Psalm 55 - venting the reality

it is so easy to talk about inner peace in theory. Not so in practice. I woke this morning angry at the World - the whole darn crazy World - all those who seem determined to cause disturbances and disruption.

the Michigan House of Representatives votes down insurance reform in spite of the fact that  22% of Michigan residents can't afford car insurance

Tax reform in Washington benefits the wealthy

North Korea is developing a nuclear arsenal

Another mass shooting - just less than one per day this year and no one ready to talk about gun laws

Partisan politics continues to get in the weight of the common good

I recognize that living during wars this worse than now but we have put a man on the moon. Modern man knows more and more and yet he seems to know

oh that cunning plan of the evil one! O the famous, and the frailties and the foolishness of men! When they are learning they think they are wise, and they are cannot enter the counsel of God, for they set aside, ______________they know of themselves, where for their wisdom is foolishness and it profited them nothing. And they Shall perish. 

But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

I realize we have to live with diversity in today's world and that 1475 will not impress many. But if we think of the common teachings of all the religions of the world we could easily come up with a list of the haviours that if lived would change the world

Do unto others

Care for the poor

Be kind

Serve one another

Listen to each other

Be patient

What good does it do to put a man on the moon if we are killing each other.

For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

the government is bent on tax reform and seems caught in endless struggle to fight over funds as if they were a scarcity and there isn't enough for all. Seems like the goal of good government should always be to ensure a good quality of life for all its citizens. If tax reform doesn't do that, it is a waste of time. Why would tax reform give one person an extra thousand dollars in his pocket, another nothing, and another 13 million?

Why not just text us all the same like tithing - a simple percentage based on income - no exceptions.

or why not admit that there is a simple standard of living that every American should have and it just each individual tax to maximize his standard of

I'm just mad at Paul Ryan for saying that $1,000 was going to make a big difference in someone's life when he has the power to make bigger changes.

how about a deduction for college cost for working families? How about lowering the health care premiums that have stolen needed dollars from budgets that were already

How about more funding for our inner-city

I could go on and on. But I based My philosophy on one scripture that I believe with all my heart and soul.

Doctrine and covenants 104 verse 17 for the Earth is full and there is enough and to spare. yes, I have prepared all things.

Unfortunately the lord gave us one other thing - he gave us agency and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves. End quote

sometimes I wish he had not been so free with agency. It just hurts to see what man does to

But the Lord continued in section 104

therefore If any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and I'm part not his portion according to the law of my gospel, on to the poor and needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell.

now since I don't believe in hell as a literal place I have to interpret that last sentence to me just that there will be accountability for all actions ultimately. But ultimate doesn't help with the no and I believe that the Lord just wants us to know that he takes this idea of stewardship seriously. Those who have been given much have a god-given responsibility to provide for the poor and needy

how they do that is their choice. But to not do it is really not a

if they say they need tax relief for the rich to get that money out into the economy - okay do it. But be serious about what it takes for a family to live a decent life

Pay a decent wage

Provide sick days for self and family

Provide health insurance

Provide vacation time

Provide insurance plans for life and disability

Provide skill training and education for

You see, there is enough and to spare!!

why should one person work 40 hours for $30,000 and another the same amount of time for

this crap what Doctrine and covenants 38 is talking about when the father says to one son be clothed in rags and two of the other be closed in robes? Why do we value once labor over another, especially since we know there is enough.

it's Tuesday morning and our garbage was just picked up. I'm so grateful for their service. I hope they are getting paid a living wage. I hope that for

Let every man esteem his brother as himself. Doctrine and covenants 3825

The world needs a spiritual makeover - and soon!!

Psalm 55:6

Psalm 55:6

And I said, oh, that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest.

sometimes I just want to go somewhere far away from the cares of the day. Stress is such a constant in today's world. Not that stress is bad or toxic. but just being busy can do it for me - I long for a week on the beach, line and recliner out on the sand, reading and writing, it kayak handy for gliding along the shore. I've had my camera with a few new lenses to catch a bird in flight, the sunrise and the sunset. Nothing would disturb me nor distract me. I'd be like Anne Morrow Lindbergh seeking peace, finding it among life's simple treasures.

I told a friend of mine that I have the secret desire to run away a month or so ago. She said she would gladly go with me. Her life is difficult and she wears it well - on the surface.

The news is so horrible right now. Mueller's investigation into illegal ties to Russia by Trump's election campaign is finding corruption everywhere. Women in Hollywood are speaking up bravely about sexual harassment and scores of others are joining them. It's so good to hear them speak up but so sad to hear how pervasive the problem

there was another mass murder yesterday - at a church this time. 27 dead - scores injured.

2017 will be remembered for hurricanes that devastated whole islands in the Caribbean and wrought havoc in so many US cities. We had hundreds of wildfires but the worst was in Santa Rosa where we are the fires destroyed whole neighborhoods.

Mass shootings in Vegas and Texas left us all feeling helpless. at least a hurricane is known beforehand and you can evacuate and save lives. How terrifying can it be to be at a concert or at church and just have a mad men start shooting. or what if you're just out for a jog in the park and a truck suddenly pulls onto the path and most people down?

The middle East is in crisis. Governments and radical groups wage war and the innocent suffer. Oh, that I had the wings of a dove for then I would fly away and be at rest.

for many that trip to fly away was a crowded boat crossing the open Sea or a desert caravan. Both situations were costly in dollars in lives. There are still over 50 million displaced persons - there was no rest at the end of their journey - just a crowded, noisy, dirty refugee camp.

Insert where can I turn for peace here

even if we could run away from our problems and find a secret place of refuge, we would find an emptiness or void. Man is social. We need each other. I know myself enough to know life on the beach can be a welcome pause but it isn't my long-term fix. The message of the ham above is and always has been my answer.

my peace is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I find Hope and gospel teachings about who I am in the purpose of life. I find Hope and knowing that there is life after death. Our relationships are meant to be Eternal and they can be through God's plan. I find peace in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Repentance, forgiveness, long-suffering, turning the other cheek, all the principles he taught have proved to be the answer to so many daily problems. I find contentment in knowing that God hears my prayers and he is aware of me and the challenges of my life. In him and through him I find strength and courage. He has calmed my anguish. He has understood. I have experienced his loving-kindness. He is my friend.

Psalm 52:1-4

Psalm 52:1-4

Why beatest they'll die self in mischief, oh mighty Man? The goodness of God endureth continually.

Dai Tung deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Thou lovest evil more than good,; and lying rather than to speak righteousness

Dial lovest all-devouring words, Odell deceitful tongue

my goodness, this is the perfect description of what is going on in Washington DC as I write: mischief, deceit, lies, evil.

It is a sad time for America when those in public office bend the law to suit their needs and then lie to cover it up. As one reporter put it the truth always comes out. What were they thinking!

Psalm 51: 1-3, 10-11, 16, 17

Psalm 51: 1-3, 10-11, 16, 17

Have mercy upon me, o God, according to thy loving kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies block out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

for I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.

Create in me a clean heart, o God; and renew a right Spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it, that would delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, o God, thou Wilt not despise.

We have been taught that children are free from sin until they are of the age of accountability which we accept as 8 years old. Therefore our children hot date when they are baptized - old enough to know right from wrong and to repent when needed.

But for the preceding eight years we have been teaching them what is right and wrong and how to repent. "It is okay to be angry at your sister. It is not okay to hit her. We do not hit people. Now go and tell your sister you are sorry."

How many times have we spoken similar words to our children. The amazing thing is that they say "sorry", the matter is forgotten and they go out to play.

If only life could remain so simple but the truth is that the older we grow, the more damage we are capable of doing both in our own lives and in the lives of others.

At some point we all do something for which we may not even feel sorrow. We are too upset. Or eventually we do something for which we do feel sorrow but the damage has been done and no words can make it okay.

Words spoken cannot be taken back. Time cannot be reversed. Trust broken may never be regained. Life loss cannot be restored.

We are mortal. We sin. We make mistakes. We hurt each other. We are helpless to repair what we have done.

The psalmist knows this and is feeling that pain. He begins by appealing to the loving kindness of God. He is fortunate to believe in God's ultimate love. Not all do. But it is true. There is nothing we can do that can separate us from the love of God. We do that to ourselves.

The psalmist then begs - blot out my transgressions, Wash me, cleanse me.

Have you ever felt that way? You have done something and you would do anything to undo it. You wish so badly that God with his great power would wash it away, make it go away. Please don't make me have to face this moment. Blot it out!

And yet God does not do it. It is still there and you have to face it. The psalmist confesses "I acknowledge my transgression."

So what now? He wishes he could just give a burnt offering. Could I pay penance somehow? 40 hours of service at a soup kitchen? Double my tithing? What can I do to somehow make this okay?

But there is nothing that you can do. There is no outward act that can do what the Lord is hoping to see happen. He isn't looking for a short-term fix that will ease our pain. He is looking for a deep and lasting change within us - a broken and contrite heart.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.

We may not be able to reverse time and undo our mistakes but when we come to God with a broken heart, truly feeling sorrow for our sins, he will heal us. He is the great physician, the balm of Gilead, the healer of our brokenness. And he heals us with his love!

Hymn number 193 I Stand All amazed

Psalm 46:1 and 10

Psalm 46:1 and 10

God is our refuge, and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore we will not fear.

This psalm is another beautiful affirmation but an affirmation we can only truthfully speak if we have had our own troubles and discovered this to be true. Otherwise it's just wishful thinking? Or is it?

I don't think so. In the book cancer 50 essential things to do the author talks about affirmations. To be good, and information must be positive and non limiting. This verse meets those qualifications.

He then"the chi is to initially pretend, to play with the new belief as if it were true. Our minds cannot yet accepted belief that contradicts the old limits. But it can accept it kind of imagery game in which we play with the new belief as if it were a reality. And it is through the play and the practice that the new belief gradually becomes believable. Then we must act. Putting the new desired belief into action confirms and strengthens it."

Sound familiar? Very Alma sounding?

but, behold if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words. Now we will compare the word to a seed. . .

words like God is our refuge and strength become the liturgy in many religious groups with a congregation speaking them together. It becomes a powerful group expression of

we can change the we to eye and make it her own. God is my refuge and strength. Isn't that what Alma is asking us to do? To experiment upon the word and make it our own.

times of trouble give us an opportunity to do that experiment but it is easier to do when those words are already a part of our conscious

remember when Alma the younger shares his remarkable conversion and he says he remembered the words his father taught him which led him to look to the savior?

I think that is why we study and learn and memorize while we are young. It may not have any depth or meaning yet but when we need them, the words are there in our minds and we can remember them.

Alma said it's in Alma 3617 I remembered also I heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

We see it again with the Stripling warriors

yes, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

So I say after all of this rambling - speak the words. Say them in your hearts. Say them out loud.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore will not we fear. Therefore I will not fear.

It is almost guaranteed that at some time we will have to exercise faith in these words.

Psalm 40 Be still and know that I am God

I think I forgot this versewhen I did my favorite 30 scriptures. This should have been in there. I don't think we can talk about this concept often enough. We don't teach how to be quiet in a world that is maddeningly noisier and noisier and so intrusive of our privacy

We use the words like "ponder the scriptures". it means to consider carefully, to be absorbed in thought. It can mean to meditate or to reflect deeply. The problem here is that we can just be caught up in our own thoughts in this kind of meditation.

there is another kind of meditation that must be practiced and learned. It is an absolute quieting of your mind so that you are absolutely still. It is a meditative State you may have heard me describe before where I believe you are "in the spirit" Letting go of all around you. It is a state of peace that is beautiful and healing.

Those are the two extremes. One, the pondering keeps you caught in your own thoughts and two there are no thoughts.

Both of those are great experiences. I highly recommend them both.

but somewhere in between is another silence that allows us to experience God in our lives. Sometimes that comes in the quietness of the morning, the early hours before the daily chores begin. I have awakened early and "just knew" there was something I needed to do or I thought I needed to write down.

Sometimes when I am all alone quietly reading my scriptures and in no hurry oh, I have moments of clarity.

sometimes when I am in church on a Sunday morning I have thoughts come to my mind. I should call so-and-so, or share this with someone. I keep a pad in my purse and write those ideas down. I accept them as gods promptings.

sometimes I do a meditation of my own where I sit in a comfortable chair where I won't have body aches that distract me, then close my eyes and think through the veil ceremony only I visualized Heavenly Father himself stretching for his hand to welcome me as I enter his presence and "commune" with him. Commune in this sentence is an intimate sharing of thoughts and feelings.

I don't think it matters how we find that quietness. Many find it in nature; watching a sunset over a lake, the night sky on a summer Eve, a mountain Vista.

but you must be alone. This is your time with the Divine - with God who on one hand is our loving father but is also the almighty creator of heaven and Earth, they have missed shouldn't, the all-knowing, the omnipresent, available to all, the of nipotent - or as it is said so well and Isaiah wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the Prince of Peace

I like to think of it this way. When my mind is so filled with thoughts there is no room for God. I need to empty it. I need it to be

I have a mind that is never at rest. It is going all the time that I am awake and most often it is focused on global issues like refugees and poverty. So for me, meditation is a time to quiet my mind.

I am capable of praying or reading scriptures and finding my mind wandering elsewhere. I need a place and a time to be quiet. My quiet has not been the source of great Revelations but it is the source of peace and renewal. And I need that daily. Every once in awhile I feel it connection to a love that blows me away. I believe I can feel the presence of God.

Inter hymn number 123 here oh may my soul commune with thee