Tag: God and Man

Alone

I pray in my own Gethsemane, far from my Saviour’s tomb.
I’m down on my knees as I sob my pleas, alone in a dim lit room.

Though the blood doesn’t pour from my every pore. like my Saviour shed for me,
The tears it seems, shed their steady streams, from my eyes that no longer see.

It takes times like this, then it happens: a broken heart is made whole.
His love is felt, by the words that melt the ice from a troubled soul.

He speaks to me at length of strength, and a time so long ago,
When he offered free his gift to me, and I feel my spirit glow.

When I rise with the dawn, my trials are gone, and I feel the warmth of his light.
The sins of my past are forgiven at last, and are left with the dark of the night.

-Doug Garrett

Reaching Out

I passed him waiting by his cart. “God Bless you friend,” I heard him say. 
His smile was warm, not like my heart. How easy beggars like to pray.

When I have prayed for God to hear, to help parched and withered grain,
His voice came not, nor was he near. All by itself came needed rain. 

Thrice I had prayed to see again those who I loved, long passed away.
But sick and poor were all that came. How could I have such people stay?

So I have worked with eyes down turned and gleaned alone by sweat of brow.
All which, by rights was mine, I earned! But oh, the lonely silence now.

“Your God is foreign to my eyes.” This time the old man heard my chide.
“My son, I heard each time your cries. My outstretched hand was swept aside.”

-Doug Garrett

My Elf/Self

Starkle, starkle, little twink,
How I wonder why we think?
High above this earthly state,
Where do thoughts originate?
Brilliant thoughts that fire the brain,
Shameful thoughts that sear like flame.

I have this voice that loves debates.
He’s in my head, articulates
All alone or in a crowd,
Mostly quiet, sometimes loud.
Alter ego? Spirit self ?
Who designed this meddling elf?

Here in utter solitude,
Between ourselves we always feud.
Analyzing all the facts,
He sorts my fantasy from facts.
Sometimes losing, sometimes win.
I’m forever giving in.

From all these seeming random views,
Carefully I pick and choose.
Some I think are really clever,
Some I’d never think, no never.
But if I ever think to lie,
He never with me would comply.

It’s always him who takes the lead,
Its always me who does the deed.
I’m the one whose always caught,
He’s always making sure he’s not.
He thinks that I should take the blame.
Why can’t we ever think the same?

I suspect someday I’ll know,
Face-to-face. Toe-to-toe.
At last I’d finally get to meet
This elf, I never got to beat.
What hilarious irony
If that little elf is me!

Twinkle, little star, I find
I’m glad my little elf’s is mine.
He’s the one who stands between
Me and God and keeps me clean.
If with God I get to be,
I ‘ll bet it ’cause my elf’s with me.

-Doug Garrett

The Major Difference: The Plan of Salvation

The major difference between what we teach (in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and what is taught in other Christian churches is The Plan of Salvation.

There are 3 pillars upon which The Plan of Salvation stands:

1. The Creation of the Earth
This pillar has to do with the purpose and reason for man’s existence, his relationship to God as his Father, and the reason for his trials and temptations.

2. The Fall 
No one fully understands why we need Christ until they understand the effects the fall of Adam had upon mankind. This is known as spiritual death.

3. The Redemption
Without the atonement of Christ there is no way we, as fallen spirits in a fallen world, could by ourselves return unto the presence of God The Father.

Before the knowledge of The Plan of Salvation was restored, there was confusion between the roles of Grace (what Christ has done for our salvation) and Works (what we must do for our own salvation).

Once this plan is understood, the power of salvation can become a powerful force for changing our behaviour and motivating us to help ourselves by helping others to become more perfect.

The Lord taught… “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13: 45-46

The rich young man asked the Saviour what he must yet do to gain eternal life...
“…sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” Luke 18: 22 

King Lamoni’s Father implored…
“What shall I do that I may have this Eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Behold, I will give up all that I possess, yea I will forsake my Kingdom that I may receive this great joy.” Alma 22: 15 

The king was not asked to do that. He was only asked to change  and become a new man (repent), covenant with God (baptism)  and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost (learn about God and be obedient to his commands).

What must I do to have eternal life? (Luke 18: 18)

That question is asked again and again in the scriptures, and each time it is answered in a different way depending on the individual.

The scriptures should be likened unto ourselves. That query is like a self-direction/correction question. We should be asking it often, especially as regarding our:

1. Understanding of the gospel.
2. Social standing among our fellowmen.
3. Spiritual standing in the Kingdom of God.
4. Willingness to have love and compassion.
5. Willingness to serve, or give, all we have to God.

The personal answer will change from time to time, according to our changing circumstances. But there is wisdom in asking oneself that question — and asking it frequently.

If we do so, it will become the major difference in our lives too. The question will become a course-correcting compass guiding us back, step by step, to our home with Our Heavenly Father.

-Doug Garrett