Celebrations and Gainers
I am a little late in writing, but doing my best to get it all in. Today we have all been caught up in church, birthday dinners, game night, and bike rides. Shout out to the boys for going 16.5 miles. WOW! Tall Man, it is twin digits baby!
Any who, on to my thought for the week. Due to recent events, I have really been pondering chapter 30 of Alma. More specifically starting in verse 6. I don't know why, maybe because I was listening to this chapter while mowing the lawn the other day and the way it was read really jumped out at me. Korihor was labeled an Anit-Christ - someone who does not believe in Christ. He is infamous because of his choices and action, but he was not the first. He is definitely not the last. In fact, I wonder how many of us in some form or fashion are standing right along side of him or on the edge? I also started thinking how ironic, but hopeful at the same time, it was that he was brought to Alma. Not that it was the first Anti-Christ Alma has dealt with, but that at one point, Alma himself was walking the path of an Anti-Christ.
My thoughts have been centered on what characteristics resemble an Anti-Christ? The Nehors, Sherem, Korihor, Zeezrom maybe at one point, the people of Ammonihah, the Amalekites, some Lamanites, but even many of the Nephites who were on the fence about issues. These are all examples of people who CHOSE to go against Christ in their prophesying, words, actions, but most subtly within their hearts.
First - Laman and Lemuel
They did not believe or want to believe in anything they could not see or understand. They enjoyed the life their father had provided for them, but did not want to have to work much beyond what had already been provided. It if was not spelled out for them, they did not want to have anything to do with it. Even after having the opportunity to received witness of their father's word or visitations by angels, beyond that experience it all but faded from their lives. They did not work to keep that witness or communication.
I guess you could also lump in the sons of Ishmael, Alma the Younger, and the sons of Mosiah as well.
Second - Sherem
He was well educated. In fact, he spent so much time studying ways to disprove all that had been written, taught, and prophesied about, that he did not study, ponder, and pray to received his own witness of what he was reading. I guess he was just doing that, reading. His intent was not to gain a witness, but to gain notoriety, fame, and justification for living a life that was contrary to the gospel of Christ.
Third - Nehor
He was more concerned about the $$ in his pocket. He wanted to be supported for his thoughts and wisdom. Heck, I can see how easy it would be to fall into that trap...Pay me enough $$ and I will tell you exactly what you want to hear, whether it is right or wrong.
Then he was full of Pride. So much Pride, that when he was caught in his falsehoods, he committed murder to save face.
Do you see a common pattern here?
Prove that Christ does not exist - I can live the way I want - I can fell justified in my way of life - people will like me more - I can gain profit from those who follow me - I can point blame on others when things don't go my way...
This is where my mind has been going. I know it just a bunch of ramblings. However, it is food for my own thought. What can I change or avoid in my life that I don't start walking the same path. Am I participating with the right intent? Am I letting pride, idleness, and justification for my actions get the way of my spiritual progress? I encourage you to take time to study each of these groups that you can learn from their mistakes.
On with the week -
The Queen has been to the doctor's a couple times this week. It looks like we will move to the next level to re-gain quality. Hopefully it will happen before camp. We are hoping it will make it more bearable. In her spare time, she has started an on-line class from the Y. Continual education is always good.
The Professor has started reading and prepping for her next level of education. She has been accepted into an endorsement program through the district. She is waiting to hear how it can help towards a Master's. In her spare time, she has run the treadmill to the ground. We are all weighing the options of a replacement.
Tall Man continues to be busy at work. He auditioned for local theater and is waiting to hear back. In his spare time he has also been publishing reviews of recent plays in the area. It has been inspiring. As mentioned. He is on to another twin digit celebration.
SnackPack did not work much this week. He has been off chill'n in the mountains for SBO camp. He returned on Friday in need of a long nap. Maybe he will slow down soon to take one. He goes back to the grind next week. In his spare time, he has been working on his double gainer and finger skills on the strings. Can you say, spinal injury and callouses?
Today was Starly's Mission meeting. I have heard nothing but good reports. It was good to see so many people in the building today. The Queen was also a mission companion for most of the morning. It was nice to have Sister H. around when we were not in meetings. They are working hard in the area.
That is it for this week. Have a Merry, Berry, Cherry one!
Any who, on to my thought for the week. Due to recent events, I have really been pondering chapter 30 of Alma. More specifically starting in verse 6. I don't know why, maybe because I was listening to this chapter while mowing the lawn the other day and the way it was read really jumped out at me. Korihor was labeled an Anit-Christ - someone who does not believe in Christ. He is infamous because of his choices and action, but he was not the first. He is definitely not the last. In fact, I wonder how many of us in some form or fashion are standing right along side of him or on the edge? I also started thinking how ironic, but hopeful at the same time, it was that he was brought to Alma. Not that it was the first Anti-Christ Alma has dealt with, but that at one point, Alma himself was walking the path of an Anti-Christ.
My thoughts have been centered on what characteristics resemble an Anti-Christ? The Nehors, Sherem, Korihor, Zeezrom maybe at one point, the people of Ammonihah, the Amalekites, some Lamanites, but even many of the Nephites who were on the fence about issues. These are all examples of people who CHOSE to go against Christ in their prophesying, words, actions, but most subtly within their hearts.
First - Laman and Lemuel
They did not believe or want to believe in anything they could not see or understand. They enjoyed the life their father had provided for them, but did not want to have to work much beyond what had already been provided. It if was not spelled out for them, they did not want to have anything to do with it. Even after having the opportunity to received witness of their father's word or visitations by angels, beyond that experience it all but faded from their lives. They did not work to keep that witness or communication.
I guess you could also lump in the sons of Ishmael, Alma the Younger, and the sons of Mosiah as well.
Second - Sherem
He was well educated. In fact, he spent so much time studying ways to disprove all that had been written, taught, and prophesied about, that he did not study, ponder, and pray to received his own witness of what he was reading. I guess he was just doing that, reading. His intent was not to gain a witness, but to gain notoriety, fame, and justification for living a life that was contrary to the gospel of Christ.
Third - Nehor
He was more concerned about the $$ in his pocket. He wanted to be supported for his thoughts and wisdom. Heck, I can see how easy it would be to fall into that trap...Pay me enough $$ and I will tell you exactly what you want to hear, whether it is right or wrong.
Then he was full of Pride. So much Pride, that when he was caught in his falsehoods, he committed murder to save face.
Do you see a common pattern here?
Prove that Christ does not exist - I can live the way I want - I can fell justified in my way of life - people will like me more - I can gain profit from those who follow me - I can point blame on others when things don't go my way...
This is where my mind has been going. I know it just a bunch of ramblings. However, it is food for my own thought. What can I change or avoid in my life that I don't start walking the same path. Am I participating with the right intent? Am I letting pride, idleness, and justification for my actions get the way of my spiritual progress? I encourage you to take time to study each of these groups that you can learn from their mistakes.
On with the week -
The Queen has been to the doctor's a couple times this week. It looks like we will move to the next level to re-gain quality. Hopefully it will happen before camp. We are hoping it will make it more bearable. In her spare time, she has started an on-line class from the Y. Continual education is always good.
The Professor has started reading and prepping for her next level of education. She has been accepted into an endorsement program through the district. She is waiting to hear how it can help towards a Master's. In her spare time, she has run the treadmill to the ground. We are all weighing the options of a replacement.
Tall Man continues to be busy at work. He auditioned for local theater and is waiting to hear back. In his spare time he has also been publishing reviews of recent plays in the area. It has been inspiring. As mentioned. He is on to another twin digit celebration.
SnackPack did not work much this week. He has been off chill'n in the mountains for SBO camp. He returned on Friday in need of a long nap. Maybe he will slow down soon to take one. He goes back to the grind next week. In his spare time, he has been working on his double gainer and finger skills on the strings. Can you say, spinal injury and callouses?
Today was Starly's Mission meeting. I have heard nothing but good reports. It was good to see so many people in the building today. The Queen was also a mission companion for most of the morning. It was nice to have Sister H. around when we were not in meetings. They are working hard in the area.
That is it for this week. Have a Merry, Berry, Cherry one!
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