Ask Not, but Do
Greetings -
I hope this post finds you all in good places.
This morning my mind is full as I reflect upon the past week. Sometimes we don't think much has happened, but in reality, there is a great deal that does go on. Most of it is probably in our work places, but there is so much that happens right in front of us. Are we taking full advantage of it? But that is just me telling myself I need to do better.
What has been on your mind? How have you applied the gospel to your life this week? Have you taken the time to ask, listen, and do what the Lord would have you do? These are where my thoughts have been going.
Pondering verses Alma 32:9-11
"Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?-- for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God."
"Behold I say unto, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?"
"And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in the week?"
We come back to the searching question the Zoramites were asking Alma, a prophet. As I ponder upon his words and the beginning of his response I cannot help but expand the questions and wonder why they were asking these questions. I know I talked about this/these questions a couple weeks ago, but they came back to me this week. My mind is full of questions as to why or what was going through their heads.
Where to I start? How many of you feel as the Zoramites? How many of you feel like you are cast out or an out cast? How many of you feel that you don't fit in the cookie cutter mold of your ward/stake? Why is that? Do you feel like no one understands you? Do you feel like you are too old, too young, too tall, too short, not seen, not heard, etc...? Is it that your ward is not fun? Is it that you don't know anyone? Do you feel like people are always judging you? Are there too many distractions? What is the reason for your questions or feeling of being cast out/out cast? What is it that you expect?
Isn't this the question that Alma is asking in return? What is it that you expect? Do you expect that because others are going to church, accepting callings, portraying that they are anxiously engaged, that they are free of the same/similar questions and feelings? Do you expect them to do more for you because they appear to have it together more than you think you do? Or maybe it goes beyond the local leaders. Do you expect more from the General Leaders of the church/synagogue? Does it go beyond them? Do you wonder why, like the Zoramites, that God is not in their lives?
As I have pondered this week, I have become more aware of so many questions like this coming from people I would not expect? I see posts in the news and social media where people are asking this same underlying questions. Some have just cast themselves, not out, but away from God and seek other venues or sources of diversion. I have even found myself asking some of these same questions.
Then I read Alma's response. "...do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?....do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week?..."
Isn't this what our Father in Heaven is saying to us today through his chosen leaders? It is almost like the famous like line of President Kennedy "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for country."
What are you doing?
First personally - are you worshiping God more than once a week? Do you expect Him to be there for you everyday, but you are only there for Him once a week?
Second globally - what are you doing that is any different from the members of your congregation? Do you expect them to do more for you than you are willing to do for them? Are you seeing those who may be feeling the same exact way you are? Are you doing anything to make them feel less than cast out/out cast?
These are questions I have been dwelling upon in my personal life. I have to question whether I am looking out or looking in. Can I do more? Can I do better?
I am grateful for the examples of many around me. They have shown me that I need to look out more than in. I have to be willing to help/serve more than wait to be helped/served.
I am also very much aware that I need to give of myself to God if I expect Him to give himself to me, it is only right. I was talking to SnackPack this week about another verse of ponder that has me thinking more and more along these lines. D&C 90:24
"Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another."
Yep, just more rambling going on in my head. I hope I have not confused you more, but given you something to reflect upon.
Our Week -
It has been a busy one. I have spent week working and trying to do some "Honey Dos". I have been somewhat productive. It has given me plenty of time to ponder while sitting in line at the local dump multiple times through out the week. I am not done, but getting there.
The Queen has spent much of her free time working on various projects. There is a party in the planning.
The Professor completed another year. She has already hit the pavement running for next year. That and she is helping in the party planning.
Tall Man has been busy. We were able to see both Ehl-Bo and him for a brief moment this week. I sounds like work and event planning has been adventurous. He has met with law enforcement more than once this week. Sometimes for work, some times for personal assistance. We are glad they are both safe and that it was not worse than it could have been.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are trying to settle in. I thought it was funny that we were both making the drive back north this week. Their reason was better than mine. They are such good examples of charity. It sounds like Lady Hawkins is finally hearing back from some employment opportunities, we hope that they are successful.
SnackPack has been busy. Work has been beating him up in more ways than one, but he is tough. In his off hours, he has made some investments, heated up the evening skies, participated in more than one pitch invites, and managed to find time to sleep once in a while.
Life is an adventure. It is what you make it.
I hope this post finds you all in good places.
This morning my mind is full as I reflect upon the past week. Sometimes we don't think much has happened, but in reality, there is a great deal that does go on. Most of it is probably in our work places, but there is so much that happens right in front of us. Are we taking full advantage of it? But that is just me telling myself I need to do better.
What has been on your mind? How have you applied the gospel to your life this week? Have you taken the time to ask, listen, and do what the Lord would have you do? These are where my thoughts have been going.
Pondering verses Alma 32:9-11
"Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?-- for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God."
"Behold I say unto, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?"
"And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in the week?"
We come back to the searching question the Zoramites were asking Alma, a prophet. As I ponder upon his words and the beginning of his response I cannot help but expand the questions and wonder why they were asking these questions. I know I talked about this/these questions a couple weeks ago, but they came back to me this week. My mind is full of questions as to why or what was going through their heads.
Where to I start? How many of you feel as the Zoramites? How many of you feel like you are cast out or an out cast? How many of you feel that you don't fit in the cookie cutter mold of your ward/stake? Why is that? Do you feel like no one understands you? Do you feel like you are too old, too young, too tall, too short, not seen, not heard, etc...? Is it that your ward is not fun? Is it that you don't know anyone? Do you feel like people are always judging you? Are there too many distractions? What is the reason for your questions or feeling of being cast out/out cast? What is it that you expect?
Isn't this the question that Alma is asking in return? What is it that you expect? Do you expect that because others are going to church, accepting callings, portraying that they are anxiously engaged, that they are free of the same/similar questions and feelings? Do you expect them to do more for you because they appear to have it together more than you think you do? Or maybe it goes beyond the local leaders. Do you expect more from the General Leaders of the church/synagogue? Does it go beyond them? Do you wonder why, like the Zoramites, that God is not in their lives?
As I have pondered this week, I have become more aware of so many questions like this coming from people I would not expect? I see posts in the news and social media where people are asking this same underlying questions. Some have just cast themselves, not out, but away from God and seek other venues or sources of diversion. I have even found myself asking some of these same questions.
Then I read Alma's response. "...do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?....do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week?..."
Isn't this what our Father in Heaven is saying to us today through his chosen leaders? It is almost like the famous like line of President Kennedy "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for country."
What are you doing?
First personally - are you worshiping God more than once a week? Do you expect Him to be there for you everyday, but you are only there for Him once a week?
Second globally - what are you doing that is any different from the members of your congregation? Do you expect them to do more for you than you are willing to do for them? Are you seeing those who may be feeling the same exact way you are? Are you doing anything to make them feel less than cast out/out cast?
These are questions I have been dwelling upon in my personal life. I have to question whether I am looking out or looking in. Can I do more? Can I do better?
I am grateful for the examples of many around me. They have shown me that I need to look out more than in. I have to be willing to help/serve more than wait to be helped/served.
I am also very much aware that I need to give of myself to God if I expect Him to give himself to me, it is only right. I was talking to SnackPack this week about another verse of ponder that has me thinking more and more along these lines. D&C 90:24
"Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another."
Yep, just more rambling going on in my head. I hope I have not confused you more, but given you something to reflect upon.
Our Week -
It has been a busy one. I have spent week working and trying to do some "Honey Dos". I have been somewhat productive. It has given me plenty of time to ponder while sitting in line at the local dump multiple times through out the week. I am not done, but getting there.
The Queen has spent much of her free time working on various projects. There is a party in the planning.
The Professor completed another year. She has already hit the pavement running for next year. That and she is helping in the party planning.
Tall Man has been busy. We were able to see both Ehl-Bo and him for a brief moment this week. I sounds like work and event planning has been adventurous. He has met with law enforcement more than once this week. Sometimes for work, some times for personal assistance. We are glad they are both safe and that it was not worse than it could have been.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are trying to settle in. I thought it was funny that we were both making the drive back north this week. Their reason was better than mine. They are such good examples of charity. It sounds like Lady Hawkins is finally hearing back from some employment opportunities, we hope that they are successful.
SnackPack has been busy. Work has been beating him up in more ways than one, but he is tough. In his off hours, he has made some investments, heated up the evening skies, participated in more than one pitch invites, and managed to find time to sleep once in a while.
Life is an adventure. It is what you make it.
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