There are beautiful people all around us everyday. Each has the power to touch our lives for good. And while the 'touch' may seem negative, we have the power to take it as a learning experience and make it good.
"Your calling is to bless lives. . . . Just the way you smile or the way you offer to help someone can build their faith," Elder Henry B. Eyring (Ensign, Nov. 2002, 76) said.
Every single person in this life has a calling. You may, or may not be, formally set apart, but you are called to bless lives amidst all the other things that are going on in your life.
What a wonderful thing that you can be an instrument in the Lord's hands.
The Relief Society visiting teaching messages this year are about the different ways we can be instruments in the Lord's hands. There are a few quotes this month that I love:
“If we are in tune with the Spirit, if we are seeking the Lord and His guidance, if our direction is to return to our Father in Heaven, the sweet moments will come. And we will treasure them, for we have become instruments in the hands of God,” Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society general president.
“When you are filled with the Spirit of God, … that [Spirit] satisfies and fills up every longing of the human heart, and fills up every vacuum. When I am filled with that spirit my soul is satisfied. … The Spirit of God will impart instruction to your minds, and you will impart it to each other. … Remember that you are Saints of God; and that you have important works to perform in Zion,” Eliza R. Snow (1804–87), former Relief Society general president.
“Put difficult questions in the back of your minds and go about your lives. Ponder and pray quietly and persistently about them. The answer may not come as a lightning bolt. It may come as a little inspiration here and a little there, ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ (D&C 98:12). Some answers will come from reading the scriptures, some from hearing speakers. And, occasionally, when it is important, some will come by very direct and powerful inspiration,” President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
It is important to step back and evaluate your life; to see were you are going and if you are truly doing those things that the Lord wants you to do. Or are you doing what you want to do in life?
Most often when you do what you want to do, the Lord is limited in the blessings He can give you. That is called fearing man more than you fear God. But if you put Him first, all other things will fall into place. And if people don't understand, that is their fault.
“Women … who can hear the voice of the Lord, and who respond to those promptings, become invaluable instruments in His hands. … Never doubt that your influence is absolutely vital to preserving the family and to assisting with the growth and spiritual vitality of the Church,” Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Trust
George Macdonald, the great fantasy writer, once said, "To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved."
One of the reasons he said, I believe, trust is the greater compliment is because it is what you must have first. Love can only exist where there is first trust.
Webster defines trust as, "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something." Often in life we seek to surround ourselves with people who have these qualities. We look to them to fill the gaps we miss; we depend on them; we trust them.
Trust is a very delicate thing. It takes a lifetime to build and seconds to destroy. Once someone steps over that line, it is hard for things to ever be the same. Satan works hard to put that wonder in your mind if they are being honest with you, or if they are pushing that line again.
The sad part is, the destruction of trust doesn't just involve the character of one person. When you cross that line, you often take the character of other people with you. It is a destructive cycle and oftentimes the people around you don't realize they are being dragged in until it is too late.
Ralph Waldo Emerson is in inspirational writer who writes for the reader to think. In every friendship I believe there is some kind of spiritual connection; something that draws you to that person. Some call it the Law of Attraction. Emerson wrote of this inspiration, "The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship."
I for one am someone who builds walls. My work is quite efficient by now. I tread my paths lightly and work to tread others' paths carefully as well. There are things we tell ourselves. We convince our mind that is it OK when it really isn't, and along the way we destroy the very thing which is most precious to us.
Cardinal De Retz, once Archbishop of Paris, said, "A man who doesn't trust himself can never really trust anyone else." This was interesting considering he spent his life floundering about in who he could trust and "knowing" the right people to climb the ladder.
Once we settle the issues of trust within our own souls, then we can begin to let people in from the outside. Until then, we will always struggle to be true to ourselves and those around us.
The question is, when will we figure it out? Will it be before we push those who love us away? Or will it be too late?
One of the reasons he said, I believe, trust is the greater compliment is because it is what you must have first. Love can only exist where there is first trust.
Webster defines trust as, "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something." Often in life we seek to surround ourselves with people who have these qualities. We look to them to fill the gaps we miss; we depend on them; we trust them.
Trust is a very delicate thing. It takes a lifetime to build and seconds to destroy. Once someone steps over that line, it is hard for things to ever be the same. Satan works hard to put that wonder in your mind if they are being honest with you, or if they are pushing that line again.
The sad part is, the destruction of trust doesn't just involve the character of one person. When you cross that line, you often take the character of other people with you. It is a destructive cycle and oftentimes the people around you don't realize they are being dragged in until it is too late.
Ralph Waldo Emerson is in inspirational writer who writes for the reader to think. In every friendship I believe there is some kind of spiritual connection; something that draws you to that person. Some call it the Law of Attraction. Emerson wrote of this inspiration, "The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship."
I for one am someone who builds walls. My work is quite efficient by now. I tread my paths lightly and work to tread others' paths carefully as well. There are things we tell ourselves. We convince our mind that is it OK when it really isn't, and along the way we destroy the very thing which is most precious to us.
Cardinal De Retz, once Archbishop of Paris, said, "A man who doesn't trust himself can never really trust anyone else." This was interesting considering he spent his life floundering about in who he could trust and "knowing" the right people to climb the ladder.
Once we settle the issues of trust within our own souls, then we can begin to let people in from the outside. Until then, we will always struggle to be true to ourselves and those around us.
The question is, when will we figure it out? Will it be before we push those who love us away? Or will it be too late?
Friday, March 16, 2007
The Jazz Game, Mar. 5
It was a great night of 10th row Jazz basketball. They obliterated their opponent. We had a good time. It was only a bummer because the camera battery died, thus the explanation for lack photos for such an entertaining event.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Soldier Hollow, Feb. 24
I loved this place! So much so, we are going back this weekend. Hopefully the snow holds out (whatever is left...) It was a good night of racing and screaming. Elle's family took us and I think a good time was had by all. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it. It is well worth the money!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
On Fire
Tell you where you need to go
Tell you who you need to be
Tell you what you need to know
Tell you when you’ll need to leave
But everything inside you knows
Says more than what you’ve heard
So much more than empty conversations
Filled with empty words
And you’re on fire
When he’s near you
You’re on fire
When he speaks
You’re on fire
Burning at these mysteries
Give me one more time around
Give me one more chance to see
Give me everything you are
Give me one more chance to be... (near you)
Cause everything inside looks like
Everything I hate
You are the hope I have for change
You are the only chance I’ll take
When I’m on fire
When you’re near me
I’m on fire
When you speak
And I’m on fire
Burning at these mysteries
These mysteries...
I’m standing on the edge of me
I’m standing on the edge
And I’m on fire
When you’re near you
I’m on fire
When you speak
(yea) I’m on fire
Burning at these mysteries...
Tell you who you need to be
Tell you what you need to know
Tell you when you’ll need to leave
But everything inside you knows
Says more than what you’ve heard
So much more than empty conversations
Filled with empty words
And you’re on fire
When he’s near you
You’re on fire
When he speaks
You’re on fire
Burning at these mysteries
Give me one more time around
Give me one more chance to see
Give me everything you are
Give me one more chance to be... (near you)
Cause everything inside looks like
Everything I hate
You are the hope I have for change
You are the only chance I’ll take
When I’m on fire
When you’re near me
I’m on fire
When you speak
And I’m on fire
Burning at these mysteries
These mysteries...
I’m standing on the edge of me
I’m standing on the edge
And I’m on fire
When you’re near you
I’m on fire
When you speak
(yea) I’m on fire
Burning at these mysteries...
O Be Wise
Today was a further testimony to me of why we must attend church prepared to learn and having read the lessons in advance. As I was sitting up front, the dear sister who was to teach the lesson came up to me and said she was going home. She was sick and said she wouldn't make it through the lesson. So, she gave me her notes and away she went. Thankfully that morning I had listened to the talk that would be discussed. So I began to look over what she gave me and prayed for help.
Elder Ballard begins his talk by talking about Jacob. He was the son born to father Lehi and Sariah in the wilderness. Jacob witnessed many miracles and also watched his family be torn apart by disobedience and rebellion. He was a family man.
As Jacob closes his book, he writes many poignant words to the reader. Just before he bids farewell, he writes, "O be wise; what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12).
For Jacob, it was about family. He worked to have relationships with his family; and he loved his people, partly because they were his family. Jacob taught clearly, with all the energy of his soul and he warned the people. Finally, there wasn't anything more he could think of to warn, urge, motivate, or inspire. So he states eight simple words, "O be wise; what can I say more?"
What is it to be wise? Is it different to have knowledge?
The Bible Dictionary says "knowledge" is one of the attributes of God, a gift of the Spirit. Furthermore, the Topical Guide says that "wisdom" is the intelligence of God, omniscience of God, a gift of the Spirit.
As we become wise, our minds and spirits come more into line with the will of God. We learn to say "Thy will be done," not "But this is what I want to do." Wisdom leads us closer to perfection, while knowledge is a stepping stone to get there. Wisdom has the power to make us like God.
"O be wise; what can I say more?"
Elder Ballard begins his talk by talking about Jacob. He was the son born to father Lehi and Sariah in the wilderness. Jacob witnessed many miracles and also watched his family be torn apart by disobedience and rebellion. He was a family man.
As Jacob closes his book, he writes many poignant words to the reader. Just before he bids farewell, he writes, "O be wise; what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12).
For Jacob, it was about family. He worked to have relationships with his family; and he loved his people, partly because they were his family. Jacob taught clearly, with all the energy of his soul and he warned the people. Finally, there wasn't anything more he could think of to warn, urge, motivate, or inspire. So he states eight simple words, "O be wise; what can I say more?"
What is it to be wise? Is it different to have knowledge?
The Bible Dictionary says "knowledge" is one of the attributes of God, a gift of the Spirit. Furthermore, the Topical Guide says that "wisdom" is the intelligence of God, omniscience of God, a gift of the Spirit.
As we become wise, our minds and spirits come more into line with the will of God. We learn to say "Thy will be done," not "But this is what I want to do." Wisdom leads us closer to perfection, while knowledge is a stepping stone to get there. Wisdom has the power to make us like God.
"O be wise; what can I say more?"
"We can divide ten into the income that we have and thereby figure out what our tithing is and give it to the Bishop as tithing and if we do, we have paid a tithing, and if we have fallen short in any respect and haven't paid one-tenth of our interest, then we've just made a contribution to the tithing funds of the Church, or to say it as the street conversation would be, "We've just given the Lord a tip."
-Elder Bruce R. McConkie
How can you apply this beyond your payment of tithing? Does this principle have an affect on things you do in your life? or how you do them?
-Elder Bruce R. McConkie
How can you apply this beyond your payment of tithing? Does this principle have an affect on things you do in your life? or how you do them?
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Fleeting thoughts
There are times when I am going along in life and I think about things I have an opinion on. I think of how fun it would be to write something about it and tell myself I will remember... But I don't... And I end up sitting here thinking about the things I wanted to share and wondering why I can't remember them (that was three compound sentences in a row!).
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