A day or two ago I had a Baptist Preacher come to my door with a youth from his church. He started chatting with my 17 yr old son about going to heaven and about some Christian ideas. I came to the door and greeted this seemingly nice man from Arkansas. We had some very nice thoughts shared but being that I am in the middle of a huge move, I shared that I wasn't interested in coming to his church but that I appreciated our visit and wished him to have a nice day. He proceeded to tell me that he didn't care if I wanted to come to his church and then asked another question of me quizzing my knowledge of the Bible, specifically the New Testament. At this point I asked, "Are you really going to hold me up from what I am doing to banter with me about the Bible?" He said, "No" and kept it up.
I had to shut the door on him, sadly enough. And as I walked back to packing up our home and taking care of our family, I thought, for a preacher he sure did a couple Non-Christlike things by telling a lie about the fact that he didn't care if I wanted to come to his church (or he would have left on the higher note we had been on). And becoming aggressive in his questions on points that he knew we would differ on. And not being kind and respectful to me and my family during an obviously stressful time.
How many times do we contribute to the internal conflicts that those we go to church with have? How many times are we really just looking out for our own agenda and not applying actual Christ-like behaviors in our lives?
How many times are we more interested in a certain result than the others our actions might affect.
Are we more interested in getting a calling or assignment for the attention it would bring us over the great opportunity it might bring for us to serve others or achieve personal growth?
Now don't get me wrong. As responsible, intelligent people we are responsible for our own emotions and reactions to everything in our lives. I'm not giving an out to anyone.
But don't we have to take the time to consider our own actions and how that affects the world around us.
Consider this:
8 For they saw and beheld with great sorrow that the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure.
9 And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God.
10 And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress.
11 And it came to pass in the *commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.
12 Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted. (Alma 4:8-10)
Look at verse 8! In the church people began to be hard on each other because some had less than them-not quite the right shoes, hat, dress, tie, calling, set of scriptures, hairdo, etc. You don't think that has an effect on the flow of the good things that can be done? Are you kidding? Do you think that you are building up those around you? Or are you assisting Satan in bringing misery into the lives of others? It's your test. You know your score. And yes, there is a score.
In our ward when one of my daughter's fellow classmates found out that her father was going to be in the Bishopric, it was said that she stated, "Good, now the Bishop with know how bad Lauren is." Abuse of power? yes. Painful for my daughter? yes. A stumbling block for Lauren? More of a refiner's fire. See, I've taught my kids that they have to learn from these kinds of things that happen all of their lives.
How does this look to others outside of the church or group? Well, they sure don't want to be a part of that kind of drama, now, do they? If they do, aren't you worried? I'd be.
BUT we can all fix the problemsand work towards better days fairly easily, if we chose. We can be more patient and tolarant not just on the surface but for real. We can be supportive and kind and listen. Do we REALLY need to be better than someone else at church? Why? What's the reward for that? If you need a medal work towards the Olympics or your local City League Tournament. There's real competition and politics. Enjoy.
The greatest reward we will ever get is the peace that comes with being sincere in our efforts to respect each other equally and in getting along in all circumstances.
Want to know how? There are a lot of great books to chose from. I'd start with the scriptures and go from there, personally. But because I'm a work in progress, I'll defer to other's with more wisdom and experience.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
On this Father's Day
Many times in our lives we are blessed with great people. These people are not great because they have great powers, or have great wealth, or have numerous powerful contacts. These people are great because in their lives they contribute to our lives in positive, constructive ways. They are great because they become people we can trust and relate to. And maybe best of all, they are great because we can learn from them.
I have been blessed with a great Father.
My Father is a great listener.
My Father is a great learner.
My Father is a great teacher.
My Father is a great supporter.
My Father is a great friend.
My Father has assisted me in making changes in my life that have shaped my life into a more fulfilling process. He has not pushed or pulled. He has lightly suggested when asked. He has followed his heart in what he talks about and how he discusses things. He has never let me off the hook when I have been wrong yet he has never condemned me for my own foibles. He is ok with my pace of learning and applying knowledge.
I know that my Father will always want what is best for me not what he thinks I should be.
THAT is why I can trust him and why I say with all sincerity he really is my friend.
I love you with all of my heart, Dad.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Reflecting
I have a lot to reflect on these days. We are moving from the city that we've lived in for almost 19 years and we have our first child graduating from high school and going to college shortly.
Where does the time go? I've hear this asked so many times. Now I ask. I actually know where it's gone. It's gone into keeping my family safe and secure. It's gone into educating my children emotionally, spritually, physically, and mentally. It's gone into celebrating the great moments and sorrowing over the terrible ones. It's gone into living and living to the fullest.
My cup runneth o'er. I can only say that I am so grateful for every moment of every day that I can experience life here on earth.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Images of Mother
The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom ' s opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.
I got this like many of you, this Mother's Day Season. I can totally relate from both sides. Isn't it funny that we go through natural evolutions? Well, I love and miss my Mom. I know at this point that she's pretty knowledgeable and I'd do almost anything for some great sit-down time with her in person. Luckily I have sisters that remind me at all times of Mom in mannerisms, voices, and characteristics. And just the other day, someone said that my daughter had so many of my mannerisms. I could have cringed but I smiled, even giggled inside, because that means she, too, can remind me of my Mother.
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom ' s opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.
I got this like many of you, this Mother's Day Season. I can totally relate from both sides. Isn't it funny that we go through natural evolutions? Well, I love and miss my Mom. I know at this point that she's pretty knowledgeable and I'd do almost anything for some great sit-down time with her in person. Luckily I have sisters that remind me at all times of Mom in mannerisms, voices, and characteristics. And just the other day, someone said that my daughter had so many of my mannerisms. I could have cringed but I smiled, even giggled inside, because that means she, too, can remind me of my Mother.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
I can do that!
Pleasure and Pain – The Plan of Salvation
Bishop Richard C. Edgley
"An understanding of Christ's plan of redemption helps put [personal suffering] into perspective. In our preexistent state our Father in Heaven presented His plan for mortality, which Alma described as the 'plan of happiness' (Alma 42:8). I believe we all understood that by coming to earth, we would be exposed to all of the experiences of earth life, including the not-so-pleasant trials of pain, suffering, hopelessness, sin, and death. There would be opposition and adversity. And if that was all we knew about the plan, I doubt if any of us would have embraced it, rejoicing, 'That's what I have always wanted--pain, suffering, hopelessness, sin, and death.' But it all came into focus, and it became acceptable, even desirable, when an Elder Brother stepped forward and offered that He would go down and make it all right. Out of pain and suffering He would bring peace. Out of hopelessness He would bring hope. Out of transgression He would bring repentance and forgiveness. Out of death He would bring the resurrection of lives. And with that explanation and most generous offer, each and every one of us concluded, 'I can do that. That is a risk worth taking.' And so we chose." (Richard C. Edgley, "For Thy Good," Ensign, May 2002, p. 65)
My Dad sent this out. I love the real language. I'm so grateful for our loving Savior.
Friday, May 2, 2008
3900 Saturdays
3900 Saturdays
The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:
I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whom-ever he was talking with something about 'a thousand marbles.' I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say
'Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad you missed your daughter's 'dance recital' he continued. ;'Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities.' And that's when he began to explain his theory of a 'thousand marbles.'
'You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.
'Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.
It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail', he went on, 'and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays.' 'I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear.'
'Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.
There's nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.'
'Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time.'
'It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 Year old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!' You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.
Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. 'C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast.' 'What brought this on?' she asked with a smile. 'Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles.
I read this today and loved the thought from the story.
The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:
I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whom-ever he was talking with something about 'a thousand marbles.' I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say
'Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad you missed your daughter's 'dance recital' he continued. ;'Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities.' And that's when he began to explain his theory of a 'thousand marbles.'
'You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.
'Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.
It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail', he went on, 'and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays.' 'I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear.'
'Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.
There's nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.'
'Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time.'
'It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 Year old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!' You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.
Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. 'C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast.' 'What brought this on?' she asked with a smile. 'Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles.
I read this today and loved the thought from the story.
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