To Judge... OR... Not To Judge...



I love this video. How many times have I found myself judging others when in reality after the time is taken to get to know them, they are NOTHING what I assumed or thought them to be. There is a reason we have been commanded (not just asked or highly suggested) to love our neighbors as ourselves. (Matt 22:39) We truly don't know what others have gone through or what they are going through right now by just looking at them. As Charles says, civility truly does come from within, rather than something that you can give or buy. I know there is great power that comes from more fully putting off the natural man and choosing not to judge others.

Just Keep Swimming!!

The famous song Dory sings, from the Disney movie Finding Nemo, will pop into my head when times get tuff. During Nemo's quest to find his dad he becomes discouraged and wants to give up. His friend reminds him regardless how meaningless swimming may seem  he can't give up, he has to keep swimming!


"Hey Mr Grump Gills
You know what you gotta do when life gets you down?
Just keep swimming
Just keep swimming
Just keep swimming swimming swimming
What do we do we swim, swim, swim
OH HO HO How I love to swim
When you WAAAAAANNTTT to swim you want to swim..."

We like Nemo are separated from our Heavenly Father. We are here to prepare to return to his presents or to find him. We may get discouraged and want to "quit swimming" but as we do this Satan wins. He (Satan) is the one who plants those thoughts into our head. That we're never going to make it or that it's not worth it. God has placed people in our path (Dory, Crush and many others) to help us along the way. Each one has an influence on our lives and our journey back to our Heavenly Father. We have also been given the Holy Ghost which can be our constant companion if we remain worthy and faithful to the promises we have made. After a long journey and many trials Nemo is reunited with his father Marlin. After we have completed our course in this life we too will one day be reunited with our Father in Heaven (God). So don't give up! When you feel discouraged, down or want to stop trying remember Dory's song, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming swimming swimming..."

 

The Prupose of this Life

The Plan of Salvation is a plan that our Father in Heaven (God) has for each of his children. It answers a major question most of us have during this life: What is the purpose of all of this?  As we go through life, we all experience challenges, trials, experience grief, disappointments and let downs. Sometimes we may find that life hasn't gone according to plan. It is during these difficult times I am reminded that I am not alone in this journey, and that Heavenly Father has not forsaken me- there is something I am supposed to learn.  Alma 32: 31-32, found in the Book of Mormon, tells us the purpose of this life is to prepare to meet God. Prepare is an action verb. Meaning there is something to be done, things to get into order before we can return into the presence of our Heavenly Father. That must mean growing and learning are involved. Which doesn't always mean there won't be at least a little pain involved, if not a lot. I have felt an overwhelming sense of peace and comfort these last couple days that Heavenly Father is mindful of ALL His children. And that no matter what happens everything will be okay. Life may be hard and we may not understand the obstacles that lie ahead of us. But as we do the very best we can, by trying a little harder everyday to be a little better, THINGS WILL WORK OUT. All will be well. During life I have felt stretched to my limits, like I couldn't possibly go on, but somehow I survived and I can honestly say, what hasn't killed me has made me stronger. It has helped me be more prepared to one day meet my almighty God.

The Holy Ghost

Ever wondered what the Holy Ghost is?  What it feels like? How you can better understand and recognize it's promptings?  Watch this video and find out!

Because all of us are different the Holy Ghost speaks to everyone differently. As you try to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost and then act on them, Heavenly Father will bless you and you will receive even more promptings. This will also enable you to better understand how the Holy Ghost speaks to you. I know that as you try to better recognize and understand how the spirit works with you, you will feel his presence more abundantly in your life and become the person God needs and wants you to be.

Turning Darkness into Light

One thing I've learned in life is that it is full of ups and downs. I've done a lot of pondering on this especially the following questions; How can I have more ups than downs? What is it that makes the down times so hard? Through scripture study and prayer I have received some insight. I've heard it said a few times that "light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time." If a room is dark and you light a match or flip the light switch, no matter how dark it may seem, light WILL over take the darkness. The same principle applies with the light of the Holy Ghost and darkness of Satan. AKA the ups and downs of life.  Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles states;

"Light dispels darkness. When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart. More importantly, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs. When the spiritual light of the Holy Ghost is present, the darkness of Satan departs." Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light (emphasis added)

My conclusion to the questions stated above replacing ups with light and downs with darkness is that as we do the things we know we are supposed to do light or happiness fills us. We allow Satan or darkness to overtake us by sinning, and our light diminishes and will eventually depart. One important thing Satan doesn't want us to realize is that we still have the ability to light that match or flip the switch; causing light to overtake darkness once again. Because of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he has preformed the option will always be there. The choice is up to us. This doesn't mean it will be easy or even that our light will be as bright as it once was. But as we try our best and apply the atonement of Jesus Christ through repentance all that seems lost will be found, all that seems impossible will become possible, and every wrong will one day be made right. I know we can only see a portion of the big picture of life right now, but as we remain faithful more up times will come and all things will work out in the end.

Reason for the Season

As stated in a previous post I love this time of the year. I love the decorations, the candy, music, and spirit that seems to fill the air that everyone whether they want to or not can notice. Most of all, I love the REASON for the Season. That being Jesus Christ.

Throughout my life I've had a chance see the difference in remembering the real reason for the season verses just going with the motions that come with this time of year. I've noticed that as I put the material things aside, and make it a point to focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and try to morefully do the things he would have me do, true happiness comes and more of the Holiday spirit is felt. Satan knows that if he can get you so caught up in the shopping and gift giving, which in reality can take up all of your time or stress you out to the max, that you forget the real reason why any of this is even happening. My challenge to you: kick Satan to the curb this month, and hopefully forever, and focus on the real meaning of why we have Christmas. Act on the feelings you get and I can promise happiness will feel you, and you will have a more enjoyable Holiday Season that will last the whole year through.

He Hears Every Word

For those of you who don't already know, I LOVE music! I especially love the spirit it can bring. I know a lot of the time I will hear or sing the words to a song not realizing their true meaning. I love this song about prayer and know the message it shares is true.

There are days I get so lost and so caught up inside the crowd

I try to lift my voice but I keep getting drowned out

By the noise and all the sound

But somehow He hears, every word, that I say

He knows, just how I feel and I can pray for answers

I can turn to Him for peace

Or just to be heard

And He hears every word

There are times I lose my way and start to wander off alone

Even when I make mistakes I’m never on my own

And when I need to find the way back home

He hears, every word, that I say

He knows, just how I feel and I can pray for answers

I can turn to Him for peace

Or just to be heard

And He hears every word

Not one of us can fall far enough

To be out of reach of His Love

He hears every word

He hears, every word, that I say

He knows, just how I feel and I can pray for answers

I can turn to Him for peace

Or just to be heard

And He hears every word
(Click to hear the song Every Word)

 "Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father...

It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer." Richard G Scott Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer

Even though we may not realize or understand, I know Heavenly Father literally hears EVERY word of  every prayer you and I say. He may not answer them in the way we want, but He is hearing and answering them. It is up to us to open our eyes and see the answers.