Dan Brooks's Blog, page 30
January 14, 2014
Sisters At The Well
Mary of Bethany had a sister-Martha and a brother-Lazarus. (Luke 10:38-42/John 11:1/12:11)
As with many women Mary's fate was to live in the shadow of others, Martha and Lazarus. But Luke tells us that she sat at our Savior's feet and listened to His teaching. To "sit at the feet" of any Rabbi and to listen to their teaching is considered to be a disciple of whichever Rabbi one chooses to sit at the feet of and if a Rabbi is allowing one to sit at their feet that is a sign they are accepted as disciples.
A parallel is found in Acts "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the Father's, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day." (Acts 22:3)
Peter's Mother-in-Law was sick with a fever and Jesus healed her. "And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them." (Mark 1:29-34)
Jesus healed men and women, He did not ask permission of husbands or fathers before hand. He treated these women as equals of men. He seemed to simply have seen all He met as Sons and Daughters of God.
21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21-28)
Jesus heals from a distance for the great faith of a foreigner which at this point in the Holy Land is considered as less than.
Even worse than a Roman, but speaking of which Jesus heals for the great faith of a certain centurion.
5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (Matthew 8:5-13)
John 4:1-42 descibes Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman. He preaches about living water quenching the thirst of everyone forever and how once you have drunk from His well of living water it springs up inside you as well so that you may offer it to all others.
The living water IS Jesus; in terms of His message, teachings and ministry. And He offers it to women and men both, just as equally and freely.
And then the Samaritan woman bears witness of Jesus' Messianic role: "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him." (John 4:29-30)
According to scholars early Christians referred to Mary Magdalene as "The Apostle to the Apostles." She, in gnostic scripture, blesses and heals and teaches or ministers.
Joseph Smith had heard that some church members had been saying negative things about women performing healings with the laying on of hands and he said this: “if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let every thing roll on.”
Joseph went one step further in his sanction and approval of women laying on their hands to heal the sick by saying that if God gave his sanction, and the person was then healed then “there could be no devils in it.” And in closing the end of the debate he said “there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water— that it is no sin for any body to do it that has faith, or if the sick has faith to be healed by the administration.”
It is important to remember that there is a distinct difference between laying on hands to heal the sick and laying on hands for a priesthood blessing. They are two entirely different things.(D&C 42:43, 44)
But some people think Joseph Smith ordained women to the Priesthood in 1843.
As with many women Mary's fate was to live in the shadow of others, Martha and Lazarus. But Luke tells us that she sat at our Savior's feet and listened to His teaching. To "sit at the feet" of any Rabbi and to listen to their teaching is considered to be a disciple of whichever Rabbi one chooses to sit at the feet of and if a Rabbi is allowing one to sit at their feet that is a sign they are accepted as disciples.
A parallel is found in Acts "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the Father's, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day." (Acts 22:3)
Peter's Mother-in-Law was sick with a fever and Jesus healed her. "And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them." (Mark 1:29-34)
Jesus healed men and women, He did not ask permission of husbands or fathers before hand. He treated these women as equals of men. He seemed to simply have seen all He met as Sons and Daughters of God.
21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21-28)
Jesus heals from a distance for the great faith of a foreigner which at this point in the Holy Land is considered as less than.
Even worse than a Roman, but speaking of which Jesus heals for the great faith of a certain centurion.
5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (Matthew 8:5-13)
John 4:1-42 descibes Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman. He preaches about living water quenching the thirst of everyone forever and how once you have drunk from His well of living water it springs up inside you as well so that you may offer it to all others.
The living water IS Jesus; in terms of His message, teachings and ministry. And He offers it to women and men both, just as equally and freely.
And then the Samaritan woman bears witness of Jesus' Messianic role: "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him." (John 4:29-30)
According to scholars early Christians referred to Mary Magdalene as "The Apostle to the Apostles." She, in gnostic scripture, blesses and heals and teaches or ministers.
Joseph Smith had heard that some church members had been saying negative things about women performing healings with the laying on of hands and he said this: “if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let every thing roll on.”
Joseph went one step further in his sanction and approval of women laying on their hands to heal the sick by saying that if God gave his sanction, and the person was then healed then “there could be no devils in it.” And in closing the end of the debate he said “there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water— that it is no sin for any body to do it that has faith, or if the sick has faith to be healed by the administration.”
It is important to remember that there is a distinct difference between laying on hands to heal the sick and laying on hands for a priesthood blessing. They are two entirely different things.(D&C 42:43, 44)
But some people think Joseph Smith ordained women to the Priesthood in 1843.
January 12, 2014
The Things You Own
Today in Elder's quorum the lesson was on a general conference talk about two principles: Work and learning.Two principles for any economy by Uchtdorf was the talk the lesson was based on. The lesson quickly turned into a discussion about how if one were to observe both principles that material riches will be yours and that it's not bad to just want a Lexus out of life.
My first thought was when Jesus said in Matthew 6:26 "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"
And "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
And the further thought occurs: "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
It is not that material wealth in and of itself is evil or wrong it's that the things you own end up owning you. You become bound to your possessions, you begin to love them because where your treasure is your heart will be also. You are afraid to park in or drive through certain parts of town for fear something may happen to that Lexus of yours.
You turn your home into a fortress for as protected and fortified as you make it because now you have to protect your wealth, you design the most posh of panic rooms.
So if we are not intended to become phenomenally wealthy in life, if we are not to value riches but rather build up our treasures in heaven, then what are we to live for?
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 6:23-26)
It seems that Jesus is saying that if you love God and live by, lead your family by that principle of love that you will get what you needs as the fowls of the air do and much more because you are that much more important to God than birds. That is worth living for, that is worth dying for. Because if you find that as a reason to live you will find your purpose and it will turn your world upside down because from a worldly perspective the way of Jesus is upside down.
It's only when you've lost everything that you're free to do anything. -Chuck Palahniuk
So maybe once we lose ourselves in Christ do we truly discover the freedom to achieve anything.
Think about what it did to Jesus. He devoted Himself entirely to The Lord so much so that He gave His life for The Lord rather than take a life in the name of The Lord. That is what it means to be a martyr, that is what it means to be Holy.
Think of the Law of Consecration.
Or performing healing miracles without charging a co-pay.
"You're not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your frigging khakis." -Chuck Palahniuk
January 9, 2014
The High Watermark Jesus Set
In Mosaic Law retaliation is limited to, for example, an eye for an eye. There are 613 commandments in all. These laws were all about saying "at the lest; do this.."
But Jesus did the opposite; Jesus said in effect do the most possible. He wasn't interested in telling people where the bare minimum watermark was. He told them what the best of possibilities were, and we can all achieve these high watermarks of righteousness.
"But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Matthew 5:22-24)
Jesus is saying that the bare minimum is to not kill, but the high watermark is to not even be angry. He asks us to reach the high water mark of not even being angry toward or hold a grudge against anyone. Jesus is saying His high watermark is now the new bare minimum. Hate or anger is on par with killing in Jesus' mind.
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28)
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." (Exodus 20:17)
If you have lust in your heart I'm sure that counts as coveting. Jesus is comparing lust for anyone who is not your spouse to adultry. He also compares hate to murder. Jesus is asking for much more than the bare minimums of Mosaic Law.
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."(Matthew 18:21-22)
"If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold." (Genesis 4:24)
This reference to 70 times 7 or 77 is symbolic of infinity some may roll their eyes at the thought of Jews being obsessed with numerology but they did have a form of it called Gematria. Jesus is saying we should meet hate with unlimited and unconditional love. We should place no limits as God places no limits on His forgiveness of us. We can repay The Lord's kindness by being as forgiving toward others as He is toward us. We can take part in the Atonement by paying that love and forgiveness forward.
Lamech is considered to be one of the most wicked and vengeful characters in scripture so Jesus by saying that we should be as forgiving and loving as Lamech is vengful and hateful.
Why be less than your best?
"And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." (Matthew 5:40-41)
Coat in this case means tunic or shirt but cloak means coat and it's what most used to sleep with or for collateral so the cloak is much more valuable yet Jesus is saying if someone takes your less valuable shirt give them your highly valuable coat. It's like saying if someone takes yur mountain bike give them you SUV as well.
And being "compelled" is also translated accurately as "forced." Roman soldiers often conscripted Jews to carry their equipment. Thus was a regular occurrence in Christ's time. And rather than telling the soldier off and running away Jesus says we should go twice as far or go the extra mile so to speak.
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48)
Now this may not always work as well as you may hope; every one still has the free agency to react and respond however they choose. But it is possible to destroy your enemies when you make them your friends as Lincoln claimed to.
Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. -Dr. Martin Luther King
Jesus takes what sounded normal to His audience and makes all too much sense in our own time which is "Love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy." And He turns our world upside down when He says we are to Love or enemies, do good to them that hate you.
He asks what reward is there in playing life as a this for that game. If you do good to me I reciprocate, if you do bad to me I reciprocate. Jesus is saying we should unconditionally respond with limitless love regardless of how we are treated. He is saying that there is great reward in softening a hardened heart.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:30-35)
To walk the path Christ has is what it takes to truly be a disciple it has nothing to do with the creeds and doctrines of men and institutions of more men. All men will know we are Christ's disciples if we have love like His one to another.
But Jesus did the opposite; Jesus said in effect do the most possible. He wasn't interested in telling people where the bare minimum watermark was. He told them what the best of possibilities were, and we can all achieve these high watermarks of righteousness.
"But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Matthew 5:22-24)
Jesus is saying that the bare minimum is to not kill, but the high watermark is to not even be angry. He asks us to reach the high water mark of not even being angry toward or hold a grudge against anyone. Jesus is saying His high watermark is now the new bare minimum. Hate or anger is on par with killing in Jesus' mind.
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28)
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." (Exodus 20:17)
If you have lust in your heart I'm sure that counts as coveting. Jesus is comparing lust for anyone who is not your spouse to adultry. He also compares hate to murder. Jesus is asking for much more than the bare minimums of Mosaic Law.
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."(Matthew 18:21-22)
"If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold." (Genesis 4:24)
This reference to 70 times 7 or 77 is symbolic of infinity some may roll their eyes at the thought of Jews being obsessed with numerology but they did have a form of it called Gematria. Jesus is saying we should meet hate with unlimited and unconditional love. We should place no limits as God places no limits on His forgiveness of us. We can repay The Lord's kindness by being as forgiving toward others as He is toward us. We can take part in the Atonement by paying that love and forgiveness forward.
Lamech is considered to be one of the most wicked and vengeful characters in scripture so Jesus by saying that we should be as forgiving and loving as Lamech is vengful and hateful.
Why be less than your best?
"And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." (Matthew 5:40-41)
Coat in this case means tunic or shirt but cloak means coat and it's what most used to sleep with or for collateral so the cloak is much more valuable yet Jesus is saying if someone takes your less valuable shirt give them your highly valuable coat. It's like saying if someone takes yur mountain bike give them you SUV as well.
And being "compelled" is also translated accurately as "forced." Roman soldiers often conscripted Jews to carry their equipment. Thus was a regular occurrence in Christ's time. And rather than telling the soldier off and running away Jesus says we should go twice as far or go the extra mile so to speak.
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48)
Now this may not always work as well as you may hope; every one still has the free agency to react and respond however they choose. But it is possible to destroy your enemies when you make them your friends as Lincoln claimed to.
Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. -Dr. Martin Luther King
Jesus takes what sounded normal to His audience and makes all too much sense in our own time which is "Love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy." And He turns our world upside down when He says we are to Love or enemies, do good to them that hate you.
He asks what reward is there in playing life as a this for that game. If you do good to me I reciprocate, if you do bad to me I reciprocate. Jesus is saying we should unconditionally respond with limitless love regardless of how we are treated. He is saying that there is great reward in softening a hardened heart.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:30-35)
To walk the path Christ has is what it takes to truly be a disciple it has nothing to do with the creeds and doctrines of men and institutions of more men. All men will know we are Christ's disciples if we have love like His one to another.
January 8, 2014
The Law Of Consecration
Here is the Law of Consecration for your consideration:
30 And behold, thou wilt remember the apoor, and bconsecrate of thy properties for their csupport that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken.
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
(Acts 4:34-37)And is there a parallel with the City of Zion? "The people of Enoch were of one heart and one mind and dwelt in righteousness, and there were no poor among them":Moses 7:18
Can we truly build up Zion by behaving like those in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?
17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just— 18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?Do we really own anything and if not, are we not all beggars? And how often do politicians and pundits declare that the poor are poor because they choose to be because they are just lazy and unmotivated. But scripture has something very different to say. 20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.And if we are called to be like him we must not turn a deaf ear to those who plead with us. 21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another. 22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done. 23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.(Mosiah 4:16-23)19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Luke 16:19-31 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.Do you and those in your ward see their Lord in the hungry, thirsty, in the stranger, the naked, the prisoner, and the beggar? If not, why not? 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:31-46 We won’t even allow beggars to put up their petitions on cardboard signs on City Creek property because they aren’t allowed on church owned property. They are required to stay outside the gate. In the scripture quoted earlier about Lazarus and the rich man Lazarus who was kept outside the gate ultimately received just reward and the rich man who kept him out went to hell.Jesus Christ is in charge of this church so do you think he would let the beggars on temple grounds? Or do you think he would build luxury shopping malls and empty church coffers in order to do that? Do you think he would set up boundaries and hire guards to intimidate the beggars?So how do we go from worshiping a poor homeless man on Sunday to sneering at homeless people on Monday? Not to mention the other 5 days of the week? What is it about our society that encourages people to blame the homeless, the poor, the down trodden for their plight? What is it about societal norms that trump scripture, even the very teachings of our Savior? Why don’t more people speak the way these scriptures have as to the nature of giving and the eternal truths as to why it is righteous to do so? Why do people reject these truths in favor of convenient justifications and excuses for not living up to these scriptural teachings?And why does it seem that by refusing the homeless from temple property our general authority leadership seem to be leading the social Darwinism cause? Temporal riches and privilege do not make one evil, to commit the sin of Sodom and excuse yourself from responsibility for the health and well being of your brothers and sisters however, does."The Hebrew Prophet, Ezekiel, who wrote his writings much closer to the writing down of this Torah story, actually addresses directly the question of what the sin of the people of Sodom was.
He writes in his chapter 16:
48 As I live—declares the Lord GOD—your sister Sodom and her daughters did not do what you and your daughters did. 49 Only this was the sin of your sister Sodom: arrogance! She and her daughters had plenty of bread and untroubled tranquility; yet she did not support the poor and the needy.
The Hebrew word “Sodom” (סודם) is etymologically related to the Hebrew word (שדה), “fertile field.” The implication is that Sodom was a fertile farming area, good for grazing animals. The Hebrew word “Gomorrah” (עמורה) derives etymologically from the word (עומר) meaning “sheaf of grain.” By using these names for these cities, the writer is implying that the area of Sodom and Gomorrah was good for the growing of grains like, wheat, barley, oats, rye, etc. This is also why the Prophet Ezekiel states: “She and her daughters had plenty of bread and untroubled tranquility.” So, what then were the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah?
The sins of Sodom were - social injustice, waste, over-indulgence, and insolence.And I, for one, see that we as a people, as a country, have a great need to repent for having too much in common with Sodom and Gomorrah and not enough in common with Zion. But how can we have more in common with Zion when we hate the ideals that it lived up to, such as living the Law of Consecration that lead to it's Holiness?And here I would like to share an experience from my friend Alan Rock Waterman’s wife Connie as he related it in his blog post:“Some years ago when her health was better than it is now, Connie was visiting friends in Salt Lake City around Christmas time. I have written elsewhereabout how Connie is spiritually intuitive. Since like attracts like, these friends of hers were similarly attuned. This was an exceptional group of people, yet really no different from the kind of folks we all should hope to aspire to. Anyway, these four friends decided they would go out and acquire enough food to provide a needy family with all the fixings to make up a traditional Christmas dinner, then simply ask God where he wanted it delivered.
So they pooled their money and went to a grocery store where they bought a ready-cooked turkey with stuffing, along with mashed potatoes, rolls, butter, gravy, a greenbean casserole, jello, a big bowl of ambrosia, a pumpkin pie andan apple pie -everything they could think of to make up a complete Norman Rockwell style holiday feast, right down to the cranberry sauce. Then they hauled those bags of food out to the car, said a prayer, and just started driving around a nearby neighborhood.
Before long, one of the women in the group said, "Here. Stop the car. Right here." They parked in front of a rundown apartment building and carried their bags of groceries up to one of the doors. A woman answered, with three children standing somewhat apprehensively behind her.
Connie said, "Hi. Can you use some dinner?"
After a moment of stunned silence while Connie and her friends excitedly showed the woman what they had brought in the sacks, the woman broke down and started weeping with gratitude. She invited them in to meet her children and told how she was down to no money, with not so much as a rotten old carrot left in the fridge. She had asked her children to stand in a circle with her to hold hands and pray that somehow God would find a way to help them get some supper that night. They were in the middle of that prayer when the doorbell rang and the food arrived.
This Is Not A Test
When Connie came home and told me of her experience, I gathered some important lessons from it that had not occurred to me before. Chief among these lessons was the realization that God is not all-powerful. There are some things even God is unable to do. For instance, God cannot come down in person and leave a box of groceries on someone's porch. God depends on us to carry out his will. We are his hands, his eyes, his ears. We are His emissaries of goodwill. All of us are expected to be God's angels on earth, ministering to each other in kindness."
When God hears a young mother's prayer, the way he acts on that prayer is by inspiring others to perform in his stead. That's what it means to emulate Christ; we do the things Jesus would do himself if he were here to do them.
So here is something to ponder: what do you suppose would have become of that young mother and her children if Connie and her friends had ignored the promptings of the spirit that inspired them to go out and gather food to take to a stranger? The answer is simple: that young family would have gone hungry.
It happens every day all over the world; people pray for help and help never comes. I don't think this is because God ignores their prayers. I think it's because those who are in positions to lend a hand often ignore God when he is whispering in their ears.”Now let’s look at something about Sodom. People have said often that we are living in a country just like Sodom, referring to acceptance of homosexuality and pervasive sexuality in general, overindulgence basically. Beyond the misunderstanding of the true sin of Sodom and the over sexed nature of modern culture, they are right. Our country and indeed our church is giving in to the true and principle sin of Sodom, waste, overindulgence of every kind and ignoring the poor and hungry even to death.Now we know this is why Sodom was deystroyed, but by contrast we have the city of Zion which was lifted up to Heaven by the Lord because of the righteousness of its inhabitants. But what best signifies their righteousness? We by contrast do not love our enemies, we drop napalm, nukes, and hell fire missiles on our enemies. We give more in "aid" to foreign countries to buy their support than we spend on education or healthcare for our own people.
Jesus described His disciples this way: For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." (John13:15) "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
Pythagoras the Greek philosopher and mathematician gathered up a group of people to try out this mode of living. It failed because his people were as weak as the early Mormons who also failed at it.
But the early Christians succeeded for sometime, the people of Zion succeeded to the point that they were raised up by God.
This path may be as difficult to tread as is the path of peace but it is not impossible. It has been done before by Zion and it can be done again by us.
The question is do we want to succeed for ourselves despite others or succeed together because of each other?
We can choose to do our own thing but we must be honest and say we don't want to follow this celestial law. We cannot say our version of capitalism is condoned by The Lord when His plan is diametrically opposed to it.
30 And behold, thou wilt remember the apoor, and bconsecrate of thy properties for their csupport that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken.
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
(Acts 4:34-37)And is there a parallel with the City of Zion? "The people of Enoch were of one heart and one mind and dwelt in righteousness, and there were no poor among them":Moses 7:18
Can we truly build up Zion by behaving like those in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?
17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just— 18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?Do we really own anything and if not, are we not all beggars? And how often do politicians and pundits declare that the poor are poor because they choose to be because they are just lazy and unmotivated. But scripture has something very different to say. 20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.And if we are called to be like him we must not turn a deaf ear to those who plead with us. 21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another. 22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done. 23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.(Mosiah 4:16-23)19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Luke 16:19-31 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.Do you and those in your ward see their Lord in the hungry, thirsty, in the stranger, the naked, the prisoner, and the beggar? If not, why not? 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:31-46 We won’t even allow beggars to put up their petitions on cardboard signs on City Creek property because they aren’t allowed on church owned property. They are required to stay outside the gate. In the scripture quoted earlier about Lazarus and the rich man Lazarus who was kept outside the gate ultimately received just reward and the rich man who kept him out went to hell.Jesus Christ is in charge of this church so do you think he would let the beggars on temple grounds? Or do you think he would build luxury shopping malls and empty church coffers in order to do that? Do you think he would set up boundaries and hire guards to intimidate the beggars?So how do we go from worshiping a poor homeless man on Sunday to sneering at homeless people on Monday? Not to mention the other 5 days of the week? What is it about our society that encourages people to blame the homeless, the poor, the down trodden for their plight? What is it about societal norms that trump scripture, even the very teachings of our Savior? Why don’t more people speak the way these scriptures have as to the nature of giving and the eternal truths as to why it is righteous to do so? Why do people reject these truths in favor of convenient justifications and excuses for not living up to these scriptural teachings?And why does it seem that by refusing the homeless from temple property our general authority leadership seem to be leading the social Darwinism cause? Temporal riches and privilege do not make one evil, to commit the sin of Sodom and excuse yourself from responsibility for the health and well being of your brothers and sisters however, does."The Hebrew Prophet, Ezekiel, who wrote his writings much closer to the writing down of this Torah story, actually addresses directly the question of what the sin of the people of Sodom was.
He writes in his chapter 16:
48 As I live—declares the Lord GOD—your sister Sodom and her daughters did not do what you and your daughters did. 49 Only this was the sin of your sister Sodom: arrogance! She and her daughters had plenty of bread and untroubled tranquility; yet she did not support the poor and the needy.
The Hebrew word “Sodom” (סודם) is etymologically related to the Hebrew word (שדה), “fertile field.” The implication is that Sodom was a fertile farming area, good for grazing animals. The Hebrew word “Gomorrah” (עמורה) derives etymologically from the word (עומר) meaning “sheaf of grain.” By using these names for these cities, the writer is implying that the area of Sodom and Gomorrah was good for the growing of grains like, wheat, barley, oats, rye, etc. This is also why the Prophet Ezekiel states: “She and her daughters had plenty of bread and untroubled tranquility.” So, what then were the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah?
The sins of Sodom were - social injustice, waste, over-indulgence, and insolence.And I, for one, see that we as a people, as a country, have a great need to repent for having too much in common with Sodom and Gomorrah and not enough in common with Zion. But how can we have more in common with Zion when we hate the ideals that it lived up to, such as living the Law of Consecration that lead to it's Holiness?And here I would like to share an experience from my friend Alan Rock Waterman’s wife Connie as he related it in his blog post:“Some years ago when her health was better than it is now, Connie was visiting friends in Salt Lake City around Christmas time. I have written elsewhereabout how Connie is spiritually intuitive. Since like attracts like, these friends of hers were similarly attuned. This was an exceptional group of people, yet really no different from the kind of folks we all should hope to aspire to. Anyway, these four friends decided they would go out and acquire enough food to provide a needy family with all the fixings to make up a traditional Christmas dinner, then simply ask God where he wanted it delivered.
So they pooled their money and went to a grocery store where they bought a ready-cooked turkey with stuffing, along with mashed potatoes, rolls, butter, gravy, a greenbean casserole, jello, a big bowl of ambrosia, a pumpkin pie andan apple pie -everything they could think of to make up a complete Norman Rockwell style holiday feast, right down to the cranberry sauce. Then they hauled those bags of food out to the car, said a prayer, and just started driving around a nearby neighborhood.
Before long, one of the women in the group said, "Here. Stop the car. Right here." They parked in front of a rundown apartment building and carried their bags of groceries up to one of the doors. A woman answered, with three children standing somewhat apprehensively behind her.
Connie said, "Hi. Can you use some dinner?"
After a moment of stunned silence while Connie and her friends excitedly showed the woman what they had brought in the sacks, the woman broke down and started weeping with gratitude. She invited them in to meet her children and told how she was down to no money, with not so much as a rotten old carrot left in the fridge. She had asked her children to stand in a circle with her to hold hands and pray that somehow God would find a way to help them get some supper that night. They were in the middle of that prayer when the doorbell rang and the food arrived.
This Is Not A Test
When Connie came home and told me of her experience, I gathered some important lessons from it that had not occurred to me before. Chief among these lessons was the realization that God is not all-powerful. There are some things even God is unable to do. For instance, God cannot come down in person and leave a box of groceries on someone's porch. God depends on us to carry out his will. We are his hands, his eyes, his ears. We are His emissaries of goodwill. All of us are expected to be God's angels on earth, ministering to each other in kindness."
When God hears a young mother's prayer, the way he acts on that prayer is by inspiring others to perform in his stead. That's what it means to emulate Christ; we do the things Jesus would do himself if he were here to do them.
So here is something to ponder: what do you suppose would have become of that young mother and her children if Connie and her friends had ignored the promptings of the spirit that inspired them to go out and gather food to take to a stranger? The answer is simple: that young family would have gone hungry.
It happens every day all over the world; people pray for help and help never comes. I don't think this is because God ignores their prayers. I think it's because those who are in positions to lend a hand often ignore God when he is whispering in their ears.”Now let’s look at something about Sodom. People have said often that we are living in a country just like Sodom, referring to acceptance of homosexuality and pervasive sexuality in general, overindulgence basically. Beyond the misunderstanding of the true sin of Sodom and the over sexed nature of modern culture, they are right. Our country and indeed our church is giving in to the true and principle sin of Sodom, waste, overindulgence of every kind and ignoring the poor and hungry even to death.Now we know this is why Sodom was deystroyed, but by contrast we have the city of Zion which was lifted up to Heaven by the Lord because of the righteousness of its inhabitants. But what best signifies their righteousness? We by contrast do not love our enemies, we drop napalm, nukes, and hell fire missiles on our enemies. We give more in "aid" to foreign countries to buy their support than we spend on education or healthcare for our own people.
Jesus described His disciples this way: For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." (John13:15) "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
Pythagoras the Greek philosopher and mathematician gathered up a group of people to try out this mode of living. It failed because his people were as weak as the early Mormons who also failed at it.
But the early Christians succeeded for sometime, the people of Zion succeeded to the point that they were raised up by God.
This path may be as difficult to tread as is the path of peace but it is not impossible. It has been done before by Zion and it can be done again by us.
The question is do we want to succeed for ourselves despite others or succeed together because of each other?
We can choose to do our own thing but we must be honest and say we don't want to follow this celestial law. We cannot say our version of capitalism is condoned by The Lord when His plan is diametrically opposed to it.
January 7, 2014
The Redemptive Power of Love
"And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." (Matthew 5:40-41)
The English word "compel" is translated from the Greek word "Angareuo."
I found this definition at this site.
"The Greek word “angareuo” is a verb that describes being compelled to perform some type of service. Unlike other words which are found throughout the New Testament, this term is found only three times (Mt. 5:41; 27:32; Mk. 15:21). The reference in Mt. 5:41 involves Jesus’ statement that people might have been “compelled” to go a “mile” and if this happened people should go “two” miles. Some think of this as “passive submission,” but the better explanation is “active goodness.” The other remaining two references describe how Simon was “compelled” to bear Jesus’ cross. Moulton and Milligan suggest this word is “probably the Iranian cognate of angelos.”
In the first line the word "coat" means tunic, the "shirt" most men wore but cloak refers to their jacket which was much more valuable because they used it as a blanket when sleeping so to turn this into a modern context it would be like Jesus saying "If someone takes your bike give them your car as well."
Jesus mentions that if someone forces you to go one mile and that we should go two. This is key because Jews living under Roman occupation were often pressed into service to carry the Roman soldiers gear. This practice was routine during Jesus' life.
Jesus is saying when confronted with injustice we should have compassion. When someone takes your bike you should give them your car too.
Let's say, for the examples sake, an ex-con finds himself on the doorstep of a church and the Bishop not only let's him stay the night but feeds him as well.
In the morning the Bishop and Nuns wake up to find the ex-con gone and their silver valuables missing. But when the cops bring the man back saying "We found him with all these valuables and he told us you gave them to him, is that true?"
And what would it mean if the Bishop said "Yes, but you must've forgot these." And the Bishop produces two weighty silver candle stick holders?
This example comes out of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. The song "The Bishop" in the musical based on the book goes like this:
"Monsignor, we have your silver
We caught this man red-handed
He had the nerve to say you gave him this
That is right.
But my friend you left so early
Surely something slipped your mind
You forgot I gave these also;
Would you leave the best behind?
Monsieur, release him
This man has spoken true.
I commend you for your duty
And God's blessing go with you.
But remember this, my brother,
See in this some high plan.
You must use this precious silver
To become an honest man.
By the witness of the martyrs,
By the passion and the blood,
God has raised you out of darkness:
I have bought your soul for God."
The backstory is that Jean Valjean the, ex-con, was initially imprisoned for stealing bread during a depression for his sister's ill child. He serves 19 years because of repeated escape attempts. When he is finally released he is given what was called a yellow passport identifying him as a convict and thus ostracizing him from any community he finds himself in.
Because of this he jumps parole and changes his identity. Becoming, amongst other aliases, Monsieur Madeleine or if you're familiar with the musical he is referred to as Monsieur le maire which means Mr.Mayor.
During his imprisonment for essentially a petty crime and the treatment he suffers like the conditions of his parole, Jean Valjean becomes more than bitter toward society at large and everyone else in general. He sees no reason to do right when he must suffer the life of an ex-con. Infinite punishment for a temporary and petty crime.
But when the Bishop showers him with kindness and compassion, infinite and limitless loving grace Jean Valjean is shaken to his core; he is told the only way to repay his debt to the Bishop is to right himself and become an honest man.
Having been truly touched, and shown true love and compassion for possibly the first time in his life Valjean does become and honest man.
His foreman fires a woman at his factory, Fantine who has a child named Cozette. When Valjean learns of her plight as a destitue prostitute he tries to correct the mistake he made, but Fantine dies and so Valjean takes in Cozette as his own child.
But during Cozette's entire life Valjean is hunted by a police inspector name Javert. Javert is esteemed by society due to his position in life as an inspector. Javert thinks that all criminals like Valjean deserve no forgiveness so when Valjean has the chance to kill Javert and instead goes out of his way, actually risking his life to save the man who has hunted him for years. Javert's grudge against Valjean cannot process or cope with such forgiveness and compassion. And Javert ultimately throws himself into a river.
The love the Bishop showed to Valjean transforms him into a good man who became father to an orphan. Valjean repeatedly does the Christian thing throughout the story, whether or not he benefits from doing so and regardless of the risk to his freedom or his life.
There is a set of examples to use here; the sheep are symbolic of the good amongst us and the goats are symbolic of the bad amongst us in these examples:
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
The Bishop Valjean meets shows him the unconditional love that these verses of scripture speak of and that love not only redeems Valjean it saves the life of Cozette and Javert. It is the butterfly effect of love, the redemptive power of love transforming a sinner into a saint.
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45)
God's love is given to all, God's forgiveness is given to all. "All are alike unto God."
Valjean's good deeds are not intended to buy his salvation, they are the result of it, of his transformation from sinner to saint. What we can learn from this is that God's love can save us, but we have to put forth the effort to make the changes in our lives and to show the same compassion as we are shown.
Hate cannot drive out hate only love can do that. Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that said Dr.King. Love without conditions or limits can redeem and transform anyone, you are never so far lost that you can't be found. When you allow God's love to fill you it spills over to others as well. When one is transformed others will be also. Sinners will fall like dominoes and rise as saints building up the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven.
January 5, 2014
Many Are Called
Many are called but few are chosen says Jesus in Matthew 22:14. We are all called by Christ to follow His example but few truly do.Here's one example:
"And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:17-25)
Some would rather horde their wealth and revel in the comforts of the flesh and material world than follow Jesus down a path of sacrifice and the burdens of meeting hate with love, many say "Praise the Lord and pass the ammo" rather than turning the other cheek.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
Jesus is saying the treasures we should prize are kept in Heaven so to speak, these are things we can take with us; sweet memories with family, friends, your children and spouse. Accomplishments like destroying your enemies by making them your friends as Lincoln said he did. Or mending a broken heart or relationship. Being kind to those less fortunate or being kind to those who need it the most; the unkind or even spiteful amongst us who may have never known kindness in their lives are things we can do to build up such treasures in Heaven.
Memories of love, laughter and generosity both given and received are things we can take with us. They are the treasures we can store in Heaven.
It is striking to me that the most ardent of the Saviors supporter who reject Darwinism in terms of evolution are often the most vocal in their support of social Darwinism. But if that were applied to humans as it is in the Animal Kingdom then there would be no such thing as the field of medicine. Those who get sick or ill would simply die. Yet humans are not like that in fact we are one of the only species that tends to the sick and afflicted.
Darwinism represents the way of the world; enjoyment of the flesh and material world with no thought toward the benefit of others. It is a "He who has the most toys wins" philosophy.
Christianity by contrast says "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." (Matthew 20:16)
"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." (Matthew 20:27)
The idea of those who are considered last place in our society being placed before those we consider deserving of first place is completely counter to our sensibilities. Just as the idea of our King(or President/Prime Minister) being a servant also runs counter to the way our society orders itself.
Jesus set the example this is why He is called by some "The Servant King" it is also seen in the symbolism to a degree of Christ being called "The Lamb Of God."
Not the mighty, awe-inspiring Lion of God but the Lamb of God, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6)
"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth" Jesus says in scripture.
Jesus was meek and mild and he went to His cross like a lamb to slaughter, gently and peaceably. He ransomed Himself for the freedom, the salvation of us all. He is our Lord but He sacrificed for us. He served us all, He served and tended to all He met. Yet by rights He should have been served by us but instead He asks only that we act in His stead. That we talk to others, that we treat others as He would that all may know, may feel and personally experience His love.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 10:39)
We must give up not only worldly comforts and pleasures we must give up any path that does not parallel the path Jesus walked.
The message and ideals of Jesus run completely counter to the ways of the world.
I hope this makes a little bit of sense as I have a tendency to ramble. So let's close with a prayer, one you may be unfamiliar with.
It's a personal prayer from Christ:
"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
The Kingdom will come when we realize it has been within us all along and we extend the love and forgiveness Christ extended to us toward each other we will be transformed into something more than just good Mormons or Christians but we can be like Christ or Christ-Like. We receive forgiveness when we extend forgiveness, we receive love without conditions when we extend love without conditions. You will be chosen when you choose to follow that path Christ tread.
January 3, 2014
Jesus's Greatest Hits Part 1
Let's keep in mind that Jesus was Jewish and as such there are idioms and figures of speech that he relied on to make his points that many of us Gentiles are unfamiliar with. Hillul Hashem, “Profaning the name,” is an egregious sin, for example: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain” (Exodus 20:7 NASB) Most think of this as a prohibition against swearing, however this is a simplistic view and not at all correct according to the original Jewish interpretations. And why is this the only one of the ten that comes with a punishment for breaking it? The text literally says that, “You shall not lift up the name (reputation) of the Lord for and empty thing.” Rabbis have interpreted this to mean that you should not do something evil publicly and associate God with it. It is a sin against God who then has his reputation defamed.
Consider the sins of the inquisition in this light, or the Crusades, and the sins of dropping the Nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bombs that were “blessed” by Christians. These were sins against the very God they “fought” for. These sins have defamed Christendom throughout the ages and are a chief complaint amongst Atheists as to why they would never believe in a God who would approve of such actions or followers. They have set the people against God by sinning so unapologetically against him and their fellow man. Jesus said to love our enemies, not that we may smite and kill them. We are allowed to protect our families and our property but we are not allowed to follow our enemies across their borders. Love is the answer to conflict of every kind according to Jesus not more wars and death.Let's look at the sermon on the mount. "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." (Matthew 5:1-14)
The meek shall inherit the Earth runs completely counter to the way of the world, especially modern America. Americans do not admire the meek, they instead admire the arrogant, prideful, brazen and boastful. In America those who have bragging rights are idolized, we model ourselves after them. Celebrities, politicians(who were recently sued over racketeering) all garner more attention and admiration than those who are meek, than those who are peacemakers, or those who are merciful.
America is the New Roman Empire; with the "values" to match. But not everyone fits into the pattern I drew. Many of us are trying to live our lives more as Jesus lived His. Many want to create a world that looks more like The Kingdom of God Jesus describes in scripture.
Jesus describes a Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven where the meek are held in high esteem, where those who are merciful will receive mercy, where those who forgive shall receive forgiveness from God. A Kingdom where the poor are considered great. But the rich?
"And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:17-25)
Jesus says that those who trust in riches do not enter the Kingdom of God. Why? Is it because they cling to their worldly riches rather than seek after the love of God? This rich man keeps all the commandments but misses the entire point by hording wealth and ignoring the poor as the rich man in the Lazarus and the rich man parable. You can't take it with you but Jesus says "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21)
The riches of the world, the pleasures of the world are tangible; yet the treasure of The Lord is ethereal, intangible and solely to be experienced. People can praise and almost count your monetary worth but only you can count your blessings. You can turn your outward righteousness as a status symbol but only God knows how you truly measure up.
"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" (Matthew 6:26)
God will take care of us, we must place our faith in Him and not the comforts of the world. If you've lived a life similar to mine you find yourself working jobs you hate so you can buy stuff you don't need. You judge and are judged by how much money you have in the bank, the clothes you wear and the car you drive. But none of those things determine your worth. How you treat people does. Judgements don't define others; they define you.
So when you are thinking of ways you can deal with your enemies do not adopt the tactics of the U.S. in terms of foreign policy. Meaning paying off your enemies to placate them. Do not seek revenge or simply ignore them. Abraham Lincoln said "I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends." Ignoring a problem only makes it worse.
Jesus said "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:38:48)
An eye for an eye is mosaic law that was intended to limit recourse not sanction revenge. And most people still think you should love those that love you and hate those that hate you and ignore the rest. But Jesus is saying love those that hate you, pray for them, do good things for them and respond to contempt with agape or unconditional love of which Jesus has for us and that He asks us to have for all, not just those we think deserve it.
When He asks "do not even publicans do the same?" He's talking about tax collectors. They would take from those who had slim to none in regard to wealth to tax. They were hated by the Jews of Jesus's time. Yet Jesus made one His disciple: Matthew. Would you suffer them shame of befriending a current congressman, felon or other such hated criminals in modern society?
Jesus says "Do not resist evil." The Greek word for translated as resist here almost always has a violent connotation. Anthistemi is the Greek word translated as resist.
Jesus compares hate to murder and lust to adultery. People often consider lust to be akin to adultery but rare is the one who considers hate akin to murder.
We are commanded to love our enemies in response to their hatred. We are to turn the other cheek when struck, literally or figuratively. The more hate we are faced with the more love we are expected to show.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Consider the sins of the inquisition in this light, or the Crusades, and the sins of dropping the Nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bombs that were “blessed” by Christians. These were sins against the very God they “fought” for. These sins have defamed Christendom throughout the ages and are a chief complaint amongst Atheists as to why they would never believe in a God who would approve of such actions or followers. They have set the people against God by sinning so unapologetically against him and their fellow man. Jesus said to love our enemies, not that we may smite and kill them. We are allowed to protect our families and our property but we are not allowed to follow our enemies across their borders. Love is the answer to conflict of every kind according to Jesus not more wars and death.Let's look at the sermon on the mount. "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." (Matthew 5:1-14)
The meek shall inherit the Earth runs completely counter to the way of the world, especially modern America. Americans do not admire the meek, they instead admire the arrogant, prideful, brazen and boastful. In America those who have bragging rights are idolized, we model ourselves after them. Celebrities, politicians(who were recently sued over racketeering) all garner more attention and admiration than those who are meek, than those who are peacemakers, or those who are merciful.
America is the New Roman Empire; with the "values" to match. But not everyone fits into the pattern I drew. Many of us are trying to live our lives more as Jesus lived His. Many want to create a world that looks more like The Kingdom of God Jesus describes in scripture.
Jesus describes a Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven where the meek are held in high esteem, where those who are merciful will receive mercy, where those who forgive shall receive forgiveness from God. A Kingdom where the poor are considered great. But the rich?
"And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:17-25)
Jesus says that those who trust in riches do not enter the Kingdom of God. Why? Is it because they cling to their worldly riches rather than seek after the love of God? This rich man keeps all the commandments but misses the entire point by hording wealth and ignoring the poor as the rich man in the Lazarus and the rich man parable. You can't take it with you but Jesus says "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21)
The riches of the world, the pleasures of the world are tangible; yet the treasure of The Lord is ethereal, intangible and solely to be experienced. People can praise and almost count your monetary worth but only you can count your blessings. You can turn your outward righteousness as a status symbol but only God knows how you truly measure up.
"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" (Matthew 6:26)
God will take care of us, we must place our faith in Him and not the comforts of the world. If you've lived a life similar to mine you find yourself working jobs you hate so you can buy stuff you don't need. You judge and are judged by how much money you have in the bank, the clothes you wear and the car you drive. But none of those things determine your worth. How you treat people does. Judgements don't define others; they define you.
So when you are thinking of ways you can deal with your enemies do not adopt the tactics of the U.S. in terms of foreign policy. Meaning paying off your enemies to placate them. Do not seek revenge or simply ignore them. Abraham Lincoln said "I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends." Ignoring a problem only makes it worse.
Jesus said "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:38:48)
An eye for an eye is mosaic law that was intended to limit recourse not sanction revenge. And most people still think you should love those that love you and hate those that hate you and ignore the rest. But Jesus is saying love those that hate you, pray for them, do good things for them and respond to contempt with agape or unconditional love of which Jesus has for us and that He asks us to have for all, not just those we think deserve it.
When He asks "do not even publicans do the same?" He's talking about tax collectors. They would take from those who had slim to none in regard to wealth to tax. They were hated by the Jews of Jesus's time. Yet Jesus made one His disciple: Matthew. Would you suffer them shame of befriending a current congressman, felon or other such hated criminals in modern society?
Jesus says "Do not resist evil." The Greek word for translated as resist here almost always has a violent connotation. Anthistemi is the Greek word translated as resist.
Jesus compares hate to murder and lust to adultery. People often consider lust to be akin to adultery but rare is the one who considers hate akin to murder.
We are commanded to love our enemies in response to their hatred. We are to turn the other cheek when struck, literally or figuratively. The more hate we are faced with the more love we are expected to show.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 1, 2014
How God Changes Your Brain And How Christ Changes Your Life
If you were to side with the most conservative take on the plethora of medical, psychological, neurological and sociological studies on religion then at least two things are evident; 1) Involvement with religious and spiritual practices and activities generally promotes health and well being on medical, pschlogical and emotional, neurological and societal levels. Even minimal religious involvement is proven to promote health and well-being and longevity. Smokers who are involved in their religious communities are healthier than their non-religious counter parts.2) Practices and rituals like prayer and meditation both have the same effect on the brain; they permanently strengthen neural functioning in specific sectors of the brain. They lower anxiety and depression, enhances social awareness and empathy as well as improving cognitive and intellectual functioning.
To smile, laugh, relax, yawing (yes, it helps reduce aniety too), meditate, aerobic exercise(cardio), a dialogue with others(not simply waiting for your turn to talk but a dialogue, a conversation that twists and turns and ebbs and flows), faith.
In the Book "How God Changes Your Brain" by Dr. Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman, those are the tips to strengthen your brain. And That book is not the only one, it is not the only study done to demonstrate the validity of that advice.
Here are the parts of the brain forming neural circuts that are involved when one meditates and contemplates God or prays:
Occipital Parietal Circuit: Identifies God as an object or personality outside of oneself. Children see God as a person and that is likely due to not being able to process abstract spiritual ideas.
Parietal Frontal Circuit: Establishes a relationship between you and others, God included. It puts God outside of yourself and allows you to experience His presence. So if you decrease activity in this area you diminish the boundaries between you and God as well as you and others. You begin to feel a sense of unity as a result.
Frontal Lobe: This are creates, intergrates and brings to fruition all your ideas about God. This includes the logic you use to evaluate your religious or spiritual beliefs and belief systems. It also intellectually attempts to answer the big questions, the who, what, when, where and why’s of spiritual and religious beliefs and questions. The frontal lobe also controls everything we are conscious of, our sense of logic, reason, our attention, language skills and voluntary motivation.
Thalamus:Gives emotional meaning to God and the ideas you have surrounding Him. The Thalamus produces a holistic sense of the world and seems to be the key organ in making God real in an objective sense. The thalamus sends sensory information to all parts of the brain and gives a sense of meaning. It gives you a sense of what ultimate reality may be.
Amygdala:When stimulated to excess God seems overly authoritative and punitive and fear results and this suppresses the frontal lobe’s ability to logically think about God.
Striatum:This area inhibits the amygdale and allows the feeling of safety to become prominent during prayer or meditation or in being in the presence of God.
Anterior Cingulate: This area seems to allow you to experience God as a loving and compassionate entity. It decreases fear, guilt, anxiety, apprehension and anger by suppressing the activity of the amygdala. Prayer and meditation specifically strengthen the anterior cingulated.
Parietal Lobe: This are controls your sense of self, thus when its activity decreases you are then able to feel oneness with others, the universe and God. This area is more active during everyday life in those who pray and meditate frequently and when one prays or meditates activity diminishes resulting in a sense of oneness.
The circuit activated by meditation according to the studies found in the book What God does to your Brain, is as follows:
Pre-Frontal Cortex > Anterior Cingulate > Bsal Ganglia > Thalamus.
This may be because during meditation and prolonged prayer we become more focused and alert (PFC), more empathetic and socially aware (Anterior Cingulate), and have more control over our emotions (Basal Ganglia). This then affects our sensory perceptions of the world (Thalamus), and all this information is then relayed to all other parts of the brain. The Thalamus becomes thicker with consistent and prolonged prayer or meditation.
Emotions change your bodily temperature and demonstrate what is and is not a healthy and productive emotion. Read the article on the subject here. I pray we may have the strength so to live that we may merit divine guidance and inspiration; that through worship, meditation, communion, and reverence we may sense the reality of being able to have a close relationship with our Father in heaven. I bear you my testimony that it is real; that we can commune with our Heavenly Father.1 David O. Mckay said that and our scriptures say this:Stiffneckedness mean haughty, stubborn and hearthearted, formal and stilted. And communion with the Holy spirit sounds like a blending of prayer and meditation.How Jesus changes your life.... "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke 9:24)The wisdom of Jesus turns the logic of the world and worldly on its head. A richman has an easier time passing through the eye of a needle than entering the kingdom of God. Or saying "Where the treasure is your heart will be also."In Ancient Rome Early Christianity was called "The Slaves Religion" because Jesus was poor, homeless and an oppressed Jew in a Roman province.In other words, no one of any real consequence. He was not a perfectly sculpted rich and famous Roman Cesar, he was a pesant. Jesus was saving adulteresses from being stoned to death, he was hanging out with criminals and tax collectors and zealots. He was an outcast giving unconditional love and support to every other type of outcast.Jesus found Himself on the Cross not for charges of blasphemy but because His brand of kindness rendered money obsolete. The first Christian communities grew fast and there were often too many mouths to feed and not enough food. Their solution? To fast until all could eat!When the love of Christ transforms you the things of the world wont matter but the things of God; your family, friends all you meet will be benefited by that love that spreads out from you and like ripples in a pond flows out of your circle of friends and family and impacts others with joy and beauty.Think of the 12. They were fishermen, tax collectors, zealots and yet they were transformed through Jesus into men who then preached His message until they were all martyred. They lived off the kindness of others just as Buddhist monks with their beggin bowls teaching those they meet in exchange for food and nothing more, their only possession being the clothes on their back and their food bowl. An outsider would say people like that are failures at life, they are poor, the beg for food. But this is the life that Jesus lived throughout His ministry and the life the 12 lived after His ascension.Saul of Tarsus was a zealot; a man who took part in the killing of the first Christian Martyr Stephen. He preached against Christ and Christians as heretics and he had no issues killing when push came to shove.
He was in hot pursuit of James the Just and his band of followers when he had a vision:
"And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 26:14)
Jesus is asking why Saul is persecuting Him. But Saul never met Christ in life so when Jesus is speaking to Saul He is showing him that He feels that "As ye have done it unto the least of my brethren so ye have done it unto me." Saul of Tarsus, arch nemesis of the early Christians, loses his sight and is struck blind. But he recovers his sight, changes his name from Saul to Paul and becomes the most empassioned and greatest missionary Christianity has ever known.
Rather than taking lives for Christ he gave his life for Christ. He lost his life for Christ but gained eternal life in so doing, in so living as he did.
We can follow that example.
We can follow the example of Jesus, we are every bit the children of God he was. We have the Kingdom of God dwelling within waiting to be unlocked. We have in embryo form all the divine attributes of not just Jesus but of God Himself.
December 30, 2013
What Part of Love Don't You Understand?
Agape is the ancient Greek word for "unconditional love." So what part of Agape do you not understand? Is it the "unconditional" part or the "love" part? I am always stunned that the Saviors most ardent advocates attach so many conditions on their love for their gay children or for their enemies that Jesus said we are to love. I'm pretty sure when Jesus said to love your enemies he meant, at the least, don't kill them. In English we have one word for love. So translating what Jesus said about love doesn't work when the ancient Greek which the scriptures were written in. That is because there is more nuance than English offers; Ancient Greek has 6 words for love. In order to find out if the Love God and Jesus have for us is conditional, as church leaders say. or unconditional as many others feel it is we must first understand the different types of love understood by the Ancient Greeks. These definitions are from an article which can be found here.1. Eros, or sexual passionThe first kind of love was eros, named after the Greek god of fertility, and it represented the idea of sexual passion and desire. But the Greeks didn't always think of it as something positive, as we tend to do today. In fact, eros was viewed as a dangerous, fiery, and irrational form of love that could take hold of you and possess you—an attitude shared by many later spiritual thinkers, such as the Christian writer C.S. Lewis.Eros involved a loss of control that frightened the Greeks. Which is odd, because losing control is precisely what many people now seek in a relationship. Don't we all hope to fall "madly" in love?
2. Philia, or deep friendshipThe second variety of love was philia or friendship, which the Greeks valued far more than the base sexuality of eros. Philia concerned the deep comradely friendship that developed between brothers in arms who had fought side by side on the battlefield. It was about showing loyalty to your friends, sacrificing for them, as well as sharing your emotions with them. (Another kind of philia, sometimes called storge, embodied the love between parents and their children.)
We can all ask ourselves how much of this comradely philia we have in our lives. It's an important question in an age when we attempt to amass "friends" on Facebook or "followers" on Twitter—achievements that would have hardly impressed the Greeks.
3. Ludus, or playful love This was the Greeks' idea of playful love, which referred to the affection between children or young lovers. We've all had a taste of it in the flirting and teasing in the early stages of a relationship. But we also live out our ludus when we sit around in a bar bantering and laughing with friends, or when we go out dancing.
Dancing with strangers may be the ultimate ludic activity, almost a playful substitute for sex itself. Social norms may frown on this kind of adult frivolity, but a little more ludus might be just what we need to spice up our love lives.
4. Agape, or love for everyoneThe fourth love, and perhaps the most radical, was agape or selfless love. This was a love that you extended to all people, whether family members or distant strangers. Agape was later translated into Latin as caritas, which is the origin of our word "charity."
New Testament scholars refer to this as unconditiona spiritual love of all, self, and God.
C.S. Lewis called "gift love," and said it was the highest form of Christian love. But it also appears in every religious tradition, in Theravada Buddhism it appears as the idea of mettā or "universal loving kindness."
5. Pragma, or longstanding love Another Greek love was the mature love known as pragma. This was the deep understanding that developed between long and happily married couples.
6. Philautia, or love of the self The Greek's sixth variety of love was philautia or self-love. In Buddhism it is "Self-Compassion" it enhances your ability to love others rather than what narcissism offers which is an addiction to self.
Aristotle put it this way; "All friendly feelings for others are an extension of a man's feelings for himself."
To give an example of why understanding the Greek nuance of different types of love changes the meaning of scripture let's look at when Jesus asked Peter 3x if he loved loved Him.
Jesus asked Peter if he loves Him but Jesus uses the word agape which means "unconditional spiritual love." Peter responds that he does but uses the word philia meaning friendship. Jesus repeats His question using agape but Peter respond with philia. Jesus finally asks again but this time he uses the word philia thereby accepting Peters limitations and also allowing Peter to know he has been redeemed for denying Jesus 3 times.
Jesus comes down to meet Peter where he is in this scene. Jesus said "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." (Matthew 5:41)
Jesus meets Peter where he is not where he should be and Jesus allows Peter to know he is redeemed. Jesus goes that extra mile for Peter as He does for us all because that is the embodiment of unconditional love, that is the unconditional love that is best displayed by His suffering the Atonement for us all.
King James Version
13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Alexandrian Text of John 13:34
entolhn kainhn didwmi umin ina agapate allhlouV kaqwV hgaphsa umaV ina kai umeiV agapate allhlouV
Alexandrian Text John 13:35
en toutw gnwsontai panteV oti emoi maqhtai este ean agaphn echte en allhloiV
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search For other uses, see Agape (disambiguation). Agape (/ˈæɡəpiː/[1] or /əˈɡɑːpeɪ/; Classical Greek: ἀγάπη, agápē; Modern Greek: αγάπη IPA: [aˈɣapi]), often translated "unconditional love", is one of the Koine Greek words translated into English as love, one which became particularly appropriated in Christian theology as the love of God or Christ for humankind. In the New Testament, it refers to the covenant love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God; the term necessarily extends to the love of one’s fellow man.[2] Although the word does not have specific religious connotation, the word has been used by a variety of contemporary and ancient sources, including biblical authors and Christian authors. Greek philosophers at the time of Plato and other ancient authors have used forms of the word to denote love of a spouse or family, or affection for a particular activity, in contrast to philia (an affection that could denote friendship, brotherhood or generally non-sexual affection) and eros, an affection of a sexual nature. Thomas Jay Oord has defined agape as "an intentional response to promote well-being when responding to that which has generated ill-being."[3])
Agapate and agaphn are different conjugations of agape. Jesus is saying we should have the same unconditional love for each other that He has for us and that He commands us to have for God. So while Russell M. Nelson said this in a General Conference talk:
"While divine love can be called perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, it cannot correctly be characterized as unconditional. The word does not appear in the scriptures. On the other hand, many verses affirm that the higher levels of love the Father and the Son feel for each of us—and certain divine blessings stemming from that love—are conditional. Before citing examples, it is well to recognize various forms of conditional expression in the scriptures."
Jesus says His love IS unconditional and I'd place more importance on what Christ said than I would Elder Nelson.
He incorrectly characterizes God's love as conditional because he is a business man and clearly has no clue on the definitions of the Greek words used. Anyone can spend 5 minutes on google and find the wikipedia info with links to thus inform the ill-informed....like Elder Nelson.
However, if you'll notice "uncnditional love" is a phrase that has been removed from all current Church publications, God's love being conditional is the new stance of the Church.
I prefer the unconditional love of which Jesus speaks.
As a side note there is a Christian denomination of evangelicals called Agape Christian Church. So Agape meaning unconditional love is something understood quite well outside LDS circles.
December 27, 2013
The Way
"The Kingdom of God is within you and all around you, yet you do not see it." (Jesus in The Gospel of Thomas)
"The Way holds all things within itself. Like the vastness of the universe, it lacks nothing, and nothing needs to be added to it." (The Buddha in The Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen)
"The Way is complete in itself. All blessings come from it, and it holds nothing back from anyone." (Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching)
The Way is what the movement founded by Jesus Himself was called. According to modern scholars that movement died out around 70AD. The movements that sprang up were about Jesus, they were not faiths of Jesus.
In other religions The Way is described best as the path one follows that leads toward the divine or in Buddhism, leads to an eternal awakening. In all traditions it is used to describe the path to truth.
This is not an abstract concept, it is possible to change your perception so that as Alice saw another world through the looking glass, you too can see the Kingdom all around you and you can feel it burn within you.
"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:10-14)
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]” (Luke 10:27)
These commandments ask us to love. And I think that living water described by Jesus is His way of describing the ultimate truth of God because once you feel it, once you see that Kingdom within you and all around you, you will have that spring welling up in you.
A teacher can only show you the door; you're the one who has to walk through it.
We are all conscious beings and during the living of everyday life we run on a default setting. This is why I believe we see ourselves, each other and the world as such a negative place. Quick to criticize others or bait them into a negative reaction we spread the misery and like crabs in a bucket we pull each other down so that none may rise above.
But when we extend love and forgiveness we lighten the burden we carry and that of others. You cannot love one whom you judge/condemn for the same reason that you must first unclench your fist before taking someones hand.
When you feel that unconditional love of God, you love others and yourself enough to be able to withstand the pains and hurt felt throughout life.
The forgiveness bestowed upon us by the Atonement is extended to all everyday.
We are told by Jesus in scripture that if we forgive others God will forgive us but if we judge them harshly then we will be judged by the same measure by God.
The Kingdom of God is built on forgiveness and love.
When we alter our perception enough to have what can be called "Christ-consciousness" we become part of the body of Christ. We become his disciples not because we check off the list of commandments like a packing list but because the love we extend to all is evidence of our transformation into the discipleship of Jesus.
The example set by Jesus in His life and ministry is one of unconditional love to all and the example forgiveness is plain to see and feel as well.
Exuding that love IS The Way. It is The Way back home, to God, to Christ. The Way to being Christ-like and seeing Christ in all others.
"The Way holds all things within itself. Like the vastness of the universe, it lacks nothing, and nothing needs to be added to it." (The Buddha in The Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen)
"The Way is complete in itself. All blessings come from it, and it holds nothing back from anyone." (Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching)
The Way is what the movement founded by Jesus Himself was called. According to modern scholars that movement died out around 70AD. The movements that sprang up were about Jesus, they were not faiths of Jesus.
In other religions The Way is described best as the path one follows that leads toward the divine or in Buddhism, leads to an eternal awakening. In all traditions it is used to describe the path to truth.
This is not an abstract concept, it is possible to change your perception so that as Alice saw another world through the looking glass, you too can see the Kingdom all around you and you can feel it burn within you.
"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:10-14)
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]” (Luke 10:27)
These commandments ask us to love. And I think that living water described by Jesus is His way of describing the ultimate truth of God because once you feel it, once you see that Kingdom within you and all around you, you will have that spring welling up in you.
A teacher can only show you the door; you're the one who has to walk through it.
We are all conscious beings and during the living of everyday life we run on a default setting. This is why I believe we see ourselves, each other and the world as such a negative place. Quick to criticize others or bait them into a negative reaction we spread the misery and like crabs in a bucket we pull each other down so that none may rise above.
But when we extend love and forgiveness we lighten the burden we carry and that of others. You cannot love one whom you judge/condemn for the same reason that you must first unclench your fist before taking someones hand.
When you feel that unconditional love of God, you love others and yourself enough to be able to withstand the pains and hurt felt throughout life.
The forgiveness bestowed upon us by the Atonement is extended to all everyday.
We are told by Jesus in scripture that if we forgive others God will forgive us but if we judge them harshly then we will be judged by the same measure by God.
The Kingdom of God is built on forgiveness and love.
When we alter our perception enough to have what can be called "Christ-consciousness" we become part of the body of Christ. We become his disciples not because we check off the list of commandments like a packing list but because the love we extend to all is evidence of our transformation into the discipleship of Jesus.
The example set by Jesus in His life and ministry is one of unconditional love to all and the example forgiveness is plain to see and feel as well.
Exuding that love IS The Way. It is The Way back home, to God, to Christ. The Way to being Christ-like and seeing Christ in all others.
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