Moroni 7:5-11 we are told all about "works." By our works we shall be known. What are works? They are acts of service, words we say, how we treat strangers and neighbors, what we say within our mind as someone treats us badly. We remember "Faith without works is dead." But it goes beyond that. Yes, we need to do works, serve, fulfill callings, home/visit teach, etc. But our works are not enough.
"...if their works are good, then they are good also." Our prayers, our acts of service profit us nothing unless we do them with real intent. We are told that it is not counted unto us as righteousness. So just looking at our acts, they could be counted unto us as if we did not serve, not act depending on our inner feelings.
We have already discussed the "intent" we use to act, or serve, or give. If we did any of these acts grudgingly, it is as if we did them not. "...It profiteth us as nothing..'
"A man being evil cannot do that which is good," and "...a good fountain cannot bring forth bitter water."
"All things which are good cometh from God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil."
So, as we serve, give, fulfill our calling visit the sick, etc, will it be counted unto us as good, or will it be as if we did not do it? Our attitude will determine this.
"Every thing that inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve Him, is inspired of God." It is interesting to note that doing good will entice us to love God and serve Him.
So no matter how much good we do, if our attitude is negative, and we do it out of obligation, not out of love for God it is counted unto us as naught.
This concept is taught as we proceed along the path toward Charity and Zion. So, we need to assure we are serving and giving with the proper attitude. Maybe we need to work on that?
We are told as this subject is concluded that it is giving unto us to judge. We are counseled to make sure that we do not judge that which is good to be evil, and that which is evil is of God.
The next verse (16) we are given the sure way to know good from evil. Next Blog, on Wednesday, we shall discuss this.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Live What We Know, even though....
We should keep in mind we ARE truly children of a God, our Father in Heaven.
Bonnie and I went to the temple yesterday, seeking inspiration, direction, comfort, and love from Father. As we sat in the Celestial Room after the session, I was taught a great lesson.
Yes I know, we are seeking to bring forth Zion. Yes, we are trying to understand charity, Zion, and so forth. But until we know who we are, learn to live what we know, and learn the lessons that Father is striving to teach us, we cannot make inroads into charity and the Pure Love of Christ.
Now my lesson.
As I sat there with Bonnie by my side, thinking of our life, our situation, how we pray and hope for answers, direction, and comfort since many things are not as we desire them to be, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit taught me.
I know that Father loves us. I know that it is His glory and work to help Bon and me have Eternal Life. It is difficult to understand certain things, but in the temple, I was told to improve my faith, my belief in His love and live my life as if I knew it in area of my life. The main theme that Father/Divine inspiration taught me is this: His perfect timing is not my timing. My desires, what I pray for, what we wait for, what we think He wants for us is SO shortsighted.
Father has a timing, a schedule, a reason why things happen and do not happen. He is aware of us and where we are, and what we want. He wants us to be joyful and happy. But at times, when we are struggling for lack of answers, no insights of timing when things will happen, it is the time we need to keep in mind FATHER'S PERFECT TIMING IS SELDOM THE SAME AS OUR MORTAL TIMING. There are always reasons why things happen, and why they DO NOT happen in our life. His view of things, His purposes are not shown to us, and His way to treating us is divinely inspired and has Eternal purposes.
At least in my life, I need to strive to keep His love in my heart, my mind no matter how long I have to wait for answer to prayers, no matter how long I remain in any jail wondering when, asking, pleading for answers. In other words, I need LIVE what I know to be true no matter what I am faced with every day, every prayer, every question, every trial.
If we can do that, live what we know, believing that He knows what is best for us, especially the timing of blessings and of trials, then we can proceed toward living the law of consecration, living each day knowing and accepting His perfect timing involving each of us.
Bonnie and I went to the temple yesterday, seeking inspiration, direction, comfort, and love from Father. As we sat in the Celestial Room after the session, I was taught a great lesson.
Yes I know, we are seeking to bring forth Zion. Yes, we are trying to understand charity, Zion, and so forth. But until we know who we are, learn to live what we know, and learn the lessons that Father is striving to teach us, we cannot make inroads into charity and the Pure Love of Christ.
Now my lesson.
As I sat there with Bonnie by my side, thinking of our life, our situation, how we pray and hope for answers, direction, and comfort since many things are not as we desire them to be, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit taught me.
I know that Father loves us. I know that it is His glory and work to help Bon and me have Eternal Life. It is difficult to understand certain things, but in the temple, I was told to improve my faith, my belief in His love and live my life as if I knew it in area of my life. The main theme that Father/Divine inspiration taught me is this: His perfect timing is not my timing. My desires, what I pray for, what we wait for, what we think He wants for us is SO shortsighted.
Father has a timing, a schedule, a reason why things happen and do not happen. He is aware of us and where we are, and what we want. He wants us to be joyful and happy. But at times, when we are struggling for lack of answers, no insights of timing when things will happen, it is the time we need to keep in mind FATHER'S PERFECT TIMING IS SELDOM THE SAME AS OUR MORTAL TIMING. There are always reasons why things happen, and why they DO NOT happen in our life. His view of things, His purposes are not shown to us, and His way to treating us is divinely inspired and has Eternal purposes.
At least in my life, I need to strive to keep His love in my heart, my mind no matter how long I have to wait for answer to prayers, no matter how long I remain in any jail wondering when, asking, pleading for answers. In other words, I need LIVE what I know to be true no matter what I am faced with every day, every prayer, every question, every trial.
If we can do that, live what we know, believing that He knows what is best for us, especially the timing of blessings and of trials, then we can proceed toward living the law of consecration, living each day knowing and accepting His perfect timing involving each of us.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Look in the Mirror
As Kyle brought up, you have to love yourself. In fact, can one love someone else, with Charity and not love themselves? Many people have said that before one can love someone with the pure love of Christ, they need to love themselves.
Last post we talked about starting on a project to choose someone in the ward, or somewhere, and try to find and exercise the first steps of Charity. So if you started to love someone, get acquainted with someone, and learn the beginning steps of Charity, congratulations. Keep your goal going, and we shall touch upon that at a later date, but I have been "told" to dwell a bit more on loving oneself.
We have the DNA or the potential to become a God. We need to incorporate that into our mental exercises each day. When we begin the daily routine, it would be wise to start the planning of each day the fact that we are children of God, with attributes, and potential that is from our Father, or GODLY.
Let's say that every morning, we look in the mirror as we prepare for the day and imagine our potential. We look at the image staring at us and envision that the person staring at us can be a God creating worlds one day. That person is not perfect, but can be.
Let's imagine the attributes of our Father or of Jesus Christ. Let's think of ourselves endowed with Godly abilities. Do not look at what you think is there, but envision one looking at you as a God one day. Think of your talents, your abilities, the good you have done recently, and remember the love that our Father has for us.
We need to understand that He is aware of us, knows our weaknesses and has paid a great price for us, and is doing all He can do to help us become a God. It is His desire, His work, and His dream that we will, indeed, become like him, being a God.
We should not dwell on our sins, or failures, what we cannot do, or have not done. That comes from Satan. We need to set plans each morning how we are going to rid ourselves of any negative thoughts, and fill our minds with positive thoughts and think often our our potential.
This needs to be done every day. We need to incorporate these thoughts in our daily actions. We need to recall these things throughout our day and live AS IF we were a God.
We need to remember that the trials, afflictions, challenges are for our benefit and we will learn from them, but we need keep divine thoughts in our mind and slowly we will overcome the influences of that evil one. We will move toward our destination.
Next Post, Wednesday March 25.
Last post we talked about starting on a project to choose someone in the ward, or somewhere, and try to find and exercise the first steps of Charity. So if you started to love someone, get acquainted with someone, and learn the beginning steps of Charity, congratulations. Keep your goal going, and we shall touch upon that at a later date, but I have been "told" to dwell a bit more on loving oneself.
We have the DNA or the potential to become a God. We need to incorporate that into our mental exercises each day. When we begin the daily routine, it would be wise to start the planning of each day the fact that we are children of God, with attributes, and potential that is from our Father, or GODLY.
Let's say that every morning, we look in the mirror as we prepare for the day and imagine our potential. We look at the image staring at us and envision that the person staring at us can be a God creating worlds one day. That person is not perfect, but can be.
Let's imagine the attributes of our Father or of Jesus Christ. Let's think of ourselves endowed with Godly abilities. Do not look at what you think is there, but envision one looking at you as a God one day. Think of your talents, your abilities, the good you have done recently, and remember the love that our Father has for us.
We need to understand that He is aware of us, knows our weaknesses and has paid a great price for us, and is doing all He can do to help us become a God. It is His desire, His work, and His dream that we will, indeed, become like him, being a God.
We should not dwell on our sins, or failures, what we cannot do, or have not done. That comes from Satan. We need to set plans each morning how we are going to rid ourselves of any negative thoughts, and fill our minds with positive thoughts and think often our our potential.
This needs to be done every day. We need to incorporate these thoughts in our daily actions. We need to recall these things throughout our day and live AS IF we were a God.
We need to remember that the trials, afflictions, challenges are for our benefit and we will learn from them, but we need keep divine thoughts in our mind and slowly we will overcome the influences of that evil one. We will move toward our destination.
Next Post, Wednesday March 25.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Where do we start?
Our goal is to learn about Charity, Zion, and Becoming One. We have dealt with some of the challenges of life, and now are ready to make great strides toward this goal.
".. the pure love of Christ..." Enoch taught this to his entire city, and they were all translated. Joseph Smith tried to teach it to his people. Brigham Young tried to teach it to many of his people. Zion was a goal that many discussed as they crossed the plains. There have been small groups who have approached the conditions of Nephi 4.
"Zion will be build upon the American continent.." One day, in our lifetime? Zion will be here. Will we be ready to participate in this glorious experience?
Let's do an experiment. Choose one person in your ward. Make sure it is a person that you don't know too well, or even have questions about. This person is your "charity-person."
Now, if we were living in a Zion society, if we were living the principle of Charity, how would you feel toward this person? How often would you think about this person? If you have the PURE love of Christ for this person, how often would you talk to this person, serve this person, be with him/her?
Now, starting today, what would you want to do to feel Charity toward this person? Where would you start? Do you know about his/her struggles, challenges, trials, tests? Do you know how to help him/her, or to serve him/her? Where would you start?
First of all, sit down and think of someone else who seems to have this pure love for others. Why do you feel they have Charity toward you, or another person? What are their actions? Could you do the same?
Remember those words, .... no contention,... all things in common... becoming as one... Can we do that in these days?
To really feel charity toward one person, we have to start somewhere. Perhaps we need to select someone in our ward that "needs" us, needs someone to feel charity toward them. Could we not strive to feel charity, feel "one-ness" with this person?
It is hard. There are so many things in this life, this age that fights against this type of condition between people. But we must be above all those negative feelings.
It has to start somewhere. So, try to imagine what you would do if you wanted to begin feeling charity, know more about it, serve one as your equal, and one who needs you to love them. Now what?
Next Blog Sunday
".. the pure love of Christ..." Enoch taught this to his entire city, and they were all translated. Joseph Smith tried to teach it to his people. Brigham Young tried to teach it to many of his people. Zion was a goal that many discussed as they crossed the plains. There have been small groups who have approached the conditions of Nephi 4.
"Zion will be build upon the American continent.." One day, in our lifetime? Zion will be here. Will we be ready to participate in this glorious experience?
Let's do an experiment. Choose one person in your ward. Make sure it is a person that you don't know too well, or even have questions about. This person is your "charity-person."
Now, if we were living in a Zion society, if we were living the principle of Charity, how would you feel toward this person? How often would you think about this person? If you have the PURE love of Christ for this person, how often would you talk to this person, serve this person, be with him/her?
Now, starting today, what would you want to do to feel Charity toward this person? Where would you start? Do you know about his/her struggles, challenges, trials, tests? Do you know how to help him/her, or to serve him/her? Where would you start?
First of all, sit down and think of someone else who seems to have this pure love for others. Why do you feel they have Charity toward you, or another person? What are their actions? Could you do the same?
Remember those words, .... no contention,... all things in common... becoming as one... Can we do that in these days?
To really feel charity toward one person, we have to start somewhere. Perhaps we need to select someone in our ward that "needs" us, needs someone to feel charity toward them. Could we not strive to feel charity, feel "one-ness" with this person?
It is hard. There are so many things in this life, this age that fights against this type of condition between people. But we must be above all those negative feelings.
It has to start somewhere. So, try to imagine what you would do if you wanted to begin feeling charity, know more about it, serve one as your equal, and one who needs you to love them. Now what?
Next Blog Sunday
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Desire
After we have a firm belief, or an understanding of our divine position being a child of a God, and after we live our life knowing that He is our loving Father, always interested in us, in our actions each day, we search out the next step. Living with this truth in our hearts, we will still be challenged with trials, obstacles, questions, and turmoil.
As we incorporate in our lives our knowledge that we will have these trials and opportunities of growth, we will be proven, we should be able to endure, learn from, and overcome any road block in our path. If we desire, we will learn how to cope with "experiences" and endure them well if we couple them with service, forgetting ourselves, and giving. The sweet blessings of service will strengthen us, and let us feel His love, no matter the difficulty of the day.
Now we should turn our mind to the matter at hand. Do we remember that our goal is to learn all about Charity and live it? Can we do so with trials, questions, and struggles? Of course. In fact, perhaps the opportunity we have to go through challenges will set the circumstances to help us learn of Charity, Zion, the Pure love of Christ easier?
Remember the conditions: all things in common, no contention, everyone living and loving everyone, no pride among them, the law of consecration, serving everyone as our neighbor, the love of God in everyone's heart, no envyings, nor strifes, no lying, ..."surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God."
We want to find and live in a world defined in Fourth Nephi. YES it is possible. But a people has to be prepared to live it. But before a people can be prepared, a person has to be ready and anxious to learn and to live it. That is what we are doing in this blog. What is the first step after we have accepted and after we desire this kind of life? What do we do now?
The first step is to consciously decide that is our goal, and that is where we are going. That is what we strive for, and that is what we will work toward. Without the desire, there is no way. So, to begin at that road, decide, commit, and accept that it is not easy. It will have many additional obstacles placed in our way. But how firm is our goal, our desire? Are we will to pay the price?
Next post Wednesday March 18th
Next post Wednesday March 18th
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Balm of Service
The last two posts talked about really believing and FEELING that we are truly children of God. Our daily outlook will change, Our attitude will be different, and our disposition will be improved toward everyone and everything.
The other post talked about realizing the purpose of trials and challenges, realizing that "all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things." (2 Nephi 2:24) Father knows us, He knows what we are going through and the lessons we are supposed to learn. Even knowing all that, ti does not make it any easier. Going through long-lasting afflictions or trials often makes life, believing in our Father in Heaven, and constantly feeling secure that He is aware of us, even though we do not get answers to our prayer very challenging.
Consider Abraham. He took a while hiking with his son toward the martyrdom of Isaac. I am sure during that hike toward the appointed location, he was struggling. I am sure Joseph Smith was aching and wondering, "Oh God where art thou..." We all have times such as these.
But as I think, ponder, and pray about these times, the idea comes to me that during these "opportunities of growth," we do not have to sit and just question, ask why, and endure. Yes, endurance is required of us, "endure to the end". But there are things we need to do.
Remember the scripture, "... unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me." Consider how you would feel in spending a few hours making some chocolate chip cookies and delivering to our Saviour Jesus. As He accepted them at His door, He says, "Thanks so much, I love chocolate chip cookies..." How would you feel? In any service, we are doing it (as if) unto our Christ.
I am sure that everyone of us remembers the sweet Spirit accompanying our service, our sacrifice when we just didn't have the time but we just made time to serve. I am sure we can recall the sweet thoughts of how much that particular service was needed. I am sure each of us has felt the healing, comforting balm of service. Whether we think we are serving the Savior or not, we are giving, we are serving, we are planting the beginning of charity, love, and compassion.
While we suffer through our trials, if we can find ourselves looking for methods of serving, forgetting our trials, and putting into practice thinking of someone else, the healing balm of service will help us return to the Spirit, feel His love for us, and propel us toward the sweet condition of Charity. Serving will put out thoughts outward, eliminate selfish thoughts lamenting our circumstances. Service, giving, praying for others, knowing we need to be open to the Holy Ghost to learn. We need to pray for help to learn the lessons that we are being taught in our Gethsemane..
Next Post cometh on Sunday March 15.
The other post talked about realizing the purpose of trials and challenges, realizing that "all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things." (2 Nephi 2:24) Father knows us, He knows what we are going through and the lessons we are supposed to learn. Even knowing all that, ti does not make it any easier. Going through long-lasting afflictions or trials often makes life, believing in our Father in Heaven, and constantly feeling secure that He is aware of us, even though we do not get answers to our prayer very challenging.
Consider Abraham. He took a while hiking with his son toward the martyrdom of Isaac. I am sure during that hike toward the appointed location, he was struggling. I am sure Joseph Smith was aching and wondering, "Oh God where art thou..." We all have times such as these.
But as I think, ponder, and pray about these times, the idea comes to me that during these "opportunities of growth," we do not have to sit and just question, ask why, and endure. Yes, endurance is required of us, "endure to the end". But there are things we need to do.
Remember the scripture, "... unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me." Consider how you would feel in spending a few hours making some chocolate chip cookies and delivering to our Saviour Jesus. As He accepted them at His door, He says, "Thanks so much, I love chocolate chip cookies..." How would you feel? In any service, we are doing it (as if) unto our Christ.
I am sure that everyone of us remembers the sweet Spirit accompanying our service, our sacrifice when we just didn't have the time but we just made time to serve. I am sure we can recall the sweet thoughts of how much that particular service was needed. I am sure each of us has felt the healing, comforting balm of service. Whether we think we are serving the Savior or not, we are giving, we are serving, we are planting the beginning of charity, love, and compassion.
While we suffer through our trials, if we can find ourselves looking for methods of serving, forgetting our trials, and putting into practice thinking of someone else, the healing balm of service will help us return to the Spirit, feel His love for us, and propel us toward the sweet condition of Charity. Serving will put out thoughts outward, eliminate selfish thoughts lamenting our circumstances. Service, giving, praying for others, knowing we need to be open to the Holy Ghost to learn. We need to pray for help to learn the lessons that we are being taught in our Gethsemane..
Next Post cometh on Sunday March 15.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
If so.... Then What?
So, the first thing we need to do is feel confident, feel comfortable in the knowledge that we are, indeed, children of God our Eternal Father. That knowledge will give us great faith in the future, and hope for greater things to come in our lives. It is a fact that we need to internalize and live. So many problems come into in our lives when we do not remember, not feel the reality of our Divine Father.
As we strive to live with our Eternal Father in mind every day, we will be able to counter obstacles, afflictions, trials, and thoughts put into our minds by Satan. Lucifer is one who wants us to be miserable just like he is miserable. He is doomed to fail, and bringing others into his army so we too can fail is the only hope he has, to make others fail, and feel the hopelessness of Satan and his followers.
In the Pearl of Great Price, we are told about the pre-earth life. We are told that will are put down here to experience mortality. We are being proven to see if we will do all things He commands us to do, even in the midst of afflictions. That is the purpose of this life.
If we can keep this in mind, and keep in mind that we are children of our Eternal Father, and that He is never far from us, we will not fail with Satan and his followers, we will be raised with our Savior.
As we go through this life, we will be tested. We will fail. We will go through times of loneliness. We will go through temptations where we will not win the battle with the adversary. We will feel depressed and feel He has lost our location and our phone number our email address, and even our social security card number. We will feel forsaken.
But, if we KNOW that we are His children, if we keep that truth in our hearts at all times, if we keep in mind that we are going through these struggles with His knowledge - to teach us, prepare us, and to help us learn, we will be OK.
We will fail, but we have the atonement. We will not live up to our potential, but we have a Father who knows us, how we feel, where we are, and what is in our mind. He knows the intents and desires of our hearts. (Alma 41).
No, it is not easy. Yes we will fail. Yes we will lose sight of our ultimate goal. Yes, we will feel as if He has forgotten us. Yes, we will feel that we have to do it alone. But we need to remember who we are, who is our Father, and the why's of our difficulties. We need to keep close and recall to our soul the experiences we have had bearing witness of His care, His knowledge of us, and His purposes.
Yes, we really know Our Father in Heaven loves us. He is ever close to us and involved in our lives. But we need to keep that in mind as we experience our walk in mortality. Father wants us to return to Him. We won't be tested beyond our ability to overcome, but we are free to choose, and act. He, is on our side and with Him, we cannot fail.
Next blog post on Wednesday March 11, we will discuss how we can endure our trials, and draw closer to our Father in the midst of afflictions.
As we strive to live with our Eternal Father in mind every day, we will be able to counter obstacles, afflictions, trials, and thoughts put into our minds by Satan. Lucifer is one who wants us to be miserable just like he is miserable. He is doomed to fail, and bringing others into his army so we too can fail is the only hope he has, to make others fail, and feel the hopelessness of Satan and his followers.
In the Pearl of Great Price, we are told about the pre-earth life. We are told that will are put down here to experience mortality. We are being proven to see if we will do all things He commands us to do, even in the midst of afflictions. That is the purpose of this life.
If we can keep this in mind, and keep in mind that we are children of our Eternal Father, and that He is never far from us, we will not fail with Satan and his followers, we will be raised with our Savior.
As we go through this life, we will be tested. We will fail. We will go through times of loneliness. We will go through temptations where we will not win the battle with the adversary. We will feel depressed and feel He has lost our location and our phone number our email address, and even our social security card number. We will feel forsaken.
But, if we KNOW that we are His children, if we keep that truth in our hearts at all times, if we keep in mind that we are going through these struggles with His knowledge - to teach us, prepare us, and to help us learn, we will be OK.
We will fail, but we have the atonement. We will not live up to our potential, but we have a Father who knows us, how we feel, where we are, and what is in our mind. He knows the intents and desires of our hearts. (Alma 41).
No, it is not easy. Yes we will fail. Yes we will lose sight of our ultimate goal. Yes, we will feel as if He has forgotten us. Yes, we will feel that we have to do it alone. But we need to remember who we are, who is our Father, and the why's of our difficulties. We need to keep close and recall to our soul the experiences we have had bearing witness of His care, His knowledge of us, and His purposes.
Yes, we really know Our Father in Heaven loves us. He is ever close to us and involved in our lives. But we need to keep that in mind as we experience our walk in mortality. Father wants us to return to Him. We won't be tested beyond our ability to overcome, but we are free to choose, and act. He, is on our side and with Him, we cannot fail.
Next blog post on Wednesday March 11, we will discuss how we can endure our trials, and draw closer to our Father in the midst of afflictions.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Who am I????????????
I am a child of God. We hear it. We sing it. We read these words. But do we believe it and what it means, or should mean to each of us? He is our Father. We are His children. Neal Maxwell once taught that if we really understood how involved He is in our lives, we would be totally amazed. Elder Jeffery Holland said that he knows, and then he paused with a far away look in his eyes, then he returned to the present and he reiterated once again, "he KNOWS" how much Father loves each one of us.
When we think of our Eternal Father, what thoughts go through our minds. What attributes, what words describe Him? When we pray to Him, do we envision a powerful God who directed the creation of this world? Do we think of a Being who is running the world and involved in all aspects of this earth? Do we think of Kolob and what Joseph Smith preached about Him and His Being? What goes through our minds as we think about Him as we "talk" with Him in our prayers near our bedside, while driving the car, in the middle of a test or trial?
Do we feel afraid of a Being all powerful, all knowing, and all present to everyone who is praying at the same instant as we are? Do we doubt that He can understand what we are going through? Are we hesitant to ask certain thing, do we feel embarrassed with our weaknesses?
When we pray and ask for something repeatedly and question if anyone is listening when there are no answers coming, nor feelings felt from our Father?
Whenever I feel some of those feelings, I try to get away, alone, where I won't be bothered by others, by the phone, nor anything else. I sit, or kneel, or just begin pondering about what it means to be a Father. Then I think about my Father in Heaven. I don't think about His life, His pressures, nor His thoughts being elsewhere. I think about me being in His presence, having a personal interview with my beloved Father. I let scriptures flow through my mind reminding me of His work and glory for Bill Partridge. He is interested in me, where I am, what I am thinking, and what is going on in my life. I look into His eyes and can feel His love, His understanding of my life and problems, even my weaknesses and I see His never ending love and interest in me. I almost feel like shedding tears for the love that His eyes portray for me. I can almost feel His arms around me telling me that He knows how I feel.
He reminds me of our Savior when He asked, "let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." He reminds me that I will struggle, I will cry, I will be tested, and I will fail. I will feel forsaken, and I will feel so alone. But He smiles and says that He will never be far from me and all these things are for my good. They are preparing me for later in mortality, as well as for the after life.
I take great comfort from His words, decide I can carry on, and return to my lonely life with hope and knowledge that my Father is, indeed, aware of me and is not far from ne. Who am I? I am a child of my Eternal Father.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Love Thyself
"...love thy neighbor as thyself..." A dear friend suggested to me that no one can feel Charity, no one can learn the concepts of Faith and Hope working toward Charity unless they loved themselves. How can one learn to have real, deep love for their own self?
We live in a society that emphasizes the negative. Our children come home from school lamenting how many they missed on a test. Seldom do they explain how many they got right. The news every night is mostly reporting the negative things of the community. The worse the news, the bigger the headline. With so much negativity surrounding us, how can we be positive? How can we see the good in the world?
With so much negativity in our lives, how can we see and accept the positive things of life? How many commercials on television are urging us to spend money on reducing weight, better looks, catching up with our neighbor by buying a car like he has? When we look in the mirror each morning, do we confirm the advertisements we have all around us in seeing what is wrong with us.
Or do we see this handsome man/beautiful woman staring back at us? Do we think of how wonderful we are, how much service we did yesterday, or the last week? Do we see what Father in Heaven sees in his child who is trying the best he/she can in mortality? Do we internalize how many times we sacrifice daily, weekly in serving someone else? Do we feel comfortable in knowing that we didn't have to read three chapters of the Book of Mormon, but spent extra special time with someone who needed our words of counsel, be it a neighbor, or a child? Do we recall to our minds, OFTEN, special experiences that have built our testimony, the time that the Spirit touched our hearts in the temple, the time someone served us and lifted our spirit?
I agree. We need to have a strong understanding of who we are. We need to know how special Father thinks each of us are, even when we are struggling through trials and afflictions. We need to have a deep commitment to the idea that we really are children of God, that He is our Father and is never far from us. He loves us so much, that he is letting us experience challenges that build us and prepare us for our mortal, as well as eternal future.
How can one love someone else when they question their own worth? Once in my life, I thought that serving someone else was easier than loving myself. But in reality, I was mistaken. The love of oneself is mandatory in order to be a servant in a Zion society.
I believe that most of us do love ourselves, But I also believe that the adversary is constantly trying to destroy that love, pushes negative thoughts in our minds, and strives to prevent our feelings of importance to Father in Heaven. As we let those thoughts remain and take residence in our hearts, we get depressed, sad, and cannot see the principles of faith, hope and charity. Therefore, I am going to strive to analyze the love of self and discuss in this blog insights given me through the spirit of self love.
We live in a society that emphasizes the negative. Our children come home from school lamenting how many they missed on a test. Seldom do they explain how many they got right. The news every night is mostly reporting the negative things of the community. The worse the news, the bigger the headline. With so much negativity surrounding us, how can we be positive? How can we see the good in the world?
With so much negativity in our lives, how can we see and accept the positive things of life? How many commercials on television are urging us to spend money on reducing weight, better looks, catching up with our neighbor by buying a car like he has? When we look in the mirror each morning, do we confirm the advertisements we have all around us in seeing what is wrong with us.
Or do we see this handsome man/beautiful woman staring back at us? Do we think of how wonderful we are, how much service we did yesterday, or the last week? Do we see what Father in Heaven sees in his child who is trying the best he/she can in mortality? Do we internalize how many times we sacrifice daily, weekly in serving someone else? Do we feel comfortable in knowing that we didn't have to read three chapters of the Book of Mormon, but spent extra special time with someone who needed our words of counsel, be it a neighbor, or a child? Do we recall to our minds, OFTEN, special experiences that have built our testimony, the time that the Spirit touched our hearts in the temple, the time someone served us and lifted our spirit?
I agree. We need to have a strong understanding of who we are. We need to know how special Father thinks each of us are, even when we are struggling through trials and afflictions. We need to have a deep commitment to the idea that we really are children of God, that He is our Father and is never far from us. He loves us so much, that he is letting us experience challenges that build us and prepare us for our mortal, as well as eternal future.
How can one love someone else when they question their own worth? Once in my life, I thought that serving someone else was easier than loving myself. But in reality, I was mistaken. The love of oneself is mandatory in order to be a servant in a Zion society.
I believe that most of us do love ourselves, But I also believe that the adversary is constantly trying to destroy that love, pushes negative thoughts in our minds, and strives to prevent our feelings of importance to Father in Heaven. As we let those thoughts remain and take residence in our hearts, we get depressed, sad, and cannot see the principles of faith, hope and charity. Therefore, I am going to strive to analyze the love of self and discuss in this blog insights given me through the spirit of self love.
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