His Will or the Works of Men?
Well, here we are again...I am writing and you are reading another post. That must mean another week has come and gone.
It has been an interesting week. My pondering verses are found in 3 Nephi 27:11-14. I continue to be amazed at how many times I have read these verses in my life time, but this week they have meant something different to me. I have been chastened. I have been reminded. I have heard the whispering of the Holy Spirit telling me how I should change/repent. I only hope that I can find the will to make those changes.
I am also amazed at how much personal detail the Lord puts into my life. The experiences of this week have been tailored just to me. I am eternally grateful for such a caring Father in Heaven who knows me, knows where I am, and knows what I am needing at THIS time in my life. He has such attention to detail, but not just for me. I know that He does the same for you. Are you seeing His hand in your life? It is there. I promise. Ask and He will reveal it to you.
As part of my study this week, I also prepared for our Priesthood lesson. We were studying "Love One Another as He Has Loved Us" by Elder Alonso from the most recent conference. It has been amazing to study. It has talk me so much about the verses of 3 Nephi 27:11-14. My heart has been touched. I have been humbled and called to repentance. So let me share...
What is His gospel? We get a small insight to this question in verse 13. "...that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me."
Such a simple plan - do the will of our Father. Love as He has loved us. Learn, listen, and walk of Him and in this you will find peace. We will find everlasting joy, not short lived pleasure as we see in the works of men.
As I pondered this thoughts, I asked myself several questions.
If I am to Love as He Love, I felt that I should understand His motivation to Love. What was Christ's motivation? To do the will of His Father, Our Father. I should do the same. So what would my Father want me to do?
Did Christ do this all the time in all places? I am sure He tried. But did He do it all? Did He help every single person He passed? Did He heal every single person who was sick and infirm? I am not sure. Some would say "YES", but did He?
The thought came to me of the Pool of Bethsedia. Traditionally, the Jewish people believed that this pool of water was blessed. It was surrounded by several individuals who carried with them some infirmity. They waited at the waters edge for a ripple. They believe that the ripple was caused by an angel and that the first individual to enter the waters after the ripple would be healed of all infirmities. We have records of Christ going to this pool. But He did not heal all, according to record, but One. That is what I have learned. He heals, One at a time.
Most of the healing He did was of those that came to Him. He sought Him out. The came to hear Him. They reached out to Him. How are we like them? Then there were those who He sought out. Here is the lesson for us. He also looked for the opportunity to Lift, Heal, and Serve others, but again, One at a time.
I have pondered this questions all week long. Then yesterday I was out and about with some of my girls. They were off looking and girlie stuff and I was bored. I found myself wandering the parking lot of a strip mall. While doing so, I was approached by young man who was asking for assistance.
What is the will of my Father?
I had seen him before, been approached by him before, and I believe I have provided assistance in times past. Yesterday, I asked myself what the His will was. Before this young man could even ask, I beat him to the punch.
"Are you still looking for someone to help you will food?"
"Yeah, lunch would be great."
"What would you like?"
"I am not sure."
"Well, you have to choose, no one knows what you are hungry for, but you."
"OK, how about....."
"Sure, let's go."
On the way I asked him if he was still renting a room from a friend. I inquired about how the job hunt was going.
He did not believe we had ever met before, but I knew some things about him. He tried to clarify that he was not renting a room, but sleeping at a friends house for right now. He had done some roofing, but winter was not a good time to roof.
I let him choose his meal, paid for it, and wished him the best of luck.
Then I walked back to the parking lot.
In my quiet moments of review I wondered, was I giving out of Love or was I looking to do the works of men? Was my heart truly there or was I giving grudgingly? I must admit that I have need of change. I was a little to quick to judge. I hope that I can be forgiven. Did I do good? Sure, but was it Everlasting?
These are where my thoughts have been this week. I hope that my weakness can be places of learning for you. I know they have been for me.
Our Week -
It has been an interesting one. The Queen spent Monday trying to get medical release. It took almost the entire day, but just before the midnight hour, she was released back to work. Then Tuesday morning, after a few hours in her office, she boarded an airplane and headed to the Windy City. She spent the week learning and preparing for her new assignment. She came home late Friday/early Saturday morning and will do it again tomorrow.
The Professor busied herself with teaching and study. Just like many of you, her new semester has started. When she was not at school or the dinner table, she was buried in study and prep for graduate work.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo are busy, busy, busy. We did not see much of them this week. Tall Man did stop by for a small moment because it did not make since to drive to his side of the mountain only to return to this side for play rehearsal and such. He is helping in the directing this side and Ehl-Bo is doing some acting. They get to do it together, that is most important.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins have jumped into the first week of the semester as well. They are finding balance again between School, Work, Eating, and Sleeping, not always in that order. It sounds like they are doing it well.
Me? I just sit in a silent house all day trying to accomplish work tasks. I get a little bored and sleepless at times, but am able to fill my time with my new vice. I have been chastened in that area as well and will do my best to make some personal changes to routine and priority.
Did you have a chance to read Elder Renlund's talk? I know it was from Priesthood Session, but good none the less. Are you being a force of good in the building of God's Kingdom? Are you using the talents, resources, and callings you have been given to accomplish His will?
We have now gone through all the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12. I know that we were short 2. It will be interesting to see what new direction we receive on Tuesday.(This is a great teaching topic)
Anywho, now that we have completed them, I felt it would be good to move on to General Presidencies. I would encourage you to read Sister Bingham's(General Relief Society President) talk, "That Your Joy May Be Full".
It has been an interesting week. My pondering verses are found in 3 Nephi 27:11-14. I continue to be amazed at how many times I have read these verses in my life time, but this week they have meant something different to me. I have been chastened. I have been reminded. I have heard the whispering of the Holy Spirit telling me how I should change/repent. I only hope that I can find the will to make those changes.
I am also amazed at how much personal detail the Lord puts into my life. The experiences of this week have been tailored just to me. I am eternally grateful for such a caring Father in Heaven who knows me, knows where I am, and knows what I am needing at THIS time in my life. He has such attention to detail, but not just for me. I know that He does the same for you. Are you seeing His hand in your life? It is there. I promise. Ask and He will reveal it to you.
As part of my study this week, I also prepared for our Priesthood lesson. We were studying "Love One Another as He Has Loved Us" by Elder Alonso from the most recent conference. It has been amazing to study. It has talk me so much about the verses of 3 Nephi 27:11-14. My heart has been touched. I have been humbled and called to repentance. So let me share...
What is His gospel? We get a small insight to this question in verse 13. "...that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me."
Such a simple plan - do the will of our Father. Love as He has loved us. Learn, listen, and walk of Him and in this you will find peace. We will find everlasting joy, not short lived pleasure as we see in the works of men.
As I pondered this thoughts, I asked myself several questions.
If I am to Love as He Love, I felt that I should understand His motivation to Love. What was Christ's motivation? To do the will of His Father, Our Father. I should do the same. So what would my Father want me to do?
Did Christ do this all the time in all places? I am sure He tried. But did He do it all? Did He help every single person He passed? Did He heal every single person who was sick and infirm? I am not sure. Some would say "YES", but did He?
The thought came to me of the Pool of Bethsedia. Traditionally, the Jewish people believed that this pool of water was blessed. It was surrounded by several individuals who carried with them some infirmity. They waited at the waters edge for a ripple. They believe that the ripple was caused by an angel and that the first individual to enter the waters after the ripple would be healed of all infirmities. We have records of Christ going to this pool. But He did not heal all, according to record, but One. That is what I have learned. He heals, One at a time.
Most of the healing He did was of those that came to Him. He sought Him out. The came to hear Him. They reached out to Him. How are we like them? Then there were those who He sought out. Here is the lesson for us. He also looked for the opportunity to Lift, Heal, and Serve others, but again, One at a time.
I have pondered this questions all week long. Then yesterday I was out and about with some of my girls. They were off looking and girlie stuff and I was bored. I found myself wandering the parking lot of a strip mall. While doing so, I was approached by young man who was asking for assistance.
What is the will of my Father?
I had seen him before, been approached by him before, and I believe I have provided assistance in times past. Yesterday, I asked myself what the His will was. Before this young man could even ask, I beat him to the punch.
"Are you still looking for someone to help you will food?"
"Yeah, lunch would be great."
"What would you like?"
"I am not sure."
"Well, you have to choose, no one knows what you are hungry for, but you."
"OK, how about....."
"Sure, let's go."
On the way I asked him if he was still renting a room from a friend. I inquired about how the job hunt was going.
He did not believe we had ever met before, but I knew some things about him. He tried to clarify that he was not renting a room, but sleeping at a friends house for right now. He had done some roofing, but winter was not a good time to roof.
I let him choose his meal, paid for it, and wished him the best of luck.
Then I walked back to the parking lot.
In my quiet moments of review I wondered, was I giving out of Love or was I looking to do the works of men? Was my heart truly there or was I giving grudgingly? I must admit that I have need of change. I was a little to quick to judge. I hope that I can be forgiven. Did I do good? Sure, but was it Everlasting?
These are where my thoughts have been this week. I hope that my weakness can be places of learning for you. I know they have been for me.
Our Week -
It has been an interesting one. The Queen spent Monday trying to get medical release. It took almost the entire day, but just before the midnight hour, she was released back to work. Then Tuesday morning, after a few hours in her office, she boarded an airplane and headed to the Windy City. She spent the week learning and preparing for her new assignment. She came home late Friday/early Saturday morning and will do it again tomorrow.
The Professor busied herself with teaching and study. Just like many of you, her new semester has started. When she was not at school or the dinner table, she was buried in study and prep for graduate work.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo are busy, busy, busy. We did not see much of them this week. Tall Man did stop by for a small moment because it did not make since to drive to his side of the mountain only to return to this side for play rehearsal and such. He is helping in the directing this side and Ehl-Bo is doing some acting. They get to do it together, that is most important.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins have jumped into the first week of the semester as well. They are finding balance again between School, Work, Eating, and Sleeping, not always in that order. It sounds like they are doing it well.
Me? I just sit in a silent house all day trying to accomplish work tasks. I get a little bored and sleepless at times, but am able to fill my time with my new vice. I have been chastened in that area as well and will do my best to make some personal changes to routine and priority.
Did you have a chance to read Elder Renlund's talk? I know it was from Priesthood Session, but good none the less. Are you being a force of good in the building of God's Kingdom? Are you using the talents, resources, and callings you have been given to accomplish His will?
We have now gone through all the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12. I know that we were short 2. It will be interesting to see what new direction we receive on Tuesday.(This is a great teaching topic)
Anywho, now that we have completed them, I felt it would be good to move on to General Presidencies. I would encourage you to read Sister Bingham's(General Relief Society President) talk, "That Your Joy May Be Full".
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