Made of God

Matthew 25

³¹ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

³² And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

³³ And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

³⁵ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

³⁶ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

³⁷ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

³⁸ When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

³⁹ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

⁴⁰ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

– Tom Irvine

Joy & Sadness

My heart is very heavy with both joy and sadness.

I have sought the Lord through prayer and meditation over the last several months. I continue to do. I received the following messages.

First, some very wonderful news. Jesus loves all of us and has prepared mansions for us in heaven. He freely forgives us. He is also THANKFUL for each one of us. He seeks to unite all religions. We are all created in God’s image, male, female, black, white, rich, poor, LGBTQI+.

The Lord allows growth experiences for us, including apparently “multiple mortal probations” if we so choose. This is commonly known as reincarnation. The Lord honors our free will. Whether or not you believe in reincarnation, you are right for you.

The Lord often reminds me of the quote by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

The Lord knows and honors the intentions of our hearts. Our hearts matter more to him than our works.

There are many “truths,” and the Lord allows us to pick the one that works best for us.

We have the ability to have communication with our family and friends on the “other side of the veil.” We can likewise talk with those who have hurt us for the purpose of reconciliation. I have done this and am continuing to do so.

One departed man who had hurt me in church explained that he did so out of fear and insecurity. He explained from the other side that he was a “letter of the law” type because he was fearful of God’s punishment. In all fairness, this man apologized to me before he died, and I forgave him. But I appreciated the opportunity to learn why he acted the way he did.

Now for some very sad news…

Power, money and politics have adversely infected many churches including the one to which I belong. There are some church leaders that have evil spirits attached to them. Both these leaders and evil spirits seek to control others through fear. Some do not believe what they preach. Some do these things deliberately, others out of ignorance. Unrighteous dominion is real.

Sacred tithing funds are sometimes directly or indirectly used for worldly purposes that have nothing to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, no, Jesus does not need that $100 million resort hotel in Maui that my church purchased last summer through one of its shell companies. No room for Jesus at the Inn.

In summary, we all need to develop discernment. I have reflected on the statement “ignorance is bliss.” But I have seen far too many things both good and bad that I cannot un-see.

God loves you. Do not fear man.

Oh, and some of my social media friends were my family members in previous lives. So if you are reading this….

– Tom Irvine

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[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
[2] In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14

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[7] But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his (Eliab’s) countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

1 Samuel 16

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[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7

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[7] And she (Mary) brought forth her firstborn son (Jesus), and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2

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[17] Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
[18] But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
[19] And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

Jacob 2

Spheres

Doctrine and Covenants 93:30

All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence. 

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Elder Dale G. Renlund

As we develop faith in Jesus Christ, we should also strive to become like Him. We then approach others with compassion and try to alleviate unfairness where we find it; we can try to make things right within our sphere of influence. Indeed, the Savior directed that we “should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.”

(Infuriating Unfairness, April 2021 General Conference)

Putting Holes in Darkness

The story is told that when Robert Louis Stevenson was a child, his nanny came into his nursery to put him to bed. She found the little boy looking intently out of his bedroom window. When she called to him, he continued staring into the darkness, so she went over to ask him what he found so interesting outside. As she peered over his shoulder, she saw the lamplighter walking down the street, lighting the street lamps. Little Robert responded, “Look, Nanny. I’m watching as that man puts holes in the darkness.”

Sometimes I can become discouraged when I look out into the “darkness” of the spiritual and moral decay of our great nation. But this story reminds me that while I may not be able to change the world, I can put a “hole in the darkness.”

The Prophet Daniel was a young man who lived during a time of great darkness in the nation of Judah. The Babylonians from the east swept through and destroyed everything in a series of ruthless campaigns. When the enemy king, Nebuchadnezzar, ordered the finest and the brightest Israelites to be taken captive as slaves in his palace, Daniel was seized and marched 800 miles east, never to return. But rather than despair, Daniel put holes in the darkness…

Ann Graham Lotz

Judging Others

Matthew 7

[1] Judge not, that ye be not judged.
[2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
[3] And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
[4] Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
[5] Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye

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Be very slow indeed to judge others. If they are wrong, God will judge them and if we are wrong, God will judge us. ~ Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l

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– Tom Irvine

God & Wickedness

Some might think that God is in control to the extent that He even controls evil.  But the scriptures teach that God grieves when people do wicked acts which He never intended.

Genesis 6

[5] And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
[6] And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Jeremiah 19:5

They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

Jeremiah 32:35

And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

The Greek Bible uses the word kardia, “heart,” instead for mind. 

– Tom Irvine

God Created Flowers

Cherry Blossoms

Tulip

Poppies

Foxgloves
Wild Morning Glory

Lacecap Hydrangeas

Rockrose

Everlasting Pea

All of the above photos were taken in Washington State, by Tom Irvine

Peacock Flower, Scottsdale, AZ

Sunflower, Scottsdale, AZ

Baja Fairy Duster, Scottsdale, AZ

Without Expectation of Something in Return

To help others is the path of discipleship. Faith, hope, love, compassion, and service refine us as disciples.

Through your efforts to help the poor and the needy, to reach out to those in distress, your own character is purified and forged, your spirit is enlarged, and you walk a little taller.

But this love cannot come with expectations of repayment. It cannot be the kind of service that expects recognition, adulation, or favor.

True disciples of Jesus Christ love God and His children without expectation of something in return. We love those who disappoint us, who don’t like us. Even those who ridicule, abuse, and seek to hurt us.

When you fill your hearts with the pure love of Christ, you leave no room for rancor, judgment, and shaming. You keep God’s commandments because you love Him. In the process, you slowly become more Christlike in your thoughts and deeds.

By Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Your Great Adventure

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A common principle in Hinduism is to detach ourselves from the fruits of our actions. We can only control our actions—not their outcomes.

Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna, “The act of giving without expecting anything in return, but with a good purpose is sattvic (pure & virtuous) charity.”  Bhagavad Gita (17:20-22)

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– Tom Irvine

 

Consecrating our Suffering unto the Lord

Catholic Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I consecrate myself today anew and without reserve to your divine Heart. I consecrate to you my body with all its senses, my soul with all its faculties, my entire being. I consecrate to you all my thoughts, words and deeds, all my sufferings and labors, all my hopes, consolations and joys. In particular I consecrate to you this poor heart of mine so that it may love only you and may be consumed as a victim in the fire of your love. I place my trust in you without reserve and I hope for the remission of my sins through your infinite mercy. I place within your hands all my cares and anxieties. I promise to love you and to honor you till the last moment of my life, and to spread, as much as I can, devotion to your most Sacred Heart. Do with me what you will, my Jesus. I deserve no other reward except your greater glory and your holy love. Take this offering of myself and give me a place within your divine Heart forever. Amen.
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2 Nephi 2

[1] And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my first-born in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren.
[2] Nevertheless, Jacob, my first-born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
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“Whatever you do, make it an offering to me–the food you eat, the sacrifices you make, the help you give, even your suffering.”

~ Bhagavad Gita  9:27    (Eknath Easwaran translation)

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– Tom Irvine

Alpha & Omega

Revelations 1

[8] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

[11] Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Revelations 21:6

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Revelations 22:13

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last

3 Nephi 9:18

I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

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Alpha and Omega also appears in the following verses of the Doctrine & Covenants: 19:1, 35:1, 38:1, 45:7, 54:1, 61:1, 63:60, 68:35, 75:1, 81:1, 84:120, 112:34, 132:66

An example is:

Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. Doctrine & Covenants 63:60

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Related verses:

Isaiah 44:6

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.

Isaiah 48:12

Listen to Me, O Jacob, even Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last.

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Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Among the Jewish rabbis, it was common to use the first and the last letters of the Hebrew alphabet to denote the whole of anything, from beginning to end.

The Hebrew equivalent is:   Ani h’aleph v’tav – I am the Aleph (א) and Tav (ת).

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Bhagavad Gita 9:18

Krishna declares to Arjuna:

I am the Supreme Goal of all living beings, and I am also their Sustainer, Master, Witness, Abode, Shelter, and Friend. I am the Origin, End, and Resting Place of creation; I am the Storehouse and Eternal Seed.

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– Tom Irvine