Beyond Regions
Yes another week has come and gone. It has been filled with fun, excitement, challenges, and most of all us. I was in charge of teaching a lesson in priesthood this week, so my mind had been filled with various thoughts. Every time I started my personal study, my mind would be taken down another path. So, when I stood to teach this morning, I had a challenge knowing where the lesson was really going to end up. I hope that I delivered the words and thoughts that were needed.
One thought that has stuck with me today not only goes along with the lesson I taught, but the general theme of this weeks Sunday School lesson as well. We instructed from John chapters 3-4. I found many hidden treasures that I had not recognized before. I thoroughly enjoyed diving deeper into understanding as I read and studied them.
OK, back to the one thought that has stuck with me. We were discussing Nicodemus. He was a known member of the Sanhedrin. He came to Christ in the cover of night to learn more of Him. The first thing that stood out to me was that he did not say, "I know that thou art a great teacher.", but he said "We know that thou art a great teacher."
There are many out there who know who Christ is. They seek Him, even as we do. They want to know what it is they can do to be received of Him. Then, when they find out, they hesitate or question. This is where Nicodemus found himself. He was not completely sure he was understanding what was required of him.
The instruction was that we needed to be "Born Again". Many will tell you that this means you just need to accept Christ as our Savior in our hearts and we would be good. Is that what Christ was telling Nicodemus? That as long as he knew that Christ was the Messiah, he was good. He did not have to give up the standing he had with the Sanhedrin. He could continue running with the Pharisees. He did not have to stop teaching and practicing the Law of Moses as he was doing. There was no need to face possible rejection from those around him or leave his profession and follow/declare himself as a disciple of Christ. I don't think so.
Jesus taught that we must be born again of water and spirit. I almost wonder if Nicodemus was asking how often should we be born again. We were born once, do we have to do it again. If we stop thinking in literal terms and think symbolically, Christ was telling him/us to partake of the Atonement. We should cleanse ourselves as often as is required. First, be baptized of water as an outward expression of our commitment/declaration that we are willing to follow. Then by spirit, each time we pick up the scriptures and receive a witness of truth, make choice to repent/change, forsake a habit or choice in our lives that was not leading us to our Father's presence, or kneeling in prayer and communing with our Father above. Each time we partake of the Sacrament, attend the temple, go to church, or serve another. This is how we are cleansed of the spirit, as he testifies of the truth and goodness of our works. Then, by the time we make it from our kitchen table to the front door, we have need of more cleansing. This is the process. Each time the cleansing is just a little deeper and more pure. That is what the Atonement is all about.
When we stand before Christ in judgment, he will look upon our actions/works. We will both know how hard we worked to be a little better today than we were yesterday. He will know the desires of our hearts and thus be able to pass righteous judgment.
That is my thought.
This week has been full. We still don't have any snow in our neck of the woods. We understand that they are getting slammed in the Midwest and East coast. It happened that way last weekend as well.
The Queen and I have spent our week working from home and doing what we do best. Trying to find order in the Chaos. She does a better job of it than I do. I am still learning from her.
The Professor did her best to spend the week relaxing. She would not even take the shaggy one to the groomers. I guess that is OK, because we learned that she needed her shots renewed before we could do any grooming.
Tall Man continues putting his nose to the grind. He did ask me a question the other day that made me laugh. He asked if my job ever got boring. I guess he has not spent enough time with me on his day off to see how there are times that I am going absolutely crazy with boredom. I will have him sit with me one of these days. But you know what, that is part of mortality. We take the mundane with the roller coaster ride. Sometimes you have to stand in line for a very long time, in complete boredom, to enjoy the thrill of the 60 second ride.
We are hearing that Puddin is doing well. He really wants to hear from everyone. He get bits and pieces via email every week, but would really like a physical letter that he can read and re-read during the week. It is hard to get to him right now, but we think we have found a way. Hopefully it worked. We will let you know.
SnackPack continued to enjoy taper this week. He removed the color from his head the hair from the rest of his body. It helped, but not to the level or extent he wanted it too. I was impressed with the improvement he has made this year. He now has new number to shot for, new goal to obtain, and direction he can go if he so chooses. He was under 25 in the IM relay and then did 25.99 on 50. He had high hopes for the 100 and came in with a 56.08. Unfortunately, it did not make the cut. Now is the time to start working on next year. Maybe he will do some dry land with me.
I hope you all have a wonderful week. Carry the cleanser with you everywhere you go.
One thought that has stuck with me today not only goes along with the lesson I taught, but the general theme of this weeks Sunday School lesson as well. We instructed from John chapters 3-4. I found many hidden treasures that I had not recognized before. I thoroughly enjoyed diving deeper into understanding as I read and studied them.
OK, back to the one thought that has stuck with me. We were discussing Nicodemus. He was a known member of the Sanhedrin. He came to Christ in the cover of night to learn more of Him. The first thing that stood out to me was that he did not say, "I know that thou art a great teacher.", but he said "We know that thou art a great teacher."
There are many out there who know who Christ is. They seek Him, even as we do. They want to know what it is they can do to be received of Him. Then, when they find out, they hesitate or question. This is where Nicodemus found himself. He was not completely sure he was understanding what was required of him.
The instruction was that we needed to be "Born Again". Many will tell you that this means you just need to accept Christ as our Savior in our hearts and we would be good. Is that what Christ was telling Nicodemus? That as long as he knew that Christ was the Messiah, he was good. He did not have to give up the standing he had with the Sanhedrin. He could continue running with the Pharisees. He did not have to stop teaching and practicing the Law of Moses as he was doing. There was no need to face possible rejection from those around him or leave his profession and follow/declare himself as a disciple of Christ. I don't think so.
Jesus taught that we must be born again of water and spirit. I almost wonder if Nicodemus was asking how often should we be born again. We were born once, do we have to do it again. If we stop thinking in literal terms and think symbolically, Christ was telling him/us to partake of the Atonement. We should cleanse ourselves as often as is required. First, be baptized of water as an outward expression of our commitment/declaration that we are willing to follow. Then by spirit, each time we pick up the scriptures and receive a witness of truth, make choice to repent/change, forsake a habit or choice in our lives that was not leading us to our Father's presence, or kneeling in prayer and communing with our Father above. Each time we partake of the Sacrament, attend the temple, go to church, or serve another. This is how we are cleansed of the spirit, as he testifies of the truth and goodness of our works. Then, by the time we make it from our kitchen table to the front door, we have need of more cleansing. This is the process. Each time the cleansing is just a little deeper and more pure. That is what the Atonement is all about.
When we stand before Christ in judgment, he will look upon our actions/works. We will both know how hard we worked to be a little better today than we were yesterday. He will know the desires of our hearts and thus be able to pass righteous judgment.
That is my thought.
This week has been full. We still don't have any snow in our neck of the woods. We understand that they are getting slammed in the Midwest and East coast. It happened that way last weekend as well.
The Queen and I have spent our week working from home and doing what we do best. Trying to find order in the Chaos. She does a better job of it than I do. I am still learning from her.
The Professor did her best to spend the week relaxing. She would not even take the shaggy one to the groomers. I guess that is OK, because we learned that she needed her shots renewed before we could do any grooming.
Tall Man continues putting his nose to the grind. He did ask me a question the other day that made me laugh. He asked if my job ever got boring. I guess he has not spent enough time with me on his day off to see how there are times that I am going absolutely crazy with boredom. I will have him sit with me one of these days. But you know what, that is part of mortality. We take the mundane with the roller coaster ride. Sometimes you have to stand in line for a very long time, in complete boredom, to enjoy the thrill of the 60 second ride.
We are hearing that Puddin is doing well. He really wants to hear from everyone. He get bits and pieces via email every week, but would really like a physical letter that he can read and re-read during the week. It is hard to get to him right now, but we think we have found a way. Hopefully it worked. We will let you know.
SnackPack continued to enjoy taper this week. He removed the color from his head the hair from the rest of his body. It helped, but not to the level or extent he wanted it too. I was impressed with the improvement he has made this year. He now has new number to shot for, new goal to obtain, and direction he can go if he so chooses. He was under 25 in the IM relay and then did 25.99 on 50. He had high hopes for the 100 and came in with a 56.08. Unfortunately, it did not make the cut. Now is the time to start working on next year. Maybe he will do some dry land with me.
I hope you all have a wonderful week. Carry the cleanser with you everywhere you go.
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