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.

Do Unto Others

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When I read of Jesus as more than a man,
Who lived in, and walked on the deserts of sand,
Who suffered in silence in Gethsemane,
His atoning blood shed for you and for me,
Then hung on the cross and finally died,
“How can I repay Him,” I asked as I cried?
How can all my tears and my sorrow compare
To the grief and the suffering He felt and saw there?
How can I express to Him how much I care?
What could I have done when I wasn’t there?
How can I comfort my Savior in grief?
What can I do to give Him relief?
For all this occured years and eons ago,
My birth, It has been 2000 years slow.
Oh Jesus, please let me show you my love,
Although you now dwell in some sphere above.
Then a small voice within me did say,
“Do unto others and do it today.”

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-06-016-matthew-2540?category=topics/service&lang=eng

Matthew 25:40


Sunshine and Shadows

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At the end of every rainbow, there’s a pot of gold.
And clouds are lined with silver, so I’m told.
But don’t you think a rainbow and a cloud are pretty too?
Must you always look ahead for gold to come to you?
Sometimes we need a friend so say, “There’s beauty in a storm,
Although the winds blow chilly cold, we can be safe and warm.”
And suddenly the sun breaks through–a bright and shiny ray.
Sometimes I need a friend like you to help me through the day.

It’s odd that I would write this poem, because I’ve always been one who suffers through trials. I’m the one who rolls their eyes if someone suggests to look for lessons or growth in hardship, and I have a really hard time thanking God for everything, including troubles. The poem reminds me of my Dad when I was a child. I was absolutely terrified of lighting and could not understand how he could sit out on the front porch and watch a lightning storm and enjoy it! Sometimes he would see my terror and pull me onto his lap and try to comfort me, which it did, until the next storm.

But I do believe that it is true about how we grow the best when we are challenged; when things are tough. And I have noticed that heartfelt prayer is a great tool.

The following it a short video from the MormonChannel.org. It deals with trials and adversity and comfort through prayer.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-01-002-comfort-in-trials?lang=eng

John 14:27: Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

A.A.A.

Jeanne 1 Comment

This poem, written by Bob, is a cute reminder of how precious our children are, and also about how fast they grow up. One day they are crawling, and the next day, they have a family of their own! Our roles as parents are ever-changing. We spend so much time when they are babies and toddlers that I sometimes wonder if we have enough energy or brain cells left to adapt ourselves to our new role as a parent of teenagers, or young adults. The roles seem especially challenging when they leave us and have a family of their own. Where do we fit in? How do we advise and help? How do we handle our frustration and disappointment about not doing a better job?

Being a parent is absolutely a timeless blessing, and sometimes we need to be open enough to take advise, counsel, and inspiration.

Energy unending,
Hurts that need mending,
To him, life’s a constant sea
Of endless curiosity.
Exploring places, pots and pans,
Cats and puppies, garbage cans.
I stand in awe at how he learns,
Each bump and jar it’s value earns.
He lays, then crawls, then walks, then runs,
My boy! My son! My brother! My friend!
Eternal brothers never end.

The following link (to lds.org) is an illustration of a mother’s love, and how prayer will help us through our darkest moments of despair.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-05-009-a-mothers-hope?lang=eng&_r=1&cid=HP_TU-8-5-2018_dPTH_fMLIB_xLIDyM-2_

My Old Friend Pain

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Last week I waged a battle with the back yard weeds. It felt so good to grab their bodies and jerk them from the soil. They are unwelcome visitors…they take up precious space. I could grow flowers or vegetables there. Handful after handful. I filled two large yellow leaf bags, and then looked around, and went for the squatters in another small-ish area, and then another, and then, just one more to fill the bag firmly. I was proud of myself. I had won the war, or, at least the battle of the day!

That afternoon, Bob and I went to the zoo…just to walk around and enjoy our favorite friends. I no sooner entered through the gate than I felt incredible drained and tired, and, the father I went, the more I realized that I was in pain. It actually took me a couple of days to realize that the weed-warrior had some serious battle scars in the low back!

So, I’ve been limping around and feeling old and broken. It reminds me of the poem Bob wrote many years ago when he cracked a vertebrae. I’m sure I’ve posted this one before, but, here it is again:

Each day I live you come to me,
Almost always by surprise.
You have no thought of decency,
From my tip-toes to my eyes.
Sometimes you stay just a little while,
Other times you stay too long.
And when you do, you sing to me, a very painful song.
But, dear old friend, thank God for you,
For without your warning signs,
I would not know and could not know
Those injuries of mine.
And I would probably bleed to death,
Or something just as bad,
If you weren’t there to counsel me
By helping me feel bad.
So, my dear friend, thank God for you
Just one more time.
‘Cause when you’re gone, and I feel good,
That feeling is sublime!

The following link is to mormonchannel.org and contains a 3-minute video of a man who endured a lot of pain. It makes me feel grateful that my pain will subside. It’s not something I have to live with, as so many others do (my husband included).

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/im-a-mormon/tim-hurst-running-on-faith

Share your stories of pain, please!


Eternity

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Many people want to see a miracle. They want to see something that says there is a God; and yet, all around us is the handiwork and majesty of life–from the perfection of a little ant to the perfection of an elephant, or each flower and tree, to the moon or sun, or anything!

Is life for the moment? Is that all we really have?
Can we work toward tomorrow? Or is that really bad?
In our world, fleeting moments seem to stifle most our dreams.
Is there something worth relying on, or is it all a scheme?
Does the universe not care? Is God unfeeling too?
What makes life worthwhile, if nothing’s really true?
If each child’s own pathway has no guidelines for their life,
Then what is the reason for becoming mates through life?
If it all ends with the grave, than let passion rule my life.
If selfishness brings happiness, then take all that we can.
Does it really matter if we hurt our fellowman?
Can you see love in a flower as it blooms in early spring?
Can you see love in the floating of a bird upon it’s wings?
Yet, who’s the Master Painter who paints all that we see?
In endless living color, through all eternity?

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-10-017-gods-greatest-creation?lang=eng

We love to hear your comments. Please, if you are reading this, post your thoughts and ideas.

Be Christ’s Hands

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Be Christ’s hands and heart to others here upon the earth.
Look to other’s needs and heartaches, and we will find true worth.
If we think too much of ourselves, our worries grow within.
When we serve the weak and poor, we gain pure light and win.

Recently, our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, has challenged us to step outside ourselves and to minister unto others, using Jesus Christ as our example. The following short video (less than 2 minutes) illustrates that challenge.

http://www.lds.org/mycalling/ministering/a-vision-of-ministering?lang=eng

We have all been the recipient of well-timed service. I am grateful for those people who were discerning enough to see my needs, and, with the Spirit’s help, know how to meet those needs with simple acts of kindness, usually small, such as a note, or a phone call. Let us all make this world a better place by being Christ’s hands on a more consistent basis.

Child of Indifference

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Child of indifference
Please open up your eyes.
The eternal now awaits you.
So many different flowers shout in colors,
Sing in silence, touch in fragrance.
Child of bitterness
Please open up your ears
To hear the cries of morning as each new day appears.
So many different love songs are waiting to be heard,
From the cooing of a white dove,
To the thunder of a storm,
From the laughing of a young child who feels both safe and warm.
Child of many sorrows
Please open up your heart,
For only you can understand what part in life you play.
Child of tomorrow, let’s work for you today.

http://www.lds.org/friend/2018/03/heavenly-father-listens?lang=eng

Memories

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Waves of reflection play upon our souls,
Like children free and laughing. Too soon we have to grow.
Like footprints on a sandy shore that fade then wash away.
Some memories, like singing birds, can brighten up our day.
Memories of lives shared through sweetness and despair.
True friendships are forever. Life teaches us to care.
To trust and love each other, unto a better day,
Then truth becomes our brother, and love becomes our way.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-01-009-a-good-samaritan?lang=eng&_r=1

The Lower Lights

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Last week’s post spoke of the lighthouse. They have always been so symbolic to me….lights shining in the darkness, guiding lost and storm tossed souls. There is a hymn in the LDS Hymnbook, #335, entitiled “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy”.

Apparently, to mariners who depend upon lighthouses to find their way, there are lower lights upon the shore that help to direct ships into a proper channel to reach the shore safely. Without them, there is just the lighthouse, the final destination, but of no real help to navigate the reefs and shoals that may lie near a safe harbor.

The first verse reads as follows:

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy
From the lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.

It is easy to be so tired, so discouraged. Problems are so prevalent around us, and our meager efforts seem so futile. Perhaps it would do us well to reflect upon times when we have been in need of encouragement; when our souls have been sinking, and then we have been rescued by some small act of love–maybe just a hug, or a phone call, or a listening ear. Let us not let our lower lights dim. Keep them shining, keep them bright, and, be assured, someone is going to see and be rescued.

When Trials Come

Jeanne Leave a comment

Seems that I am always trying to say something profound, especially to my children and grand children…something that is definite and final, that which tips the scale and as a result they are able to make good choices and avoid all that is out there; and there is a lot out there to run from: drugs, alcohol, gangs and all that comes with that, peer pressure, and those who have evil intentions but wear sheep’s clothing and are able to deceive so many of our youth, and adults as well. But, alas, I’m still writing. I’m sure that my life will run out before I can accomplish the influential things I desire.

This poem is written to youth, and dedicated to light houses everywhere; those beacons, not unlike our own porch light that remains lit until the last have entered in for the night. A light house says, “Come Home!”…and when you are there, you are warm and safe.

When trials come upon us, they come in many ways.
We each face many choices through dark uncharted haze.
We each can pray for guidance to help us through life’s storms.
The Holy Ghost will guide us and keep us safe and warm.

And when we near the harbor, look for the lights on shore.
They’ll guide us to the channel, safe from the oceans’ roar.
The light house calls to us and shines pure, straight and true.
Through all our hardest trials, Christ’s love will see us through.

Now, child, you sail through waters where we have never gone.
We pray that Christ will bless you and your family will grow strong.
God gives to each of us weakness to teach us humility.
Remember to turn to Christ and His strength will set us free.

Pray for the strength to do the things that you’re inspired to do.
Don’t run faster than the spirit’s voice, or you won’t hear what’s true.
Take time to serve in sacred things and God will guide your way…
Like prayers, church and God’s holy house, and you will reach the bay.

Now, children, you know we love you from the bottom of our hearts.
We strive and pray for you and hope you’ll do your part.
We sense the heavy burdens that you are called to carry through.
Our prayers, hope & faith call for our Lord to comfort you.

This is a painting I created after our 2014 Oregon Coast trip. It is a composite of seascapes from Bandon, Cape Blanco, and even from a previous vacation to Pigeon Point in California.

The following message (about 2 minutes) speaks of light houses and youth:

http://www.lds.org/youth/video/this-way-to-safety?lang=eng