Tough Grits

Yes, this is how I feel. Like I have to work twice as hard as those around me--not for them, but for me, for Heavenly Father. I do it because I so bad want to be that "new creature" in Christ. I want to live up to "the measure of my creation". ~TG

Thank you for posting this. Poetic in a very not rhyming way. I know some seriously debate the "omniscience = no agency" line of thought. I think of it this way: I watch a movie. I watch the characters make choices throughout the whole movie. I watch the movie all the way until the end. Does knowing the end mean that I took their agency away? No, I just watched. They still made their choices for themselves. I was not in the movie, I just watched. I did not manipulate the characters, I just watched. Can we really understand the nature of God without being a god? Of course not. We still wonder, but there are things we just cannot, will not know while on this earth. Apparently God's omnipotence and omniscience allow Him to see all, know all, and do all. He can know our "movie" from beginning to end without it having played yet. But that doesn't mean that he controls those choices. WE still make those choices, but being God, He has to allow us that opportunity to make those choices...good or bad. Unlike the person who watches a movie and has no interaction or effect on the characters on the screen...God does interact with us...for our good! He knows how to help, because He knows all of our story. Not only does He not rob of us of our agency, but He tries to help us every step of the way. He loves us. He wants us to come back home to Him. How could He help us without knowing our story all the way to the end? Who better to place our trust in, than an all powerful, all knowing being who not only loves us, but who is the Father of our Spirits? 1. We were not sent to earth to fail. 2. God does not give us more than we can bear or accomplish. 3. God does not ask us to do anything that He will not help us to accomplish.

Thank you! Awesome article. "Because we choose to press forward in faith even though we don’t have the answer to every question, some people may accuse us of exercising 'blind obedience' or of being 'anti-intellectual.'" David E. Edwards, "Any Questions", New Era, May 2012. This quote is perfect. I have known people who looked down their noses at me (or LDS in general) for holding true. They questioned (not just asked questions), and they sat back supposing themselves more intellectual and more spiritual for not being "blind sheep". Sheep aren't blind. Sheep have eyes that see. They see their shepherd. They see who they are following. True blindness comes when enveloped in the mist of darkness. The difference between the faithful and the unfaithful when surrounded by the mist of darkness? The faithful don't need eyes to see when they are holding on to the iron rod (the word of God). All they need is a strong grip. Those who have let go of the iron rod while the mist surrounded them are the ones who are not only blind, but lost. Sadly, some of the very ones who once supposed themselves more intellectual and spiritual for questioning (not just asking questions) are no longer of this fold...or any fold. Makes me think of the poem about sheep that stray: Twas a sheep not a lamb that strayed away In the parable Jesus told, A grown-up sheep that strayed away From the ninety and nine in the fold. And why for the sheep should we seek And earnestly hope and pray? Because there is danger when sheep go wrong; They lead the lambs astray. Lambs will follow the sheep, you know, Wherever the sheep may stray. When sheep go wrong, it won't take long Til the lambs are as wrong as they. And so with the sheep we earnestly plead For the sake of the lambs today, For when sheep are lost, what a terrible cost The lambs will have to pay! ~C. C. Miller ------------------------------------------------ My husband says that all of us have our eyes open while in the mist of darkness. The faithful just learn to rely on the iron rod rather than their mortal eyes. He says the unfaithful have their eyes open too. He says, "They have their eyes wide open walking toward the great and spacious building." Not sure how that fits...but I thought it was interesting. I will have to ponder what he said. ~TG

I used to be so jealous of all-lifers when I first joined the Church in 1998. An all-lifer (to me) is anybody, from any Christian denomination, who was born and raised learning of God, Jesus Christ, and the scriptures. I felt so unlearned. So NEW. Not just new to LDSism, but to Christianity. Over the last 14 years I discovered something amazing...all of God's children are on equal footing. He is no respecter of persons...which means He doesn't care how "new" I am. All He requires is that I come unto Him completely. Anybody can do that! Even a former atheist/agnostic! I am not jealous anymore. In fact, I know that there are many things that I have a stronger testimony of, because I KNOW what it is like to not believe in God. I KNOW what it is like to not believe in Jesus. I KNOW what it is like to not have the Holy Ghost guiding me. I can directly compare the absence and void in my life before my baptism, to the warmth and comfort of the Gospel since my baptism. That knowledge is what inspires me to never take this Gospel for granted. ~TG

Not all questions are created equal. Remember, we will also be judged on the intent of our hearts, not just our thoughts, words, or actions. What was the intent of the question? To discover deeper meaning, to clarify confusion? Some questions are not a matter of discovery or clarification. Some questions are meant to place doubts in the hearts of others. Some questions are rhetorical. Some questions are asked, not to discover deeper meaning or to clarify confusion, but to justify a person's doubts and challenge others to defy the questioning. Hard hearts don't want answers, nor can they receive them. When I say that I don't question, that doesn't mean that I don't ponder, pray, and inquire of God. That is the best questioning. The one that involves going to our Father in Heaven for the answer. When I have questions, I also go to my scriptures, my manuals, Church magazines, the Church website, and my Spiritual journals. I search for my answers. When I find them, the answers become so much more profound and memorable, because I diligently sought for the truth. When we were instructed to wear only one pair of earrings (women), I briefly wondered why it mattered. However, I wondered it to myself, and just in passing. I knew that it was a test of faith, a Spiritual challenge. After pondering the matter, I knew I wasn't going to wear earrings in my other five holes any more. When asked why we don't drink coffee or tea, my simple answer is: because we have been told not to. Nothing complicated or scientific. When asked why women don't wear more than one pair of earrings, my simple answer is: because we were asked not to. Nothing complicated or scientific. Maybe if I can master obedience in the small things, then I won't stumble when it comes to bigger, more important counsel. ~TG

I was raised atheist/agnostic. What did I bring with me? Actually, quite a bit. Despite having to learn a whole bunch more than most who convert later in life--as many converts are already familiar with attending church, scriptures, Jesus, God, prophets, and so forth. I brought myself. I brought my talents, abilities, thoughts, insights, experience, and individual Spirit. Each of us are very individual, unique Spirit children of our Heavenly Father. Our spiritual self is as varied and unique as our physical self. Every child of God provides a unique thread to the tapestry of His gospel. It does not matter what religion we came from, or lack of religion. All that matters is that we come unto the Lord with a sincere, willing heart.

Loudmouth_Mormon, I don't get it. Zombies aren't real.

We have more trees on our property than we do clear land. The only clear spot is right around our house. Anyway, son comes in one day and says he found a "meadow" in the middle of our forest to the right of our house. So, he and I get our boots on and head outside for a trek in the trees (through Georgia vines with thorns and blackberry bushes with thorns). Finally, he tells me we have reached the "meadow". <sigh> It was a patch of ground with no vines or bushes about 2ft. x 2ft. Around here (the south) we say, "Bless your heart", when what we really mean is..."Seriously? I got my boots on for this?" Anyway, I have told my husband and children that they can go live in the "meadow" any time they want! LOL

Jinkies, I can't find the "NOT FAIR" button. LOL I better quit while I am ahead, or you will put me in time-out!!! :lol:

Pam, please tell me again why we can't have the laugh button on all forums? We promise we will be good and won't use it to mock others!

Wow. The 8th Article of Faith comes to mind at this point.

I laughed so loud at this that my son came running over to see what I was laughing at!!

100% agree! Yes, it is great! Just being able to get feelings OUT is awesome. One of the best things my mom taught me, "It doesn't matter what you do in life, as long as you love it and you do the best you can at it." Loving what you do matters too. I may not love having to work, but I do love my job. I love teaching. It truly is my passion and my talent. I love working with students and being there when they have that "Aha!" moment. The only thing better than teaching in public education, is teaching the gospel. Not only am I a Valiant 10-11 teacher, but I get to teach my kids every night during scripture study. How awesome is that? Anyway, LilyBelle00, keep your head up. Maybe you just need to find your passion. I hope you find peace. Know that God loves you and He is always just a prayer away. You don't even have to wait until you get home. Say a prayer while you are driving. Say a prayer while you cry in the car. I have said many prayers to Him while crying in the shower! Find a quote that inspires you and tape it to your sun visor in your car, your desk at work (or locker), or anywhere that you will see it often. This is on my visor of my minivan: Mark 5:36 Be not afraid, only believe. (This one quote helped me get through full-time college and full-time work, while being a wife and mother.) The following quote has helped me through rough times too: "No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character. He is an unchangeable being; the same yesterday, the same today, and He will be the same throughout the eternal ages to come....We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them, if we only trust in our God and keep His commandments." ~George Q. Cannon, "Freedom of the Saints," 2:185 My favorite part: "...we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed." Much Love! ~TG

Where, o where, is the laugh button when you need one?

Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. Okay. Let me explain a few things here... First off, I agree with this scripture. It IS better for a man to go live in the wilderness than to live with an angry or contentious woman. Second, maybe man should STAY in the wilderness once he gets there. Third, why doesn't this scripture expound upon WHY the woman is angry and/or contentious? Indeed. Maybe the man is in the wilderness because the man did or said something to get himself thrust out of his little tent. And while we are at it, maybe the scripture should expound further as to whether the CHILDREN got kicked out of the tent as well. Because if it is better for man to live in the wilderness when the woman is angry and contentious, then shouldn't "man" take the kids with him? Wouldn't the children have played a role in the woman's anger as well as the man??? Maybe the children and the man should just pitch a permanent tent out in the wilderness and make it a home-away-from-home, so that every time they anger the main woman of the house...er, tent...they can then go straight to their time-out tent in the wilderness. Indeed. What say you?

Irony He is the lion. Gold-brown eyes survey his land. Arrogance abounds. The lazy lion. Forgetting who makes the kill. Not he; for he sleeps. The lioness stalks. She carries all the burden; Killing and birthing. The lion does smirk. On a throne he highly sits; Proud, lazy, and blind. Silent lioness. She sees what the lion can't... Her throne is taller. ~TG, November 2005

Father and Daughter In age he forgets. He has turned into Autumn; Chill winds fade mem'ry. She is now summer; Calling up that which seemed lost. Her warmth touches him. Thus are the seasons; One to replace another. Eternal circle. ~TG, November 2005

As I said, I have done both. What you said above is so important. Anybody can second-guess whether we work, or whether we stay home. We have to stand strong and follow the Holy Ghost. As long as we are doing whatever we are doing through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, then nothing anybody else says or thinks matters. I did not want to work either. But for reasons I will not go into right now, I had to take the matter to my Father in Heaven. I was over-whelmed with an answer. That answer lead me to a job at an elementary school in 2006. I have been there ever since, and have even earned an associates degree and bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education while I was at it. So, I never worried about what others thought, because I KNEW that I had followed a very personal and over-whelming prompting from my Heavenly Father. It is never enough is it? Even though I do not feel guilty for working (because of what I mentioned above), I still miss the peace of being at home all day and getting the home in order so that more quality time can be spent with kids and husband during the evening and night. I will say this...I have seen bias on both sides. I have seen working mothers criticize and belittle those who stay home. I have also seen mothers who stay home criticize and judge those who work. I even heard a stay-home mother say once that working mothers were only part-time mothers. That is so very far from the truth. Being a mother is so much more than giving birth, or changing diapers, or whether we stay home or work outside of the home. Being a mother is something that comes from deep in the soul and encompasses the whole heart. There is no such thing as a part-time mother. A true mother never stops being a mother. We think about our children morning, noon, and night. Our prayers are filled with gratitude for them and pleadings for them. Being a mother does not end when they turn 18, or start college, or get married. We are mothers even when a child leaves us too early. We are mothers even as that precious new life grows within us. We are mothers as we hold that new life in our arms, whether from our own womb or not, and feel our heart swell and our spirit shine. True mothers can be found working as mothers in the home, and as employees out in the work-force. It is not something that can be turned off. The more women find their divine worth, the less they will feel the need to compare themselves to the other women around them. Our time should be spent uplifting, listening to, and encouraging other women around us. Only then will we find the true vision of sisterhood, womanhood, and motherhood. At least in my humble opinion. ~TG

No, Traveler, a question would not be a thought-bomb...at least not according to my definition. Thought-bombs run more along the lines of the following being posted as a status update on facebook (or other social media sites): "I can't stand some people! Who do they think are to embarrass me in front of my family? Just because they are family too, doesn't mean they have the right to get in my business! Next time, I won't be so nice, and I will show them exactly how awful they make others feel!!" I completely made that up, but even as I typed I could feel the negativity of the post. Usually, when somebody posts a status update like the one above, others in the "circle" know who the comment is being directed at and they likely already know what happened. Basically, a thought-bomb is heated, angry gossip, insults, or threats made publicly for everybody to read. The person posting it thinks it is okay, because they didn't name any names (even though most people reading the post already know who it is about or will find out soon by asking others), and they think that since it is their facebook page that it is okay to type tantrums that publicly hurt, shame, or attack others. Agency comes with a price. Just because somebody has the right to do something, does not mean that they should. Nothing is wrong with questions. I LOVE questions! I use them all time! But what I don't like, is when somebody disguises an attack as a question. Or when somebody has already made up their mind that they don't agree and do not like the opinion of the person posting, but then instigate a little contention and "right fighting" in the guise of curiosity or clarification. A little etiquette goes a long way. When we ask questions, it should be with civility and a true desire to converse and share...not attack, ridicule, or belittle. Besides, opinions can't be argued...they can only be shared. Which, by the way, is just my opinion.

If you have read them, then you were the innocent victim. I would like to think that I am too sweet too...but I am not. Actually, I come up with thought-bombs all the time...but then I remember that throwing tantrums is inappropriate and that throwing stones is a sin. So then I look to the scriptures and ponder the matter. Two things happen when I do this. I will either forget the matter altogether and get over my anger or frustration, or I will end up writing something that helps me build my testimony. Which I then share with others, which might help them too, if they have faced or are facing the same thing.

Thank you!! I now understand! Here is what I thought: Troll = Mythical creature that stinks and needs a shave. Flamer = Super Hero who is on fire. Conspiracy Theorist Crackjob = Me...since I believe in Big Foot and Loch Ness. LOL LOL

I agree completely. So, why can't others see this? Driving while drunk, intoxicated, under the influence, and otherwise impaired is against the law, but every year people break this law and unfortunately every year innocent people are injured or killed. Ban alcohol? Ban cars? Not likely. As has been said, there will always be people who use their agency at the expense of the agency of others. I feel that your agency ends where mine begins, but stricter gun laws and eventually a "no guns" law will prevent me from protecting and ensuring my agency.

Yes. And if there was an "Amen" button, I would have clicked it twice for the last two sentences of this quote.

I agree! I have wondered if keeping them off fb until they are 18 is reasonable or unreasonable! Seriously, though, I have talked to them--and continue to talk to them--about online safety and about proper online etiquette. Hopefully by the time I decide that my oldest can have a fb account, she will be well aware of how to protect herself, as well as how to conduct herself. ~TG

Huh? Not clear on what a troll or flamer is. And I don't think that believing in a conspiracy now and then means a person is a crackjob. :) Actually, I wrote that definition after reading a friend post a status update that basically ripped a member of my family to shreds. Even though no names were mentioned, everybody in our circle (friends, friends of friends, church members) knew exactly the who, what, and why of the post. That was my original motivation behind the word and definition. Just because people have drama in their lives, doesn't mean everybody else wants or needs to know about it. Hope that clears up my intent and purpose for the word & definition.