Are You Bullet Proof?

IAT = I am thankful

February is probably my favorite month of the year behind Christmas. Because except for a few years when we had it at a different time, we've always had a personal development training in conjunction with The Bish' employment. The Bish has been a seminary teacher for the last 23 years, and the last few has been an Institute teacher. That just means he has taught religion to high school and college aged children. Teaching religion is not really accurate. The objective is: "Our purpose is to help youth and young adults understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven." It's a tall order and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints makes every effort to have  well trained, prepared, and worthy teachers to instruct and lead the youth of the church through years of scripture discovery and understanding.

My husband attends multiple inservice and leadership trainings. And one time a year, the teachers get to bring their spouses along and we get some of the enrichment they enjoy on a regular basis. There is always a theme. This year it was What E'er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part. And I want to focus my next few posts on some of the information we were able to enjoy. But I am going to begin with the end of our meeting.

Our very wonderful and capable area director is Wes Wright. Awesome man, awesome wife Laura, and an awesome family. He usually addresses at the beginning or end or both. This time it was at the end and his thoughts gave me so much to think about. He began by sharing a short personal story and pointing out that we aren't bullet proof. We aren't so good that we cannot fall. We need to be on our guard to be able to protect and preserve ourselves and our families. And then he shared a story about George Washington. I had heard part of it but not all of it. You can read the story here:

Bullet Proof George

George Washington. "A favorite of heaven." What an amazing description. I can think of few men of that kind of character that could even qualify for that description and be President. But that is not the direction I am going. Can you be bullet proof? I think the answer is a reserved yes. The first challenge is to believe it is possible without truly trusting that you are. The humility factor. As soon as you think you *ARE* bullet proof, you are now vulnerable to every sniper who wants to take a shot. But if you believe it is possible always knowing a stray bullet can take you out, then you are still on your guard.

Some of the suggested bullets that could harm us were greed, pride, lust. I think Satan tailor makes poisoned bullets; just the kind he knows will be deadliest for us. Fortunately for us, if we have an "eye single to the glory of God," He can help us deflect those bullets or "fiery darts."

The only way to really be bullet proof or dart proof, is to do as directed in Ephesians, "put on the whole armor of God." Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word. All of these with prayer and perseverance. Looking back at George Washington, you can see that he had many of these things on his side. And perhaps he was wearing the armor of God that day. I know I can do better at dressing in my armor each day. How about you? Are you bullet proof?

My New Christian friend

IAT = I am thankful

I love this. I think she really has a mature understanding. And it goes along with my Mormon rant.

The Wisdom of the Wise

IAT = I am thankful

As much as I wish I had the answers to all problems, I do not. I hope no one is crestfallen over that confession. The older I get, the more I lose the appetite for the merely mundane. For example, I used to watch Oprah Winfrey without fail. Well, I wasn't fanatical, but I watched it as much as I could. I have about zero desire at this point in my life to watch Oprah or almost any other television show. I could not name one series that is popular on tv right now. Except for maybe the Bachelorette, which I've never seen, but has to be one of the dumbest shows on tv in my book. I am on my computer A LOT. And what am I doing? Business, social networking, and my greatest enjoyment/strength/weakness. Studying. Learning. Attempting to improve.

I love focusing what I learn on my very flawed self. I ask questions and try to figure out answers. I experiment. I try to root out all the little weed seeds within me and plant beautiful flowers in their places. I hope I am blooming. I hope that every passing day of self-scrutiny creates a more beautiful me. I imagine I'll be self-gardening for many years. How grateful I am for those who are truly wise who share what they know, for our benefit.

For example. Einstein. He said, "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." Hmmm. So, if a problem was created from power, we cannot solve that problem from a place of power. I think the law of opposition applies here. If we cannot solve it from power, perhaps it can be solved from humility. The opposite of power, is really weakness. And humility often gets confused for weakness, but it is not. Humility is gentle power.

If a problem is created from hatred, ignorance, or judgment, perhaps it can only be solved through love, intelligence, and understanding. Maybe fighting fire with fire isn't the best idea?


Here is another fascinating passage from a funny little man from the early 1900s named Wallace Wattles.

Every individual has the natural and inherent power to think what he wants to think, but it requires far more effort to do so than it does to think the thoughts which are suggested by appearances. To think according to appearances is easy; to think truth regardless of appearances is laborious and requires the expenditure
of more power than any other work we are called upon to perform.

There is no labor from which most people shrink as they do from that of sustained and consecutive thought. It is the hardest work in the world. This is especially true when truth is contrary to appearances. Every appearance in the visible world tends to produce a corresponding form in the mind which observes it, and this can only be prevented by holding the thought of the TRUTH.

To look upon the appearances of poverty will produce corresponding forms in your own mind, unless you hold to the truth that there is no poverty; there is only abundance.

To think health when surrounded by the appearances of disease or to think riches when in the midst of the appearances of poverty requires power, but whoever acquires this power becomes a master mind. That person can conquer fate and can have what he wants.

This power can only be acquired by getting hold of the basic fact which is behind all appearances, and that fact is that there is one thinking substance from which and by which all things are made.

Then we must grasp the truth that every thought held in this substance becomes a form, and that a person can so impress his thoughts upon it as to cause them to take form and become visible things.

When we realize this we lose all doubt and fear, for we know that we can create what we want to create, we can get what we want to have, and can become what we want to be.

Sooo, combining this thought with Einstein's, we come to the truth that in order to have what we want, to solve a problem, we must think what is true, even when it appears it is not. Yep, that's hard work, and it is the elements of faith. To truly believe in health, when it does not appear to be the case? To truly believe in peace, when everything around you screams war? To believe that there can be a better tomorrow in your circumstances when the appearance seems to suggest things will never change? Yes, that takes true effort.

So the phrase "rendering evil for evil" just came to mind. I looked it up and I'd say it applies.

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." 1 Peter 3: 8-12

When you are dealing with psychotic people and psychotic situations, here is our standard for conduct. And sometimes it really makes me want to just grown in my former 3 year old style and whine, "but do I hafta?" Why do I hafta bless when someone is evil to me? Why must I control my tongue and speak no guile when someone is slandering me? Why must I do good to those who do evil to me? Why must *I* seek peace when others are waging war? The answer is in the remaining 7 verses of the chapter. You have to look it up. But the jist of it is that sometimes we have to suffer. And we need to just suck it up and be happy about it. 

We need to make a holy place for God within us and be ready for an answer when asked why we have that hope. Eventually, those who speak evil of us will be ashamed for their false accusations and as above, His face will be turned against them. We are told it is better to suffer for well doing than evil doing. I am guessing those doing the evil are not going to enjoy their suffering. And the final thought is, that Christ suffered. He paid that suffering, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. Well, it sounds like we hafta because He showed us the way first. And if we truly want to be like Him, we must do what He did.

Sometimes I think I'm doing just fine. And then I realize I'm not doing so fine. But the beauty of life is that in most cases, tomorrow is another day, and we get another chance. And I hope that all the wisdom I am soaking in, WILL eventually help ME to be more wise.

IAT for the New Testament

So, I try to read the Book of Mormon every year. I recently decided to also read the New Testament every year. I am currently in Acts. It's amazing to me after reading scriptures somewhat regularly, that I am finally beginning to come to understanding of SOME things that I previously did not. I guess that is why we need to "feast upon the words of Christ."

So I just had some thoughts about some of the verses I read yesterday. I was reading about the Day of Pentecost in chapter 2.  I love the very clear way we see the true gift of tongues. Each apostle was touched by the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues such that those who listened could hear in their own tongues. I believe that the gift of toungues is normally meant for the preaching of the gospel in a way that others can understand that message. I know many of our missionaries receive gifts in this area far beyond their ability and it is a sign of the true church.

I was also intrigued by how clearly in the Bible that it was taught that Christ meant for his church to move forward. In Matthew, there is an experience that Peter, James, John, and Christ have together. Christ is transfigured, ancient prophets appear, and God appears and is shielded from their sight by a cloud. In an earlier chapter it is clear, that Christ gives Peter the keys to the kingdom and gives him power to bind on earth and in heaven. The vacancy created by Judas and his betrayal is addressed and Barnabas replaces him. And then Satan wages war on the church. Christ testified himself that the church would fall away and need to be restored. (A "restoration of all things.")

Funny how I did not really intend to write all of that. It's amazing to me that the Satanic plans of men fail in tremendous ways. The evil leaders of the day thought that if they simply silenced Jesus, that it would be the end of it. That His frightened followers would simply disappear into the background in fear and go away. But they did not count on that outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost and 3000 souls joining the new fledgling church. Or that Peter, the one who just a few weeks before shrunk from everyone, and denied ever knowing Christ, would become such a powerful example of the power of Jesus Christ. I think that should be an example for all of us. There will always be men/women with wicked and evil intentions. Do we shrink? Or do we stand? It's rhetorical. :-)

Acts 4 describes how astonished the high priest and other rulers were to hear Peter, an "unlearned and ignorant man" testify so boldly that they could say nothing against it. That is what getting Christ into a man can do for him. That is what the power of the Holy Ghost can do for a simple, humble follower.

So they are commanded not to speak in the name of Christ anymore. Don't you just want to laugh out loud? When you read those first few chapters of Acts and see the Spirit pouring out on His chosen apostles and members of His church, you understand that it was basically impossible for Peter at this point NOT to testify of Christ. He KNEW before he denied when Christ asked him, "lovest thou me?" And then the sad story of denial. Can anyone imagine Peter after that, NOT rising up and being who God called him to be? I can't.

And then, they continue preaching and healing in the name of Christ. And they are arrested. And an angel lets them go and they are brought before the leaders again.

Evil leaders: "Excuse me, didn't we tell you to stop preaching in that name?"

Peter and John: "Um, yeah, we did hear that, but see here is the thing. We'd rather obey God than you. We are His witnesses after all."

"When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them."

That's what you call slow learners! And here is where God can take any situation and use it to His benefit. Gamaliel, an attorney, stands and basically says, "Look, this little band is just like all the other little bands and probably nothing will come of it. And if something does come of it, then it probably *IS* of God."

And so, the evil leaders beat them and let them go. Cool. But one of my all time favorite verses comes right after. They've been thrown in jail, beaten, accused, and threatened, and how do they respond? "Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."

I don't know about you, but I hope that in my life, whether it is for the Savior's name or one of His causes, that I can rejoice in my worthiness to suffer for Him. I hope I won't shrink against ugliness and injustice. I hope I will have a desire to stand as a witness and do what is right and not fear.

I LOVE the New Testament!