a Tiny Christmas Miracle

a Tiny Christmas Miracle

3John

I am so glad that I chose to do option #6. Our children are still relatively young, but they are getting older much faster than I am comfortable with! Last night our family went and got our Christmas tree. Since we had to move in such a hurry for my husband’s new job, we lost a lot of things in the move. Some of the things that I am cannot find now are my box of special Christmas ornaments. They are just simple little decorations that don’t really mean a whole lot to anyone but me. My kids made some of them, and my husband and I made them when we were little. I was a little bummed, but I know it is just stuff. My daughter, who is 7, noted that I was a little upset about it and took it upon herself to make me some more new ones. She got some white paper and drew pictures of Christmas type things, and put them on my tree. When she showed me, I was so touched by one of them. She had drawn a manger with a baby in it, and wrote a caption saying: “Behold, Jesus Christ.” She spelled Christ wrong, permanently helping me remember that she is only a small child, but one who’s testimony is being built- one scripture story at a time.

This experience reminded me of the oft repeated scripture in 3^rd John, about the greatest joy coming from knowing your kids believe. My heart was touched, and my love and joy for Christmas were deepened last night as I saw my daughter really grasp the important things we have been teaching her, and put them on display on our tree.

Also in third John, we are told about two men: Gaius and Diotrephes. Gaius was a righteous man, who followed the commandments, and openly supported the leaders of the church and what they asked of him. He was very loved of the leaders! Then on the other side, there was Diotrephes, who put a lot of effort into making sure the work of the church leaders was much harder than it needed to be. He rebelled against the leaders and what he was asked. He even kicked the church leaders out of the church! He was so contentious in his deeds, that the scriptures call him “preeminence.” Preeminence in the footnotes means unrighteous dominion. What that means is that Diotrephes liked to be in charge, and not be told what to do- regardless of what God wanted or thought.

In the New Testament manual, there is a quote by Harold B. Lee that says:

“I want to bear you my testimony that the experiences I have had has taught me that those who criticize the leaders of this Church are showing signs of a spiritual sickness which, unless curbed, will bring about eventually spiritual death. I want to bear my testimony as well that those who in public seek by their criticism, to belittle our leaders or bring them into disrepute, will bring upon themselves more hurt than upon those whom they seek thus to malign. …”

He also went on to quote Brigham Young, who, speaking to a group of sickly faith against Joseph Smith, told them:

‘I want to say something to you men. You cannot destroy the appointment of a prophet of God, but you can cut the thread that binds you to the prophet of God, and sink yourselves to hell.’

There is great peace and joy that comes from following the Lord’s spokesmen on the earth. When we follow the prophet, we are literally following God. On the contrary, when we choose to follow our own direction away from the prophet’s, then we are quite literally leaving the ability to be in God’s presence.

It makes me think about those early saints who were willing to give up everything that they had and cross the plains, because they were asked to. They were happy to do it, because they knew that it was something that God wanted their family to do. When we care more about what God wants and commands, then we do about what we think sounds better- wanting to follow the commandments is a joyful thing- even and honor!

I wonder how great the joy of God is when, like my Christmas ornament experience, he can see his children following God?

a Bit on Heart Etching

a Bit on Heart Etching

2 Corinthians 3:1-3

My husband and I have a very close friend who we were blessed to meet a few years ago: we can call him G. G was raised in the gospel, and had wonderful God-fearing parents training him in the ways of the Lord. G has, on multiple occasions, told our family about his wonderful Dad and the service he gave to everyone around him. By all means, G was set up with a great foundation for his spirituality.

When G was a teenager, he found his wild side. He slowly found himself straying from the ways of his parents teachings; the way of God. G made a lot of mistakes, ultimately voiding his covenants with the Lord. G's own family was then raised without the gospel, something that has been a major struggle since.

Fast forward 25-30ish years, and G hit rock bottom after spiraling out of control for so long. He staggered his way back into the gospel, knowing full-well that the road of head would be difficult and trying. G made commitments to his family and to God, and made immediate changes in his life. He stopped using every vice Satan had gained hold of him with, and put all of his energy in to church. Eventually G was baptized a member of the Lord's church once more, and given the Priesthood.

Now, just a few years later, G has been made Elders Quorum President. Every ounce of effort that the man can give, is given to the service of the Lord. G serves in his calling more valiantly and tirelessly than anyone I have ever seen. He gives and gives and gives...and gives. G always has his nose in the scriptures, and can relate any current-day situation to what he has gleaned from them. G is the closest person I have personally met to a saint! Not only is he diligent in everything Godly, but he is so pure in his humility. We are very blessed to have him as our friend and example.

I write this story, because of the two examples of testimony that G experienced. The first: although he was raised in the optimum situation for testimony construction, as a child, G never really built one for himself. His lack of a foundation built on God, led him to make many mistakes and lead his own family in a way contrary to the Lord's teachings.

The second: G gained his own testimony, and used it to help others gain theirs as well. His own beliefs are very apparent to all around him, because he chooses to display the Lord's love and patience in all things that he does.

In the New Testament, Paul's epistle to the Corinthians explains exactly what this second testimony example is created from:

 "Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."

-2 Corinthians 3:1-3

 "...but in the fleshy tables of the heart..." What does that mean? Here is a list that gives a little explanation. When we have a teaching, commandment, or doctrine written on our fleshy tables of our hearts, we:

-Take responsibility for that doctrine/commandment/teaching

-Liken the teaching to ourselves

-Apply it to our own lives

-Cherish/respect the doctrine, and the person from whom it comes

-That commandment/doctrine/teaching becomes part of who we are

When we have gleaned from the things that we are being taught, and make it part of us, it will show in our actions. When we understand and fully believe in Heavenly Father as a literal Father, then we will understand our duty to serve our brothers and sisters in Him. When we have a real testimony of the Word of Wisdom, it becomes a tangible part of our heart that denies the ability to be tempted otherwise. If we are committed to our belief in Eternal Families, then we will go to the temple. In short, our beliefs prompt action, and in turn, will be visible to others through those actions. We watched G serve, we knew he believed. 

So how do we get something written on our hearts? Hint: the answer does not involve a Sharpie. There are two ways (see here and here). 

1-Do the Lord's will

2-Pray with all the energy in our hearts

By doing these two things, we can have the Lord's doctrine written in our hearts. It is a very real thing- something very visible to those watching our actions and our deeds. When we align our hearts with the ways of the Lord, then people take note and ask questions. They can get that "spark" needed to ignite a testimony. We do it for God, for ourselves, and also for others. 

I don't profess to have answers, or even good advice. But one thing I do know: when we decide for ourselves that it is time to change for the better, we find God. When we commit to that change, we find ourselves. 

a Missionary Morsel

a Missionary Morsel

1 Corinthians 9

Paul was an apostle. Because of this calling in the church, and his pure devotion to the Savior, Paul was a missionary.  In1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul wrote (in the second half):

“…I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

Paul, being the dedicated disciple that he was, did whatever he could to turn the hearts of men to Christ. Verses 20-22 talk about how when he was with certain groups of people, Paul would find ways to relate to them.

In verse 20, it was the Jewish people:

“And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law”

In verse 21, it was those without the law, and in verse 22, it was the weak.

Have you ever had salesmen come to your door and promote their product? I have. And I think there are a few different types.

The first one: the pushy, rude, only-cares-about-commission type. Usually he comes to the door with a vacuum or a set of scripture movies. Sometimes he comes with some supplement that will cure anything you got! When I was pregnant-sick with our first child, this salesman showed up to our door. I could barely stand, let alone listen to his never-ending pitch. I ended up collapsing in my doorway while listening to him. Did he stop his speech? Nope! He took the opportunity to push his shakes and explaining that that wouldn’t happen if I took his overpriced cure-all. Did he sell me any shakes that day? No. Why? He didn’t care about me; he didn’t care about my life or my problems. He just wanted me to write a check so that he could get busy finding the next schmuck to listen.

Then there is a second kind of salesman: the one who really, genuinely feels for my situation and my family. These sure seem to be rare! They usually don’t have some amazing new product, maybe not even something tangible at all. The best example for this: a missionary. All though this isn’t the typical sales job, they do work hard to share the Lord’s gospel in hopes that people will “buy it,” (decide to seek for an answer that it is indeed the truth.) This type of salesmen is successful because they love and care about their investigators. They look to find their needs and follow the Spirit in teaching.

What Paul shows us in 1 Corinthians 9, is that we need to be the second type of salesmen missionaries.  We need to care enough about the people that we are preaching to, to make sure we know their needs and their hesitations. How can you connect with someone on a spiritual level, if you don’t know where that person is coming from spiritually?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie expounded a little on the way that Paul handled his missionary responsibility: “Paul here says he made himself all things to all men in an effort to get them to accept the gospel message; that is, he adapted himself to the conditions and circumstances of all classes of people, as a means of getting them to pay attention to his teachings and testimony. And then, lest any suppose this included the acceptance of their false doctrines or practices, or that it in any way involved a compromise between the gospel and false systems of worship, he hastened to add that he and all men must obey the gospel law to be saved”

Paul displayed in his own words and example, that because we have been blessed with the knowledge of the Lord’s gospel, we have a very real obligation to share that knowledge. To be effective at this, we need to do more than casual discussions about it. We need to do everything in our power to turn our brothers and sisters to Christ. We need to be able to relate to them as real people, with real problems and questions. We need to find ways to communicate with them despite their challenges or shortcomings.

I have this friend that I want to accept the gospel. We have done missionary discussions with him, he has watched conference with my family, he has even regularly attended church in the singles ward in our stake. He started reading the Book of Mormon even before I gave him one. I believe that he is what is called “the golden investigator.” However, after all of his effort and logical thinking, this friend is still unsure and denies the opportunity of Baptism. It has been hard and kind of frustrating- but mostly just sad. After reading this lesson, I know that I am lacking in my teaching. I know that I need to meet this friend where he is at, not where I want him to be.  I will not deny or belittle what I know to be true, but I need to understand the beliefs of this friend before I can help him connect with the Savior.

Because I know what I know, I have work to do; and my friends deserve for me to do the best I can. 

a Lot of Work to be Done

a Lot of Work to be Done

1&2 Thessalonians

Taken from: http://year27.com/2-thessalonians-313/

In Thessalonians 1 & 2, Paul advised the members of the church to tighten up their actions- make them selves better than they were. Below is a list of things that he instructed them to do in order to be a more righteous group. 

Found in 1 Thessalonians 3-5; 2 Thessalonians 3

FYI: The indented portion includes a definition, or my understanding of the item on the list.

Increase in love towards one another (abound)

            Abound=exist in large numbers

Repent

Soften hearts to the Prophet’s words

Abstain from fornication

Use our bodies with sanctification and honor

            Sanctification = separating yourself from the world and aligning yourself       with God

Avoid the lusts of concupiscence

            Concupiscence = strong sexual desire

Know God

Honest with each other, seek not to defraud

Seek to be holy

Love each other- not despise each other

Study to be quiet, to do our own business and work with our own hands

Take time to listen for the Spirit, make sure we feel the accomplishment of finishing work, mind our own business

Be charitable

Be prepared for the Lord’s coming

Pay attention and “not sleep” for the Lord’s coming

            Do not choose to ignore the Lord’s coming

Be “sober”

            Be aware and attentive to the signs of the Lord’s coming

Wear the breastplate of faith and love

            Protect our hearts and spirits with faith in God and love for everyone

Wear the helmet of salvation

            Protect our minds with the knowledge of who we are and what our plan is

Day and night be followers of Christ

Edify one another

            Edify= instruct or improve

Know each other

            Take time to know those people around us

Esteem highly each other

            See the divine nature of every person

Be at peace with each other

Warn the unruly

            Unruly= unable to control, disruptive, disorderly, not able to discipline

            Warn the people around us who are acting with rebellion

Comfort the feeble minded

            Feeble minded = struggles to make wise decisions, makes bad judgments

            Help those who struggle to follow the commandments

Support the weak

Be patient with each other

Show no evil to any man

Choose to be happy

Pray always

Give thanks

Don’t deny the Spirit

            Listen when prompted to do something

Soften heart to prophesy

            Don’t discount the words of the church leaders

Prove all things

            Listen and hear the commandments, advice and suggestions from scripture and prophesy, and follow through. Look for truth in the advice through living            it.

Hold fast to good

            Look for and only do good.

Stay away from the appearance of evil

            Even the appearance of evil!

Pray for church leaders

Follow commandments

Patiently wait for Christ

Avoid situations of sin

Avoid not working

Avoid being a busy body

            Do not be someone who pries or meddles in other business, do not make mischief.

After compiling this list from Paul of all of the things that members of Christ’s church could do to improve themselves, I was instructed to pick three from the list to write about and work on.  So, below are my three:

1.)  The most obvious problem I need to work on: patience. I need to work on being patient and understanding with those around me- more specifically: my kids. Not only am I quick to anger a lot of the time, but I also do not take the time that I should in listening to the real root of their problems. I tend to look more at the problem that is happening, than at the child having the problem. In order to be more Christlike, and a better member of His church, I need to have pure and heartfelt patience. I need to be patient with the drivers on the road who may struggle with safety, I need to be more patient with neighborhood kids, and I need to work on being patient with people who’s political beliefs I disagree with. Once I allow myself to see the people first, and not their actions, then I am choosing to be more like Christ.

I had a recent awakening to this recently, when the school shooting in Troutdale, OR happened. This was very close to my home town- and I drove by that school everyday! My initial reaction, similar to every single other shooting, was sadness for the victims and disgust for the shooter. A few hours after watching the barrage of police and parents all in tears on TV, it was announced that the shooter was a member of our church- and was in our neighboring stake. My mom knew his family- strong in the church and active in their ward! I realized that I was wrong- this child had a problem and had needed help. He wasn’t the monster that I had originally thought- he was a child of God, just like me. I was forced to reevaluate every school shooting suspect I had judged prior. They are people. They make bad decisions, they have some unbearable pain, and maybe a gear isn’t working right in their mind. But they are the same as me- people. Children of God. I need to be more patient.

2.)  I have three kids, all little-ish, and am surrounded by said children every second of every day. There is no exaggeration to those internet memes that poke fun at the moms who can’t get a second alone- even in the restroom. Even in my sleep, not a night goes by that I am not covered in small ones (who claim to have had a bad dream, but really just don’t want to let me sleep comfortably.) So somewhere around the 4^th time in a row of hearing “Mom, can I eat a pickle?” and “the baby just dumped her *dinner* on the floor! (*insert any combination of bodily fluids, edible objects or fragile items)” is that little part of my brain that knows what my next choice should be: quiet. I need to take time to be quiet and listen to the lack of shopping /to do/to don’t lists running through my head. Listen for what the Spirit wants me to hear. Listen to answers. I just need to make some quiet time.

3.)  My last one is a hard topic. I need to be more earnest and bold in standing up for the right, in the form of “warning the unruly.” I don’t think that means calling out every person that you see who sins, but there are situations that I have been around that I should have taken the opportunity to denounce the wickedness promoted by some people. For example: one of our dearest friends in the world is struggling with their belief in some of the teachings of the church. They believe, as many lacking faith do, that the church is more of a brainwashing institution than founded in the word of God. It is a real struggle for this person, and in turn, their family. This is their choice, and they know that it is rebellious to the ways of the Lord. However, not only do they justify themselves, they seek to disillusion others around them. They want other people to feel the same, that they might fall away together. It is heart-wrenching to watch. When they talk to us, we just roll our eyes and ignore them. However, we should be doing more. We should look for ways to lovingly and patiently discuss their actions with them- warning them of the damage they are leaving in trail behind them. It is part of being a disciple, and our loved ones deserve to know and remember where they stand.

This was kind of a different study assignment than the ones previously. What a blessing it is to be given the opportunity for a little self evaluation! I have so much to work on, and am grateful for a place to start!

Which three did you pick?

a Snippet of Athens

a Snippet of Athens

Acts 17

In Acts 17, we read a lot about the happenings of Paul's second missionary journey. Here is a map, also found here. Acts 17 discusses the part of his mission that takes place on the upper left corner area, starting in Thessalonica.  (Right below the "Macedonia Area" bolded words.)

Whilst preaching in Thessalonica, Paul encountered two different types of people, found in Acts 17:4-5:

"And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people."

The two groups:1- respected and educated Greek people- who chose to believe what Paul was preaching about the resurrected Savior. 2- The jealous Jews, who not only chose not to believe, but stirred up the poorer, less educated and wicked townsmen into what might be comparable to a gang riot. This mob of unbelievers then set out to attack the house of Jason, where Paul, Silas and Timothy had been staying, and seeking refuge from the craziness outside. When they weren't there, they took Jason and had him arrested and post bail to be released. Second group= not so easily taught.

While that was going on in Thessalonica, Paul continued on his mission, and began teaching the people of Berea, (follow the reddish road on the map a little southwest of Thessalonica.)

In Berea, Paul also found two similar groups. In verse 11, we read about the first group, (also Greeks):

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all the readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

So not only did this first group of people had a more suitable attitude for learning, but they also took the time to search out their questions within the scriptures. They were able to commit themselves to believing fully, because of their effort put into their own study. More on this in a minute.

While teaching these noble, educated and thoughtful Greek men and women, the angry Jews from Thessalonica caught wind of it and headed on down to Berea. There, they managed to stir up the same mischief. Paul was asked to leave, and headed down south on the reddish road (see map above), to Athens.

Once in Athens, Paul noted how idolatrous the people were. Sure they were more educated, more philosophical and well-thought, but they worshiped everything but the one true God. Paul found himself dealing with two types of people, found in verse 18:

"Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection."

The Epicureans were people who believed that the Earth and everything on it was created without any rhyme or reason- just completely random. The Stoics were people that believed that everything was created by some sort of divine being, all according to reason and logic. Neither group could wrap their minds around a God that would choose to have a body, believed to have major limitations. Moreover, they simply could not understand why any Godlike being, after losing his restricting body through death, would choose to gain back his body with resurrection. They depended so much on their own thought processes and reason, than on trying to gain a spiritual knowledge of the truths of God.

Which brings me back to the part about searching the scriptures from earlier. Just like we are taught from a very young age: when we want to talk to God, we pray. When we want God to talk to us, we read the scriptures. Had the people from Athens chosen to soften their hearts enough to scriptures, they might have received that spiritual knowledge needed to believe in Christ and in resurrection.

Last week, my husband asked me to read part of this quote he had in his science course. I found it very interesting and kept on reading the rest of the talk he was assigned (here). Part if it discussed the reality that our Father in heaven created every little particle and atom and building block found in this universe, and all the other universes as well. He is literally our Father- the one who created our bodies, our spirits and is a true Father figure in each of our lives. He knows each of us personally, as His own children.

Then he quoted this scripture found in Moses 1:35:

“… There are many worlds... and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.”

It was something I had been thinking and praying about for a few weeks. I really, honestly wondered if my Father in heaven knew my problems and my feelings and the stressful pains that are seriously making me feel a little crazy. Upon reading this, my heart felt like it exploded. I KNOW that Heavenly Father is my literal father. He loves me, he knows me and he cares about me. He hears every whiney prayer I give, and he is hopefully waiting me to set aside my pride and ask for help. I prayed to feel it, and my answer came in the scriptures. 

If you have a question, then pray. If you want an answer, then read. 

Back to the story...

I am told that a lot of the Christian community does not believe in a pre-existence of our spirits with Heavenly Father. Neither did these Greek people. Whilst in Athens, Paul witnessed an altar, used for showing respect and appreciation to some God, IF THERE WAS A GOD. Inscribed on the alter was: "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD." Paul, noting their lack of belief of a pre-existence, began teaching the leaders there about their Heavenly Father and his role in their lives. Then in verse 26, Paul says:

"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation."

Basicially, He made all of us, we are all related, we all live lives that he is aware of and in places where he determined that we be. This seemed very unlikely to these wise and educated Greek people. They believed in Gods much different than one who assumed a parental role. 

My initial reaction is to say: "Duh!" to those unbelieving people, but after a little inspection, I don't think that that is something that I can do in all honesty. Their vice may have been that they believed in some water god, but our vices that are holding us back now days are much less easy to detect- though very real! 

It may be something so superficial as forgetting to worship and celebrate the Savior's resurrection in the midst of the Easter bunny craze. Or it may be something less detectable, such as some feeling of self-justification in contempt for church-leader's decisions. Do we put some form of political correctness over the will and commandments of the Lord? Is that awesome concert we bought tickets for six months ago take us away from church on Sunday? What about something a little more hidden...what about a choice to not believe in our potential? Do we worship our thoughts about ourselves instead of God? The list is endless, and the only way to get rid of it, is to make sure you know your God, and that you stay close to Him.

I know my Father in Heaven is real. He created every single little thing on this Earth- and every single space around it. Can you imagine the amazing mind that can create a body that heals itself, one that has the ability to grow life inside a womb after two parents combine and share god-given abilities to create life? What majesty there is in a mind that can build a world full of flowers and trees and grass- all able to grow and reproduce through the effectiveness of their surroundings! Heavenly Father is amazing and brilliant and full of power. So why can't he know each of His children individually?? Sure- there are a lot. But I would think after all He has done, that task might not be so difficult. He can do anything- including knowing that I am sad or happy, or just having a rough day.

I know that through the scriptures, our prayers will be answered. We will understand more deeply, and feel more powerfully the things that the Lord wants us to know. I know that if we can single our loyalty to belief in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and their plan for us, than we will truly be happy. 

I am very grateful for this lesson and the chance if gave me to really study out some of these principles, and hope that I can more efficiently and steadily apply them to my life. I want to be a little more Berea Greek, and a little less Athens.