Pruned It, Digged It, Nourished It

Jacob 5
5 And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about, and nourished it according to his word. 
6 And it came to pass that after many days it began to put forth somewhat a little, young and tender branches; but behold, the main top thereof began to perish.

I couldn't understand the meaning of this scripture when I first read it, but I didn't want to pass it either...neither did I feel like I should.  In fact after I first read it I started chanting, "pruning, digging, nourishing" over and over in my mind.  This morning I was really wracking my mind, searching for an answer when the Spirit began to tutor me.  Thank You Father. 

When this scripture talks about pruning, it doesn't mean just cutting you back or being in situations to be humbled.  It means being put into places where we can grow and removed from those that will destroy us. 
Digging allows us to grow deeper, expand more in our righteousness and nourishing is being invested in the good word of God.

So while it's nice to see the regular leaves there, the actual proof there is growth is found in the "young and tender branches."  While it seems like the main top perishing would be a bad thing, in the allegory it is.  However, in our lives it is another thing entirely because it means the main ideals that previously suited us no longer do.  It means the stuff we no longer need is being removed from our lives and room for the "good" stuff is being made.  Our high-mindedness is brought low.  We'll grow taller and stronger and before long, that top which perished won't be thought of.  It wasn't necessary.  Our new growth will have surpassed the height and strength the old top had. 

WOW!  God is so good.  In the name of Jesus' Christ, Amen.

(entry dated 8/8/2011)

Conquering The Struggle

It has been a really long time since I've written in this blog...on this blog...since I've blogged.  See I don't even have the lingo down.  (wink, wink, smile)  I have struggled with what format this blog is supposed to take and months ago it was revealed to me how this was supposed to be used.  With a blog named "Manifesting the Glory of God Within" then it should reflect how to manifest God's glory or the glory that is being manifested.

Not sure why I didn't think of that before I created it but I know now.  Having confessed that, the blog...MY blog is going to take on the form of sharing the way I am most comfortable manifesting God's glory within.  That is in how I spend my time studying my scriptures and the revelations I received from my study.  Often my revelations are just for me, but many of them are supposed to be shared. 

I know I've been directed to share them so whatever is written here is solely for the glory of God.  I am simply a servant, a disciple of Jesus Christ, following a command God has given me for my life.  If I could ask for anything to happen for anyone who reads this, my prayer is that you receive it and your desire for greater knowledge of the scriptures is ignited so you can use them as a means of personal revelation.  That's what I have gained from reading and studying.  And truly it has been the best medium for getting to know my Heavenly Father, His Son and Spirit. 

Let me explain how I come about receiving my revelations, then I'll share one in the next entry.  First of all it is a process for me.  First thing in the morning, after using the bathroom, I pick up my journal and write.  The first thing I write is the entire verse or set of verses I received from my study the day before.  As I'm writing, if I hadn't yet learned what the message was for me, it is generally revealed.  I include the revelation somewhere in my journal entry.  When I'm done writing I pray to Heavenly Father, thanking Him for the time we had to share together, for lessons learned and power given.  Then I ask Him for my message for the day.  If I have a question, then I ask the question and I read until I feel compelled to stop.  It's that simple.  You'll know when you have your message. 

Sometimes I get distracted.  Sometimes I have no idea what I read and have to start over.  In those instances, I pray for focus if I haven't already asked for it.  It usually takes me anywhere between 2-10 minutes to get my message.  Sometimes it's the very next set of verses.  Sometimes it's a couple pages away skipping over Scripture Mastery or even old mission scriptures.  It's not that they aren't relevant, they just are not part of my message for that day that's all. 

OH!  Another VERY important component of studying my scriptures...Hold on let me clarify.   My daily scripture study is the Book of Mormon.  That's where I get my messages from.  I also study the Sunday School lessons on Sunday mornings.  The curriculum for 2011 is the New Testament.  OK, back to the other important component.  For my Book of Mormon study, I use a unmarked copy of the blue Book of Mormon otherwise known as the investigator's edition.  This way I'm not led to something else I may have marked at another time.  Using that edition gives me a clear slate to receive revelation.  

Other thoughts before I close:

1) If I don't have time to write in my journal, then I always read.  I use always because I need my message or my day is truly thrown off.  So I strive for always.  I have some pages in my journal where there are just scriptures written down because I read and got my message but hadn't written for a few days or even a week or more.  BUT I READ.

2) If you've had trouble keeping a journal, I suggest starting with a gratitude journal.  I challenge everyone to write 5 entries in their journal daily and not repeat an entry for 10-14 days.  At the end of 10 days you have 50 DIFFERENT reasons to be grateful.  It's actually pretty awesome.  For me I wrote things I was struggling with because 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  That includes the icky stuff. 

What I have found is that including the icky stuff allows me to receive revelation on how to make it un-icky.  It's an amazing thing.  It's because I'm open to the situation existing as it is knowing that it is either an opportunity for God to manifest His glory in my life or an opportunity for me to repent.  Either way, I win. 

I'm excited about not just knowing what to do with this blog but also making the time to do it.  I hope you enjoy this journey with me.  God's continued blessings.  Always...(s.m.i.l.e.)

Honoring the Dream!!

Just so you know, I wasn’t kidding when I said my mission is to help part of Rev. Dr. King’s dream come true.  In his landmark “I Have A Dream” speech, Rev. Dr. King shared this poignant statement, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; ‘and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.’”

Well let me tell you, 2010 was quite the year.  I traversed through some very low valleys in my soul and climbed over mountains of fear and low self-esteem that would make even the most avid hiker tremble. 

But I am here!! 

I am still standing!!

I have come to exalt those valleys because if I hadn’t walk through those dark and dreary moments in my life, I wouldn’t be here.  I wouldn’t be standing.  I’m here to tell you that I took those hills and mountains of fear and low self-esteem and CHOSE to make them low.  The strength of my soul has been revealed and I am manifesting the diamond mine within my soul. 

India.Arie sings a song called “Beautiful Flower”.  The chorus simply says, “You are beautiful like a flower, more valuable than a diamond.  You are powerful like a fire.  You will heal the world with your mind and...  There is nothing in this world that you cannot do when you believe in you.  Who are beautiful, yes you!  Who are brilliant, yes, you!  Who are powerful, yes you!  Who are resilient…”  YES!  YES!!  YES!!!  This is where I am. 

I believe in me!! 

Those rough places?  They are now plain.  I am now walking with assurance, confidence and expectation and I can see clearly where I am headed.  Those crooked places?  My path is straight and it is leading me back into the glory and fullness of God. 

Marianne Williamson has a famous quote written in her book, “A Return to Love,” "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. You playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. You are born to manifest God's glory within us. It's not just in some of us; it's within everyone. And, as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

I believe in me.  I’ve fought those fears and turned on the light!  I am a child of the Most High God, even my Heavenly Father and believe in His belief in me, for me.  For without His son, Jesus Christ, I am nothing.  For without His Son, Jesus Christ, I can do nothing.  But WITH God I am powerful, valuable, beautiful, resilient and more.  And YES, I have a mind that will heal the world, that will serve the world!  WITH Christ I can do ANYTHING that is in my heart and His will for me to do.  So…I’m going to Africa. 

NOW is the time for me to “manifest God’s glory within [me]”.  I’m making part of Dr. King’s dream come true!!!!  I’m inviting you to glory in the Lord with me.  My greatest desire is that in doing so I am encouraging you to “manifest God’s glory within [you].”  Join with me and let’s make OUR dreams come true then we will be the flesh that sees it happen, that makes it happen together. 

Struggling in your relationship with God?  Maybe you don’t have one.  I honor that.  I still invite you to help me see my dreams come true and encourage you in yours.  Maybe in the course of seeing my dreams come to pass you will change your mind about God and decide to pursue a relationship with Him.

Thank you in advance for your participation and support.  There is so much going that just in case I don’t get to say thank you in person, I want to say it now.  Thank you.  You mean the world to me, whether you come or not; whether you support me or not; whether you wish me evil thoughts or good ones.  You are valuable to me and I Love you for being who you are. 

Kara Lynn "Kai" Sanders

God’s continued blessings.  Always…(s.m.i.l.e.)