"For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:
But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:
A land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year."
Deuteronomy 11:10-12
The promised life that the Lord leads us to isn't the easiest life that we could choose. Just like the Children of Israel in this passage, we could choose an easier life in slavery to a more challenging one free. I think some of our biggest challenges are challenges of freedom. We have to make choices, we have to take self-motivated action. Should we choose to be in thrall to Satan, he would tell us what to choose. Any addiction will do. As we travel God's path to our own promised life, we find that, unlike Satan, God doesn't use a cattle prod to urge us along. Often, he waits for us to ask for guidance. He allows us to make our own choices and to experience the consequences. Instead of giving us a paint-by-number, he allows us to learn to be artists. Becoming an artist isn't easy, and our promised lives have many challenges ahead as we learn... but being free is worth it. Learning to become ourselves is so much better than learning to be proper slaves. And God offers to help us learn to be our ideal selves. And just as the promised land in this passage, God watches over us, always, helping us to learn and grow and become the artist that we dream of. From the beginning of the year, to the end of the year... and ever after.
Monday, December 31, 2001
Sunday, December 30, 2001
Acts 7:34
"I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt."
Acts 7:34
I can just imagine being Moses here... I mean, first of all, the burning bush would throw you off a little, and then the whole awe thing with talking to God... so he's standing there, probably still in "wow" mode, and nodding... yes, God hears his children, yes, God will deliver them... wha..? Me? :) I think we're always surprised when God uses us to accomplish things. We all feel inadequate, and certainly know that God could do better himself. I think it shows God's amazing love for us that he does offer us the opportunity to do his work... even though we are imperfect, he loves us enough to be patient with our weaknesses and failings, and to let us learn how to do things. Like a parent allowing their child to help wash the dishes even though they break two or three, and never really help to get many of them cleaner. :) Even when we are the absolutely slowest of learners, he still offers us opportunities to serve and learn, and we learn some confidence and even skill in our service.
Acts 7:34
I can just imagine being Moses here... I mean, first of all, the burning bush would throw you off a little, and then the whole awe thing with talking to God... so he's standing there, probably still in "wow" mode, and nodding... yes, God hears his children, yes, God will deliver them... wha..? Me? :) I think we're always surprised when God uses us to accomplish things. We all feel inadequate, and certainly know that God could do better himself. I think it shows God's amazing love for us that he does offer us the opportunity to do his work... even though we are imperfect, he loves us enough to be patient with our weaknesses and failings, and to let us learn how to do things. Like a parent allowing their child to help wash the dishes even though they break two or three, and never really help to get many of them cleaner. :) Even when we are the absolutely slowest of learners, he still offers us opportunities to serve and learn, and we learn some confidence and even skill in our service.
Saturday, December 29, 2001
Moroni 7:42
"Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope."
Moroni 7:42
Faith and hope are tied together. You aren't going to believe anything enough to do something about it unless you have some kind of hope that it will accomplish something. Every time we do anything, we do it because of faith... faith that our action will cause something to happen. And in that way, we have hope in the future. It isn't always well-founded hope, but if we are taking any action at all, we have some hope. Even taking out the trash is an action born of faith and hope. You have faith that it will make the house smell better, or that it will make you feel like you accomplished something. :) If we had no hope that it would do anything, we'd just let the trash pile up and never take it out. Sometimes I think that we do that spiritually. We lose our hope that cleaning the sins out of our souls will do any good, and we let them pile up. No matter what kind of inner living room we've managed to create that way, none of us is hopeless. God has faith in us, and hope for our futures, and he takes action every day, working for our salvation. Today, let's give ourselves another chance... have some hope, take some action. Have faith that we can change and improve.
Moroni 7:42
Faith and hope are tied together. You aren't going to believe anything enough to do something about it unless you have some kind of hope that it will accomplish something. Every time we do anything, we do it because of faith... faith that our action will cause something to happen. And in that way, we have hope in the future. It isn't always well-founded hope, but if we are taking any action at all, we have some hope. Even taking out the trash is an action born of faith and hope. You have faith that it will make the house smell better, or that it will make you feel like you accomplished something. :) If we had no hope that it would do anything, we'd just let the trash pile up and never take it out. Sometimes I think that we do that spiritually. We lose our hope that cleaning the sins out of our souls will do any good, and we let them pile up. No matter what kind of inner living room we've managed to create that way, none of us is hopeless. God has faith in us, and hope for our futures, and he takes action every day, working for our salvation. Today, let's give ourselves another chance... have some hope, take some action. Have faith that we can change and improve.
Friday, December 28, 2001
Luke 11:39-40
"And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?"
Luke 11:39-40
This makes me think of how difficult it is to be the same all the time. I think that a lot of the things that God has to say are trying to get us to wake up to the fact that if we want to live in a good world, and be treated well... that we have to be good people, and treat others well. When we start making exceptions for ourselves, then we are granting permission for exceptions from others. If we want consistency, then we have to be ourselves consistent. It is difficult. Sometimes you need to adjust your presentation to the audience. We have different languages, cultures, and beliefs... and it is good to respect those things and to adjust the message to the listener. I think the problem comes when we start doing what these Pharisees did and start caring more about the image than the actual. We cross the line when we just care about some people, and not others; when we care more about what others think about us than about who we are becoming. Today, let's make sure our dishes are clean... inside and out.
Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?"
Luke 11:39-40
This makes me think of how difficult it is to be the same all the time. I think that a lot of the things that God has to say are trying to get us to wake up to the fact that if we want to live in a good world, and be treated well... that we have to be good people, and treat others well. When we start making exceptions for ourselves, then we are granting permission for exceptions from others. If we want consistency, then we have to be ourselves consistent. It is difficult. Sometimes you need to adjust your presentation to the audience. We have different languages, cultures, and beliefs... and it is good to respect those things and to adjust the message to the listener. I think the problem comes when we start doing what these Pharisees did and start caring more about the image than the actual. We cross the line when we just care about some people, and not others; when we care more about what others think about us than about who we are becoming. Today, let's make sure our dishes are clean... inside and out.
Thursday, December 27, 2001
Doctrine and Covenants 101:4
"Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son."
Doctrine and Covenants 101:4
This reminds me of something that Joseph Smith once said... "from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things" (Lectures on Faith 6:7). It seems that sacrifice is a part of learning who we are. Abraham faced a horrible choice... between his God and his son. Not that any of us really want to be torn like that... but until we face a similar choice, will we really know where our priorities are? Until we face *and* overcome such a choice, will we ever learn confidence in the presence of God? We all have something in our lives that is so important to us that it rivals God in our affections... and facing a choice between severing our connection with God and severing our connection with that most important thing is difficult... more difficult than anything else we have yet experienced. Part of building our relationship with God is putting him first, recognizing and respecting his proper place in our lives. As we do this, we improve ourselves, and our confidence and ability in choosing good.
Doctrine and Covenants 101:4
This reminds me of something that Joseph Smith once said... "from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things" (Lectures on Faith 6:7). It seems that sacrifice is a part of learning who we are. Abraham faced a horrible choice... between his God and his son. Not that any of us really want to be torn like that... but until we face a similar choice, will we really know where our priorities are? Until we face *and* overcome such a choice, will we ever learn confidence in the presence of God? We all have something in our lives that is so important to us that it rivals God in our affections... and facing a choice between severing our connection with God and severing our connection with that most important thing is difficult... more difficult than anything else we have yet experienced. Part of building our relationship with God is putting him first, recognizing and respecting his proper place in our lives. As we do this, we improve ourselves, and our confidence and ability in choosing good.
Wednesday, December 26, 2001
Zephaniah 1:17
"And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung."
Zephaniah 1:17
This is interesting, and something that I think I have seen in myself, and perhaps others. It seems that when I am doing the right things that my mind is clearer. I don't get unduly concerned about small things, and I am a lot more calm. It seems as though I can see my path better. When I am failing to do the right things however, my path is obscured and I walk as though I were blind... and perhaps I am, spiritually. I really don't know how accurate my observations of others has been, but it seems as though something similar happens to others as well. It's almost as though when we aren't in contact with God that we lose contact with part of ourselves as well... parts of our brain shut down. I know I feel foggy a lot of the time if I haven't been staying on track. I have access to less information (probably because the Holy Ghost brings things to our remembrance, and without him, I can't get at the files). :) I get depressed and feel lost a lot more easily as well. As I said, I don't know if it is the same for everyone, but I thought the relation between sinning and walking like blind men in this scripture was startlingly true. So, if you have similar experiences, remember what it takes to enlighten your mind and your soul... as we come unto him, God gives sight to our blindness.
Zephaniah 1:17
This is interesting, and something that I think I have seen in myself, and perhaps others. It seems that when I am doing the right things that my mind is clearer. I don't get unduly concerned about small things, and I am a lot more calm. It seems as though I can see my path better. When I am failing to do the right things however, my path is obscured and I walk as though I were blind... and perhaps I am, spiritually. I really don't know how accurate my observations of others has been, but it seems as though something similar happens to others as well. It's almost as though when we aren't in contact with God that we lose contact with part of ourselves as well... parts of our brain shut down. I know I feel foggy a lot of the time if I haven't been staying on track. I have access to less information (probably because the Holy Ghost brings things to our remembrance, and without him, I can't get at the files). :) I get depressed and feel lost a lot more easily as well. As I said, I don't know if it is the same for everyone, but I thought the relation between sinning and walking like blind men in this scripture was startlingly true. So, if you have similar experiences, remember what it takes to enlighten your mind and your soul... as we come unto him, God gives sight to our blindness.
Tuesday, December 25, 2001
3 Nephi 10:21-22
"Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.
Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such us the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved."
3 Nephi 10:21-22
I know this scripture doesn't seem particularly Christmasy, but I think that it goes with the theme. :) The reason that Christ came to this earth was to save us from sin. I think that is really interesting. When I think of wanting to be saved from something, that isn't what I usually think of. Today, though, it seems appropriate... and maybe it should seem so more often. No matter what kind of monsters we have in our lives, nothing is so dangerous to us as ourselves, and the choices that we make to sin. Christ came to this world to save us from ourselves... and I am grateful for that unsurpassable gift, for without him we all would be unable to change our minds. :) A bad path, once chosen, would be ours throughout eternity, and there would be no way back to see any other scenery. Thanks to Christ, we *can* change our minds, and our hearts. We are the reason that Christ came, and he considers us worth all that he suffered. So, today, let's work on changing the scenery, and thanking God for the opportunity we have to come unto him as children again, and not be trapped in the adulthood of someone that we don't want to be.
Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such us the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved."
3 Nephi 10:21-22
I know this scripture doesn't seem particularly Christmasy, but I think that it goes with the theme. :) The reason that Christ came to this earth was to save us from sin. I think that is really interesting. When I think of wanting to be saved from something, that isn't what I usually think of. Today, though, it seems appropriate... and maybe it should seem so more often. No matter what kind of monsters we have in our lives, nothing is so dangerous to us as ourselves, and the choices that we make to sin. Christ came to this world to save us from ourselves... and I am grateful for that unsurpassable gift, for without him we all would be unable to change our minds. :) A bad path, once chosen, would be ours throughout eternity, and there would be no way back to see any other scenery. Thanks to Christ, we *can* change our minds, and our hearts. We are the reason that Christ came, and he considers us worth all that he suffered. So, today, let's work on changing the scenery, and thanking God for the opportunity we have to come unto him as children again, and not be trapped in the adulthood of someone that we don't want to be.
Monday, December 24, 2001
Job 23:8-10
"Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
Job 23:8-10
This is really cool. Although we so often are unable to perceive God in our lives, he always, always knows our ways. He pays attention even when we don't. :) Also... when he is finished teaching us, we are going to be incredible... not just the tin or the aluminum that we were hoping for, but infinitely more precious. Today, let's remember that God is working for us and aware of us, even when we can't see it... and remember that we are meant to be more than we are now.
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
Job 23:8-10
This is really cool. Although we so often are unable to perceive God in our lives, he always, always knows our ways. He pays attention even when we don't. :) Also... when he is finished teaching us, we are going to be incredible... not just the tin or the aluminum that we were hoping for, but infinitely more precious. Today, let's remember that God is working for us and aware of us, even when we can't see it... and remember that we are meant to be more than we are now.
Sunday, December 23, 2001
2 Nephi 12: 2
"And it came to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it."
2 Nephi 12: 2
This is just the beginning of a phrase, it doesn't complete the statement completely until later in the chapter, but it tells us some of the things that will happen in the last days. I like the phrase "all nations shall flow unto it." very interesting, and it gives this mental picture of a giant river, flowing upward from many sides to meet at the top of a huge mountain. :) I think that will be an amazing thing to be a part of. There is so much war and deceitfulness and hatred around... to see all nations joined together in one river, going towards the same place... that will be miraculous. God is dismissed at times because people see his realm as spiritual and not physical... nothing that affects their personal world. But God is the God of all things, spiritual, emotional, mental... physical. And the impossible peace that idealists dream of will one day be a reality... because of God, who affects all aspects of our lives, and gives life to all of us.
2 Nephi 12: 2
This is just the beginning of a phrase, it doesn't complete the statement completely until later in the chapter, but it tells us some of the things that will happen in the last days. I like the phrase "all nations shall flow unto it." very interesting, and it gives this mental picture of a giant river, flowing upward from many sides to meet at the top of a huge mountain. :) I think that will be an amazing thing to be a part of. There is so much war and deceitfulness and hatred around... to see all nations joined together in one river, going towards the same place... that will be miraculous. God is dismissed at times because people see his realm as spiritual and not physical... nothing that affects their personal world. But God is the God of all things, spiritual, emotional, mental... physical. And the impossible peace that idealists dream of will one day be a reality... because of God, who affects all aspects of our lives, and gives life to all of us.
Saturday, December 22, 2001
Ezekiel 20:43 -- On Remembering our Ways
"And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed."
Ezekiel 20:43
God is talking to the people of Israel here, and the story basically is that God delivered them over and over and over again... and still they chose to rebel, and ignore the hand of God in their lives. And the problem with this is that, even when God accepts them and welcomes them, they won't be able to feel comfortable with themselves enough to accept the invitation.
I mean, sincerely, if you have treated someone horribly all your life, it's going to be difficult to learn to live together. You have to change all of your habits of thought and action, in addition to feeling horrible about all the times when you returned evil for good. In the end, it seems, where we end up is going to depend on the level of comfort that we have with ourselves. After this life, when the veil is lifted and we have back the memories of before this life... that part of ourselves that anticipated this world with eagerness... how will we feel about ourselves?
I remember in college... one of my very wisest teachers. Although I despised having to go through it, she did something that was very good for me. She made me give myself a grade in her class. When I went in for the conference I didn't know that she was going to do that, and I had all of this evidence gathered to influence her decision... but when she made it MY decision, I knew exactly how much effort I had put into the class, and I couldn't give myself the highest grade. ... Luckily, sins are often more impermanent than transcripts. :)
I think that is how I imagine the judgement day, really... the answer will already be there, within us. We know how much effort we are putting into our lives. We know where we stand with God. God isn't going to tell us anything that will surprise us. Any of us who have been through a temple recommend interview know that it is the last question that is the hardest. :) You can have all the rest of them down, know exactly how to meet this or that criteria... and different questions are a struggle for each of us. But when that last one comes... where we have to decide for ourselves whether we feel worthy to enter the house of the Lord... it gets harder. Today, let's try to live so that we don't loathe ourselves. :)
Ezekiel 20:43
God is talking to the people of Israel here, and the story basically is that God delivered them over and over and over again... and still they chose to rebel, and ignore the hand of God in their lives. And the problem with this is that, even when God accepts them and welcomes them, they won't be able to feel comfortable with themselves enough to accept the invitation.
I mean, sincerely, if you have treated someone horribly all your life, it's going to be difficult to learn to live together. You have to change all of your habits of thought and action, in addition to feeling horrible about all the times when you returned evil for good. In the end, it seems, where we end up is going to depend on the level of comfort that we have with ourselves. After this life, when the veil is lifted and we have back the memories of before this life... that part of ourselves that anticipated this world with eagerness... how will we feel about ourselves?
I remember in college... one of my very wisest teachers. Although I despised having to go through it, she did something that was very good for me. She made me give myself a grade in her class. When I went in for the conference I didn't know that she was going to do that, and I had all of this evidence gathered to influence her decision... but when she made it MY decision, I knew exactly how much effort I had put into the class, and I couldn't give myself the highest grade. ... Luckily, sins are often more impermanent than transcripts. :)
I think that is how I imagine the judgement day, really... the answer will already be there, within us. We know how much effort we are putting into our lives. We know where we stand with God. God isn't going to tell us anything that will surprise us. Any of us who have been through a temple recommend interview know that it is the last question that is the hardest. :) You can have all the rest of them down, know exactly how to meet this or that criteria... and different questions are a struggle for each of us. But when that last one comes... where we have to decide for ourselves whether we feel worthy to enter the house of the Lord... it gets harder. Today, let's try to live so that we don't loathe ourselves. :)
Friday, December 21, 2001
Doctrine and Covenants 42:68
"Therefore, he that lacketh wisdom, let him ask of me, and I will give him liberally and upbraid him not."
Doctrine and Covenants 42:68
I love the idea that God will give us whatever we ask for. We have, as a society, all of these fairy tales... and individual dreams... about getting what we wish for, or spectacular adventures that end in finally having what we want. ... and with God in so many ways our dreams can and do become reality. The only thing is that we have to be careful about what we ask for, and to dream of thing that will truly make us happy. The cool thing about asking for wisdom is that God won't find fault with that request, ever. Wisdom is a great thing to have, and it helps us to know what dreams to seek, and what questions to ask. I know that I often lack the wisdom to know what to do with my life... what to dream of, and what to ask for. If you have similar moments, wisdom is always a good request. Let's ask God to help us be wiser. We could probably all use a little of that. :)
Doctrine and Covenants 42:68
I love the idea that God will give us whatever we ask for. We have, as a society, all of these fairy tales... and individual dreams... about getting what we wish for, or spectacular adventures that end in finally having what we want. ... and with God in so many ways our dreams can and do become reality. The only thing is that we have to be careful about what we ask for, and to dream of thing that will truly make us happy. The cool thing about asking for wisdom is that God won't find fault with that request, ever. Wisdom is a great thing to have, and it helps us to know what dreams to seek, and what questions to ask. I know that I often lack the wisdom to know what to do with my life... what to dream of, and what to ask for. If you have similar moments, wisdom is always a good request. Let's ask God to help us be wiser. We could probably all use a little of that. :)
Thursday, December 20, 2001
Romans 12:19-20
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."
Romans 12:19-20
This is instructive, and worded so that anyone would see the point. :) Instead of returning anger for anger, or misdeed for misdeed, we should step out of the way of wrath. When our enemies need something, we should provide what we can for them, and take care of everyone around us. The wording in the second verse makes it so that you could be happy to help your enemies even if you were still really mad at them, because you would be heaping coals on them... although I think that the real point of that, and of the first verse, is that God is the judge... he is the one who knows what he is doing, and his judgements are going to be a lot better than ours will be. I don't think it is about heaping coals on anyone, but just recognizing that God is a lot more clear-headed than we are... and that he has the right to judge, and we definitely don't.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."
Romans 12:19-20
This is instructive, and worded so that anyone would see the point. :) Instead of returning anger for anger, or misdeed for misdeed, we should step out of the way of wrath. When our enemies need something, we should provide what we can for them, and take care of everyone around us. The wording in the second verse makes it so that you could be happy to help your enemies even if you were still really mad at them, because you would be heaping coals on them... although I think that the real point of that, and of the first verse, is that God is the judge... he is the one who knows what he is doing, and his judgements are going to be a lot better than ours will be. I don't think it is about heaping coals on anyone, but just recognizing that God is a lot more clear-headed than we are... and that he has the right to judge, and we definitely don't.
Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Matthew 25:14
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods."
Matthew 25:14
Several parables start out like this. I find that interesting. Really, that is our situation here on earth. God has called us, and delivered his goods into our hands. And whether the parable continues with talents, or with a vineyard, or with us treating his servants badly (as we so often do), the real problem lies in our frequent delusion that *we* own these goods... or that we can steal them, or hoard them, or that we have the right to make decisions concerning their safety. God may not be here standing in front of us, but the true ownership of all things remains his. And the hilarious thing is that getting all resentful and pouty about that is completely ignoring the fact that God is willing to give us ALL that he has... he wants us to inherit the kingdom, he wants us to have all things. We just have to learn to take care of it first... only that. Today, let's recognize that we are students and children, and know that robbery and resentfulness will never get us our heart's desires... but studying, learning, and becoming worthy of God's gifts will get us everything we could ever want. As soon as we are ready to take care of the riches of eternity, we will have them.
Matthew 25:14
Several parables start out like this. I find that interesting. Really, that is our situation here on earth. God has called us, and delivered his goods into our hands. And whether the parable continues with talents, or with a vineyard, or with us treating his servants badly (as we so often do), the real problem lies in our frequent delusion that *we* own these goods... or that we can steal them, or hoard them, or that we have the right to make decisions concerning their safety. God may not be here standing in front of us, but the true ownership of all things remains his. And the hilarious thing is that getting all resentful and pouty about that is completely ignoring the fact that God is willing to give us ALL that he has... he wants us to inherit the kingdom, he wants us to have all things. We just have to learn to take care of it first... only that. Today, let's recognize that we are students and children, and know that robbery and resentfulness will never get us our heart's desires... but studying, learning, and becoming worthy of God's gifts will get us everything we could ever want. As soon as we are ready to take care of the riches of eternity, we will have them.
Monday, December 10, 2001
Jeremiah 29:17
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil."
Jeremiah 29:17
Truly evil food. :) I like this... I think because it would be nice if we could be as discerning with everything as we are with food. :) Leftovers from yesterday, sure... but the figs in the verse here are SO vile that you can't eat them. Pizza that has been in the box so long that it has petrified... or that now-unidentifiable stuff that has taken up residence in the tupperware. Scary. Just think if all evil was that easy to identify... covered with mold, or utterly unappetizing. :) Probably not too tempting that way... but in reality, even though it might seem more desirable than that, underneath all evil is equally abhorrent. No matter how much chocolate frosting you put on it, you can't cover up the true taste. Don't work at getting a taste for evil. Mold is not your friend. Come unto God, and feast upon his love... Good is delicious, and there is no rancid aftertaste, or green fur to get used to... it makes for a much more pleasant meal.
Jeremiah 29:17
Truly evil food. :) I like this... I think because it would be nice if we could be as discerning with everything as we are with food. :) Leftovers from yesterday, sure... but the figs in the verse here are SO vile that you can't eat them. Pizza that has been in the box so long that it has petrified... or that now-unidentifiable stuff that has taken up residence in the tupperware. Scary. Just think if all evil was that easy to identify... covered with mold, or utterly unappetizing. :) Probably not too tempting that way... but in reality, even though it might seem more desirable than that, underneath all evil is equally abhorrent. No matter how much chocolate frosting you put on it, you can't cover up the true taste. Don't work at getting a taste for evil. Mold is not your friend. Come unto God, and feast upon his love... Good is delicious, and there is no rancid aftertaste, or green fur to get used to... it makes for a much more pleasant meal.
Sunday, December 9, 2001
Isaiah 34:9-11
"And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness."
Isaiah 34:9-11
Overall, this scripture is talking about the last days. The burning part doesn't sound very fun... and there are a lot of interesting things here about things that will happen around the Second Coming... but what I think is interesting is the way God talks about confusion and emptiness here. There are lots of references to confusion in the scriptures, almost all having to do with people losing their way... trying to find the right answers by asking the wrong questions. 1 Corinthians tells us that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. That is interesting to me as well, because it indicates that the opposite of peace is confusion... not war. :) There is going to be a lot of confusion and emptiness in the last days... so, how do we find peace and combat confusion? How do we find fullness rather than emptiness? What I think of is Lehi's dream. In the beginning of his dream he found himself in a dark and dreary waste... perhaps not unlike the one described in these verses. Confusion and emptiness surrounded him, but as he prayed to God for deliverance he saw a path, and a tree. The path was a glimpse of order amidst the confusion, and the tree a promise of fulfillment. Following the path that God sets for us in our lives isn't always easy... in fact it is often difficult... but having a direction is always easier than going nowhere. We create a lot of confusion for ourselves in life. We reject God's answers and search for better ones where there are none. Instead of sticking to God's path we strike out through the desert on our own... not carrying any water. Our souls and our water bottles are empty and we have no way to refill them... we are dying, and still we walk away from God, who is the only one who can fill us to overflowing.
When we find ourselves in a dark and dreary waste, as we all do at some point, let's ask for God's help, and accept it when offered. Let's stick to the path that leads to happiness and light... to peace, rather than confusion. To fulfillment rather than emptiness.
It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness."
Isaiah 34:9-11
Overall, this scripture is talking about the last days. The burning part doesn't sound very fun... and there are a lot of interesting things here about things that will happen around the Second Coming... but what I think is interesting is the way God talks about confusion and emptiness here. There are lots of references to confusion in the scriptures, almost all having to do with people losing their way... trying to find the right answers by asking the wrong questions. 1 Corinthians tells us that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. That is interesting to me as well, because it indicates that the opposite of peace is confusion... not war. :) There is going to be a lot of confusion and emptiness in the last days... so, how do we find peace and combat confusion? How do we find fullness rather than emptiness? What I think of is Lehi's dream. In the beginning of his dream he found himself in a dark and dreary waste... perhaps not unlike the one described in these verses. Confusion and emptiness surrounded him, but as he prayed to God for deliverance he saw a path, and a tree. The path was a glimpse of order amidst the confusion, and the tree a promise of fulfillment. Following the path that God sets for us in our lives isn't always easy... in fact it is often difficult... but having a direction is always easier than going nowhere. We create a lot of confusion for ourselves in life. We reject God's answers and search for better ones where there are none. Instead of sticking to God's path we strike out through the desert on our own... not carrying any water. Our souls and our water bottles are empty and we have no way to refill them... we are dying, and still we walk away from God, who is the only one who can fill us to overflowing.
When we find ourselves in a dark and dreary waste, as we all do at some point, let's ask for God's help, and accept it when offered. Let's stick to the path that leads to happiness and light... to peace, rather than confusion. To fulfillment rather than emptiness.
Saturday, December 8, 2001
Proverbs 28:26
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered."
Proverbs 28:26
Wow. Talk about direct opposition to the ways of the world. :) how often do we hear, or see portrayed in the latest hollywood film... "trust your heart," "follow your heart," or something similar? And here is the answer... :)
Emotions are a good thing... but like so many other good things, if used unwisely they can destroy you. Let's try thinking in addition to feeling... and *always* try praying. If we walk wisely, then we'll be okay. Plus... as has been promised, if we put God first, then everything else will come. Putting God first is the way to get to ANY righteous goal. Leaving him out of the equation never works.
Proverbs 28:26
Wow. Talk about direct opposition to the ways of the world. :) how often do we hear, or see portrayed in the latest hollywood film... "trust your heart," "follow your heart," or something similar? And here is the answer... :)
Don't follow your heart. Don't trust your heart. Follow God. After you trust in the Lord with all your might mind and strength, and after your heart is changed and dedicated to him, then following your heart could be less disastrous... but sincerely, our hearts get us into ALL kinds of trouble. Plus, they get broken and stomped on rather often. That's why trusting your heart to God is much safer, long-term. :)
Emotions are a good thing... but like so many other good things, if used unwisely they can destroy you. Let's try thinking in addition to feeling... and *always* try praying. If we walk wisely, then we'll be okay. Plus... as has been promised, if we put God first, then everything else will come. Putting God first is the way to get to ANY righteous goal. Leaving him out of the equation never works.
Friday, December 7, 2001
3 John 1:11
"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."
3 John 1:11
This is interesting... it makes me think that we need some remedial lessons sometimes, because we ignore this basic principle so often. You can't do evil for God... if you try to do evil in his name it is a mockery of the worst sort. Good is what ties our actions, lives, and futures to God. Ignoring God can only lead to one thing... evil. Without God will will never accomplish good lives, and with God we will never have evil lives. Trying to have evil and God only tears us apart... destroys us... like trying to breathe water.
3 John 1:11
This is interesting... it makes me think that we need some remedial lessons sometimes, because we ignore this basic principle so often. You can't do evil for God... if you try to do evil in his name it is a mockery of the worst sort. Good is what ties our actions, lives, and futures to God. Ignoring God can only lead to one thing... evil. Without God will will never accomplish good lives, and with God we will never have evil lives. Trying to have evil and God only tears us apart... destroys us... like trying to breathe water.
Thursday, December 6, 2001
2 Nephi 29:9
"And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever."
2 Nephi 29:9
Can you imagine being the same ... all the time? Sometimes I feel like I change into a different person, just depending on what song comes on the radio. :) That kind of continuity of self sounds like a remarkable thing to me. I think really, when God asks us to be perfect, that's what he going for... consistently being our best selves. Wouldn't you love it if you could always keep your cool, no matter what? If you could always have the same opinion about yourself, whether you were being criticized or adored? If you could treat people well, no matter what kind of a mood you were in? I would.
The second part of the verse continues this theme... saying that God is always, always, always the same... and then expanding on it, saying... why would you ever think that I would stop talking to my children? It's like saying that Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet sums up his entire authorship. God still has work to do, children to save... and as some of the ones who are still in the process, we should be glad that he is still answering prayers and talking to prophets, just as he always has. :)
2 Nephi 29:9
Can you imagine being the same ... all the time? Sometimes I feel like I change into a different person, just depending on what song comes on the radio. :) That kind of continuity of self sounds like a remarkable thing to me. I think really, when God asks us to be perfect, that's what he going for... consistently being our best selves. Wouldn't you love it if you could always keep your cool, no matter what? If you could always have the same opinion about yourself, whether you were being criticized or adored? If you could treat people well, no matter what kind of a mood you were in? I would.
The second part of the verse continues this theme... saying that God is always, always, always the same... and then expanding on it, saying... why would you ever think that I would stop talking to my children? It's like saying that Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet sums up his entire authorship. God still has work to do, children to save... and as some of the ones who are still in the process, we should be glad that he is still answering prayers and talking to prophets, just as he always has. :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2001
1 Thessalonians 5:8-10
"But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."
1 Thessalonians 5:8-10
We are of the day. I like that. We don't have anything to do with darkness. And because we are of the day, we should protect ourselves from dark things, like doubt and hate and despair. Our armor of faith and love and hope will help to remind us that we come from light, and are made of it. And Christ's work and sacrifice ensures that we will return to the light, and never be left out in the darkness. :) In college I had a roommate once who was worried about foreordination. She thought that maybe she had been a fence sitter in the war in Heaven, and so she didn't really have a chance at making it in this life. But here, God tells us to have hope, and love, and faith... for none of us are foreordained to fail. We are all heirs of salvation, and Christ suffered for each one of us, so that we could come back and rejoice with him. God has laid a path before each of us that will lead us to salvation... each of us. None of the paths that God has laid leads to destruction and failure. There is hope for every single one of us, no matter what. We have to learn some love, and some faith along the path... and a lot of other things as well... but we all have to learn them, no one is exempt. Things that I know quite well, you will learn, and things that you have learned I will as well, eventually. :) We're all out here to learn love, and faith, and hope... and these subjects are endless. We learn a little, and we graduate to the next harder class. :) But no matter where we are, or how much we have learned, the path continues... straight and narrow, leading us to salvation and light. :) Today, let's make sure we stick to the path... and wear our armor. None of us are here to fail.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."
1 Thessalonians 5:8-10
We are of the day. I like that. We don't have anything to do with darkness. And because we are of the day, we should protect ourselves from dark things, like doubt and hate and despair. Our armor of faith and love and hope will help to remind us that we come from light, and are made of it. And Christ's work and sacrifice ensures that we will return to the light, and never be left out in the darkness. :) In college I had a roommate once who was worried about foreordination. She thought that maybe she had been a fence sitter in the war in Heaven, and so she didn't really have a chance at making it in this life. But here, God tells us to have hope, and love, and faith... for none of us are foreordained to fail. We are all heirs of salvation, and Christ suffered for each one of us, so that we could come back and rejoice with him. God has laid a path before each of us that will lead us to salvation... each of us. None of the paths that God has laid leads to destruction and failure. There is hope for every single one of us, no matter what. We have to learn some love, and some faith along the path... and a lot of other things as well... but we all have to learn them, no one is exempt. Things that I know quite well, you will learn, and things that you have learned I will as well, eventually. :) We're all out here to learn love, and faith, and hope... and these subjects are endless. We learn a little, and we graduate to the next harder class. :) But no matter where we are, or how much we have learned, the path continues... straight and narrow, leading us to salvation and light. :) Today, let's make sure we stick to the path... and wear our armor. None of us are here to fail.
Tuesday, December 4, 2001
Psalms 103:10
"He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities."
Psalms 103:10
This is a good thing to remember. Sometimes we think that we have done too many bad things, or that we are bad people, and that God isn't going to listen to us if we pray. We wonder how we can overcome our imperfect pasts to become worthy in the sight of God. Thankfully, God doesn't change toward us when we change toward him. Every time we repent, he is still merciful, and he still loves us, forgives us, and offers us eternity. Unfortunately, many of us don't respond well to love and mercy. We keep doing bad things, figuring if he isn't angry yet, then we can keep on doing whatever we want. Yikes is all I can say. :) Today, let's thank God for his mercy and for loving us in spite of our rebellions... and take advantage of God's patience and love by repenting and strengthening our relationship with him.
Psalms 103:10
This is a good thing to remember. Sometimes we think that we have done too many bad things, or that we are bad people, and that God isn't going to listen to us if we pray. We wonder how we can overcome our imperfect pasts to become worthy in the sight of God. Thankfully, God doesn't change toward us when we change toward him. Every time we repent, he is still merciful, and he still loves us, forgives us, and offers us eternity. Unfortunately, many of us don't respond well to love and mercy. We keep doing bad things, figuring if he isn't angry yet, then we can keep on doing whatever we want. Yikes is all I can say. :) Today, let's thank God for his mercy and for loving us in spite of our rebellions... and take advantage of God's patience and love by repenting and strengthening our relationship with him.
Monday, December 3, 2001
Ephesians 4:26-27
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neither give place to the devil."
Ephesians 4:26-27
Interesting, and the Joseph Smith translation (JST) is interesting as well. The first part of the scripture is changed to "Can ye be angry, and not sin?" I think that is a remarkable question, and the whole scripture seems to be saying that, even without the JST. It seems to me to be saying that being angry is kind of like inviting the devil into your life. I find that to be true, at least in my own life. I know that when I am powerfully angry with someone, it is hard for me to pray or to feel the spirit at all. Back in the old days when I was a psychology major, I remember one of my professors telling us that anger is a secondary emotion. There is always some other emotion that happens first, and we use anger to mask it. Perhaps we are hurt or desolate... or even surprised or embarrassed, but instead of allowing ourselves to express the real emotion we revert to anger, because it is less vulnerable. It's hard to find the primary emotion, but it helps us to keep our souls out of the hands of Satan... and although it is painful at times, vulnerability is a lot better way to learn than aggression.
Neither give place to the devil."
Ephesians 4:26-27
Interesting, and the Joseph Smith translation (JST) is interesting as well. The first part of the scripture is changed to "Can ye be angry, and not sin?" I think that is a remarkable question, and the whole scripture seems to be saying that, even without the JST. It seems to me to be saying that being angry is kind of like inviting the devil into your life. I find that to be true, at least in my own life. I know that when I am powerfully angry with someone, it is hard for me to pray or to feel the spirit at all. Back in the old days when I was a psychology major, I remember one of my professors telling us that anger is a secondary emotion. There is always some other emotion that happens first, and we use anger to mask it. Perhaps we are hurt or desolate... or even surprised or embarrassed, but instead of allowing ourselves to express the real emotion we revert to anger, because it is less vulnerable. It's hard to find the primary emotion, but it helps us to keep our souls out of the hands of Satan... and although it is painful at times, vulnerability is a lot better way to learn than aggression.
Sunday, December 2, 2001
Alma 7:15
"Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism."
Alma 7:15
We read this scripture during the lesson today in Relief Society... and, you know, I have read it many times before but it seemed different today. And then I was thinking about it again as they were passing the sacrament. Probably appropriate, since the sacrament is how we renew the covenants that we make at baptism. I like the fact that you can repent and show your willingness to repent every week, instead of just once in your life. :) The part that I liked the most today was the first part... fear not, and lay aside every sin. Fear and sin do bind us to destruction, and that image popped into my head today in Relief Society... of being tied down to something that is killing you. It's scary, and really what we are doing to ourselves. Binding ourselves to destruction... and unhappiness, and limitation. I think some of the fear is of giving up all of our comfortable sins. They are what we are used to, what we know. Laying them aside... we have to rediscover the world. Rediscover ourselves in many ways. And discovery is always a little frightening. But also exciting and intriguing. :) And really, being out there, learning and doing new things... it helps us to be more at peace with ourselves than we are when we sit at home and wonder "what if?" Sin is the limitation in our lives... God offers us eternity and freedom to do and be things that are beyond our imagining. Today... let's not allow ourselves to remain bound to destruction. Let's instead choose freedom, and light... and possibility. :)
Alma 7:15
We read this scripture during the lesson today in Relief Society... and, you know, I have read it many times before but it seemed different today. And then I was thinking about it again as they were passing the sacrament. Probably appropriate, since the sacrament is how we renew the covenants that we make at baptism. I like the fact that you can repent and show your willingness to repent every week, instead of just once in your life. :) The part that I liked the most today was the first part... fear not, and lay aside every sin. Fear and sin do bind us to destruction, and that image popped into my head today in Relief Society... of being tied down to something that is killing you. It's scary, and really what we are doing to ourselves. Binding ourselves to destruction... and unhappiness, and limitation. I think some of the fear is of giving up all of our comfortable sins. They are what we are used to, what we know. Laying them aside... we have to rediscover the world. Rediscover ourselves in many ways. And discovery is always a little frightening. But also exciting and intriguing. :) And really, being out there, learning and doing new things... it helps us to be more at peace with ourselves than we are when we sit at home and wonder "what if?" Sin is the limitation in our lives... God offers us eternity and freedom to do and be things that are beyond our imagining. Today... let's not allow ourselves to remain bound to destruction. Let's instead choose freedom, and light... and possibility. :)
Saturday, December 1, 2001
Doctrine and Covenants 61:20
"I, the Lord, was angry with you yesterday, but today mine anger is turned away."
Doctrine and Covenants 61:20
God's mercy is remarkable. No matter how many wrong choices we have made... no matter how many times we've known the will of God and gone the other way... no matter how many times we've been confused and lost, having to rely upon our own strength because we've lost the spirit... God still has his arm stretched out to save us. And, in the context of our discussion about time... yesterday is nothing. Today, NOW, God's anger is turned away and he is ready to receive us in his arms, as soon as we are ready to be there. The tough part about that is that we have to let go of our chosen obsession in order to get there. We have to let go of all of the walls of resistance that we have built up to protect ourselves from vulnerability to God. We have to realize that his way is really the only way that we are going to find happiness, peace, safety... as well as true excitement and mental stimulation. :) After all, God isn't boring. :) Today... and all that that entails... let's reach out our hands to God, accept his offer of friendship and love, and learn what he has to give.
Doctrine and Covenants 61:20
God's mercy is remarkable. No matter how many wrong choices we have made... no matter how many times we've known the will of God and gone the other way... no matter how many times we've been confused and lost, having to rely upon our own strength because we've lost the spirit... God still has his arm stretched out to save us. And, in the context of our discussion about time... yesterday is nothing. Today, NOW, God's anger is turned away and he is ready to receive us in his arms, as soon as we are ready to be there. The tough part about that is that we have to let go of our chosen obsession in order to get there. We have to let go of all of the walls of resistance that we have built up to protect ourselves from vulnerability to God. We have to realize that his way is really the only way that we are going to find happiness, peace, safety... as well as true excitement and mental stimulation. :) After all, God isn't boring. :) Today... and all that that entails... let's reach out our hands to God, accept his offer of friendship and love, and learn what he has to give.