12-26-11 “He did deliver me from bondage” A-34

12-26-11    “He did deliver me from bondage” A-34

Discussion on opposition

I skipped over this Appendix earlier when she mentioned it because I was overwhelmed at the time.  I have been thinking a lot about opposition lately and the blessing of it, and I feel this is the right time for me to study this. 

This is very deep stuff.  I can see why it must be learned line upon line.  Some things I understand because of the Z continuum.  Some of this I still don’t grasp.  Suffice it to say the learning continues.

p. A-52-55

Wow this is cool stuff!  It is amazing that she has captured this list of co-dependent characteristics.  I think I either have or do recognize almost all of them in my life and the lives of others around me.  Oh, how I know this program could help others if they would humble themselves enough to learn.

I LOVE this list of scriptures!  I am going to study them.  P. a-55

Fearing Man More Than God:

Jeremiah 1:8  I just got the context of using the word deliver.  “I am with thee to deliver thee” – it contains a promise and a hope.  I noticed the study discussion for tomorrow will ‘liken’ this process more, but I see a glimpse of it now.

I think in growing to do these three things more and more is part of the changes that come upon all of us as we learn line upon line to become more like the Savoir.  D&C 5:21 the Lord commands Joseph to walk ‘more uprightly’ before Him.  If Joseph is commanded at this time to walk ‘more’ uprightly, then it is a growing ability (not capacity because that remains our constant eternal potential).  It is not something he could have done before but is now being asked to do so because of his growing ability. 

12-23-11 “He did deliver me from bondage” p. 159, Day 3

12-23-11  “He did deliver me from bondage”  p. 159, Day 3

I once did a report in school on sleep and dreams.  I don’t know why but I have always been fascinated with the idea of sleep.  It is an amazing miracle to me.  Physical sleep can rejuvenate and refresh our bodies, while spiritual sleep can kill us and keep our spirits from progressing.  One of the most fascinating parts of sleep to me is the passage of time, our awareness, and how our mind goes into a resting state.  One of Newton’s laws of motion is that an object at rest tends to stay at rest; and an object in motion tends to stay in motion: inertia.  He also says that there is a law of entropy, where life is constantly breaking down until it is at rest: the law of increasing disorder.  I suppose spiritual sleep is the state of spiritual rest like the Garden of Eden, where we can be at rest, but we cannot grow. 

 

It amazes me that I spent SO many hours being submerged in the environment of the Gospel, just going through the motions, before anything permeated my heart.  I feel my spiritual awakening only began 4 years ago when I desired to change, and I made commitments to God that I was willing to pay what ever price necessary to become what / who He wants me to be, and to be able to live His will.  It takes me back to that quote where Elder Eyring said in a talk called “Hearts Knit as One” that the gospel brings about the same changes in all of us.  I think spiritually we are all born into a state of sleep.  A child’s innocence is an example of this, as they are spiritually in the Garden of Eden.  In ignorance or innocence, we simply do not know what we do not know and God is merciful to forgive what we are not yet accountable for.  I suppose an external force of ‘being awakened’ is the only logical conclusion to find as to why this change comes about.  In being awakened physically surely anyone in the physical world can do it, sometimes pleasantly, sometimes unpleasantly.  To awaken our spirits, it must be done by a spiritual being on the other side of the veil, and most likely the Father of our Spirits at that.  I believe God to be the only one who can awaken us out of a deep spiritual sleep. 

 

In my own situation, I think I began to awake about the times of Presidential Elections 2008 because of pain and desire.  I wanted so badly to know my Savoir and to learn my mission.  That was the seed.  How it got planted is God’s mystery.  At first I had to come to a knowledge of the awful state of the world.  I studied, almost in an addiction state, the problems we face as a nation.  I came to know the players involved and the context of the big picture we are all a part of.  Since then I have become awakened to my mission and what I can do to be a part of the solution.  It is still a growth pattern of challenge, but there is no where else I’d rather be.  Stagnated growth is probably my biggest fear, and progress and ‘becoming’ my biggest fulfillment. 

12-22-11 “He did deliver me from bondage” p.159, Day 2

12-22-11    “He did deliver me from bondage” p.159, Day 2

I like verse 16.  As a missionary desiring to share the gospel with those ‘of the world’, it’s hard sometimes to know where to begin or how to go about it.  In this verse, the Angel of the Lord tells Alma where to focus his attention, “To remember the captivity of his fathers” giving two examples.  I think this is a great place to start for the people of a nation who may have forgotten God.  In order to remember the ‘captivity of our fathers’ we must look to history to learn of their plight and how God delivered them.  If God is the same yesterday today and forever, then surely He will deliver us too if we obey the same way our Fathers did. 

I like v. 22.  This helps me know where to focus my efforts in fasting and prayers.  The specific what they prayed for was “that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive their strength” and the WHY they prayed for was “—that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God.”.  This is SO much our need today.  If the people ‘know the goodness and glory of God’ they will know the character of God and Hi s dealings with the children of men, then they will come to know who they are and remember and do what matters most.

This one just takes the cake:

36 And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.

This is what I long for :  to be an instrument in the hand of God to bring many to a knowledge of the truth and to a knowledge of their Redeemer.  I think this would just about solve all the evil and chaos that we live in today.  I know it couldn’t happen overnight, but gradually and people come to know their Redeemer they would come to live his doctrine and learn to apply it in their lives. 

*Love your enemies

* Do good to those who use you and persecute you that they may BECOME the sons and daughters of God.

*If we all were to Keep the 10 commandments would reduce the need for the court system by at least 90% I bet.  That would be interesting to calculate and research.

*Every man would seek to give others ‘that which they were due’ and to live peaceably. 

It is our challenge in these times to try to figure out how to get the attention of a people who are addicted to ‘idolatry’ weather is be of those on the silver screen or the face they see in the mirror.  “We have all gone astray” and “every man seeketh after that which is his own”.    If every man but ‘knew their Redeemer’ we would all find peace and unity under His law- He too would be ‘their Jesus’ and we would rejoice together. 

Hilary Weeks “Greater Miracles”  Where do we turn when we need healing?  Such is where our faith is and will determine our results and the bounty of our harvest.

“Did you know that He can heal the widows broken heart; that his love can change your life; save a world torn apart.  Did you know that He holds the earth and sky at His command, but when you feel forgiveness come then you’ll understand: that’s the miracle, the Greatest Miracle.  Do you burdens weigh you down?  Go to him He will lift them.  As your brother as your friend, he has love enough love for all men.  Trust in Him, Take His hand. And he will lift you up and make you whole.  And if you put your faith in Him, you shall greater miracles than these!” 

I know how it feels to wonder how it feels to wonder how I can trust that which I do not see.  Another song by Hilary Weeks called “He’ll Speak Peace” describes by feelings too.  Right now in my day today I struggle as a Mother to give a ‘soft answer’ and keep peace in my home by merely being peaceful.  I understand the struggle it is and the pain.  But I also know that at times I must wade into the Red Sea up to my ankles before it will part.  This is the trial of my faith. … and perhaps yours too.