Are we giving due diligence?
Good Morning All,
I know I am way late in posting this week. I apologize, I am still trying to figure out how to juggle my routine. I was a little distracted with the fact that the Queen came home. I will admit, she is my distraction.
But here we are, in the middle of another week. I will avoid touching upon this week and do my best to focus on the week past. Let's start with pondering:
Alma 32:40-43
"And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life."
"But if ye will nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up to everlasting life."
"And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."
"Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you."
I know there is a great deal here. I love how these verses have coincided with our family study this week from Jacob 5. Though the trees are different in reward, they are the similar in many ways. They all require effort on our part.
Verse 40 is a warning, a warning that I see come to pass in so many peoples lives today. If we do not direct our efforts accordingly, we will never be able to enjoy the fruits of JOY that come from everlasting life. How many people today seem to be working hard, but never finding JOY. They put their focus on the things of the world, the views of the world, the justification of the world, yet they never seem to be happy with the results. They find themselves obtaining what the world thinks they should obtain, only to see that the world has changed it's mind and is now seeking something else. Something that is an ever eluding JOY. Something the world can never fully give us.
However the promises that come from verses 41-43 are amazing. Look at the end of verse 42. "...ye shall feast...until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst..." This blessing of JOY does not come without effort. Just as we read in Jacob 5. Just as Alma as taught the Zoramites in Alma 32. Just as all the prophets, past and present, have taught us over and over again. We must be diligent. We must labor. We must exercise faith. We need to be patient.
How many do you know who do not want to labor, they just want it to be given to them? How many want the blessings, but are not willing to put forth the effort? How many feel they are entitled to the fruit because someone else has worked hard, they are related to them, or they think to justify their short comings as reasons why they should not have to labor as hard as others?
This applies to us spiritually as well as temporally. The Lord promises both spiritual and temporal blessings if we will put forth the effort.
I invite you to ponder upon your own efforts. I encourage you to change/repent of those areas where your efforts may be lacking, I know I do each time I study these words of wisdom and counsel. We all should.
Our week -
It was a fast and furious week. I spent half of it on the road. I was a little nervous about living the houses, but I am learning that I need to balance my responsibilities and not let one area of life dominate at all times. Sometimes that it hard.
The Queen wrapped up her training in the Philippines and start her 30+ hour trip home on Thursday morning. I was hoping to meet up with her in Denver, but my flight was delayed. She left around 9 am our time and got home a little after 6 pm on Friday night. I was only a couple hours behind her. It is wonderful to have her home.
The Professor has been working super hard to prepare for the first report card of the year. She is also juggling new job opportunities, Fall Recess, and a conference that she will be returning to the first couple of days back from recess. Everything seems to be due while she is attending the conference.
Tall Man stopped by this week a couple of times. It was nice to be able to work and learn together. It was a little distracting when Lego showed up, but we managed. We were over joyed when Tall Man, Ehl-Bo, and Lego joined us on Sunday evening. Lots of opportunities for all of them it sounds like.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins went on a little adventure. They wanted to see Spook Land down south. It was a bumpy ride, but they made it. We were thrilled that they were able to make in back in time to have dinner with us on Sunday as well.
SnackPack has just gone from one adventure to another. This week I think he did service, camping, movies, birthdays, weddings, work, school, and I am sure much more that I am not even aware of. He plays hard, works hard, and sleeps hard.
I know I am way late in posting this week. I apologize, I am still trying to figure out how to juggle my routine. I was a little distracted with the fact that the Queen came home. I will admit, she is my distraction.
But here we are, in the middle of another week. I will avoid touching upon this week and do my best to focus on the week past. Let's start with pondering:
Alma 32:40-43
"And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life."
"But if ye will nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up to everlasting life."
"And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."
"Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you."
I know there is a great deal here. I love how these verses have coincided with our family study this week from Jacob 5. Though the trees are different in reward, they are the similar in many ways. They all require effort on our part.
Verse 40 is a warning, a warning that I see come to pass in so many peoples lives today. If we do not direct our efforts accordingly, we will never be able to enjoy the fruits of JOY that come from everlasting life. How many people today seem to be working hard, but never finding JOY. They put their focus on the things of the world, the views of the world, the justification of the world, yet they never seem to be happy with the results. They find themselves obtaining what the world thinks they should obtain, only to see that the world has changed it's mind and is now seeking something else. Something that is an ever eluding JOY. Something the world can never fully give us.
However the promises that come from verses 41-43 are amazing. Look at the end of verse 42. "...ye shall feast...until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst..." This blessing of JOY does not come without effort. Just as we read in Jacob 5. Just as Alma as taught the Zoramites in Alma 32. Just as all the prophets, past and present, have taught us over and over again. We must be diligent. We must labor. We must exercise faith. We need to be patient.
How many do you know who do not want to labor, they just want it to be given to them? How many want the blessings, but are not willing to put forth the effort? How many feel they are entitled to the fruit because someone else has worked hard, they are related to them, or they think to justify their short comings as reasons why they should not have to labor as hard as others?
This applies to us spiritually as well as temporally. The Lord promises both spiritual and temporal blessings if we will put forth the effort.
I invite you to ponder upon your own efforts. I encourage you to change/repent of those areas where your efforts may be lacking, I know I do each time I study these words of wisdom and counsel. We all should.
Our week -
It was a fast and furious week. I spent half of it on the road. I was a little nervous about living the houses, but I am learning that I need to balance my responsibilities and not let one area of life dominate at all times. Sometimes that it hard.
The Queen wrapped up her training in the Philippines and start her 30+ hour trip home on Thursday morning. I was hoping to meet up with her in Denver, but my flight was delayed. She left around 9 am our time and got home a little after 6 pm on Friday night. I was only a couple hours behind her. It is wonderful to have her home.
The Professor has been working super hard to prepare for the first report card of the year. She is also juggling new job opportunities, Fall Recess, and a conference that she will be returning to the first couple of days back from recess. Everything seems to be due while she is attending the conference.
Tall Man stopped by this week a couple of times. It was nice to be able to work and learn together. It was a little distracting when Lego showed up, but we managed. We were over joyed when Tall Man, Ehl-Bo, and Lego joined us on Sunday evening. Lots of opportunities for all of them it sounds like.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins went on a little adventure. They wanted to see Spook Land down south. It was a bumpy ride, but they made it. We were thrilled that they were able to make in back in time to have dinner with us on Sunday as well.
SnackPack has just gone from one adventure to another. This week I think he did service, camping, movies, birthdays, weddings, work, school, and I am sure much more that I am not even aware of. He plays hard, works hard, and sleeps hard.
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