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.

Love Unafraid

Jeanne Leave a comment

Overcome space and we’re faced with a place we call “here”.
Overcome time and we’re left with the hour of now.
Live while the rivers still flow and the sun lights today.
Tomorrow’s too late and we’re faced wrong to see yesterday.
The moment we’re in is alive if we live it right now.
It withers and dies if we set it aside for tomorrow.
Look at me now and hear what my song has to say:
Now is the time, here is the place for living today.

Overcome fear and all that we’re left with is free.
Overcome blindness to create reality.
Open your eyes and see all the real that is there.
Set your mind free to be yours and to be aware.
Life’s not a game, but there’s rules to direct destiny.
We’re bound by our fears locked inside, now set them free.
You can put peace in your mind if you reach out unafraid,
To discover a world full of truths God, with nature, has made.

Overcome pride and you’ll find in it’s place there is love.
Overcome hatred and feel what true peace is made of.
First be your own friend then give of your friendship and share.
You and your brother can learn understanding through care.
It never was meant that your ship is to be sailed alone.
Find a seaworthy crew and together is better than one.
Now is the time to tear down the walls we have made,
To be everyone’s brother, to share, and to love unafraid.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Doctrine & Covenants 67:10 “And again I say unto you…that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears…the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am…”

http:///www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-01-0004-live-by-faith-not-by-fear?lang=eng

True Courage

Jeanne Leave a comment

So, the New Year is upon us…another page, another day.. I really disliked New Year’s Day as a youth. It was the last day of Christmas vacation; back to school the next day, and, worse than that was that I had usually done NONE of the assignments due, which meant that I’d have to spend the entire evening racing to get them done, and mentally beating myself up because I’d let this happen again this year! And, we took out the beloved Christmas tree and accompanying decorations. I think that it is sometimes hard to face a new year because we drag so much baggage with us from last year; all of our failures and disappointments, and we beat ourselves up by telling ourselves that we never change, we never keep resolutions, and the new year does not really symbolize any form of HOPE. But, it should. We need to have the courage to have faith, which breeds hope. That’s what this poem is about:

True courage is found beyond our fear and our worries in this life.
Hope builds true courage to do what’s right in our times of strife.
Real courage is not thrill-seeking found in foolish vanity.
With hope, courage stands for the right, against inhumanity.

True courage is to speak up when we feel something is unfair.
True hope gathers allies, if we seek in sincere prayer.
The Holy Ghost will help us to grow strong, firm and true.
If we have faith in Jesus, His light will see us through.

True courage comes with knowing we are in the right.
When we stand for righteous goals, we will win the fight.
Let us gain true courage through each humble prayer
And we will have hope, when hate fills the air.

We choose true hope and courage; it heals each troubled soul.
As we give our fears to God, He helps us to grow.
He gives us strength to stand against hate, sin and insanity
And gives true courage to us to help save humanity.

We read in the Book of Mormon (Ether 12:4) that, “whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world…which hope cometh of faith…which would make them sure and steadfast..”

The Bible (2 Timothy:7)…”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

And, finally, Elder Neal Maxwell, a former apostle stated, “Hope stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine.”

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-12-21-new-years-look-not-behind-thee?lang=eng

May you all find joy and love in 2018!!!

Wind Chimes

Jeanne Leave a comment

Wind has many moods, in force and intensity.
We see it in a summer breeze, or at a storm at sea.
We feel it in a brisk, cool wind, as winter stings each soul,
Or in the warm, hot summer, as sweat cools it’s hot flow.

Like wind we each have many changes that temper and steel our soul.
Sickness, injury and death can burn and freeze our flow,
Yet there are many times when we feel wind’s pleasant breeze.
Our memories can ease our hearts with such a gentle ease.

http://www.lds.org/youth/video/learning-through-trials?lang=eng


Wise Men and Camels

Jeanne Leave a comment

Last week some of our family attended a live nativity. I have never done that before and was excited to see if they would really do sheep and camels, and was not disappointed. The sheep were very wooly and had to be coaxed for their appearance. I was standing so close to the pathway where they entered that I could have reached out and and greeted them with a tender touch, but, I restrained myself. As the story unfolded, the anticipated camels began their trek, each one led by a wise man. Again, I was still very close to the path, and hemmed in by the crowd and a makeshift building at my back. When I saw them coming, I squeezed against the building to make room for their surprisingly massive bodies. The first one filed past me, and I marveled at it’s immensity, especially when it seemed to balk at the crowd and whatever instructions it was receiving. Suddenly, it pulled against it’s halter and came swinging backwards toward ME! There was nowhere to go, except to brace for the impact of a huge camel’s butt bolting directly my way. In a flash it swooped past me, arighted itself and continued on it journey to the manger. Breathlessly, I said a silent prayed of thanks that I would be able to emerge from the nativity in one whole, unbroken piece! What an adventure. The animals added a delightful dimension that I shall never forget.

Animals are delightful. I would like to include some photos taken just 3 months ago in Teton National Park…Just remember, don’t get too close!




The following link is a video of the nativity:
http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/glad-tidings-of-great-joy-the-birth-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

Christmas 2005

Jeanne 1 Comment

Today, we are using a guest poet, Sherrel E. Burgoyne. Sherrel is my aunt who passed away last June, and, as a tribute to her, I’d like to post this poem:

Maybe because they were out in the night
When the heavens were opened and flooded with light,
And they saw the angels and heard them sing
Glory to God and the newborn King
Maybe because that night they were out
They heard the message and did not doubt.

Maybe because they slept in the town
With their doors closed tight and their windows down
And they did not hear the songs from above
They did not hear the message of love
Maybe because that night they all slept
They heard not the message the angels kept.

What of us,
Where are we when the angels all shout,
Do we hide behind walls to feed on our doubt,
Or open our lives and let faith lead us out?

http://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_FR_24-11-2017_dMIS_fMORG_xLIDyL1-A_

Into The Woods

Jeanne 1 Comment

Being close to Thanksgiving, I should entitle this, “Over the River and Through the Woods, To Grandmother’s House We Go.”, but that isn’t where they are going, nor is it the title of the painting, although, it is Thanksgiving time, and I am very grateful for all of my grand children seen in this painting.

Let us call it, “Into the Woods”. And it is a scene of my 6 grand children walking up a path. Some of the prominent intentions are:

1) They are walking into what appears to be a nice place.

2) There are 2 bears to be seen along the way. Are they friendly? The far one seems to be, but one wonders about the sneaky one on the right. Life is tricky and is not always easy to distinguish right from wrong or good from bad. The bears illustrate this.

3) Ammon sees the sneaky bear. He is holding Allie’s hand, giving him the role of protector. Ammon and Parleigh seem to be leading the group down the path. They are taking responsibility for the younger ones who follow, just as I hope they, and all of them, will do always and forever. Care for each other. Watch out for each other. Love each other. Help each other.

4) There is a bird flying high. This represents the Holy Ghost that will help to decipher the good from the bad and lead this little party safely to where they are going.

5) Now, the sad part of the painting. Notice that the children are all walking away from me. I am not with them, nor can I always be. But, nevertheless, I care and worry about them always and forever. And so this painting is dedicated to the last verse of my poem, “Give Them Wings”.

You stand at the threshold
Where I once stood,
With your back to our home
And the world in your face.
And I am glad
I am your mother (Or Grandmother).

I will miss you and wish
You were back home again,
But still I will help you
Fashion the best wings I can make
As you fly away from me.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-11-23-thanksgiving-daily?lang=eng

Remember, Remember

Jeanne 1 Comment

I just finished a book, “The Time Keeper” by Mitch Albom. Since I have always been intriqued by ‘memories’, this book was also intriguing. It dealt with ‘time’. One quote from the book:

“You marked the minutes,” the old man said, “But did you use them wisely? To be still? To cherish? To be grateful? To lift and be lifted?”

Think of each moment as a grain of sand in the giant hourglass of our lives, and we hold that one grain right now. All the sand above and all the sand beneath–the past and future cannot be dealt with right now. Only one grain at a time.

Make memories, for that is what life is made of. Spend time with those you love while you have the time.

I remember precious moments in the past that give the present hope and light.. I love to collect memories and wish I could add to my collection every day. Days when I fail to do this are barren, and if there are too many ‘barrens’ in a row, life begins to feel meaningless.

We have nothing to remember if we do not savor life now. Memories are the acts of the present that bear fruit in the future.

Remember! Remember! from whence we’ve come, on trails of glory, from Thy Holy Son.
To prove on earth, our own true worth, This is our purpose, while here on earth.
Remember! Remember! to turn to Christ, so we may obtain eternal life.
Remember! Remember! The Holy Ghost, that He may guide us through Satan’s host.

Remember! Remember! Without our Lord, we could not follow His sacred word.
Nor understand His one true way, to lead us home to God one day.
Remember! Remember! His one true church that teaches us to pray, seek and search.

Remember to seek Christ when we are weak, with humble heart, sincere and meek.
The Holy Spirit will lift our soul, and help us know which way to go.
Remember! Remember! without God’s Son, we cannot return to the Holy One.

Remember! Remember! We have chosen Christ to guide us through earth’s trials to eternal life.
We need Thee, Lord, every hour and day; Thou art the light, the truth, the way.
Remember! Remember! To fast, search, serve, seek and pray,
And we will be lifted home to live and serve in our Father’s perfect eternal love one fine day.

Remember, Remember, Remember…….

http://www.lds.org/blog/think-to-thank?cid=HP_WE_1-11-2017_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL1-A_&lang=eng

Ask and You Shall Receive

Jeanne Leave a comment

I was reading in my journal today and found a little gem. “Stress of the extreme kind has a purpose. It drives us to plead for the Gifts of the Spirit required to endure something beyond our own conquest…ask and you shall receive.”

I would invite all readers to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments section. Have there been moments in your life when you have felt power beyond your own?

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-06-023-light-switch?category=topics/testimony&lang=eng


The Old Roan Who Sat Alone

Jeanne 3 Comments

Last week we toured one of our favorite spots, Teton National Park and Yellowstone. While on a drive in the Pelican Valley in Yellowstone, we spotted a couple of roan buffalo, and commented on how alone they looked. I do hope they were not really as dejected and depressed as they looked! They did inspire the poem that follows:

The old roan who sat alone, spoke volumes to our souls,
As he sat in silence in the glen, we felt for this tired bull.
His horns were worn, from the years of uncounted war-tossed days,
When heads and horns would clash, to win some cow’s sweet praise.

Like tatonka (buffalo), we too must face our own great battle field.
With sorrow, pride or sin, we can use Christ’s wondrous shield.
And when we’re tired and worn out, we never are alone.
Our Master’s but a prayer away. He longs to bring us home.

So when we’re tired and feel alone, look for some tired soul,
And try to help and lift some one, and then we both can grow.
Then as we sit in silence, we can join in mighty prayer,
Through our Great White Father’s Light, we learn, give and share.

www.lds.org/media-library/images/mormonad-you-are-never-alone-1118441?lang=eng&_r=1