Born, again, and again, and again...
Good Morning -
I pray this post finds you all well and sane in the midst of quarantine. I hope that you have been able to receive desired counsel from chosen messengers this weekend as the Holy Ghost speaks to you through personal revelation. I know that my soul has been enlightened. I look forward to further understanding and guidance.
I have been pondering a selection of verses this week in my personal study, John 3:3-5:
"Jesus answered and said unto hi, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
"Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
These are verses we have read, pondered, discussed, and reflected upon many times. Yet this morning, I read them in a different light. Instead of focusing on one singular event as Nicodemus seemed to be doing, I tried to focus on the counsel and messages that have delivered over time. Even this weekend through General Conference.
Our current day prophet, Russell M. Nelson, like prophets of old, has invited us to repent daily, seeking those choices in our lives that will make us better children of God. Isn't that what Christ was saying so many years ago to those seeking his counsel?
In order to enter the kingdom of God, we must exercise Faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, believing that his teachings, commandments, and atoning sacrifice in our behalf will cleanse us from our sins and transgressions. Unfortunately, this is where many stop, they stop at the point of just believing. I believe Christ was asking more than that.
The principles of the gospel continue from Faith to Repentance, both of which are action words. They require effort on our part. This effort is a call of action, goal setting, doing, sometimes failing and trying again, until we obtain the desired result.
This process often requires us to fully immerse ourselves in uncharted waters, humbling submitting not to our own envisioned outcome, but that which our Lord and Savior has envisioned us. We have to pass through trials of fire and spirit to emerge a new born creature with a changed heart.
The question then arises, "Then what?" We start again. It is not a singular event, it is an life long commitment. It is a pattern of life, not a destination. Didn't Alma ask how many had once received and felt that change of heart? That burning and cleansing power of the spirit that gives us hope of being better. Then he asked again, do you feel so now? or in other words, are you continuing on this path of betterment? Are we building upon the Hope received, moving forward in Faith of what we have learned, striving to Repent anew, fully Immersing ourselves in the Waters of re-birth, that through the Fires of Trial, Change, Adversity, and just simply Mortal Life, we are Cleansed through power and strength of the Holy Spirit a new being, ready to move forward to the next stepping stone towards God's Kingdom.
Have you heard this counsel this weekend? What is the next stepping stone of re-birth the Holy Ghost is asking you to immerse your self in through the act of daily repentance and exercising your personal faith?
Hear Him! He is there to guide, support, and lift as you come to Him for counsel and strength.
I hope my rambling makes sense, it has been very clear to me.
Our Week -
We have been in Quarantine. For us, like you, it is a new adventure. The Queen's hours and job performance has changed almost daily. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. I joined her in her adventures of new things this week and tried the Flex. It was an adventure I am glad I had her with me on. Hopefully it will get easier over time. We both learned a great deal.
The Professor is learning new things, trying new things, and helping others along the way.
Tall Man has taken on the role of Instructor the past couple of weekends. We have missed seeing the three of them, but know it is for safety. We are hoping to be on the mend that we can catch up soon.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins survived our mundane lifestyle and progressed to bigger adventures. We miss having them around.
SnackPack is makes adjustments on a daily basis. He has been grateful for the small opportunities to see people on a small scale, the isolation has been wearisome, as I am sure you are all aware.
I pray this post finds you all well and sane in the midst of quarantine. I hope that you have been able to receive desired counsel from chosen messengers this weekend as the Holy Ghost speaks to you through personal revelation. I know that my soul has been enlightened. I look forward to further understanding and guidance.
I have been pondering a selection of verses this week in my personal study, John 3:3-5:
"Jesus answered and said unto hi, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
"Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
These are verses we have read, pondered, discussed, and reflected upon many times. Yet this morning, I read them in a different light. Instead of focusing on one singular event as Nicodemus seemed to be doing, I tried to focus on the counsel and messages that have delivered over time. Even this weekend through General Conference.
Our current day prophet, Russell M. Nelson, like prophets of old, has invited us to repent daily, seeking those choices in our lives that will make us better children of God. Isn't that what Christ was saying so many years ago to those seeking his counsel?
In order to enter the kingdom of God, we must exercise Faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, believing that his teachings, commandments, and atoning sacrifice in our behalf will cleanse us from our sins and transgressions. Unfortunately, this is where many stop, they stop at the point of just believing. I believe Christ was asking more than that.
The principles of the gospel continue from Faith to Repentance, both of which are action words. They require effort on our part. This effort is a call of action, goal setting, doing, sometimes failing and trying again, until we obtain the desired result.
This process often requires us to fully immerse ourselves in uncharted waters, humbling submitting not to our own envisioned outcome, but that which our Lord and Savior has envisioned us. We have to pass through trials of fire and spirit to emerge a new born creature with a changed heart.
The question then arises, "Then what?" We start again. It is not a singular event, it is an life long commitment. It is a pattern of life, not a destination. Didn't Alma ask how many had once received and felt that change of heart? That burning and cleansing power of the spirit that gives us hope of being better. Then he asked again, do you feel so now? or in other words, are you continuing on this path of betterment? Are we building upon the Hope received, moving forward in Faith of what we have learned, striving to Repent anew, fully Immersing ourselves in the Waters of re-birth, that through the Fires of Trial, Change, Adversity, and just simply Mortal Life, we are Cleansed through power and strength of the Holy Spirit a new being, ready to move forward to the next stepping stone towards God's Kingdom.
Have you heard this counsel this weekend? What is the next stepping stone of re-birth the Holy Ghost is asking you to immerse your self in through the act of daily repentance and exercising your personal faith?
Hear Him! He is there to guide, support, and lift as you come to Him for counsel and strength.
I hope my rambling makes sense, it has been very clear to me.
Our Week -
We have been in Quarantine. For us, like you, it is a new adventure. The Queen's hours and job performance has changed almost daily. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. I joined her in her adventures of new things this week and tried the Flex. It was an adventure I am glad I had her with me on. Hopefully it will get easier over time. We both learned a great deal.
The Professor is learning new things, trying new things, and helping others along the way.
Tall Man has taken on the role of Instructor the past couple of weekends. We have missed seeing the three of them, but know it is for safety. We are hoping to be on the mend that we can catch up soon.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins survived our mundane lifestyle and progressed to bigger adventures. We miss having them around.
SnackPack is makes adjustments on a daily basis. He has been grateful for the small opportunities to see people on a small scale, the isolation has been wearisome, as I am sure you are all aware.
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