Many people have often asked that age old question: is the glass half full of water or half empty? To inquire if you are a pessimist or an optimist. But, there is another glass ready to fill. This is your spiritual needs glass.
I have learned with teaching primary that youth have quite a spirit with them. In our class, we have a few who thirst after that knowledge of the scriptures. And I realized that they have a glass and I have a glass. While going to church, reading the scriptures, prayer, these things help fill our spiritual glass.
Then, there are things that help drain your glass. Worldly things, such as stress from work, bills, school. Or, in my case, family. After losing my cousin a month ago or so, my neice had her child, then was put into the hospital 2 days after and nearly died. This all helps drain that storage. And learn to "cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee" (Psalms 55:22).
I have learned that over time, my glass - perhaps due to age - is becoming quite large. And the same things are not filling it. I constantly thirst for more knowledge, more understanding and, more importantly, a better relationship with my Father in Heaven.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Natural Man
The world would have us believe that being natural is ok. C'mon, it is only natural to drink as teenagers. Everyone does it. Or, it is only natural that we have sex early. Or, my favorite, it is only natural for guys to masturbate. I read a statistic that over 80% of all young men between 14 and 18 masturbate. Everyone does it, so it is ok, right?
I hope we do fall into this practice, for we should know that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolish unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14).
Just because the world does not look down upon adultery, fornication, lewdness, or masturbation, does not mean we should. The world would have us believe that it is natural for a man to have his mistress, or to look at pornography. It is all in the world and only natural for a young man to look. I cannot recall how many times I have heard this. How "it is only natural to..."
In my earlier post, I talked about how no sin is little in the eye's of the Lord. Christ's blood was spilt for it was only natural that he bleed for us. "For the natural man is an enemy to God" (Mosiah 3:19). To be natural, to be an adulturer, to masturbate, to have relations with someone else before the bonds of matrimony, is to be an enemy of God.
We know God will not war with us, He will not come with swords and shields to kill, but it is sin in his eye. We must "yeild to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and putteth off the natural man... becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, (and) willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him" (Mosiah 3:19).
It is only natural to sin, but we must become above this temptation of being natural. With the strength that the Lord provides, it is possible.
I hope we do fall into this practice, for we should know that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolish unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14).
Just because the world does not look down upon adultery, fornication, lewdness, or masturbation, does not mean we should. The world would have us believe that it is natural for a man to have his mistress, or to look at pornography. It is all in the world and only natural for a young man to look. I cannot recall how many times I have heard this. How "it is only natural to..."
In my earlier post, I talked about how no sin is little in the eye's of the Lord. Christ's blood was spilt for it was only natural that he bleed for us. "For the natural man is an enemy to God" (Mosiah 3:19). To be natural, to be an adulturer, to masturbate, to have relations with someone else before the bonds of matrimony, is to be an enemy of God.
We know God will not war with us, He will not come with swords and shields to kill, but it is sin in his eye. We must "yeild to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and putteth off the natural man... becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, (and) willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him" (Mosiah 3:19).
It is only natural to sin, but we must become above this temptation of being natural. With the strength that the Lord provides, it is possible.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Living Waters
I want to share a simple thought about the waters of life. I had a cousin who recently passed due to cancer. She had been fighting it for several years (3-4 that I am aware of, possibly more). She was a strong woman, always giving of herself. She came up to visit us, driving herself and 4 children, for some 12-13 hours non-stop to spend the 4th of July with us. I am grateful that she made this sacrifice so that I may know her children. And I am grateful I was able to say my goodbyes to her last month.
This story came to mind as I thought about Roxie. How she raised her children to be strong. How she provided that everlasting water that when you drink, you no longer thirst (John 4:14). I slightly disagree, however I think the meaning and my disagreement are the same. It is perceived that the water will well up inside you, granting a flow ever and ever. But what I think it means is that by partaking of the gospel, you will want more and more. So, in essence, we take the living water and then want more and more.
In my studies, it has just recently started that I have sought more and more. I suppose even in life, I am questing to learn evermore. Years ago, I thought I knew the gospel. I had an understanding of what was going on. I had a testimony. However, it ended there. I had the living water, but I did not thirst for more. Now, I am finding that everyday, I thirst for more. Does this mean the scriptures are wrong?
No, I do not think so. I think that to well up the living water, we need more and more gospel studying, more prayer, a stronger testimony. The living water will give us the desire to know more. To journey for a stronger testimony. To bring the gospel to others.
Perhaps it is age that has brought about this thirst of mine. As I yearn to learn more about the gospel, I also thirst for more knowledge in the world.
I brought this subject up, hoping to pass this knowledge and living water thirst off to my cousins, neices, nephews, and other readers. If there is a topic you want to hear about, let me know. I am going to try to post shorter thoughts as I know some of my ramblings tend to be quite long.
This story came to mind as I thought about Roxie. How she raised her children to be strong. How she provided that everlasting water that when you drink, you no longer thirst (John 4:14). I slightly disagree, however I think the meaning and my disagreement are the same. It is perceived that the water will well up inside you, granting a flow ever and ever. But what I think it means is that by partaking of the gospel, you will want more and more. So, in essence, we take the living water and then want more and more.
In my studies, it has just recently started that I have sought more and more. I suppose even in life, I am questing to learn evermore. Years ago, I thought I knew the gospel. I had an understanding of what was going on. I had a testimony. However, it ended there. I had the living water, but I did not thirst for more. Now, I am finding that everyday, I thirst for more. Does this mean the scriptures are wrong?
No, I do not think so. I think that to well up the living water, we need more and more gospel studying, more prayer, a stronger testimony. The living water will give us the desire to know more. To journey for a stronger testimony. To bring the gospel to others.
Perhaps it is age that has brought about this thirst of mine. As I yearn to learn more about the gospel, I also thirst for more knowledge in the world.
I brought this subject up, hoping to pass this knowledge and living water thirst off to my cousins, neices, nephews, and other readers. If there is a topic you want to hear about, let me know. I am going to try to post shorter thoughts as I know some of my ramblings tend to be quite long.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Gethsemane
"For the Lord cannot look upon sin without the least degree of allowance" (D&C 1:31).
Harsh words and even a more harsh meaning. It clearly states that God cannot tolerate sin or sinfulness in any degree. God cannot wink at it, ignore it, or turn and look the other way. The Lord will not sweep it under a rug or say "It is just a little sin. It will be alright." God's standard, the Celestial standard, is abolute and allows no exceptions. There is no wiggle room.
Changing topics slightly, I want to look at "blind justice" - you know, the image of the lady, blindfolded, holding the scales. She represents justice and mercy. The blindfold is to signify that it does not matter who the person is on trial - everyone, celebrity or commoner, prince and pauper, is given the same justice. In a sense, the scales also represent pros and cons, or goods and bads, to imitate mercy.
If the Lord functioned this way, would he simply weigh us against our wooden blocks of sin and whichever came out better, he would judge us? "You have done 4 good things, but only sinned twice, so go on into heaven." No, the Lord has to be absolute or cease to exist.
Humanity looks on the outward countenance. We see people dressed and make our initial expressions about them. The Lord looks upon the heart (ref 1 Sam 16:7). We cannot judge men as the Lord judges for we all sin and are imperfect. "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thine brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (Matt 7:3).
Because of the Lord's perfection, he cannot tolerate any sin. This is why we need a savior. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Since the beginning, God has held true of this. Adam and Eve were told not to take of the fruit of that tree. When the Lord asked them of it, they confessed and were yet kicked, exiled, from the Garden of Eden for their sins. No sin is small in the eyes of the Lord.
Now, for the good news for anyone who has ever sinned, in any degree. The word atonement literally means to make at one. Atonement has Greek roots and is translated as to reconcile. Take two things that have become separated, estranged, or incompatible - much like a perfect God and an imperfect me and you - and bring them back together, thus making the two objects at one again (ref Isaiah 1:18).
No matter what we have done, no matter how vile it may be, through the Lord we may overcome it. I enjoyed Stephen E. Robinson's Believing Christ. He wrote "It does not matter what you did. Whatever it was, no matter how horrible or vile, it is not the issue. The issue here is that whatever your sin was or is, I can erase it. I can clean you up and make you innocent, pure, and worthy, and I can do it today; I can do it now!"
Many people, even those in the church believe in Christ, but do not believe in his words. Christ says we can be made pure, but many people still have the midset of "No, you cannot. The gospel only works for other people; It will not work for me."
I beg to differ as Christ tells us "draw near to me and I will draw near unto you" (D&C 88:63). It can be done. I beg that you do not have the attitude of the world. Through the Lord, we can be clean. The Atonement's greatest accomplishment is that it works for everyone. Not only does it work for me, it works for the person who does better than I and to those who do worse than I. We have to take the first step.
"We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (3rd Article of Faith). It does not say only a select few, it says everyone.
So, what does this all mean? Well, we know that we want exaltation. We also know that to get there, we have to be pure, clean and having no sin. But we are sinners. How can we still achieve this ending we all want?
Many people mistake the lifehood of the Savior. They know that this man named Christ came to this world and did miracles. Then, he died upon that cross. However, that was not the atonement. This greatest work that Christ did was not at the cross. It was not at the last supper. It was not in his holding cell or at a temple. Yet, it was in a quiet garden named Gethsemane.
In the garden, Christ bleed from every pore on his body. Imagine how painful that would be. It would have killed a lesser man. Only Christ could accomplish this because of his uniqueness with his Father. I know that at least one of those drops were for me.
Christ was the only person who could have lived through that painful ordeal. He was the only one that could raise himself from the dead three days after dying on the cross. There is not another single person who could have done that for us.
Countless times in the scriptures, we hear "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened" (Matt 7:7-8).
I thought that I understoof the pain that Christ bore for us. I knew it was great. But it was only recently that it came to pass that I feel even closer. I know what Christ has done for us and I hope it does not go away in vain for us. How great will your joy be in that kingdom when you bring that "one soul unto me; How great shall your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:15). Let that one soul be your own soul. Then, gather the reast of the flock.
Harsh words and even a more harsh meaning. It clearly states that God cannot tolerate sin or sinfulness in any degree. God cannot wink at it, ignore it, or turn and look the other way. The Lord will not sweep it under a rug or say "It is just a little sin. It will be alright." God's standard, the Celestial standard, is abolute and allows no exceptions. There is no wiggle room.
Changing topics slightly, I want to look at "blind justice" - you know, the image of the lady, blindfolded, holding the scales. She represents justice and mercy. The blindfold is to signify that it does not matter who the person is on trial - everyone, celebrity or commoner, prince and pauper, is given the same justice. In a sense, the scales also represent pros and cons, or goods and bads, to imitate mercy.
If the Lord functioned this way, would he simply weigh us against our wooden blocks of sin and whichever came out better, he would judge us? "You have done 4 good things, but only sinned twice, so go on into heaven." No, the Lord has to be absolute or cease to exist.
Humanity looks on the outward countenance. We see people dressed and make our initial expressions about them. The Lord looks upon the heart (ref 1 Sam 16:7). We cannot judge men as the Lord judges for we all sin and are imperfect. "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thine brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (Matt 7:3).
Because of the Lord's perfection, he cannot tolerate any sin. This is why we need a savior. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Since the beginning, God has held true of this. Adam and Eve were told not to take of the fruit of that tree. When the Lord asked them of it, they confessed and were yet kicked, exiled, from the Garden of Eden for their sins. No sin is small in the eyes of the Lord.
Now, for the good news for anyone who has ever sinned, in any degree. The word atonement literally means to make at one. Atonement has Greek roots and is translated as to reconcile. Take two things that have become separated, estranged, or incompatible - much like a perfect God and an imperfect me and you - and bring them back together, thus making the two objects at one again (ref Isaiah 1:18).
No matter what we have done, no matter how vile it may be, through the Lord we may overcome it. I enjoyed Stephen E. Robinson's Believing Christ. He wrote "It does not matter what you did. Whatever it was, no matter how horrible or vile, it is not the issue. The issue here is that whatever your sin was or is, I can erase it. I can clean you up and make you innocent, pure, and worthy, and I can do it today; I can do it now!"
Many people, even those in the church believe in Christ, but do not believe in his words. Christ says we can be made pure, but many people still have the midset of "No, you cannot. The gospel only works for other people; It will not work for me."
I beg to differ as Christ tells us "draw near to me and I will draw near unto you" (D&C 88:63). It can be done. I beg that you do not have the attitude of the world. Through the Lord, we can be clean. The Atonement's greatest accomplishment is that it works for everyone. Not only does it work for me, it works for the person who does better than I and to those who do worse than I. We have to take the first step.
"We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (3rd Article of Faith). It does not say only a select few, it says everyone.
So, what does this all mean? Well, we know that we want exaltation. We also know that to get there, we have to be pure, clean and having no sin. But we are sinners. How can we still achieve this ending we all want?
Many people mistake the lifehood of the Savior. They know that this man named Christ came to this world and did miracles. Then, he died upon that cross. However, that was not the atonement. This greatest work that Christ did was not at the cross. It was not at the last supper. It was not in his holding cell or at a temple. Yet, it was in a quiet garden named Gethsemane.
In the garden, Christ bleed from every pore on his body. Imagine how painful that would be. It would have killed a lesser man. Only Christ could accomplish this because of his uniqueness with his Father. I know that at least one of those drops were for me.
Christ was the only person who could have lived through that painful ordeal. He was the only one that could raise himself from the dead three days after dying on the cross. There is not another single person who could have done that for us.
Countless times in the scriptures, we hear "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened" (Matt 7:7-8).
I thought that I understoof the pain that Christ bore for us. I knew it was great. But it was only recently that it came to pass that I feel even closer. I know what Christ has done for us and I hope it does not go away in vain for us. How great will your joy be in that kingdom when you bring that "one soul unto me; How great shall your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:15). Let that one soul be your own soul. Then, gather the reast of the flock.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Missionary work
I was thinking quite a bit about missionary work lately. Not sure why, but just sharing the gospel with people. And it donned on me: When you sign up to do missionary work, you sacrifice something.
Neil L. Anderson said "Missionary service requires a sacrifice. There will always be something you leave behind when you respond to the prophet's call to serve."
Even if not formally called, everyone can be a missionary. Everyone can plant those small seeds of faith that blossom over years, maybe even decades. Those sacrifices may not be as high as when you serve in your younger years (sacrificing 2 years, sporting opportunities, your boyfriend/girlfriend), but there is something you give up (time, hobbies).
And I realized: Home teaching is just like missionary work. I mean, you go into a neighbor's house to share a spiritual thought and to make sure they are doing ok. You may not be converting non-members like missionaries do, but the work is just as important to the members.
I believe the biggest sacrifice, at least in my experience, is my time. Giving of my money is easy. Giving of my precious time is difficult. I remember when it was so easy.
I am not here to preach upon a rameumptom to preach anything, it was a thought I had about home teaching and missionary work. Both are equally important and I know I could personally strive to do better in both departments.
Neil L. Anderson said "Missionary service requires a sacrifice. There will always be something you leave behind when you respond to the prophet's call to serve."
Even if not formally called, everyone can be a missionary. Everyone can plant those small seeds of faith that blossom over years, maybe even decades. Those sacrifices may not be as high as when you serve in your younger years (sacrificing 2 years, sporting opportunities, your boyfriend/girlfriend), but there is something you give up (time, hobbies).
And I realized: Home teaching is just like missionary work. I mean, you go into a neighbor's house to share a spiritual thought and to make sure they are doing ok. You may not be converting non-members like missionaries do, but the work is just as important to the members.
I believe the biggest sacrifice, at least in my experience, is my time. Giving of my money is easy. Giving of my precious time is difficult. I remember when it was so easy.
I am not here to preach upon a rameumptom to preach anything, it was a thought I had about home teaching and missionary work. Both are equally important and I know I could personally strive to do better in both departments.
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