Seeking More Than One God?

(Cross-Posted at Moms In The Right)

I've been reading a devotional by Beth Moore lately, and it's been so wonderful!  Although nothing beats reading the Bible, God can speak to us through any medium.  Today, He chose Beth's Jesus Day By Day (try as I might, I can not find this book anywhere on the web!).

There were three verses mentioned that really hit home for me:

When Jesus heard this, He told him, "You still lack one thing: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow Me.

- Luke 18:22

When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, because today I must stay at your house."

-Luke 19:5

Jesus said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"

-Luke 18:24

These verses are plucked from two different stories in the Bible.  In one of the stories, a rich young man approaches Jesus and asks what he must do to please God.  Jesus tells him to follow the commandments.  When the man says "done!", Jesus then instructs him to sell all of his belongings and to follow Him.  The man walks away sad because he knows he can't (won't) do it.

In the other story, Jesus is interacting with a wealthy tax collector.  He's wealthy, of course, because he's spent his career lying and cheating and stealing.  Jesus approaches him, the tax collector greets him with open and grateful arms...but why doesn't Jesus instruct him to get rid of his belongings like he did with the seemingly righteous wealthy young man in the other story?

It seems a terrible contradiction, and one that sometimes leaves me wondering what I should be doing with my life.  

One of my struggles lately has been my intense desire for "success".  I have all sorts of expectations for myself when it comes to being a wife and mom (cleaning, cooking, baking, nurturing, loving, etc.)  I want to lose 15 pounds.  I want to be a well-liked blogger.  I want to be a wildly sought-after photographer.  I spend so much time WORKING...working at being a great mom and wife.  Working to come up with great stuff for this blog.  Working to get this photography business off the ground.

But what am I working for?  To be more specific, WHO am I working for?  Am I working for me, or for Him?  Based on how little time I've spent in the Word and in worship lately, I'd say my heart needs some adjusting (this is all very difficult and embarrassing to admit, you know).

Beth says, "When it comes right down to it, we all follow our 'god'."  Have I been replacing the true Lord of my life with the longings of my selfish heart?  

So what do I do with this realization?  I've been thinking that maybe I should stop blogging.  Or maybe I should forget about trying to do photography as a business.  I should get back to the simple life of cleaning house, nurturing kids, loving hubby, and praising God...and nothing more.

But then I consider the story of the tax collector.  Why didn't Jesus require him to get rid of his earthly possessions?  I believe it's an issue of the heart (as it always is with God).  Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus with open arms.  He was humble before him.  He acknowledged his need for Him.  He even lowered himself to climbing a tree like a child so that he could catch a mere glimpse of Jesus.  His heart was right where it belonged (compare that to the rich young man from the other story who was proud of his own sinlessness and resistant to doing anything it took to follow the Lord).

Beth said something else that really spoke to me, "God isn't looking to take away our possessions.  He is looking to make His Son our greatest possession."  She just has a way with words, doesn't she?  :)

Imagine a priority list with all of you most precious goals, dreams, and loves on it.  Where is Jesus on that list?  Is he at the top?  A few rungs from the top?  Closer to the bottom than you'd like to admit?

In the case of the rich young man, Jesus was 2nd at best.  His great wealth was one thing that was above Jesus, evidenced in his unwillingness to give his wealth away to make Jesus #1.  Contrast that with Zacchaeus.  Zacchaeus also had great wealth, but God knew that there was nothing higher on his  list than his longing for the Son.

God, of course, can see our hearts plainly.  He knows where our priorities lie (even before we do sometimes).  Do you see now why it was a requirement for one man to get rid of his wealth, but not the other?  

What about you and your list?  Is there anything in your life that you're clinging so tightly to that you wouldn't give it up if God asked you to?  

Lord, help me to keep you at the center of my focus.  I'm prone to wander, Lord.  It seems that one day I'm living for you, and the very next day I'm living for me and the desires of this world.  Please help me to remember my eternal home.  Move in my heart and life, Lord.  Help me to keep my eye always on you and your will for my life.  And Lord, if there's anything in my life that is more important to me than you...even if it's painful...pluck it out of my life.  I don't want to suffer in this life, to be sure.  But I trust you, Lord.  I trust that you will provide all that I need (and much of what I want) simply because you love me.  Help me to be successful, Lord.  Not for me, but for you.

Please link up and share your experiences with the Lord this week:

Seek The Lord Sunday Participants

1. Vanessa

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My Latest Project

I've started a new Photography Blog.  I deleted the old one (sorry to those of you who were linked up or were followers) because it was just a hodge-podge of my ramblings, some decent shots, and some downright blurry shots.  That won't do!

I linked it up to me D Rose Photography website for easy navigation (click "BLOG" in lower right).

Why another blog?  Honestly, I was going to NOT do a photography blog...but clients were requesting a way to share pictures with friends and family (but they didn't necessarily want to share their client password with the whole wide world).  It's pretty sparse right now because I haven't had a chance to upload everything, but I hope to get it loaded up with lots of great stuff soon :)

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Workin' Girl Blues

Most days, I have no idea why my brain goes where it goes.  While I was folding our *gigantic* pile of laundry for the past hour, my little brain cells started drifting down memory lane.

Oh, that reminds me.  I saw a commercial last night for a fancy-schmancy new washer drier duo that gets your clothes washed AND dried in a mere 38 minutes!  My first thought was, "Wow, that's fast!"  My second thought was, "That would be just groovy.  It would take 38 minutes to wash and dry...but it would still take a week to fold and put away."

Anyway.

Memory lane.  For some reason, I flashed back to my very first bona fide paying job...and I just had to laugh out loud at what a ridiculously awful job that was!

I'm not sure how old I was, but I was pretty young.  Let's see...we lived in North Dakota - that narrows it down to between about 11 and 16.  I was too young to drive, so that means I was younger than 15.  Hmmm.  That's probably why I was paid cash.  I'm thinking I was in junior high, so I'm going to guess I was 13 or 14 years old. 

My job was to do research for a local funeral home.  Yes, really.  What does that even mean, you ask?  Well, first of all, it was before the days of the internet, so research was a bit different.  You couldn't sit at your computer and Google the info you wanted.  I spent an entire summer (at least it felt like it took all summer...for all I know it really took about 2 weeks), sitting in a back room of our public library, looking at microfilm.  For hours on end.  By myself.  Reading obituaries.  Whoo.  Freakin'.  Whoo.

The owner of the funeral home I was working for wanted a little market research done.  He wanted data on which funeral homes people wanted.  So I'd look through all the obituaries, scan down to the bottom to find out where the service would be held, and I'd put a little tick mark in the appropriate column.  I sorted the data by month and year so the funeral parlor guy could see which funeral homes where used and how his compared to the others.

Now, there's a difference between a Death Notice and an Obituary (at least there was then, I have no idea about now.  I don't read the obits...can't imagine why.)  After gathering data for about a week (that's a LONG time when you're doing that kind of work), I realized that my data was messed up because I was getting data from both the Death Notices and the Obituaries.  At first I thought I could just cut my numbers in half since it would seem logical that two announcements per person would up my numbers by a factor of two.  But after looking closely, I realized that not everyone had both notices...so I had to start all over.

I cried.

There were some perks though.  First of all, I was out of the heat and wind and mosquitos that define good old North Dakoka summers.  If we weren't being eaten alive by the bugs, were being nearly gassed to death by the "bug trucks" that drove around spewing giant smelly clouds of insecticide to kill the mosquitos.  

But I think the biggest perk can be summed up with two words: Slang Dictionary.  Did you know there's such a thing?  I suppose they're not needed anymore since kids have access to the internet.  But back then?  It was revolutionary for this small town girl next door who didn't even watch PG-13 movies until I was 13 years old (and then I walked out of the theater right in the middle of the movie - shocked and embarrassed because I'd just seen a guy's naked rear end for the first time).  I stumbled upon that book during one of my breaks...and I'll tell ya what - that was an ED.U.CA.TION.  

(Side note:  I sure hope we can raise our kids in a way that makes it so that they're shocked and embarrassed to see things that are inappropriate...AND have the courage to get up from their group of friends and walk away when necessary.  Yes, I was naive...but shouldn't every 13 year old be?)  

In fact, now I KNOW I was in junior high.  I know because there was a girl who used to say crazy words with a gleam in her eye and a smirk on her face.  She wasn't talking to me, but I heard those words and filed them at the back of my brain because I could tell that what she was talking about was...grown up.  I wanted to know what they meant, but everyone else was giggling hysterically at what she'd said.  Clearly they knew...but I wasn't going to ask them.  But that slang dictionary explained everything to me.  Yikes.  I think that girl probably needed help.

So that was my job.  Death and counting and eye strain and gallons of Coke by the lights of that back room's irritating buzzing light tubes...and scanning the pages of that slang dictionary and blushing during my breaks.  And when the counting for the day was done, I'd ride my little blue 10 speed home as fast as I could to avoid the bugs.  

What about you?  What was your first job?  Or maybe not your first, but how about your most interesting or terrible job?

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Minor Potty Training Problem

After our Christmas trip to Wisconsin this year, we decided to be done with Sammy diapers.  She's been ready for big girl undies for a long time...it's been her mommy that's been slacking.  Diapers aren't much fun, but they're a heck of a lot easier than doing the potty training thing with so many little ones.  Lame excuse, I know...but the truth.

So we basically put undies on her, and she was done being "trained".  There were a couple of days where we had to remind her pretty regularly that she was in undies, but now she's just done.  It was amazingly easy.  I guess that's what happens when you wait until they're older than 3 (and have been showing signs of being ready for 6 months).  

But lately we've run into a small glitch.  She's afraid of public toilets.  Not hesitant.  Not apprehensive.  We're talking heart pounding, screeching, trembling, I-had-to-pee-but-now-I-can-hold-it-for-a-week-if-I-have-to TERROR.

It's making things a bit complicated, not to mention traumatic for my little sweet non-pee.

It all started at the infamous Chicago O'Hare Airport.  She said she had to go, so I took her to the ladies' room.  All was fine until I pushed the button to get that silly little plastic seat cover thing to rotate so my little girl had a clean place to put her tushie.  Sammy looked at me in wide-eyed horror.  I assured her that things were fine, put her on up there...and the screaming started.  She clung to my leg, and I could feel her poor little heart thumping wildly against my thigh.  And to top it off, the damn thing started flushing automatically.  

The horror.

My little Sammy hasn't been the same since.  She's fine at home, and she'll let us know when she has to go while we're in public...but every time I bring her to the public bathroom she becomes terrified again and starts up with the screaming.

Ideas anyone?  I've tried everything I can think of.  Not even the popular "pee-pee candy" bribe works when it comes to the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, super scary public commode.

While you're thinking about a possible solution for me, enjoy this picture of my little Sammy.  She's this is an old picture of her...from her 2nd birthday party, I believe.  She's such a little punk.  I just don't know where she gets it...

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There's No Good Title For This Random-Thought Post

Had a little mini-session this weekend with my friend's baby boy.  How much cuter could he be?!  I went on a search these past couple of months for cute hats.  I'll tell ya, nothing seems to perk up a photo quite like a cute little knit hat!  Thank you ebay and Gymboree :)

In other news...I'm sane again.  Thanks for all of your kind encouragement during these past weeks while I slowly lost my mind.  As much as I'd like to be healthy without the meds, I'm just not.  I'm back on my regular dose now, and the clouds have lifted.  The world literally looks brighter...maybe it's because my eyes are up instead of down while I mumble to myself about all my gloomy thoughts.  I'm sure it's been a joy to live with me lately.  I'm married to the best man in the world. 

Not much on the agenda today.  At the moment, I'm alternating between writing this post and watching my little guy remove a sticker from a shoe box, play with it on his fingers, and then put it back on the box....repeat 700 times and you have the exiting day of a 16 month old.  

I love simple days that don't have a long to do list.  Sure, I'd like to get some laundry and dishes done.  Maybe I'll even scrub a floor.  But I don't HAVE to be anywhere.  And an added bonus is that I showered right before bed last night.  My hair is sticking up in every which direction, but I'm clean...so a shower isn't even really a requirement.  

Oh, who am I kidding.  A shower is a requirement.  

What happened to my plans of stay at home mommyhood?  A spotless house, well-rounded kids who had a mommy who was involved in every single activity plus PTA president, freshly baked cookies every other day, book reading, leaf rubbing, nature hunts, no TV, daily exercise....you know....all the stuff that a mommy to be thinks will fill her days once her little bundle arrives.

I guess that's what happened to my plans...the bundles...they arrived!  They cry.  They poop.  They teethe.  They have their own agenda, and it usually includes stuff like stomping feet, slamming doors, playing video games, and telling me how much smarter they are than me.  So much for nature hikes and leaf rubbing sessions while they ooggle their eyes at me in awe and adoration :)

That's okay.  They're kids, not robots.  I really wouldn't have it any other way.  Most of the time.

Are you a new mom to be reading this?  Ignore me.  Spend a few more months in your baby bliss bubble.  It really is sweet and fun and wonderful.  Hey, I did it four times and I'd do it four more times if I could without losing my mind, all my money, and probably my husband!   

Have a great day, my sweet bloggy buddies.  I know I'm gonna... 

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Seeking My Rock

(cross posted at Moms In The Right)

Well, here I am again this week for STLS...and once again, for the third week in a row, I'm not writing what I'd planned.  I love it when God speaks to my heart and gives me direction...but I sure wish he'd send me a memo in advance or something so I can stop changing my mind at the last minute.  Despite my plans, the Lord determines my steps.  And it's a good thing, or you'd be stuck with another enlightening and uplifting post about Hell this week!  Oh, come on.  I know you were looking forward to it ;)  

This whole week hasn't quite been what I'd planned.  I've been dealing with some painful personal struggles that have had me crying rivers.  I'm thankful that his grace is made perfect in my weaknesses...his grace has plenty of opportunity to show itself though my weakness lately!  Although I'd love for this thorn of mine to be removed, the gentle (yet still painful) answer from my Lord has been much like the one Paul got.  I'm not sure if it's a "not now" or a flat-out "no".  Either way, I'll just hang tight and know that I'm his.  He's in control of me and my life.  He's in control of my suffering.  He's in control of my dreams and my future.

Our new President isn't helping matters any either (I know...where did that come from?).  The fact is that my initial excitement and hope of something new and fresh...well, those warm and fuzzy feelings were short lived.  His first few days in office have been productive, to be sure.  He signed executive orders to use my tax dollars toward abortions, which both breaks my heart and makes me feel furious (At what point are we giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and at what point are we enabling evil?  Wanna move to Canada anyone?).  And if that wasn't bad enough, he's closed Guantanamo Bay...hmmm, what to do with all these suspected terrorists?  No one really seems to know, but at least our international reputation looks "nicer".  Lovely.  I'd rather the whole word see us as tough SOBs that they know they'd better not mess with.  

I fear that our new president's legacy is going to be a fresh wave of attacks.  But don't worry.  I'm sure there will be a way to blame Bush for whatever bad happens.

We can change.  Yes we can.  But I don't have to like it.  And judging by the increase in gun sales around the country, I'm not the only one who's anxious.

I don't mean to get wrapped up in a political discussion.  I don't really even know what I'm talking about - certainly no political expertise here.  Maybe in the big picture, this all still looks rosy and hopeful and optimistic.  Maybe I'm just not bright enough to see it.  Please?  I hope that's what it is.  I've never wanted to be stupid so badly in my life.  Please...someone tell me that I just don't fully understand.

My point...my point is about the state of my crazy brain this week.  We have crying.  We have depression.  We have anger.  We have overwhelming frustration.  We have keep-me-up-at-night anxiety.  And apparently, we have a problem using pronouns properly.

But do you know what?  Amidst all this change and turmoil and anxiety that "we" have lately, there's something that has never changed...something that will never change.  Some-ONE to be more specific.  It's comforting to know that despite whatever I have going on, He never changes.  His love for me never changes.  Nothing can snatch me from His capable hands.  Not even my worry or doubt or fear.  

Even if the mountains literally fall down around me, the true Rock of my life and future will remain solidly in place.

So that's what I'm going to try and focus on this coming week.  That, and praying for wisdom and courage for our new President to make good choices...and a humble heart in seeking the Lord while he's our President (not to say that his heart's in the wrong place, I can't know...but some prayers from little old me can't hurt).

Along those lines, this song has been such a blessing to me lately.  Enjoy:

If you'd like to share the ways that the Lord has worked in your life this week, please write a post about it on your blog and link up:

Seek The Lord Sunday Participants

1. Vanessa

2. Janet

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Call To Action

Well, as I've been busy bawling my eyes out and writing a depressing "woe is me" post for you all to enjoy...our new President has been busy too.    

He's busy planning to sign an Executive Order that will allow federal funds to go to international organizations that promote and/or perform abortions.

That's your money.  That's my money.  The money we so faithfully pay in taxes is going to be used for abortions, and I'm angry about it.  

I'm going to drop President Obama a quick note to let him know that I do not approve, and to respectfully ask him to reconsider.  I encourage you to do the same.    

You can write a quick note by clicking HERE.  Keep it civil, folks.

PS.  Do you know how many babies have been killed since Roe v. Wade?  Over 38 million.

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I Just Don't Want To Be This Person

What's the difference between who you are and what your personality is?  

Who I am in Him is the easy part - I'm a daughter of the King.  I'm loved by the creator of everything that is.  I have an eternal future filled with joy and peace.

But who I am this side of heaven in a practical and everyday way - that's not so easy.  We all know that what we DO is not who we are - it's just what we do.  I'm talking about deep down, in the dark and quiet, when no one else is around...who is this in my body?  These thoughts running through my mind - are they me?  These feelings that shift like the wind - are they me?

The reason I'm doing all this "belly-button exploring" (who am I, where did I come from, why am I here)...is that I'm trying to figure out what to do about my meds.

I feel like there are two of me.

There's a feisty, passionate, ornery Daiquiri.  She's fun and outspoken and bold.  But that Daiquiri?  She also cries a LOT.  She hollers at the kids a lot.  She walks around with ugly and angry thoughts of anger and resentment occupying her mind.  She stands in her closet for 15 minutes trying to choose a shirt to wear, feeling totally overwhelmed by a simple choice.  She doesn't give a damn if the laundry or dishes are done.   She avoids mirrors like the plague because she feels so repulsive.  She sees her kids looking at her with questions in their eyes, "Why is Mommy mad?"  "Why is Mommy crying?"  They tell me silly jokes to try and cheer me up.

And, with enough mind-altering drugs in my body, there's another Daiquiri.  A peaceful, happy, strong wife and mom.  Someone who cares if the dishes and laundry are done.  She's reliable and consistent and productive.  

At this point in my life, it seems that the Daiquiri I must choose is obvious.  But I don't want to choose!  I don't want to be this broken person who can't have all parts of me at the same time.  

Mentally, I know that depression is a physical illness that needs treatment.  I can encourage other people all day long.  But when it comes to me?  I admit, I feel weak to need meds.  I feel like there's something wrong with me...not just in my chemically screwed up brain, but at the very heart of who I am.  

I want to be whole.  I want to be happy.  I want my kids to have a mom who they can count on and feel safe with.  AND I want to have that spark and spunk that has always been such a part of me.  

This person?   Who it seems I really am?  I don't want to be this person.

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I Haven't Laughed This Hard In Ages!

I lifted this from Moms In The Right.  Hilarious!  I especially love the Italian vs. Chinese food comment.  Enjoy while you eat that homemade guacamole:

Someth

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

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Recipe: Homemade Guacamole

UPDATE:  For a printer-friendly version of this recipe click HERE

I'm an addict.  I could (and sometimes do) eat guacamole every single day for lunch.  Over the past few obsessive months, I've developed my favorite way to make this yummy dip.  

First, you'll need to gather all the necessary ingredients.  You'll need:

1 Tbs lime juice

1 large avocado

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup fresh salsa

Your favorite tortilla chips

Your favorite drink.  Diet Coke is optional, but highly recommended.

- If you use a small avocado, then use only about half the measurements of the other ingredients.  Except the Diet Coke.  Especially not the Diet Coke.

Wait, I need to back up a bit.  If you're anything like me, you weren't born with the knowledge of how to choose a good avocado.  You want it to be ripe.  A ripe avocado will feel a bit soft (will "yield to gentle pressure" as they say in all the fancy recipe books), but it will NOT feel mushy.  If it feels mushy it's either terribly bruised or over-ripe.  You also do not want an avocado to be too hard.  

Okay, now you're ready to make some guac!  First, PLEASE wash the avocado thoroughly with a squirt of soap and plenty of water.  In fact, do this to all of your fruits and veggies before cutting or eating them.  Just think of all the sneezing people who have walked by that food in the store....or have used their dirty mitts to see if that avocado will "yield to gentle pressure".  Ick.  You simply must wash it. 

Okay, NOW you're ready to make guacamole.  Find the stem of the avocado, and start your cut there.  Cut down until you feel your knife hit the pit, and then rotate the avocado to cut through the flesh of the fruit (veggie?) but around the pit.  Don't try to cut straight through the pit.  It will not work out well for you.

 

Separate the two halves, and use a spoon to scoop out the green/yellow insides. 

The next step is to simply use the edge of your spoon to "chop" the avocado into small chunks (or big chunks if you like it chunky).  How many times do you think I can use the word "chunk" this paragraph?  I'm up to 4 so far.  By the way, having your guacamole chunky or not chunky will result in the same thing if you eat too much of it...chunky thighs. And do you know what's really delicious after a meal of chunky (or non-chunky) guacamole for lunch?  A big chunk of dark chocolate.  A big chunk of dark chocolate is good after every meal though, so I guess that point was rather irrelevant.  But it enabled me to use the word "chunk" a couple more times.  Chunkity doo da, chunkity day.  My oh my what a chunky day.  Okay...15.  That should do it.

Excuse me while I run and grab something to eat for breakfast, I think I'm having blood sugar issues.

Okay.  I'm over it.  Sorry.  Some days I just can't resist.  Can you imagine how my husband feels having to live with me?!

Here you are, dicing up the avocado to the consistency that you like:

Now it's just a matter of dumping in the rest of the ingredients, and mixing it up.  The lime juice:

The salt:

The salsa.  By the way, fresh salsa is the most tasty, but any old salsa will do:

Now put the baby down for a nap, grab the chips, and pop open the Diet Coke.  Enjoy!

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There's Something About This Guy...

I admit, I did not vote for him.  I don't agree with many of his plans or philosophies.  But this guy...there's something about him that so powerfully inspires hope in me.  

Hope that he can turn our economy around.  Hope that he can bring peace (what will his take on Israel be, I wonder?).  Hope that he and his family remain safe.  Hope that he can deliver...

On election day my tears were tears of dread and disappointment.  Today, the tears were entirely different.  All those people, all those flags, all those powerful people up on that podium (along with bunches of security, I'm sure), all that beautiful music (although, the HAT, Aretha...what where you thinking?), all those powerful words, all that HOPE.

I'm so thankful to be an American.

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A New Obsession

My baby arrived yesterday.  She's just as beautiful and powerful as promised.  Problem though, is that I've been running nothing but Windows for my entire life and can't even figure out how to open a photo in my editing software.  I'll be working from the old dog until I get this new beauty figured out.

I can't really say enough about this new computer.  I think Ben said it best when he walked into the office yesterday..."Holy MACKEREL!"

Check out the sound effects when first turning it on...very appropriate!

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Reassurance

I've been so caught up lately with getting the business part of things done that I've hardly taken a moment to even take a picture. Amidst invoices, computer ordering, tax ID numbers, and checking accounts...I've had a nagging "What on earth am I thinking...I'm wasting our family time and money chasing a pipe dream...I should stop now and just stick to my mom gig."

And then this little angel came to stay at our house for a few days. I plopped her on the couch, showed her a cute hat, snapped a few shots....and I suddenly remembered what this is all about for me. It's about getting shots like this. And it's about her mom and dad's reactions when I showed to them.

Okay. Maybe I CAN do this.

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Hell Part 2: The Necessity Of Hell

(Cross-Posted at Moms In The Right)

Last week's post about God as our Judge describes how I came to peace with the difficult idea of God judging my life someday. It's tough to imagine a judgemental God. I hope that the illustrations in that last STLS post were as helpful to you as they were to me.

If I've come to terms with the idea of God being just, where does that leave me? Where do my thoughts go next? As Christians, it's easy to sweep the whole idea of Hell under the rug by simply saying, "Well, I'm saved. Whew! I'm sure glad Jesus died for me and that I'm saved from Hell!" Indeed, we should be eternally and overwhelmingly grateful. But, friends, there are lots of people who are not saved because they do not accept Jesus as their Savior. What about them?

This is where the conversation gets really tricky. No one wants to think of someone they love going to Hell, but that's exactly where many people will end up. I can't express how heavy my heart is as I type those words! I feel almost panicky at the thought of it. People die every day...where are they headed after this life?

This topic of the reality of Hell is important. It's so important, that Jesus himself spoke of Hell more often than he did of Heaven! So today I'm talking about Hell...why there is a "need" for Hell and what it's like.

Why is Hell necessary? Why not just do away with those who don't "make the cut"?

Before I was a Bible believing Christian, one of the ways I tried to dance around this distasteful idea of an eternal place of torment was to believe that there is simply no need for Hell. I thought that if there must be a separation between God and sin, then the sinner who was not saved could just be wiped from existence. Eternal suffering just seemed too cruel and unusual a punishment to me! Why would God do that? He's God after all...he could just snap his fingers and those who do not "pass the test" could just be *poof* gone! That would be far more merciful than suffering forever.

To explain why this "annihilation" theory does not (can not) hold water, we need not go further than the very first book of the Bible. In Genesis 1:27, we read, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

What does it mean to be made in God's image? It means that there are ways in which we are just like God. We are creative, we know good from evil, we can love, we have a sense of humor...one of the ways is that we are made to be eternal beings just like God. God designed us to live in perfect fellowship with him forever! Can you see now why he can not simply wipe us from existence? To do so would change our very nature as human beings...as beings lovingly made in God's image...as beings able to fill this particular role in God's creation...as beings who can choose to have a relationship with God (or not).

Okay, so now what?

God is Just, and we can not simply be removed from existence. Where does that leave us? It leaves us with two options, and two options only:

1. Eternity with God = Heaven

2. Eternity without God = Hell

If I've come to God on his terms, then I get option #1.

If I've stubbornly refused him and his ways, then I get option #2.

Now, if you're anything like me, you're asking "What do you mean 'God's terms'?" That's the million dollar question, isn't it!

It's like the case of the woman standing before the judge I told you about last week. She's guilty, she's fined the maximum penalty in the name of justice, but then the judge pays the fine for her (because he turns out to be her dad who loves her very much). That father provided a way for her to avoid suffering in prison.

But what if she had looked at him and said, "No thanks. I'll take care of this one on my own." What could the father do? He couldn't force her to accept his gracious gift. All he could do is watch sadly as she's taken away to prison.

To put it simply, "God's terms" means one thing...Jesus. Jesus is God in the flesh. The reason God humbled himself even to death on a cross is so that he could save us! Think of that for a minute. Let that one sink in. God...the Almighty Creator of the Universe...saw that we were in a mess that is impossible to fix ourselves. Instead of just letting us go on our way and pay the price on our own, he came down here and paid the fine for us (just like the dad in last week's illustration). Now that, my friends, is love! It is also very Good News (aka "The Gospel").

Can you believe that? Literally and figuratively and wholly...believe that? Then please acknowledge your belief before God. A simple, "Oh God, I'm a sinner and I can't fix it! I accept what you've done for me. I accept that you've paid my penalty for me. Thank you so much! Please come and live in my heart. Show me how you want me to live & help me to turn away from the sin in my life." If you can say those words with true belief and humility in your heart...that's IT! That's coming to God on His terms, and let me tell you - it's life-changing.

Isn't it interesting how God works? I sat down a week ago to write a quick STLS post about what Hell is like (based on an interesting book I just "happened" to pick up at the store). As I wrote, I realized that God's justice had to be addressed first. So I sat down THIS week to write about what Hell is like....only to write about why Hell is even necessary.

I'd still like to write a bit about the nature of Hell....do I dare say I'll do it next week? How about this: I'll sit down to write next week...and by God's grace, I'll write whatever He puts on my heart :)

In the mean time, please think about your options for eternity. What do you say? Are going going to go at it on your own, or will you give God's grace a try?

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. - Acts 16:30-32

Seek The Lord Sunday Participants

1. Vanessa ~ Fear None of Those Things

2. Ruth A. Stiles

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What Goes Through Your Mind?

What do you think when you see this picture?

What do you think went through their minds as they looked at each other the moment they came to the realization that they might die in just moments? I wonder...did anyone go from jockeying for elbow room on the arm rest to clinging tightly to the hand of the total stranger sitting next to them?

Aside from "Thank God everyone made it", my first thought is of my family on an airplane.

Hubby usually has two kids with him, and I have two with me. Sometimes we're all sitting in the same row, sometimes not. The baby is always strapped in his car seat, and the big kids are strapped in with the plane's buckles. But what about Sammy? It never seems to fit tightly enough on her little toddler body. I'm thinking we're bringing her car seat on next time - convenience and hefting the hulking thing through the airport be damned.

And getting off a floating plane with 4 kids? I can't imagine it. I can't imagine having the strength to carry the children I'd need to carry. I can't imagine NOT having the strength. I'm sure adrenaline would ensure that I could do it. Would I have to fight the kids to leave their beloved "snugglies" behind, or would even they grasp the enormity of the situation?

I'll tell ya...I don't think you'd ever get me on a plane again! We'd have to move to Wisconsin to ever go to my parents' house again. Well this is strange...this might be the first time there was a fleeting thought of "Oh, why couldn't Daiquiri have been on that plane that crashed?" from my parents! Ha!

I just can't imagine it. I can't imagine standing on those inflated slides with water threatening to swallow my family.

Life is short. Life is fragile. Never mind getting through a trauma like this...how does anyone get out of bed each morning without knowing Him?

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I'm Expecting!

Due Date: About a week from now

Gender: Incredible beauty and brains...a girl of course ;)

Stats: 24"screen and more power than I'll know what to do with.

Mommy is very excited for the new arrival! Vacuuming, floor scrubbing, and dusting going on today...must be "nesting".

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The Many Faces Of Thomas

My baby boy...what a little bundle of joy and silliness and spunk! He's cracking me up lately with all his different faces, especially when he sees the camera pointed his way.

The Christmas Morning Shot:



The "Hey look! I got a cool gift from Grandpa too!" shot:




The "Mommy got be before I could react" shot:

The "Ooo ooo oooo" shot (his favorite new "word" along with "Hi!"):

The "Look at my abnormally large noggin, how do you ever get shirts on me?" shot:

The "Ha! I got mom's phone. Maybe I'll call Mexico" shot:

"Hola":

The "No, of course I will not sit and smile nicely for you" shot:

The "I'd better run or Mama's going to pinch my cheeks again" shot:

Seriously - I can't keep my lips off his little cheeks! And those chubby little wrists...

The "I know you can't resist me, Mama" shot:

And another:

The "I'm so cute, I can even make a face like this and you like it" shot:

"See? You liked it."

And to wrap it up, I thought I'd show you a little clip of Thomas enjoying one of his Christmas presents. This is a good example of why he walks around covered with bruises more often than not. Who knew a pillow was required gear for sliding? Believe me...it is:

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As It Turns Out, I'm A Tad Ornery

I'm rediscovering the "real" me lately. As you might know, I've struggled with depression since the birth of my second child. It rolled into my life like a black cloud that overshadowed every possibility for joy. Thankfully, I have wonderfully observant and supportive friends and family. They saw what what happening even when I couldn't, and insisted that I get help.

I began taking an antidepressant that seemed to me like a miracle pill. It was the kind of healing that I didn't want. I didn't want to have to take medication to be a good mom. But that's exactly who I've been for the past 5 years. Sometimes God answers prayers in ways I'd rather he not!

My depression is strongly linked to hormones. I could feel the clouds rolling in or out based on what trimester of pregnancy I was in & whether or not I was nursing a baby. But guess what? I'm done with all that! (sniff sniff) It's been about 4 months since I weaned Thomas, and I'm feeling strong. I'm ready to see what's going on under this medication.

It's not that I'm opposed to being on medication for life, if necessary. But if I don't need it? I don't want to medicate a problem that doesn't exist anymore. So I've been (with my doc's blessing) been weaning myself off. 10 mg...5 mg...2.5 mg...2.5 mg every other day. It seems to be going fine so far.

But like I said, I'm being reminded of a few things about myself.

For example, Hubby and I were watching "Brothers and Sisters" last night (or "Brothers and Psychos" as Hubby calls it). I was sitting there half watching TV and half embossing a big order of note cards. Normally, I'd sit there and just be entertained, but as I watched the drama unfold on TV, I got sucked in more and more. To my surprise the "old" ornery Daiquiri made an appearance . "Come on, quit your whining! What are you a Girly-Man?!" I said to the guy on TV. "YEAH...get that jerk out of your company. It's sneaky and maybe illegal, but DO IT!"

I think hubby was a bit alarmed. He kept looking at me from the corner of his eye and grinning. He might have been entertained. Or he might have been secretly planning how to escape.

Am I making myself sound like I have a split personality or something? Yeah, I'm sounding a bit psycho.

I'm not, I promise. I'm just feisty! The real me...under these meds...I'm ornery, feisty, opinionated, passionate. Man, it feels good to be feeling myself again!

I don't know what's going to happen over the next few months. I will undoubtedly cry more. I will get frustrated and irritated more. But I only want to medicate an illness...not LIFE, ya know? Hopefully, everything will level out and I'll be on a roller-coaster...but a real-life-mommy roller-coaster...not a my-brain-isn't-working-I-can't-stand-the-pain-or-get-out-of-bed ride.

So here's to life. Here's to feisty-ness. Here's to meds that saved my butt, but that I hope I don't need anymore. And here's to the guy who cut me off in traffic today. Normally I'd pray for you, but today I just got angry and honked the horn...sorry 'bout that, I'll pray for you and me both now.

*********************************************

I can't, in good conscience, wrap up this post without a bit of a disclaimer: If you're struggling in ways you've never struggled before...if you're having a hard time dealing with life...if you can't remember the last time you genuinely laughed or smiled or felt joy....PLEASE get help. There's nothing wrong with you, just like there's nothing wrong with a diabetic who has to take daily meds. Depression is a real physical illness, and there is great hope to be found in modern medicine. Allow yourself to get the help you deserve. The help your family deserves. They need you to be healthy.

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Hell Part 1: Seeking A Judgemental God

(Cross-posted at Moms In The Right)

There's nothing quite like starting the new year with Hell-fire and brimstone, eh?! Yes, this Seek The Lord Sunday is about the reality and nature of people going to Hell.

During one of our many hours of waiting during our recent trip to Wisconsin for Christmas, I stumbled across the book 23 Minutes in Hell by Bill Wiese. I'd normally steer clear of a book about Hell, but this time I was intrigued. Reading this book really got me thinking, and is probably the reason I chose this topic today.

It's not a fun topic. It's not an easy topic. Most people would rather pretend that Hell doesn't exist and that all but the Hitlers and Stalins of the world will go to Heaven because they tried hard or were generally good people. It's easier that way....less "judgemental" that way. But the Truth of God isn't always easy. In fact, more often than not, it's very very hard.

Let's start with the idea of God being judgemental. It doesn't sit right with you, does it? It's hard for me too. It's painful to view my Jesus as both the lover of my soul as I've come to know him...and a righteous judge who will condemn people to a horrible place for all of eternity. How can it be?

In fact, this very idea of eternal suffering for non-believers was one of the reasons that I resisted Biblical Christianity for so long. I didn't like it, I didn't want it to be true, it didn't seem "right" to me...so I'll find something that makes more sense to me, thank-you-very-much. But the Lord graciously and lovingly revealed to me that I don't get to decide what's true and right. And if I don't like something? That doesn't negate it's truthfulness.

And the more I thought, prayed, and studied the idea of God being our judge at the end of our life, the more it began to make sense to me. An illustration always helps me to see the truthfulness in this difficult idea:

Imagine someone breaking into your home and robbing it. In his search for valuables, he trashes your house...broken doors and windows, torn furniture, a dropped high-def TV on your front walk. Thankfully, the police catch the thief just down the road, his car stuffed with your belongings. There is no doubt as to his guilt.

On his day in court, the thief stands before the judge and begs for mercy. He tells of financial hardship and an inability to feed his family. He begs to be forgiven and just set free.

And the judge? He takes mercy. He feels bad for the thief, and can feel his pain. He's compassionate and lets the thief go without so much as a slap on the wrist.

How do you feel? Probably enraged! What about you? What about all the damage that was done? What about the fear and pain and nightmares that man caused you? When you voice your concerns and outrage with the judge, his response is "Come on, just forgive and move on with your life!"

I think everyone can look at this situation and say that a terrible injustice had occurred. And yet, this is the kind of judge that everyone would like God to be! Why is it that we can so self-righteously stand and demand justice in our lives, and yet expect less of God when it comes to him judging us?

And yet, there is a twist with our Awesome and Mighty God! Mr. Wiese gives a beautiful example of God's brand of justice in his book on page 76:

"There was a judge in town that had a case brought to him one day. A girl was speeding in her car through an intersection that had signs posted warning drivers to drive slowly and watch for blind, handicapped children crossing the street. A police officer stopped her vehicle and gave her a ticket. The judge set the fine at the maximum - $25,000. Since the girl was unable to pay the fine, the bailiff prepared to take her away to jail. Just then, the judge did something very strange. He got up from his bench, went over to the bailiff, and paid the $25,000 for her! People wondered what was going on; only later did they find out that the girl was his daughter. Even though it was his daughter, the judge still imposed the maximum fine. He had to carry out justice. However, his love for his daughter would not allow him to leave her in that predicament."

You see where this is going, I'm sure.

The question that's begging to be asked is this: What will happen to you on judgement day? Will you stand before the Judge as a stranger to him or as his beloved child?

When your life plays before you and you see your life laid bare, what will become of you? Will you beg for mercy and expect the Judge to bend the rules for you? Or will you kneel beside your Jesus and say, "I deserve full punishment because I'm a sinner. Thankfully, my penalty has been paid in full"?

He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. Psalm 9:8

Have you been seeking the Lord's face? Please share what he's revealing in your life.

Seek The Lord Sunday Participants

1. Vanessa ~ Fear None of Those Things

2. Ruth A. Stiles

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The LDS (Mormon) Church, Part 6: How To Get To Heaven

It's been a while! My passion for this topic of conversation hasn't dried up in the past few months, but my frustration and a bit of anger did (thankfully). I didn't feel I could write about this unless my heart was right again. Here I am, refreshed and ready to talk some more if you're up for it :)

"How To Get To Heaven" is this part's topic. I struggled to figure out which topic to do next. There's SO much history and background that seems to be necessary before discussing this all-important one...but we seem to get bogged down in discussions that matter so much less than this one.

"Heaven", for example, is very interesting and is a topic I plan to address in the future because LDS beliefs on heaven differ greatly from "main stream" Christianity. But at the end of the day, does it really matter? Well, it does a little...because much of what it means to be LDS is tied up in what the LDS church teaches about Heaven. On the other hand, I think we can agree across the board that Heaven is good and it's where we'd all like to end up. So for now, let's leave it at that and talk about how to get there instead...which seems a much more immediate concern.

If you're new to this blog, then please take a moment to read some history before you jump in to the conversation. At the very least, read the first post in this series so that you can better understand my heart. Here are the previous posts in this series:

1. Introduction & Intent
2. Format
3. Part 1: Joseph Smith
4. Part 2: God and Jesus
5. Part 2: Followup
6. Part 2: Another Followup
7. Part 3: Determining Truth
8. Part 3: Determining Truth Followup
9. Part 4: The Fall & Original Sin
10. Part 4: Followup
11. Taking a Break
12. Part 5: The Great Apostasy
13. Part 5: Followup
14. Part 5: Another Followup

With that, let's jump right in.

Section 1 ~ What the LDS (Mormon) church teaches about How To Get To Heaven

Summary:
1. Salvation and Eternal Life are two different things. "Salvation", to the LDS believer, is being physically raised from death. Salvation is universally available to all human beings because of Jesus' death and resurrection. "Eternal Life", sometimes referred to as "Exaltation" is something that the individual must earn.

2. Based on the LDS belief that there are different levels of "exaltation" or "Heaven", every person goes to one of 3 "levels" of Heaven (that's my term for lack of a better one...not the LDS term). Only people who are considered "sons of perdition" go to Hell.

3. To get to the highest level of Heaven, the "Celestial Kingdom", there are certain things that one must do in this lifetime. Some of those "works" are: have faith, repent, be baptized in a particular way by a particular person in the LDS church, have laying on of hands, tithe, be moral, keep commandments, keep word of wisdom (no coffee, tea, alcohol, etc.), baptism for the dead, and temple marriage.

4. Where does Jesus fit in this picture? The LDS church teaches that humans are saved by grace...only after we do all we can do on our own. Jesus led a perfect life, died, and rose again so that 1. we would have an example to live by, 2. there would be no excuse for sin since Jesus was human and lived a sinless life, 3. "opens the door" (again, my term) to allow us to rise physically like he did 4. by following in his ways we could also have the opportunity to go to Heaven.

He did not die to pay the penalty for our sins, and he is not God (he is God's spirit child and our literal brother).

5. It is expected that members perform extensive genealogies and also perform "baptisms for the dead" in their family. It is believed that without the "sealing" of earthly rituals on earth, those who have died can not be fully exalted.

6. I'm not clear on Joseph Smith's role in exaltation, but it seems that he is believed to posses certain power in Heaven to allow people in (or not).

LDS Documentation on this topic:

"And after that you have received this, if you a keep not my commandments you cannot be saved in the kingdom of my Father." (Doctrine and Covenants 18:46)

"And he that will not take up his a cross and follow me, and keep my commandments, the same shall not be saved." (Doctrine and Covenants 56:2)

"That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:52)

“We believe it is by grace that we are saved after all that we can do, and that building upon the foundation of the atonement of Christ, all men must work out their salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord.” ( “Out of the Darkness,” Ensign, June 1971, 4.) Joseph Fielding Smith (emphasis added)

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (Book Of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23) (emphasis added)

"There is no such principle as saving a man in his sins, neither physically nor spiritually. Our Saviour has never offered himself as an atonement for mankind to redeem and save them in their sins. I regard this as an utter impossibility....

The Scriptures say he tasted death for every man. Did he taste death for every man with a view that every man should be saved from death? No. If so, it would destroy the principle I have been speaking of, and would save the children of men in their sins. But while death had passed upon all mankind because of sin, there was no power that could avert it; yet, by offering himself an offering for sin, he opened a way for mankind to be raised again from the dead, and for ever afterwards be set free from its power." ("Submission To the Divine Will - Eternal Life" by Erastus Snow, January 5, 1860, 7:351) (emphasis added)

"The salvation offered in the Gospel is one of the most consoling, one of the most merciful, one of the most magnanimous principles that can be advanced in all the revelation s of God to man. All the sons and daughters of men will be saved, except the sons of perdition." ("Union Etc.", President BRIGHAM YOUNG, October 7, 1859, 7:276)

Definition of "sons of perdition": "Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father." (DC 76:35)

Salvation is being risen from physical death. Eternal physical life is available for everyone because of Jesus. Eternal spiritual life (life in Heaven) is earned by obeying commandments. (about.com article by Rachel Woods- not an official LDS site, but clearly explains the LDS belief)

"No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are..." ("Intelligence", Brigham Young, October 9, 1859, 7:282) (emphasis added)

"And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation." (DC 128:15)

"Resurrection, or immortality, comes to every man and every woman as an unconditional gift.
Eternal life, or celestial glory or exaltation, is a conditional gift. Conditions of this gift have been established by the Lord, who said, “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” Those qualifying conditions include faith in the Lord, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and remaining faithful to the ordinances and covenants of the temple.

No man in this Church can obtain the highest degree of celestial glory without a worthy woman who is sealed to him. This temple ordinance enables eventual exaltation for both of them." (LDS.org)

Section 2 ~ What the Bible says about How To Get To Heaven

Summary:

1. Salvation and Eternal Life are one and the same. "Salvation" is being saved from physical death and from eternal spiritual death. In short, it is going to Heaven forever.

2. We are all eternal beings. After our death we will spend eternity somewhere - either Heaven or Hell. Sadly, many people will reject the teachings of who Jesus is and what he's done for us and they will go to Hell. Not only "sons of perdition" will go to Hell.

3. We are expected to live an upright and moral life, but doing so is an indicator of our faith...not a requirement of salvation or eternal life. Aside from having faith in the sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice for us, there is nothing we can do to add or subtract from our ability to go to Heaven.

4. When a person dies, their opportunity to choose Jesus or not is past. Baptism for the dead is useless.

5. Where does Jesus fit into the picture? He IS the entire picture. There is no way to get to Heaven aside from faith in who he is and what he did. A personal, loving relationship also seems a requirement. Even Satan "believes" the truth in Jesus, but he's made a personal choice to reject Jesus as Savior. It takes a acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord, a belief and acceptance that Jesus died and rose for us, a humble submission to His will and, and trusting his sufficiency to save.

6. Jesus' sinless life is not proof that we are able to live a sinless life. All of humanity is sinful. The reason that Jesus was able to live a sinless life is because he is both fully human and fully God.

7. God is loving and compassionate, but he is also just. A penalty for sin had be paid. Jesus paid that penalty for us. We can not be justified by the law (by "doing" anything), we can only be justified by what Jesus did for us...by his grace (undeserved gift).

Biblical Documentation on this topic:

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20)

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11)

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:4)

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:8-9)

"And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?" (Matthew 19:24-25) (definition of "salvation", emphasis added)

See Luke 16:26-31

"None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him" (Psalm 49:7)

"But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification." (Romans 5:15-16) (emphasis added)


Section 3 ~ My thoughts

Whew. I'd forgotten how long it takes to do all this research! Sorry for the long post, but I think it's important to do this important discussion justice.

As I read through the LDS teachings about how to get to Heaven, I keep asking myself the same two questions: If we are "saved by grace only after doing all we can do", is there any hope for anyone? And if we're only saved by grace after we do a bunch of required stuff...how is that grace at all? I'll elaborate (lucky you!):

Grace only after all we can do? How can we truly do all we can do all of the time? Are we expected to never EVER fall short of *all* we can do? Can anyone reading this right now honestly look at their own heart and say with 100% certainty, "I've done all I can do"? I can't. I love the Lord. I try my best. But there are times when I'm lazy or tired or frustrated...and I make a lousy choice. Now, you might say that since I'm trying so hard, then I'm doing all I can do...that perfection isn't expected...just doing what you can. But seriously - there are times (and I'd bet anything this has happened in your life too) when I've had a choice, and I flat made the WRONG choice. Intentionally, selfishly, humanly...wrong.

So where does that leave me? According to Mormon teaching, that leaves me in the position of having done less than all I can do. If grace is offered only for those who have done all they can do, I submit that there is no one who can be saved by that "grace".

Grace = a free gift from God. The Bible tells us that God's grace is free. If we have to do things to earn it, then it's not free! If we have to earn it, then the cost or price of that gift is my "works" or "the law". If it's something that must be earned, then (by definition) it is not grace.

Galatians 5:4 seems to lay it on the line pretty clearly: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." A person may choose to pursue justification/salvation/exaltation by following the law...but then that person must expect to be judged by that standard because it says that person is "fallen from grace". We can't have it both ways. We either work for it, or we trust God for it. Which do you choose?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that accepting God's grace is a joy ride. It's tough! It's tough to set aside my natural inclination to try and make things right all by myself and to do life my way. But at the end of the day, I know that I can't do it right. I can't fix the results of my sins. Trusting God is scary too. Trust someone else completely for my eternal salvation? But...what if...are you sure...is it enough...what if you're wrong?!? SCARY.

But what is my option, really? If I have to choose between me doing it or God doing it? Even if I have a hard time trusting, I don't have much of a choice. I KNOW with 100% certainty that I can't do it...my only remaining choice is to trust him.

And think about it...God came to earth in a human body, suffered, died, and rose again...FOR ME. What could I possibly add to that? A God that would do that for me? A God that loves me that much? I trust him. I rely on him completely. I'll go to Heaven by his grace, or not at all.

Finally, I don't mean to give the impression that I'm diminishing the importance of living a good life. Out of my love for him, and out of gratitude for what he's done for me...I'll live for him. Knowing him the way I do...he's truly irresistable! But if I live a good life to try and earn Heaven, then I'm doing good for me, not for him. He knows my heart, and he knows the difference.

I choose grace. I choose peace. I choose the freedom of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Questions
1. How good is good enough to earn grace?
2. Jesus lived a sinless life. In your heart of hearts, do you believe that since he did it, you can too?
3. Does the LDS teachings on how to get to Heaven bring peace and joy and freedom, or does it bring the chains of legalism?
4. When you do good things, do you do them to earn reward or do you do them out of love for Jesus? (I don't mean to suggest that you're doing one or the other...just encouraging you to examine your heart)
5. Do you think that Jesus paid a sufficient price for your sins?
6. Do you trust the LDS organization enough to trust it with your eternity?
7. Do you choose to live under the law or under God's grace?
8. The Bible talks of Heaven and of Hell. It says that many people will go to Hell. Are you 100% certain that you are going to Heaven?
9. Which do you think is a safer bet...trusting God completely, or trusting yourself completely?

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