A whole bunch of things roll together or relate in this package.
We WANT to return to the Lord because we love Him - IF we have learned to love Him and felt His love. It's not force that does it. He is not about force.
A highly Dominant person (investigate "DISE") wants lots of room to explore and make his own decisions - don't you dare interfere. Paradoxically, that same person exercises a lot of minute control of others - including family members. Do this, don't do that, why did you do it (challenge question).
A person grows by exploring and questioning. He becomes stronger, if he has been taught by (and adheres to/loves) the correct principles. A sheltered, overly controlled kid doesn't grow.
Every man, woman, and child of us is a leader, or should be, in the true principles of leadership (not = bossing). I like how Covey developes it in the 8th habit; a very worth while read. There is also the Leadership Pill by Muchnick (not known to be related to my wife). We should find our own voice, but we should provide encouragement to others to excel, be their best, explore, experience, have opportunities to lead and be challenged, learn and grow. This is about being an agent of God in helping life-long, eternal progress.
It is not good policy to talk about an x spouse, but here the point I want to make is easier to illustrate if I do. You will see.
(Oh, her favorite bird: she imagined herself an eagle.)
My x told me of how she got her daughter "GV" into BYU. [Nickname changed to protect the innocent. The BYU result was positive, and GV became a truely outstanding woman married to a fantastic and wise man (two terms as Bishop). My x also told me of GV's father and GV used to set on GV's bed, just talking about things. It bored my x. After my x and GV's father divorced, GV and her father were estranged for some years due to the divorce environment, a sad thing for me to see.
The father, now deceased, was not a church member, not religious.
I remember exactly where I was standing (funny, these memories) when I received a call from the father who seemed a bit concerned about the lack of relationship with his daughter and was open enough to ask. I told him that he, sitting on her bed, taught her to think. So GV learned to think of things. She went to BYU, which he wasn't happy about, and had her thoughts expanded. He was a valuable part of her becoming a fantastic person who accomplished/probably accomplishes a lot for betterment of mankind.
Those two were mad at me for talking to him. But I gave the father CONFIDENCE ENOUGH in his value to her, to reach out to GV in spite of things, and they did have some great visits back and forth after that before he died.
The bird returned.
There are times that you have to do what is right and let the consequences follow; honesty before loyalty, truth before tradition, doing what's right before comfort. I am forever glad that I talked to him.
So what kind of bird are you? Soaring is wonderful.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Quilt of Holes
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls..
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares.. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me,and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes,creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you...'
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
God determines who walks into your life .it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak
kindly. And leave the rest to God.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares.. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me,and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes,creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you...'
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
God determines who walks into your life .it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak
kindly. And leave the rest to God.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Rosalind Crosby
Sad note here: found an e-mail that came last Sept to me as webmaster BnaiShalom. I didn't get into it at that time. Now, thrilled, went to her site, she died May 09. She composed and painted. She put hords of mp3 music and sheet music PDFs there. Some is MOST moving. Links in this letter will take you to two enchanting sites, please check it: http://www.mormonsandjews.org/CelebratingWomenOfOT.html
http://www.rosalindmlukecrosby.com/
http://www.cherieshoemaker.com/
http://www.rosalindmlukecrosby.com/
http://www.cherieshoemaker.com/
Moore and Sasnette
In 1962 I heard of Leonard Moore chorale. In Bothel I hometaught widow Beth (now deceased), later daughter Kathleen. Got our keeshond from son Jim. Kids are back East now, music professors all. Beth wrote beautiful song for RS in a week, painted. Oh, if we could get them back. Kathleen: soprano, sat front row of chapel, joyful voice to the rafters. http://www.classicalsinger.com/sites/index.php?pt=1&user_id=javascript:void(0)79841
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