Changes

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

===='''''[[Patience]]'''''====

===='''''[[Patience]]'''''====

Daniel (Bill): Greetings, this is Daniel, your teacher, your [[guide]], your friend and [[companion]]. You have stretched your jaw muscles to masticate the tough meat of Tomas' words tonight. You have engaged strongly with the message of both Tomas and Machiventa, and your [[struggles]] have strengthened your resolve to follow [[the Master]] and [[share]] his message. Remember [[Elijah]] of old who in a mood of discouragement mourned that only he was left [[faithful]] to God when the [[nation]] was bending a knee to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baal Baal], and God said, "I have reserved for myself 4,000 who do not bend the knee to Baal." Elijah was looking for the will of God in [[dramatic]] events: [[thunder]], lightning, earthquakes and [[fire]] that would grab the attention of that nation who were apostate and back-slidden from God. But he did not find God's answer in the fire, thunder, lightning or earthquake-but in a ''still small voice''. Remember also [[Jesus]]' [[apostles]] who expected [[the kingdom]] to come in three years, and their [[leader]] to be crowned the [[Messiah]], leading the armies of [[Israel]] against the heathen, thus forcing the kingdom of God upon them. They were repeatedly [[disappointed]]. They were habitually discouraged. They even brought the Master to moments of impatience: "How long must I be with you? Do you not [[understand]] what I have been teaching you?", said he to these his followers. So by way of [[remembrance]], join the human race, [laughter] and find yourself in Elijah's shoes. Find yourself in the company of Michael in [[his bestowal]] mission. All of this my friends translates into a reality that you are normal, human [[apostles]]. I understand your discouragement, but I [[counsel]] you with words of "[[patience]]".

Daniel (Bill): Greetings, this is Daniel, your teacher, your [[guide]], your friend and [[companion]]. You have stretched your jaw muscles to masticate the tough meat of Tomas' words tonight. You have engaged strongly with the message of both Tomas and Machiventa, and your [[struggles]] have strengthened your resolve to follow [[the Master]] and [[share]] his message. Remember [[Elijah]] of old who in a mood of discouragement mourned that only he was left [[faithful]] to God when the [[nation]] was bending a knee to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baal Baal], and God said, "I have reserved for myself 4,000 who do not bend the knee to Baal." Elijah was looking for the will of God in [[dramatic]] events: [[thunder]], lightning, earthquakes and [[fire]] that would grab the attention of that nation who were apostate and back-slidden from God. But he did not find God's answer in the fire, thunder, lightning or earthquake-but in a ''still small voice''. Remember also [[Jesus]]' [[apostles]] who expected [[the kingdom]] to come in three years, and their [[leader]] to be crowned the [[Messiah]], leading the armies of [[Israel]] against the heathen, thus forcing the kingdom of God upon them. They were repeatedly [[disappointed]]. They were habitually discouraged. They even brought the Master to moments of impatience: "How long must I be with you? Do you not [[understand]] what I have been teaching you?", said he to these his followers. So by way of [[remembrance]], join the human race, [laughter] and find yourself in Elijah's shoes. Find yourself in the company of Michael in [[his bestowal]] mission. All of this my friends translates into a reality that you are normal, human [[apostles]]. I understand your discouragement, but I [[counsel]] you with words of "[[patience]]".

Also, I [[counsel]] you to be [[skeptical]] with the [[information]] that you have access to, for it is superficial. In the nature of surveys there is social [[pressure]], [[unconscious]] at times, but still [[manifest]]. The opinions of the heart cannot be accurately categorized by the [[statistical]] methods of opinion surveys. It is extremely difficult to [[express]] one's true [[feelings]] in a social [[context]] which is structured with [[political]] implications and cultural [[values]]. We celestials have more information than you. We have [[Universe Broadcasts|the universe reports]]. We have the information of the [[seraphim]] of Urantia, [[Guardian Angels|the guardians]] of each mortal on this planet. We therefore often say things which seem to [[contradict]] your [[perceptions]]. We do this deliberately and with knowledge a [[forethought]], for it is our role to keep you looking upward rather than backward. Also, in addition to having more information, we are a little more practiced in [[patience]] because we've been around longer than you have. Patience is a [[function]] of longevity. Adults usually have more patience than children because they have lived longer. They have a larger scope of [[experience]] in which to measure any particular time-period in terms of [[change]].

Also, I [[counsel]] you to be [[skeptical]] with the [[information]] that you have access to, for it is superficial. In the nature of surveys there is social [[pressure]], [[unconscious]] at times, but still [[manifest]]. The opinions of the heart cannot be accurately categorized by the [[statistical]] methods of opinion surveys. It is extremely difficult to [[express]] one's true [[feelings]] in a social [[context]] which is structured with [[political]] implications and cultural [[values]]. We celestials have more information than you. We have [[Universe Broadcasts|the universe reports]]. We have the information of the [[seraphim]] of Urantia, [[Guardian Angels|the guardians]] of each mortal on this planet. We therefore often say things which seem to [[contradict]] your [[perceptions]]. We do this deliberately and with knowledge a [[forethought]], for it is our role to keep you looking upward rather than backward. Also, in addition to having more information, we are a little more practiced in [[patience]] because we've been around longer than you have. Patience is a [[function]] of longevity. Adults usually have more patience than children because they have lived longer. They have a larger scope of [[experience]] in which to measure any particular time-period in terms of [[change]].

The devastating [[tragedy]] of [[911]] has stimulated thinking. The [[majority]] still follows the mediocre program of thought, yes, but many are giving thought for the first time to new [[ideas]]. We have told you this repeatedly, that there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the old ways of doing things, to fall back always and forever on [[violence]] and [[force]] as a last resort, rather than [[statesmanship]] as a first resort. Look at what is happening in the [[schools]] in recent years. There are [[curricula]] stressing peaceful [[resolution]] of quarrels on the play ground which are being [[inaugurated]] in many school districts. This is not something that your [[ancestors]] could report on. [[Evolution]] is very slow, but terribly effective.

The devastating [[tragedy]] of [[911]] has stimulated thinking. The [[majority]] still follows the mediocre program of thought, yes, but many are giving thought for the first time to new [[ideas]]. We have told you this repeatedly, that there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the old ways of doing things, to fall back always and forever on [[violence]] and [[force]] as a last resort, rather than [[statesmanship]] as a first resort. Look at what is happening in the [[schools]] in recent years. There are [[curricula]] stressing peaceful [[resolution]] of quarrels on the play ground which are being [[inaugurated]] in many school districts. This is not something that your [[ancestors]] could report on. [[Evolution]] is very slow, but terribly effective.

Spiritual [[intervention]] of the [[dramatic]], forceful sort that you may yearn for, the [[magic]] [[wand]] to correct the [[evils]] of the world, cannot happen, for it is contrary to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Directive Prime Directive]. [Ed: Human will must always be respected.] So [[Jesus]] did not ascend to the [[throne]] at [[Jerusalem]] and become the [[Messiah]]. But his spiritual message, that we are all [[children of God]] and brothers and sisters, [[transformed]] the world even though it was diluted and attenuated. And that message, which is simply a statement of [[reality]], is still the most powerful concept that any person can ever hear!

Spiritual [[intervention]] of the [[dramatic]], forceful sort that you may yearn for, the [[magic]] [[wand]] to correct the [[evils]] of the world, cannot happen, for it is contrary to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Directive Prime Directive]. [Ed: Human will must always be respected.] So [[Jesus]] did not ascend to the [[throne]] at [[Jerusalem]] and become the [[Messiah]]. But his spiritual message, that we are all [[children of God]] and brothers and sisters, [[transformed]] the world even though it was diluted and attenuated. And that message, which is simply a statement of [[reality]], is still the most powerful concept that any person can ever hear!

My friends do not become discouraged. When I say, " become discouraged", I mean, do not continue in discouragement. Do not succumb to discouragement, but [[realize]] that [[crises]] are time of great [[potential]]. Do your part in spreading the message. Talk about these [[ideas]] with your friends. Stick out your neck and differ from the [[majority]] [[opinion]]! You probably will not be [[crucified]]. [Laughter and comments.] You may reply, "Well, Daniel, that's easy for you to say, sitting up there on a cloud telling us what to do." [More [[laughter]].] And I tell you, "Yes, you are right". It was not easy even on my planet of origin which was in the early stages of [[Light and Life]]. We were still [[struggling]] with some of these same issues, although we had certainly advanced farther that this planet has.

My friends do not become discouraged. When I say, " become discouraged", I mean, do not continue in discouragement. Do not succumb to discouragement, but [[realize]] that [[crises]] are time of great [[potential]]. Do your part in spreading the message. Talk about these [[ideas]] with your friends. Stick out your neck and differ from the [[majority]] [[opinion]]! You probably will not be [[crucified]]. [Laughter and comments.] You may reply, "Well, Daniel, that's easy for you to say, sitting up there on a cloud telling us what to do." [More [[laughter]].] And I tell you, "Yes, you are right". It was not easy even on my planet of origin which was in the early stages of [[Light and Life]]. We were still [[struggling]] with some of these same issues, although we had certainly advanced farther that this planet has.