Punishment and Grace within The Plan of Happiness

[aiui] = as I understand it

My daughter, Elaina, on Facebook, asked a question that many people wonder about. Since she wrote it on a public page, I'll just quote it here:

Elaina Hargreaves Something about mainstream Christianity that I don't get: that all you need to do to be saved is accept Jesus, but if you don't you'll be damned forever. Reading in Luke I came across two verses that expressly say the opposite. Luke 12:47-48 In a nutshell he who knows the Lord and His will and doesn't do it will be severly punished, but he who doesn't, even if he deserves a beating, will only be lightly punished.

Here's exactly what Luke says: (King James Version)

 47 And that ^aservant, which knew his lord’s ^bwill, and ^cprepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.   

48 But he that ^aknew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be ^bbeaten with few stripes.

The question relates to the principle of Grace, the mercy of the Lord because, due to His paying for all sin by His Atonement in Gethsemene and on Golgotha, He can pay the price Eternal Justice demands of us because of our transgressions and sins (two different things: to transgress is to break a law or hurt someone innocently, making a mistake; to sin is to knowingly break the law or hurt someone, you meant to do it [aiui]).

Most 'mainstream' Christians I know seem to separate man's works from God's Grace, feeling, [aiui] that, almost no matter what you do after 'being saved' God's grace covers you, protects you from punishment. Hey, that's what some of the scriptures say: all you need to be saved is confess the Lord as your Savior and, {click} the Pearly Gates are unlocked and opened to you. Works, they say, are a side issue, coming from the goodness of your saved state and have nothing else, or little else to do with anything regarding your eternal punishment and reward. Hence comes the confusion Elaina points out with what Luke wrote.

 The following is my reply to Elaina's post: 

This is as I understand it:
To Know God's Law and refuse to do it is rebellion and rejection, which activates, as always, the Law of Return or Laws of the Harvest: what you sow is what you reap, only multiplied and varied. Example: sow tomatoes and you get the plant and beauty and fragrance and oxygen and fruit (flesh, juice, seeds) and you also get compost afterward. Sow rebellion and you get a lot of things; I challenge you to list them, then judge whether or not you want that harvest of punishment.

The knowingly rebellious souls are judged according to their own judgments and acts which are normally harsh and often cruel, based on "me-me-me", Self-Ish-Ness (s.i.n.). They reject mercy in their life judgments, demanding JUSTICE, so, according to the Law of Return (like for like), they are held to perfect Justice until the "uttermost farthing"is paid by them. By that time, they likely will be humbled enough to receive Christ's laws, to live by them for the rest of eternity. Then they will receive mercy and Grace and reward for the good they did do.

If you don't know the Lord's laws, He judges you as innocent and He covers for the innocent by his Atonement, His Love and His Grace. Since every knee will bow, every tongue will confess He is the Christ, those innocent ones, humble and repentant, kind and merciful in life, will receive Grace, kindness and mercy at judgment time and will be lightly punished for their mistakes before reward time.

Free advice (sometimes 2x what you paid! :) be not rebellious; be easy to entreat to goodness and mercy; be thankful for Grace.

 I have a young granddaughter who, in her childhood was severely hurt by stepfathers. Now, in her youth, she has rejected all her religious teaching (she hasn't had very good examples to follow in her family(s)), refuses to follow God's Laws, goes her own way with utter rebellious determination. She says anything she wants, true or not and, even though she is living with the "love of her life" (she's not 18 yet, he's 19, unemployed), her moods swing from syrup to bile in an instant. There is no stability and for some reason she writes:

No matter what i do i still feel like a piece of Crap!!!!!!!! I just want someone to be proud of me even if i can't find a job. :(

Last evening Sharon and I went to a pre-wedding dinner. During the comments portion, where everyone praised the couple, the air was replete with how both the young people were humble, helpful, hard working, cooperative, happy, always seeking to do what is right even as they had fun with friends and family. No rebellion. There was so much happiness, smiling, thanking, love and joy in the room. I just sat and watched for a while, and wondered, marveled at the distinct results of the choices we make.

God's Laws are just that: Laws. They are not just suggestions, not even just commandments because He decided that is what He wants you to do because he is an impetuous guy who likes restricting your actions and jerking you around at His whim and pleasure. Oh, no. The Laws of Morality, Integrity and Service have immutable consequences in this life and forever. The Laws of Return, Attraction, Cause & Effect, and the Laws of the Harvest are the same. There are no ways around them; there are few ways to stop the consequences once the actions triggering the Laws effects have been made. Live the Laws of Morality - reap the benefits. Live the laws of immorality in Self-Ish-Ness (s.i.n.) and receive the consequences. That's it. Period.

No! Wait! There ARE three ways to avoid or remove the consequences of s.i.n. That is the Good News (gospel) brought by Jesus the Messiah. They are: 1) become humble, compliant, repentant - willing to change from "my way" to "Your Way"; 2) Repent - live His Laws, seek to do so ALWAYS; 3) ASK the Lord for mercy and His grace. 

I have found that literally in the moment of decision to do those three things, hope, relief, peace enter that person's heart. Light fills the mind and JOY re-enters daily life. 

Now, Elaina and Luke were mostly thinking about Grace or punishment after death, at a person's judgment. That same principle, however, that effects the hereafter has immediate effect in the here-now. That is why I brought it up. Since the here-now creates the end result in the hereafter, shouldn't we focus on the now?

More FREE advice (worth 5x the price): Faithfully live the Laws of God now, knowing you will reap the rewards as they come in mortality, also knowing you'll be happier when the Lord says [aiui],"Well done, thou good and faithful servant.You are now a co-heir with me of all the Father has. Enter into the dominion I've prepared for you, my Friend." 

Pretty good reasons to obey the Laws, wouldn't you say? God Bless until next time.

Lots to do. Drug removal Job #1

       For the 4th time I am trying to get off the pain killer drugs. Not an easy thing, I can tell you, especially when they come with serious withdrawals. The Lyrica withdrawals are exceptionally nasty. Not only are the pains increased but there are also body spasms so severe they have been known to literally break a person's back. I tried to get off Lyrica three times before, cold turkey, and I can tell you I would have put myself out of my misery had I been given a chance. I lasted no longer than 2.5 days. This time I am removing a bit out of each capsule and taking longer between doses. Still it is very painful and they just don't quit. The only relief is just being still.
       Yeah, sure. Try to do anything by just lying still all week!
       I am getting myself up and into my hand crank "trike" to get myself into shape. The plan is to get able to travel up to 50 miles in a push. I'll have to do without electric assist right now because I don't have it nor do I have the extra $700 to buy one and have it installed on my 3rd-wheel attachment. I just won't go up any mountains. When I go to Salt Lake I'll have to use Redwood road. No, I'll just go around Utah Lake from the south. I'll need to find the back roads taking me to Santaquin, then to Elberta, I think, then north through Saratoga Springs, over to Lehi then back roads again to Provo. That's a 100 mile push but it has been done before in a regular wheelchair, not a trike. It took him 13 hours, I think. I should be able to do it much quicker when I am in shape. I figure if I can do 100 miles once, I should be able to do 30 miles regularly, daily. Especially with electric assist for mountainous areas.
       Again, the plan is to go anywhere from 20-50 miles in a day, then stop, meet people, speak and entertain, leaving my message of God's Plan of Happiness in the most easy to receive manner I can. Non-Denominational. God isn't about sects or "Religions". If He was, he'd be one mixed up god, but no. His plan fits all. It is simple and that is the way I want to present it, along with stories, humor and music.
If you have any suggestions regarding humor, music, pictures, routes to take along the South Coast area, I'll be happy to receive them. If you know anything about regions, roadways, weather and the like, or people to contact, I'd welcome your information.
       I am also wondering if we could find any kind people to billet with in the various towns we go through. Sharon says, and I agree, that will take more thinking and planning as we go along and determine our route, assuming she takes the wheel behind me. The thought of the trip scares her mightily, and I can understand why. Talk about going into the unknown. Especially down along the Mexican border which sounds like a hot spot, machine-gun-wise, if you know what I mean.
       Well, one benefit of the trip would be all the wonderful back and shoulder, arm and hand massages I'll likely earn. Ahhhhhhh, they feel so very good, even when they hurt-so-good.
       Well, that's it for now except, what do you think about incorporating into my presentation something about urging the population to take up home-based manufacturing of any sort in order to increase this country's economic base? The thought is that "Money = Anything of useable, tradable value" and "The Rich get rich by making new "money" instead of just trading time and effort for currency". Does that make sense to you? Let me know what you think of those two ideas, please. I really would like to hear from you.
Love to you all.
God Bless.
Cam "Cranking-it" Cv.

My Mission Statement

Going on my "Mission"

I have a mission to fulfill. I have felt this driving within my heart and, frankly, it scares me. And it excites me. I am to hand push my wheelchair/trike across the United States, going 20-30 miles a day, maybe 50 or so, going from town to town and speaking about keeping on keeping, doing our best, relying on God for support and telling my story of growing up in heaven (in the mountains valleys of BC, Canada).

I won't tell the whole story here. I've written a book of my life, a short one of only about 100 pages. I tell of the Ranch, the Swing, swimming in the warm Osoyoos Lake waters, eating fresh fruit all summer, water skiing, snow skiing, living a great life growing up, not knowing how good I had it. Then I got married and, visiting Mom and Dad's place, watched my children enjoy the heaven I grew up in. I realized then how good I'd had it, and I'd never have it again. It is a 'tragic' story, isn't it? Well, kind of tragic in a way, but life is like that. We move on and make other bits of heaven.

Then I went sledding and hit a tree. Well, life is like that, too. I should say Mortal life is like that. I imagine people in Heaven don't hit trees and break their backs and mangle their spinal cords. But then, that is Heaven, this is Mortality.

Anyway, in the hospital I wondered about the Plan of Happiness I'd heard about in church all my life. I know what the Plan of Salvation through Christ is all about. I know it includes overcoming pain and suffering and joy is the result. BUT what exactly is the Plan of Happiness that included so much pain? Where is the happiness when there is so, so much pain in this life? What is the plan all about? I couldn't answer it, nor could I discover the answer ... for a short while. Fortunately there is prayer, and I know prayer produces results. There is no question about that, so I prayed and asked about what the Plan of Happiness is all about. I got the answer and it makes 100% sense.

That is what I am feeling personally called to tell, in an enjoyable hour of fun, laughter, music and the spoken word: I was raised in Heaven (and so were You!), I know the reason for pain and the Plan of Happiness, God's Plan of Happiness. It really is wonderful. When I 'got it', it changed my view of life. Even though I was taught the principles all my life, I hadn't really caught the idea of it until after being laid up with a broken back and a serious amount of constant pain. Oh, the questions knowing the Plan answers.

It doesn't matter what faith, sect, religion, belief you adhere to; if you believe in God this should make perfect sense to you and should expand your viewpoint and give you a lot of peace. At least that is the purpose of my mission: to bring you closer to your God and to give you greater joy and deeper peace. I can't think of a better thing to do with at least this part of my life while I still have the strength in my arms and back.

If anyone wants to help support me on my trek, I would very much appreciate it, whatever it is - $, prayers, emails of 'go get'em, boy', a trailer, a foam suit for inclement weather, an electric assist for my trike (going up those mountains will be a real strain), contacts for people to speak to, etc.

I have a trike attachment for my wheelchair. It needs an electric drive motor to be spoked into place. Either that or a better electric assist trike. I have a truck that will carry some equipment as well as my electric wheelchair. I have written a book I'm going to put into ebook format to sell and help finance the trip. I have maps, of course.

I am planning of heading out from Provo in the end of October, going south to ultimately hit the Texas Gulf coast, then along the coast to the Atlantic somewhere in Georgia. There I'll likely winter over and head back east taking a northern route back to Utah. I don't think going to the Pacific States is in the plan at this time. My mind is just seeing going along the Gulf and back. Time will tell.

This is a terrific undertaking and it is trilling and terrifying at the same time.
Well, this is the post for now. More to come...
Cameron Cv