Category: Faith

That which fosters confidence in God’s will for us, love for us, and plans for us. Those things that inspire a trust that God really does know best, and will be an active part in helping us to achieve the best if we will allow Him into our lives.

Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid.

Jeanne 1 Comment

This image is a watercolor I created from an illustration in one of my beloved Babar kids books (Babar the King). In the story, Celestville, the city of the elephants has an unusual number of stressful occurances (snake bite and house fire). These, like many things we worry about and stress over, caused Babar to fall prey to fear, but, in his dreams he envisioned winged elephants (hope, love, faith, patience, etc.) driving misfortune away.

These are troubled times. We read in the book of Kings about the prophet, Elisha, who finds himself and the city surrounded by the innumerable enemy. His young companion, upon seeing this asked what they could possibly do. (2 Kings 6:16) “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them….And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about …”

And Joshua is promised, “..Be strong and of a good courage: be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)

Rudyard Kipling wrote, from his poem, An astrologer’s Song:

Though terrors o'ertake us
We'll not be afraid.
No Power can unmake us
Save that which has made:
Nor yet beyond reason
Or hope shall we fall--
All things have their season,
And Mercy crowns all!

Then, doubt not, ye fearful--
The Eternal is King--
Up, heart, and be cheerful,
And lustily sing:--
What chariots, what horses,
Against us shall bide
While the Stars in their courses
Do fight on our side?

I don’t know what you do to reduce anxiety, but these verses of scripture and poetry really do open up a pathway for me, and, like the winged elephants, really do help chase away the grip of misfortune.

What do you do? What helps you? Your comments are so welcomed.

The Video Game

Jeanne 6 Comments

Last week my Grandson handed me a game controller, logged on to Minecraft, giving rapid instructions on how to run, fly and navigate the scene. His figure skillfully raced through the countryside while mine bumped, bumped, fell, and stumbled aimlessly without direction or goal! I’m sure with practice, I’d have done much better.

I have been the spectator of many Zelda episodes of triumph and defeat, and have been fascinated at the not-so-obvious “drops” that yield a plethora of weapons, potions, boosts, gear, collectibles, and even a diamond pickaxe, all very useful and necessary to ‘win’ the game.

I watched you play the game today,
So skillfully....I'm proud to say.
You're little figure tramping about the countryside,
Seeking potions both far and wide.
With passion you searched, and you received
The gear to help you on your quest--the things you need.
You boldly and carefully made your way
Thru darkened night and treacherous day.
And as you did, you never missed
A chance to gain the loot you wished.

And when the foe with all it's power
Appeared.   You did not cower,
But initialized your gifts so valiantly,
And battled bold to victory.
Your perilous path was  wild and long.
You sometimes sang the victor's song.
Then, finally,  when the quest did cease,
You reached  the grand reward of peace.

Aren't we all in the 'game of life'?
We also face our foes and strife.
And need to collect the tools to aid,
Or else, we'll truly be afraid.
Then we can face each obstacle with power
That transforms us each day and hour.

This is a poor image of a painting I did from a beloved Babar book, illustrating some of the ‘tools, weapons, potions, or whatever, that we may need in our ‘game of life’.

On 14 January 2020, Michael T. Ringwood addressed a BYU devotional and spoke of “Gifts”, much like the ones spoken of above. I quote from a segment of his address:

“If you are familiar with classical stories, myths, and legends, you will remember that when a hero undertakes a quest, a mentor often gives him or her gifts for the journey. these gift could be special clothing, implements, food, healing medicine, or key information. Whatever the gift may be, they are essential to the hero’s success. They are the provisions to meet the challenges ahead—-to pass the test that transforms the hero, giving him or her strength to overcome hard things and do the work he or she is destined to do. And, in many cases, the importance of the gifts is not fully understood until they are needed and used.

And so it is with us. Our Heavenly Father has provided us with great and marvelous gifts for our journey here in mortality–and for the greatest quest of all: to come unto our Savior and gain eternal life. These gifts help us navigate the tests and tribulations of life: distresses, persecutions, famines (both temporal and spiritual), injuries, and even death. Without them, we cannot succeed. Yet with them, we are transformed–strengthened…”

Then, in his address, he lists 8 gifts: The Light of Christ, Agency, Commandments, Jesus Christ, Grace, the Holy Ghost, Living prophets, and happiness.

Don’t Rest Too Long

Jeanne 2 Comments 
Don't rest too long, along life's song, or you may cease to grow.
Continue on, with heart and song; our Lord's light lifts our soul.

These are strange times, and often cause me great reflection. Most of the time, I feel very disconnected and isolated, and I sometimes wonder if I use the pandemic as a reason to retreat; an excuse to not reach out or communicate. In the beginning of it all, I reasoned that all of us could use this time to plan for a ‘new normal’ that would be ever-so-much better than the old one. We should do that, but as time has progressed, I see much more division and lack of unity and compassion. At first, we seemed eager to help each other out, but now that’s been replaced by a lot of anger and intolerance.

I don’t know for sure what all that means. I’m just trying to keep the family safe and free from the often devastating consequences of the virus. I try to keep fear at bay. I have contemplated ‘faith’ a lot lately, and have come to the conclusion that you can’t have real faith unless you have an eternal perspective, a real vision of who we really are and why we are here in the first place, and what is the purpose of all this….

I treasure your comments. I welcome them. I beg for them. Let’s connect.

I have found the best way to fortify faith is to read the Book of Mormon!

July 24 marked 173 years since the pioneers first arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. I think we can best commemorate and celebrate that by being pioneers ourselves.

To be an example. To be a leader.

As in a children’s song—“You don’t have to push a handcart, leave your family dear, or walk a thousand miles or so, to be a pioneer. You do have to have great courage. Faith to conquer fear, and fight with might for a cause that’s right, to be a pioneer.”…or something close to that.

There is a wealth of videos, thoughts, and positive helps in these troubled times by logging onto lds.org

Anxiety

Jeanne 1 Comment

So, like many of you, I’ve been feeling anxious about all this COVID-19 stuff: hospital capacities, new cases, schools starting, face masks, social distancing, etc. Everybody has an opinion, and the more I hear, the more anxious I become. One of my friends posted a comment on face book that helped. She said she expressed fears about the future of our nation, and, her friend responded that there is no sense in becoming frantic over situations that we have no control over; instead, focus on the good things around us, on the things we CAN control, like our love, and the happiness within our spere.

And then I listened to ‘Music and the Spoken Word’. It was a pre-recodred program commemorating 90 years of public broadcasting, and they opened the program by singing, “The Morning Breaks, the Shadow Flee”…

You can hear it (I can’t seem to post it) on thetabernaclechoir.org and choose #4739

Below is the script of today’s broadcast. I found it to be encouraging and comforting.

july12Download

Inspiration

Jeanne 1 Comment 
Inspiration is a word that reaches each of us.  As we seek, we will find.
The more we learn to listen with our whole heart, soul and mind.
Prayer builds our desire to hear Truth's music to our soul.
Eternal light comes to us as we stretch, seek and grow.

Inspiration is a gift we each, who seek, will surely find.
If we strive with determination, the spirit fells our mind.
We must strive with deep desire to hear God's eternal soul.
The Holy Ghost whispers to us, when we truly strive to grow.

Inspiration grows like a seed.  We must water it with our tears.
We feed it with our hope, as our faith grows through the years.
Only by our constant effort, hope builds faith through charity,
We will grow in understanding, through our Lord's pure clarity.

In these pandemic days, there is more time for meditation and self evaluation. When we are away from things that challenge us; things we encounter as we interact, which we are doing very little of now….I think the easy way is to gravitate to the lazy, and we find that we avoid anything that takes much effort.

But effort is the gateway to accomplishment, growth, learning and satisfaction. Seeking for divine inspiration is an effort..much more than a casual prayer, but a focused desire that is accompanied by patience, perseverance, and sometimes pleading.

It is my hope that we can all restructure our lives to include the divine–the higher purpose that manifests itself by our love, kindness, compassion and reverance.

There’s nothing like somebody who cares.

Smaug

Jeanne 1 Comment

Smaug, that old dragon that strikes fear in all hearts, is jealous of his gold, and seemingly without any redeeming qualities. He could represent darkness, fear, despair, depravity, hate destruction, evil, and all that is not good, hopeful or joyous. And, in our story, we have an unlikely hero by the name of Bilbo, the Hobbit. In the painting, we see a new hero, painted to represent my grandson, and, for you, anyone dear to you.

Bilbo and our figure face extreme danger and seeming hopelessness, Their challenge is much the same, and is aptly described in the Bible (Ephesians 6:12): “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (your real enemy is not a real dragon) but against…powers, against the ruler of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

When the fellowship of the ring was about to be overcome by this darkness, Aragorn defied the seemingly impossible odds, “A day may come when the courage of men fails..but it is not this day! This day we fight!” In Ephesians, the apostle Paul also rallied others with these words, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand..Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked..and take the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.”

And so, our outmatched heroes prepare for battle, and expressed some fear and sadness, “I wish it need not have happened in my time..” and Gandalf extolled the qualities that made them heroes, “I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”

And so, we can now also exclaim that the day may come when your courage fails, but, it is not this day..this day you fight!

YOU GOT THIS!!!

Shake It Up

Jeanne 1 Comment

Wow, I finally got an image to upload..what is with that?

These have been troubling times in many ways. The pandemic seemed to start it all; then, here in Magna, Utah, on March 18th we had a 5.7 earthquake. For those of us who are not used to the earth shaking, it was both startling and unsettling, especially since we are still having aftershocks even up into the 4’s!

So, we’ve been advised, even ordered to stay safe and stay home. This has been an eye-opening experience. I’ve come to see that much of the ‘stuff’ I spent time on, when I could move about freely, just isn’t that important–almost like I was doing it to distract myself from things that matter most. I don’t know if all that makes any sense, but I’ve struggled to convince myself that I have ever contributed much positive to anything, any one, or any cause.

And, I have come to realize that tomorrow may not be just like all the other days I’m used to. It is so easy to believe that you are in control, because you are the boss of what you say and do, and where you go. And that leads us to believe that we really don’t need anybody, especially God. If that’s all I can take from this, then it will leave me a better person than I was before.

Be sure to check out all the good stuff on www.churchofjesuschrist.org

Sacred Memories

Jeanne 1 Comment

Since my last post, I’ve been trying to add some photographs and links, but find that I can upload absolutely NOTHING ! Discouraged, I convinced myself that I cannot post, and that worked for a few days, until my mind kicked into the new thinking we are all doing; thinking born of new realities for all of us….of working at home….of staying at home…of not going to church….not gathering in groups…..limited shopping….not going to school….and the list goes on, and sometimes changes every day.

We have to start thinking, not about the things we CAN’T do (like upload), but of what we CAN do. I can post words.

Last Sunday I tuned onto “Music and the Spoken Word”..a broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square here in Salt Lake City. It’s a weekly TV thing at 930am MST. Since we are not congregating as a church, I made this MY church, and what a comfort and reward it was! I wanted to share it, but it wouldn’t upload. Perhaps you could view it (and I would highly recommend it) log onto thetabernaclechoir.org and see if you can’t bring up the broadcast from March 20, 2020 (#4723)

The choir sang a number from “Oliver” that spoke to my soul about being warmed and strengthened by our making of and remembering past times. I won’t quote the whole song, but here’s a few of the lyrics that packed such a strong feeling:

Who will buy
This wonderful morning?
Such a sky
You never did see!
Who will tie 
It up with a ribbon
And put it in a box for me?
Who will buy
This wonderful feeling?
I'm so high
I swear I could fly
Me, oh my
I don't want to lose it
So what am I to do
To keep the sky so blue?
There must be someone who will buy
Must be someone
who will....buy

And now, I’ll add our poem, entitled “Sacred Memories”

Sacred memories that touch our minds, sometimes fade into the dust,
Unless we store and cherish them, they wither and they rust.
Let's take the time to write them down, each day when they occur.
Meditate, appreciate and remember how they were.

Sacred memories, like my Mother's last living, dying words:
"Son, be good to your family", sacred words forever heard.
Or my Father, when he died and returned beyond death's veil.
He told me to search for truth along life's thorny trail.

Sacred memories keep us safe through life's joys and life's woes.
Sweet warm memories of our loved ones warm us as cold winds blow.
From brilliant rainbows, to buffalo swimming rivers at first light
Coming through the morning mist to our soul's delight.

We each savor special memories and store them in mind and heart.
They come in joy and sorrow.  Write them down--is how we start.
Meditate on those that lift us, as we fast and search, seek and pray
And thank God for sacred memories!  Gather more each passing day!

p.s. sorry about no photos or links :C

March 19

Jeanne 2 Comments 
First day of Spring
My steps should be light,
With mind full of hope.
But, alas, reminders everywhere
Of sickness sweeping o'er the earth,
Who shakes and trembles,
Filling minds with fear;
And just in case
We manage to forget--
It shakes again, and again,
Reminding us
And holding us fast
In it's grasp.

Not I.   
I will Avert my gaze
From pressing fears
To look up.
I see the clouds
Unchanging  and steady
Blue sky
Beckoning to take my thoughts
And fling them far away,
Replaced with fresh
Breeze, or rain, or sun--
Wrapping me
With that love
Always there,
But often masked.
Today I will let it in
To warm my heart
And renew my hope
Expand my view
And see all the love around me.

FAITH PRECEDES

Jeanne Leave a comment 
Faith precedes the miracles
Please help our unbelief.
We know that we are weak, Lord,
Please lift us from our grief.

We each face many trials
Along this road of life,
From heartache, sorrow and sickness
To hatred, toil and strife.

When trials come upon us, 
Help us pray for Thy strength.
We believe that Thou art capable
To lift us up at length.

Help us make our faith grow stronger
As we study and we pray.
Help us plead to Thee in earnest.
Help us walk the higher way.