have observed over the years, a time of great quickening. We are inclined to take advantage of the quickening in order that we may catapult you then into a new plane of operation in your personal life and in your more gregarious arena as well.

The days are upon us that the surge forward is momentous. The [[momentum]] of the days around the [[celebration]] of our [[Creator Son]]'s natal birthday brings your [[emotional]] and sentimental [[minds]] to the fore along with your [[aspiring]] spirit [[appreciation]] for his life among you. It is, we have [[observed]] over the years, a time of great [[quickening]]. We are inclined to take [[advantage]] of the quickening in order that we may [[catapult]] you then into a new plane of operation in your [[personal]] life and in your more [[gregarious]] arena as well.

We have been, to bring you up to date, embarked upon a study of character. Recently, we discussed the core element of self-respect as a foundation for character building. For as you respect that which resides deep within you, your own Fragment of God, you have a place to begin your understanding of what will be necessitated in bringing the fruits of the spirit to bear in your lives.

We have been, to bring you up to date, embarked upon a [[study]] of [[character]]. Recently, we [[discussed]] the core element of [[self]]-[[respect]] as a [[foundation]] for [[character]] building. For as you respect that which resides deep within you, your own [[Fragment of God]], you have a place to begin your [[understanding]] of what will be necessitated in bringing the [[fruits of the spirit]] to bear in your lives.

We have also discussed the importance of balance in developing character, that it behooves you to maintain balance, that you not exclude your physical nature (or) your spiritual nature, but that you grow as a whole. Many instances of balance have come to your minds this week, those of you who took my words to heart, and more balance will be prevailing in your lives as you ponder further this great truth.

We have also [[discussed]] the importance of [[balance]] in developing [[character]], that it behooves you to maintain [[balance]], that you not exclude your [[physical]] nature (or) your [[spiritual]] nature, but that you grow as a whole. Many instances of balance have come to your [[minds]] this week, those of you who took my [[words]] to [[heart]], and more balance will be prevailing in your lives as you ponder further this great [[truth]].

However, loyal students, I have withheld somewhat a full-fledged discourse in abeyance of your return, for one of the aspects of balance in a social group, in a group of fellow-believers, is the integral balance of the growth of you all, that you might have one another to compare, consult and console in your growing experiences.

However, [[loyal]] [[students]], I have withheld somewhat a full-fledged [[discourse]] in [[abeyance]] of your return, for one of the aspects of [[balance]] in a [[social]] group, in a group of fellow-believers, is the integral balance of the [[growth]] of you all, that you might have one another to [[compare]], consult and console in your growing [[experiences]].

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

I would like to discuss this evening with you, to some extent at least, the character set out in the fruit of the spirit designated "courageous loyalty" and I say briefly because, as I am wont to do, "courageous" as a word is a lesson in itself, as is "loyalty."

I would like to [[discuss]] this evening with you, to some extent at least, the character set out in the fruit of the spirit designated "[[courageous]] [[loyalty]]" and I say briefly because, as I am wont to do, "courageous" as a word is a lesson in itself, as is "loyalty."

Perhaps you will recall from your text, in the understanding of the word courage, that physical courage is perhaps the easiest of all courages to carry forth. The animal can be courageous in getting its needs met, in acquiring its way in the way, in providing goods, foods, weapons, pleasures, securities, for itself and for its family, and many times courage is simple brawn, hailing back to your early evolution of the fundamental survival of the fittest.

Perhaps you will recall from [[your text]], in the [[understanding]] of the word [[courage]], that physical courage is perhaps the easiest of all courages to carry forth. The [[animal]] can be courageous in getting its needs met, in acquiring its way in the way, in providing [[goods]], foods, [[weapons]], [[pleasures]], securities, for itself and for its [[family]], and many times courage is simple [[brawn]], hailing back to your early [[evolution]] of the fundamental [[survival]] of the fittest.

Courage is advanced when it involves altruism, when it bespeaks ideals and ethics hinging upon its societal connections, philosophic understandings, political persuasions, economic fortresses and so forth. Here the mind enters the arena and brings with it courage to stand for certain foundations upon which your civilizations are built, your families are sustained.

[[Courage]] is advanced when it involves [[altruism]], when it bespeaks [[ideals]] and [[ethics]] hinging upon its societal connections, philosophic [[understandings]], [[political]] persuasions, [[economic]] fortresses and so forth. Here the [[mind]] enters the arena and brings with it [[courage]] to stand for certain [[foundations]] upon which your civilizations are built, your [[families]] are sustained.

Herein lies argument; herein lies diversity; herein lies tremendous variety of thought and the courage of thinking and believing. With this form of courage the mortal has risen above brute force and entered the more insidious force of ideas and mores.

Herein lies [[argument]]; herein lies [[diversity]]; herein lies tremendous variety of [[thought]] and the [[courage]] of thinking and believing. With this form of courage the [[mortal]] has risen above brute [[force]] and entered the more insidious force of [[ideas]] and [[mores]].

In the Kingdom, courage bespeaks the ability to put forth your God, allows your God to live and work through your free will choice. Courage to stand for that which you believe in, for that which has reality, whether or not it is supported by your society or by your family, is the highest form of courage. (Courage of this nature without spirit results in fanatics, and so we constrain our focus to those who have devoted themselves courageously to the spirit, to their perception of spirit.)

In [[the Kingdom]], [[courage]] bespeaks the ability to put forth your [[God]], allows your God to live and work through your [[free will]] choice. Courage to stand for that which you believe in, for that which has [[reality]], whether or not it is supported by your [[society]] or by your [[family]], is the highest form of [[courage]]. (Courage of this [[nature]] without spirit results in [[fanatics]], and so we constrain our [[focus]] to those who have devoted themselves courageously to the spirit, to their [[perception]] of [[spirit]].)

As we observed your discussions in the earlier course of the evening, we were mindful of the diversity of your individual manifestation of your own personal courage. It does require courage to stand for something, to espouse your belief, your opinion, to make testimony to others of your life's experiences. This courage, this integrity of the individual, is an aspect of sharing the inner life; it is rambunctious.

As we [[observed]] your [[discussions]] in the earlier course of the evening, we were mindful of the [[diversity]] of your [[individual]] [[manifestation]] of your own [[personal]] [[courage]]. It does require courage to stand for something, to espouse your [[belief]], your [[opinion]], to make [[testimony]] to others of your [[life]]'s [[experiences]]. This courage, this [[integrity]] of the [[individual]], is an aspect of sharing the [[inner life]]; it is rambunctious.

The nervousness that some of you experience during such dialogs and discourses stems from your understanding, on an elemental level, that the fact of your differences, if it were mere base courage, could result in fisticuffs. But, that you have evolved to a philosophic plane that allows for differences, affords you the freedom to express yourself courageously, and so you all this evening have experienced courage.

The nervousness that some of you [[experience]] during such [[dialogs]] and [[discourses]] stems from your [[understanding]], on an elemental level, that the fact of your [[differences]], if it were mere base [[courage]], could result in [[fisticuffs]]. But, that you have evolved to a philosophic plane that allows for [[differences]], affords you the [[freedom]] to [[express]] yourself courageously, and so you all this evening have experienced courage.

Even those of you who have not spoken out have experienced the courage of some conviction, some decision, have ruminated in your mind your thoughts, and accepting your thoughts as your own is an act of courage also.

Even those of you who have not spoken out have experienced the [[courage]] of some [[conviction]], some [[decision]], have ruminated in your [[mind]] your thoughts, and accepting your [[thoughts]] as your own is an act of [[courage]] also.

When you have committed yourself to the living God, to the living Way, when you have experienced this reality to the point where you have seen it operating, where the Spirit of Truth has reflected to you your own reality and the reality of the instance, the truth of the moment -- your courage is reinforced.

When you have [[committed]] yourself to the living [[God]], to the living Way, when you have experienced this [[reality]] to the point where you have seen it operating, where the [[Spirit of Truth]] has reflected to you your own [[reality]] and the reality of the instance, the [[truth]] of the moment -- your courage is reinforced.

As you begin to trust one another, to understand each other's strengths, to overlook one another's weaknesses, to love each other in the spirit as Michael intended, as you bear with each other in your humanness and in your desire to grow and to develop true character, you begin then to courageously stand shoulder-to-shoulder. You become a courageous block of believers, loyal to the one truth, loyal to each other, loyal to your ideals, loyal to your God.

As you begin to [[trust]] one another, to [[understand]] each other's [[strengths]], to overlook one another's [[weaknesses]], to [[love]] each other in the spirit as [[Michael]] intended, as you bear with each other in your [[humanness]] and in your [[desire]] to [[grow]] and to develop true [[character]], you begin then to courageously stand shoulder-to-shoulder. You become a courageous block of believers, [[loyal]] to the one truth, loyal to each other, loyal to your [[ideals]], loyal to your God.

The highest kind of loyalty is to the First Source and Center. As you reinforce your loyalty to the First Source and Center, you are given opportunity then to develop courage in this loyalty.

The highest kind of [[loyalty]] is to the [[First Source and Center]]. As you reinforce your loyalty to the First Source and Center, you are given [[opportunity]] then to develop [[courage]] in this [[loyalty]].

Remember Peter, who three times denied knowing the Master. In his heart, however, Peter knew courageous loyalty. He was caught up in the times and the prophecy was fulfilled. Many times you have, in your core being, courageous loyalty but you allow yourself to get caught up in the instant, in the moment, in the circumstance, and you deny the First Source and Center.

Remember [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]], who three times denied knowing [[the Master]]. In his [[heart]], however, Peter knew [[courageous]] loyalty. He was caught up in the times and the [[prophecy]] was fulfilled. Many times you have, in your core [[being]], courageous loyalty but you allow yourself to get caught up in the instant, in the [[moment]], in the circumstance, and you [[deny]] the First Source and Center.

In time, my loved ones, you will embrace this reality courageously enough that your loyalty will not allow for you to get caught up in the things of this world, in the circumstances of lesser courage. As your teacher, as your elder brother companion, I will, of course, allow that you are known and loved and appreciated even as you grow. Even as you deny to others and more importantly to yourself your loyalty to the First Source and Center, you are forgiven. You are encouraged to get up and go another round with life, stronger, firmer, wiser.

In time, my loved ones, you will [[embrace]] this [[reality]] courageously enough that your [[loyalty]] will not allow for you to get caught up in the [[things]] of this world, in the circumstances of lesser courage. As your teacher, as your elder brother [[companion]], I will, of course, allow that you are known and loved and [[appreciated]] even as you [[grow]]. Even as you deny to others and more importantly to yourself your [[loyalty]] to the [[First Source and Center]], you are [[forgiven]]. You are encouraged to get up and go another round with [[life]], stronger, firmer, wiser.

I would urge you to lean upon the courage of your own understanding through Michael and not lean overmuch to the teachers, to the words of others, to the writings of others, but to your own intimate and personal and courageous relationship with Our Father, for He is the reality which will bring you up and lead you home.

I would urge you to lean upon the [[courage]] of your own [[understanding]] through [[Michael]] and not lean overmuch to [[the teachers]], to the [[words]] of others, to the [[writings]] of others, but to your own [[intimate]] and personal and courageous [[relationship]] with [[Our Father]], for He is the [[reality]] which will bring you up and [[lead]] you [[home]].

I have spoken enough this evening regarding courageous loyalty, a subject which bears great thought, great meditation, for in your lives, in your daily dealings, your many moments are given opportunity to manifest your loyalty and it does require courage. So here's to you, my friends, my students, my brothers and sisters. Here's to your courage and to your loyalty. Taste it well.

I have spoken enough this evening regarding [[courageous]] [[loyalty]], a subject which bears great [[thought]], great [[meditation]], for in your lives, in your daily dealings, your many [[moments]] are given [[opportunity]] to [[manifest]] your [[loyalty]] and it does require courage. So here's to you, my friends, my [[students]], my brothers and sisters. Here's to your [[courage]] and to your [[loyalty]]. Taste it well.

How glad I am to be with you this evening, and I am eager now to hear your voices, one with the other. Are there questions? Commentary? Please.

How glad I am to be with you this evening, and I am eager now to hear your [[voices]], one with the other. Are there questions? Commentary? Please.

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Elizabeth: There's been a lot of commentary about character in regard to this election which I find very interesting, no matter what party we belong to. I think it's actually been very helpful to me. I feel that it has, in thinking of the subject, and I'm so glad that we're still examining it. I think that there's so much there for us to think about. Just a comment.

Elizabeth: There's been a lot of commentary about character in regard to this election which I find very interesting, no matter what party we belong to. I think it's actually been very helpful to me. I feel that it has, in thinking of the subject, and I'm so glad that we're still examining it. I think that there's so much there for us to think about. Just a comment.