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Date Wed, 16 Dec 1998 23 26 11 EST

Date Wed, 16 Dec 1998 23 26 11 EST

===Opening===

===Opening===

TOMAS Good evening, my friends, I am Tomas your teacher. GROUP Good evening, Tomas.

TOMAS Good evening, my [[friends]], I am Tomas your teacher.  

TOMAS In enjoyment of your gathering and your camaraderie, I, Merium and many, many other celestial hosts come to partake of your outpourings and to be amused by your antics. I am calling to your mind the tale told by Teacher Ham, that you could be equated to children in a sandbox, but I will alter your time of day somewhat and call to your mind somewhat how it is today you seem to me to be a passel of little ones approaching bedtime, and how it is that you must scurry and get a drink of water and you must remember to set This out for school tomorrow and you want to catch the last couple of minutes of the TV show, and all manner of items that require your immediate and urgent and delightful attention as we await the opportunity to settle down into our bedtime regime and prayer.

GROUP Good evening, Tomas.

In that light, little flock, let me then tuck you into my association here and with Merium's ministrations as well, shall we conjoin with Our Father/Brother Michael in a moment of spiritual repast in appreciation of the events of this day, not only your 24-hour-day, but this day in the life. MERIUM

TOMAS In enjoyment of your gathering and your [[camaraderie]], I, Merium and many, many other [[celestial hosts]] come to partake of your outpourings and to be amused by your antics. I am calling to your [[mind]] the tale told by Teacher [[Ham]], that you could be equated to children in a sandbox, but I will alter your time of day somewhat and call to your mind somewhat how it is today you seem to me to be a passel of little ones approaching bedtime, and how it is that you must scurry and get a drink of water and you must remember to set this out for [[school]] tomorrow and you want to catch the last couple of minutes of the TV show, and all manner of items that require your [[immediate]] and urgent and delightful [[attention]] as we await the opportunity to settle down into our bedtime regime and [[prayer]].

"My Friend Jesus, Whom I look up to as an elder brother, Who has known the experiences that we know today, Who has felt the feelings we feel, suffered and rejoiced as we also do, we thank You for the opportunity to experience all of these wonders of life and now, dear Father, that we have an understanding of our true filially with you. We are truly humbled and exalted to acknowledge our place with you in the Father's house.

In that light, little flock, let me then tuck you into my association here and with Merium's ministrations as well, shall we conjoin with Our Father/Brother [[Michael]] in a moment of spiritual repast in [[appreciation]] of the events of this day, not only your 24-hour-day, but this day in the life.  

Gracious Creator, our gratitude is our very song today, and we would as k you to help us sing this song in and for your many scattered children throughout our many atmospheres, environments and arenas wherein we work and play. Rest with us a moment here, dear Jesus, as we companion with one another on our merry way home to you."

MERIUM: "My Friend [[Jesus]], Whom I look up to as an elder brother, Who has known the [[experiences]] that we know today, Who has felt the [[feelings]] we feel, suffered and rejoiced as we also do, we thank You for the [[opportunity]] to experience all of these [[wonders]] of life and now, dear Father, that we have an [[understanding]] of our true [[filiality]] with you. We are truly [[humbled]] and exalted to acknowledge our place with you in the Father's house.

TOMAS Thank you, Merium, for your gracious consultation on our behalf. My friends, I am very gladdened again to acknowledge our new-found associate. Chris it is a true joy to have you here in company with our teacher base. It is not a surprise that we find you here today, but indeed a delight, and I want to single you out as one to address because you are our guest and our newest member. It is as if to say we already know much of each other, but you are new to us and to our format. Let me then approach our lesson today in and through a value which you yourself have brought to the group and which you have shared with the group in your musical offering.

 

TOMAS Thank you, Merium, for your [[gracious]] consultation on our behalf. My friends, I am very gladdened again to acknowledge our new-found associate. Chris it is a true [[joy]] to have you here in company with our [[teacher base]]. It is not a [[surprise]] that we find you here today, but indeed a delight, and I want to single you out as one to address because you are our guest and our newest member. It is as if to say we already know much of each other, but you are new to us and to our format. Let me then approach our lesson today in and through a [[value]] which you yourself have brought to the group and which you have [[shared]] with the group in your musical offering.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

When you say that you in your art essay to reach the soul of your listener , you and I are co-workers; we are speaking the same language. It is my desire also that I attain access to the soul, for it is the soul that will translate into the next life. It is the soul which is your immortal self. It is the soul which will become one with your Indwelling Adjuster. If that soul is fertilized and stimulated, it will be in a position then to grow of its own accord, and so those of us who have come to teach truth, beauty and goodness, we who espouse the gospel of the Master, of the living legacy of love, will plant those seeds within the fertile soil of the soul. By nurturing the bed wherein the seed may be planted, you have helped to germinate a hunger and thirst for righteousness and a yearning for greater truth. No greater ser vice can be provided than to foster living love.

When you say that you in your art assay to reach the [[soul]] of your listener , you and I are co-workers; we are speaking the same language. It is my [[desire]] also that I [[attain]] access to [[the soul]], for it is the soul that will translate into the next life. It is the soul which is your [[immortal self]]. It is the soul which will [[become]] one with your [[Indwelling Adjuster]]. If that soul is [[fertilized]] and [[stimulated]], it will be in a position then to grow of its own accord, and so those of us who have come to teach [[truth, beauty, and goodness]], we who espouse [[the gospel]] of [[the Master]], of the living [[legacy]] of love, will plant those seeds within the fertile [[soil]] of [[the soul]]. By nurturing the bed wherein the seed may be planted, you have helped to germinate a hunger and thirst for [[righteousness]] and a yearning for greater [[truth]]. No greater service can be provided than to foster living [[love]].

I am going to cut my lesson short today because we are having such a good time and it is already growing late enough that you are getting weary, my little tousle-haired children. You, however, are playing possum. You have questions?

I am going to cut my lesson short today because we are having such a [[good]] time and it is already growing late enough that you are getting [[weary]], my little tousle-haired children. You, however, are [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_possum playing possum]. You have questions?

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

ELYSSIA I wanted to tell you that I tried out the suggestions about the Sunday School class and I'm feeling more comfortable with it; I just asked them to tell me what they felt sincerely about their faith today, so they each one told me what they felt sincerely about their faith, and then I asked them to next time we meet to bring a word from the hymn or a sentence from the Bible saying something about Jesus, and then I think we'll take off from there, and we just talked and I felt pretty much okay just winging it like that.

ELYSSIA I wanted to tell you that I tried out the suggestions about the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunday_School Sunday School] class and I'm [[feeling]] more comfortable with it; I just asked them to tell me what they felt [[sincerely]] about their [[faith]] today, so they each one told me what they felt sincerely about their faith, and then I asked them to next time we meet to bring a word from the hymn or a sentence from the [[Bible]] saying something about [[Jesus]], and then I think we'll take off from there, and we just talked and I felt pretty much okay just winging it like that.

TOMAS Good.

TOMAS Good.

ELYSSIA I prayed before I went, of course, and so I felt that we were getting into the heart of their faith much more than just doing the Sunday School lesson..

ELYSSIA I [[prayed]] before I went, of course, and so I felt that we were getting into the [[heart]] of their [[faith]] much more than just doing the Sunday School lesson..

TOMAS Let me ask you something, Elyssia.

TOMAS Let me ask you something, Elyssia.

ELYSSIA Yeah.

ELYSSIA Yeah.

TOMAS For clarification purposes for myself, for those assembled, for yourself and for your Sunday School students, elaborate for me, please, if you will, what you mean by the word "faith". When you ask these children to sincerely discuss their faith, what are you eliciting from them?

TOMAS For clarification purposes for myself, for those assembled, for yourself and for your Sunday School students, elaborate for me, please, if you will, what you mean by the word "[[faith]]". When you ask these children to sincerely discuss their faith, what are you eliciting from them?

ELYSSIA Well, what they ended up telling me was that they really believe that they can depend upon Jesus to be there when they need Him and they can be safe when He is there. They talked about that and they talked about the fact that they have gone through - one of our little girls has been in the middle of a divorce and she told us about it last year. She said it was very hard, so she said that she felt that she could always depend on Jesus so she said that' s what she sincerely felt about her faith and that was the general trend of the interchange.

ELYSSIA Well, what they ended up telling me was that they really [[believe]] that they can depend upon [[Jesus]] to be there when they need Him and they can be safe when He is there. They talked about that and they talked about the [[fact]] that they have gone through - one of our little girls has been in the middle of a [[divorce]] and she told us about it last year. She said it was very hard, so she said that she felt that she could always depend on Jesus so she said that' s what she [[sincerely]] felt about her faith and that was the general trend of the interchange.

TOMAS It is good that you are instilling in them an idea of living faith rather than traditional approaches to faith. It is not uncommon for you to learn as children that faith is a religion. "What faith do you belong to? " rather than, a living value such as you noted of an ability to be able to depend upon Jesus, which requires faith.

TOMAS It is good that you are instilling in them an idea of living [[faith]] rather than traditional approaches to faith. It is not uncommon for you to learn as children that faith is a [[religion]]. "What faith do you belong to? " rather than, a living [[value]] such as you noted of an [[ability]] to be able to depend upon Jesus, which requires faith.

ELYSSIA And they told me what they were afraid of. So that they could say a prayer and call on Jesus and one of them is afraid of getting into an accident when they travel back and forth during the holidays. One was afraid because a girl in her class hates her, she thinks; and I know I can't remember everything they said, but I felt really good. I felt that - I even got so me more ideas about next time.

ELYSSIA And they told me what they were [[afraid]] of. So that they could say a prayer and call on Jesus and one of them is afraid of getting into an [[accident]] when they travel back and forth during the holidays. One was afraid because a girl in her class [[hates]] her, she thinks; and I know I can't remember everything they said, but I felt really [[good]]. I felt that - I even got so me more [[ideas]] about next time.

I mean, in other words, once I started to try and do it, it ended up being easier than I thought it would be.

I mean, in other words, once I started to try and do it, it ended up being easier than I [[thought]] it would be.

TOMAS It is a truth indeed that when you set out on your faith path, even though you do not know where you are going, the way will open up for you. You know you have the guidance of the Spirit of Truth which will always say, in each crossroad, "This is the way." Even though you may not be having a crisis, it still will open up before you in faith of your desire to bring about a consciousness of Him who sent you.

TOMAS It is a [[truth]] indeed that when you set out on your [[faith]] [[path]], even though you do not know where you are going, the way will open up for you. You know you have the [[guidance]] of the [[Spirit of Truth]] which will always say, in each [[crossroad]], "This is the way." Even though you may not be having a [[crisis]], it still will open up before you in faith of your [[desire]] to bring about a [[consciousness]] of Him who sent you.

ELYSSIA Thank you, I feel pretty good about this now. I feel like I might be able to go on and do a few more of these Sundays and they will be rewarding. I feel convinced.

ELYSSIA Thank you, I feel pretty good about this now. I feel like I might be able to go on and do a few more of these Sundays and they will be rewarding. I feel convinced.

TOMAS I am certain of it also, not only for them but for you as well because you get to experience your own capacities as a teacher of spirit truth. This is good experience for you, Elyssia, and I want you to be able to reflect upon your work and carry it into your adult children as well. They are a little more difficult because they have been further conditioned; they are more crusty, if you will, whereas little children are more open and available. Their soul is quite nice already and not poisoned by life's bitterness.

TOMAS I am certain of it also, not only for them but for you as well because you get to [[experience]] your own capacities as a teacher of spirit [[truth]]. This is good experience for you, Elyssia, and I want you to be able to [[reflect]] upon your work and carry it into your adult children as well. They are a little more [[difficult]] because they have been further conditioned; they are more crusty, if you will, whereas little children are more open and available. Their [[soul]] is quite nice already and not [[poisoned]] by [[life]]'s bitterness.

ELYSSIA It's funny how the little girl whose family was in the divorce always has this knowledge of having gone through something very difficult, and I did mention to them that they may have a lot of challenges coming at them in the next couple years, and I asked them why they thought that was going to hap pen, and several of them did say "so that they could learn a lot of lessons," so I thought that was really great and I was really happy.

ELYSSIA It's funny how the little girl whose [[family]] was in the [[divorce]] always has this knowledge of having gone through something very [[difficult]], and I did mention to them that they may have a lot of [[challenges]] coming at them in the next couple years, and I asked them why they thought that was going to happen, and several of them did say "so that they could learn a lot of lessons," so I thought that was really great and I was really [[happy]].

TOMAS You might throw a morontia mota at them every now and again.

TOMAS You might throw a [[morontia mota]] at them every now and again.

ELYSSIA Okay.

ELYSSIA Okay.

ELYSSIA Okay.

ELYSSIA Okay.

TOMAS I am reminded of that because of the mota about affliction. "The greatest affliction of the cosmos is never to have been afflicted. Mortal s only learn wisdom by experiencing tribulation." [Ed. TUB, pg. 556, #12.] If you were to say to that little girl that some truths are not felt except i n adversity, you may be able to help her to understand what she can eternally benefit from as a result of this emotionally difficult experience.

TOMAS I am reminded of that because of the [[mota]] about affliction. "The greatest affliction of [[the cosmos]] is never to have been afflicted. Mortal s only learn [[wisdom]] by experiencing [[tribulation]]." [[[48:7|Ed. TUB, pg. 556, #12.]]] If you were to say to that little girl that some [[truths]] are not felt except i n [[adversity]], you may be able to help her to [[understand]] what she can eternally benefit from as a result of this emotionally difficult [[experience]].

ELYSSIA That's great. I certainly will do that.

ELYSSIA That's great. I certainly will do that.

TOMAS I will remind you once again, all of you who would be teachers, to refer to your text. It is great to have the spirit to guide you, and you know that as you seek to do His will, you will be able to plant seeds and go about His business as you pass by, but it is of great benefit to you when you have at your mental disposal the text of the Fifth Epochal Revelation which is filled with resources and which are there for you to use in your ministry.

TOMAS I will remind you once again, all of you who would be [[teachers]], to refer to [[your text]]. It is great to have the spirit to [[guide]] you, and you know that as you seek [[to do His will]], you will be able to plant [[seeds]] and go about His business as you pass by, but it is of great benefit to you when you have at your mental disposal the text of the [[Fifth Epochal Revelation]] which is filled with [[resources]] and which are there for you to use in your ministry.

Don't depend upon your own knowledge but depend upon the knowledge and the wisdom of the universe of universes which has prepared for you a tremendous encyclopedia of cosmic wisdom which will help enable you to give many tidbits of wisdom, not for you glory, no, but for whetting their appetite for truth.

Don't depend upon your own [[knowledge]] but depend upon the knowledge and the [[wisdom]] of the [[universe of universes]] which has [[prepared]] for you a tremendous encyclopedia of cosmic wisdom which will help enable you to give many tidbits of [[wisdom]], not for you [[glory]], no, but for whetting their appetite for truth.

You read this evening in your text about how it is that the soul remembers even when the mind cannot recall, but when the mind is reminded, the soul responds to recognition. This is the same truth that occurs in individuals who have forgotten about their Indwelling Adjuster, or who have not thought to look therein for God-consciousness, spirit awareness. Help lead them inside to meet the Father through these methods of reminding them of their Divinington association.

You read this evening in [[your text]] about how it is that [[the soul]] remembers even when the [[mind]] cannot recall, but when the mind is reminded, the soul responds to [[recognition]]. This is the same [[truth]] that occurs in individuals who have forgotten about their [[Indwelling Adjuster]], or who have not thought to look therein for [[God-consciousness]], spirit awareness. Help lead them inside to meet the Father through these methods of reminding them of their [[Divinington]] association.

Always is the Thought Adjuster waiting for an opportunity and working on opportunities to bring greater consciousness, spirit consciousness, to the mind of the mortal of it's indwelling, and you can greatly assist the Thought Adjusters of your comrades by stimulating their hunger and thirst. This becomes a feast of plenty, for it begins to accentuate your greater reality and your sonship then becomes dominant. More and more do you identify with the Father in heaven and His plan for you, your life in the spirit, and less and less do you look back upon the worries of the world. It is a way of attaining and securing vital perspective.

Always is the [[Thought Adjuster]] waiting for an [[opportunity]] and working on opportunities to bring greater [[consciousness]], spirit consciousness, to the mind of the mortal of it's indwelling, and you can greatly assist the Thought Adjusters of your [[comrades]] by stimulating their [[hunger]] and [[thirst]]. This becomes a feast of plenty, for it begins to accentuate your greater [[reality]] and your sonship then becomes [[dominant]]. More and more do you identify with [[the Father]] in heaven and His plan for you, your life in the spirit, and less and less do you look back upon the [[worries]] of the world. It is a way of [[attaining]] and securing [[vital]] [[perspective]].

Well, I guess I got a little carried away there.

Well, I guess I got a little carried away there.

TOMAS Please.

TOMAS Please.

ELYSSIA I was looking over the fruits of the spirit and I was trying to find courage and I don't think I found that in there. Was there a mention of courage in the fruits of the spirit? Did I miss that?

ELYSSIA I was looking over the [[fruits of the spirit]] and I was trying to find [[courage]] and I don't think I found that in there. Was there a mention of [[courage]] in the fruits of the spirit? Did I miss that?

TOMAS I'm afraid you've missed it, Elyssia.

TOMAS I'm afraid you've missed it, Elyssia.

ELYSSIA It was courageous something.

ELYSSIA It was courageous something.

TOMAS Loyalty.

TOMAS [[Loyalty]].

ELYSSIA Loyalty. Okay. Courageous loyalty.

ELYSSIA Loyalty. Okay. Courageous loyalty.

TOMAS You can take these wonderful fruits of the spirit into your Sunday School class with you and this assignment could occupy you for a minimum of twelve weeks. Courageous loyalty is something that even little children can get a handle on. It is courageous of this little girl to continue to love her parents in the face of her domestic devastation and it is courageous of her to remain loyal.

TOMAS You can take these [[wonderful]] [[fruits of the spirit]] into your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunday_School Sunday School] class with you and this assignment could occupy you for a minimum of twelve weeks. [[Courageous]] [[loyalty]] is something that even little children can get a handle on. It is courageous of this little girl to continue to [[love]] her [[parents]] in the face of her domestic [[devastation]] and it is courageous of her to remain [[loyal]].

ELYSSIA She says she is trying to get her mother to have a faith. She lives with her father and the mother left all of them and I see them there with their step-mother every Sunday and I feel really good about that but she hasn't forgotten her mother at all! And she is very definitely involved with her mother and she has plans for her mother.

ELYSSIA She says she is trying to get her [[mother]] to have a [[faith]]. She lives with her [[father]] and the mother left all of them and I see them there with their step-mother every Sunday and I feel really good about that but she hasn't forgotten her mother at all! And she is very definitely involved with her mother and she has plans for her mother.

TOMAS You might help her to salve the wound between herself and her mother, then, by reminding her that her mother is a child of God also. It is not for us to say whether or not someone else has faith. "If you have faith, have it unto yourself." Perhaps she is mistaking faith for religious affiliation, and this is a lesson she is no doubt receiving from her society. As her teacher of spirit truth, you can remind her that it's very likely her mother does have some sort of faith, even though it may not conform to what others would have it be.

TOMAS You might help her to [[salve]] the [[wound]] between herself and her [[mother]], then, by reminding her that her mother is a [[child of God]] also. It is not for us to say whether or not someone else has [[faith]]. "If you have faith, have it unto yourself." Perhaps she is mistaking faith for religious [[affiliation]], and this is a lesson she is no [[doubt]] receiving from her [[society]]. As her teacher of spirit [[truth]], you can remind her that it's very likely her mother does have some sort of faith, even though it may not [[conform]] to what others would have it be.

Have faith in your own Mother, the Mother in heaven Who looks over all of her children.

Have faith in your own Mother, [[the Mother]] in heaven Who looks over all of her children.

Yes, Celeste.

Yes, Celeste.

CELESTE I was just going to say, this is a fourth grade class, I think. These children can't be , oh, they're in fifth grade. I was thinking they can't be older than twelve years.

CELESTE I was just going to say, this is a fourth grade class, I think. These children can't be , oh, they're in fifth grade. I was [[thinking]] they can't be older than twelve years.

ELYSSIA Oh, they're older than twelve, yes.

ELYSSIA Oh, they're older than twelve, yes.

TOMAS What happened to Jesus when He was twelve?

TOMAS What happened to [[Jesus]] when He was twelve?

CELESTE Well, that was Jesus.

CELESTE Well, that was Jesus.

TOMAS What happened to you when you were twelve?

TOMAS What happened to you when you were twelve?

CELESTE I can't remember. I just remember that from the time I can remember anything, I loved Jesus. That's all I can remember. My sister and knelt by the side of the bed and say our prayers and we learned to love Jesus right there. I would say maybe we were five or six.

CELESTE I can't remember. I just [[remember]] that from the time I can remember anything, I loved [[Jesus]]. That's all I can remember. My sister and knelt by the side of the bed and say our [[prayers]] and we learned to [[love]] Jesus right there. I would say maybe we were five or six.

TOMAS Yes.

TOMAS Yes.

CELESTE I think it's a lot to ask an eleven or a twelve year old to handle their parents and their faith.

CELESTE I think it's a lot to ask an eleven or a twelve year old to handle their [[parents]] and their [[faith]].

TOMAS Indeed. Indeed. But it is important that this child not buy into a judgment of her mother based upon a lack of understanding of what faith is. Perhaps her mother does not have faith. In which case the child's prayer assumes even greater maturity proportions than we give her credit for, but a child's heart is capable of tremendous love and longing.

TOMAS Indeed. Indeed. But it is important that this child not buy into a [[judgment]] of her mother based upon a lack of [[understanding]] of what [[faith]] is. Perhaps her mother does not have faith. In which case the child's prayer assumes even greater [[maturity]] [[proportions]] than we give her credit for, but a child's heart is capable of tremendous [[love]] and longing.

CELESTE That's true.

CELESTE That's true.

TOMAS It is also possible for young people to become enthralled with Our Father and with His way of life. I will bring to your mind an inspiration perhaps from other worlds, other worlds which are a little more advanced. In fact, my home sphere was further along in our evolution than Urantia and it was not at all uncommon for our little ones to be exceedingly mindful of the graciousness of spirit reality. You know we had a working arrangement with the midwayers and often communed with the Morontia Companions, often acknowledged the efforts of the angelic corp.

TOMAS It is also possible for young people to become enthralled with [[Our Father]] and with His way of [[life]]. I will bring to your mind an [[inspiration]] perhaps from [[other worlds]], other worlds which are a little more advanced. In fact, my [[home]] sphere was further along in our [[evolution]] than [[Urantia]] and it was not at all uncommon for our little ones to be exceedingly mindful of the [[graciousness]] of [[spirit]] reality. You know we had a working arrangement with the [[midwayers]] and often [[communed]] with the [[Morontia Companions]], often acknowledged the [[efforts]] of the [[angelic corp]].

If a child is exposed to these realities at an early age, it is a natural thing for them to grasp. It is wrong, then, to encourage a child to set aside its innate faith in its Creator in order to take on, as a greater reality, the values of the people - unless, of course, the people are acting in accordance with the Father's will. And that, in itself, is a situation that would require - if not a value judgment, at least a wise assessment, one which would even require an amount of courageous loyalty!

If a child is [[exposed]] to these realities at an early age, it is a [[natural]] thing for them to grasp. It is wrong, then, to [[encourage]] a child to set aside its innate [[faith]] in its Creator in order to take on, as a greater [[reality]], the [[values]] of the people - unless, of course, the people are acting in accordance with [[the Father]]'s will. And that, in itself, is a situation that would require - if not a [[value]] [[judgment]], at least a wise assessment, one which would even require an amount of [[courageous]] [[loyalty]]!

CELESTE I am just happy that when I was a little girl all I did was just love Jesus. I loved him with all my heart but I didn't know the word faith.

CELESTE I am just [[happy]] that when I was a little girl all I did was just love [[Jesus]]. I loved him with all my [[heart]] but I didn't know the word [[faith]].

HESTER Thank God.

HESTER Thank God.

TOMAS; It is interesting indeed, because everyone has an individual experience, and yours is truly your own and precious to you. It has obviously contributed to your inherent make-up, but there are others who had not been led to pray or know Him, and I think perhaps they might have been benefitted had someone sat with them and said, "What do you think faith is, child? What do you have faith in?" for that would have given the child, then, an opportunity to reach for faith, and in reaching for "faith is”

TOMAS; It is interesting indeed, because everyone has an [[individual]] [[experience]], and yours is truly your own and precious to you. It has obviously contributed to your [[inherent]] make-up, but there are others who had not been led to [[pray]] or know Him, and I think perhaps they might have been benefited had someone sat with them and said, "What do you think [[faith]] is, child? What do you have faith in?" for that would have given the child, then, an [[opportunity]] to reach for faith, and in reaching for "faith is”

CHRIS . . . expanding and releasing. Belief fixates, faith liberates." [Ed. TUB, 1114, 8. Faith and Belief]

CHRIS . . . expanding and releasing. [[Belief]] fixates, [[faith]] liberates." [Ed. TUB, 1114, 8. [[Faith and Belief]]]

ELYSSIA You can bring that down to a simple level if you take some time with it, I am sure. I'm sure that that's the work that I've been doing. I just chucked the material they gave me, and I'm trying to follow Tomas' suggestions on working with what is at hand.

ELYSSIA You can bring that down to a [[simple]] level if you take some time with it, I am sure. I'm sure that that's the work that I've been doing. I just chucked the material they gave me, and I'm trying to follow Tomas' suggestions on working with what is at hand.

Well, Chris, do you remember? Look where you are now. So maybe you could share, if you would, something meaningful that happened to you as a child?

Well, Chris, do you remember? Look where you are now. So maybe you could [[share]], if you would, something meaningful that happened to you as a child?

CHRIS I think when we are children we learn to have faith through belief. I think belief attains to faith levels. That's when we are sure. Faith is a knowing, sublime knowing that surpasses all belief. It is no longer belief once you know, once you commune with your Adjuster. It's a growing up. Children, I believe, believe until they grow to have faith. When someone has a belief, they are maybe - sure of them selves, but when they have faith they no longer are intolerant of other people's beliefs, knowing that it's simply a belief. Does that make sense?

CHRIS I think when we are children we learn to have [[faith]] through [[belief]]. I think belief attains to faith levels. That's when we are sure. Faith is a knowing, [[sublime]] knowing that surpasses all [[belief]]. It is no longer belief once you know, once you [[commune]] with your [[Adjuster]]. It's a growing up. Children, I believe, believe until they [[grow]] to have faith. When someone has a belief, they are maybe - sure of them selves, but when they have faith they no longer are intolerant of other people's beliefs, knowing that it's simply a belief. Does that make sense?

I think having faith is a maturing in itself. I don't think children, per se, can have faith. They can certainly have faith in their parents, but I don't think they even know that it's faith until they realize for themselves from experience. Until then it's a belief because as Tomas said, society tells children so children believe that. That's not faith until they feel it in their soul in that awakening, so to speak, and then it becomes true faith. Not just merely belief.

I think having faith is a maturing in itself. I don't think children, per se, can have faith. They can certainly have faith in their [[parents]], but I don't think they even know that it's faith until they [[realize]] for themselves from [[experience]]. Until then it's a [[belief]] because as Tomas said, [[society]] tells children so children believe that. That's not faith until they feel it in their [[soul]] in that [[awakening]], so to speak, and then it [[becomes]] true faith. Not just merely belief.

TOMAS I will add to that very good commentary, my son, and talk for a moment about belief, which belief system may be totally shattered. Many times during a life what you believe today may fail you completely tomorrow because you have constructed it in your own mind, but faith is a living reality. It cannot be shattered. It is real. When you say you have "lost faith" it is only that you have lost a belief system that enshrouded your faith. Beliefs are man-made. Faith is living. And you develop both of these by and through your free will.

TOMAS I will add to that very good [[commentary]], my son, and talk for a moment about belief, which belief system may be totally shattered. Many times during a [[life]] what you believe today may fail you completely tomorrow because you have constructed it in your own [[mind]], but faith is a living [[reality]]. It cannot be shattered. It is real. When you say you have "lost faith" it is only that you have lost a [[belief]] system that enshrouded your [[faith]]. Beliefs are man-made. Faith is living. And you develop both of these by and through your [[free will]].

You will find how they serve you by trusting in them. If you trust in what you believe, you will be led to find out if it is a viable belief or a faulty belief. And if you trust your faith, your faith will expand and grow.

You will find how they serve you by [[trusting]] in them. If you trust in what you [[believe]], you will be led to find out if it is a viable [[belief]] or a faulty belief. And if you trust your [[faith]], your faith will expand and grow.

CHRIS Absolutely.

CHRIS Absolutely.

CELESTE Well, I thought as you mature, your belief becomes a faith.

CELESTE Well, I thought as you [[mature]], your belief becomes a [[faith]].

CHRIS That's right. But faith always grows. It's....

CHRIS That's right. But faith always grows. It's....

CHRIS continually.

CHRIS continually.

TOMAS It is sometimes necessary for the old scaffolding of a belief system to be pulled out from under you that you can then learn to stand on faith alone. Are we not agondonters? If you are constantly supporting yourself with the false props of one belief system after another, you are not developing the full potential of your immortal soul. You may not have developed yourself at all, but rather just have gone from one noble belief system after another, developing nothing of lasting value.

TOMAS It is sometimes necessary for the old [[scaffolding]] of a [[belief]] system to be pulled out from under you that you can then learn to stand on [[faith]] alone. Are we not [[agondonters]]? If you are constantly [[supporting]] yourself with the false props of one [[belief]] system after another, you are not developing the full [[potential]] of your [[immortal soul]]. You may not have developed yourself at all, but rather just have gone from one [[noble]] belief system after another, developing nothing of lasting [[value]].

CELESTE Right.

CELESTE Right.

TOMAS But in the sincere faith child, even these faulty belief systems will yield some knowledge, some wisdom that can be incorporated into a greater reality and often it is a resource then to teach and preach others who rely upon those false props. It is an invigorating life, this life in the spirit. Never boring. Never dull.

TOMAS But in the [[sincere]] [[faith]] child, even these faulty [[belief]] systems will yield some [[knowledge]], some [[wisdom]] that can be incorporated into a greater [[reality]] and often it is a resource then to teach and preach others who rely upon those false props. It is an [[invigorating]] [[life]], this life in the spirit. Never [[boring]]. Never dull.

ELYSSIA Well, I told them that Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me" when the apostles were annoyed, and I think that was something they enjoyed talking about today because it was like, "You're very important to Jesus."

ELYSSIA Well, I told them that [[Jesus]] said, "Let the little children come to me" when [[the apostles]] were annoyed, and I think that was something they enjoyed talking about today because it was like, "You're very important to Jesus."

CELESTE It just makes you love him more.

CELESTE It just makes you [[love]] him more.

ELYSSIA They all knew that they were, in fact, loved.

ELYSSIA They all knew that they were, in [[fact]], loved.

TOMAS Very well. Yes, it is important for children to realize that they are of value in and of themselves for many times your adults insist that they are lesser, and this . . .

TOMAS Very well. Yes, it is important for children to realize that they are of [[value]] in and of themselves for many times your adults insist that they are lesser, and this . . .

HESTER Seen and not heard.

HESTER Seen and not heard.

TOMAS Yes. And this is damaging to an individual's self-esteem. Everyone has value. Everyone has something to say and something to give.

TOMAS Yes. And this is damaging to an [[individual]]'s [[self-esteem]]. Everyone has [[value]]. Everyone has something to say and something to give.

CHRIS That's who we are today, from growing up with people telling us.

CHRIS That's who we are today, from [[growing]] up with people telling us.

TOMAS Yes, and isn't it wonderful now that Teacher Ham comes along and lets you play in the sandbox and I come along and help you with your prayers in the evening. We are truly your devoted elder brothers and sisters in this marvelous family of God.

TOMAS Yes, and isn't it [[wonderful]] now that Teacher [[Ham]] comes along and lets you play in the sandbox and I come along and help you with your [[prayers]] in the evening. We are truly your [[devoted]] elder brothers and sisters in this marvelous family of God.

===Closing===

===Closing===

It is time, little ones, for us to turn out the lights and allow Our Father to work on us as we rest, and to allow Our Mother to minister to our spirits as we sleep. Go in peace this week, in joy, and know that His will is being done in your life.

It is time, little ones, for us to turn out the lights and allow [[Our Father]] to work on us as we [[rest]], and to allow [[Our Mother]] to minister to our spirits as we [[sleep]]. Go in peace this week, in [[joy]], and know that His will is being done in your life.

CELESTE Thank you, Tomas.

CELESTE Thank you, Tomas.

TOMAS Amen and farewell.

TOMAS [[Amen]] and farewell.

 

==Session 4==

==Session 4==

December 15, 1998 TOMAS

December 15, 1998 TOMAS