Changes

I am ABRAHAM. Greetings. The energy in the room this evening is exhilarating, to say the least. I so look forward to spending this night each week with you as a [[collective]] group. Boundless [[ideas]] are inevitable for a group such as yours. Well done. Your personal [[insight]] is not merely passing thoughts anymore--they are [[becoming]] [[reality]]. Your willingness to learn brings you new insight and the [[courage]] to follow through in a higher [[manner]].

I am ABRAHAM. Greetings. The energy in the room this evening is exhilarating, to say the least. I so look forward to spending this night each week with you as a [[collective]] group. Boundless [[ideas]] are inevitable for a group such as yours. Well done. Your personal [[insight]] is not merely passing thoughts anymore--they are [[becoming]] [[reality]]. Your willingness to learn brings you new insight and the [[courage]] to follow through in a higher [[manner]].

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

When we review the [[parable of Job]], we can see that he himself was his stumbling block. His upbringing, religious [[training]] and [[ego]] [[gratification]], all played a part in bringing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job Job] to that mindal stumbling block. Definitely he wanted to be seen as worthy in the eyes of God. He wanted to be seen as favored by God in the eyes of men. He wanted personal validation as a child of God and mortal of the realm. For a time Job's thoughts turned toward [[escape]]. He so much [[desired]] to be free from his [[pain]]--the sooner the better. In his impatience and fear he sought [[freedom]] through escape.

When we review the [[parable of Job]], we can see that he himself was his stumbling block. His upbringing, religious [[training]] and [[ego]] [[gratification]], all played a part in bringing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job Job] to that mindal stumbling block. Definitely he wanted to be seen as worthy in the eyes of God. He wanted to be seen as favored by God in the eyes of men. He wanted personal validation as a child of God and mortal of the realm. For a time Job's thoughts turned toward [[escape]]. He so much [[desired]] to be free from his [[pain]]--the sooner the better. In his impatience and fear he sought [[freedom]] through escape.

Is there [[freedom]] in escaping mortal [[adversity]]? Is there spiritual advancement in escape? There is temporary release, of course, but not that [[gratification]] of overcoming adversity and moving forward along the [[path]] of an [[eternal career]]. There is some mortal [[satisfaction]] when one can free themselves up from personal entanglements, but there are [[soul]]-knowing [[feelings]] that one has been ease-seeking and [[cowardly]]. That most always leads toward the building of the [[animal]] mind, not the [[spiritual]]. True happiness lies in the investment of the [[spiritual life]]. Eternal gratification comes from knowing you have bravely faced life's challenges, and without a [[doubt]], most certainly earned the [[growth]] you have [[attained]].

Is there [[freedom]] in escaping mortal [[adversity]]? Is there spiritual advancement in escape? There is temporary release, of course, but not that [[gratification]] of overcoming adversity and moving forward along the [[path]] of an [[eternal career]]. There is some mortal [[satisfaction]] when one can free themselves up from personal entanglements, but there are [[soul]]-knowing [[feelings]] that one has been ease-seeking and [[cowardly]]. That most always leads toward the building of the [[animal]] mind, not the [[spiritual]]. True happiness lies in the investment of the [[spiritual life]]. Eternal gratification comes from knowing you have bravely faced life's challenges, and without a [[doubt]], most certainly earned the [[growth]] you have [[attained]].