The Perfection Myth

I venture this next topic with some trepidation. The decision to leave one's faith behind and trade it for something else is never a decision made lightly. I suspect (and hope) it is reached only by long, serious, consideration, and my words here are in no way meant to make light of it. It is a serious matter and is between each of us and God alone.

This being said, I have to ask myself, "Why is it that so many people think that one must be perfect, or at least have attained some "level" of perfection before they can attend or return to church?" I'll use common challenges with the Word of Wisdom to explain what I mean.

At one point or another in each of our lives (none of us are exempt from this, by the way) we must all face challenges or temptations that will test our very souls. There are many, including dishonesty, pride, finding fault, being judgmental, cheating, gambling, etc. It is interesting to note that most of these "big" challenges in our lives are addictive in nature. One lie leads to another; gossipping about one neighbor leads to gossip about the entire neighborhood; cheating someone (and getting away with it) only makes it that much easier to do the next time the opportunity presents itself; and the list goes on and on. But like I said earlier, I want to use the common problems many of us face with respect to the Word of Wisdom.

Why is it that once sometime starts drinking, or picks up a cigarette, they seem to abandon their faith, check it at the door, and think that they can't return to it? When our building was dedicated, the General Authority who offered the dedicatory prayer blessed the building that it would smell of smoke. What a wonderful blessing to witness. Contrary to what critics want to believe, Church is not for the perfect. We all have faults and sins--though not all of them have a undeniable smell of cigarette smoke or alcohol on the breath. Wouldn't it be interesting if lying had a particular smell that lingered on your clothes and your hair? Or pornography addiction? Or yelling at your kids? Or not paying your tithing?

Show me where the Lord ever said that once you start drinking or smoking you are no longer welcome in His house. He never did--and He never will. But the one who wants to see you suffer, even as he does, would prefer if you never again set foot in a house of God. "For the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray."

I have a close friend, a man who I look up to and admire and hang on every word that comes out of his mouth at Church and elsewhere, who recently talked about a Home Teacher he had all growing up who struggled with smoking. Though he smoked, he never missed a month, and was always there when someone in his family needed a blessing. Now, this might be surprising to more than a few of us, and may even border on blasphemy. Am I saying that a man who was ordained an Elder in the Melchizedek priesthood who smokes or drinks can administer and give a blessing? You bet I am!

I recall a story I heard years ago about President Monson who visited an old friend of his in the hospital. This man's son, who had been inactive and was not living what he considered a "righteous life", was there, as well. When the friend asked for a blessing, the man's son declined, saying that he wasn't worthy anymore to use the priesthood, to which President Monson replied, "Well, can you be worthy for ten minutes while we give him a blessing?"

Deciding to live a life not in complete harmony with the teachings of the Church, whether it be following the Word of Wisdom or some other challenge to overcome (See The Natural Man blog), does not automatically mean you can't still come to church, that you can't still try to do your best in every aspect of your life. And if you don't think that you can or even want to return to church, if you are deciding to abandon or trade your faith over this one thing, I would urge you to stop and consider who it is that wants you to think this way.

Life and faith is not an "all or nothing" game. We each take it in pieces, a little bit at a time, working on one area of our life at a time, correcting the small faults before attacking the big ones. To deny yourself the strength and help of heaven as you struggle to find happiness here on earth is a sure way to ultimate misery.

Come back. We'll take the whole "You"--challenges and all. And if any self-righteous church-goers look down on the fact that you are sitting on the pew in front of them, so be it--that's their problem to overcome, not yours.

And that's...

...the Gospel According to Guy.

The "Natural" Man...

You know, there is a reason that our carnal, selfish, purely pleasurable "self" is called the "Natural Man." It does seem almost "natural" to have these urges, to enjoy social and other activities, and think that, "Well, this is just me, it's who I am" and then protest when someone, or religion, or even God, Himself, asks you to deny this natural man, this "who you are" and trade it for something of infinitely greater worth, pleasure, and joy.

So, should we try to be someone we're not? Should we deny the way we are, when we are (or think we are) happy this way? YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!!!

This struggle to deny the Natural Man is why we are here, it is our test.

"But," you say, "I can't imagine God keeping me out of heaven because I drink a glass of wine with dinner or go out after work with the guys for a beer," and, you know, you're probably right--having a drink won't keep you out of Heaven but disobedience will. Not that anyone is perfect--we all have faults and sins we need to work on, but we all need to ask ourselves (and pay close attention to the answer) if we are trying. We have all fallen short of the Kingdom of God, and we all need the atonement to "bridge the gap" to perfection, but to not even try because the Natural Man feels so good and feels like "who you are" just flies in the face of reason.

Never confuse the Natural Man with who you are. You are a son or daughter of God; you are deity passing through mortality to prove to God that you can deny the flesh (so to speak) and choose--no matter how hard it is--to be better, to rise above the base desires and pleasures of the flesh and trade what might make you feel good right now for what will bring you utter joy and happiness for eternities to come.

And this is...the gospel according to Guy

A Liar and a Deceiver

Now, I want to say right up front that this blog entry goes against a standing philosophy and practice I've had for years, and that is not to give the adversary the time of day, let along make him a topic of conversation, but Natalie and I were talking a few days ago and some of what we discussed has resonated with me since. I thought I'd share it.


The gist of what we were talking about was that the adversary (Satan, the devil, call him what you may), despite what he wants you to believe, HATES us. You, me, and everyone who followed Christ in the pre-existence and, as a result, were given a chance at mortality (something he and his angels were denied and will never experience).


When I was younger, I believed (falsely) that somehow God and the devil both wanted our souls, and that we were somehow pawns (in a way) in some larger, eternal struggle. I remember having the thoughts that perhaps the devil cared about us in some way if he wanted us to live with him.


I could not have been more wrong!


The adversary doesn't like or even want us living with him -- he just doesn't want God to have us. When you see his awful plan from this perspective, it should more squarely put you on God's side, knowing that he doesn't now, nor has he ever, cared about you or even liked you and that his sole purpose is not to "win" you to his side, but to hurt you and I and God by making sure that if he can't win, then we and God shouldn't win, either.


He deserves no pity; we should never feel that somehow he wants what's best for us ("C'mon, you'll be happier if you don't have so many commandments to follow--look how fun it is--life's meant to be fun, isn't it...?") If he can prevent even one son or daughter of God (you and me) from being able to return to the presence of God, our loving Father...if he can lie to us and tell us in our darkest hours that he somehow cares more about us that God does...I imagine this brings a twisted, sickening, demented smile to his parched lips knowing that he will never see you again in the Here-after, but at least God won't either.



It makes me want to echo the words of the Master, even Jesus Christ, when he was tempted in the wilderness, "Get thee hence!"








...the Gospel According to Guy...

So, Who Ya Gonna Believe...?

I had an interesting conversation the other day with a good friend of mine on the topic of religion and why, when so many of his friends reach age 40 or so, they start doubting the Church, their faith, and all things therein. It was an engaging conversation, to say the least. How to do you respond to people who have "learned" something that in some way disproves the authenticity of the Church, or that Joseph Smith was a prophet and saw and did what he said he did. Many of the people I (and he) know who leave the Church are very intelligent "thinkers" who have learned or uncovered something that, at least on the surface, appears to be at odds with their faith or the teachings or history of the Church. And in the face of scientific or other "proof" they can't live a lie and leave thinking that it is the right (only) thing to do.


One example is that of the Book of Mormon and the "Spaulding Papers." Now, I have to admit some level of ignorance on this subject, but from what I can tell, these papers are a fictional and historic account of the Native American mound-builders, and includes some parallels to some accounts given the Book of Mormon. There, some would say, evidence that Joseph Smith was a fraud and not a prophet, after all, the Spaulding papers were written (though unpublished) before the Book of Mormon. Right? Not quite. Without countering with proof and evidence of my own to "prove" the Book of Mormon correct (which, by the way, cannot be done) I offer this simple question: Is it possible that the adversary, knowing full well what was about to happen, could have "inspired" a story similar to that of the accounts contained in the Book of Mormon? Isn't it probable that he would do everything in his power to discredit the works of God even before they were completed? If you are spiritual and religious at all, you have to admit that this is possible. So, who are you going to believe?


And then there is all that scientific evidence that might cause some doubt about the truth of Christianity, Joseph Smith, the ancient American inhabitants and their connection to the Book of Mormon accounts, and the list goes on and on. What can you say when the evidence and proof is right there? Again, who ya gonna believe? According to James Burke, renowned science historian, throughout history and at any give point in time that upwards of 90% of scientific facts, what the world knew to be true, was dead wrong. His PBS series and book, The Day the Universe Changed, illustrates this point very well. If science has been wrong 90% of the time at any give point in time, what makes our time so different. Isn't it possible that what we have learned, what has been proved (theoretically or otherwise) could be incorrect?



We live in the last days, where "evils and designs...do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days...." Why are so many so quick to accept "facts" to disprove or discredit good men and their faith and turn their backs on spiritual matters. To borrow from the prophet Alma, "if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" And then from Moroni, the counsel to "remember" what the Lord has done for the children of men since the beginning of time. He is unchanging, unlike science and its "facts." So why are the opponents fo the Church always assumed to be "right"? Who made them the "experts" on our faith?



But in the end, it is not about physical or scientific proof, anyway. These same people, often Christians, who try to disprove the miraculous events surrounding the restoration of the Gospel because of a lack or contrary "evidence" fail to remember that they based their own beliefs on faith, without any hard evidence to support them, as well. We all believe that Jesus died, was buried, and then rose again the third day--but where is the proof? There isn't any. All we have is spiritual evidence. When Jesus told his apostles that was leaving them but he was not leaving them alone--he would send them the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, to testify of the truth. He didn't leave an 800 page account "proving" that he was the savior of the world--he left them, and us, the Holy Spirit.


It is what I have said many times over the years, sometimes we have to answer the "right" question or the question that should have been asked. It is not our burdon to "prove" the Church is true, or that Joseph Smith was a prophet, or that doctrine has remained constant--in fact, we couldn't even if we tried. Sometimes we may "learn" things that seem contrary to the teachings, beliefs, or faith that have and we have an obligation to search them out in our mind and then to pray about them. The Lord will answer our petitions, and will fill us with that comfort that we are, indeed, following in faith.

Wrestling with God

I just finished reading Paulo Coelho's The Fifth Mountain for the 2nd or 3rd time and am walking away from it having been inspired in new ways. On a side note, every time I read his masterpiece, The Alchemist, I get something new out of it, much like reading scripture or your patriarchal blessing--you read and "hear" new things based on your life experience and spiritual readiness. The old saying, "The master will appear when the student is ready" has been true throughout my life.

For you who have not read this work, The Fifth Mountain is a story about Elijah (from the Old Testament). Coelho portrays him as a reluctant prophet, one who heard the voice of the Lord when he was young but his parents were not supportive of this "gift" and pursuaded him to ignore the voices he heard and work as a carpenter. For years the Lord had been silent in his life and then he is commanded to appear before Ahab and Jezebel and tell them that the Lord was going to seal the heavens until the time that Israel stopped the worship of the false god, Baal, and return to the Lord. Of course, he is hated by Jezebel and hunted and Elijah flees the land. This book is about where he goes and what he does while he is in exile.

A couple of thoughts prevailed with me during this reading. The first one is that many of us doubt our talents or "calling" in life. When we are young we are not afriad to dream and all know what we want to be "when we grow up." These goals are almost always based on what we enjoy doing or respect, but as we get older we start to doubt ourselves and start seeing the world in a darker, less opportunistic way. We take a job because we need the money, maybe become comfortable in the routine--even if we don't enjoy it--and forget our dreams. And then when the chance comes to pursue our dreams again, fear sets in, and that doubt becomes enough to snuff out the tiny flame of hope and our dreams. Consider the following:

"Fear exists until the moment when the unavoidable happens. After that, we must waste none of our energy on it."

"Every man hath the right to doubt his task, and to forsake it from time to time; but what he must not do is forget it. Whoever doubteth not himself is unworthy—for in his unquestioning belief in his ability, he commiteth the sin of pride. Blessed are they who go through moments of indecision."

This story line has hit me hard right now in my life, considering the possibilities that are looming out there to write full time and my fears and doubts about my abilities and whether I can actually do it. These few words give me great comfort.

The other story line I want to comment on is the theme of "Wrestling with God." The book recounts and incorporates the story from Genesis 32 when Jacob (as in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacoc) wrestles with a messenger from God and refuses to let him go until he blesses him and his household. "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." This messenger then blesses him and changes his name from Jacob to Israel. This concept, as odd as it might sound (especially at first), of "wrestling" with God aptly describes the way many of us feel when things don't go the way we expected, or when tragedy (in one form or another) strikes us. The book makes the point that we all must "wrestle" with God at these times in our lives and we must have the courage and strength to not "let go" until He blesses us. It adds new dimension to the concept of enduring to the end.

Ironic, isn't it?

I was reading in the book, The Fifth Mountain, by Paulo Coelho (the author of The Alchemist) the account of Elijah when he was commanded by the Lord to go and say to King Ahab that until the children of Israel stopped their worship of Baal that the skies would be sealed and no rain would fall. I was reminded when reading this account that Baal was the Phoenician god of rain. Ironic, isn't it, that the Lord would send a prophet to say (in essence): You want to worship a false god of rain, then no rain for you!

Just a quick note I wanted to share.

Sustaining & Defending the Faith

I was a little shocked and a little upset to learn last weekend that one of my favorite "church" books was out of print. The book is Sustaining and Defending the Faith, by Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert Millet. To the left is a picture of my copy. I first read this book on my mission, and I have to say, I read it more times (and probably more often, I'm sad to say) than even the Book of Mormon.

The message of this book is not one of contention, as you might think from the title. Instead, this book declares gospel truths and puts church criticism, slander, and misrepresentation into greater context and perspective. When you know what tools the adversary has when it comes to opposing truth and light, it is easier to recognize it for what it truly is, and sustain and defend your faith and testimony.

I want to include the opening paragraphs of Chapter 1 to illustrate the nature and power of this simple book:

"On the sixth of April, 1845 the Twelve Apostles issued a proclamation which included these words: 'As this work progresses in its ownward course, and becomes more and more an object of political and religious interest and excitement, no king, ruler, or subject, no community or individual, will stand neutral. All will at length be influenced by one spirit or the other; and will take sides either for or against the kingdom of God.'

"There is no neutrality where Christ and his kingdom are concerned. Light and darkness will never meet; Christ and Satan will never shake hands. The kingdom of God will always be opposed by the kingdom of the adversary...."

The Chapter makes the point that Truth (as it relates to the things of God) is identified by both a witness of the Spirit (the feelings of the Holy Spirit, answers to prayer, etc.) and by the opposition of the adversary.

As I continue to read sections of this book over the next little while, I will recap chapter subjects and points made therein. I would HIGHLY recommend that you find a copy of your own. It is a great resource for every member of the church.

UPDATE

I just got off the phone with my mother who, after reading my last blog, wanted to add her recollection of that time in my life. She did not know about my experience with the Bishop, but recalled that when my father ordained me to the office of a Priest, he used almost the same words, telling me that as long as I was faithful to what I had been taught, that I would be able to fulfill my priesthood responsibilities without problem. Again, this is a testimony to the fact (not just my mere belief) that God is intimately aware of each and every one of us, of our concerns and worries, and our needs, and is eager to bless us.

Thanks, Mom!

Exodus 4: 10-12

I have been blessed (with this faulty memory of mine) to remember some very moving and impactful spiritual experiences during my young life. One in particular, occurred when I was about to turn 16 years old. For any of you who might not be familiar with the practices of the LDS faith, when a worthy young man turns 12 he is given the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained to the office of a Deacon. When he turns 14 he is ordained to the office of Teacher. And when he turns 16 he is ordained to the office of a Priest and is able and expected to bless the sacrament (the bread and water) on Sundays.

Now, all growing up, from my earliest memories until the present day, I have had what some call a speech impediment. When I was younger it was much worse, and at this particular time it worried me and gave me great concern. I remember one night being at the church (for a Young Men's activity, no doubt) and sneaking away to be in the chapel alone and sat at the sacrament table. The lights were out, all was quiet and still--except my heart. How embarrassing it was going to be when I stammered through it. Many people in the Ward knew of my "characteristic" and would understand, and those who didn't would find out soon enough. I was nervous and probably down right scared, but I was never one to shy away from responsibility because of it--when called on to read a scripture verse or to speak in church I always accepted it and did my best, but this just felt different.

Then the chapel door opened and my Bishop walked in. He had been looking for me and (I guess) felt inspired to look for me here. He stepped around the back of the sacrament table and took a seat next to me. He asked, and I told him, and then he did something I hope I will never forget. He promised me that I would never have a problem reciting the sacrament prayers, and that the words would flow from lips as smoothly as any of the other priests. And something happened to me that night. I felt immediately calm and at ease, and though I didn't know how it would (or even could) happen, I knew that it would.

The next week I was ordained a Priest, and as I knelt to offer the sacrament prayer the words flowed from my lips fluently, and with meaning. And it wasn't just that first time. Every single time I blessed the sacrament (which was almost every week) the prayers came out the same: perfect, just as my Bishop had promised me.

I am reminded of the account of Moses, as indicated above, which recounts:

"And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."

Since that time I have had the opportunity to bless the sacrament many times, and occasionally I hesitate or stammer through a word or two, but that's OK. The promise was made to a nervous (but faithful) young man, for the time that he was called to serve as a Priest, to glorify His power, and serve as a testimony to me, that God truly has the power to work miracles in our lives.

When Will This Ever End?

I received an email from a friend of mine and fellow author, Barb Allcott, and wanted to share it with all of you. Now, many of these types of emails are circulated in a "pass it on or else" format, but there was no such threat at the end of this one. (Thanks, Barb!)

Here you go. I hope you find peace in it's words.

Malachi 3:3: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.

'Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.'

Taking the Name of "Guy" in Vain

The best thing about having a faulty memory (remember, I'm a "glass half full" kinda guy...) is that once in a while a random, until-then-forgotten memory will surface. Take yesterday, for example.


Now, there may be only a few of my good friends from high school who might remember this--Mike, Clint, and maybe even you, Jesse. There was a time in either my Junior or Senior year that I decided I wanted to do something about some of my friends casually taking the name of the Lord in vain (not the above mentioned friends, by the way), and suggested that they substitute my name for God's. They were both three letters, I reasoned, and both started with "G." And besides, I remember telling them, my wrath is pretty small and weak compared to the Almighty's.


It became a joke, of sorts, and a few people started going around saying, "Oh, Guy!" or "Oh my Guy!" instead of the other. We had a few laughs back then, and all was good.


As I get older, and my children enter those very impressionable years, I am appalled at the frequency at which the name of diety is use on children's programming. We no longer watch it, but one of their new favorite Nickelodeon shows uses that word in nearly every scene in one form or another. Since when did that become OK? When did breaking one of the "Big Ten" become acceptable and encouraged for children? Or adults, for that matter. This is just another small evidence that we do, indeed, live in a world where men "call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness" (Isaiah 5:20 and 2 Nephi 15:20).


So, if you are tempted to exclaim, in either joy or pain, and use the name of the Lord in vain, you have my permission, even my encouragement, to substitute my name for His--I don't mind. In fact, I'd be grateful if you would.

Be The Change...(continued)

Today we were finishing up Alma Chapter 5 during our family scripture study (which consists of me reading a few verses while the kids lay on the couch and try to wake up), when it hits me that Alma (the Younger) embodies what I was talking about in my last blog, and sets a great example for all of us.

If you will recall, the general population of the Church back then, the followers of God, had become so prosperous and blessed so much by the Lord that the majority of them had become puffed up and prideful, thinking they were better than those who were not members, and even denying help to the poor and the needy. Mormon records that this arrogant attitude became "a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress." We talked about this. Because of their unkind words, and envying, and strife, and pride, and wickedness, few were joining the church. I would suppose that many were even leaving the church because of these people. You might even say that they were becoming "offended" by the actions and behaviors of others (who should know and be better than that).

So what did Alma do? Did he throw his hands up and leave the church, too? No. He resigned as the Chief Judge and set out on a "mission" of sorts, speaking and preaching to the members of the church that were the source of the problems and become prideful.

And what did he say? His words were kind, but firm and direct and to the point. This chapter, Alma 5, is a beautiful chapter filled with words of encouragement and a real desire for those who have gone astray to remember what it was like to have the gospel in their lives, to feel the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit, and be happy in serving their fellow men. Can you just feel the love and pleading in his words when he pleaded,

"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"

His actions are a great example of being the change he wanted to see in the church. It would have been easy to "pass judgment" on the members of the church, write them off, and leave or start over somewhere--but he didn't. He saw the need and he filled it, giving up much of his power and authority to bring those who had fallen away back safely into the fold.

May we ever follow Alma's example.

Be The Change...

This may border on blasphemous, but I have a confession to make: I really like the movie Bruce Almighty and believe that it teaches many simple truths worthy of a Sunday School lesson. Whew! That feels good to get that off my chest.

So, why would I bring this up? No, it's not because I'm finally losing it (although that's debatable). Remember at the end, when Bruce gives up his anchor position and goes back to doing his community pieces? Remember how he ends his news reports? "Be the miracle!" This is a profound piece of advice, and I'll tell you why.

A couple of years ago our priesthood lesson was based on an LDS Conference address by Elder David A. Bednar entitled, And Nothing Shall Offend Them (Nov 2006). In this talk the point is made that at some point in our lives we are all offended by someone or something in the Church. It could be the choice of the new bishop ("How could he be bishop, he doesn't even get 100% on his home teaching every month."), or that no one greeted you at the door on your first day at your new ward, ("This is not a very friendly ward."), or that you can't believe what Brother So-And-So said from the pulpit ("That's definitely not church doctrine!"). There are so many reasons to take offense and never return ("I'll show them!")

Being offended is not something that is out of our control. Sure, the event, or words, or actions may be (in fact, they most likely are if they are done by someone else), but our response to them is entirely our choice. We choose whether or not we let something offend us, and we also choose what action we take next.

Personally, I have heard many (too many, actually) well-meaning members of the church speak like we (as members of the Church) have a "corner on the market" when it comes to "The Truth," that nowhere else can truth be found. Whenever I hear this it makes my skin crawl and I develop an eye twitch until the Gospel Doctrine teacher calls on me and I can "speak my piece" (or is it "peace"?)

Now, does this offend me? Am I going to stop going to church because Brother So-And-So has what I consider a narrow view of the world and thinks differently than I do? Of course not. What I have done is sought every opportunity to teach and share my views with others. Remember Bruce Almighty? I am trying to "be the change" I think needs to happen. If I think that members of the church are narrow minded, or judgmental, or any other host of human imperfections, should I be offended and not go to church? Or should I make it a point to attend church every week and do everything I can to correct that impression. Can I be open minded to other's faith and beliefs? Can I be kind and considerate of those different from myself? To choose to take offense and separate myself from them only serves to make the problem worse.

Like Bruce learned, if you want see a miracle, you need to be the miracle. Leaving and turning your back over something someone else said or did is easy; refusing to leave and working to become part of the solution is hard.

Why So Timid?

Ok, I've started this blog a few times now, only to erase what I had written and start over. I think I'm trying to be too "PC" with a subject about being more bold. So, here goes.


Why is it that we are so timid and afraid of hurting loved ones feelings when it comes to sharing good, spiritual, or other caring thoughts with them? Is it the scriptural warning against being confrontational? or the command in the New Testament to "agree with thine adversary quickly"? or is it that we are simply afraid to hurt their feelings and perhaps (we fear) drive them further away with our words of warning or concern?


I think it is all of the above, mixed in with details and circumstances unique to each and every one of us.


What if we were as bold as the powers that wish us to be miserable (like unto themselves) are? Friends (well-meaning or not) are seldom afraid to offer someone that first beer, or cigarette, or pill--(c'mon, it's great, you'll love it, c'mon)--and peer pressure is a very real and very powerful tool. But we, who watch our loved ones engage in harmful (physical or spiritual) activities, seem to be afraid to speak up, tell them that we love them, and that we want (more than anything) to see them "return" to the place where they can find peace, real happiness, and joy.


"But you're just judging us! And it's not cool to judge others. Can't you just accept us for who we are and what we do?" But it's not about judgment. It's not about "looking down" on who they are. It's about love. And why is that so hard for many of us to share? Sure, it's easy not to say anything, but to go about living our lives according to our faith, hoping our good examples "rub off" on them, but is this enough?


Can we ask them not to engage in unwholesome activities, or do or say things that go contrary to the faith they were raised in? Isn't that crossing "the line," somehow? YES. Yes it is. And where the adversary crossed that line to pull them away from light and truth, it falls on us to cross that line to lead them back.


Of course it must be done with love and kindness, but also done boldly, and not afraid of what it might "look like." Regardless of how it might appear, when done with real love, unconditional, maybe, just maybe what they were taught in their youth will be brought to their rememberance, and they will feel the warmth of basking again in the light of all that is good and right.


You can see why I started and stopped this entry a couple of times. If you are offended with these words, I apologize--it is never my intent to hurt anyone's feelings. But whether you believe it or not, we are all in the middle of a great war that started before the world was that is being waged right here, right now, and at risk are the very souls of those we love.


Now is not the time for being timid. Now is the time for love, expressed by in words as well as example, and to borrow the words of Winston Churchill, "never, never, never give up."


--Guy

(The imaged use above is entitled, Lost and Found, by Greg Olsen)

My Two Faiths

I need to begin this with the admission that I do not have the time today (or even this week) to fully complete my thoughts on Faith, though I will try to at least pen a few of them here this morning.

The way I see it, there are TWO types or levels of faith, and it is important that we understand this to make the most of and strengthen both. First, there is the universal principle of faith, the concept that anything is possible in our lives if we only believe and then act on that belief. This level of faith is available to anyone, anywhere, of any religious affiliation. People I have spoken to in the past discount stories of healing, of revelation, and of miracles simply because those people are not of their religion or spiritual belief. I have even heard (cringe!) them attribute their miracles to the working of some evil power. Oh! how we all need to be careful of this narrow line of thinking.

To illustrate, and for those of you who are Christian, let me call up the story in Matthew when a Gentile woman comes to Jesus and begs him to heal her child. Jesus is careful to explain to her that he cannot since his mission here on earth is to minister to the Jews and the house of Israel. She then begs him, using the analogy of the dog eating the crumbs that fall from the master's table. Jesus then says, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." Nowhere does it say that Jesus healed her child, in fact, he said before that it wasn't appropriate for him to do so, but that her faith healed her daughter. I believe that faith, as a universal principle, can work miracles regardless of what you have faith in: God, Buddha, Shiva, the Great Spirit, or a tree or mountain you believe can heal you. It is your faith that can heal you, or work other miracles in your life, and this is available to all mankind everywhere. The movie and book entitled "The Secret" calls it the power of manifestation, but I believe that it is just another word for this universal principle of faith--ask and ye shall receive, and all that.

But there is another type of faith, what is called "faith unto salvation." This second type of faith is not just about healing and working miracles, or manifesting events or other things into your life. Faith unto Salvation requires a belief in, and action firmly rooting in this belief and hope, to accomplish your eternal and heavenly goals. This is why the first principle of the gospel is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith by itself can't save anyone; it must be faith in Christ. Your actions, what you ask for, what you strive for, must be based on the life and teachings of Christ, and it must be upon this "foundation" that you build your life. Where the one faith is universal and general, this faith is specific and with a specific purpose and goal: to bring us back into the presence of our Father in Heaven.

Again, I regret not having the time here to fully explore this idea I've had, but rest assured that it has made my list of book topics that I hope--have faith--I will write in the coming years.

I welcome your comments and thoughts on faith or any other spiritual or gospel centered topic.

God Bless!

In the beginning...(to borrow the phrase)

After some thought about my last blog on So Let it be Written... I have decided to create and contribute to a separate blog focused on spiritual topics, discussions, and insight. Anyone who has been unfortunate enough to start a gospel, scriptural, or other spiritual discussion with me knows that I feel very passionate about my faith and my understanding of the gospel (of Jesus Christ), the church I belong to (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and the Great Plan which this stretch of mortality is only a small (but so important) part of.

With this said, I need to say that much of what I will include on this site is my understanding and/or interpretation of gospel principles and truth. Some of what I expect to share here will likely end up in some future book on the subject. I do want to remind you and emphasize that the material here (unless specifically noted otherwise) is my own creation, my own production, so to speak, and I don't want anyone quoting what you read here as the absolute truth. You've got to remember, what you may read here comes from the mind of a writer, one who looks for story lines and explanations that may or not actually be there.

I do want to leave you with one of my favorite Christian works of art: Ecce Homo, Behold the Man!, by Antonio Ciseri. This, you will recall, is the point where Pilate presents a beaten and "crowned" King of the Jews to the crowds in an attempt (I believe) to sway the population to release Jesus. I imagine the emotion of this scene: of the desperate Roman Prefect and Procurator to release this innocent man (but not strong enough to take the responsibility to actually release him himself), of the angry crowds, and of Jesus, heartbroken that the people he had come to save where so blinded to who really stood before them, but willing to sacrifice all he had, all he was, to save them. Much of this scene and my thoughts and feelings about it were written with much care in my first novel, Lifted Up. It still gives me reverent pause whenever I think about it. You see, the scriptures are not just a collection of inspiring stories and accounts, but are places in time that I imagine myself in. These things really happened, and they happened to people (largely) like you and me, imperfect and struggling with our own faiths, with our own purposes in life and, like them, we can overcome these challenges and rise triumphant like they did.

On this site, more than my other one, I encourage and welcome thoughts and discussion. I love to share gems of spirituality--Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, it matters not to me. I truly believe that there is truth everywhere if we just look hard enough.

God Bless! and I look forward to chatting with you.

--Guy