Channeling Our Attentions
Happy Sabbath!
I hope this beautiful Sabbath morning finds you all healthy, safe, and seeking opportunity to honor our Lord and Savior in the best way you can today.
I find myself full of many thoughts. They seem to be all over the place. I have read and pondered Alma 32:6-7 several times this week.
" And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word."
"Therefore he did say no more to the other multitude; but he stretched for his hand, and cried unto those whom he beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them:"
Each time I have read them, I can't help but wonder about not only these two groups of people, but of many more.
I think of Alma, the elder. Was he ever in the boat of teaching, exhorting, striving to help his son and others see the value and purpose in heeding the word? Do you think he ever turned himself from them? I don't know that Alma, the younger, turn himself from the other multitude fully. I think that like his father, he directed his current words else where and continued to pray. We can learn a great deal from this when we think about where our focus' are in life.
I found myself dwelling upon the verses of last week, how this group of humble seekers felt despised/offended of all men, but now they were seeking direction and counsel. This morning my thoughts were of Judas Iscariot and Peter from the time of Christ. Both of these men had walked where Jesus walked, shared meat with him, seen the miracles he performed and even performed many themselves. Yet both of them, in their own way, denied Him/turned their backs on him. What do we learn from their experiences. Were they not despised/offended as well? Were they any different from the Zoramites Alma and his brethren were teaching. Didn't they all have the opportunity to hear and receive personal witnesses of Jesus Christ and his gospel? Are they any different than we are today?
What if Alma was teaching in our little neck of the woods today, which group would you find yourself with? What if you had been present at the time of Christ, would you be any different than Peter or Judas? It is hard to say. We can only go by the life we are living now and how we are receiving or not receiving, the way we are being despised or offended by the things current day prophets are counseling us to do, be, and become.
Like each of these people or groups of people, we have to make a choice. In Alma's time there was a group of people who chose to find peace and learn what they must do to worship God while there were some who chose not too. Like Alma and the sons of Mosiah, they were given a choice. Even when Peter denied know Christ or Judas betrayed him because he was offended by something he said, they had to make a choice. Both Peter and Judas made different choices in how they would not only deal with their offense/denial, but how they would or would not repent/change.
I encourage you to make the time to ponder these accounts through out history. Seek ways to apply the lessons of old to your lives today. I know that it has had power effect upon me and the choices I have made and continue to make. I continue to chose Christ, even though I am not perfect and doing so yet.
Our week -
It has been a busy one. Work is overwhelming. So many weddings, gatherings, and events to attend too. We had showers, meetings, checklists and more to attend to this week.
The Queen just moves from one project to the next. I strive to be more like her everyday and do my best to lighten her load.
The Professor is counting the days, hours, and minutes with her class this year. The school year is almost over. Then it is on to bigger and better adventures.
Tall Man is acclimating to his new job and the opportunities it presents. It was fun to hear about them last week. Ehl-Bo is busy helping her sister with a wedding dress while preparing for Leo's arrival as well. It sounds like the baby shower was successful yesterday.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are packing, working, and packing more. They are counting down the days to their transition to a new abode. They are excited about the smaller commute and opportunities that will be placed before them.
SnackPack put money in the bank. He completed his first full pay cycle of the new job and was very grateful to be able to start paying off obligations. He had several long days and eventful adventures when he was not working.
I hope this beautiful Sabbath morning finds you all healthy, safe, and seeking opportunity to honor our Lord and Savior in the best way you can today.
I find myself full of many thoughts. They seem to be all over the place. I have read and pondered Alma 32:6-7 several times this week.
" And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word."
"Therefore he did say no more to the other multitude; but he stretched for his hand, and cried unto those whom he beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them:"
Each time I have read them, I can't help but wonder about not only these two groups of people, but of many more.
I think of Alma, the elder. Was he ever in the boat of teaching, exhorting, striving to help his son and others see the value and purpose in heeding the word? Do you think he ever turned himself from them? I don't know that Alma, the younger, turn himself from the other multitude fully. I think that like his father, he directed his current words else where and continued to pray. We can learn a great deal from this when we think about where our focus' are in life.
I found myself dwelling upon the verses of last week, how this group of humble seekers felt despised/offended of all men, but now they were seeking direction and counsel. This morning my thoughts were of Judas Iscariot and Peter from the time of Christ. Both of these men had walked where Jesus walked, shared meat with him, seen the miracles he performed and even performed many themselves. Yet both of them, in their own way, denied Him/turned their backs on him. What do we learn from their experiences. Were they not despised/offended as well? Were they any different from the Zoramites Alma and his brethren were teaching. Didn't they all have the opportunity to hear and receive personal witnesses of Jesus Christ and his gospel? Are they any different than we are today?
What if Alma was teaching in our little neck of the woods today, which group would you find yourself with? What if you had been present at the time of Christ, would you be any different than Peter or Judas? It is hard to say. We can only go by the life we are living now and how we are receiving or not receiving, the way we are being despised or offended by the things current day prophets are counseling us to do, be, and become.
Like each of these people or groups of people, we have to make a choice. In Alma's time there was a group of people who chose to find peace and learn what they must do to worship God while there were some who chose not too. Like Alma and the sons of Mosiah, they were given a choice. Even when Peter denied know Christ or Judas betrayed him because he was offended by something he said, they had to make a choice. Both Peter and Judas made different choices in how they would not only deal with their offense/denial, but how they would or would not repent/change.
I encourage you to make the time to ponder these accounts through out history. Seek ways to apply the lessons of old to your lives today. I know that it has had power effect upon me and the choices I have made and continue to make. I continue to chose Christ, even though I am not perfect and doing so yet.
Our week -
It has been a busy one. Work is overwhelming. So many weddings, gatherings, and events to attend too. We had showers, meetings, checklists and more to attend to this week.
The Queen just moves from one project to the next. I strive to be more like her everyday and do my best to lighten her load.
The Professor is counting the days, hours, and minutes with her class this year. The school year is almost over. Then it is on to bigger and better adventures.
Tall Man is acclimating to his new job and the opportunities it presents. It was fun to hear about them last week. Ehl-Bo is busy helping her sister with a wedding dress while preparing for Leo's arrival as well. It sounds like the baby shower was successful yesterday.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are packing, working, and packing more. They are counting down the days to their transition to a new abode. They are excited about the smaller commute and opportunities that will be placed before them.
SnackPack put money in the bank. He completed his first full pay cycle of the new job and was very grateful to be able to start paying off obligations. He had several long days and eventful adventures when he was not working.
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