Changes

[[Humanity]] is going through very rapid [[progress]] at this time and rapid progress generally creates a backlash of [[fear]]. And the [[churches]] which are the carriers of [[tradition]] are often the source of this fearful backlash against rapid social [[change]]. This is what is happening all over the world from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Baptist Baptist pulpits] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque Mosques]. Your world is fearful of too much change.

[[Humanity]] is going through very rapid [[progress]] at this time and rapid progress generally creates a backlash of [[fear]]. And the [[churches]] which are the carriers of [[tradition]] are often the source of this fearful backlash against rapid social [[change]]. This is what is happening all over the world from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Baptist Baptist pulpits] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque Mosques]. Your world is fearful of too much change.

===='''''[[Jesus]]'''''====

===='''''[[Jesus]]''''', '''''[[Tradition]]'''''====

[[The Master]] was a spearhead for [[change]]. He flouted [[tradition]]. He was open in speaking with all kinds of people, [[women]] and [[men]], children and adults. He was [[literally]] the [[face]] of God to a [[generation]]. But that face now is cloudy, [[distorted]] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_christianity 20 centuries of human tradition]. The friendly boat builder from [[Galilee]] who raised women to his side and spoke of God as Father is barely visible through the baggage of time.

[[The Master]] was a spearhead for [[change]]. He flouted [[tradition]]. He was open in speaking with all kinds of people, [[women]] and [[men]], children and adults. He was [[literally]] the [[face]] of God to a [[generation]]. But that face now is cloudy, [[distorted]] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_christianity 20 centuries of human tradition]. The friendly boat builder from [[Galilee]] who raised women to his side and spoke of God as Father is barely visible through the baggage of time.

[[Human being]]s are [[weak]] creatures. You all have your grey areas, your [[struggles]] with [[self]], and this is as it should be but remember [[progress]] is made through that [[certainty]] of [[faith]]. Be certain and secure in your relationship to God. Let nothing [[interfere]] with it. Seek God with all your [[heart]] and all your might. Seek the higher way. [[Descend]] not into the lower [[impulses]]. Be [[beacons]] of love to those who need love so [[desperately]]. This is the way. There is no other.

[[Human being]]s are [[weak]] creatures. You all have your grey areas, your [[struggles]] with [[self]], and this is as it should be but remember [[progress]] is made through that [[certainty]] of [[faith]]. Be certain and secure in your relationship to God. Let nothing [[interfere]] with it. Seek God with all your [[heart]] and all your might. Seek the higher way. [[Descend]] not into the lower [[impulses]]. Be [[beacons]] of love to those who need love so [[desperately]]. This is the way. There is no other.

===Closing===

===Closing===

This has been a long lesson so we will defer [[questions]] until next week. During the week, think about how you can make God your [[everything]] and in what ways do you slight him and turn in other [[directions]]. What does it mean when we talk about [[dedication]]? What does it mean when we speak of [[faith]] and [[trust]]? Learn to sort the big things from the small. When all the small things are brushed away, what is the center of your [[reality]]? What are your true [[goals]] in life? Is that restlessness and [[hunger]] for [[perfection]] leading you into [[truth]], righteousness and love or are you tricking yourself into [[thinking]] that self-serving is a way to [[channel]] your energies and make [[progress]]?

This has been a long lesson so we will defer [[questions]] until next week. During the week, think about how you can make God your [[everything]] and in what ways do you slight him and turn in other [[directions]]. What does it mean when we talk about [[dedication]]? What does it mean when we speak of [[faith]] and [[trust]]? Learn to sort the big things from the small. When all the small things are brushed away, what is the center of your [[reality]]? What are your true [[goals]] in life? Is that restlessness and [[hunger]] for [[perfection]] leading you into [[truth]], righteousness and love or are you tricking yourself into [[thinking]] that self-serving is a way to [[channel]] your energies and make [[progress]]?