25 Wednesday Mar 2015
Posted in Language, Poems, Portuguese
In an attempt at placating the mighty demands of our vast readership in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique, I’ve constructed a small token for their enjoyment in their native tongue. For all the readers confined to English (not Tyson) google translate is awesome.
O! Meu Mestre, Bom Senhor!
Meu amado Redentor!
Me resgate da fraqueza
À tua casa tão beleza
As marcas, sinto em tuas mãos
Trazem minha salvação
E teu espírito me diz
Se eu te sigo, serei feliz!
24 Tuesday Mar 2015
Posted in Easter, Jesus Christ, Poems, Resurrection
In honor of the Easter season, and in the spirit of recognizing its significance, I’d like for us to think of how much the Savior was able to accomplish in such a relatively short amount of time. His ministry started when he was 30 years old, and lasted only 3 short years, culminating in his crucifixion and resurrection. 3 years to change the course of human history. We can also break those 3 years down even further, His most lasting and meaningful moments could be highlighted in 3 different days or events.
Three greater days have never passed before the eyes of men,
In all of God’s created worlds, from when all time began.
They came in chaos, strife, and pain, with peace left far behind,
the crucial fulcrum of mankind’s meridian of time..
First of three, that night foreseen, His sacred supper blessed.
The Christ, betrayed, retired to pray, find peace, and quiet rest.
But peace came not that night at all, but blood from every pore,
As our Brother, all alone, atoned, our sins He bore.
While crushed with pain, for sins not his, He prayed on bended knees,
an angel came to comfort give, His strength in hour of need.
He drank the bitter dregs from cup o’erflown with sin of man.
His love for us the reason for fulfilling Father’s plan
First darkened night of storm and quake then fear from nature’s wrath,
For man had seen the Son of God, yet heeded not His path,
And Christ alone, bore all the weight of justice through that night,
And Evil thought its victory won, delighted in His plight!
Through deep humiliation’s path, He walked, but did not speak,
He bore our burdens, felt our pain, passed through our trials bleak.
And then descended far below what man could take, and live.
So he could succor us in need, true empathy He’d give.
He hung upon the cross, and felt completely left alone,
For God the Father, left him in that moment to atone,
He drank the cup, fulfilled his calling in our Father’s plan
The single greatest moment in the history of man!
God’s anger at the wickedness of man was then displayed,
as lightning, thunder, quakes, and storm brought forward man’s dismay,
But soon the darkened skies of angered God would be replaced,
By dancing sunbeams in the garden, welcoming the day.
The second day on earth was still, disciples left behind,
were left to wonder how it was that man had been so blind,
to fail to see the miracles of Gods begotten son,
they crucified their only hope, The Lord, the Chosen One.
But though the battered body of our Lord lay in the tomb,
His spirit lifted from the confines of the little room,
And gathered with the other spirits in God’s paradise,
He taught that broken were the bands from evil’s deadly vice.
And all who’d follow Him would have the chance to be baptized,
For mercy, love and justice rule, His law not compromised,
Three days in heaven’s paradise instructing all who’d died,
Before returning down to earth as He had prophesied.
This short time in paradise gave hope to countless souls,
creating need for those alive to bring into the fold,
their loved ones who had died without the knowledge of the Christ,
nor of His loving message of atoning sacrifice.
And now His temples dot the earth where veil is thin at times
Between the seen and unseen souls who truly follow Christ
And ancient are the blessing giv’n to all who enter there,
While rescuing those hopeful souls from endless dark despair
And by this link to fathers gone our hearts to them do turn,
And through the Spirit’s sealing power, their hearts to us return,
For all God’s children have the power of choice to follow Him,
Whether born in priesthood light, or circumstances grim.
For Christ enabled on that day, the worthy ones below,
To act in proxy, for the spirits who had come to know,
And then accepted gospel truths, but with no flesh and bone,
Could not fulfill the ordinance nor covenant on their own.
The third day was the brightest one, renewed in spirit’s fire,
For resurrected was our Lord, no longer He required,
Any mortal thing on earth, For He had conquered death,
Became the way, the truth, and life, for hope, he gave new breath.
The morning light on that third day had symbolized anew,
That light had overcome both dark and sorrow from the tomb.
And equal as the deepest pain from loss of God’s own Son,
Was hope and love and confidence for victory was won!
No longer would the chains of hell or death be absolute,
For Christ had Risn’ in perfect form, though marks in hand and foot,
Remained for all to feel and look with tears and trembling hands
Reminders of the pain he felt fulfilling Father’s plan.
His gift to us, without condition, none to be deprived,
Was that of immortality; if earned, Eternal life.
He conquered death by taking up His mortal body’s frame,
But now exalted, quickened, by the power in His name
Three days of mighty consequence in many different ways,
For dark they were before with storm, now lit with heavens rays
And all mankind will struggle to fulfill our hearts on earth,
Unless we follow Jesus Christ, The One who gives us worth.
22 Sunday Feb 2015
Posted in Poems
A mighty ship before us lies in harbor, patiently,
Needing crew and captains too, before it sets to sea.
It’s destination? Beautiful, Celestial, peaceful rest,
It’s journey long, through weather strong, and sea so treacherous-
That all aboard will question why we chose this ship at all?
For waves of fierce resistance come, hoping we will fall,
They’ll beat relentless on the bow, with pounding wind and rain,
forcing us to doubt if we will see the land again.
And in that hour of dark and dread – Remember! Hold on tight!
Our promise made, to serve with strength, to give our heart and might,
We’ll serve our Captain, do His will, our Father’s aid implore,
So that blameless we will stand upon the Heavenly shore,
For Christ has paid our ransom, and our fare upon this sea,
He guides us through the wind and rain, and shields us carefully,
And asks that we return His love, and His commands obey,
Embark for Him. Draw near to Him, and in His arms we’ll stay.
See Doctrine and Covenants 4:2
17 Tuesday Feb 2015
Posted in Opposition, Poems
Throughout our lives we inevitably get stuck in ruts, or have times that are hard, or extremely difficult, rocky, or for some reason, just a struggle. We can very easily get caught up in those moments, and have a serious doubt that there is any divine help available. We struggle to understand the “Why” part of our horrible no good very bad day/week/month/year. On paper, we can explain it as a “trial”, but when it hits home, and you’re in the thick of it, its the last thing we think of. We just want it to end.
A life of walls in front of me
unending obstacles I see.
Just as one, I finally clear,
another, greater one appears.
And on, and on, I struggle up,
with cramping hands, deep scrapes and cuts,
With not much strength left in my bones,
I struggle up these walls of stone.
I yearn for peace, and rest, at last,
A time to stop, the struggle pass.
But yet, ahead, another wall,
to block my way, my rest forestall
But as I pause, and look behind,
and see the walls that I have climbed.
my thoughts, they come, in quiet peace,
with silent voice my doubts appease.
For plain and simple truth I see,
Im stonger now, my weakness flees,
My walls of stone, that caused despair,
now clearly shown, appear as stairs.
Stairs that lift and guide me up,
toward the One who drank the cup,
Who, for me, has suffered all,
That I might rise, e’en though I fall.
This stair, this wall, that bruises me,
Makes me work, helps me to see,
How struggle cleanses, bends my knees,
and forges true humility.
My life has walls, and rock debris
But if I climb, with Him I’ll be.
And feel His wounds in hands and feet,
And in Him have my rest complete.
We are not alone in this thinking. It has happened before. A lot. To some really faithful people.
Joseph Smith wrote, “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed?”
Jesus Christ himself asked that the bitter cup be taken from Him if possible.
09 Friday Jan 2015
Posted in Poems
Chapter 7
Manawa Arahi was third brother of the four,
Also scarred by heat and ash from life, in battle’s gore,
The distance far between the light from brothers inner flame,
The constant smoke and pressured ash from fire concealed the name,
Of his broad sword of massive build, a bulk of metal raw,
Constrained, and pressured by the mighty grip of dragon claw,
The mounting force applied to squeeze the life from him inside,
As mounds of earth, and ash, and rock above him were applied.
But take his life, it failed to do, this pressure from the mound,
It purified his heart, and righteous clarity was found,
Like diamond formed through pressured ages under mountain tall,
His core contained the light to fight, and lead against the gall.
As diamond formed within his heart, and strength within him grew,
He burst out from below the mound of rock and ash renewed!
The flying embers from the mountain built by dragon claw,
Disappeared when shone upon by sword without a flaw!
The darkness burst, revealing light from massive sword upheld,
It’s size, it’s power, undenied, a beacon to be felt.
It’s writing glowed upon the hilt, in ancient written fire,
“Light from Darkness” it was named, it’s purpose to inspire.
His massive sword of bright white light, measured 8 feet long,
Could only rise up, held by hands and faith and wisdom strong,
Undoubting strength was seen by all who witnessed its pure power,
A beacon raised, inspiring faith, and strength in battle’s hour
His scabbard black, pitch, dark as night, concealed the mighty blade,
But when drawn out, its blinding light eliminated shade.
Which verified, confirmed, made true, the name inscribed thereon,
That light from darkness leads as beacon, mighty righteous throngs!
Not him alone within that mound of ash and rock and flame,
But shared, his life with loving wife, experience the same,
For power held within her strengthened him while under rock,
And triggered light to start the fight, to break the dragon’s lock!
Her light was bent, intensified, as if through prism walls,
His light, her light, within his heart expanding, making tall,
For diamond now his heart that leads, but not without her spark,
Her origin of godly light required to play his part.
08 Thursday Jan 2015
Posted in Poems
Chapter 6
Aroha Te Oaoa was The eldest warrior queen,
who wed the eldest brother when his worth was yet unseen,
Her shield,the one deflecting fire spewed from the dragon tongue,
Her skill to see, protect, and love, instilled in her while young.
Her father, hidden grandmaster, of skill and weaponry,
A wise, and savvy warrior was, who taught in secrecy.
So from her youth, refined the skill, and natural it came,
To see the hidden writing and to see the hidden names,
Upon the shields and weapons of her closest family ties,
The grandmaster had given her the power of pure eyes.
Her eyes could see the hidden, potential, or deceit,
The truth she knew, could not be fooled, her knowledge pure, complete.
Her name interpreted direct, meant “Love and Happiness”,
And all who crossed her path would feel concern and tenderness,
But when confronted by the shadows from the evil one,
Her light that shone from heart and sword, burned bright, as midday sun.
Her sword developed as she grew, and thought, and wisdom gained
The writing on the hilt was clear, and soon it gained its name,
The name, its purpose, clear, concise, inspired from Gods above,
the writing on the hilt divine, its name was “Light and Love”
Her sword not meant for battle fierce, and enemies to maim,
but differed in its purpose true, to teach, inspire, and train.
For her young soldiers, young and new, were precious in her eyes,
Her sword did aid in training them, to her, they were the prize.
The four young soldiers, trained to see, what battle lie ahead,
the mist was drawn from their young eyes, clear truth placed there instead.
For light from sword and heart was giv’n, to each young girl and boy,
To brighten, show, to warn, help grow, to all their strength employ.
Her sword pure white of blinding flame, the hilt of silver leaf,
was kept, displayed, for all to see, in flawless crystal sheath.
For shadow could not be within her presence, nor abide,
for light dispensed them instantly, her power, lit inside.
08 Thursday Jan 2015
Posted in Poems
Chapter 5
Toa also drew upon the power of his kin,
intent to know the purpose of the fire that burned within,
His brothers younger, yet had cleared his eyes of darkened veil
that shrouded understanding of the purpose life entails.
For he, like others, was not free from dragon flame and char,
His arms and hands were fire scorched, across his face, a scar.
Reminding him of claw and flame, of daggers, dragon’s breath,
Relentless fire and darts that flew, to bring about his death.
But with him stood amidst the fire, Aroha she was named,
Deflected onslaught just enough, survived the dragon flame.
Her name interpreted meant “love”, displayed in full that day,
without her intervening hand’s inspiring display.
From that day hence, his ire was stoked, white flame would not go out,
Refined his weapons were at last, from fire within and out.
His anger, built of animus towards darkness, mist of night,
His sword appeared, and differed from the swords of flame and light.
His blade, pitch black obsidian, the handle made of bone,
serrated teeth of jaguar fang, embedded shards of stone,
Was meant to break, and tear, and cleave, dismantle and to maim.
Hence, “Marrow Spiller” it was called, its purpose in its name.
He also wielded smaller knife, a dagger hid from view,
concealed within small hidden sheath, blade of dark green hue,
His dagger named the “Death Bringer”, for ultimate the fate,
of those who fight against the light, the dragon emulate.
The handle, hardened ivory, from ancient tusk was made,
secured the blade so thin and sharp, transluscent polished jade.
Its touch was final, terminal, as referenced in its name,
its purpose to defeat the heat of dragon fire and flame.
And though without, appearance was, of anger, rage, and ire,
within him was the gentle flame of love that was inspired,
His wife, Aroha, fed that flame, and fueled it with her hand,
to point him, focused, when he stood and fought across the land.
For loyalty, fierce honor, and commitment was the fuel,
that fed his drive, prepared his heart, for work, it was his tool.
Her key was matched so perfectly, into his fit as one,
For her steadfast unending love, could never be undone.
04 Sunday Jan 2015
Posted in Poems
Chapter 4
Kaiako next to see his sword, and shield and weapons name,
Discovered depth of thought and truth, for which he’d soon proclaim.
For strength in words and voice were his, the captured thundrous pow’r
To make all those who heard his cry, to know, to shrink and cower.
For fierce had been the dragon fire that charred him constantly,
and all he saw was smoky bleak, alone he seemed to be.
But in the hour of fire, and heat, and smoke of blackened air,
His warrior bride, stood by his side, his hour of deep despair.
And from the strength of two, emerged the writing on his sword,
and understanding, pure had come by written holy words.
Gave him pow’r to overcome and take his new forged shield,
and shout with voice of thunder, flaming sword he now did wield.
His sword was named, a statement made, to end all doubt and fear.
“I End My Message” was the name, as writing did appear.
The blinding fire of flaming sword lept from the hilt to tip,
these flames emitting heat that melted evil’s icy grip.
Its platinum blade, and golden hilt, protected when encased,
but drawn, its fire consumed dark fiends to black and ashen waste.
When drawn, however, purposefully, its flame brought more than ash,
its heat was comfort, warmth, and courage, love and light at last.
The blade of whiteness, platinum sheen would draw all eyes to see,
his sword of heavenly make it seemed, from God’s own armory.
The hilt, pure gold, with writing old, of ancient sacred writ,
Gave power, sent minions cowering into the fiery pit.
For when raised up, its flame caught fire, igniting thunderous booms,
And all who fought against the light, were wary of the doom,
For all who saw the sword raised up, Its fiery flame ablaze,
had knowledge of the truth therein, loud thunder through the haze.
03 Saturday Jan 2015
Posted in Poems
Chapter 3
Ringa Rongoa, was first to see true meaning brought by flame,
The Dragon breath, enhanced his strength, revealing his true name,
And as the flames of Dragons fire were spewed across his shield,
refinement came, true eyes to see, pure knowledge was fulfilled.
For his young daughter, weak of health, infirm, too sick to stand,
T’was God’s pure thought that came to him, to heal her with his hand.
His faith refined as he began to act in strength, and willed,
that soft young daughter back to whole, his calling now fulfilled.
Now clear his eyes, and pure his heart, force joined with loving wife,
Her key unlocked his pow’r to see, his purpose, destined life.
And with his eyes now open, and seeing clear the path,
His swords he named, the writing blazed, “God’s Fury”, and “Gods Wrath”
Both weapons fierce and mighty pure white steel, reflecting light,
that shone as striking lightning bolts when drawn before a fight.
the scabbards long were hung upon his side, displayed his might,
deterring foes, and fiends of darkness, within the mists of night.
Twin blades he wielded forcefully, and with both raised up high,
the lightning cracked from heav’n above! Burnt evil, sent to die.
The fiery light, From Godly home, rent minions, darkened souls,
and gave bright hope to languid hearts still bound in dark morose.
His power now increasing fast, and eyes clear from the haze,
the pupose now to guide the ones still struggling in the maze,
The light emitted from within his scabbord, hidden sword,
Would be enough, wild fire would come, ignited with his words.
Destined meeting, four together, something stirred one night,
a spark was kindled, by the tale of battle’s righteous fight.
for he had seen the power in his hands and in his swords,
and fed a feast to all who sat and listened to his words.
That night together stories shared between the brothers four,
inspired the search within them all for what their powers were.
For similar the fire and smoke of Dragon breath had blazed,
upon the shields of all of them, a fiery smoky haze.
Toa, Kaiako, and Manawa fueled by battle’s tale,
all looked upon their smoldering shields not bright, but soft and pale.
But soon increased intent to see what truly lay beneath,
the charred and blackened shields they’d used against the Dragon teeth.
03 Saturday Jan 2015
Posted in Poems
Chapter 2
All the land prepared to fight the evil seen, unseen,
the battles rage continuous, black smoke plumed blindingly.
Swords and daggers, armor, helms and shields constructed by the young,
To be refined amid the fire spewed from the Dragon’s tongue.
The brothers swords, created plain, just like all others were,
yet raw, unchallenged, roughly forged, and still their names a blur.
For naming weapons was the sign of knowledge of their worth,
Unnamed weapons-were as saplings small, just cresting from the earth.
4 brothers grew, and made their armor, swords, and helms of steel,
daggers, shields and banners too, but no names did they yet yield.
For lost was urgency of war, and numbed with apathy,
4 brothers, drifted on with life, not knowing what they’d be.
The brothers 4, ordained from birth had wed 4 warrior queens,
who had been placed, to fit their lock, unleash, they were the keys.
For, when together, fit as one, unbounded synergy,
receptacles for light’s embrace, and reflected energy.
The Sons, all named by influence, sent by the Gods own hands,
to guide, direct, and place them where they would upon the land,
The Eldest son, firstborn, Toa Nanakia was his name,
Interpreted meant “Savage warrior”, wild violence untamed.
The Second son was born in turn, Kaiako Mura he was named,
Interpreted meant “He who teaches with the fire and flame”
The Third Son came, received the name, Manawa Arahi,
Interpreted meant “Heart that Leads” to inspire powerfully.
The Fourth Son, Ringa Rongoa, His name upon his birth,
Interpreted meant “Hands that Heal” as lightning striking earth.
All grew together in their youth, untapped strength within them lay,
yet, they saw not the potent power of Godly fire and flame,
It lay within them dormant, this hidden strength and might,
But soon to be awoken, kindled, by desire to fight.
The Gods allowed the sons below to face the dragon fire,
To forge, refine, unveil the pow’r within their soul’s thick mire.
The writing on the swords was such, that only with the fire,
of dragon’s breath or minion’s dart, its name would be inspired.
For change within the armor showed when blasted by the heat,
and permanent the power that came, Gods judgment then to mete.
For weak before, but strength increased with time in scorching flame,
To then be ready to stand up defending God’s pure name.
The dragon fire rained down upon each brother one by one,
their separate power, not trained, but raw, was weak, and near succumbed,
In part to its vile, lying heat, yet from the vicious fire,
The armor held, refined in heat, renewed vigor, righteous ire!
A blog about family, faith and fun
Life after a shooting
Inspirations and musings of a woman used to standing out from the crowd
Learning to "Think Celestial" and to "feast upon the words of Christ"
4 Brothers Blog 