Random Wanderings

My husband and I are missionaries for the addiction recovery program for our church. The program is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Our topic for tonight is step 2. The one word that describes that topic is HOPE. The step is very much about getting to know who God really is. Most addicts and addicts families have a distorted view of God. Many have turned away from God in their life because of those distortions. In step one you realize how powerless you are to control the addiction and that it has taken away your freedom and put you in bondage. The only way you can find any HOPE of recovery is in trusting in a power greater than yourself. That trust is step 3. First you’ve got to know who you are going
to trust in. So who is God?

I believe that who to trust is Christ. The gospel of Christ. Gospel means good news. Many believe that God is controlling. I think that is a distortion. None of us like to be controlled. How can that be good news? Many get those distortions from how their parents treated them and from the culture. I think just the opposite is true of God. Rather than being controlling the most valuable gift he gives to us, is the gift of agency. We are free to choose. Men abuse that agency and try to control each other, which brings tremendous pain into the world. God will not stop them because of the value of that gift. Even in the most controlling circumstances brought about by men there are choices. There is always the choice of how to react and what attitude we will have.

If God isn’t controlling, then what about all those commandments he has?

I believe those commandments are from a loving father teaching us how not to abuse each other, but rather how to love each other more completely and bring more love into our own lives. They are a gift to us to show us the way in a very confusing and truth distorted world.

One of the distortions that I grew up with is: Even though I know God loves us, I didn’t feel like I could ever be perfect enough to make it to Gods kingdom. No matter how good I was able to be, I could never be good enough.

That is called perfectionism and it is a lie. By believing that, I was completely rejecting the whole reason Christ came to this earth. The gift of the atonement that makes it possible for each one of us imperfect people to be made whole and receive all that God the Father has to offer.

The truth is that my best will be good enough and all that I fall short of Christ will take care of. I can trust him to pick up the pieces of my life that I am incapable of fixing. As I continually turn to him for guidance he will show me a way out of the bondage from my addictive and compulsive behaviors. Not only that, but as I try to live the commandments in order to bring more love into my life and to other people, he will help me fine tune the general commandments so they are more specific to my individual circumstance.

Then on top of that he will also show me the way to find powers and peace even beyond what I could imagine or dream of. Even in a mixed up, distorted, chaotic, unpeaceful world.

I say that is HOPE!

We had satellite radio in the rental car while we were traveling. My husband and I like to listen to talk radio. One of the hosts did a commentary on how much more often children are being diagnosed as bipolar.

I value a full range of emotions, it seems to me that way too often genuine emotion is treated as something wrong that needs to be fixed, mostly for the comfort, emotional peace, hidden fear, of those around the emotional person. The natural exuberance of a child has to be calmed down, the tears have to be hushed as quick as possible. The teen dealing with all sorts of new emotions is ignored or squelched (everyone is too busy) rather than taught how to appropriately express those emotions in healthy ways. When those emotions get too strong to handle they rebel or express them in destructive ways both to self and others. Then, there must be something medically wrong so we have to get them on some kind of medication so they can be handled again.
Even as adults it seems to be much more socially acceptable to be walking around as a zombie void of feelings or drugged out on antidepressants or whatever you can use to get by, than to express genuine emotion.

I went through a time in my life where I had so suppressed my emotions that I didn’t feel anything. I was in a serious depression. I walked around as a zombie, the life of the living dead. It was no life. Yet no one seemed to notice or care at that time. Yet in finally coming out of that and being able to look back on that experience is why I value the life that comes with genuine emotion of all kinds.

Several years later I went through an extremely difficult time in my life, rather than go back to suppressing my feelings to make it through, I sought a listening ear so I could process through some of that genuine grief and extreme anger. Rather than a listening ear I found those who were quick to try to fix me, not by hearing, but, by telling me to go take antidepressants. I finally had to pay a therapist while I processed through the emotions. The therapist did not give advice, did not recommend medication, just listened.

The value of a listening ear, the value of acceptance of what ever mood each individual is in at any given moment, the value of emotion, of laughter, of tears, of anger,of contrariness.

I love the ocean, it is so moody, so changeable from one moment to the next, the tide is never the same, the whether changes so quickly. There is so much power but yet a peacefulness. I could watch it forever.

I make it a practice to appreciate & accept the changeableness of people as much as the changeableness in so much of nature around us. Because of that I have no problem with getting along with many who others avoid. I love them and value the richness they bring to my life.

The father called his children together and told them, “I want to help you continue in your growth and progress towards becoming like me and having all that I have, all power, all knowledge, and eternal life. To do that you need to have a physical body like me. It is time to create a world to grow those bodies. First let’s visualize this world and create all things spiritually before we create them physically. We need to have a plan so that every soul has an opportunity to experience the situations perfectly suited to their learning and growth. Physical learning is hard and we will also need many things to bring joy and gladness to the soul in the process.”

And so they each took part in creating this vision, each intelligence contributing what they thought they would need for their own growth and desires for joy. They had lots of input by the Father who had been there before and knew what they would need.

When they had finished their plan, the Father looked at it and said “It is good!”

Then the Father explained what it would be like living with a body and on this earth. There would be many choices for every given situation. The danger would be that some of those choices could block (dam) their progress. Down on earth many would not be able to discern the way or even be able to imagine what is possible unless it was seen or done physically. Some one must show the way.

With all the distractions, it would be very hard to remember what the best choices would be. In fact all would make a mistake at least somewhere along the way.

“Therefore” he said, “I will give you lots of help”. “I will provide guides in every dispensation of time to teach you and show you the way and help you to remember.”

“Because all will make mistakes and thus make it impossible for any to continue their progress, there needs be one who navigates every situation perfectly and who is willing to stand in for, and take the consequences for, all those mistakes in order to fulfill the law of justice. That will put into effect the law of mercy and make it possible for all to continue their progress.

“I will do it father,” said the oldest son. “I will show the way and make what ever sacrifice is necessary so that my brothers and sisters all have a chance to continue their progress.”

“Because of your willingness to take on this great sacrifice for your brothers and sisters, I will make you as their father. You will get to judge them worthy of your sacrifice and set up whatever requirements you feel fair in order to earn the privilege you are making possible for them.”

“I only require that they do the best they can in following my example and love and help each other as much as possible.”

“It is decided then. Each of you will get a turn in adding your part of creation to the world. Now go yonder and gather the matter to create this world physically. My oldest son, I will put you in charge because I know you will follow my instructions precisely. To create a world that will grow and sustain physical bodies is a very precise creation. There can be no mistakes.”

After a time the first body was ready to be inhabited by a soul and the father chose a son to go first and directed the process. Then they prepared a second body and the father chose a daughter so that the creation of bodies could continue.

to be continued

Over the weekend we took a bike ride on the Hiawatha trail. It is an old railroad trail converted to a biking trail.

From the website:

Winding through 10 tunnels and 7 high trestles, this 15-mile route crosses the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The Route of the Hiawatha is best known for the long, dark St. Paul Pass, or “Taft” Tunnel, which burrows for 1.66 miles under the Idaho/Montana state line.

Greg and Lydia emerge from the first mile long tunnel. Lights are required and jackets are needed. It is very cold and dark but one of my favorite parts just for the novelty of riding a bike in such a long tunnel.

This waterfall is right at the end of that first long tunnel.

There are many spectacular views along the way.

Lydia looks down from one of the many trestles (bridges) along the way.

Taking a break before going into another tunnel.

Time to secure the bikes and head for home.

Goodbye Hiawatha! Until next year!

This is for you Jaspenelle
Rules

• 1. You have to use your own belief system for the meme. No fair using someone else’s to make a joke or satire. Being humorous about your own religion is encouraged!
• 2. You have to have at least one joy and one trial. More are encouraged. And no, they don’t have to be equal in length, but please be honest.
• 3. You have to tag at least one other person. More are appreciated!
• 4. Please post these rules!

Joys

Pushes me out of my comfort zone giving me lots of opportunities to grow and to give service.

Peace and security in the midst of the storms(trials) of life.

Lots of good reading material, lots to ponder.

Social connections with people of shared values.

A support group for the tough times and lots of wisdom to share.

Getting to know people in a way I wouldn’t have otherwise and learning I can love them anyway.

Trials

Pushes me out of my comfort zone.

Getting to KNOW people.

The abundance of misperceptions about Mormons and especially the refusal of some to consider there are misperceptions.

I tag anyone who reads this, that hasn’t already been tagged, who has a blog. Maybe it’s time to start a blog or let me know if you already have one.