Please don't be a Lone Star.
Good Morning-
I am starting a little early today because I have so much on my mind. I am not sure that I will be able to get it all out before church starts, but I am going to see what I can do. I may have wrap it up later and let some of it pickle more throughout the day.
Here we go.
Last week, I started talking about a testimony that was shared about people being "Grey". That thought continues to come to me this week. So I step back a verse this week into my pondering and want to think of things a little broader than before.
In addition to the "Grey" in my thoughts, I was reading an article about how the there are dark places in this wonderful state we live in that compliment the brightness of the sky at night. If you are in those dark places, you are able to look up and see the vast expanse of stars scattered across the night sky. In places, there are so many stars that they almost look like a "Grey" cloud being brushed against the night sky. i.e. The Milky Way.
Ok there is my preface. Now open your scriptures to D&C 76:98, this is where I left off last week.
"...And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one; for as on star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world;..."
I found myself reflecting on that night sky. I have always wanted to be able to capture it's beauty with my own camera, but have never succeeded. I must admit, it is glorious to view. However, when looked at in context to this verse, each one of those stars is individual. A shining light, standing by itself. Even those that comprise of the Milky Way are still individual in brightness and glory. They share a share a common thread here or there, but are not unified in their brightness. Because of this, when viewed, they form a light "Grey" glory that can only be seen at certain times. I do not recall ever being able to look up into the sky when the brightness of the Sun is shining and see the light of individual stars or even an expanse of stars that may be near each other to form a "Grey" cloud such as the Milky Way.
Do you have a visual? I am trying. Let's move on to those verses I was really pondering this week: D&C 76:99-101
"...For these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas."
"These are they who say they are some of one and some of another -- some of Christ and some of John, and some of Moses, and some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and some of Enoch;" All great prophets, apostles, and men might I note.
"But received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant..."
Often when read these verses, we think of those who have centered on one part of the gospel or one individual in the history of the gospel, but they have not chosen to seek the whole. The more I thought of these verses I envisioned more than those who have chosen to center on these part, often time creating and organizing a "Church" that proclaims to radiate glory and brightness, yet they are still just individuals.
I see some of the wandering, as sheep, from place to place across the vastness of the night sky. Some have hearts of gold, but do not attach to any one principle or group. We find these individuals even within many of our own congregations. They claim to be part of, but not all.
Sometimes I find even myself wandering down these paths. The more I thought about it more thoughts filled my head. Today, the Sabbath, we are asked to gather to renew and make covenants with our God and Savior. As we listen to the Sacramental Prayers, we are reminded that we should be "willing" to "take" upon us the of the Son, note the action words.
Jesus Christ came to the earth and taught us that we must submit to the WILL of the Father, not partially, but wholly, thus "becoming" ONE with Him as Jesus is ONE with Him.
Over and over again we hear these action words: Stand, Trust, Take, Do, Receive, Give, Minister, Teach, Learn, etc... I am sure I could go on and on. All of them require us to do something, but it that something all comes back to "Being" ONE with the WILL of the Father. We cannot be selective. The glory of the Sun is ONE, unified in purpose.
Ok, now I have done a whole mess of rambling, hence the title of my blog. What have I learned? This does not just pertain to organized religions or groups of people. It is all about us as individuals prioritizing what is most important to us. Are we gravitating to the WILL of the Father or are we wondering off in the distance as a star, choosing what, when, and how we follow the covenant path?
Are we justifying our lack of putting God first, ministering to others, and becoming converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ by saying things like... "such principle does not apply to me", "I have to work, go to school, study, read the next book in a series, check out the next season of something on netflix, sleep, eat, finish a game, keep up with the "Jones", etc...", or "I have been doing that for years, I just need a little break and I will get back to it".
Or are we like the young man who came to Christ, asking what he needed to do to gain eternal life? Do we expect as he did that Jesus is going to just say, you are good, I can see you have tried thus far in your life, you can stop now.
Are we actively engaged? Do we pray, study, and ponder? (EVERY DAY) Do we go to church to get something or give something? Do we ask what is in it for us or what is there that I can do?
I know that I have learned a great deal this week. I know that I am not done developing yet. I still have much to learn, much to endure, and much to improve upon.
I plead with you all to do the same. Let's gravitate, actively, toward the WILL of the Father. Let's seek to combine our lights with His and become ONE.
Ok, I am not sure I articulated that well, but it might give you something to think about on your own.
Our week has been pretty mundane.
The Queen is back to splitting her days between training and phone calls. When she is not working she is planning for the next event.
The Professor completed one chapter and is on to the next, with a few papers to write, a few papers to grade, and a party to plan.
Tall Man was cast for his next performance. I think we can call him Steve. It was good to learn and share part of Ehl-Bo's talents this weekend in Eden.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are feeling overwhelmed at times. They are pushing through the hard days and loving the good ones.
SnackPack got his car out of the shop. He received it with mixed emotion. This whole adventure has been costly. All because of the choices of someone else, isn't it crazy how life is that way some times.
I love you all. I truly enjoyed spending time with many of you this weekend.
I am starting a little early today because I have so much on my mind. I am not sure that I will be able to get it all out before church starts, but I am going to see what I can do. I may have wrap it up later and let some of it pickle more throughout the day.
Here we go.
Last week, I started talking about a testimony that was shared about people being "Grey". That thought continues to come to me this week. So I step back a verse this week into my pondering and want to think of things a little broader than before.
In addition to the "Grey" in my thoughts, I was reading an article about how the there are dark places in this wonderful state we live in that compliment the brightness of the sky at night. If you are in those dark places, you are able to look up and see the vast expanse of stars scattered across the night sky. In places, there are so many stars that they almost look like a "Grey" cloud being brushed against the night sky. i.e. The Milky Way.
Ok there is my preface. Now open your scriptures to D&C 76:98, this is where I left off last week.
"...And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one; for as on star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world;..."
I found myself reflecting on that night sky. I have always wanted to be able to capture it's beauty with my own camera, but have never succeeded. I must admit, it is glorious to view. However, when looked at in context to this verse, each one of those stars is individual. A shining light, standing by itself. Even those that comprise of the Milky Way are still individual in brightness and glory. They share a share a common thread here or there, but are not unified in their brightness. Because of this, when viewed, they form a light "Grey" glory that can only be seen at certain times. I do not recall ever being able to look up into the sky when the brightness of the Sun is shining and see the light of individual stars or even an expanse of stars that may be near each other to form a "Grey" cloud such as the Milky Way.
Do you have a visual? I am trying. Let's move on to those verses I was really pondering this week: D&C 76:99-101
"...For these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas."
"These are they who say they are some of one and some of another -- some of Christ and some of John, and some of Moses, and some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and some of Enoch;" All great prophets, apostles, and men might I note.
"But received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant..."
Often when read these verses, we think of those who have centered on one part of the gospel or one individual in the history of the gospel, but they have not chosen to seek the whole. The more I thought of these verses I envisioned more than those who have chosen to center on these part, often time creating and organizing a "Church" that proclaims to radiate glory and brightness, yet they are still just individuals.
I see some of the wandering, as sheep, from place to place across the vastness of the night sky. Some have hearts of gold, but do not attach to any one principle or group. We find these individuals even within many of our own congregations. They claim to be part of, but not all.
Sometimes I find even myself wandering down these paths. The more I thought about it more thoughts filled my head. Today, the Sabbath, we are asked to gather to renew and make covenants with our God and Savior. As we listen to the Sacramental Prayers, we are reminded that we should be "willing" to "take" upon us the of the Son, note the action words.
Jesus Christ came to the earth and taught us that we must submit to the WILL of the Father, not partially, but wholly, thus "becoming" ONE with Him as Jesus is ONE with Him.
Over and over again we hear these action words: Stand, Trust, Take, Do, Receive, Give, Minister, Teach, Learn, etc... I am sure I could go on and on. All of them require us to do something, but it that something all comes back to "Being" ONE with the WILL of the Father. We cannot be selective. The glory of the Sun is ONE, unified in purpose.
Ok, now I have done a whole mess of rambling, hence the title of my blog. What have I learned? This does not just pertain to organized religions or groups of people. It is all about us as individuals prioritizing what is most important to us. Are we gravitating to the WILL of the Father or are we wondering off in the distance as a star, choosing what, when, and how we follow the covenant path?
Are we justifying our lack of putting God first, ministering to others, and becoming converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ by saying things like... "such principle does not apply to me", "I have to work, go to school, study, read the next book in a series, check out the next season of something on netflix, sleep, eat, finish a game, keep up with the "Jones", etc...", or "I have been doing that for years, I just need a little break and I will get back to it".
Or are we like the young man who came to Christ, asking what he needed to do to gain eternal life? Do we expect as he did that Jesus is going to just say, you are good, I can see you have tried thus far in your life, you can stop now.
Are we actively engaged? Do we pray, study, and ponder? (EVERY DAY) Do we go to church to get something or give something? Do we ask what is in it for us or what is there that I can do?
I know that I have learned a great deal this week. I know that I am not done developing yet. I still have much to learn, much to endure, and much to improve upon.
I plead with you all to do the same. Let's gravitate, actively, toward the WILL of the Father. Let's seek to combine our lights with His and become ONE.
Ok, I am not sure I articulated that well, but it might give you something to think about on your own.
Our week has been pretty mundane.
The Queen is back to splitting her days between training and phone calls. When she is not working she is planning for the next event.
The Professor completed one chapter and is on to the next, with a few papers to write, a few papers to grade, and a party to plan.
Tall Man was cast for his next performance. I think we can call him Steve. It was good to learn and share part of Ehl-Bo's talents this weekend in Eden.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are feeling overwhelmed at times. They are pushing through the hard days and loving the good ones.
SnackPack got his car out of the shop. He received it with mixed emotion. This whole adventure has been costly. All because of the choices of someone else, isn't it crazy how life is that way some times.
I love you all. I truly enjoyed spending time with many of you this weekend.
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