The more time we spend studying, praying, going to the temple and doing service the more we come to know our Savior. He is the source of all light and knowledge in this world. The more we spend time doing missionary work or teaching seminary or preparing lessons for church the more we learn about our Savior and how to be like him. It doesn't happen in a day or a year, but is a life time pursuit. As we become closer to Christ he comes closer to us, giving us more promptings, and inspiration. We begin to think like he would and do the things he would and say the things he would if he was her personally. That is when we truly like Moses can be called a friend of Christ.
Well- mom probably knows Christ better than any of us then! (see her comments)
This week I was thinking of how this scripture captures the true meaning of Christmas. People always talk about "Peace on Earth" at this time of year- but the only way to truly get peace in our lives is to know the savior.
I had the opportunity to hear Elder Holland speak to the women in the Atlanta area this past week. He didn't have a talk prepared, or an agenda. He had just been praying about what to say to us and reading over questions that were submitted to get an idea of things to say to help those he would speak to. The more he talked, the more I could tell that he really knew Christ personally- he is called to bear His witness. As he would talk, at certain points he would get really stern and talk loudly when ever he would testify of a gospel principle. Then a change would come over him and he would be calm and joke around a bit again. (Kind of like President Hinckley used to do) The way he expressed his love for each of us and the love that Heavenly Father and our Savior has for us was profound.
Elder Holland talked a lot about enduring to the end, and left us all with an apostolic blessing that if we prayed, served, and watched over those we love as well as hold true to our covenants that those we care about at some point in their lives would be blessed and protected because of our efforts.
That's why I still get up at 4:30 am each day to prepare seminary lessons for kids who don't come and don't care, that is why I go to the temple by myself, that is why I send text messages to my family with a spiritual thought each day because they have no interest in having scripture study with me, that is why I stay for all 3 hours of church by myself sometimes. It's because I want those I love and serve to have the blessings of Christ bring them peace, even though I may never see or know about it.
My school has a motto: "Not for ourselves, but for others." That's kind of how I try to live my life, that's how the Savior lived His, and that's how we come to know him and have peace.
As I thought about this scripture I was first stuck on the phrase acquaint they self. How do we get to know Him. We need to try to be like him. He went about doing good. He was selfless. Mom hit it on the head about doing good works. Faith is a vehicle of action. So if you want to be like him you can't do it from the couch. To live his word is to do his work. Then phrase be "at peace". As I thought about that phrase it hit me that the "peace" is open to personal interpretation. Is it peace of mind that your eternal destination is set? Like walking in to a test knowing that you have done all you can do be fire taking it. Or do you see it as peace, I can now rest. I have given everything to serve now I can rest "peace be still". Or does it mean to you the peace that comes to a job well done. Maybe you see it as the peace that comes when you help others. I could go on and on. May I propose, that as you come to know Him you will find the peace you need at that time, because he is prince of peace. He knows how to sucker his people.
Weekly I stand in awe of the scriptures you pick and your comments. I am truly a blessed father to have children who have become personally acquainted with the Savior. Acquaint, peace, and good are the operative words in this scripture. We all seem to become more acquainted with our Heavenly Father and the Savior in our times of trial. The peace that then follows is not the peace of the world, but that peace Will mentioned. "My peace I give unto; not as the world giveth...." He never said our trials will go away, but there would be peace. That peace can calm the troubled mind and sooth the aching heart. It can also renew our strength of body and spirit. In short, the good that comes from being acquainted with Him and the peace He provides allows us to keep going when it would be easier to quit.
I hope as you read the ponderings of your siblings each week you reflect upon just how blessed we all are to have each other during this mortal existence. Please, please include each other in your prayers. "The prayers of a righteous man availeth much." Your personal acquaintance with God may help bring the peace needed by your brother or sister. You may be the instrument of peace that will bring good to an aching heart for Jen, Lissa, Riah, Will, Emm, or John. My prayer is for each of you to have peace and good during this season when we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. DAD
With the holiday season I have been thinking much about the birth of the Savior. My thoughts always drift over to my kids. It's a pain that I would rather not repeat over again, and I can't really forget how painful it was. But what trumps all that pain is the the first time I got to hold that little baby in my arms. Words cannot describe the joy and peace that comes in that moment in time.
Anyhow.. thoughts were more likened to Dad. It seems like the trials help us become more acquainted with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I am sure we can all list numerous experiences that brought us closer to God. I wish I could do better at becoming more acquainted with them without the trials. But then again there is something that happens to us that refines us during the trial and we become partakers of the "balm in gilead" (to make the wounded whole). When we take the time to look back it doesn't take long to cherish the change that came to us. It is a peace we cannot give, but he truly is the giver of peace to make us whole once again.
The more time we spend studying, praying, going to the temple and doing service the more we come to know our Savior. He is the source of all light and knowledge in this world. The more we spend time doing missionary work or teaching seminary or preparing lessons for church the more we learn about our Savior and how to be like him. It doesn't happen in a day or a year, but is a life time pursuit. As we become closer to Christ he comes closer to us, giving us more promptings, and inspiration. We begin to think like he would and do the things he would and say the things he would if he was her personally. That is when we truly like Moses can be called a friend of Christ.
ReplyDeleteWell- mom probably knows Christ better than any of us then! (see her comments)
ReplyDeleteThis week I was thinking of how this scripture captures the true meaning of Christmas. People always talk about "Peace on Earth" at this time of year- but the only way to truly get peace in our lives is to know the savior.
I had the opportunity to hear Elder Holland speak to the women in the Atlanta area this past week. He didn't have a talk prepared, or an agenda. He had just been praying about what to say to us and reading over questions that were submitted to get an idea of things to say to help those he would speak to. The more he talked, the more I could tell that he really knew Christ personally- he is called to bear His witness. As he would talk, at certain points he would get really stern and talk loudly when ever he would testify of a gospel principle. Then a change would come over him and he would be calm and joke around a bit again. (Kind of like President Hinckley used to do) The way he expressed his love for each of us and the love that Heavenly Father and our Savior has for us was profound.
Elder Holland talked a lot about enduring to the end, and left us all with an apostolic blessing that if we prayed, served, and watched over those we love as well as hold true to our covenants that those we care about at some point in their lives would be blessed and protected because of our efforts.
That's why I still get up at 4:30 am each day to prepare seminary lessons for kids who don't come and don't care, that is why I go to the temple by myself, that is why I send text messages to my family with a spiritual thought each day because they have no interest in having scripture study with me, that is why I stay for all 3 hours of church by myself sometimes. It's because I want those I love and serve to have the blessings of Christ bring them peace, even though I may never see or know about it.
My school has a motto: "Not for ourselves, but for others." That's kind of how I try to live my life, that's how the Savior lived His, and that's how we come to know him and have peace.
As I thought about this scripture I was first stuck on the phrase acquaint they self. How do we get to know Him. We need to try to be like him. He went about doing good. He was selfless. Mom hit it on the head about doing good works. Faith is a vehicle of action. So if you want to be like him you can't do it from the couch. To live his word is to do his work. Then phrase be "at peace". As I thought about that phrase it hit me that the "peace" is open to personal interpretation. Is it peace of mind that your eternal destination is set? Like walking in to a test knowing that you have done all you can do be fire taking it. Or do you see it as peace, I can now rest. I have given everything to serve now I can rest "peace be still". Or does it mean to you the peace that comes to a job well done. Maybe you see it as the peace that comes when you help others. I could go on and on. May I propose, that as you come to know Him you will find the peace you need at that time, because he is prince of peace. He knows how to sucker his people.
ReplyDeleteWeekly I stand in awe of the scriptures you pick and your comments. I am truly a blessed father to have children who have become personally acquainted with the Savior. Acquaint, peace, and good are the operative words in this scripture. We all seem to become more acquainted with our Heavenly Father and the Savior in our times of trial. The peace that then follows is not the peace of the world, but that peace Will mentioned. "My peace I give unto; not as the world giveth...." He never said our trials will go away, but there would be peace. That peace can calm the troubled mind and sooth the aching heart. It can also renew our strength of body and spirit. In short, the good that comes from being acquainted with Him and the peace He provides allows us to keep going when it would be easier to quit.
ReplyDeleteI hope as you read the ponderings of your siblings each week you reflect upon just how blessed we all are to have each other during this mortal existence. Please, please include each other in your prayers. "The prayers of a righteous man availeth much." Your personal acquaintance with God may help bring the peace needed by your brother or sister. You may be the instrument of peace that will bring good to an aching heart for Jen, Lissa, Riah, Will, Emm, or John. My prayer is for each of you to have peace and good during this season when we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. DAD
With the holiday season I have been thinking much about the birth of the Savior. My thoughts always drift over to my kids. It's a pain that I would rather not repeat over again, and I can't really forget how painful it was. But what trumps all that pain is the the first time I got to hold that little baby in my arms. Words cannot describe the joy and peace that comes in that moment in time.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow.. thoughts were more likened to Dad. It seems like the trials help us become more acquainted with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I am sure we can all list numerous experiences that brought us closer to God. I wish I could do better at becoming more acquainted with them without the trials. But then again there is something that happens to us that refines us during the trial and we become partakers of the "balm in gilead" (to make the wounded whole). When we take the time to look back it doesn't take long to cherish the change that came to us. It is a peace we cannot give, but he truly is the giver of peace to make us whole once again.
I love this scripture very much and I hope we can apply it to our life's. Have a great week !
ReplyDeleteMariah sparrow