To continue the series I decided to post a few simple truths that I was reminded of. One liners to be exact. Some are short, some are not. Good reminders even if they mean more to me than others. That is usually how it goes. Unless the reader is in the same frame of mind those one liners end up being a nice thought rather than something that touches their soul. So here goes.
The Holy Ghost is the testifier and it is through him the mysteries of God are revealed.
When we have faith and are seeking for knowledge, we can be privileged to receive the same information or witness as others.
The vision, inspiration, knowledge that comes as a result of others vision, inspiration, knowledge often is added to or expanded when we seek for understanding or confirmation.
When we are hungry for food we don't think clearly.
The Lord can still communicate with us when we don't think clearly or are too hurt or angry.
Sometimes we don't know the purpose of a command until later.
Living after the manner of happiness means work.
When there is nothing you can do then prayer is all that is left. So pray.
I'm going to finish off with a thought that is a bit longer.
Sometimes we have to escape through the back way. By that I mean we find ways that are not obvious escapes. We plan a strategy that we DO NOT ANNOUNCE to the enemy. It is my theory when we announce good things out loud Satan is then informed. For him that is a signal that the games begin. So watch out, be prepared, be strong, choose best.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
The Series
Yes, I know, I know. Two years is a long time to ignore the blog. It wasn't that I hadn't thought about it or planned to write, but now that I have "retired" I have oodles of time to catch up on things like Archie's Hangout. With that in mind I decided to do a series all based on things I've recently learned, been reminded of, or understand in a completely different way. It is all based on my studies of The Book of Mormon. As a preface let me explain. Last year as I began reading the Book of Mormon I was encouraged through the Spirit to write down impressions or thoughts as I went along. I decided to do it my own way which means I was not obedient. For the 8 months of my study every day I was reminded that I was not being obedient. As I concluded I promised Heavenly Father I would study the Book of Mormon his way and so I immediately opened to the beginning and started over. Right away I got a little scold while reading First Nephi. This is what I wrote: "When we are given a vision or inspiration or visited by angels it is possible to still doubt and not be obedient." Then in parenthesis I wrote "or in my case laziness, inconvenience, or deciding when I'll be obedient. How silly is that? Why would I want to postpone the blessing?" I wrote a scripture down with my thoughts, "The Lord is able to deliver us."Thankfully, Heavenly Father accepted my efforts to be obedient now and because of that I have been blessed immeasurably.
So, the first in the series starts just like Nephi. I was born of "goodly parents". Goodly does not mean perfect. We do hold our parents to a higher standard. But just like us they've struggled, fallen, repented, and struggled some more. It may be difficult to see our parents as people who have changed or become new through the atonement. We hold onto the old stuff feeling justified which means we won't or don't accept them changed. Over the years I have learned to accept what was good and let go of the judgements. I quit blaming my parents for stuff that was hard. When parents are teaching correct principles that means they are following God's command's too. One piece of advice my mother gave me, which she rarely did, but I have learned to appreciate now is "You can't change the past. The only thing to do is move forward." It made me mad in the beginning but I've learned she is right. In a nutshell, she simplified the atonement.
When we concentrate on the good, we can accept the efforts of our parents. They are trying to do the best they know how. All of us are continually learning and growing. We are all works in progress. Even our parents.
And as a side note be obedient the first time. Our Father in Heaven has things he wants us to know right now! That's my parental advice.
So, the first in the series starts just like Nephi. I was born of "goodly parents". Goodly does not mean perfect. We do hold our parents to a higher standard. But just like us they've struggled, fallen, repented, and struggled some more. It may be difficult to see our parents as people who have changed or become new through the atonement. We hold onto the old stuff feeling justified which means we won't or don't accept them changed. Over the years I have learned to accept what was good and let go of the judgements. I quit blaming my parents for stuff that was hard. When parents are teaching correct principles that means they are following God's command's too. One piece of advice my mother gave me, which she rarely did, but I have learned to appreciate now is "You can't change the past. The only thing to do is move forward." It made me mad in the beginning but I've learned she is right. In a nutshell, she simplified the atonement.
When we concentrate on the good, we can accept the efforts of our parents. They are trying to do the best they know how. All of us are continually learning and growing. We are all works in progress. Even our parents.
And as a side note be obedient the first time. Our Father in Heaven has things he wants us to know right now! That's my parental advice.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
A Perfect Moment
I've been thinking about something that happened while we vacationed in Maui a couple weeks ago. A perfect moment. Have you ever experienced that perfect moment when everything is peaceful, tranquil, amazingly beautiful? Or tender, sweet, lovely? I experienced a moment just like that as we were on a ship in the middle of the ocean. Before we boarded the plane to come home we booked a reservation for a dinner cruise where we would watch the whales and see the sun set. At first the ocean was a little rough. Even so the whales put on quite a show spouting, upending with their tale fins seeming to wave at us, or breaching so we could see their huge bodies and then a tremendous splash! We watched three whales swimming together, one rolling on its side, another's back coming out of the water, and yet another blowing it's spray. It was a glorious sight. Although that was pretty neat and the dinner was surprisingly good, it wasn't until the captain of the boat turned so we could watch the sun set on the horizon that everything felt just right. As the sun set over the edge of what seemed like the end of the world and the clouds lit up in glorious colors of orange and red and yellow this overwhelming feeling of peace came over me. My perfect moment. The feelings and thoughts that went through my mind at that time are too sweet and tender to adequately describe. I teared up at the beauty of the moment and I looked over at my husband and thought that this perfect moment was perfect because I was sharing it with the person I love most in all the world.
Since then I've put my thinker to the thinker test! What other perfect moments have I experienced in my life? Not surprisingly there were to many to write about! But they all have one thing in common. They happen when I am with the people I love most in this world. The birth of a baby. When all the children are getting along. Watching all the children running ahead on the hiking trail, playing, teasing, sharing the wonders of nature surrounding them. Chadwick stories. Sally and Joe stories. Watching the birth of a grandchild. Surviving Engineer Pass (Hannah and Ben know this one.)Getting down from that Pass really was a perfect moment! Or watching your child bear testimony for the first time or their tenth time... it is always the same. A perfect moment. I could go on and on.
The perfect moments we experience are different for everyone. The thing about those perfect moments is you don't know when the next when will come. But I am particularly grateful I just experienced another one to remind me about those of the past.
Since then I've put my thinker to the thinker test! What other perfect moments have I experienced in my life? Not surprisingly there were to many to write about! But they all have one thing in common. They happen when I am with the people I love most in this world. The birth of a baby. When all the children are getting along. Watching all the children running ahead on the hiking trail, playing, teasing, sharing the wonders of nature surrounding them. Chadwick stories. Sally and Joe stories. Watching the birth of a grandchild. Surviving Engineer Pass (Hannah and Ben know this one.)Getting down from that Pass really was a perfect moment! Or watching your child bear testimony for the first time or their tenth time... it is always the same. A perfect moment. I could go on and on.
The perfect moments we experience are different for everyone. The thing about those perfect moments is you don't know when the next when will come. But I am particularly grateful I just experienced another one to remind me about those of the past.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Be Thou an Example of the Believers
1 Timothy 4:12 "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in purity."
I love this verse in 1 Timothy! It doesn't just tell us to be an example but goes on to explain how to do it. A believer is a follower of Jesus Christ. We want to be like him. The things he taught have meaning for us. Pres. Monson gave excellent counsel when he said, " Make every decision you contemplate pass this test: What does it do to me? What does it do for me? And let your code of conduct emphasize not, What will others think? but rather, What will I think of myself." He gives us a place to start as we try to emulate the Savior.
What kind of words do we speak? Are they uplifting and kind? What is our tone of voice and are our expressions ones that reflect a happy person? A smile comes naturally when we speak good words.
The Greek word for conversation refers to our conduct or behavior, If we were to repeat the scripture inserting the words conduct or behavior for conversation, the meaning of the scripture expands.
We all know that charity is the Pure Love of Christ. Charity is not something we do but it is a characteristic we want to acquire.
What is spirit? Spirit is what strengthens testimony and builds faith. Pres. Monson taught, "When firmly planted, your testimony will influence all that you do throughout your life." Faith is action. The Apostle James in the New Testament said, "I will shew thee my faith by my works." Faith is something we do. So then testimony and faith go hand in hand.
And last is purity. If we apply the simple meaning of purity which is without fault or sinless, most of us would say it cannot be done. But if we apply Pres. Hinkley's invitation to "Just do the very best you can, but be sure it is your very best", things would look much different.
So let's apply our definitions.
We will be an example of Jesus Christ, in the things we say, in our conduct or behavior, applying the love of Christ, with testimony, with action, and doing the very best we can.
It is my sincere desire that through this sacred season you may be comforted with this simple definition of how to be an example. I hope it helps in your callings, through your service to home and family, and with friends and neighbors. May the sweet blessings of Christmas be with all of you.
I love this verse in 1 Timothy! It doesn't just tell us to be an example but goes on to explain how to do it. A believer is a follower of Jesus Christ. We want to be like him. The things he taught have meaning for us. Pres. Monson gave excellent counsel when he said, " Make every decision you contemplate pass this test: What does it do to me? What does it do for me? And let your code of conduct emphasize not, What will others think? but rather, What will I think of myself." He gives us a place to start as we try to emulate the Savior.
What kind of words do we speak? Are they uplifting and kind? What is our tone of voice and are our expressions ones that reflect a happy person? A smile comes naturally when we speak good words.
The Greek word for conversation refers to our conduct or behavior, If we were to repeat the scripture inserting the words conduct or behavior for conversation, the meaning of the scripture expands.
We all know that charity is the Pure Love of Christ. Charity is not something we do but it is a characteristic we want to acquire.
What is spirit? Spirit is what strengthens testimony and builds faith. Pres. Monson taught, "When firmly planted, your testimony will influence all that you do throughout your life." Faith is action. The Apostle James in the New Testament said, "I will shew thee my faith by my works." Faith is something we do. So then testimony and faith go hand in hand.
And last is purity. If we apply the simple meaning of purity which is without fault or sinless, most of us would say it cannot be done. But if we apply Pres. Hinkley's invitation to "Just do the very best you can, but be sure it is your very best", things would look much different.
So let's apply our definitions.
We will be an example of Jesus Christ, in the things we say, in our conduct or behavior, applying the love of Christ, with testimony, with action, and doing the very best we can.
It is my sincere desire that through this sacred season you may be comforted with this simple definition of how to be an example. I hope it helps in your callings, through your service to home and family, and with friends and neighbors. May the sweet blessings of Christmas be with all of you.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
SURPRISE!!!! And 10 months later.... My intent in starting this little blog was to inspire and bless my family with ideas or commentaries on life or from gospel learning. Because this year has been particularly busy with babies and their blessings and baptisms and family gatherings and visits and playing together, well, it is time to get caught up. I can't promise I'll write every month (as the past year has certainly shown) but I will strive to do better.
Lately I've been studying about parables. We know that is how Jesus taught. It is how our General Authorities teach too. Parables can be examples from our lives that teach a gospel principle in a way that is meaningful and leaves a lasting lesson or impression. So here is one for you.
The Meridian Library sits on an old farmstead. When the machinery was being moved onto the property to demolish the old house, barn, and shrubbery, I decided I would go over and save some of the flowers from being destroyed. I saved some oriental poppies (which bloom in profuse orange every spring) and a climbing rose bush that decorated my apple tree with it's lovely red flowers. I dug up tulip bulbs and ivy. During my mission to save what was soon to be destroyed, I also found a small white plate with a chip in it. It had a sweet floral print in the center and a decorative lace like pattern around the edges. I decided to save that too. I cleaned that little plate up and displayed it in the girls bedroom with the chip side down. No one knew about the chip unless they picked up the plate. Fast forward to Hannah's wedding. One of her colors was a bright coral/pink and I had some left over ribbon I decided to thread through the lace like edges of this little plate. The ends of the ribbon met over the chip. I tied a pretty little bow over it and now display it prominently on the side table by the bed. No one knows how or why or when this chip or sin occurred and I guess it doesn't really matter. What is wonderful is that the Savior "covers" our sins, like that ribbon, as if they are no more. He makes us whole.
I'll never think about my little white plate as something with a chip to be hidden, but as something beautifully made whole by a ribbon.
Lately I've been studying about parables. We know that is how Jesus taught. It is how our General Authorities teach too. Parables can be examples from our lives that teach a gospel principle in a way that is meaningful and leaves a lasting lesson or impression. So here is one for you.
The Meridian Library sits on an old farmstead. When the machinery was being moved onto the property to demolish the old house, barn, and shrubbery, I decided I would go over and save some of the flowers from being destroyed. I saved some oriental poppies (which bloom in profuse orange every spring) and a climbing rose bush that decorated my apple tree with it's lovely red flowers. I dug up tulip bulbs and ivy. During my mission to save what was soon to be destroyed, I also found a small white plate with a chip in it. It had a sweet floral print in the center and a decorative lace like pattern around the edges. I decided to save that too. I cleaned that little plate up and displayed it in the girls bedroom with the chip side down. No one knew about the chip unless they picked up the plate. Fast forward to Hannah's wedding. One of her colors was a bright coral/pink and I had some left over ribbon I decided to thread through the lace like edges of this little plate. The ends of the ribbon met over the chip. I tied a pretty little bow over it and now display it prominently on the side table by the bed. No one knows how or why or when this chip or sin occurred and I guess it doesn't really matter. What is wonderful is that the Savior "covers" our sins, like that ribbon, as if they are no more. He makes us whole.
I'll never think about my little white plate as something with a chip to be hidden, but as something beautifully made whole by a ribbon.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Love's Pure Light
For the last couple of Christmas seasons I have wanted to write about a phrase that I heard in a favorite Christmas carol a couple of years ago that really impressed me. I told mom last year that I would write about it but I ran out of time. When Hannah sang beautifully Silent Night in sacrament meeting a couple weeks ago and the phrase sunk into me again I promised myself I would write about it this year.
In the last verse of Silent Night are the words "Son of God, love's pure light". This time of year we experience the extra love of family and friends as well as the beautiful lights and decorations. The first Christmas had the brightness of the new star and lights and wonders in the heavens that announced the birth of our Savior. However love's pure light does not refer to either of these. In this case love is in reference to our Father in heaven. John says that God "is" love. 1 John 4:8. This is because everything he has done or will do is out of love for us. The best example of this love is that he sent his son to save us. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life". John 3:16.
Light is in reference to Jesus Christ the light of the world. John 8:12. When we have light in our live's we can see the correct path, see clearly to correct our errors and make correct choices. Christ's light is pure. It is perfect. He is perfect. We can never error when he shines the light for us and follow him. For this reason Satan loves darkness and everything he does is in darkness and deception. He is the opposite of pure light. The world was truly in darkness and sin before he was born.
Therefore this Christmas I encourage you to ponder God's great gift to us, his son Jesus Christ and do our best to follow him. He truly is love's pure light.
Love, Dad
In the last verse of Silent Night are the words "Son of God, love's pure light". This time of year we experience the extra love of family and friends as well as the beautiful lights and decorations. The first Christmas had the brightness of the new star and lights and wonders in the heavens that announced the birth of our Savior. However love's pure light does not refer to either of these. In this case love is in reference to our Father in heaven. John says that God "is" love. 1 John 4:8. This is because everything he has done or will do is out of love for us. The best example of this love is that he sent his son to save us. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life". John 3:16.
Light is in reference to Jesus Christ the light of the world. John 8:12. When we have light in our live's we can see the correct path, see clearly to correct our errors and make correct choices. Christ's light is pure. It is perfect. He is perfect. We can never error when he shines the light for us and follow him. For this reason Satan loves darkness and everything he does is in darkness and deception. He is the opposite of pure light. The world was truly in darkness and sin before he was born.
Therefore this Christmas I encourage you to ponder God's great gift to us, his son Jesus Christ and do our best to follow him. He truly is love's pure light.
Love, Dad
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Blessings
Last night Tim and Brian gave Dennis a Blessing. Dennis hurt his back a couple weeks ago and yesterday was particularly bad. He was in a lot of pain. Today I have been thinking about that Blessing and the words spoken, the meaning behind them, and how God communicates with individuals differently. Some people need "flowers" and some people need to be "knocked over the head". This particular blessing was a combination of the two. I was glad I could listen because as you know Dennis does not hear everything. Today we were able to talk about what each of us heard and in my case, fill in some blanks as well as discuss impressions that were defined by the Spirit.
The experience has made me reflect on other Blessings that have been given to me personally, what they meant at the time, and how they have influenced my life since. Blessings are like that. They last. The answers, the comfort, the peace and the knowing that comes from them, and the opportunities that open because of them, are real. In remembering, those feelings come back and once again I feel God's love for me, just as He intended.
I think all of you have experienced the same at one time or another. Blessings given to us individually are tailored to what we need to hear or even what we need to do. Because of them we are able to move forward. We are so fortunate that through priesthood power we can know of Gods love for us, that He knows what we need and wants to help us reach beyond ourselves and trust Him.
Today I ask you all to remember Blessings you have received. Reflect on what you learned then and how your life has been blessed since. Take the opportunity to include your children. I promise as you do those sweet feelings you felt long ago will come to you again.
The experience has made me reflect on other Blessings that have been given to me personally, what they meant at the time, and how they have influenced my life since. Blessings are like that. They last. The answers, the comfort, the peace and the knowing that comes from them, and the opportunities that open because of them, are real. In remembering, those feelings come back and once again I feel God's love for me, just as He intended.
I think all of you have experienced the same at one time or another. Blessings given to us individually are tailored to what we need to hear or even what we need to do. Because of them we are able to move forward. We are so fortunate that through priesthood power we can know of Gods love for us, that He knows what we need and wants to help us reach beyond ourselves and trust Him.
Today I ask you all to remember Blessings you have received. Reflect on what you learned then and how your life has been blessed since. Take the opportunity to include your children. I promise as you do those sweet feelings you felt long ago will come to you again.
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