Glorious Beings of Light

 Just as when we paint a picture or take a photograph, projecting light and experience from our 4th-dimensional life onto a 2-D canvas or paper, life as we know it on Earth is just a projection of light from our 5th-dimensional life with God. We are literally Glorious Beings of Light!

And what we see around us is what it looks like to be projected/experienced in a 4th-dimensional way. 

When we study 2-dimensional painting, we can see that it is made up of patterns of light and dark. If there were one without the other, there would be no picture.

Now, imagine our life, as studied from an additional dimension or 2, what picture is being painted by the patterns of light and dark in our lives? 

 The interesting thing about discovering that you are a child of God, 

is that you have to recognize so are the people standing next to you

the strangers at the grocery store

the weird person walking down the street

those of different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities

We are all children of God

We are brothers and sisters

We all have that divine spark and purpose

to treat anybody, or any group of people as less than us in value is to deny that

 The sisters I needed

were where I needed them

serving quietly

with smiles

and gentle guidance

I felt the power of their work, their hands, their faith

and proud to be among them

This is Zion

 Sisters, never met before, but glued together in purpose

and love

this is Zion

the smiles I needed today

Brothers, ready to help

White shirts and ties

jumping in with jumper cables and charge

as soon as they are asked

this is Zion

Instantly knowing you can trust and be trusted

all give what they can

and share what they've got

This is Zion

All are equal

All are loved

All are needed

 My heart counts time

from when it was shattered

across the laundry room floor

oh how it hurt

but it was put together again

piece by piece, lined with gold

glowing, a new thing

made out of the old

silver made slivers

and then into gold

There was so many 

little tender mercies

eyes opened

layers of gifts and understandings

 only 3 white dresses

little baby 

calm innocence stares out at me

as I snap her picture in an eyelet white dress

So new, so inspiring

her sweet spirit shines

8 years later in a white jumpsuit

covenanting with God through baptism

her sweet spirit has now been teamed with a personality of cuteness

I hear her singing "I'm trying to be like Jesus"

now I am holding her last white dress

lace tricot with puffy short sleeves

her sweet innocent eyes and playful smile are seen

in glimpses, visions, memories 

1 Nephi 17: 2-3

 Having just read 1 Nephi 17:2-3, I realize that even though the Book of Mormon is written from men's perspectives, these verses show Young Women's progress.

The daughters of Ishmael were probably all between the ages of 12 and 25 when they left their cushy home in Jerusalem. I bet they had never camped or journeyed much. They trusted and followed their father into the wilderness. They get married off to a set of brothers, not all of them thoughtful and patient, but young and impertinent as young males tend to be. We do not know how much was love and how much they just did as expected. But then they lose the one male they trusted thoroughly, their father and they "did mourn exceedingly" (v 16:35), now they get to rely on the young man they married for all their support and protection, and maybe their old father-in-law Lehi, who they or may not have much connection with. But they get through their mourning, and the next thing we know, not only are the traveling, but they are doing it well being pregnant and new mothers. 

That transition from murmuring to motherhood, from fragile femininity to strength to care for our children in any circumstance, is one we all must go through in life.  How great this transition is Nephi calls it a blessing (thinking the raw food diet was tough, when it was probably more healthy than they ate in Jerusalem). And then how this diet and daily activity level gave the women strength like the men.

I am sure the women found ways to do all the daily chores in the wilderness while traveling, and that alone helped quiet their murmuring, but so does the magic of holding your baby while he softly sleeps on your chest. That transition to motherhood, called "matrescence", is a powerful thing, involving much bio-psychology and physiology, and has a spiritual dimension that we only began to understand in hindsight.

It is no wonder Nephi doesn't talk much about it, as he couldn't, having not experienced it, and his wife, most likely left uneducated in reading and writing, was too busy taking care of the children and household, couldn't take time to write to us about her experience. Which is too bad, more women's voices are needed in the gospel. 

Names of Christ - Book of Revelations

 Revelations 7:

The Lion of Judah...the lamb that has been slain.... lamb with 7 eyes and 7 horns

I like the contrast of king of beasts and the sacrificial lamb, the power, the humility, all wrapped up the slain lamb standing up with his 7 horns and 7 eyes- or the representation of seeing all and being all powerful

Revelations on Revelations

 Naturally, 

 with the week's events, I had to go study up on the book of Revelations again. I started in chapter 11, and went backward and then forwards again chapters 8-11 are most interesting this week, and I learned a few things.

Although we read it nicely organized step-by-step, most of these events are concurrent. They are simultaneous but have to be written in the areas of discussion.  So we will have 1/3 of plants, animals, ocean life, and men die (chapters 8&9)- partly as a result of the war waging that leads to the siege of Jerusalem (chapter 11), and partly due to the stresses of industry age combined with actions those who love money above all else. 

The prophets stuck in Jerusalem during the siege are supposed to send plagues and destruction. Could you possibly imagine any of our apostles pouring out more misery on the earth? I think these plagues and destruction are already baked into global warming and warfare, but we all know how people hate the bearer of bad news. Their message will naturally be repentance, and turning towards God, which means stopping the hated and global destruction. 

Naturally, the leaders, those who sought power, are corrupted, and comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah helps me see that is it highly possible they have marked the innocent of Palestinians for destruction because they don't care they are poor and brown-skinned. Honestly, I am not sure they wouldn't happily sacrifice their own people for their blood or money/power lust.

One of the few time frames actually given in Revelations is of the 3.5 years. Church lesson materials suggest this about that "Revelation 11:2 says that the Gentiles will “tread under foot” Jerusalem for forty-two months, which is three and one-half years. This has reference to a time of apostasy when the Lord’s work is symbolically trampled on. Verse 3 indicates that “two witnesses” will serve a special mission to the sacred city for 1,260 days—which is also three and one-half years. Symbolically, John saw that the ministry of the Lord’s servants balances out the time of apostasy, thus giving people an equal opportunity to choose between the Lord and those who oppose Him. Unfortunately, as this chapter records, many will not listen to those prophets."

Does this suggest the 3.5 years is symbolic? Literal? or both? My experience with the Lord suggest both, but I wouldn't hold the Lord to it, as he has promised that he will speed up these last days for the salvation of his saints ( and what I have seen this year, I can see why he needs to).

Anyways, it is safe to say that it is time to fasten our seat belt, and stand in holy places.

 In Babylon, we are captives

 to the system

to the culture

to whatever king thinks he's in power

We are called out of Babylon 

called out of the ruins yet to be

called to work outside the system

to determine what we'll be

we need to forge our own culture

building lives of truth and love

as in Heaven above

Ever feel like an abused dresser drawer?

 I like watching the furniture flippers on YouTube. They take a piece of abused, broken furniture, often headed to the dump,and  then, step by step, they restore it. Often to better than its original glory, now ready for a special place in its new home.

This process reminds me of how the Savoir works on us. Once we allow him to claim us as His, the work commences.

He cleans us, years of dirt, debris, stickiness.

He repairs us, every chipped corner, or broken slider. Until we work as he wants us to work.

 Sometimes this takes some scraping. Sometimes multiple applications of paint strippers, until we are left raw and exposed, wood down to it's grain. Now it is sanded smooth and clean, and something beautiful begins to emerge.

I get excited when the natural beauty of the wood comes through. And then it gets enhanced. Different stains are applied that bring out the natural beauty further. For us, I see those as the stains of humility, faith, charity and other god-like virtues.

Then it is sealed. More easily to defend itself against the ravages of life. 

I Will Hold You

 I will hold you

through the dark abyss of night

endless and  empty

cold, without light

I will hold you

as you make your way through

I will hold you

in confusion

in doubt

look unto me

anchor yourself in the waters 

of mine eyes

as the seas toss you about and attempt to capsize

I will hold 

until all the broken pieces

glued together with 

glimmering gold

your heart made whole

I will hold you

in the palms of my hands

in the hole in my side

but surest of all, in my wrists

I hold you

with every breath you take

step by step

as you struggle to find light

I hold you

in that flash of light

a quick understanding

of why you must

slog your way through

I hold you

in doubt

in confusion

the wave on the water is my gentle hand

that bird that sings that 

song who's note of hope

can lodge in your heart

I hold you

all your thousand pieces

scattered across the miles of the parched earth

I hold you as you are:

every broken

shredded

tired

burnt

wondering

 &  lost

soul

I hold you in the palms of my hands

outstretched to you

- still

- always

These hands that made this world- this universe

and all it has in it

These hands hold you

Come follow me malachi 1

 My best is but a blemished lamb

Who has lost her way

My best little lamb

Who has gone astray 

Broken and forgotten

With matted fur of dirt

This little lamb is my heart

Who forgot to put thee first

But my Shepard is still watching

Reaching out and calling my name

I kinda want to come to him

But of my dirt I am ashamed 

But you are my dear Shepard 

And already ran my needed bath

Bathing me in your blood

Until my wool is white at last

 With clean wool I can stand before thee

Offering my heart and hands

And do the work of finding

Other lost and little lambs

 I have prayed the same prayer

as Isaiah 64

when the world weighs down upon me

and I groan with the earth at the sickness she carries

when the new cycles are too constant

the air too thick to breathe

I have cried for the coming of the Lord

for it all to be destroyed

but then I remember that we need to build

Isiah 63/64

 63:3 (missed yesterday) He who treadeth the winefat

vs 8: Our potter, and we all are the works of thy hands

Interesting relationship, especially when combined with Moses 1:39  Behold, My work and My Glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

So we are his work, not just any work, but the work of his hands, thought about, continually being molded, and to what end? Just our immortality and eternal life. Becoming as he is.

Isaiah 63

 a description of Christ in Isaiah 63: 1 "mighty to save".

vs 7: Loving Kindness of the Lord

vs 16: our father, everlasting

Mighty to save: not weak to save, but strong, willing, brave enough to save, but only if we ask.

Isaiah 60 & 61

 Lots of names for Christ are used in this chapter:

LORD

God

Redeemer

Holy One of Israel

Saviour and thy Redeemer

The mighty One of Jacob (interesting that might is not capitalized, but One and Jacob are).

everlasting light

61:3 interesting antithesis to the daughters of Zion in the beginning chapters of Isaiah.

The term "judgment" is used often in Isaiah, often in reference to not treating the poor and meek well.  The topical guide points out that it refers to accountability, justice, and equity. In this definition we are to judge the poor, that is to see that they are equitably treated, and we are held accountable for doing so.

Names of Christ

 Inspired by Jonathan S Schmidt's talk at  General Conference today, I will use this blog to cover my study of the names of Christ and their meaning to me. So now that will be a label you can search by if (some future day) you'd like to see what list I came up with.

Today I'd like to start with one I have never heard of before: "Master of Simplicity" 

Ryan K Olsen called Christ "The Master of Simplicity" explaining that every solution in found in Jesus. S

Simplicity has taken on an interesting meaning to me. A few years ago I studied Marie Kwon Do, and have reduced my possessions down to only what is useful or beautiful to me. I have tried to/continually try to simplify my life by reducing stuff, and learning to say no to excess activities, enjoying the basics of growing my children and my gardens. So when Ryan K Olsen called Christ "The Master of Simplicity" my efforts seemed to have clarified their spiritual meaning to me. Now I see that Christ is the focus of my simplicity.

Serving as he would serve is easier if I don't have debt to pay off. Blessing others is easy when I have no aspirations for more stuff, or more stuff to maintain. And I really look forward to when I can shake owning a house and go serve a mission. 

Once again as I aim for simplicity I aim to follow the Savior. 

Ode to Strippling Warrior Moms

 Waging Peace

Every Breath a Prayer

faith to weave the armor

but trusting their safety only to God

All your prayers were answered

your young sons saved a nation

all got hurt

but they returned home alive

& practiced in following the prophet

They remembered your faith

But your assurance only came

as you taught them

packed for them

prayed with them

stared into their eyes

& told them the Lord would protect them

& you knew it

Answers to Prayers

 I don't know whose prayers the Lord was trying to answer in this fiasco, but I think he's done a fine job.

My beautiful, extra friendly, big, yellow lab ran a-fowl (yes, pun intended) of the law by chasing our neighbor's free-range chickens. 

The prophet said to forgive somebody by Easter, so I brought flowers and an "I'm sorry my dogs are such turds" note to our neighbors, hoping to forgive them and open communications between us. 

Their response suggested to me that Indy would be on their mud list no matter what. After some pondering and prayer, I was prompted to rehome him and even told who I should contact about it. The logic was there is no better alibi than being a state away. And then if he is the problem, the problem would be solved and if he wasn't the problem, he couldn't be credibly accused of the crime.

So this friend agreed to take my beautiful dog and add him to her pile of fur babies. We would do the long drive and drop on Saturday. Then today she actually called me (instead of texts we were exchanging) saying that her ex-boyfriend, just a county away, really wanted Indy, and wanted to meet him tonight.

It turns out he is a hunter and camper and had a great hunting dog (and daily companion) that passed away a few years ago, leaving him lonely for that kind of companionship.

He came right out, played with dog, started training him, and loved him right away. He was so excited when we allowed him to take Indy home tonight. Indy so needs that kind of work to do. He trains well and loves to be a companion. The guy was so excited he was hugging us and crying. 

Then, of course, he sent me texts showing the new dog bed in his room where Indy will sleep. I have never met someone so in need of a dog before.

The series of strings pulled and networks employed to pull this off is pretty impressive. The Lord care about this man so much he made a way to get him the dog he needs. May they honor and sustain each other.

We, of course, will always love Indy, and thank him for the light and slimy balls he always dropped on our laps.