Changes

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

===='''''[[Christmas]]'''''====

===='''''[[Christmas]]'''''====

Gabriel (Jonathan TR): Ministers of light, I greet you. I come to you today to [[prepare]] your [[minds]] for your upcoming holiday, to [[compare]] certain factors that you [[experience]] during these times that are quite similar to [[the master]]'s experience of [[Paper 125 - Jesus at Jerusalem|visiting the temple at Jerusalem during Passover]]. This Christmas celebration is, itself, a [[renewal]], another [[opportunity]] for your [[culture]] and for various civilizations to rekindle the [[spirit]] of [[friendship]] and giving, of extending yourself in [[kindness]] and [[love]] to another, to put away for the time being your own needs to [[focus]] on uplifting others. Yet just as the temple was filled with money changers and profiteering, your season is fraught with similar hectic demands. I ask you during this hubbub of activity to step aside, to retire to the [[Paper 182 - In Gethsemane|garden of Gethsemane]] of your own, to sit on that brow of [Paper 176 - Tuesday Evening on Mount Olivet|Mount Olivet]] and contemplate that grander picture, to see the [[spiritual]] significance, and to carry your [[comprehension]] of this spiritual significance beyond the calendar event into every day. [[Michael]] lived every day as if it were [[Passover]], the time when the [[angel]] brings its [[blessing]] upon the [[children of God]]. This is evident in his often repeated phrases, that "I do what the Father wills I do," and "I wait upon the hour when I should fulfill His will." It is our [[hope]] that each year increasing numbers of people walk in the wake of [[the Master]], begin to live truly as he lived, in full [[confidence]] of [[the Father]]'s [[care]] and [[guidance]], ever mindful of those higher [[realities]], those [[ideal]] [[values]] which will ultimately uplift [[mankind]] and improve living conditions socially, politically, and economically throughout [[the world]].

Gabriel (Jonathan TR): Ministers of light, I greet you. I come to you today to [[prepare]] your [[minds]] for your upcoming holiday, to [[compare]] certain factors that you [[experience]] during these times that are quite similar to [[the master]]'s experience of [[Paper 125 - Jesus at Jerusalem|visiting the temple at Jerusalem during Passover]]. This Christmas celebration is, itself, a [[renewal]], another [[opportunity]] for your [[culture]] and for various civilizations to rekindle the [[spirit]] of [[friendship]] and giving, of extending yourself in [[kindness]] and [[love]] to another, to put away for the time being your own needs to [[focus]] on uplifting others. Yet just as the temple was filled with money changers and profiteering, your season is fraught with similar hectic demands. I ask you during this hubbub of activity to step aside, to retire to the [[Paper 182 - In Gethsemane|garden of Gethsemane]] of your own, to sit on that brow of [[Paper 176 - Tuesday Evening on Mount Olivet|Mount Olivet]] and contemplate that grander picture, to see the [[spiritual]] significance, and to carry your [[comprehension]] of this spiritual significance beyond the calendar event into every day. [[Michael]] lived every day as if it were [[Passover]], the time when the [[angel]] brings its [[blessing]] upon the [[children of God]]. This is evident in his often repeated phrases, that "I do what the Father wills I do," and "I wait upon the hour when I should fulfill His will." It is our [[hope]] that each year increasing numbers of people walk in the wake of [[the Master]], begin to live truly as he lived, in full [[confidence]] of [[the Father]]'s [[care]] and [[guidance]], ever mindful of those higher [[realities]], those [[ideal]] [[values]] which will ultimately uplift [[mankind]] and improve living conditions socially, politically, and economically throughout [[the world]].

It was an eventful time when [[Paper 120|Michael bestowed himself here]], yet this is but one birth, though it be the birth of the [[Creator Son]] in human form. How much more striking will it be when all born on this world live as [[the master]] lived! That will be the day of [[holiness]]. That will be the time of [[Light and Life]], peace on earth and goodwill among men. This is your [[duty]] as well as your honored [[privilege]] to promote this [[understanding]] and to [[demonstrate]] in living the [[principles]] that you have come to know through [[faith]].

It was an eventful time when [[Paper 120|Michael bestowed himself here]], yet this is but one birth, though it be the birth of the [[Creator Son]] in human form. How much more striking will it be when all born on this world live as [[the master]] lived! That will be the day of [[holiness]]. That will be the time of [[Light and Life]], peace on earth and goodwill among men. This is your [[duty]] as well as your honored [[privilege]] to promote this [[understanding]] and to [[demonstrate]] in living the [[principles]] that you have come to know through [[faith]].

You are my dear ones in whom I am so well pleased. I will stay with you in your [[hearts]] always and await your beckoning call to me to be of [[service]] to you. Peace be with you all.

You are my dear ones in whom I am so well pleased. I will stay with you in your [[hearts]] always and await your beckoning call to me to be of [[service]] to you. Peace be with you all.

===='''''[[Renewal]]''''', '''''[[Conversion]]'''''====

===='''''[[Renewal]]''''', '''''[[Conversion]]'''''====

Elyon (Jonathan): Greetings, friends, this is Elyon, and we return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Elyon (Jonathan): Greetings, friends, this is Elyon, and we return to our regularly scheduled programming.

That is all I have to [[share]] with you on the subject, and I am always am willing to [[respond]] to your [[inquiries]].

That is all I have to [[share]] with you on the subject, and I am always am willing to [[respond]] to your [[inquiries]].

 

Mark: I have been grappling with [[desires]] to jump on this [[renewal]] [[energy]]. My desire is [[strong]] but my flesh is weak. How can I gain strength to adopt some of the higher ways that my [[mind]] knows but my being refuses to [[embrace]]?

Mark: I have been grappling with [[desires]] to jump on this [[renewal]] [[energy]]. My desire is [[strong]] but my flesh is weak. How can I gain strength to adopt some of the higher ways that my [[mind]] knows but my being refuses to [[embrace]]?

Elyon: You are not unlike the rest of your fellows in this dilemma, for you all are dual nature. You know that when a wheel is spun eventually it comes to a standstill due to the results of friction. You will ever be faced with this present condition, for that is part of the necessary ingredient in time and space that fosters growth through the presence of resistance. What you can do is, as you have stated, perceive, take note, of those elements in your life that contribute to the resistance, those that are hinged upon your decision-making influences, for those factors are like the application of the handbrake to the rim of your wheel.

Elyon: You are not unlike the rest of your fellows in this [[dilemma]], for you all are [[dual]] [[nature]]. You know that when a wheel is spun [[eventually]] it comes to a standstill due to the results of [[friction]]. You will ever be faced with this present condition, for that is part of the [[necessary]] ingredient in [[time and space]] that fosters [[growth]] through the presence of [[resistance]]. What you can do is, as you have stated, [[perceive]], take note, of those elements in your life that contribute to the resistance, those that are hinged upon your [[decision]]-making [[influences]], for those factors are like the application of the handbrake to the rim of your wheel.

 

It would be a pleasure to all of us growing souls to have a downhill coast, but this is not the case. Encourage yourself with joy when you realize you are pedaling uphill. Your question to me indicates uphill movement rather than the downhill, out of control, slide.

If you inventory deliberately, concretely, as in even on paper, your high ideals and desires and that about yourself which annoys you, it will help to clarify the many factors involved, but more so it will give you an intensified period of time for reflection that isn't merely passing thoughts as you do other things. It is a focused meditation.

It would be a [[pleasure]] to all of us [[growing souls]] to have a downhill coast, but this is not the case. [[Encourage]] yourself with [[joy]] when you realize you are pedaling uphill. Your question to me indicates uphill movement rather than the downhill, out of control, slide.

You know that it is not through the resistance of what you dislike that you overcome what you do not approve of, but it is your love for what you do like that brings you closer to the ideal person you wish to be. When you list, make effort to tip the scale heavy on your hopes, your wishes, your goals, your values that are ideal to counter that all is hopeless when your list of negatives appears too long.

If you inventory deliberately, concretely, as in even on paper, your high [[ideals]] and [[desires]] and that about yourself which annoys you, it will help to [[clarify]] the many factors involved, but more so it will give you an [[intensified]] period of time for [[reflection]] that isn't merely passing thoughts as you do other things. It is a focused [[meditation]].

Both personal ministry to others and growth of oneself have the same conflicts. Applying this principle to projects will bring the same desired results they do in regard to your own growth of self. But I assure you, my friend, that your expression today is the greatest element towards forward progress.

You know that it is not through the [[resistance]] of what you dislike that you overcome what you do not approve of, but it is your [[love]] for what you do like that brings you closer to the [[ideal]] person you wish to be. When you list, make [[effort]] to tip the scale heavy on your [[hopes]], your wishes, your [[goals]], your [[values]] that are [[ideal]] to counter that all is hopeless when your list of negatives appears too long.

In reflection, you know that as you grew from infancy to childhood how many toys that were loved dearly soon faded away as you began to take on interests of an older self, a more mature self. You did not have to deliberately dispose of those objects; they lost their lure. As you seek the maturity of a growing spirit being, much of what you wish to dispose of will, of its own, remove itself. But it is good to assess your condition. Far too few on this world spend time in that reflection. The master spent many hours reflecting on his life condition when here on Urantia and what his future would be in light of the Father's will. His apostles often failed in this same method because they would not fearlessly face themselves in this manner. They relied upon constructs taught to them by their culture.

Both personal ministry to others and [[growth]] of oneself have the same [[conflicts]]. Applying this [[principle]] to projects will bring the same desired results they do in regard to your own [[growth]] of [[self]]. But I [[assure]] you, my friend, that your [[expression]] today is the greatest element towards forward [[progress]].

It is quite common for all social creatures to feel constrained by the expectations of those around them. In order to promote social harmony a certain degree of flex is required where you may not perform to your ideal but the interworking of fellows runs smoother. But one must be willing to stand steadfast to your high ideals, to not let the social tides sway you when you know of certainty the truth of how better to behave.

In [[reflection]], you know that as you grew from [[infancy]] to [[childhood]] how many toys that were loved dearly soon faded away as you began to take on interests of an older self, a more [[mature]] self. You did not have to deliberately dispose of those objects; they lost their [[lure]]. As you seek the maturity of a growing [[spirit]] being, much of what you wish to dispose of will, of its own, remove itself. But it is [[good]] to assess your condition. Far too few on [[this world]] spend time in that [[reflection]]. [[The Master]] spent many hours reflecting on his life condition when here on [[Urantia]] and what his [[future]] would be in light of the Father's will. His [[apostles]] often failed in this same [[method]] because they would not fearlessly face themselves in this [[manner]]. They relied upon constructs taught to them by their [[culture]].

I hope this brings to mind for you many aspects that can help both increase your understanding of your current position and promote a clearer view of your forward progress.

It is quite common for all [[social]] [[creatures]] to feel constrained by the [[expectations]] of those around them. In order to promote social [[harmony]] a certain degree of flex is required where you may not perform to your [[ideal]] but the interworking of fellows runs smoother. But one must be willing to stand [[steadfast]] to your high [[ideals]], to not let the social [[tides]] sway you when you know of certainty the [[truth]] of how better to behave.

Mark: I thank you very much. I will take your advice and spend time in contemplation of this. I appreciate your help.

I [[hope]] this brings to [[mind]] for you many aspects that can help both increase your [[understanding]] of your current position and promote a clearer view of your forward [[progress]].

Elyon: As always, you are welcome. On the morontia spheres throughout Nebadon you will experience great focus; all beings will have the same directed perspective about their daily activities. You will experience a foretaste of the harmony of Havona as people work through their growth experiences contributing to one another in concert. Here on Urantia much of life appears like a symphony tuning up before the classic piece begins. It appears so disharmonious and random and scattered. The condition of the world today in the end will contribute to immense faith on your part. Your experience of finding a tune for yourself among all the clatter will carry with you into the stretches of eternity and will reward you again and again, age upon age. So, even though within the year or the next you still struggle with these conflicts, rest assured of your eventual triumph. You will attain your desired goals, but this assurance should never foster complacency. It does require hard work.

Mark: I thank you very much. I will take your [[advice]] and spend time in [[contemplation]] of this. I appreciate your help.

Mark: Thank you once again.

Mark: Thank you once again.

Elyon: Thank you and I will leave you now. Please ponder the words of Michael and Gabriel and also think of mine as well. Take care.

Elyon: Thank you and I will leave you now. Please [[ponder]] the words of [[Michael]] and [[Gabriel]] and also think of mine as well. Take [[care]].

[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]

[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]

[[Category: Mark Rogers]]

[[Category: Mark Rogers]]

[[Category: Christmas]]

[[Category: Christmas]]

[[Category: 1998]]

[[Category: 1998]]