[tmtranscripts] North Idaho TeaM 05/15/05

[rickgiles]

North Idaho Teaching Mission Group
Topics: Lantarnek
Teachers: Spiritual Skill, Religious Tools

May 15, 2005

*	Lantarnek (Jonathan TR):  Greetings, this is Lantarnek.  
Once again we assemble and honor Michael with our dedication to 
his mission.  It is his purpose to help all who seek truth; it 
is your purpose, it is my purpose.  We are united.
	There is in every individual the ability to adopt the 
traits of Michael and Mother Spirit, for you each are created in 
their image and have inherent and latent within you these 
abilities, these manners.  As you grow in spirit they emerge; 
they become recognized to you and by others as your 
spirituality.  Your faith, your love, your gentleness, your 
trust, these and more have resided within you always as a 
bestowal of our Creator Parents.  With their spirit bestowals 
you are more easily able to find these traits, these spiritual 
skills, and act upon them, or rather through them, that they 
manifest in your life, bringing you harmony and helping your 
fellows.
	While one grows spiritually there likewise develops a 
parallel unfoldment which is known to you as religion.  Religion 
becomes a form of tools through which you apply your spiritual 
skills.  There are two methods whereby you acquire these tools.  
One is that you may make them yourself to enable you to engage 
your skills in the tasks desired.  The other method is to 
acquire these tools ready-made from others.  Many individuals 
pursue this second method, trusting that the tools that were 
developed would be sound, have guarantees, be proven to work, 
and constructed such that many including oneself would be 
capable of learning how to use them and to use them with good 
result.
	There are a few though who, in their pursuit of the highest 
of spirit they can attain, seek tools unavailable on the market, 
so to speak.  They forge their own chisels, spin their own drill 
bits, in order to accomplish the task of growth that is before 
them, that is in their vision.  This often is quite successful, 
for some attainments are impossible through ordinary means.  
However there are some who grow frustrated, for the handmade 
tool fails or must be continually adjusted, slowing the progress 
desired.  In this course one personality may be that much more 
pursuant and invent a different religion, alter that tool. 
Another will discard that adventure of developing a personal 
religion and return to the manufactured, popular religion.  
There is no fault with either course, for these religious forms 
are only tools, and every craftsman is free to choose the tool 
that is desired to accomplish the task.  What is of great 
importance is the development of your spiritual skills, your 
ability to put your religion to work as spirituality, to live 
your faith, to love your fellows, to learn truth, to act in the 
stead of Michael and Mother Spirit, though in reality you are 
never alone.  But you are a physical manifestation point.
	It is a distraction to spend time requiring others to 
acquire the same religious tools and fail to foster the 
development of spiritual skills.  Some are even baffled by one 
who can easily switch from one tool box to another.  But you who 
have undergone much growth realize that your skills transfer.  
No matter what tool you use your skills will apply and bring you 
greater growth.
	Hold primary in your minds the benefit to be derived from 
the development of your spiritual skills and be ever adaptable 
to religious tools, be it yours or others, that may help you to 
attain your highest ideals of spirit.
	I have finished my presentation, and I open to you for 
comment or question.

	Evelyn:  I know I still fall into the tendency to promote 
The Urantia Book because it has meant so much to me.  I need to 
resist the temptation to bring it up.  It’s really no different 
than Bible thumping or any other form of foisting your own tool 
on someone else.

*	Lantarnek:  Such enthusiasm is good, for it honors those 
who have developed such, in this case, training manuals.  
Dedication and sincerity are often the motivators for those who 
have expressed those teachings for others to grow from.
	I recognize in your comment that, while that tool in 
particular is one of your favorites, you know that another may 
find that their work to do requires the application of a 
different tool.  This is wisdom.  Many who acquire a new tool 
are often enthusiastic and would like to share that with others, 
for the newfound applications from that tool are deemed to be of 
value to another as well.  I recognize that you also have 
learned, have gained the skills, from using this tool that can 
be taught to another such that they may better use their own 
equipment.  Were one to use a drill press, an electric hand 
drill, or  a manual drill, the skill to bore a hole straight and 
of appropriate size is the important element.  Some tools 
facilitate the task; some tools require greater skill.  Some 
religions foster love; some people must love more to infuse that 
love into their religion.

	Evelyn:  I’m hearing you say that if you feel there’s a 
tool that would develop your skill, if you recognize it in even 
a prefab religion, to go to that religion and acquire that tool.

*	Lantarnek:  Yes.  It would serve no purpose to have a skill 
that you cannot apply because of the refusal to use a tool that 
is appropriate for the task.  Let not religious barriers prevent 
you from the manifestation of spirit, either the avoidance of or 
the sole strict adherence to any particular religion or religion 
in general.  We could broaden the area to incorporate many other 
systems of thought, ways of behaving.
	My prime point is to emphasize the importance of your 
spiritual skills and their development for your advancement and 
growth.
	Thank you for residing with me today, for your attention to 
the important dimension of your life, your growth in spirit.  I 
am pledged to assist you.  As you receive I am ever more 
encouraged to provide.  We teachers give what is desired but 
only if it is appropriate to your well-being and in alignment 
with Michael’s mandates for ministry to his children.  By 
seeking our words we acknowledge your gratitude, but we transfer 
your appreciation to Michael who is our master.  I now withdraw, 
farewell.