I have been the last one to post the last few weeks. So I wanted to start early this week. As I ponderize this weeks scripture I was struck by the words "if ye have experienced a change of heart". The doctrine Alam is trying to teach these people, and in turn all of us hinges on this point. It's not just if we have experienced a change of our hearts; our "natural man" hearts, but it is if we recognize that change. Are we aware of the spirit working on us do we recognize our Heavenly Father. Recognition of Him is the start of the journey. Without that we are lost. I have meet people who are looking for something. They could not find it, until they found the church. Then the feel the spirit, and recognize it. Then they make changes to there lives and make covenants. But the recognition of change is critical. It is the catalyst to the action of change.
The words that keep coming to me this week are "can you feel so now?" I have had times in my life where I have recognized and felt the spirit, and other times where I have been lazy about living the gospel- not doing all that I should. The key is recognizing when this happens, and making the changes Will referred to so that we can continue to have our hearts changed and "sing the song of redeeming love" to share the joy and spirit of the atonement with others around us.
The word "song" also stuck out to me, maybe because I'm getting excited for Christmas Music Season. A song that gets stuck in your head is repeated over and over, and you can't forget it. If we think of the gospel, or the way we live it- hopefully it becomes a song that is repeated over and over again in our lives, so much that it becomes part of who we are. Also- nothing brings the spirit more quickly than music.
As I look back over my life the past few months, things have been very difficult. Brittney barely has any contact with us and doesn't trust me anymore, a teacher I used to work with committed suicide, Al is struggling with the church right now, things with school are intense and busy, and my seminary class seems to be falling apart. Despite all of these things that worry me- I keep hearing the song of the gospel as it changes my heart to love those I care about and try to see them for who they are and not judge them by their choices. Thank heavens Bree is my sunshine! Hey- that's a song too "There is sunshine in my soul today!"
Here's some words from the 2nd verse of that hymn that have been especially comforting to me lately:
"There is music in my soul today, a carol to my King, And Jesus listening can hear, the songs I can not sing"
He knows our hearts desires and hears the prayers we don't even have the heart to utter.
I was really touched by your last line in your post. So true, sometimes there it just seems like there isn't away for express what we feel. Prayers are with you during these hard times. Thanks for sharing so I can offer up specific prayers in behalf of your family. Though we're far apart our thoughts are not far from you.
So as I was pondering on this verse this week I was thinking about my talent that I have to sing and how it applies to this scripture I want to echo the message of singing the redeeming love of the Savior Jesus Christ too. I love this verse a lot and I love the talks about singing about his love in our life's. So those are my thoughts for this week !
My thoughts have really focused in on the word "change." In looking at other scriptures I was lead to this definition of Repentance:
The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God.
Have your experienced a repentant heart? Elder Oaks said "When things don't change, they stay the same." More often it is up to us to realize that change needed. Some of us are harder on ourselves that we should be, but Elder Holland words also bring great comfort to us as we think about embracing the change/repentant heart.
"Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don't expect it and often feel they don't deserve it."
Once we find His mercy, then we find the "songs of redeeming love" that lift us up and change us. Do we feel this everyday? Embrace the change
This is one of those self evaluation scriptures. Alma used it to remind the members to take a look at themselves. They and we have experienced the change of heart, but can we keep singing...even on the bad days? I don't sing that well even on great days, but when I hear you singing it makes evev my bad days good. Maybe that is another reason this weekly ponderings are so good. If you are listening right now you just might be able to hear me singing of my love for each of you. Dad
A change of heart isn't really a change of heart unless you have changed for a life time. If you go back and do the same things again later then you only changed to fit an occasion. John is having a change of heart. He told us that watching Pres Monson deliver his conference talk he really felt the Spirit. He said he knows now he is a prophet of God. John says he knows he never wants to go back to prison. We hope this is a per enact change of heart and he never has the desire to do evil again. Mom
I have been the last one to post the last few weeks. So I wanted to start early this week. As I ponderize this weeks scripture I was struck by the words "if ye have experienced a change of heart". The doctrine Alam is trying to teach these people, and in turn all of us hinges on this point. It's not just if we have experienced a change of our hearts; our "natural man" hearts, but it is if we recognize that change. Are we aware of the spirit working on us do we recognize our Heavenly Father. Recognition of Him is the start of the journey. Without that we are lost. I have meet people who are looking for something. They could not find it, until they found the church. Then the feel the spirit, and recognize it. Then they make changes to there lives and make covenants. But the recognition of change is critical. It is the catalyst to the action of change.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being first Will!
ReplyDeleteThe words that keep coming to me this week are "can you feel so now?" I have had times in my life where I have recognized and felt the spirit, and other times where I have been lazy about living the gospel- not doing all that I should. The key is recognizing when this happens, and making the changes Will referred to so that we can continue to have our hearts changed and "sing the song of redeeming love" to share the joy and spirit of the atonement with others around us.
The word "song" also stuck out to me, maybe because I'm getting excited for Christmas Music Season. A song that gets stuck in your head is repeated over and over, and you can't forget it. If we think of the gospel, or the way we live it- hopefully it becomes a song that is repeated over and over again in our lives, so much that it becomes part of who we are. Also- nothing brings the spirit more quickly than music.
As I look back over my life the past few months, things have been very difficult. Brittney barely has any contact with us and doesn't trust me anymore, a teacher I used to work with committed suicide, Al is struggling with the church right now, things with school are intense and busy, and my seminary class seems to be falling apart. Despite all of these things that worry me- I keep hearing the song of the gospel as it changes my heart to love those I care about and try to see them for who they are and not judge them by their choices. Thank heavens Bree is my sunshine! Hey- that's a song too "There is sunshine in my soul today!"
Here's some words from the 2nd verse of that hymn that have been especially comforting to me lately:
"There is music in my soul today, a carol to my King,
And Jesus listening can hear, the songs I can not sing"
He knows our hearts desires and hears the prayers we don't even have the heart to utter.
I was really touched by your last line in your post. So true, sometimes there it just seems like there isn't away for express what we feel. Prayers are with you during these hard times. Thanks for sharing so I can offer up specific prayers in behalf of your family. Though we're far apart our thoughts are not far from you.
DeleteThanks Emm- even though things have been hard- I have still felt some peace, hope and joy
DeleteSo as I was pondering on this verse this week I was thinking about my talent that I have to sing and how it applies to this scripture I want to echo the message of singing the redeeming love of the Savior Jesus Christ too. I love this verse a lot and I love the talks about singing about his love in our life's. So those are my thoughts for this week !
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts have really focused in on the word "change." In looking at other scriptures I was lead to this definition of Repentance:
ReplyDeleteThe Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God.
Have your experienced a repentant heart? Elder Oaks said "When things don't change, they stay the same." More often it is up to us to realize that change needed. Some of us are harder on ourselves that we should be, but Elder Holland words also bring great comfort to us as we think about embracing the change/repentant heart.
"Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don't expect it and often feel they don't deserve it."
Once we find His mercy, then we find the "songs of redeeming love" that lift us up and change us. Do we feel this everyday? Embrace the change
This is one of those self evaluation scriptures. Alma used it to remind the members to take a look at themselves. They and we have experienced the change of heart, but can we keep singing...even on the bad days? I don't sing that well even on great days, but when I hear you singing it makes evev my bad days good. Maybe that is another reason this weekly ponderings are so good. If you are listening right now you just might be able to hear me singing of my love for each of you.
ReplyDeleteDad
A change of heart isn't really a change of heart unless you have changed for a life time. If you go back and do the same things again later then you only changed to fit an occasion. John is having a change of heart. He told us that watching Pres Monson deliver his conference talk he really felt the Spirit. He said he knows now he is a prophet of God. John says he knows he never wants to go back to prison. We hope this is a per enact change of heart and he never has the desire to do evil again.
ReplyDeleteMom