Changes

Group: Good evening, Tomas.

Group: Good evening, Tomas.

TOMAS: . .. your teacher. [[[Delay]] for adjusting [[circuitry]].]

TOMAS: . .. your teacher. [[Delay]] for adjusting [[circuitry]].]

We have been quite [[busy]], all of us. It is exhilarating to see your grasp of [[truth, beauty, and goodness]], to [[anticipate]] your eager [[hunger]] even before my arrival, by the very [[nature]] of your responses to the lessons. The [[thought]] processes which have taken place in your minds has up-stepped your own [[circuits]] such that your lives are more active today than they have been in quite some time, and I am proud to call you my [[students]], for the [[unity]] in your [[diversity]] is [[becoming]] firm and real.

We have been quite [[busy]], all of us. It is exhilarating to see your grasp of [[truth, beauty, and goodness]], to [[anticipate]] your eager [[hunger]] even before my arrival, by the very [[nature]] of your responses to the lessons. The [[thought]] processes which have taken place in your minds has up-stepped your own [[circuits]] such that your lives are more active today than they have been in quite some time, and I am proud to call you my [[students]], for the [[unity]] in your [[diversity]] is [[becoming]] firm and real.

I am coming to depend on you as a [[family]] of believers, as a well-knit [[group]], rather than a conglomeration of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individualist individualists]. As a result of your [[growth]], our growth, our developing [[friendship]], our developing friendship with God even, we have been able to delve into some substantial realms of thought and subsequent [[behavior]].

I am coming to depend on you as a [[family]] of believers, as a well-knit [[group]], rather than a conglomeration of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individualist individualists]. As a result of your [[growth]], our growth, our developing [[friendship]], our developing friendship with God even, we have been able to delve into some substantial realms of thought and subsequent [[behavior]].

I have heard [[testimony]] from virtually each of you recently that [[confirms]]/affirms your [[reality]] response to our gatherings. This is not to my credit, but to the credit of you, my students, for there is no [[growth]] without your willingness to grow; and although it is and has been a steady increase for you since your own [[decision]]-making [[process]] in the [[ascent]], it has been [[exciting]] for me, for us in the [[Teacher Corps]], to behold how firmly and finely you have responded to [[the Mission]] effort.

I have heard [[testimony]] from virtually each of you recently that [[confirms]]/affirms your [[reality]] response to our gatherings. This is not to my credit, but to the credit of you, my students, for there is no [[growth]] without your willingness to grow; and although it is and has been a steady increase for you since your own [[decision]]-making [[process]] in the [[ascent]], it has been [[exciting]] for me, for us in the [[Teacher Corps]], to behold how firmly and finely you have responded to [[the Mission]] effort.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

Along those lines and in keeping with our lesson plan … our established format for the Pittsburgh pumpkins … I will address a furtherance of [[1996-09-19-Unselfish Devotion|last week's lesson]] having to do with [[unselfish]] [[devotion]]. I know you have all had a [[chance]] to devote a [[quality]] moment in time to the substance of the lesson. You have all been able to review, at some point, what true devotions you have engendered in your life's [[experience]]. But I [[promised]] that this evening I would speak to you somewhat about how it is that you/we may take this [[fruit of the spirit]] to its nth degree, ascertain how it is that devotion to [[the Father]] will bring about the desired fruits in our lives.

Along those lines and in keeping with our lesson plan … our established format for the Pittsburgh pumpkins … I will address a furtherance of [[1996-09-19-Unselfish Devotion|last week's lesson]] having to do with [[unselfish]] [[devotion]]. I know you have all had a [[chance]] to devote a [[quality]] moment in time to the substance of the lesson. You have all been able to review, at some point, what true devotions you have engendered in your life's [[experience]]. But I [[promised]] that this evening I would speak to you somewhat about how it is that you/we may take this [[fruit of the spirit]] to its nth degree, ascertain how it is that devotion to [[the Father]] will bring about the desired fruits in our lives.

Elizabeth: I don't think I knew that I was supposed to DO anything until you started this course. I guess that sounds pretty bad, pretty stupid, for someone that considers herself as trying to be spiritual, but I didn't. I mean, I'm glad that I have a sort of a plan now, or something. I feel that I do.

Elizabeth: I don't think I knew that I was supposed to DO anything until you started this course. I guess that sounds pretty bad, pretty stupid, for someone that considers herself as trying to be spiritual, but I didn't. I mean, I'm glad that I have a sort of a plan now, or something. I feel that I do.

TOMAS: I remind you that even the [[Bible]] has impressed people with the phrase "Faith without works is dead" [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_of_James#James_II] and I suppose I have simply taken that adage a degree further, but it is a natural off-shoot of [[sonship]] that you want to be of [[service]]. As a result of knowing [[the Father]] you want to [[share]] Him with others. This is a natural result of a true, real, personal, [[spiritual]] [[experience]].

TOMAS: I remind you that even the [[Bible]] has impressed people with the phrase "Faith without works is dead" [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_of_James#James_II] and I suppose I have simply taken that adage a degree further, but it is a natural off-shoot of [[sonship]] that you want to be of [[service]]. As a result of knowing [[the Father]] you want to [[share]] Him with others. This is a natural result of a true, real, personal, [[spiritual]] [[experience]].

In an [[intellectual]] and [[academic]] [[appreciation]] of [[theology]] and [[religion]], it lacks that driving [[power]]. It may provide an intellectual [[understanding]], but it lacks the driving power that the living [[truth]] compels by its very [[nature]]. This is Living Love. It is a [[dynamic]] way of life. It is not just words and [[comprehensions]], but actual [[doing]], yes.

In an [[intellectual]] and [[academic]] [[appreciation]] of [[theology]] and [[religion]], it lacks that driving [[power]]. It may provide an intellectual [[understanding]], but it lacks the driving power that the living [[truth]] compels by its very [[nature]]. This is Living Love. It is a [[dynamic]] way of life. It is not just words and [[comprehensions]], but actual [[doing]], yes.

TOMAS: That is the good news of [[the gospel]].

TOMAS: That is the good news of [[the gospel]].

Elizabeth: There was a story about "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velveteen_Rabbit The Velveteen Rabbit]" . ..

Elizabeth: There was a story about "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velveteen_Rabbit The Velveteen Rabbit]" . ..

TOMAS: A [[wonderful]] [[story]].

TOMAS: A [[wonderful]] [[story]].

I will see you next week. [[Farewell]].

I will see you next week. [[Farewell]].

[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]

[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]

[[Category: Tomas]]

[[Category: Tomas]]

[[Category: Gerdean]]

[[Category: Gerdean]]

[[Category: 1996]]

[[Category: 1996]]