So - yes, I'm still working on Isaiah, but I had a cool experience today that I wanted to write about.
I see in my life, over and over again the Lord's hand.
Today we spent the day up valley because we'd spent the night there. The girls and I ran to Wally's for some $2.00 flip flops since someone didn't bring any shoes with us at all. On our way back, I was planning on going and hanging out in the village, but the girls began shouting - No..you promised we could go to ...park - we really want to go there. I thought they'd changed their minds or forgotten. So, we went to the park.
While the girls played, I sat down in some shade and watched. A woman walked up and sat down nearby.
After several minutes, we began to converse. In the back of my head I had the thought - ask her if she has a church to go to - I wasn't sure about that, but kept it there, in the back of my head. We talked about music and many things. Turns out she is from Columbia (the country.) She is here seeking political asylum and is a single mom working 2 jobs. She had a pretty sad story, which I heard a very small fraction of.
As we were talking, I brought it up. I asked if she had support, or a church to go to. She was sort of surprised, and asked if I had one? I told her yes, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She looked really shocked and told me that she had just been baptized into this church 3 months ago - it was the most beautiful experience of her life. She has been struggling because she has not been able to get off of work on Sundays to attend church.
She said that she had been praying today that the Lord would bring her something or uplift her at the park today, and there I was - her sister. It was pretty trippy. I shared with her some encouragement and we hugged several times etc. Before I left, she asked if I would say a prayer with her. So, right there in the park, we sat down and said a prayer together for her and her struggles.
I am amazed at how well the Lord knows us, and how often He sends others to answer our prayers. This sister of mine and I connected - and I had such a great opportunity to share my faith in a Heavenly Father who loves us with her. Some might call it a coincidence, but I don't, I call it an answer to a prayer.
What a blessing to have the Lord use you as such!
It reminds me of a talk by President Eyring - he said something to the effect that each day we need to pray to be the Lord's instrument - if we are prepared and willing, the Lord will use us - but it is up to us and our willingness!
What a special lesson I had today.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
June 15, 2008
I haven't posted for a while - a very long while. I've been working my way through Isaiah - VERY SLOWLY. I think I'm on Chapter 11 now (maybe.) But I've been enjoying it. Isaiah is a literary genius and I've really enjoyed slowing down and learning to appreciate him - and his distinctive writing style.
I've been thinking a lot lately in regards to the parable of the vineyard. Israel/Us today have been preserved and put in a choice spot. The husbandman (Christ) watches over us. The vine, the grapes and the press are all symbolic of Christ's atonement. He gives his ALL for all of us - through the atonement. However, we often give sour fruit.. we don't apply the atonement or use it in our lives - we just ignore it and think we can do it on our own. It's true but unfortunately not the case in reality.
Anyways - I always thought about Israel when I read this, but I think it is very applicable to us today.
Today my husband and I sat down to watch a movie. As I started to wash the dishes afterwards, I was thinking about it. One of the characters said - "what kind of adult doesn't even swear?", there were references to drugs, infidelity, fornication, alcohol, promiscuity, language, and homosexuality. As I add it up - it looks pretty bad.. as I thought about the show I realized how callused we can become to this stuff and how quickly it happens. Despite all of this - I would maybe term the movie as middle of the road. (We do have a filthy filter though - so I may be way off). I was just really disappointed in the show. Disappointed that movies have to have this crap in them, and that this is what our society teaches is okay, good, and acceptable. Totally delusional.
So - back to Isaiah... I found a verse that I've always loved - rather a phrase.
I keep seeing it here and there and I always seem to fall in love with it again each time I see it. It says, " and His arm is stretched out still." Our Heavenly Father loves us no matter What we do. Sure, we disappoint Him, but His love doesn't change.
His arm (a symbol of his power) is ALWAYS stretched out to us. It is like we are on a hill, trying to ascend. He is reaching out, always ready to grab on and help pull us up to the top, but He can't do that unless we put our hand in His. Pretty simple in theory - so difficult in practice.
Anyways - it is a good thing to remember - His arm is stretched out still..
I've been thinking a lot lately in regards to the parable of the vineyard. Israel/Us today have been preserved and put in a choice spot. The husbandman (Christ) watches over us. The vine, the grapes and the press are all symbolic of Christ's atonement. He gives his ALL for all of us - through the atonement. However, we often give sour fruit.. we don't apply the atonement or use it in our lives - we just ignore it and think we can do it on our own. It's true but unfortunately not the case in reality.
Anyways - I always thought about Israel when I read this, but I think it is very applicable to us today.
Today my husband and I sat down to watch a movie. As I started to wash the dishes afterwards, I was thinking about it. One of the characters said - "what kind of adult doesn't even swear?", there were references to drugs, infidelity, fornication, alcohol, promiscuity, language, and homosexuality. As I add it up - it looks pretty bad.. as I thought about the show I realized how callused we can become to this stuff and how quickly it happens. Despite all of this - I would maybe term the movie as middle of the road. (We do have a filthy filter though - so I may be way off). I was just really disappointed in the show. Disappointed that movies have to have this crap in them, and that this is what our society teaches is okay, good, and acceptable. Totally delusional.
So - back to Isaiah... I found a verse that I've always loved - rather a phrase.
I keep seeing it here and there and I always seem to fall in love with it again each time I see it. It says, " and His arm is stretched out still." Our Heavenly Father loves us no matter What we do. Sure, we disappoint Him, but His love doesn't change.
His arm (a symbol of his power) is ALWAYS stretched out to us. It is like we are on a hill, trying to ascend. He is reaching out, always ready to grab on and help pull us up to the top, but He can't do that unless we put our hand in His. Pretty simple in theory - so difficult in practice.
Anyways - it is a good thing to remember - His arm is stretched out still..
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Preach or Testify
I learned something very interesting this week. Something I know, but what a reminder it was.
During church, we had a speaker who talked for 45 minutes. Yes, there was merit to the talk, but it was one of those talks that was really difficult to focus on and hang in there with.
After a quick rest hymn, his companion spoke. The companion spoke for only three minutes. He told the story of his conversion. His cousin had given him a copy of the Book of Mormon. He began to read it and a few months later - prayed and KNEW - absolutely knew that the Book of Mormon was true, and that the church was true. The spirit was so strong. It touched everyone's hearts. It was so short, simple and true, but there was such a night and day contrast to the spirit which was felt.
When we testify, the spirit carries it into the hearts. When we preach - it sure ends up being hard to hang in there.
During church, we had a speaker who talked for 45 minutes. Yes, there was merit to the talk, but it was one of those talks that was really difficult to focus on and hang in there with.
After a quick rest hymn, his companion spoke. The companion spoke for only three minutes. He told the story of his conversion. His cousin had given him a copy of the Book of Mormon. He began to read it and a few months later - prayed and KNEW - absolutely knew that the Book of Mormon was true, and that the church was true. The spirit was so strong. It touched everyone's hearts. It was so short, simple and true, but there was such a night and day contrast to the spirit which was felt.
When we testify, the spirit carries it into the hearts. When we preach - it sure ends up being hard to hang in there.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Solemn Assembly
I want to say that today - from a friend's front room, I had the opportunity to participate in a solemn assembly. I am so grateful to see how the passing of the keys works. It isn't seen very often - only 16 times - but it is a marvelous thing to behold. I felt the spirit so strongly as each group rose to sustain the new prophet of the Lord. What a blessing to have a prophet who speaks to us today. I thought about those who are too busy with their lives to stop and listen to conference, thinking, oh I can read it later. What a pity. My husband said that President Uchtdorf spoke tonight about course correction. He said that if a plane takes off from the equator, but is off, by only 2 degrees, he will end up 500 miles off of course. Wow! What a graphic example, yet how completely true. Elder Maxwell talked about the same concept in Oct '95, Swallowed in the Will of the Father - my all time favorite talk. The course correction - which we have to constantly be making.
What a blessing it is to be able to listen to a prophets' voice and to hear what the Lord personally is telling me through the Holy Ghost.
I just finished a Parenting class through BYU. Along with the curriculum, I had to read reams of talks which were related to (obviously) the family, and the proclamation to the world. I was very interested during the first session to note that every single talk was related to the family, to the war on the family, and to strengthening the families. Even the opening and closing prayers emphasized this. What import! Satan fights us, and if he can destroy the family, he can destroy our culture, our government and even our economy (as one of the speakers declared). What a war we are waging. As I see this - I realize how important the spiritual armor has to be - I know that we receive protection from scriptures, prayer and fasting.
My husband made an interesting comment tonight after the Priesthood session. David was in the wrong place - he should have been at war with his army. Saul - was chosen of the Lord, but didn't want to wait for his priesthood leaders. If we go to our meetings, (and are where we need to be) and follow our leaders, we will be able to stay on course. When we stop being where we should be, or start to question our leaders, we really step off of the course, and begin along something different than what the Lord had in mind.
Something to thing about.
What a blessing it is to be able to listen to a prophets' voice and to hear what the Lord personally is telling me through the Holy Ghost.
I just finished a Parenting class through BYU. Along with the curriculum, I had to read reams of talks which were related to (obviously) the family, and the proclamation to the world. I was very interested during the first session to note that every single talk was related to the family, to the war on the family, and to strengthening the families. Even the opening and closing prayers emphasized this. What import! Satan fights us, and if he can destroy the family, he can destroy our culture, our government and even our economy (as one of the speakers declared). What a war we are waging. As I see this - I realize how important the spiritual armor has to be - I know that we receive protection from scriptures, prayer and fasting.
My husband made an interesting comment tonight after the Priesthood session. David was in the wrong place - he should have been at war with his army. Saul - was chosen of the Lord, but didn't want to wait for his priesthood leaders. If we go to our meetings, (and are where we need to be) and follow our leaders, we will be able to stay on course. When we stop being where we should be, or start to question our leaders, we really step off of the course, and begin along something different than what the Lord had in mind.
Something to thing about.
Psalms - Yes AGAIN!
So, as posted on my personal blog, I've decided to keep this blog, and comment on my personal studies and insights rather than what I'm teaching (since I'm not teaching)
I think I'll archive all of the teaching stuff.
Anyways - as previously mentioned, I decided to take the time to go back (now that I don't HAVE to do any particular book in 24 -48 hours for a lesson) and really study some of the books which I just couldn't make it through at the pace we were going. I don't have to be finished by the end of the school year now, so I really want to explore it a little more deeply.
This morning I finished the book of Psalms. What a great book! Honestly, its been a really long time since I read it. I found some absolutely beautiful poetry - breathtaking in fact. I also found several references to the Tender Mercies of the Lord. Each time I saw that reference, I was reminded of Elder Bednar's talk a couple of years ago. Additionally, I guess I always thought when I read Nephi's comments on this that he had sort of made it up. I believe Nephi's reference actually shows how well he knew the scriptures. Ever noticed how prophets often just quote each other? I mean - honestly, this stuff isn't new. The gospel has been around since Adam (besides that small lapse during the apostasy). So - we see that Nephi was referencing Psalms. Additionally - I found a little fun project I started today after I finished my reading. In the back of the hymn book, there is a reference of related scriptures. There are about 3 columns of references of hymns to different Psalms. I've almost finished cross-referencing them in my scriptures. It's pretty cool to see how some of them fit. Also, as I read, I marked notes of hymns which I thought went along with the different psalms. One of my favorite hymns is Jesus Lover of my Soul. I was amazed to find so many references to this (just little snippets here and there, but everywhere) as well as references to being my rock, my fortress, my foundation etc. It's actually a pretty cool project (I think). I will begin going back through tomorrow with the institute manual and a couple of other references to glean more insights to the book of Psalms.
I did find several doxologies - formal declarations of God's power. These are generally found at the end of verses. Just super cool stuff.
I'll keep updating as I go.
I think I'll archive all of the teaching stuff.
Anyways - as previously mentioned, I decided to take the time to go back (now that I don't HAVE to do any particular book in 24 -48 hours for a lesson) and really study some of the books which I just couldn't make it through at the pace we were going. I don't have to be finished by the end of the school year now, so I really want to explore it a little more deeply.
This morning I finished the book of Psalms. What a great book! Honestly, its been a really long time since I read it. I found some absolutely beautiful poetry - breathtaking in fact. I also found several references to the Tender Mercies of the Lord. Each time I saw that reference, I was reminded of Elder Bednar's talk a couple of years ago. Additionally, I guess I always thought when I read Nephi's comments on this that he had sort of made it up. I believe Nephi's reference actually shows how well he knew the scriptures. Ever noticed how prophets often just quote each other? I mean - honestly, this stuff isn't new. The gospel has been around since Adam (besides that small lapse during the apostasy). So - we see that Nephi was referencing Psalms. Additionally - I found a little fun project I started today after I finished my reading. In the back of the hymn book, there is a reference of related scriptures. There are about 3 columns of references of hymns to different Psalms. I've almost finished cross-referencing them in my scriptures. It's pretty cool to see how some of them fit. Also, as I read, I marked notes of hymns which I thought went along with the different psalms. One of my favorite hymns is Jesus Lover of my Soul. I was amazed to find so many references to this (just little snippets here and there, but everywhere) as well as references to being my rock, my fortress, my foundation etc. It's actually a pretty cool project (I think). I will begin going back through tomorrow with the institute manual and a couple of other references to glean more insights to the book of Psalms.
I did find several doxologies - formal declarations of God's power. These are generally found at the end of verses. Just super cool stuff.
I'll keep updating as I go.
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