Geneses 1: Life

      

 The Creation of Me 

When I was void 

and darkness fell 

upon the face 

of my deep 

God moved 

His spirit 

upon  

my waters. 

When my darkness 

blinded me 

God said, 

"Be light." 

And I knew both 

day and night. 

When my waters flowed 

without form, 

And my spirit 

drowned in the chemistry 

of my existence, 

God came into the midst

of my waters, 

dividing them with His heaven.  

When my seas swarmed within me,

God called my waters to one place

that I might bring forth 

my earth seed. 

When my earth seed knew no direction

God put lights into my heaven 

to give sign and season 

that they, that I

might follow 

His greater light.

When my waters whaled and 

my earth beasted,

God blessed them 

to bring forth 

that they, that I 

might soar in flight 

and swim with delight. 

And God blessed me with life 

that rose from within me

creations to call my own

beasts and creeping things

after my own kind. 

And when God saw 

that I needed subduing 

God said, "I will give 

you...... My own likeness 

in Mine own image that 

My life, My choice, 

My creations 

might give

 you life.  

And at last 

I knew 

God's 

love.

Linda Conkey Shaw copyright Dec 15 2010



I'm still in the creation within Genesis. I can't seem to want to leave it. Metaphorically its so beautiful and it leads me into deeper contemplations.

Life is a journey. Sometimes when we travel we find ourselves lingering longer at destinations that inspire us.

Genesis has surprised me. I did not believe when I came here that It would inspire me so, nor that I could find such truths.

I always felt it to be a view on history. I suppose that what the adversary wants me to believe - that it is just a story - or even a myth passed on, watered down from generation to generation.

But when you read the passages they jump out to touch your soul. They find place within me. My soul recognizes the truth and a reverberation of internal perspective begins a new.

What I realized this week was that Genesis is not only a blueprint for creation but also for family, for our lives, for each one of our journeys.

Day                                      Name                      Purpose 

1                                 Day & Night                     brings us water/ spirit/ light
2                                    Heaven                            brings us air/
3                               Earth                                      land to stand on foundation for earthseed
4                               Greater Light/ LesserLight        rules.. .lights for direction instruction
5                                Whales life after its kind            water seed
6                                 creeping things/ Man                dominion rules over creatures

Some points to Ponder

• Light came from the spirit of God as it moved upon the waters 
• When you create something in order to bring it to life, it must be named. 
• God created... God moved upon the face of hte waters. God said.. "light". God divided the light. God made a firmament. God divided the waters. God Gathered the waters. God is a very important part in the creation of life. When our life is dark.. we must let God in so that we can redefine our life. 
• vs 1 heaven and earth are made up of deep and waters. 
• before there could be light, there was heaven
• light divides the darkness upon the deep waters 
• Divisions.. the creation was a series of division. 1. Day 1 night and day when God divided the deep waters with light 
• 2. Day 2 HeavenWhen god divides the waters and creates the heavens where the gases (air) resides 
• 3 Day 3 Division of LIfe when God divides the seas to call forth dry land and have life (earthseed) come forth both  the land. 
• 4 Day 4 Lights are divided ... Although light first divided the waters and helped to created day and night, light itself is not divided until the Day 4.
• 5 Day 5 Divisions of the waters.. waters are divided into life forms that both swim and fly
• 6 Day 6 Division of earth into life forms that creep, move upon the land. 
• Man is not a product of the earth's creation like all of the other life .. Man was created separately
•  to bring dominion to the earth and her creations. Man was created in God's image.
• Water contains the spirit of God.. a bit of stretch but consider the creation w/o water.. Water also contains light or (intelligence). 
• land - earthseed (grass/ wheat/ fruit/ trees) came from the light that existed within the earth.. 
• light - first created on Day 1 but then further divided on Day 4 to create sun, moon, stars 
• waters - contained a different type of seed from the earth. 
• creatures and beasts - Day 6 came from the earth, unlike Man who was created from the earth in the image of God.  

Geneses 2 : Searching for Eden

I have always been enchanted by the four rivers that run out of Eden. I, (like many others) it turns out thought of them as a treasure map that would help find Eden. But like the chasing of rainbows Eden is not to be found. It is magical. It is not mystical. It is real.  It is not something you hold, but rather something deep and inspirational that holds you.  Eden comes to those who seek what Eden has to offer not- where is was originally found. 

I did some searching of my own. 

• I discovered that people have looked for centuries as to the whereabouts of the Garden of Eden.
•  I discovered that many believe it was in Africa, Mesopotamia, the Mountains near Iran, China, etc. 
• The 4 heads of the river were known as Pison, Gihon, Euphrates and Hidekkel
• There are as many speculative ideas as there are evidences for and against. So I decided not to be distracted by the exact whereabouts of Eden's Garden. 

When you consider there was a flood, etc.. it is unlikely that it is where it once was. Then I found a LDS reference to the Garden of Eden by Bruce A Van Orden, associate professor of Church history, BYU. Some key points he made concerning the whereabout of Eden are: 

• Before the fall of Adam (before he left the garden) the earth was in a paradisiacal form
• Before the fall, the Garden was the center of the paradisiacal earth. 
• After the fall there was no paradisiacal place. All of the earth fell. 
• Joseph Smith declared that (D&C 57) the ancient Garden of Eden was in Jackson Missiouri
• Brigham Young stated, "Joseph the Prophet told me that the garden of Eden was in Jackson Missouri."   (Journal of Wilfor Woodruff, vol. 5, 15 Mar. 1857 Archives Division, Church Historical Dept., Salt Lake City.) 
• President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “In accord with the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, we teach that the Garden of Eden was on the American continent located where the City of Zion, or the New Jerusalem, will be built. 
• When Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden, they eventually dwelt at a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman, situated in what is now Daviess County, Missouri. … We are committed to the fact that Adam dwelt on [the] American continent.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., comp. Bruce R. McConkie, Salt Lake City:Bookcraft, 1956, 3:74. Compare Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1957–75, 2:93–95, 4:19–24; and Alvin R. Dyer, in Conference Report, Oct. 1968, pp. 108–9.)

What I found more interesting is that Eden represents all that we hold dear. It's as if we are always searching for it, ever since Adam left Eden.  

Verse 9... talks about how God gave 

1. Beauty (trees that are pleasant to the sight)

2. Food (trees that are good for food)

3. Eternity (tree of life ) (Immortality)

4. Truth (tree of knowledge of good and evil) 

5. Water ( we know that a river ran out of Eden and divided into four branches.) 

 Think for a moment about your home. What do the common comforts of home offer? 

1. water 

2. food 

3. Beauty - for the soul.. visual, audio, touch, taste, thought (the 5 senses)

4. truth - for the spirit

5. knowledge of good and evil .. -for the experience of man that he might exercise his agency.

If a home has all of these things then you will have no need to leave. But they don't have them all and we must often leave our homes to find food, to find beuaty, to seek for truth and to learn about good and evil. 

It's as if we are always searching for the home we once knew as Eden's Garden. While we were there we did not have to work because all of our needs were provided for us. We did not have to fear because we did not know of evil.. or good.. we only knew of existence. 
As beautiful as the Garden of Eden was, I believe that I enjoy the experience of Eden much more than the place called Eden. For when we carry Eden in our hearts it can be with us everywhere we go. 

  

"In the beginning...to create is divine" Genesis 1

Just a few short weeks past, our family celebrated a ‘new beginning’. As my daughter gave birth to my grandson, we welcomed him to earth. His creation, his birth, represents new beginnings and renewed hope. Children help us renew our joy of family, of relationships, and in one another, but mostly children help us consider what the phrase  "to create is divine" truly means.

We all have a beginning, a time when we were not known to this sphere of existence. Did Zbaby (grandson) exist before he was created? What was my parent’s life like before they knew me? How did they, did God, did life converge to make me? Or did I converge with them?

The first book of Genesis is about creation. When I first read it I have to admit that I heard myself say, “Here we go again, the same old story of the earth’s creation”. I was certain I could recite it. But yesterday morning as I read carefully, I came upon the lines “to create is divine.” It changed something in me. My joy began to gurgle up within me like a spring of eternal truth.

I remembered my own children, my own creations, my own unique thoughts, ideas, inventions, perspectives and as I continued to read I realized that the first book of Genesis is not just a book that describes the world’s creation. The first book of Genesis is God’s gift to us that serves as blueprint for all creation, and for all new beginnings.

My joy was great. I realized that God intended this to be more than a history lesson, he intended (for hearts that will listen) to instruct. And I rejoiced to read positive, inspirational, directional and joyful scripture.

Consider this:
Creation = Declaration + Inspiration Intelligence + Contrast + Grouping of purpose + Gathering through naming + degrees of energy + Organization by implementation + Delegation of Leadership. 



Vs 1 Declaration – God declares what it is he intended to do: create the earth and heavens.

Vs. 2-Inspiration  intelligence  - (step one)    After he created the earth... it was without form. (shape, structure). It was void (empty, barren, blank, invalid, no purpose). so... what did God do? He moved his spirit upon the face of the earth. He gave the earth life. Life comes from God's spirit.
This is a good point.Without life creation just is. Life brings purpose and direction to creation.
Also before God's spirit, what was there? only darkness Where was the darkness? upon the face of the deep. Take anything new... add the elements of God's spirit (faith, hope, love, patience, joy, tolerance, truth) ... and you will have life.

vs 3 First Day(Step One) :Organization through Opposition- God saw that within his creation there was no form... no purpose.. no structure.. no validity for his creation and that this creation exists solely within darkness. What do we have when we do not have contrast in our lives? We have darkness. Artist understand that the way to accentuate your creation is to use contrast. Musicians use contrasting dynamics, notes, instruments, etc. Painters use contrasting color, etc. Contrasts help to create purpose and direction for your creation.
So God creates (with the power of his word) Light. Now he has darkness that is where? (upon the face of the deep(space?) and light that is where? (upon the face of the waters as he moved upon the face of the waters). He is continuing to create.. but must divide the two.
At the end of the first day ... after he created the earth.. he has now added light (to contrast the darkness)


vs 6 Second Day (Step 2)Organization through Grouping of Purpose  firmament. okay.. I will go out on a limb here and say that throughout all of my youth I thought firmament referred to the terra firma.. the ground the earth.. It doesn't. Firmament refers to the sky. God had to further separate out "earth" by dividing once again the waters.
Firmament: the sky, heaven; the heavens, the skies; literary the empyrean, the welkin.
Keep in mind that as he is dividing, he is assigning purpose. The Heavens now work to keep the waters separated. The sky works to create atmosphere so that life can exist.
I think it's interesting that the first evening and the first morning were accounted as the second day. And that it went in that order... evening and then morning. night before dawn.

Vs 9 Third Day (Step 3) Organization through Gathering and Naming- God called a gathering of the waters under the heavens. By so doing he was able to allow the earth to come forth. The waters were therefore given rules as to where they could be. By so doing he could begin the next phase...the naming.
Where do you suppose he came up with ideas for names? What is the value of a name to a creation? What is the value of a name within a culture. He named: earth, sea, grass, herb, fruit,
But what is important is that these things either already existed... (because he created them in verse one) and he (when he moved upon the face of the water) caused them to find life or at this time on the third day he creates them anew and now names them.
This is significant.. because it plays to our existence before our creation. If God knew of these things and merely created them anew in the earth by bringing them from somewhere else then we can begin to think of ourselves as eternal beings, with a name, a purpose, and a reason for living out time here on this earth.

vs 14 Fourth Day (Step 4) Organization through degrees of light- Energy -
I think it is important to note that Light existed before the Sun. Light came on the second day when God moved upon the face of the waters, but the Sun did not come until the fourth day when God put it and the moon into the firmament. Is is safe to ask, Are light and Sun the same? Is light maybe something more than we imagine? Or maybe he took the light from the 2nd day and organized it by degrees?

vs 20 Fifth Day (Step 5) Occupation of Life's action. (organization by purpose)  -  Just like on the 3rd day when he called forth the life from within the dry earth, he calls for the life.. "let the waters bring forth abundantly the living creatures who have life."
God understood the purpose of order. If he had created the sun first (before the waters) what might have happened? If he had created the earth without waters what might have happened? I believe that life has always existed and God was merely putting into place the organization, order and structure that life required to exist under the energy of the Sun.

On this 5th day he calls forth what was within his spirit.. from all living creatures.

vs 26 Sixth Day (Step 6)organization through leadership-  the final step of his kingdom. From the beginning he has created the base for life. Light, Water, Air, seed, creatures from the sea, air, and now the earth. Each had its own purpose in the cycle of life. Each has its own place in the earth's cycle. Their physical bodies both require and return to the earth. Their spiritual natures, their beauty and purpose nurture the spirits that God will place here.
All are commanded to multiply and replenish... the earth... an earth that God created for them and through them.
God will create man so that someone will consider the beasts, name them and care for them. God will create all these things for what purpose? for amusement?

2 Timothy 4 ( Preach the word)

Elder Robert Shaw and his companion with fellow saints in the 

Angeles, Philippines Mission 2002-2004

In May of 2002, my son Robert left the United States for the Philippines. He took Paul's charge to Timothy to "preach the word".(2)  He took to heart and chose to serve two years preaching, so that like Paul, he could work to thwart the turning away of honest ears from the truth(4). He worked to keep the truth from turning "into  fables"(4). 

As I read Paul's words to Timothy this second time before he is brought before Nero(footnote), I could hear in his plea a sense of for-longing for his missionary companions that forsook their mission of Christ for "this present world"(10-15) I could hear his faith resounding in his words of hope that reminded himself and Timothy of the "crown of righteousness"(8) that awaits those who "reprove, rebuke and exhort with long-suffering and doctrine"(2). 

I thought of the visit that my husband and I paid to our son at the close of his mission. He introduced us to all of his dear friends that he had taught and loved. I remembered the sacrifices and the lives that he saw changed as he helped those who "withstood  words"(15)  learn how to "endure sound doctrine"(3). 

Serving a mission for Christ is not an easy choice. It requires learning how to "do the work"(v5) and an ever watching "in all things"( 5). Paul prepares Timothy and all who choose to serve that you will need to learn how to "endure afflictions"(5) and work to "make full-proof of they ministry" (5), or finish the work. It requires learning how to separate "lusts" from "love", to put a stop to "itching ears", and how to say like Paul with conviction, "I have kept the faith" (vs 7). 

     My son learned to love his companions as well as those whom he taught. While there we met the Go family, whose son was an endeared companion of our son. From Elder Go, my son learned the nuances of the  Philippine culture, the Tagalog language, how to prepare the food, and so many life long lessons that only Elder Go would be able to teach him. From the people of the Philippines my son learned humility, grace, strength, and what it means to live on faith. He saw lives changed, covenants made, and the light of hope take refuge within the eyes of those who believed in Christ. 

While in the Philippines, he built great friendships with other missionaries who supported and did the work "diligently"( 9). But I believe the greatest relationship that he or anyone who embarks on this course is with our Savior. Paul speaks of how though so many of his companions had forsaken him while he was in prision, he still was able to pray that it "will not be laid to their charge"(16). But mostly he learned that "the Lord stood with me", and the Lord "strengthened me"(17). 

Now as our son has returned and as many of us have gone on with our lives "in this present world", it is Paul's hope that Timothy and all of those who serve God, will understand that in serving we are promised to be "delivered from every evil work"(18).  We are promised our "heavenly kingdom"  where Christ Jesus will reign in glory "for ever and ever." It is here that we must learn to forsake the present world and seek that truth that Paul suffered for. 

Paul had a mission to teach to the Gentiles, "that the Gentiles might here". 

Each of us has a mission, "a charge" to "be instant in the season" and not let the truth pass us by. 

Today I will ponder what is my charge? Is it not to do as Paul did and preach and endure sound doctrine? 

 Breakdown of verses 

1-2 - Paul charges to preach the word 

3-5  He speaks of an upcoming apostasy where men will seek after their own lusts 

6-7  Reconciliation for his fight 

8-9 Reward

10-15 Lonliness Loyalty, forsaken 

15- Enemy 

16- Alone 

17- 18 Lord's Support

19-22 Directions 

2 Timothy 3 (Perilous times)

What our eyes behold often determines what we think. 

Henry B. Eyring said, "The prophets of God have foreseen the times in which we live. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 1 Anyone with eyes to see the signs of the times and ears to hear the words of prophets knows that the peril is great. The peril comes from the forces of wickedness. Those forces are increasing. And so it will become harder, not easier, to keep the covenants we must make to live the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Why does Paul describe the last days as perilous? 
What does he want Timothy to understand? 
Perilous means fraught with danger. What is in jeopardy? How do our covenants protect us?

In looking at the definition of perilous, I wondered how it related to Paul's description of the last days.
Are not we living in blessed time? Can we not do all that we need with lightening speed? Is there a reason to fear? I think it is important to understand that all pleasures, all advances come at a price. All too often we realize the prize is greater than we first thought. What do the prophets say of these times?

Perilous: dangerous, fraught with danger, hazardous, risky, unsafe, treacherous; precarious, vulnerable, uncertain, insecure, exposed, at risk, in jeopardy, in danger, touch-and-go; informal dicey.

Paul gave a series of words that he felt were connotations of the word perilous. As I  read them I imagined if I could see: one person, one situation, one circumstance. The newspapers are fraught with examples.

Perilous times:                                    

• lovers of their own selves  -  I wondered what the world would be like without mirrors, photographs,  media, video, face book, How would it be to have to go to another individual to find the love within our selves? Isn't is a different experience to discover a self love based on service as opposed to one based on self grandeur? 
• covetous - o In our 30 years of economic growth have we learned to accept or to covet? How do we define success? with gratitude or discontent? 
• boasters- politicians, athletes, 
• proud- powerful, wealthy, successful, educated, religious, ethnic 
• blasphemers Are there not those who would defame another, or God. Show no respect?
• disobedient to parents- Can we see that there are many who no longer respect the wisdom of the older generation? This is sad b/c the older generation live longer now more than ever before. Do not our parents perspectives bring great blessings of lessons learned. 
• unthankful - Who has not known a man who has shown no gratitude. 
• unholy 
• without natural affection  lust is not love. Love is pure natural affection. Or is there another interpretation? Unable to feel? Unable to understand another's pain? 
• trucebreakers 
• fasle accusers 
• incontinent 
• fierce 
• despisers of those that are good = Who wants to see prayer done away with? Who wants to see all that is good gone. Can we say Merry Christmas anymore? What has happened to our country?
• traitors, 
• heady - Are there those who will refuse comment on their work? difficult to work with?
• highminded 
• lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God - Given the choice to serve another or watch entertainment, which do you choose? What does this say about us? 
• denying the power of God - when God gives us a miracle do we recognize the power of his hand in our lives or do we chalk it up to coincidence? What is coincidence but the power of God in our lives. REvelation comes to those who seek it. Yet there are many who say it does not occur anymore. Why? 
• creep into houses - What creeps into our houses that we don't open the door wide open and let it in? Could it be said that television, internet, music, etc. creep into our houses? 
• divers lusts - lusts that are unholy, unseemly, lusts for the most wicked and preverse things? 
• ever learning .. never able to come to a knowledge of the truth - who has gone to school for years. found wisdom, respect, intelligence and yet they are unsettled because of their lack of faith. Who can know the truth if they do not seek it? Does truth come from the learning of man's words or the practicing of God's wisdom? Where does curiosity end? 
• men of corrupt minds - Where do corrupt minds come from if not from the practicing of unstable living? If you are jealous, covetous, and ungrateful, how can you expect to find peace? Peace comes from putting into practice the  solid understanding of truth.
• reprobate concerning the faith - Who knows of God's love? Who knows of God's faith but he whom will practice it? 

Now.. what to do? What to choose? How to live? 

Man of God  Paul was all of these. Can we too choose one and practice it? 

• manner of life Paul Mother Theresa, Prophets, Apostles, Bishops, 
• purpose - I think of so many who after a lifetime of work, have no purpose to their lives? Is the purpose of life to eat or should we eat so that we might discover the purpose of life. What should we eat that will bring us the greatest satisfaction? 
• faith - believing in what we cannot see
• long-suffering -living for what we cannot always understand
• charity 
• patience 
• persecutions, 
• affliction 
• live godly in Christ 
• suffer persecution 
• from a child thous hast known the scriptures
• wise unto salvation 
• continue in the things which thou hast learned 
• knowing whom thou hast learned them
• by inspiration 
• profitable for doctrine 
• for reproof 
• for correction 
• for instruction in righteousness 
• perfect 
• throughly furnished unto all good works

After reading this list, I have to ask? Did Christ miss any of these? I don't believe so? 

Paul chose to contrast the evil with the good so that we could all see clearly what we fight in order to maintain our faith. The battle is not easy. It is long. It is not for the weak. It is for the loving, the kind, and the sure. Persecution will mark our paths. Why? Because darkness disdains light. Because those who are in pain seek to destroy the peace of others. Because no one likes to be told they made a mistake. 

The times are perilous because the hearts of men steer clear of correction, reproof, or instruction. Without a ruder to guide any ship will surely face the ragged rocks and certain demise. But with a guiding oar to guide, we can all find our way to calm and sure waters. 

  

  

A Vessel For Honor (2 Timothy 7-21)

 A Vessel For Honor 

May I Lord 

In my own faith

fill my vessel with 

words that will cause me to 

Stand sanctified 

Useful 

Prepared for your 

every good word. 

May I Lord 

through word 

consider 

What is right, and 

through the power

 of word unto action 

find faith 

learn Love 

practice Peace 

all with a 

pureness of heart, 

That entreats

A gentle teaching 

of patience and 

correctness of word

to those who would 

unknowingly fill 

me with 

opposition.

May my 

vessel 

stand cleansed

 of dishonor

 through 

words 

spoken  unto 

the will of God. 

Copyright Linda Conkey Shaw October 2010

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

 God's words are 

• not chained (vs 9)
• beg consideration (vs 7) 
• bring faithful sayings (vs 11)
• should not be strived about .. it brings us no profit (vs 14) 
• used to help us depart from iniquity ( vs 19) 
•  can be compared to an honorable vessel within the house of God. 

This chapter of Paul's letter to Timothy is really about words. It is our words that honor or dishonor us. It is our words that cause us to consider our faith. It is in our words that we begin to consider a possible action or belief that will lead to the actions of our lives. If you will read this chapter in Timothy with an eye for the power of words in our lives, it will bring new meaning. 

vs 7 .. consider what I say 

vs 9 the word of God is not bound... words of truth will always find a way into our hearts, minds, and lives. You can put a person in prison, you can bind him with untruths, but God's word will never be kept  bound away from others. From the time of Gutenberg God's word has found flight.

vs 11. It is a faithful saying... 

vs 12 if we deny him. ... but how could be deny him if not first with our words and then our actions. 

Paul is trying to help Timothy understand that all actions begin with the power of the word. 

vs 13.  if we believe not... but what is there to believe if not in the word of God first. We must first consider the word of God in order to believe it. 

vs 14. strive not about words to no profit... we should not argue about God's words

vs 15. Study to shew theyself approved.  Study God's words.. Why ? so that we can be not ashamed 

vs 16 shun profane and vain babblings..... more ways that words that are not considered may harm us. 

they will increase our ungodliness. profane and vain babblings are not in keeping with Gods words 

vs 17 word will eat as doth a canker.... what word? profane and vain babbling words. 

vs 18. babblings... i.e. speculations... tend to do more harm than good. 

vs 20... vessels to honor or dishonor.... Paul is beginning to make a metaphorical comparison between those members of God's house that practice honorable words and those that practice dishonorable words.

Like the urns that were used anciently for various purposes within a household some carried good (food) while others carried bad (wastes). 

vs 21  If a man purge himself of these? of what?  Paul is referencing the profane and babbling words of the unclean vessels. 

What must we do to become an honored vessel? We must learn to purge ourself of vain and useless words. We must learn to consider words that will help us sanctify ourselves, and prepare us for service. 

for every good work. 

vs 22 call on the Lord with a pure heart... we call with our words. our words bring us faith charity, peace and righteousness 

vs 23 foolish and unlearned questions? again words.. we need to avoid mysteries. 

vs 24 must not strive... but when we are brought against difficult or foolish questions, we should not get into arguments over them but rather use gentleness, patience, find opportunity to teach correct principles. 

  

 

  

2 Timothy 2:1-5 (be strong in the grace)

In the Shadow of His Grace 

I sit

alone

in dark corners

crying,

despair 

darkening my soul.

Shadows stir

 and I feel

His grace

touch my being 

like the warm breath 

of a whispered wind.

I rest

in the shadow

of His grace

until my faith

remembers.

 His 

grace

defines

wisdom.

In the Shadow

of His grace

I remain, 

with His love

wrapped around

Me

always chasing  

always chasing 

my darkness into

His light.

C Linda Conkey Shaw Oct 25 2010

Grace: noun poise, elegance, fitness, suppleness, agility, nimbleness, In other words everything that is professional, refined, and the best quality. A ballerina is graceful because of her strength and training.
A butler practices refined manners to show forth his grace. And then there is the grace that means of good favor. "She fell from grace." Grace can also mean a suspension, deferral or postponement or a blessing.

So when Paul says to Timothy "be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ," he is referring to Christ's ability to: bless him, defer judgment on him, act in an elegant and refined manner exhibiting a strength of character.

If we know that we are loved. If we know that we will be forgiven for our mistakes and that the goal that we have in sight is not lost to our shortcomings, then doesn't it give us a greater sense of strength?


Paul wants Timothy to always look to the standard, the love, the beauty, the example, and most of all the forgiveness that Jesus Christ has given to us. In a world where perfection brings reward, Jesus Christ offers solace for our acceptance of his love in our lives. He offers us his grace. When we are weak, he will carry us. When we are alone he will comfort.

Words and Phrases 

vs 1. be strong in the grace. - in other words use the gift of Jesus Christ's love to strengthen you. Jesus Christ's example, standard, love, guidance are all there to make you strong. 

vs 2. commit to faithful men - teach what you know and build up the faith of Jesus Christ's teachings. Know that Jesus Christ died for you. He made it possible (through his grace) for you to return to God. 
vs 3 a good soldier of Jesus Christ - Soldiers do not have it easy. There is little time for pleasure or comfort. endure your hardness as if you were in a war for a noble cause. For Jesus Christ is a noble cause. 
vs 4. entangleth himself with the affairs of this life. - If you are going to be a soldier of Jesus Christ then you must not worry about the frivolous things of this life, but rather choose to please the Lord Jesus Christ 

vs 5  except he strive lawfully - You must strive for mastery of your craft, but you must do so with honesty, and lawfully. If you are to be crowned the victors prize you must have integrity, so choose rather to follow Jesus Christ and receive his crown. 

  

the gift of God which in in thee ( 2 Timothy 1)

Be strong in the faith

Sept 11, 2001 

I woke early and drove our young son to preschool. As I returned home the phone rang. My husband Mark was calling me to ask if I had seen the news? He was in Japan on a business trip and had seen video of the air plane attack. Not able to speak English, a Japanese restaurant owner had pantomimed the planes flight into the tower.  

I turned on the television in time to see the second plane hit the second tower. I fell to my knees in prayer. What else could I do in such a time of fear and trembling? 

With imminent threat still looming, all air traffic stopped. Mark was now stranded in Japan. For how long? No one knew. The uncertainty of the situation caused me great anxiety and fear. I felt certain that I would not see him again. 

Again I prayed. Like Paul's letter to Timothy I prayed both night and day (vs 3) for the safe return of my husband and children's father. I had a great desire to see him and fill my void with tears of joy (vs 4). 

Like Timothy I had to be reminded of my "unfeigned faith" and the gift of God that had once been in me. So great was my fear and anxiety, this gift of the Holy Ghost had to be stirred unto remembrance.( vs 5,6). 

I remember calling our bishop and asking for a priesthood blessing. I remember praying often to know what to do, what to expect, and what to tell my children, two of whom were away at college. 

So many thoughts ran through my mind. Were we at war? Would other airplanes be attacked? How would he return to the American continent if not by plane? It was a time to watch the news and hope for the best. It was a time of faith in the power of the Holy Ghost. I called family and friends to garner support. 

In answer to my prayer, I was reminded again and again, "for God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 

I searched the scriptures for comfort and learned to "hold fast the form of sound words," which I "heard of (apostles), in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."(vs 13). 

And soon the answer came. One morning I woke to a clear calm voice that rang through me.
It said very distinctly, "Mark will come home today." I had no proof other than the comforting words of the "gift of God within me," but it was enough to calm me and give me peace. 

Within a few hours the phone rang and it was Mark on the other end, "I'm flying out in 3 hours. I should be home by tomorrow morning." 

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to Timothy. He was alone, tired, and sick. Timothy as a physician new of his beloved apostles pain and suffering and wanted desperately to succor him and to understand those that would abuse the Lord's servant.

Paul's vision however was not of pain and fear, but of the power, love and sound mind that comes with faith. Paul stood firm and not ashamed of his situation nor his circumstance. He had a pure conscience (vs 3) and a vision of eternal life (vs 10). He was trying to get Timothy to learn how to rely on the gift of the Holy Ghost that dwelleth in us (vs 14). He wanted to teach Timothy that fear holds place with those that have the limited vision of an earthly life, but faith brings us the vision of eternal reward.

My husband was returned to our family "according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." 


Have you ever felt afraid, alone, or abused? Have you ever had need to have the "gift of God" stir within you? If so, then you can understand Paul's "form of sound words"(vs 13) and find the grace, mercy and peace"(vs 2) that God intends for you to have through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. 

  

A Great Gain (1 Timothy 6:3-21)

What do you think of when you think of contentment? (vs 6) Satisfaction?  complete Wholeness? 

I wonder if contentment is something that is meant for one person to attain unto himself or if others are required? How does contentment harmonize with community? 

Nature has created all of it's  animals to work together in an dance of dependency. As I sit here in the park, I see squirrels gathering pine nuts that have fallen from the trees. An interdependency between squirrel and tree allows the tree to provide the seed for the squirrel who then buries (plants) the seed in anticipation for winter storage.   

Why is man different from God's other creations? Why does man anxiously engage in activity to get gain above another? to be first, to compete, to have more? to be the best? to be "rich"? 

Paul teaches Timothy to pay caution to those who disdain wholesome words (vs 3) and doctrines of godliness. For Godliness teaches us to love others above the need for gain, to serve with charity over the need for more, to quell storms over words of strife. 


There are those that believe all gain is of godliness. In other words, if we are doing well we must be doing something right for God has blessed us. Does this mean then that all those who are not doing well are not blessed of God? It is a treacherous path to follow. 

The greatest gain comes when we measure contentment with our godliness. Contentment means that we consider the community in which we live and make sure our profits harmonize with others.  Contentment means we understand that we cannot bring anything with us into this world (of measured time) and we likewise cannot take anything with us. (vs 7) Contentment means that we count our blessings for having food and clothing (vs 8) and realize that anything above our basic needs is to be shared with others. Hoarding will only cause imbalance and strife. 

Nature can teach us of righteousness (God's creations do what they are created to do), godliness( they remind us of their creator), faith (they do not question their existence nor their purpose), love (they create social networks where they are protected and cared for and express this through their actions), patience (time has little meaning to them)  and meekness(tameness towards others of their species and even others species in need)(vs 11).

Man must consider that his prize lies in his ability to understand that the greatest gain he can attain comes not in the hoarding of earthly treasure but in the prospect  of eternal life (vs 12, 19) A squirrel does not love his food more than his community.   He has learned to respect that which gives  him food.  If he did not he might end up destroying the very tree which has been created to fulfill his needs. Likewise we are taught that we should not love that which gives us our needs (money) more than we love the community.  We are to respect that which brings us joy, food, shelter, and community. 

Paul taught us that God quickeneth all things (vs 13), and that we should not trust in uncertain riches (vs 17) but rather in the creator of both heaven and earth. God has promised  that we might, if we will keep God's commandments (vs 14) find immortality (vs 16) dwelling in his light (vs 16) . 

  

Gain is not Godliness (1 Timothy 6:3-21)

I have stewed over this post for long enough. Why has it been so very difficult? I think its because we all want gain, and we all want godliness. I didn't like being told about or (writing about) gain and godliness. We all want them (even if we don't acknowledge it) to be one and the same. 

After all, isn't that how our community and our society operates. Those who are rich are looked up to. Those who have made it and have found some measure of fame are to be looked up to. We examine what, how, why, and even where they did what they did to make it. We examine what they loved, desired, and who they became as society shaped them. But does this make them godly? 

It is easier to look outside of ourselves for things or people to worship than it is to look inwardly. For to look inward requires honesty. So in thinking about this post, I had to ask myself, What do I worship? Godliness or fame, service or riches, wholesome words or disputation? 

While in New York this past weekend we toured the King Tut exhibit. King Tutankhamun as a boy of nine was revered as a part Egyptian god, a sort of meditator between the living and the gods. Discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter his tomb remains the most wealthy of tombs ever to be discovered. Many other Pharaohs had greater and more wealthy tombs but they were plundered by grave robbers.  Did he become a God because of his family birthplace, because of his wealth, or merely because of his culture. His example is one to be considered. Would you want him to be your god?  Because of his wealth? because of his experience? because of ? It is of note to mention that he died an early untimely death most likely brought on my trama to the brain.  

Weather he continues to live on after his death and find use of any of the hundreds of golden artifacts that decorated his tomb remains unanswered. What is certain is that he has gained eternal fame. Sadly it is not because of how he treated another, nor how he cared for the needs of his kingdom, but rather for all of the wealth that he acclaimed.  I noticed as I walked through the darkened exhibit that many of the artifacts shed light on Egyptian belief and culture, but rarely did they reflect who Tutankhamen was. Those who buried him truly believed he would buy his way into the afterlife. How does that idea help the servant whose job it was to dig his tomb? 

In my lifetime I have known many types of gain. I have known financial gain and we have been most blessed to never had need of want. I have known housing gain. We have lived in many different sized homes. I can tell you the larger ones took more effort than they were worth, and caused me to choose between helping others or maintaining my wealth. I have known educational gain that has brought me the discipline to discern between truth and folly. I have known the gain of friendship. And this has been my greatest treasure. 

For in learning the godliness that Paul tried to teach Timothy I have learned the value of a true relationship holds a far greater worth than any book, any inanimate item, any amount of wealth, any amount of shelter. Why? 

Because in friendships and relationships we have community. In community we have sharing. In sharing we have security, and in security we have peace of eternal treasures. I believe eternity is not a destination. It is not a place where we all gather to sit and play out our rewards. I believe eternity comes with every smile, every gift of the spirit, every kind word, every good deed, and every act that extends one's soul out to help another. Learning to serve through contentment brings great peace. And peace of the soul is the greatest wealth known to man. 

Words and Phrases 

vs 3 wholesome words - words that teach goodness, faith, and lead us toward godliness 

vs 4 proud knowing nothing - pride blinds us from truth. pride blinds us from seeing how the desire for wealth of money causes us to disregard our respect for life. 

vs 4 Pride = little knowledge, doting questions, strife, angry words, envy, railings, evil, and evil surmising

vs 5 Pride = disputations, corrupt minds, no truth, lies, teaches gain is unto godliness, 

vs 7 - nothing - we came with no possessions and we leave with no possessions. Our souls can only carry the experiences that our lives give them. If we waste our time on earth with vain idolatry, at the time of our passing, our souls will be left wanting what they cannot have. 

vs 6  the greatest gain - to be content... to seek after experiences that will garner godliness within us- this is the greatest gain 

vs 9 they that will be rich - if we love money more than family, more than relationships, more than community, then when we have to choose weather to help another or to have our wealth, we choose our wealth. This wealth brings with it: temptation, snares, foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction .. and leads them to perdition. 

vs 10 love of money - how do  you tell if you love money too much? Do you think more of your wealth and gain than you do of service to those in your community? Do you choose work over relationships? Do you carve time out for work socials but forget your relationships? Does your job dictate how you spend your time? 

vs 11 Oh man of God -  flee from these things and follow what is right, examples of godliness, faithful moments, tender love, patience and meekness. For if you understand eternity, then you have no need for earthly gain. Your wealth comes in those you love and in your ability to bring them peace through truth.  vs 12 the good fight

vs 17 them that are rich - so it is okay to have wealth.. just be sure to temper it with contentment. 

don't be high minded (why? Because high mindedness tends to forget what it is to be without, or in need) 

vs 17 uncertain riches - riches and wealth are dependent upon the mindset of the community within which we live. If we decide that our symbol of wealth would be tin instead of gold, then our entire society would shift in both mind and custom. Economics is an uncertain science because it relies on the fallibility and whims of man. It is a psychological study based on the emotional state of man. I would say that is fairly uncertain. 

vs 18 them that are rich - should do good, find wealth in good works, share their wealth with those in need, communicate so that those in need have the ability to access what they need. 

vs 19 a good foundation - is not found in the wealth of Egyptian gods, nor in the wealth of nations, it is rather found in service, communication, sharing, and giving aid to those in need so that as a community of believers we can find the peace that comes from within.