This Side of Invisible

In the memorable words of Dr. Ian Malcolm played by the incomprable Jeff Goldblum, "Life finds a way." Even when we don't want it to, when we can't keep up, when we're exhausted... it just keeps coming. Life simply happens. But we must remember that we are created to be agents of action, not simply objects to be acted upon. Life comes at us unbidden, but we too can create the life we want. We can be the life unbidden. Life isn't merely something that happens around us, it's not just a force happening to us. Life happens within us. And with each exhale, we can speak life into existence all around us. We just have to be intentional, choosing moment to moment how to expend our energy. You are a child of God, the Great Creator; the DNA of creation makes up your every molecule. Don't wait to be bidden. Don't wait for approval. Listen to the beating of your own lifeforce. What life will you release into the world today? Now available: Life...

--> Au Naturel : in a natural state; without anything added. Bare : devoid of amplification or adornment; lacking tools or weapons. Raw : not treated or prepared for presentation, marked absence of refinements, unprotected. Nude : without conventional covering; having a natural appearance. Naked : devoid of concealment or disguise; lacking embellishment. In the beginning, God’s children came into this world naked and naked they remained while in close communion with Him. It was only after Adam and Eve had gone against their Father’s wishes and partaken of the forbidden fruit that Satan pointed to their nakedness and shamed them for it, pushing them to hide themselves from God. It has been the story ever since. Death is a separation of our spirit and bodies. Eternal death or spiritual death is a separation from our Father in Heaven. This is the Adversary’s sole focus. And since the beginning he’s known just how to push us away from God. He villainizes our divine origin, ...

Let's be clear, I'm not God. Nor am I His spokesperson. But I have studied His words for the majority of my life. I've poured my heart out to Him. I have listened to His still, small voice. And, I hope, I've learned a few things about Him. Of course, I could be wrong... but as I understand it--in my understanding of God's love for His children--this is why He doesn't save all the starving orphans, all the children born into abuse, all the mothers who lose their little ones, all the little ones who never get to take their first breath of Earthly air, all the fathers who mourn the innocence of their children gone to the wiles of addiction and fornication, all the parents that never get to experience children of their own, all the men and women that lose their jobs, their families, their lives, all His children that experience pain in all its gloriously pervasive forms... Because God doesn't keep any of his children home. What does that mean? Let me expla...

I had the opportunity to speak in church today.  And because this is my blog I get to share it here :) When Brother Willis called me last week and said, “I don’t know why, but the Lord won’t let this go… you’re supposed to give this talk,” I knew exactly why.   This lesson is one I have been fortunate enough to really learn over the last year.   This talk was, in fact, 33 years in making.   I have had a lot of time and multiple opportunities to learn these things.   And it has made all the difference in my life. In Mosiah chapter 4 we read: And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God…  And behold, ...

Make Lemonade? "If [When] life gives you lemons, don't settle for simply making lemonade-- make a glorious scene at a lemonade stand." ~Elizabeth Gilbert We all know the old saying, 'when life gives you lemons make lemonade', right?  I'm hear to tell how it's done. Life gives us lots and lots and lots of lemons.  Those bitter-sour moments of painful alertness that challenge our mood and our sanity.  Those trying times that in retrospect are sometimes humorous and sometimes even more painful.  There are times in my life where the stream of incoming lemon bombs is never-ending and exhausting.  For example, after months of being financially up the creak without a paddle, we are finally gaining some ground and then-LEMON BOMB-my husband got a flat, totally-irreparable tire on his way to work today... which will, without a doubt, rip our recently required paddles from our fists.  Thankfully, my take on lemons and my knowledge of lemonade-making ha...

I read somewhere recently a simple proverb that has had a profound effect on my mentality: Every flower and every tree must grow through the dirt. and some even have enough courage and fortitude to grow through the rocks... Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life. ~ J.K. Rowlings This is something that I once again reflected on during Sunday School today.  We were talking about trials and afflictions and those inevitable questions and attitudes we can develop when going through hard times.   Why does this have to happen to me?  What did I do to deserve this?  Why does a loving God allows such tragedies to occur?  How can He sit by and watch and not intervene?  Why won't He step in and help me/us/them?  When will it ever end?

Published on the Liahona Project, link here Recently, Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers sent me a complimentary copy of "My Life Without Limits" by Nick Vujicic to read and review.  And I will admit, when I first started reading it I was skeptical.  It was a little too upbeat, a little to cheesy for my tastes.  But what I came to realize is this: Nick isn't selling cheesy feel-good motivational fluff.  Nick is speaking from the heart, telling the world about his experiences with real trials and heartache and how he has learned to overcome.  Nick isn't selling anything; he's spreading the truth about the power of hope. The author asks, "What is hope?"  What follows is his answer (which I love):  "It is where dreams begin.  It is the voice of your purpose.  It speaks to you and reassures you that whatever happens to you doesn't live within you."  This statement struck such a cord with me.  I love this principle that your experiences...

I've had a few people ask for copies of a talk that I recently gave in our ward's Sacrament meeting, so I am putting it here with the thought that maybe others will appreciate it too. Please find at the end a reference list for all sources I used in planning and preparing this talk. Diligence and Obedience Bring Safety and Peace Today we live in an unstable world. Due to this instability many are security obsessed. They buy the top-of-the-line locks and alarm systems for our homes and our vehicles. They buy expensive insurance policies, even for their pets. They invest their money in stocks and bonds to "keep it safe." We have large militaries and governments. We have nuclear weapons as deterrents. We band hand lotion and breast milk and nail clippers from airplanes. We even go so far as to invade others privacy in the name of security, so that we ourselves can be safe. That's not to say that any, or all, of these things are wrong or even unne...