Changes

July 25, 1993

July 25, 1993

===Opening===

===Opening===

WILL: The love of the Father enfolds us. The love of the Father upholds us. Wherever we are gathered, He is.

WILL: The [[love]] of [[the Father]] enfolds us. The love of the Father upholds us. Wherever we are gathered, He is.

Good evening, I am Will, your teacher, who loves you.

Good evening, I am Will, your [[teacher]], who [[loves]] you.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

It has been said that man has the ability to believe in only what he can see with both eyes/hold in both hands. The capacity for doubt is great. We do not find it unusual that you should experience such doubt as a part of your normal mortal existence. The fact that you freely share your doubts with your fellow believers is a sign of your capacity for growth. The doubt itself should be of little bother to you. It can ebb and flow like your tides. When you find yourself being pulled by the ebb-flow of your doubt, we ask that you remember that even the tides are in the hands of the Father. He is always there watching you observing with love and compassion your struggles with the life you lead on Urantia. Do not fear that your faith will evaporate with your doubts, you are stronger than that. The Father has well provided you the tools necessary to complete your journey. He is well aware of your struggles, of the trials you face and He sends His strength and love to you at all times. There has never been a generation who was not filled with doubts when they thought of their creator. The tangible life you lead can be a stumbling block if you allow it to be. Faith transcends the material world bringing you to a place of security in the knowledge of the Father's plan.

It has been said that man has the ability to [[believe]] in only what he can see with both eyes/hold in both hands. The [[capacity]] for [[doubt]] is great. We do not find it [[unusual]] that you should [[experience]] such doubt as a part of your [[normal]] [[mortal]] [[existence]]. The fact that you freely [[share]] your [[doubts]] with your fellow [[believers]] is a [[sign]] of your capacity for [[growth]]. The [[doubt]] itself should be of little bother to you. It can [[ebb and flow]] like your [[tides]]. When you find yourself being pulled by the ebb-flow of your [[doubt]], we ask that you remember that even the [[tides]] are in the hands of [[the Father]]. He is always there watching you [[observing]] with [[love]] and [[compassion]] your [[struggles]] with the life you lead on [[Urantia]]. Do not [[fear]] that your [[faith]] will [[evaporate]] with your [[doubts]], you are [[stronger]] than that. [[The Father]] has well provided you the [[tools]] [[necessary]] to complete your [[journey]]. He is well [[aware]] of your [[struggles]], of the [[trials]] you face and He sends His [[strength]] and [[love]] to you at all times. There has never been a [[generation]] who was not filled with [[doubts]] when they thought of their [[creator]]. The tangible [[life]] you lead can be a [[stumbling block]] if you allow it to be. [[Faith]] [[transcends]] the material world bringing you to a place of [[security]] in the [[knowledge]] of [[the Father]]'s [[plan]].

There is much still to be experienced on your spiritual journey throughout time in the realms of space. You will in time accomplish all that the Father has in mind for you. Be patient, growth is sometimes cumbersome and time-consuming.

There is much still to be [[experienced]] on your [[spiritual]] [[journey]] throughout [[time]] in the realms of space. You will in [[time]] accomplish all that [[the Father]] has in [[mind]] for you. Be [[patient]], [[growth]] is sometimes cumbersome and [[time]]-consuming.

Michael wishes you all to know that each of you is his blessed child, that you are thought very highly of, that He sees great promise in all of your endeavors. He knows you intimately. He loves you intimately. There is no greater love than this.

[[Michael]] wishes you all to know that each of you is his [[blessed]] child, that you are thought very highly of, that He sees great [[promise]] in all of your endeavors. He knows you [[intimately]]. He loves you intimately. There is no greater [[love]] than this.

There is a question tonight that needs addressed. Nadine has indicated her willingness to try in this capacity. I now open the floor to questions.

There is a [[question]] tonight that needs addressed. Nadine has indicated her willingness to try in this [[capacity]]. I now open the floor to questions.

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

JUDI: Our conversations earlier were about many of us feeling like we had reached a plateau and, perhaps, like unmotivated students of yours. We are not worried or complaining because we all know that we have made tremendous spiritual growth over the last year and a half. But, we wanted to know if you have any strategies or ways of helping us to catapult ourselves up to the next level and become re-engerized spiritually.

JUDI: Our [[conversations]] earlier were about many of us [[feeling]] like we had reached a [[plateau]] and, perhaps, like unmotivated [[students]] of yours. We are not [[worried]] or [[complaining]] because we all know that we have made tremendous[[ spiritual growth]] over the last year and a half. But, we wanted to know if you have any [[strategies]] or ways of helping us to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catapult catapult] ourselves up to the next level and become re-[[engerized]] spiritually.

WILL: The days and nights flow into one another so quickly yet the time can seem long, the days passing slowly as you enter a phase wherein you are not capable of detecting growth. This does not mean growth does not occur. It is a subtle thing. Just as you are not always aware of the passage of time, so also are you not aware of the growth process. It is natural to seek validation of one's own growth much as you mark a wall to see your child's growth. This is tangible proof to a mortal mind that such growth has occurred. To believe that growth is occurring when one is not aware of it -- many suggestions have been spoken aloud tonight among the various group members regarding ways in which to feel a certain connectedness and the joy that comes with that connectedness with the Father. There are many ways to revitalize your energies in carrying out the task of following the Father's will. Which you choose should be an individual choice as not all share the same methods of reaching the Father just as He has many methods of reaching His individual children. Does this answer suffice?

WILL: The days and nights [[flow]] into one another so quickly yet the [[time]] can seem long, the days passing slowly as you enter a [[phase]] wherein you are not capable of detecting [[growth]]. This does not mean growth does not occur. It is a [[subtle]] thing. Just as you are not always [[aware]] of the passage of [[time]], so also are you not aware of the [[growth]] [[process]]. It is [[natural]] to seek validation of one's own [[growth]] much as you mark a wall to see your [[child]]'s growth. This is tangible [[proof]] to a [[mortal]] [[mind]] that such growth has occurred. To [[believe]] that growth is occurring when one is not [[aware]] of it -- many suggestions have been [[spoken]] aloud tonight among the various group members regarding ways in which to feel a certain [[connectedness]] and the [[joy]] that comes with that connectedness with [[the Father]]. There are many ways to revitalize your [[energies]] in carrying out the task of following [[the Father]]'s will. Which you [[choose]] should be an [[individual]] [[choice]] as not all [[share]] the same [[methods]] of reaching [[the Father]] just as He has many methods of reaching His [[individual]] children. Does this answer suffice?

JUDI: Yes, that is very helpful. One other question. We also have been [[discussing]], [[jokingly]], [[singing]] together or doing something [[different]] at our weekly [[meetings]]. We have settled into a kind of [[routine]]. Would you suggest, or should we [[think]] about, varying our adopted routine or do you think the way we have settled in conducting our group [[meetings]] is conducive to [[spiritual growth]]?

JUDI: Yes, that is very helpful. One other question. We also have been discussing, jokingly, singing together or doing something different at our weekly meetings. We have settled into a kind of routine. Would you suggest, or should we think about, varying our adopted routine or do you think the way we have settled in conducting our group meetings is conducive to spiritual growth?

WILL: This is a two-fold question. I would address the first part regarding various [[practices]] which can be introduced as new [[group]] [[activities]]. The playing, hearing, and [[participation]] in [[music]] is a common [[method]] of [[attaining]] a [[joyous]] state of being in which many [[mortals]] find their way closer to [[God]]. Music has the [[ability]] to truly [[inspire]] the [[soul]] to great heights of [[joy]] and [[ecstasy]] that are possible to [[feel]] in your current life on [[Urantia]]. Group [[prayer]] can also be very beneficial as the [[energies]] released are multiplied in such a way as to enhance the [[experience]] beyond what one [[feels]] alone. All of these suggestions, and perhaps others, are acceptable ways of raising your [[threshold]] for [[joy]], the [[capacity]] to [[feel]] the [[love]] of [[the Father]].

In [[response]] to the second part of your [[question]], I would say that the [[choice]] is yours. There are many cups to drink from. You are free to [[choose]] from as many as you [[wish]]. It is not I who should suggest one particular [[method]] over another, but you who should [[discuss]] and decide what particular [[methods]] may be helpful. Trust in your own [[judgment]] in these matters, they are of importance to you and they will bring you to a place above the [[plateau]] you [[feel]] you are on. Any one of the [[methods]] will work, there is none greater than another, just what you find [[inspiring]]. Is this satisfactory to you?

 

In response to the second part of your question, I would say that the choice is yours. There are many cups to drink from. You are free to choose from as many as you wish. It is not I who should suggest one particular method over another, but you who should discuss and decide what particular methods may be helpful. Trust in your own judgment in these matters, they are of importance to you and they will bring you to a place above the plateau you feel you are on. Any one of the methods will work, there is none greater than another, just what you find inspiring. Is this satisfactory to you?

JUDI: Yes, thank-you.

JUDI: Yes, thank-you.

WILL: There is a willingness to continue if there are further questions.

WILL: There is a willingness to continue if there are further [[questions]].

WILL: The spiritual [[names]] thus far given are no indication of one [[individual]]'s superior spiritual [[nature]] over another. There is some [[interference]] here, Nadine was recently given her spiritual name and she is interested in the [[answer]]. In the [[work]] of [[the Father|Father]], spiritual nature is all that matters. The material [[bodies]] you inhabit along with your material names will be shed as you enter the realm of the [[morontial worlds]]. The spiritual [[names]] that have been [[revealed]] to you are to be how you are known throughout [[eternity]]. In this way, they are very real. However, they are not of much use to you on [[your planet]]. Again, I say, they are not a marker of [[spiritual growth]], simply the name you will be known by. There is no harm that can come of knowing these [[names]] while you are still on the [[material]] world. We do not hold that it be [[necessary]] for all to know their spiritual name. It can (be) disadvantageous if it causes [[worry]] or [[doubt]]. It is my [[belief]] that [[names]] will continue to be [[revealed]] in the [[future]] as you become more aware spiritually. This is not a requirement, only a readiness on the [[mortal]]'s part to [[accept]]. Is this answer [[satisfactory]]?

 

WILL: The spiritual names thus far given are no indication of one individual's superior spiritual nature over another. There is some interference here, Nadine was recently given her spiritual name and she is interested in the answer. In the work of Father, spiritual nature is all that matters. The material bodies you inhabit along with your material names will be shed as you enter the realm of the morontial worlds. The spiritual names that have been revealed to you are to be how you are known throughout eternity. In this way, they are very real. However, they are not of much use to you on your planet. Again, I say, they are not a marker of spiritual growth, simply the name you will be known by. There is no harm that can come of knowing these names while you are still on the material world. We do not hold that it be necessary for all to know their spiritual name. It can disadvantageous if it causes worry or doubt. It is my belief that names will continue to be revealed in the future as you become more aware spiritually. This is not a requirement, only a readiness on the mortal's part to accept. Is this answer satisfactory?

TOM: Yes, it is.

TOM: Yes, it is.

===Closing===

===Closing===

WILL: The evening grows long. I will ask that we hold further questions for another time. There is a tiredness approaching in Nadine that indicates a need for me to close. I leave you with my encouragement and my love. I bid you will all have a good week as you continue your duties in the Father's work.

WILL: The evening grows long. I will ask that we hold further [[questions]] for another time. There is a [[tiredness]] approaching in Nadine that indicates a need for me to close. I leave you with my [[encouragement]] and my [[love]]. I bid you will all have a good week as you continue your [[duties]] in [[the Father]]'s [[work]].

 

[[Shalom]].

==Session 3==

==Session 3==

August 1, 1993

August 1, 1993