Father's Day
Happy Father's Day!
I have been thinking a great deal about what I would type up today. The thoughts I have been having apply in many ways. I hope I can make them clear enough to mean anything.
Today is not only a day set aside to honor our Fathers, but it is a day we have every week. It is the Sabbath. Each week we have the same opportunity do bring glory and honor to the Father of our spirits. Some times I wonder how well I do in this area. I have been trying to improve myself in this area. I guess that this is why it has been on my mind so much.
We had a similar day last month where we set aside to honor our Mothers. Days like this are great. But then what? Do we just do it one day a year? Do we do it just one day a week? Shouldn't we be doing something everyday?
Last week Puddin shared a message about how he found himself talking in the front yard of some man's house. He talked about how powerful the spirit was as they talked this man's Father, the love he felt for him, the honor he was or was not bringing him, and how he wanted to do better. Then suddenly, it was gone. The man made a choice to ignore, fight, push away, or deny that heavenly witness, and it was gone. I have been pondering on this thought a great deal lately.
Today, social media is filled with people sharing their thoughts, their memories, their gratitude for all that they have been given. Then I wonder about those who have not had such a great example or memory. What of them? Who do they bring honor too? What incentives to they have to be better? It all comes back to one persons - God. In reality, if this life/mortal existence has any meaning what so ever, it comes back to God. He is or He isn't. If He isn't, then all is for not.
In our Sacrament service today, a sister shared that she was introduced to the Gospel as a young, non-practicing Catholic. Her Mother has passed away when she was 3. Her Father had done the best to raise her. Through the experience, he taught her to work and strive for something better. When she understood and committed to the Gospel, she learned that there is so much more than this life. We have so much more to live and work for than a pay check or the object we purchase with that pay check. So, why aren't we?
My thought turned to Alma 21. In this chapter we learn of Aaron and his some of the experiences he had while serving in the kingdom of God. One verse that sadden me as it pertains to this thought is verse 8.
This man was standing up to contend with Aaron. Though he went to church, in fact, this conversation was happening at church. "...We do not believe that thou knowest any such thing..." He did not believe that Aaron had a testimony, had experienced the things he had experienced, or was worthy to stand as a witness of the things he was teaching. How many times have we seen the same in our own churches, communities, schools or work places? They may not come out and say it as boldly has this man did, but their actions speak louder than words.
"...We do not believe in these foolish traditions, we do not believe that thou knowest of things to come, neither do we believe that thy fathers and also that our fathers did know concerning the things which they spake, of that which is to come."
How many people are out there in the world saying the same thing as this man? This thought came to me as I heard the words of this sister refer to herself as a "non-practicing Catholic". How many of us are "non-practicing"? Are we thus saying the same thing as this man? "I do not believe in the foolish traditions of your fathers, my father, or anything that my parents, family, or loved ones have taught me." But most importantly, "I do not believe in God the Father." However, when it is convenient, we use the traditions of our parents as an excuse not to seek something better, thus bringing dishonor to both God and parents.
Now move down to verse 17. Aaron has been freed from prison by Lamoni and his brother Ammon and is not out and about in a different assigned area. I love the last part of this verse, though it is all good. "...they did convince many of the sins..." (side note: sins does not mean really bad things, but it may just be things in our lives that are not in line with the teachings, principles, or commandments of God) Ok, back to the verse, "...and of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct." (italics included)
Does that make sense? Just like today, the individuals who have been called to serve as missionaries, leaders, advisers, or teachers, sometimes they are just friends, parents or loved ones trying to help us see the good in what we have and improve upon it. They are not trying to ruin or take away from the good. They are trying to capitalize upon it. They are trying to help us see ways that we can take the traditions we have been given and make the personal and better for all.
This sister, who as "non-practicing", recognized the good her father had given her. Maybe it was more than he had been given. She took the good and added upon it as she started traditions or tweaking the traditions to make the more in line with God. She and hers have been blessed accordingly.
I hope that I have been able to do the same. I don't know that I have ever considered myself to be a "non-practicing" one, but I probably have been. At some point I had to be like these people that were being taught, and make a personal change in my own life.
Jump to verse 23. They were encouraged and diligently sought after by these individuals who had been called, made covenants, or had a responsibility given them to do so. But then they, like us, like me, had to give heed to what was being taught. I could not just follow the steps because it was a tradition, but they, we, I had to make the tradition personal. I had to believe. I had to be willing to put it to the test. I had to be zealous in keeping the commandments. I had to make personal covenants and do it myself.
Thus, I become one of those who diligently exhorts. I hope that I am taking the good traditions of my Father/Mother, and building upon them for my children. I hope that I am bringing them they honor they deserve by being a "practicing" child. Always seeking ways to practice better.
May you bring your Father's traditions honor this day and every day.
Happy Father's Day!
Hey all, I hope your week has been filled with adventure, joy, and light. Ours had been filled with much. It just keeps on moving. We are blessed.
The Queen is in the mode of preparing for youth conference and girls camp. They are both coming upon us faster than we ever expect. It is keeping her busy. In her down moments, she is preparing for Christmas, managing our house hold, and trying to help her mother park in the garage. The latter is going to take a while, but we are getting there. We visited twice this week and progress is being made.
The Professor continues her count down. Her days are filled with final tournaments, group projects, and planning retirements for co-workers, whether they want to or not.
Tall Man has been around several days this week. He has been doing everything thing he can to get ready for his trip to the Great White North or is it called Calgary Stampede. If they government will recognize him, they may give him a passport before he goes. At first he was worried about getting across the border. I suggested he just find a pretty Mountie-ette(sp?) to marry. The Queen was not impressed. I did remind him he can usually get over, get back to this side is the hard part without a passport. He had to make a choice and pay out the nose to be allowed back.
SnackPack has been having fun in the sun. Now that he is back from tour, they have him working his tail off. There have been a few long days this week. But it is all good. He has set some goals, changed them, set some new ones, and changed again. I am sure he will be wise in all that he does with what he earns.
I have been thinking a great deal about what I would type up today. The thoughts I have been having apply in many ways. I hope I can make them clear enough to mean anything.
Today is not only a day set aside to honor our Fathers, but it is a day we have every week. It is the Sabbath. Each week we have the same opportunity do bring glory and honor to the Father of our spirits. Some times I wonder how well I do in this area. I have been trying to improve myself in this area. I guess that this is why it has been on my mind so much.
We had a similar day last month where we set aside to honor our Mothers. Days like this are great. But then what? Do we just do it one day a year? Do we do it just one day a week? Shouldn't we be doing something everyday?
Last week Puddin shared a message about how he found himself talking in the front yard of some man's house. He talked about how powerful the spirit was as they talked this man's Father, the love he felt for him, the honor he was or was not bringing him, and how he wanted to do better. Then suddenly, it was gone. The man made a choice to ignore, fight, push away, or deny that heavenly witness, and it was gone. I have been pondering on this thought a great deal lately.
Today, social media is filled with people sharing their thoughts, their memories, their gratitude for all that they have been given. Then I wonder about those who have not had such a great example or memory. What of them? Who do they bring honor too? What incentives to they have to be better? It all comes back to one persons - God. In reality, if this life/mortal existence has any meaning what so ever, it comes back to God. He is or He isn't. If He isn't, then all is for not.
In our Sacrament service today, a sister shared that she was introduced to the Gospel as a young, non-practicing Catholic. Her Mother has passed away when she was 3. Her Father had done the best to raise her. Through the experience, he taught her to work and strive for something better. When she understood and committed to the Gospel, she learned that there is so much more than this life. We have so much more to live and work for than a pay check or the object we purchase with that pay check. So, why aren't we?
My thought turned to Alma 21. In this chapter we learn of Aaron and his some of the experiences he had while serving in the kingdom of God. One verse that sadden me as it pertains to this thought is verse 8.
This man was standing up to contend with Aaron. Though he went to church, in fact, this conversation was happening at church. "...We do not believe that thou knowest any such thing..." He did not believe that Aaron had a testimony, had experienced the things he had experienced, or was worthy to stand as a witness of the things he was teaching. How many times have we seen the same in our own churches, communities, schools or work places? They may not come out and say it as boldly has this man did, but their actions speak louder than words.
"...We do not believe in these foolish traditions, we do not believe that thou knowest of things to come, neither do we believe that thy fathers and also that our fathers did know concerning the things which they spake, of that which is to come."
How many people are out there in the world saying the same thing as this man? This thought came to me as I heard the words of this sister refer to herself as a "non-practicing Catholic". How many of us are "non-practicing"? Are we thus saying the same thing as this man? "I do not believe in the foolish traditions of your fathers, my father, or anything that my parents, family, or loved ones have taught me." But most importantly, "I do not believe in God the Father." However, when it is convenient, we use the traditions of our parents as an excuse not to seek something better, thus bringing dishonor to both God and parents.
Now move down to verse 17. Aaron has been freed from prison by Lamoni and his brother Ammon and is not out and about in a different assigned area. I love the last part of this verse, though it is all good. "...they did convince many of the sins..." (side note: sins does not mean really bad things, but it may just be things in our lives that are not in line with the teachings, principles, or commandments of God) Ok, back to the verse, "...and of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct." (italics included)
Does that make sense? Just like today, the individuals who have been called to serve as missionaries, leaders, advisers, or teachers, sometimes they are just friends, parents or loved ones trying to help us see the good in what we have and improve upon it. They are not trying to ruin or take away from the good. They are trying to capitalize upon it. They are trying to help us see ways that we can take the traditions we have been given and make the personal and better for all.
This sister, who as "non-practicing", recognized the good her father had given her. Maybe it was more than he had been given. She took the good and added upon it as she started traditions or tweaking the traditions to make the more in line with God. She and hers have been blessed accordingly.
I hope that I have been able to do the same. I don't know that I have ever considered myself to be a "non-practicing" one, but I probably have been. At some point I had to be like these people that were being taught, and make a personal change in my own life.
Jump to verse 23. They were encouraged and diligently sought after by these individuals who had been called, made covenants, or had a responsibility given them to do so. But then they, like us, like me, had to give heed to what was being taught. I could not just follow the steps because it was a tradition, but they, we, I had to make the tradition personal. I had to believe. I had to be willing to put it to the test. I had to be zealous in keeping the commandments. I had to make personal covenants and do it myself.
Thus, I become one of those who diligently exhorts. I hope that I am taking the good traditions of my Father/Mother, and building upon them for my children. I hope that I am bringing them they honor they deserve by being a "practicing" child. Always seeking ways to practice better.
May you bring your Father's traditions honor this day and every day.
Happy Father's Day!
Hey all, I hope your week has been filled with adventure, joy, and light. Ours had been filled with much. It just keeps on moving. We are blessed.
The Queen is in the mode of preparing for youth conference and girls camp. They are both coming upon us faster than we ever expect. It is keeping her busy. In her down moments, she is preparing for Christmas, managing our house hold, and trying to help her mother park in the garage. The latter is going to take a while, but we are getting there. We visited twice this week and progress is being made.
The Professor continues her count down. Her days are filled with final tournaments, group projects, and planning retirements for co-workers, whether they want to or not.
Tall Man has been around several days this week. He has been doing everything thing he can to get ready for his trip to the Great White North or is it called Calgary Stampede. If they government will recognize him, they may give him a passport before he goes. At first he was worried about getting across the border. I suggested he just find a pretty Mountie-ette(sp?) to marry. The Queen was not impressed. I did remind him he can usually get over, get back to this side is the hard part without a passport. He had to make a choice and pay out the nose to be allowed back.
SnackPack has been having fun in the sun. Now that he is back from tour, they have him working his tail off. There have been a few long days this week. But it is all good. He has set some goals, changed them, set some new ones, and changed again. I am sure he will be wise in all that he does with what he earns.
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