Every Good Thing

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

While on our daily walk on the Christian path we are admonished to “…lay hold on every good thing.” (Book of Mormon, Moroni 7:19)  In like manner, Paul said to Timothy, “…lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called….” (New Testament, 1 Timothy 6:12)  From these and other sacred sources, we learn that the process of “laying hold” appears to be a work we are called to do. Elsewhere we are told that the day of this life is the day to lay hold on good things as we perform our labors. (see Book of Mormon, Alma 34:32). 

We might ask, “How do we lay hold on eternal life?”  Paul tells Timothy, “… follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith….” All of these, and more, we are to grasp, to seize, and to lay hold.  As we do so, we will learn of the covenant process that leads us to God and life eternal through the celebration of our relationship with Him by way of ordinances.  Such divine rituals bind us to God and an eternity of “good things.”  Notwithstanding, the scripture suggests that the process may not come easy or without a fight.  Fighting the “good fight of faith” reaffirms the universal truth that there is opposition in all things, and that there are prices to pay for laying hold on and in holding on to precious things of eternal worth.

Our meditation also warns us to beware of that to which we lay hold.  For that which we grasp and hold on to, becomes part of who we are.  Unfortunately, we sometimes find ourselves holding on to useless unworthy things, even impure things.  When we try to let go we are sometimes shocked to find that the process has reversed itself, and that those unworthy things have now laid hold on us in an ever tightening grip, requiring a painful, but necessary, procedure to separate them from our grasp. This process, called repentance, brought about by Christ’s atonement, removes all impurities, and changes that which we desire and which attracts us.  When sincere and complete, repentance changes our behavior in a way that drives us toward Godly pursuits, and allows the resumption of our search and seizure of, or laying hold of, “every good thing.”

Every Good Thing

 I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. 

Book of Mormon   Moroni 7:19; also New Testament 1 Timothy 6:12

In Christ we lay hold on every good thing

As we walk humbly yet boldly in His light

We grasp His rod of truth and to it cling

And deny all wrong while choosing the right

To be enticed by everything good

Is to lay hold on all that is right and true

With good works and doing as we should

As we model Christ in all we say and do

For by Him we lay hold on all good things

Things eternal which bring heaven’s reward

Feasting on God’s word and the peace it brings

Moving heavenward and ever closer to the Lord

Let us beware of that to which we lay hold

Good or bad, it becomes part of who we are

For that to which we cling will take its toll

As evidence before God at judgment’s bar

 Larry Doyle Crenshaw

Weakness and Weaknesses

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Our inherent weakness is a natural condition

But our weaknesses we create and are owned

But Godly submission will put them in remission

Thr0ugh Christ who, for all our weaknesses, Atoned

We are born so very fragile and weak in many ways.  We do have an innate drive to thrive in most cases, but still we need care and frequent attention throughout our younger years.  However, part of this fragility and weakness continues with us throughout our life. 

We seem subservient to all sorts of unseen but real natural laws and conditions.  We get sick, we bruise when we stumble and fall, and we often succumb to earthly appetites in both mind and body.  These and other related conditions led one ancient prophet to explain, “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."  Mosiah 3:19 

In addition to our fallen “natural” status and our weakness derived therefrom, we develop various weaknesses – bad habits, patterns of errant decisions, and other self-defeating behaviors that intensify our already weakened state.  This double-dose of inherent weakness and learned weaknesses are the backdrop of what our Heavenly Father has called the plan of salvation. 

This plan calls for us to attend this earthly school for 80 + years learning to apply various Godly strategies for overcoming both our natural weakness and our learned weaknesses.  These strategies, called commandments, when applied through covenants and ordinances, move us in our daily life ever closer to our divine destination where we will have overcome all.  For our meditation proclaims…

By His Atonement we may overcome all impairments

Both our weakness and weaknesses can be defeated

As we conquer Satan’s schemes and ensnarements

Having overcome all when our schooling is completed

Weakness and Weaknesses

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.  Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness.

Book of Mormon Ether 12:27-28 and New Testament Matthew 26:41

Because of Adam’s fall we inherit a basic weakness

A condition intrinsic to the nature of mortal man

Enabling us to experience humility and meekness

If we are faithful and obedient to salvation’s plan

Because of weakness, weaknesses may develop

Created by bad habits and errant decisions

Which threaten to overwhelm and envelop

In a web of painful encounters and collisions

Our inherent weakness is a natural condition

But our weaknesses we create and are owned

But Godly submission will put them in remission

Thr0ugh Christ who, for all our weaknesses, Atoned

By His Atonement we may overcome all impairments

Both our weakness and weaknesses can be defeated

As we surmount Satan’s schemes and ensnarements

Having overcome all when our schooling is completed

Therefore, let us drink from His Fountain of Righteousness

That which makes weak things become mighty and strong

For His Atonement will overcome weaknesses and weakness

With grace sufficient to bear us heavenward where we belong

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

A More Excellent Way

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com 

There is something inviting, even enticing when we come, for the first time, to a well-worn path in a forest, or mountain glade.  It whispers to us of the adventures of others who have travelled there before leaving traces of their passing along the way. As we traverse the trail, we too become one of the path-makers and adventurers.

Sometimes, like Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken,” we come to a fork in the path and must decide which one to take.  It is at this point that the purpose of our trek and our destination becomes even more important.  Without a purpose, and without a destination, either path will likely be an adventure.  However, if we are looking for a path to lead us homeward, then taking the correct path becomes vital – for not all pathways lead home.  And, as Mr. Frost tells us, that will make all the difference.

We have come to this place we call Earth and before us are many and divergent paths.  Some roads lead to personal growth, progress and happiness, and eventually to our heavenly home.  Other roads lead to misery and despair.  Fortunately, we are not left without roadmaps, directions, and travel guides about alternative paths.

Indeed, Our Father in Heaven who arranged our adventure here has given us rather explicit instructions regarding our earthly travels – sort of a Divine Compass that shows the true path back into His presence.  In addition, He sent His son to show us how and where to journey – Jesus, thus became “the way, the truth, and the light.”  Notwithstanding, Our Father gave us the power to choose our paths.  Knowing that we might choose errant pathways and get lost, He, through His son, provided a way back, or a bridge to a better trail called the Atonement.  This divinely inspired roadmap has been called, “A More Excellent Way,” and so…. it is.

A More Excellent Way

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
New Testament   1 Corinthians 12:31

Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.

 Book of Mormon   Ether 12:11

There are many paths through life

But Christ prepared a more excellent way

A journey of faith that overcomes the strife

An enlightened way to keep darkness at bay

Christ is the way, the truth, and the light

As we find our way in this darkened realm

Where we see by faith and not by sight

Sure in the knowledge God is at the helm

The path of faith holds us safe and secure

With our works that glorify God and Christ

In whose light we travel, thrive and endure

Against Lucifer’s lures that tempt and entice

Faith is a thing hoped for but obscure

Wherefore we dispute not, when we see not

But stay steady on the path - solid and sure

As faith endures and miracles are wrought

For in the gospel of God’s Son

Is found a more excellent way

By which in Him we may be one

 When His counsels we obey

May the way of excellence be found

With eventual perfection our goal

For heavenward we are bound

Where God’s glory we will behold

                                                                                                                   

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

Sorrowing of the Damned

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

One state of soulful regret is called “Godly sorrow”

And “sorrowing of the damned” is a different term

Each lamenting like souls raked with a harrow

Who, dreading God’s judgement, writhe and squirm

As we advance from infancy into toddlerhood and begin to use real words and phrases, our parents quickly introduce us to the social obligation of saying to others we have offended, “I’m sorry.”  It takes a while for the phrase to sink in, because in those early ages and stages, saying that we are sorry and actually feeling sorry are often two very different things.  Hence, the rather constant encouragement by others who feel offended to pry an “I’m sorry” out of us. 

Eventually, we develop the ability to truly observe how our behavior affects us and others.  If all goes well and we survive childhood’s typical traumas, we develop an increasing capacity for a wide range of emotional response to life and to others, including the experience and the expression of sorrow in a variety of situations. 

If God and religion are part of our upbringing, then the concepts of personal sin, guilt, and Godly sorrow become ingrained –more or less.  We feel badly inside ourselves when we have offended or caused others pain.  At some point we are deeply affected by the realization that an Atonement was arranged so that our repentance would be effectual. Thus we become motivated to take corrective action, or in other words we repent. 

Regrettably, some grow up and never quite tune into remorse, guilt, or the need to repent for errant behavior.  For them life is not a window into the world of others, but a fragile mirror that reflects only their wants, desires, and emotions – not others.  Nonetheless, they remember well the childhood education in sorrow.  The downside is that they apply sorrow not to their own errant actions, but the unfortunate consequences they must endure.  Thus, the thief does not regret that he stole money, but is sorry that he got caught and punished.  The lifelong sinner regrets not his behavior, but sorrows for the actual or anticipated consequences.

Thus, the scriptures refer to the “sorrowing of the damned” – a sorrow not borne of guilt for sin, but of pain for anticipated penalties.  This concept becomes our focus in this meditative verse where we voice the warning:

God will not always suffer sinners to take pleasure in sin

For their day of grace will expire in the third estate

When time is no longer - with no time to repent therein

Then, for the damned, sorrow will be their eternal fate

Sorrowing of the Damned

Thus there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephi.  And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would again become a righteous people.  But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.  And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die.

Book of Mormon   Mormon 2:11-15

One state of soulful regret is named “Godly sorrow”

And “sorrowing of the damned” is a different term

Each lamenting like souls raked with a harrow

Who, dreading God’s judgement, writhe and squirm

Both sorrows induce pain regardless of cause

But differ in their fidelity to Christ the Lamb

Godly sorrow leads to reconciliation to God’s laws

Impenitence, to the sorrowing of the damned

One sees a soul turning; the other a soul burning

Godly sorrowers embrace the path of the penitent

Others churn and burn with unrequited yearning

For things vile, immoral, base and decadent

The unrepented seek not Jesus with broken hearts

But curse God and wish that they might hide

From His gaze, and the judgement He imparts

Indulging malignant sin, avarice and pride

God will not always suffer sinners to take pleasure in sin

For their day of grace will expire in the third estate

When time is no longer - with no time to repent therein

Then, for the damned, sorrow will be their eternal fate

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

Joy for a Season

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Works of Godly light and truth bring gladness and joy

But if deeds are of darkness, and with evil aligned

Then comes the end and those in the devil’s employ

Who joyed in evil for a season, to evil will be consigned

Sometimes the pursuit of the upward-bound Christian life is tempered and slowed as we pause and look at passersby who are moving in the opposite direction, and who appear to be happier than us, more prosperous than us, and, in many respects, seem more content than us.  We may be tempted to consider, “Should not our good works produce good fruit leading to ever greater prosperity, progress, and happiness?”  “Why does it appear that their road is freer of obstacles, roadblocks, hurts and pains?”  These inner spiritual questions usually give way to standard answers that require our patience, and persistent faith, but most of all, require a re-orientation of our line of sight – not on those going the other way and their path, but a re-focus on ourselves and our path.

God has said that those taking a downward direction may have “joy” for a season, but it will be short-lived in the eternal scheme of things. (Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 27:9-12)   Further, He has said that what they appear to experience is not really joy at all for “wickedness never was happiness,” (Book of Mormon  Alma 41:10). So, we assume that what they call joy must be something else – perhaps what is called “temporal pleasure” – things that please the “carnal, natural man.” (Book of Mormon   Mosiah 3:19)

However, despite, and perhaps because of, our afflictions, we may experience joy as declared by the Apostle Paul, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  (2 Corinthians 4:17) – “Difficult, but worth it,” we often say.  This truth leads us to testify:

Patient, Godly works will yield a divine noblesse

By obedience to God and by His saving grace

And consecrate us thru His veil and profess

Our reunion with Him by His heavenly embrace

Joy for a Season

Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you;  And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it. But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return. For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.

Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 27:9-12

Joy can be rather constant or a fleeting thing

Oft determined by our attitudes and actions

Beliefs, feelings, and works to which we cling

Thus, joy is a choice in our daily transactions

Works of Godly light and truth bring gladness and joy

But if deeds are of darkness, and with evil aligned

Then comes the end and those in the devil’s employ

Who joyed in evil for a season, to evil will be consigned

Remorseful in a place from whence there is no return

Their evil works will follow them and hew them down

Such is the fate of the ungodly who will fall and burn

Refusing the atoning grace of Him who wears the crown

Joyful transactions can seem few and far between

As joy is waylaid by pain, chaos, and strife

Ambushed by things capricious and unforeseen

Some forego joy and succumb to the temporal life

Life can seem like a despairing judicial sentence

For the hapless who may have joy for a season

But remain lost and refraining from repentance

They reject the truth and the light from its beacon

Patient, Godly works will yield a divine noblesse

By obedience to God and by His saving grace

And consecrate us thru His veil and profess

Our reunion with Him by His heavenly embrace

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

The Servant’s Heritage

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

 Servants of God and His kingdom’s cause

Inherit the blessings God has avowed

And as we serve Him, His word and laws

We become His heirs, hallowed and endowed

In a world ever more focused on serving the self, the nobleness of true servanthood is often obscured and unrecognized.  Yet, if we profess the Christian cause, then we would do well to acquire the traits and perform the practices of true servants.  The practice of Servanthood requires few skills but an enormous amount of focus directed toward the needs of others.

There was One, of course, who provided an advanced course in Servanthood.  From washing the dirty feet of others, to cleansing souls via His Atonement, the Lord, Jesus defined Servanthood for all of us.  His example and His message underscored the amazing principle that when we serving God’s children, we are serving their Father.  Hence, our mortal curriculum is filled with daily opportunities for charitable, Godly service

Yet Servanthood is not empty of recompense.  There is an amazing grace and tender mercy that accompanies our Godly service.  For as we sacrifice our time, our energies and means in behalf of others, and as we help build God’s kingdom, we are imbued with greater light, more spiritual energy, and greater capacity.   In our pursuit to “bear one another’s burdens,” (Galatians 6:2) and to “lift up the hands that hang down,” or “strengthen the feeble knees,” (Hebrews 12:12) we find our own burdens lighter, our hands and arms lifted up, and our knees strengthened.  Thus, we become more hallowed and sanctified as the law of Christ is fulfilled in our Servanthood.  This is what the ancient prophet referred to as, “the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Hence, our meditative verse declares:

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord

Whose righteousness is of Him forevermore

An eternal bequest of glory is our reward

As we enter Heaven’s Gate to go out nevermore

 The Servant’s Heritage

7  For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.

8  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer….  10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee….  13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children…. 17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 22:7-8, 10,13,17  (Isaiah 54:17)

Servants of God and His kingdom’s cause

Inherit the blessings God has avowed

And as we serve Him, His word and laws

We become His heirs, hallowed and endowed

Though God on occasion may hide His face

His compassion and mercy is soon shown

He blesses with power, love and grace

Vowing to forsake not, nor ever disown

Faithful servants need never fear

God’s armor is a defense and shield

And guardian angels are ever near

As the sword of the Spirit they wield

Righteous servants are protected

As the world battles the blest

Enemies are subdued and subjected

And no weapon against them shall molest

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord

Whose righteousness is of Him forevermore

An eternal bequest of glory is our reward

As we enter Heaven’s Gate to go out nevermore

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

The Tent of Zion

By Larry D. Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

The desert tent: the ancient nomadic residence

Walls and rooms made of woven goats’ hair

Poles, cords and stakes around its circumference

Warm in the night - cool in the desert-sun’s glare

Jewish history until mid-1900 is a record of thousands of years of captivity, subjection, and disbursement into unknown lands. Although scattered throughout the earth, those of Israel's blood have always sought a return to their homeland spurred by the Biblical promise found in Deuteronomy 30:1-5

1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee,  2 And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;  3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.  4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:  5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

In ancient times the tent-tabernacle of the wilderness and later, the temple on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, became the place of holiness and the emblem of Israel’s Godly devotions.  For wanderers in distant lands, gathering to Zion (Jerusalem, the home of the temple) was often a life-long, centuries-long pursuit.

 The tent of desert nomads provides an interesting metaphor for Zion’s search for habitation.   Providing shelter from the desert heat in the daytime and warmth from the desert cold at night, the nomadic tent was a place of transient residence and protection. Its interior was divided into rooms by curtains of woven goat hair.  Stable against desert storms, it was held up by strong poles flexible enough to bend against the winds without breaking.  Extending from the poles were strong cords anchored into the ground by stakes driven deeply into the sand and soil.  Gathering to Zion was seen as gathering to a place of safety and security – a place of peaceful residence like the ancient nomadic tents.

One of the many definitions or interpretations of Zion is that it not only represents a holy place, but also a holy, covenant people known as “the pure in heart.”  People become Zion as they become “children of the covenant” via adoption through baptism into Christ’s church.  One becomes pure by honoring baptismal covenants, exercising faith unto works (James 2:17).  Finally, when all is done within our power to work out our salvation, God’s grace completes the process driving out all impurities and we, as a people, become Zion – the pure in heart. 

The meditative verse The Tent of Zion takes up this theme as it reflects on the nomadic tent, curtains, poles, stakes, and cords – each a metaphor of Zion –each a metaphor with even deeper meanings. 

Zion, the pure in heart, is thus gathered and grown

Anchored by stakes firmly secured with priestly cords 

Allowing covenant blessings to be reaped when sown

As citizens of Zion are blessed with eternal rewards

The Tents of Zion

And then shall that which is written come to pass: Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.  Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes;   For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

Old Testament, Isaiah 54:2; Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 22:1-3

The desert tent: the ancient nomadic residence

Walls and rooms made of woven goats’ hair

Poles, cords and stakes around its circumference

Warm in the night - cool in the desert-sun’s glare

Like the ancient tent of desert habitations

Zion is where the pure in heart may dwell

Protected from the desert’s stormy tribulations

Sheltering wanderers, keeping them safe and well

The Lord commands “enlarge the place of thy tent”

And thus, Zion grows, expands, and is multiplied

 “Stretch forth the curtains of thy habitation” is meant

To make room for our spiritual needs to be supplied

“Lengthen thy cords” expands Zion’s habitation

Extending its power and impact in all the world

“Strengthen thy stakes” secures Zion’s foundation

As the banner of Zion is raised and unfurled

Zion, the pure in heart, is thus gathered and grown

Anchored by stakes firmly secured with priestly cords 

Allowing covenant blessings to be reaped when sown

As citizens of Zion are blessed with eternal rewards

May our habitation be in Zion, the pure in heart

A people bound by covenants with the Lord

Faithful servants with Godly service to impart

Strengthening the tent of Zion with one accord

Larry Doyle Crenshaw