Since being a young bishop, wanting to translate my ward, and feeling Charity, the concept of Zion, having all things in common, etc, I have loved the concept of His Zion, of loving others with the Pure Love of Christ, and the goal of seeking His Zion. I once created and published a "Rhymes and Reasons of Charity" (copying the Times and Seasons, of the early church).
Because of the covenants we make in the temple, of the desire to know more, of desiring to live it, and study it, I started this blog. It is my PASSION.
I find it very difficult, challenging, almost impossible to be in the right mind-set, the right frame of mind to speak about, blog about Charity when our life is so "hanging." Bon and I have not had our life on a secure footing, foundation for more than ten years, except the time in the Dominican Republic serving our King. It was a time of joy, peace, hope, and contentment in our service to those wonderful people.
But, we are not there. Things are changing in our unsettled, insecure lives. I, therefore, am putting this blog on "hold" until things settle down, until we are secure where Father wants us to be, and feel comfort, not impending change.
I apologize, but my feelings are still true, strong, and I desire to study, learn more, and progress toward His Zion. Timing is not quite right for me to pursue this yet. I have had no one volunteer to help keep this going, thus I am announcing a time of short delay, of recess, of wait a bit, until I again feel the urge, the inspiration to carry on in this blog. Father will direct when the timing is right to begin again.
If anyone is reading these words and wants to be advised when I start again, please let me know. Thanks for reading, supporting and being interested in this idea. It will come, Father will have His people, and I want to be a part of it.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
...Is Given To Every Man...
We are told that the Spirit of Christ is given to every man. I was once told that by choosing Christ over Satan in the Grand Council in Heaven we all inherited the Spirit of Christ. Everyone in this second estate has the Spirit of Christ. The scripture goes on to say that by this Spirit we can choose between good and evil.
Some, in this life, have totally rejected this Spirit of Christ. Thus they are open to other influences. These influences come from our hated adversary. As one chooses to follow the negative influence, they get comfortable in their choices, and that sweet Spirit of Christ is no longer felt.
When missionaries go out and preach the gospel, often they feel a kinship, a "remembering" as they are taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the light (Spirit) of Christ. Conversion is often waking up this Spirit of Christ within us.
Remember Christ said, "..they are mine, those whom the Father hath given me, etc."
By our actions, we choose to strengthen this light, or we choose to destroy this light every day. Thus we can comprehend how someone can choose to ignore, or murder this Spirit of Christ within themselves.
It is a choice that each of us has. Our actions, our words, our thoughts will either invite the Spirit into our hearts, or it will cause that our hearts will reject this Spirit. We get to choose, that is what the council in Heaven was all about. Our choice of what we want, and who we are.
The devil persuadeth no one to do good, no not one. So if we have someone, something, a feeling, or whatever that we feel and it urges us to do good, then we can know with a surety that it is from Christ.
Then we are counseled to "lay hold upon every good thing" then we will certainly be a child of Christ. That is our goal. Being a child of Christ, listen to that which is good, judging good judgement.
Next posting will be Sunday, April 5.
Some, in this life, have totally rejected this Spirit of Christ. Thus they are open to other influences. These influences come from our hated adversary. As one chooses to follow the negative influence, they get comfortable in their choices, and that sweet Spirit of Christ is no longer felt.
When missionaries go out and preach the gospel, often they feel a kinship, a "remembering" as they are taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the light (Spirit) of Christ. Conversion is often waking up this Spirit of Christ within us.
Remember Christ said, "..they are mine, those whom the Father hath given me, etc."
By our actions, we choose to strengthen this light, or we choose to destroy this light every day. Thus we can comprehend how someone can choose to ignore, or murder this Spirit of Christ within themselves.
It is a choice that each of us has. Our actions, our words, our thoughts will either invite the Spirit into our hearts, or it will cause that our hearts will reject this Spirit. We get to choose, that is what the council in Heaven was all about. Our choice of what we want, and who we are.
The devil persuadeth no one to do good, no not one. So if we have someone, something, a feeling, or whatever that we feel and it urges us to do good, then we can know with a surety that it is from Christ.
Then we are counseled to "lay hold upon every good thing" then we will certainly be a child of Christ. That is our goal. Being a child of Christ, listen to that which is good, judging good judgement.
Next posting will be Sunday, April 5.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
By Our Works, We Shall Be Known
Moroni 7:5-11 we are told all about "works." By our works we shall be known. What are works? They are acts of service, words we say, how we treat strangers and neighbors, what we say within our mind as someone treats us badly. We remember "Faith without works is dead." But it goes beyond that. Yes, we need to do works, serve, fulfill callings, home/visit teach, etc. But our works are not enough.
"...if their works are good, then they are good also." Our prayers, our acts of service profit us nothing unless we do them with real intent. We are told that it is not counted unto us as righteousness. So just looking at our acts, they could be counted unto us as if we did not serve, not act depending on our inner feelings.
We have already discussed the "intent" we use to act, or serve, or give. If we did any of these acts grudgingly, it is as if we did them not. "...It profiteth us as nothing..'
"A man being evil cannot do that which is good," and "...a good fountain cannot bring forth bitter water."
"All things which are good cometh from God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil."
So, as we serve, give, fulfill our calling visit the sick, etc, will it be counted unto us as good, or will it be as if we did not do it? Our attitude will determine this.
"Every thing that inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve Him, is inspired of God." It is interesting to note that doing good will entice us to love God and serve Him.
So no matter how much good we do, if our attitude is negative, and we do it out of obligation, not out of love for God it is counted unto us as naught.
This concept is taught as we proceed along the path toward Charity and Zion. So, we need to assure we are serving and giving with the proper attitude. Maybe we need to work on that?
We are told as this subject is concluded that it is giving unto us to judge. We are counseled to make sure that we do not judge that which is good to be evil, and that which is evil is of God.
The next verse (16) we are given the sure way to know good from evil. Next Blog, on Wednesday, we shall discuss this.
"...if their works are good, then they are good also." Our prayers, our acts of service profit us nothing unless we do them with real intent. We are told that it is not counted unto us as righteousness. So just looking at our acts, they could be counted unto us as if we did not serve, not act depending on our inner feelings.
We have already discussed the "intent" we use to act, or serve, or give. If we did any of these acts grudgingly, it is as if we did them not. "...It profiteth us as nothing..'
"A man being evil cannot do that which is good," and "...a good fountain cannot bring forth bitter water."
"All things which are good cometh from God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil."
So, as we serve, give, fulfill our calling visit the sick, etc, will it be counted unto us as good, or will it be as if we did not do it? Our attitude will determine this.
"Every thing that inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve Him, is inspired of God." It is interesting to note that doing good will entice us to love God and serve Him.
So no matter how much good we do, if our attitude is negative, and we do it out of obligation, not out of love for God it is counted unto us as naught.
This concept is taught as we proceed along the path toward Charity and Zion. So, we need to assure we are serving and giving with the proper attitude. Maybe we need to work on that?
We are told as this subject is concluded that it is giving unto us to judge. We are counseled to make sure that we do not judge that which is good to be evil, and that which is evil is of God.
The next verse (16) we are given the sure way to know good from evil. Next Blog, on Wednesday, we shall discuss this.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Live What We Know, even though....
We should keep in mind we ARE truly children of a God, our Father in Heaven.
Bonnie and I went to the temple yesterday, seeking inspiration, direction, comfort, and love from Father. As we sat in the Celestial Room after the session, I was taught a great lesson.
Yes I know, we are seeking to bring forth Zion. Yes, we are trying to understand charity, Zion, and so forth. But until we know who we are, learn to live what we know, and learn the lessons that Father is striving to teach us, we cannot make inroads into charity and the Pure Love of Christ.
Now my lesson.
As I sat there with Bonnie by my side, thinking of our life, our situation, how we pray and hope for answers, direction, and comfort since many things are not as we desire them to be, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit taught me.
I know that Father loves us. I know that it is His glory and work to help Bon and me have Eternal Life. It is difficult to understand certain things, but in the temple, I was told to improve my faith, my belief in His love and live my life as if I knew it in area of my life. The main theme that Father/Divine inspiration taught me is this: His perfect timing is not my timing. My desires, what I pray for, what we wait for, what we think He wants for us is SO shortsighted.
Father has a timing, a schedule, a reason why things happen and do not happen. He is aware of us and where we are, and what we want. He wants us to be joyful and happy. But at times, when we are struggling for lack of answers, no insights of timing when things will happen, it is the time we need to keep in mind FATHER'S PERFECT TIMING IS SELDOM THE SAME AS OUR MORTAL TIMING. There are always reasons why things happen, and why they DO NOT happen in our life. His view of things, His purposes are not shown to us, and His way to treating us is divinely inspired and has Eternal purposes.
At least in my life, I need to strive to keep His love in my heart, my mind no matter how long I have to wait for answer to prayers, no matter how long I remain in any jail wondering when, asking, pleading for answers. In other words, I need LIVE what I know to be true no matter what I am faced with every day, every prayer, every question, every trial.
If we can do that, live what we know, believing that He knows what is best for us, especially the timing of blessings and of trials, then we can proceed toward living the law of consecration, living each day knowing and accepting His perfect timing involving each of us.
Bonnie and I went to the temple yesterday, seeking inspiration, direction, comfort, and love from Father. As we sat in the Celestial Room after the session, I was taught a great lesson.
Yes I know, we are seeking to bring forth Zion. Yes, we are trying to understand charity, Zion, and so forth. But until we know who we are, learn to live what we know, and learn the lessons that Father is striving to teach us, we cannot make inroads into charity and the Pure Love of Christ.
Now my lesson.
As I sat there with Bonnie by my side, thinking of our life, our situation, how we pray and hope for answers, direction, and comfort since many things are not as we desire them to be, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit taught me.
I know that Father loves us. I know that it is His glory and work to help Bon and me have Eternal Life. It is difficult to understand certain things, but in the temple, I was told to improve my faith, my belief in His love and live my life as if I knew it in area of my life. The main theme that Father/Divine inspiration taught me is this: His perfect timing is not my timing. My desires, what I pray for, what we wait for, what we think He wants for us is SO shortsighted.
Father has a timing, a schedule, a reason why things happen and do not happen. He is aware of us and where we are, and what we want. He wants us to be joyful and happy. But at times, when we are struggling for lack of answers, no insights of timing when things will happen, it is the time we need to keep in mind FATHER'S PERFECT TIMING IS SELDOM THE SAME AS OUR MORTAL TIMING. There are always reasons why things happen, and why they DO NOT happen in our life. His view of things, His purposes are not shown to us, and His way to treating us is divinely inspired and has Eternal purposes.
At least in my life, I need to strive to keep His love in my heart, my mind no matter how long I have to wait for answer to prayers, no matter how long I remain in any jail wondering when, asking, pleading for answers. In other words, I need LIVE what I know to be true no matter what I am faced with every day, every prayer, every question, every trial.
If we can do that, live what we know, believing that He knows what is best for us, especially the timing of blessings and of trials, then we can proceed toward living the law of consecration, living each day knowing and accepting His perfect timing involving each of us.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Look in the Mirror
As Kyle brought up, you have to love yourself. In fact, can one love someone else, with Charity and not love themselves? Many people have said that before one can love someone with the pure love of Christ, they need to love themselves.
Last post we talked about starting on a project to choose someone in the ward, or somewhere, and try to find and exercise the first steps of Charity. So if you started to love someone, get acquainted with someone, and learn the beginning steps of Charity, congratulations. Keep your goal going, and we shall touch upon that at a later date, but I have been "told" to dwell a bit more on loving oneself.
We have the DNA or the potential to become a God. We need to incorporate that into our mental exercises each day. When we begin the daily routine, it would be wise to start the planning of each day the fact that we are children of God, with attributes, and potential that is from our Father, or GODLY.
Let's say that every morning, we look in the mirror as we prepare for the day and imagine our potential. We look at the image staring at us and envision that the person staring at us can be a God creating worlds one day. That person is not perfect, but can be.
Let's imagine the attributes of our Father or of Jesus Christ. Let's think of ourselves endowed with Godly abilities. Do not look at what you think is there, but envision one looking at you as a God one day. Think of your talents, your abilities, the good you have done recently, and remember the love that our Father has for us.
We need to understand that He is aware of us, knows our weaknesses and has paid a great price for us, and is doing all He can do to help us become a God. It is His desire, His work, and His dream that we will, indeed, become like him, being a God.
We should not dwell on our sins, or failures, what we cannot do, or have not done. That comes from Satan. We need to set plans each morning how we are going to rid ourselves of any negative thoughts, and fill our minds with positive thoughts and think often our our potential.
This needs to be done every day. We need to incorporate these thoughts in our daily actions. We need to recall these things throughout our day and live AS IF we were a God.
We need to remember that the trials, afflictions, challenges are for our benefit and we will learn from them, but we need keep divine thoughts in our mind and slowly we will overcome the influences of that evil one. We will move toward our destination.
Next Post, Wednesday March 25.
Last post we talked about starting on a project to choose someone in the ward, or somewhere, and try to find and exercise the first steps of Charity. So if you started to love someone, get acquainted with someone, and learn the beginning steps of Charity, congratulations. Keep your goal going, and we shall touch upon that at a later date, but I have been "told" to dwell a bit more on loving oneself.
We have the DNA or the potential to become a God. We need to incorporate that into our mental exercises each day. When we begin the daily routine, it would be wise to start the planning of each day the fact that we are children of God, with attributes, and potential that is from our Father, or GODLY.
Let's say that every morning, we look in the mirror as we prepare for the day and imagine our potential. We look at the image staring at us and envision that the person staring at us can be a God creating worlds one day. That person is not perfect, but can be.
Let's imagine the attributes of our Father or of Jesus Christ. Let's think of ourselves endowed with Godly abilities. Do not look at what you think is there, but envision one looking at you as a God one day. Think of your talents, your abilities, the good you have done recently, and remember the love that our Father has for us.
We need to understand that He is aware of us, knows our weaknesses and has paid a great price for us, and is doing all He can do to help us become a God. It is His desire, His work, and His dream that we will, indeed, become like him, being a God.
We should not dwell on our sins, or failures, what we cannot do, or have not done. That comes from Satan. We need to set plans each morning how we are going to rid ourselves of any negative thoughts, and fill our minds with positive thoughts and think often our our potential.
This needs to be done every day. We need to incorporate these thoughts in our daily actions. We need to recall these things throughout our day and live AS IF we were a God.
We need to remember that the trials, afflictions, challenges are for our benefit and we will learn from them, but we need keep divine thoughts in our mind and slowly we will overcome the influences of that evil one. We will move toward our destination.
Next Post, Wednesday March 25.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Where do we start?
Our goal is to learn about Charity, Zion, and Becoming One. We have dealt with some of the challenges of life, and now are ready to make great strides toward this goal.
".. the pure love of Christ..." Enoch taught this to his entire city, and they were all translated. Joseph Smith tried to teach it to his people. Brigham Young tried to teach it to many of his people. Zion was a goal that many discussed as they crossed the plains. There have been small groups who have approached the conditions of Nephi 4.
"Zion will be build upon the American continent.." One day, in our lifetime? Zion will be here. Will we be ready to participate in this glorious experience?
Let's do an experiment. Choose one person in your ward. Make sure it is a person that you don't know too well, or even have questions about. This person is your "charity-person."
Now, if we were living in a Zion society, if we were living the principle of Charity, how would you feel toward this person? How often would you think about this person? If you have the PURE love of Christ for this person, how often would you talk to this person, serve this person, be with him/her?
Now, starting today, what would you want to do to feel Charity toward this person? Where would you start? Do you know about his/her struggles, challenges, trials, tests? Do you know how to help him/her, or to serve him/her? Where would you start?
First of all, sit down and think of someone else who seems to have this pure love for others. Why do you feel they have Charity toward you, or another person? What are their actions? Could you do the same?
Remember those words, .... no contention,... all things in common... becoming as one... Can we do that in these days?
To really feel charity toward one person, we have to start somewhere. Perhaps we need to select someone in our ward that "needs" us, needs someone to feel charity toward them. Could we not strive to feel charity, feel "one-ness" with this person?
It is hard. There are so many things in this life, this age that fights against this type of condition between people. But we must be above all those negative feelings.
It has to start somewhere. So, try to imagine what you would do if you wanted to begin feeling charity, know more about it, serve one as your equal, and one who needs you to love them. Now what?
Next Blog Sunday
".. the pure love of Christ..." Enoch taught this to his entire city, and they were all translated. Joseph Smith tried to teach it to his people. Brigham Young tried to teach it to many of his people. Zion was a goal that many discussed as they crossed the plains. There have been small groups who have approached the conditions of Nephi 4.
"Zion will be build upon the American continent.." One day, in our lifetime? Zion will be here. Will we be ready to participate in this glorious experience?
Let's do an experiment. Choose one person in your ward. Make sure it is a person that you don't know too well, or even have questions about. This person is your "charity-person."
Now, if we were living in a Zion society, if we were living the principle of Charity, how would you feel toward this person? How often would you think about this person? If you have the PURE love of Christ for this person, how often would you talk to this person, serve this person, be with him/her?
Now, starting today, what would you want to do to feel Charity toward this person? Where would you start? Do you know about his/her struggles, challenges, trials, tests? Do you know how to help him/her, or to serve him/her? Where would you start?
First of all, sit down and think of someone else who seems to have this pure love for others. Why do you feel they have Charity toward you, or another person? What are their actions? Could you do the same?
Remember those words, .... no contention,... all things in common... becoming as one... Can we do that in these days?
To really feel charity toward one person, we have to start somewhere. Perhaps we need to select someone in our ward that "needs" us, needs someone to feel charity toward them. Could we not strive to feel charity, feel "one-ness" with this person?
It is hard. There are so many things in this life, this age that fights against this type of condition between people. But we must be above all those negative feelings.
It has to start somewhere. So, try to imagine what you would do if you wanted to begin feeling charity, know more about it, serve one as your equal, and one who needs you to love them. Now what?
Next Blog Sunday
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Desire
After we have a firm belief, or an understanding of our divine position being a child of a God, and after we live our life knowing that He is our loving Father, always interested in us, in our actions each day, we search out the next step. Living with this truth in our hearts, we will still be challenged with trials, obstacles, questions, and turmoil.
As we incorporate in our lives our knowledge that we will have these trials and opportunities of growth, we will be proven, we should be able to endure, learn from, and overcome any road block in our path. If we desire, we will learn how to cope with "experiences" and endure them well if we couple them with service, forgetting ourselves, and giving. The sweet blessings of service will strengthen us, and let us feel His love, no matter the difficulty of the day.
Now we should turn our mind to the matter at hand. Do we remember that our goal is to learn all about Charity and live it? Can we do so with trials, questions, and struggles? Of course. In fact, perhaps the opportunity we have to go through challenges will set the circumstances to help us learn of Charity, Zion, the Pure love of Christ easier?
Remember the conditions: all things in common, no contention, everyone living and loving everyone, no pride among them, the law of consecration, serving everyone as our neighbor, the love of God in everyone's heart, no envyings, nor strifes, no lying, ..."surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God."
We want to find and live in a world defined in Fourth Nephi. YES it is possible. But a people has to be prepared to live it. But before a people can be prepared, a person has to be ready and anxious to learn and to live it. That is what we are doing in this blog. What is the first step after we have accepted and after we desire this kind of life? What do we do now?
The first step is to consciously decide that is our goal, and that is where we are going. That is what we strive for, and that is what we will work toward. Without the desire, there is no way. So, to begin at that road, decide, commit, and accept that it is not easy. It will have many additional obstacles placed in our way. But how firm is our goal, our desire? Are we will to pay the price?
Next post Wednesday March 18th
Next post Wednesday March 18th
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