Do I Really?

We are challenged to daily evolve and become more Christ like in our natures, our decisions, our life.  I use the word evolve because the change that takes place in us as we choose to become Christlike is a growth.  It is a time-consuming event that does not happen in one day but over time as we strengthen our testimonies and desires to life the Gospel.

As I sat in preparation for this weeks blog I thought to my self, what can I say to those who read that will make an impact that may help them in their lives, and what can I study for myself that I too will grow and be better and strengthen.  I watched last night an episode on CNN called finding Christ.  This episode discussed Judas and his betrayal to the Lord, but it also brought note of the great love Christ had for Judas even in knowing that he was betrayed.  It made me think of when Christ was on the cross.  There were many who treated him so badly, and his heart and mind as well as his body must have surely been hurt to the point of unbearable grief, yet his prayer was forgive them father for they know not what they do.  Is it not also true in our everyday lives, that there are many who know not what they do, for one can hardly know without a true testimony.  Even those among us including ourselves, most likely know not what we do until a lesson is taught to us and we then gain a missing perspective.  This thinking led me to  View Matthew 5:

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitfully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect"

So I asked myself, "who are mine enemies?"  and I knew immediately who they were for I have struggled with them greatly.

I don't hate my enemies on the contrary I love them, very much so, yet I am afraid of them for the pain they cause me is unbearable.  My enemies are someone I gave my heart to and trusted and accepted as my family, they are someone whom I loved and would do anything for; yet they curse me, and hate me, they lie about me and to me, they hurt my children and family, they make me feel like trash, and when they are near I am lowly to the point of physically keeping my head bowed while sitting in a corner, and I, I am afraid of them. Even at my age of 49 I feel as if I am being bullied and backed into a corner.  Yet my prayers are for them, they are for us both.  I wish them no harm and truly pray for their needs yet I can't talk to them and be around them so I asked myself, " am I truly loving my enemies?"

I read in 1 Samuel 25,  where David demonstrated that he would be kind to Saul, who had tried to kill him then later David and his men asked for some supplies from a man named Nabal; Nabal treated them rudely. In response, David and his men prepared to attack. Nabal’s wife, Abigail, heard about what was happening and acted wisely to keep David from attacking and killing her husband. In the process, David realized his revengeful actions were not right. A short time later, Nabal died and the problem was solved anyway. After Nabal’s death, David married Abigail as one of his wives.

Then I was listening to a conference talk by Howard W Hunter where he said: “How are we supposed to act when we are offended, misunderstood, unfairly or unkindly treated, or sinned against? What are we supposed to do if we are hurt by those we love, or are passed over for promotion, or are falsely accused, or have our motives unfairly assailed?“Do we fight back? Do we send an ever-larger battalion? Do we revert to an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, or … do we come to the realization that this finally leaves us blind and toothless?” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 23; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 18).

After reading these I realized that I was not so bad, I wished them no harm, I do them no wrong, If they call or need me I am there, and I say nothing about the hurt, pan and anguish.  When I have to see them or they are in need of my help, I always hope that this is the time when things shall pass and we can once again be family.  So yes I say that I do love my enemies but am I wrong because I can't be around them, because I don't call them or visit them, as when I do things go south in a hurry; so I further studied. 
I decided to visit the church website lds.org, and I put in the search engine Bullying.  I did this because I do feel, even at my age, that I have been bullied and it does continue on certain levels.  I have been a victim of bullying since grade school so I am no newcomer to it and the feelings are the same, so I thought there might be some insight with this search.  What I found made me know that the spirit does work and talk to us in all answers we desire. 

The article I read had advice on what to do if your being bullied, and though geared for youth I felt it was most important in adult life too.  It says, "if your being bullied to try to appear calm and confident. Try not to react, because a reaction is what most bullies are hoping for. First try to simply walk away.  To walk away from trouble is not a sign of weakness."  By this I felt that I am not wrong in staying away, I am simply avoiding explosive, hurtful situations that can cause more trouble.  When needed I am there and act in a loving Christlike manner to the best of my ability, but I try to avoid all situations that have the potential to be bad.  So in this sense I feel that yes I do love my enemies but can I do better?  The next section I read answered my question. 

Forgiving a bully does not mean thinking that what he or she did was okay. Nor does it mean you shouldn’t stick up for yourself or that you should pretend the bullying never happened. Forgiving does mean letting go of feelings of bitterness and anger—feelings that will damage you far more than they will affect the bully. The Lord said, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:10).

And so I had my answer.  I need to let go of the hurt and pain, that's where my fault lies.  The bitterness at what was done to me and still continues to be done to me is so hurtful and I've held onto that hurt for far too long.  If I am truly going to follow Christ as I wish to do, then I must let it go and Let God.......

I must rely on the Savior. His love, and the knowledge that I am a child of Heavenly Father, is my greatest source of self-worth. The Savior knows what it’s like to be beaten and spit upon, but He never forgot who He is—the Son of God. Because of the Atonement, He understands perfectly the hurt I feel, and He can heal me. And now my prayers will indeed be for that healing. 

Not only though, will my prayers be for my own healing but they will be also for my enemies healing and for me to be a better Christian.  It will be my prayer that I will hopefully never hurt anyone as I have been hurt and that I will be more mindful of myself while working and living in the world in terms of how I act, what I say and what I do.  We are in the last days after all, and satan is at his best; it is my prayer that we lean not to his cunning ways. 

“It should come as no surprise that one of the adversary’s tactics in the latter days is stirring up hatred among the children of men. He loves to see us criticize each other, make fun or take advantage of our neighbor’s known flaws, and generally pick on each other. …

“When we truly become converted to Jesus Christ, committed to Him, an interesting thing happens: our attention turns to the welfare of our fellow-man, and the way we treat others becomes increasingly filled with patience, kindness, a gentle acceptance, and a desire to play a positive role in their lives.” —Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915–94), of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword,” Ensign , May 1992, 19, 20.

Today my new leaf turns and my prayers being for healing, and as I heal I hope they too will heal.  For you my friends that are reading, I wish you the same, rely on the savior for all your needs.  Let us strive daily to become more like our Savior.  Just imagine what the world will be like when we all do.....

With Love,

Dixie Dawn

Just Listen

I Was Just Thinking.....

I was thinking last week that I needed to write a blog entitled "Mormon Dictionary" Because although we as Mormons share with other Christian faiths a vocabulary of biblical terms, we also have a diverse language of our own and sometimes even those who are members don't fully understand some meanings.   I would include those words and phrases that are very and most times uniquely Latter-Day Saint that sometimes have a more in-depth meaning such as free agency, foreordination, plan of salvation, patriarchal blessing, and my personal favorite eternal perspective.

I chose eternal perspective as my favorite "Mormon word" because even the flow of it from the mouth seems to ring out a sound of hope and escape from a world of death and pain.  We are taught, as we come to baptism and membership in the church to think not worldly, or presently, but eternally; that we might develop an eternal perspective to comfort and strengthen us in our daily living until our work upon this earth is done.  How peaceful the thought.... life is not just today or tomorrow, it is, forever....

After thinking about that, and how those two words seem to flow into one, I googled the word perspective just to see what came up and this is what particularly struck me of the several definitions:  "Perspective, a true understanding of the relative importance of things..."  Then I googled the word eternal and got " valid for all time; essentially unchanging..." If we put the two meanings together to fit our word we have, "eternal perspective: a true understanding of the relative importance of things that are unchanging, and valid for all time."  Next I "Mormoniszed it and this is what wI came up with: "eternal perspective: a true understanding and knowledge of the relative importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is unchanging and valid for all time."  I say then that this is not only a beautiful Mormon word, but indeed a very important one, one that stems from our core.

As Latter-day saints we belive in forever, and as we grow in our knowledge of the gospel,  it should be our goal to conduct our lives on earth in a forever manner.  Eternal life, when considering an eternal perspective is the greatest of all gifts from God.  It is reserved for those who believe and obey.  It is our hope of a better life to come that enables us to stand against the trials and temptations of the world.  When we gain an eternal perspective of where we come from, why we are here and what lies ahead, we are able to better govern our choices while here on earth.

After pondering these things and this word I'd chosen as my favorite, I thought about myself.  When Sunday comes I am in that thinking mode.  Its time to keep the day holy, to make good choices, to ready myself for spiritual enlightenment.  I gear up for a day of service and love and make my choices based on the eternal principles that I know to be true.  But, what about the rest of the week.  What is it like when I walk out of this building following the meetings and go out into the world to make preparing ourselves to return to Heavenly Father.  What are my thoughts like when faced with decision-making throughout the work week. When faced with big challenges and choices I always remember what I've learned.  I  call upon the Lord and fast and pray and find a way with the help of the Savior to make the right decision, one that will have a positive impact not only in this life but the life to come.   My question for myself then was what about the other choices, how do I react in my day-to-day interactions, are the choices I make, even the little ones,  in keeping with that eternal perspective?  It as while thinking about this and searching and studying that I found a story.....

A certain man, having lived a long and productive life, was getting ready to meet his Maker. One night he had a dream during which he was told that because he had been generous with his considerable worldly wealth he would be permitted to take his most valued possession with him when he passed on to the other world. The next morning, the old man set out to put his affairs in order. He liquidated his assets and gave half of all he had to charities and other good purposes. The other half he had converted into gold bars. Upon his death, Saint Peter met him and welcomed him to his new home. But when he noticed the large and heavy bag that the man was carrying, Saint Peter reminded him that no one could bring any earthly goods with them to this place. The old man described his dream and indicated that he had been given special permission to bring this treasure with him.  “Okay,” said Saint Peter, “if you have permission. But may I see what you chose as your greatest treasure?” When Saint Peter looked into the bag, he stepped back in amazement and questioned, “For your treasure you brought pavement?”

This story is all about how things can be seen while here on earth.  And when thinking about it are we at many times not unlike this man waiting at the pearly gates with his bags of gold.  As humans, we tend sometimes, to cling to things and ideas that seem so valuable and important, yet in the end, may really be quite worthless.  It is very important that we not assume the perspectives of mortality in making decisions that bear our eternity. We need to understand that we cannot do the Lord's work in the worlds way.  If we really believe that God is real, it should begin to change, or determine all of our thinking, and even the small choices can begin to be made with an eternal perspective.

The scriptures can teach us so much about keeping an eternal perspective in our day-to-day interactions and one story that sticks out in my mind is that of Esau in Genesis Chapter 25.  When reading about him, we learn that arriving home one day from a hunting expedition, a famished Esau longed for his brother’s food. “Feed me, I pray thee,” Esau pled (Gen. 25:30). Jacob agreed, but for a price: his brother’s birthright. The scripture says, “Esau despised his birthright” (Gen. 25:34).  and he says, upon request to sell it, "Behold I am at the point to die, what profit shall this birthright do to me?"  If by this Esau saw his birth right as pertaining only to this life, he did not have an eternal perspective which then influenced his choice most negatively.  So let us then ask ourselves daily, are we too selling our birthright with our choices?  Do we have an eternal perspective and does it influence all of our choices, or do we fall for the things of the world forgetting the Lord?

When we remember the Lord and keep the end goal im mind we gain great blessings, gifts and strength.  Daily as we choose with an eternal perspective, we will be blessed and comforted.  We will gain respect for the integrity of our steadfastness in gospel center choices such as not cursing, choosing our activities with care, and watching our temper.  We will have better health in living the word of wisdom, we will gain a personal peace in making and keeping sacred covenants with temple attendance,  Our homes will be a haven as we make them a place where the Lord can dwell.  The service we give to others through magnifying our church callings or otherwise will bring us knowledge and healing.  And Temporal trials, set backs or struggles become an opportunity to develop soul power.  In keeping an eternal perspective with our choices we gain great strength and forge through adversity developing faith that is life changing, that is strong and forever.
As most of you know I have identified myself as a connoisseur of trials.  I have personally lived through struggles that I belive no one should have to go through,  and that I thought I would never survive but when keeping my thoughts upon eternity my choices through these times became different from that of the world and I did survive, in fact I am a new person today because of them.  I really don't want to live through those trials again, but I am truly grateful for the teaching they gave me on keeping my eyes upon eternity always.  Now, my goal is to make my everyday choices even better and to treat them as I do the big things and make a choice based upon eternalness.  When I get cut off in Dallas traffic, when I work with someone who is difficult, when I am aggravated with things at home, when I am faced with temptations of being lax or lazy, when I am depressed and broken-hearted over the challenges of life, It will be my goal to remember to make the choices for the day, for the moment, with an eternal perspective; to choose the right, to choose for eternity and not the world.

It is my desire today, that your favorite Mormon word might to become eternal perspective.  That we may all become more determined to live by Heavenly Father's plan using our moral agency to make decisions based on truth and not on worldly standards.  That as we all draw farther from worldliness we will feel closer to Father in Heaven and more able to be guided by his spirit.

President Spencer W Kimball said, : If we live in such a way that the considerations of eternity press upon us, we will make better decisions."

My prayer is that not one of us will show up with pavement....

With Love, Dixie

Not as Bad as You Think

Repentance, that is always a scary word it seems.  People fear it, others, in place of fear become angry with it.  Some accusingly see it as a religious control tactic, and others believe that if there is a real punishment for sin its through a simple confession or prayer and then God will simply beat us with a few stripes after which we will be saved in the kingdom forever.    I believe however, that when a person develops true faith, faith in Jesus Christ; they begin to see things in a different light.  I believe real sincere faith in a person will bring them to a point where they want to be different, where they want to be like Christ; so repentance then, becomes viewed differently.  It becomes seen not as a scary thing or matter of a checklist and Sunday confession after a party weekend.  It becomes rather an opportunity of choice, a gift, and that is what it became for me.

Thought for the day:  “Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration.” – D Todd Christofferson

What is repentance?  The Guide to Scriptures gives us this definition:  “A change of mind and heart that brings a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general. Repentance implies that a person turns away from evil and turns his heart and will to God, submitting to God’s commandments and desires and forsaking sin. True repentance comes from a love for God and a sincere desire to obey his commandments. All accountable persons have sinned and must repent in order to progress toward salvation. Only through the atonement of Jesus Christ can our repentance become effective and accepted by God.”

Why repentance?  We come to earth for the purpose of growing and progressing. This is a lifelong process. During this time that we are here on earth,  we all sin. We all have need to repent. Sometimes we sin because of ignorance, sometimes because of our weaknesses, and sometimes because of willful disobedience. In the Bible we read that “there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” and that “if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” Romans 3:23  Ecclesiastes 7:20  1 John 1:8. When we die, we will be returned to the presence of God Alma 40:11.  Thus we need repentance for “no unclean thing can dwell with God”.

I like to think of myself as a “just man”.  I never did harm, not intentionally I only wanted to do good.  Yet in my life there were times that I did sin.  Sometimes it was because of ignorance, sometimes it was due to weakness, and at other times it was pure wilful disobedience.  Even so, the more I developed faith, a testimony of the gospel and true love for Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ, the more I hated my choices, and I just couldn’t live with myself knowing that even though I had a change of heart and no longer made those choices or lived that lifestyle; still they lurked in the corners of my mind and around every bend I turned.  They brought upon my soul great grief and I was terribly troubled as I ministered to family members and friends sharing with them the Gospel.

I remember exactly when it began,  that I knew my good intentions were not enough; it was the day my husband was baptized.  As I watched him being immersed in the water, I found myself wishing it was me, wishing I could be new, that I could be rid of all that followed me, wishing that I could be the daughter of God I so desired and strived to be. I was active in the church, one hundred percent or more.  I lived the lifestyle of a Latter-day saint and I encouraged and begged my children and family to do the same.  I went so far as to bribe my oldest son, who was not living at home, with gas money.  If he would just please come to the baptism and support my husband whom we all loved, I would give him gas money for his car.  The baptism proved to be a very spiritual time for all of us but none more than my son I think, for when he came to me after the service to get his money,  he was crying.  I asked him what was wrong but he couldn’t talk, he just gave me a hug took his money and left.  Later on that evening he came to talk to me, about church.  He said he felt something that he’d never felt before and it burned within him, he believed, and he wanted to come back and start attending again and making things right.  I was never more happy than at that moment, and right away put him on the path back to his roots.  This is what made me think.  I had testified to my husband and shared with him the gospel and he was baptised.  I had testified time and again to my son and encouraged him to return and he was doing so; so how could I be a part of this newly forming eternal family if I wasn’t living the things I was teaching them.  I had to make myself right.  So began my journey of earnestly praying, with every fiber of my being.  With the deepest Godly sorrow falling upon my knees and seeking the guidance of Heavenly Father I repented to him of the things that made me feel bad, of the things that I carried.  Never before had I sought Heavenly Father in this manner.  Not because I didn’t want to but until I had a true change of heart that came with strengthened faith and Godly sorrow, I didn’t understand how to repent.  I discovered that it was much more than just confessing of my sins, it was about my broken heart…..

Through this time and these prayers the Lord, with such love, ministered to me and taught me the meaning of true repentance.  He taught me all that I needed to do and answered all my questions by literally answering my prayers even sometimes while I was still on my knees crying.  It was not a great cloud burst and visions of grandeur, it wasn’t as many preachers shout about at the pulpits of hell fire and brimstone.  But is was a quiet tender burning in my heart that was sent with messages to my mind and I knew, I KNEW, that He was real, the Savior was real,  and he was speaking to me and guiding me.  That He loved me and would hold me up while I did all that I could to live as he wanted me to live. I did not have to be afraid……

In our journey’s here upon the earth, no one is perfect, so Christ in his infinite mercy suffered and died that we may be offered the choice of repentance.  Though it is a gift, it is not an easy choice.  But when the desire hits you, and that great feeling of truth coupled with an overwhelming need for change comes, and you act upon it with the help and love of the Savior; it becomes a necessary road and a life changing experience.  There is no need to fear, there is no need to discredit the need for repentance, there is no need to turn away.  Rather let us receive it with faith and great thanksgiving.

Every time we sin, we die a little spiritually.  With each act that we let go on, the light falls away, little by little, until finally there is nothing but heaviness and darkness. What a gift Christ has given us through his Atoning sacrifice that we may not die fully but yet live.

Repentance is a different experience for each individual, and only God knows the hearts and minds of “men”.  But we should not be afraid or procrastinate.  Some, like I had; may have serious transgressions to work through, but all of us, everyone, are in need of a constant life long procession that includes making ourselves right before God through the Atoning Sacrifice of the Savior.  Daily.

There is much to understand in the repentance process and I hope as I take this time in sharing with you my personal journey it will touch your heart.  Please join me for my next blog that will continue with the principle and story of my road through repentance, for what you’ve read, was just the beginning, yet even now, I am a new woman…..

With Love
Dixie

Eight Years Ago

As I sat, now that the 14 day challenge is over, I wondered what I would write about and I found myself drifting back over memories of the past six years.  Many things come to mind but nothing more so than my period of repentance.  I've wondered if I should write about it; I've wanted to for maybe it will help someone else and I've been told to, by many of those I have shared with in private.  Then I thought, "what about those who won't understand, who don't understand the principles of the gospel, and the true love of Christ"  So many think of repentance as a bad thing.  So today I decided I will begin a preface series to MY story.  A couple of blogs to help us better understand the principle of repentance, the love of the Atonement, and what I believe as a Latter-day Saint; during which I will tell my story.  So if for no other reason, stick around and read a few days, my story is actually quite unbelievable, even to me.......

Thought for the day:  In my personal experience there is a big pre-requisite in understanding repentance,  and that is Godly Sorrow. The Apostle Paul taught that “godly sorrow” is required if true repentance is to take place.   2 Corinthians 7.  So then we must understand Godly sorry, before we can understand repentance.

 " Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having ‘a broken heart and contrite spirit.....It is not uncommon to find men and women in the world who feel remorse for the things they do wrong. Sometimes this is because their actions cause them or loved ones great sorrow and misery. Sometimes their sorrow is caused because they are caught and punished for their actions. Such worldly feelings do not constitute ‘godly sorrow’ - Ezra Taft Benson.

"There is an important difference between the sorrow for sin that leads to repentance and the sorrow that leads to despair.  Godly sorrow inspires change and hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Worldly sorrow pulls us down, extinguishes hope, and persuades us to give in to further temptation.  Godly sorrow leads to conversion and a change of heart. It causes us to hate sin and love goodness. It encourages us to stand up and walk in the light of Christ’s love"-Dieter F Uchtdorf

Eight years ago, I had a great desire to change my life.  I was not a "bad" person, in fact my family and friends thought I was the kindest person they knew, a really great person they told me.  I always helped everyone I could, I volunteered, I ran a non-profit dance studio, I worked two jobs to take care of my family,  I went to church and tried to live the teachings and raise my family right. My husband told me I had the biggest heart of anyone he had ever known, and  I believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ; I had faith.  Yet, the more my testimony strengthened, and the closer my relationship became to Christ and Father in Heaven, I felt there were things amiss, things of my past that continued to live in my present and threatened my future.  Things that were not horrible and by the world standards, not sinful at all, yet to me, I felt unclean, I felt unworthy of my Father in Heaven's love, I felt unworthy to carry the light of Christ.  The choices I had made in my past were made with a worldly mind and heart and I knew that I surely must have offended the Lord because it was offensive to me.   After spending my days of months in prayer; after truly beseeching the Lord,  for my burden grew heavy, even more than I could bear as I began to dislike myself more and more; I became  humbled.  Rather than turning away, for this was the point at which many turn away as the embarrassment, the pain and sorrow are too great, and Satan even that old serpent can make one think, there is no hope, all is lost; even so, I began to ask Him.  "How can I show thee that I am sorry for my sins, how can thou knowest that I pray unto thee that thou would knowest of my broken heart for the things that I have done, for the choices I've made and the way I chose to live.  How is it that thou would knowest I wish I had been a good daughter I wish I had understood thee and the gospel better but it was as if a blanket covered my mind and I was blind..  And now I am beside myself that I have offended thee, for I do love thee so and I believe, thus I want to be a righteous daughter of God, I pray thou will help me. "  (notes from my personal journal)

These were the thoughts of my days, and my prayers were for my survival in this life and the next.  I discovered through those prayers that the only way to gain peace in all things, was to seek forgiveness, was to become clean, and forgive myself.  That is when I learned of Godly sorrow, and I learned first hand from the Savior who, over a length of time, personally taught me......

The following is a piece of poetry I wrote during my time of suffering and broken heart. I hope it will help those who read to understand Godly sorrow and the need to understand repentance. 

Join me tomorrow for the next segment in my personal series.  

Love, 

Dixie

Godly Sorrow
 

Acceptance is not found
With in walls of brick
Among members of sects
With in the heart of man

It can only be found

With in my self

And my self is that

Which I cannot accept

I can no longer fight

The good fight

For I have been fighting

Yet they cannot see

Do not hear

And don’t understand

Even so my solace

I find in the mercy of my savior

For he knoweth the truth of my heart

I am ugly before him

In my sins

Yet his compassion be divine

And surely I have felt his compassion

For I can in no way deny the things

I have seen and heard

The things I have felt

How is it then

If even I have felt

Such compassion and mercy

I do sin

How is it that I can yield to temptations so

Disgracing my Lord, My God

I am therefore hopeless

Even the least of them that do breath

For I know my Redeemer

And yet I am lost

In an abyss of pain and torment

Subject to humanness

The carnal desires

That do beseech me

Amen…….

 March 2009  © Dawn Michelle All rights reserved

Beside Me.....

We are now on Day 12, only two more challenge days to go.  Has your heart been touched, has this been of benefit to you, did you find it interesting, has it helped in scripture study?  These are questions I ask myself and would like also to ask you.  Anything you would like to share would be wonderful.  At the end of the 14 days I will do a summary of my thoughts throughout the challenge and what it has done for me, but I can tell you that just the study and preparation I’ve done so that I can post these for you, has been fulfilling for me and I have greatly benefited, I hope it is and will be the same for you as you read and ponder, and  thank you for reading!  May the Spirit of the Lord be with us all!

Thought for the day:  The process of conversion is not an overnight change.  It is an ongoing continual process with peaks and valleys and as we continue to strive to be closer to the Lord, our desires become different, our thoughts change and we become more like him.  But the question is today, is this our thinking at all times, in all places and in all things.  I chose about 5 years ago to stop watching certain tv shows and movies.  I chose not to watch movies that are rated R, and am very careful about PG13 as that can be just as bad.  I also stopped watching tv shows that don’t have my value system, that contain strong language, sexual scenes, violence and so on.  I did this because one day out of the blue, while watching the Sopranos, I looked up at the picture of Christ on the wall staring at me.  I could feel a presence with me and suddenly I could no longer watch the show, it wasn’t right and I thought, if the Lord were here right now would he be watching this show???  No, no he wouldn’t, it’s not the kind of show that is conducive to the spirit.  And then I thought, ” I bet Thomas S Monson doesn’t watch this either ” ;) so my life changed.  I stopped watching tv basically at all except for a less than a handful of decent shows.  I went through my movie collection and got rid of “beloved” classics like Grease, Saturday Night Fever, anything rated R that wasn’t of a historical nature, (some historical war movies are rated R because they are of war, I have some but they are not bad, but let it be said I am quite picky :)  I also started watching my language.  And even words like Sucks and Freakin left my vocabulary.  I often wonder if people really thought about what the word sucks means, would they be using it knowing that the Savior could appear at any minute standing next to them.  If the Savior were physically beside you on a daily basis would he be accepting and approving of your choices, in music, tv, movies, talk, actions and it’s not just these things, it also includes gossip, back biting, rudeness, selfishness and so on and so on…..I said one night to my husband as he watched a show that I really didn’t want to be a part of, “Do you think we ought to be watching this, the language is very bad not to mention the other aspects.”  He said to me, “if we stop watching things that have bad language in it we might as well not watch tv.”  that made me very sad.  Why should I lower my standards just to watch tv, tv should bring their standards up to meet ours.  It also made me sad to think of how many of us, are just moving along accepting political correctness just to fit in or to have something to do.  We are taught that we are to lead our lives so that the spirit will want to dwell with us and so that if the Lord came tonight, he would dwell in our homes. We must try to be less worldy and selfish in our desires and actions.   As Christians we need to try harder to be Christians and stand with the values Christ has taught us.

Penny in the shoe:  When you feel the Penny in your shoe, imagine Him next to you, because he is…. are your thoughts, actions and words appropriate for His presence…..

Challenge for the day:  Make a change, you can’t do it all at once, so pick one area, and make that change even for one day.  Choose to clean your language, choose not to gossip, choose to change the channel, choose to walk with Christ…..you’ll feel the difference immediately…..

Suggested Scripture Reading:  (reading made easy, click a link to view)  Matthew 25:1–13  Matthew 5:14–16

Journaling Thought:  How will developing Christlike attributes help me fulfill my purpose in this life…..

If The Savior Stood Beside Me

If the Savior stood beside me,

Would I do the things I do?

Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?

Would I follow His example?

Would I live more righteously if I could see the Savior standing nigh,

watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me,

Would I say the things I say?

Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?

Would I try to share the gospel?

Would I speak more rev’rently if I could see the Savior standing nigh,

watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure?

Would His presence give me strength and hope and courage to endure?

Would His counsel guide my actions?

Would I choose more worthily if I could see the Savior standing nigh

watching over me?

Watching over me, watching over me,

He is always near me, though I do not see Him there,

And because He loves me dearly,

I am in His watchful care,

So I’ll be the kind of person that I know I’d like to be

if I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me.

I will be the kind of person that I know I’d like to be

if I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me.

Copyright © 2007 by Sally DeFord. All rights reserved. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial home and church use. This notice must be included on each copy made.

Love From Dixie…..

Hope of Things not Seen

This is a continuation of The Invitation, a  previously posted blog challenge.  We are now on Day 11.  Please feel free to read the other days and start at anytime! Incorporate this challenge to fit you!  Weekly, monthly, daily however it will work for you!   All material is original blog material written by Dixie. ( I just borrowed the idea ;)   Scripture suggestions are from my personal study, all thoughts and challenges are from my personal history and my future as I too continue to strive for more closeness to Christ.  

Thought for the day:   Would we work each day if we did not hope that by doing so we could accomplish something? Each day we act upon things we hope for when we cannot see the end result. This is faith.  Faith is a strong belief of truth within our souls that motivates us to do good.

To have faith in Jesus Christ means to have such trust in Him that we obey whatever He commands. As we place our faith in Jesus Christ, becoming His obedient disciples, Heavenly Father will forgive our sins and prepare us to return to Him.  The Savior teaches us that if we have faith as the grain of a mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible to you.  A mustard seed is very small but, grows into a large tree.  Thus the lesson is we should increase our faith, the more faith we have, the stronger faith we have, the better we will be.

How do we increase our faith?  We study, we pray, we work on it.  We increase our faith by acting on our desire to have faith.  But keep in mind "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17)  “There must be works with faith. How foolish it would be to ask the Lord to give us knowledge, but how wise to ask the Lord’s help to acquire knowledge, to study constructively, to think clearly, and to retain things that we have learned” ......…"know this, that just as undaunted faith has stopped the mouths of lions, made ineffective fiery flames, opened dry corridors through rivers and seas, protected against deluge and drouth, and brought heavenly manifestations at the instance of prophets, so in each of our lives faith can heal the sick, bring comfort to those who mourn, strengthen resolve against temptation, relieve from the bondage of harmful habits, lend strength to repent and change our lives, and lead to a sure knowledge of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Indomitable faith can help us live the commandments with a willing heart and thereby bring blessings unnumbered. …”-Spencer W Kimball

Penny in the shoe:  as you feel the penny in your shoe, think about your everyday activities. What are things you act upon each day that you cannot see the end results of? How does faith move you to action?

Challenge for the day:   Act on your desire to have faith or to increase and strengthen your faith.  An important way to increase our faith is to hear and study the word of the Lord as well as improving daily in living the commandments.


“In faith we plant the seed, and soon we see the miracle of the blossoming. Men have often misunderstood and have reversed the process.... many of us want to have health and strength without keeping the health laws. We want to have prosperity without paying our tithes. We want to be close to the Lord but don’t want to fast and pray. We want to have rain in due season and to have peace in the land without observing the Sabbath as a holy day and without keeping the other commandments of the Lord.-Spencer W. Kimball

Suggested Scripture Study:  (reading made easy just click to view) 
Hebrews 11  Exodus 14:19–22   Genesis 6–8   Matthew 8:5–33   Mark 5:25–34   Romans 10:17   Alma 32

Journaling Thought:  What relationship do you see between your faith and your actions?


"Finding Faith in Christ" is a short film below that  I hope will touch your heart, and put us on our way to finding more faith in Christ......

Love from Dixie

The Solution

How appropriate for Valentines week :)  I pray your hearts are touched and that love, will grow…..

This is a continuation of The Invitation, a  previously posted blog challenge.  We are now on Day 10.  Please feel free to read the other days and start at anytime! Incorporate this challenge to fit you!  Weekly, monthly, daily however it will work for you!   All material is original blog material written by Dixie. ( I just borrowed the idea ;)   Scripture suggestions are from my personal study, all thoughts and challenges are from my personal history and my future as I too continue to strive for more closeness to Christ. 

Thought for the day:  if we do not love God and neighbor, whatever else we do will be of little eternal consequence.  Every one on the earth, regardless of who they are and what their choices are, is a child of God; and God loves his children unconditionally, it’s just that simple.  But, how do we love? Do we love in return, are we generally accepting of others, regardless of their choices or circumstances?  Or do we find ourselves with resentment, anger, hatred, judgments and the like…..We profess to love God, that is true, however, the real problem lies in loving others, even our enemies.  In order to walk with Jesus, in order to be like him, we must learn to be unconditional, we must learn to love…..

Love is not just an attribute, it is a direct commandment.  “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  “This is the first and great commandment.  “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:37–40; see also Gal. 5:14).

Penny in the shoe:  as you feel the penny in your shoe today, let it help you to remember to speak, act and think as Christ, in all your dealings, at work, at home, in traffic, for all things and all the time.

Challenge for the day:  Hold your tongue, change your thoughts, stop being selfish, don’t judge, think before you act, say or do anything that does not promote postiveness, not just with our neighbors and friends but let us practice at home as well, for sometimes, it is harder at home than anywhere…..WALK in the shoes of Christ……

“Hatred is the antithesis of love and Lucifer is its chief perpetrator.  It is he, the enemy of all righteousness and the father of contention, who, “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”  Don’t let him win, let us open our hearts and love.  Early one morning in Bucharest, as I jogged through Cismigiu Park, I observed an old tree which was struggling to give new branches—to give new life. The symbol of life is to give. We give so much to family and friends and to community and Church that at times we, as the old tree, may think that life is too difficult—that constantly giving is a burden too heavy to bear. We may think that it would be easier to give up and to do only that which the natural man does. But we should not and will not quit. Why? Because we must continue to give, just like Christ and the old tree gave. As we give just a little bit, let us think of Him who gave His life that we might live.” Elder Robert F. Orton

suggested Scripture study:  ( reading-made easy, just click )   1 Jn. 4:21, 20 

Gal. 5:13  John 13:35  1 Jn. 4:8  1 Pet. 5:8  Moro. 7:47

Jornaling Thought:  Do I have a predetermined attitude toward certain people?   Do I have the ability to show ALL my fellow-men unconditional love?

 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13.)

“If a single man achieves the highest kind of love,” wrote Mahatma Gandhi, “it will be sufficient to neutralize the hate of millions.” (Hermann Hagedorn, Prophet in the Wilderness: The Story of Albert Schweitzer, New York: MacMillan Co., 1948, title page.)

The Solution was Love- Thomas S Monson.

One winter day as Christmas approached, I thought back to an experience from my boyhood. I was just 11. Our Primary president, Melissa, was an older and loving gray-haired lady. One day at Primary, Melissa asked me to stay behind and visit with her. There the two of us sat in the otherwise empty chapel. She placed her arm about my shoulder and began to cry. Surprised, I asked her why she was crying. She replied: “I don’t seem to be able to encourage the Trail Builder boys to be reverent during the opening exercises of Primary. Would you be willing to help me, Tommy?” I promised her I would. Strangely to me, but not to Melissa, that ended any problem of reverence in that Primary. She had gone to the source of the problem—me. The solution was love.

The years flew by. Marvelous Melissa, now in her nineties, lived in a nursing facility in the northwest part of Salt Lake City. Just before Christmas I determined to visit my beloved Primary president. Over the car radio, I heard the song “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.” I reflected on the visit made by wise men those long years ago. They brought gifts of gold, of frankincense, and of myrrh. I brought only the gift of love and a desire to say “Thank you.”

I found Melissa in the lunchroom. She stared at her plate of food, teasing it with the fork she held in her aged hand. Not a bite did she eat. As I spoke to her, my words were met with a benign but blank stare. I took the fork in hand and began to feed Melissa, talking all the time I did so about her service to boys and girls as a Primary worker. There wasn’t so much as a glimmer of recognition, far less a spoken word. Two other residents of the nursing home gazed at me with puzzled expressions. At last they spoke, saying: “She doesn’t know anyone, even her own family. She hasn’t said a word in all the years she’s been here.”

Lunch ended. My one-sided conversation wound down. I stood to leave. I held her frail hand in mine, gazed into her wrinkled but beautiful countenance, and said: “God bless you, Melissa. Merry Christmas.” Without warning, she spoke the words: “I know you. You’re Tommy Monson, my Primary boy. How I love you.” She pressed my hand to her lips and bestowed on it the kiss of love. Tears coursed down her cheeks and bathed our clasped hands. Those hands, that day, were hallowed by heaven and graced by God. The herald angels did sing. Outside the sky was blue—azure blue. The air was cool—crispy cool. The snow was white—crystal white. The words of the Master seemed to have a personal meaning never before fully felt: “Woman, behold thy son!” And to His disciple, “Behold thy mother!” (John 19:26–27).

With Sincere Love,

Dixie…..

Be not afraid, Only believe......

This is a continuation of The Invitation, a  previously posted blog challenge.  We are now on Day 8.  Please feel free to read the other days and start at anytime! Incorporate this challenge to fit you!  Weekly, monthly, daily however it will work for you!   All material is original blog material written by Dixie. ( I just borrowed the idea ;)   Scripture suggestions are from my personal study, all thoughts and challenges are from my personal history and my future as I too continue to strive for more closeness to Christ.

Thought for the day:  In order to walk with Christ, we must not only appreciate what he has done for us, but also to understand it.  The Atonement, the greatest gift to mankind, its what we need to believe in.  Yet, beliving in and then accepting the Atonment requres a special effort, but it is something we must do, we must not be afraid to believe.  The Atonement is the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to help us overcome sin, adversity, and death. Jesus’s atoning sacrifice took place in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary. He paid the price for our sins, took upon Himself death, and was resurrected. The Atonement is the supreme expression of the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  We refer to Christ as our great Redeemer.  In the Guide to the scriptures this is the definition of redeem:  To deliver, to purchase, or to ransom, such as to free a person from bondage by payment. Redemption refers to the atonement of Jesus Christ and to deliverance from sin. Jesus’ atonement redeems all mankind from physical death. Through his atonement, those who have faith in him and who repent are also redeemed from spiritual death.  Atonement in the Bible Dictionary means To reconcile man to God.  As you study and ponder today think about these key principles of the Atonment:

All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

 The Atonment helps us to overcome the “natural man” and become true diciples of Christ.

The Atonment is evidence of the love Heavely Father has for us.

Penny in the shoe: everytime you feel the penny in your shoe today, think about the Atonment, in a real literal sense, think about it as if it actually happened, because it did…..

Challenge for the day:  Prayer.  Humbly pray to Father in Heaven and ask him for a wittness of the truth of the Atonement of his son Jesus Christ, ask him for guidence in understanding.  Think about what the attonment has done for you in your life, or what it can do for you in your life, think about its inclusiveness for loss, disappointment, discouragment, forgiveness, pain, heartache and so on…….

Suggessted Scripture Reading (reading made easy just click to view) :Romans 5:8, 10–11   View Matthew 4   View John 13

Journaling Thought:   Some feel weighed down with discouragement about the circumstances of their personal lives, even when they are making sustained and admirable efforts. Frequently, these feelings of self-disappointment come not from wrongdoing, but from stresses and troubles for which we may not be fully to blame. The Atonement of Jesus Christ applies to these experiences because it applies to all of life. The Savior can wipe away all of our tears, after all we can do.- Bruce C. Hafen

Visual Effects: 

 

 

My Lesson on the Atonement

By Karen Huntsman

I had been praying over a period of several weeks to better understand the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. One morning while helping my young son Kyle get ready for school, I found myself growing impatient as time drew near to catch the school bus and he wasn’t ready. A neighbor girl stopped by to walk with Kyle to the bus stop. Worried she might miss the bus, I sent her ahead. This meant Kyle would also have to walk alone, and he complained bitterly to me.

I knelt down and looked him in the eye and roughly scolded him for taking so long to get ready and then complaining to me about walking alone. As I looked at him, I saw his eyes fill with tears, and he pulled his hat down over his eyes so he wouldn’t have to look at my angry face. I realized how vulnerable and tender children are and how loud and reproving I had been. I stopped and tried to apologize, helped him get his boots on, and sent him off to school.

As I watched this discouraged little person run for the bus stop, I thought of my inappropriate actions. Of all places and all people in this world, home and mother should be a refuge—a place to find peace and love. I berated myself for my carelessness and failings as a mother and felt absolutely terrible.

Suddenly a gentle and loving thought came into my mind: this is what the Atonement is for. Tears came, and I prayed for forgiveness. I pleaded with Heavenly Father to bless my son so he would not suffer for my mistakes. I still felt sad, but I knew that through the Atonement things could be made right again.

Weeks later I shared this insight with a friend. As I talked, I pondered why I had been blessed with such a powerful testimony of the Atonement. Again, a gentle thought came into my mind that this had been in answer to my prayers. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find” (Matt. 7:7). Even though I had been praying for more understanding of the Atonement, I had failed to see a direct answer to my prayer until that reminder came to me.

I know Heavenly Father loves each of us and wants us to repent of our shortcomings and also to rid ourselves of feelings of discouragement. How grateful I am for the Atonement, which brings healing and forgiveness into our lives

Love From Dixie

The Reservoir

This is a continuation of The Invitation, a  previously posted blog challenge.  We are now on Day 7.  Please feel free to read the other days and start at anytime! Incorporate this challenge to fit you!  Weekly, monthly, daily however it will work for you!   All material is original blog material written by Dixie. ( I just borrowed the idea ;)   Scripture suggestions are from my personal study, all thoughts and challenges are from my personal history and my future as I too continue to strive for more closeness to Christ.

Thought for the day:  John Chapter Four……Jesus and his disciples passed through Samaira as they were traveling from Judea to Galilee.  In the City of Sychar they stopped at Jacob’s well, “there comenth a woman of Samaira to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, give me to drink.” For his diciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.  “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, how is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me which am a woman of Samaira?  For the Jews have no dealings iwth the samaritians.  “Jesus answered and said unto her, if thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.  “the woman saith unto him, sir, thou has nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water?… “Jesus answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life”
This living water referred to is a representation of the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel.  And as water is neccessary to sustain physical life, so the Savior and His doctrines, principles and ordinacnes are essential for eterenal life.  You and I need his living water daily and in ample supply to sustain our ongoing spiritual growth and development.  The Scriptures contain the words of Chrsit and are a reservoir of living water to which we have ready access and from which we can drink deeply and long.  You and I must look to and come unto Christ, who is the fountain of living waters. by reading, studying, searching, and feasting upon the words of Christ contained in the holy scriptures.  By doing so, we can recieve both spiritual direction and protection during our mortal journey. – David Bednar

Penny in the shoe:  everytime you feel the penny in your shoe today remind yourself to use this Sabbath day to drink from the reservoir of living waters, remember to read….

Challenge for the day:  Develope a personnal scripture study pattern that will most benifit you the.  Remember the quality of time out weighs the length.  

Do What You Can

One Church member tried many times to follow specific programs for scripture study, but it was always difficult for her. She later reflected:

“It seemed that with trying to raise a family and fulfill my Church responsibilities, I never completely reached the goal. I would designate a certain time and place to study each day, only to have the schedule interrupted by the needs of children who were ill or other crises typical of a growing family. During that time of my life, I never really thought of myself as someone who was good at scripture study.

“Then one day my mother was in my home. She looked at a large table which was covered with Church materials—among them my scriptures—and said, ‘I love the way you are always reading your scriptures. They always seem to be open on one table or another.’

“Suddenly I had a new vision of myself. She was right. I was consistently into my scriptures, even though it was not part of a formal study program. I loved the scriptures. They fed me. There were scripture verses tacked to my kitchen walls that lifted me as I worked, scriptures I was helping my children memorize for talks they would give. I lived in a world of scripture reading, and I realized that I was being nourished abundantly.”

Suggessted Scriputre Reading:  (reading made easy just click a link)
Luke 24:32  John 5:39  Matt. 22:29  2 Tim. 3:15 2 Pet. 1:20–21)  2 Ne. 32:3  Hel. 15:7–8

Journaling Thought:  Do I feel the thirst for the word of God as I should?

Developing a Personal Plan to Study the Gospel

 “It is incumbent upon each of us to do everything we can to increase our spiritual knowledge and understanding by studying the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. When we read and study the revelations, the Spirit can confirm in our hearts the truth of what we are learning; in this way, the voice of the Lord speaks to each one of us” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 40–41; or Ensign, May 1998, 32).Elder M. Russell Ballard

The following suggestions can help you develop a study plan to “increase [your] spiritual knowledge and understanding,” as Elder Ballard counseled. Your plan should not be overwhelming, but it should help you be consistent in your gospel study. You may want to record your plan in a journal or notebook so you will not forget it.

What to Study

Center your gospel study on the scriptures. You may choose to study a book of scripture in its entirety, or you may focus on one or more subjects, reading what all the standard works say about them. You may combine these two methods, studying a book of scripture and focusing on topics and themes as you find them. You should also study the teachings of latter-day prophets in general conference addresses and Church magazines.

If you have a calling as a teacher, your lesson manual is an essential part of your study plan.

You should also consider including the following in your gospel study: (1) the course material for Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society, (2) assigned scripture passages for the Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School, and (3) articles in Church magazines.

When to Study

If possible, set a regular time when you can study without interruption. Elder Howard W. Hunter counseled:

“Many find that the best time to study is in the morning after a night’s rest has cleared the mind of the many cares that interrupt thought. Others prefer to study in the quiet hours after the work and worries of the day are over and brushed aside, thus ending the day with a peace and tranquillity that comes by communion with the scriptures.

“Perhaps what is more important than the hour of the day is that a regular time be set aside for study. It would be ideal if an hour could be spent each day; but if that much cannot be had, a half hour on a regular basis would result in substantial accomplishment. A quarter of an hour is little time, but it is surprising how much enlightenment and knowledge can be acquired in a subject so meaningful” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 91–92; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 64).

How to Study

Before you begin to study, pray for insight and understanding. Ponder what you read, and look for ways to apply it in your life. Learn to recognize and hearken to the promptings of the Spirit.

Consider using some or all of the following ideas to enhance your study:

• •Use the Topical Guide, the Bible Dictionary…
• •As you read, ask yourself, “What gospel principle is taught in this passage? How can I apply this in my life?”
• •Have a notebook or journal available so you can record your thoughts and feelings. Commit yourself in writing to apply what you learn. Frequently review the thoughts you have recorded.
• •Before reading a chapter of scripture, review the chapter heading. This will give you some things to look for in the chapter.
• •Mark and annotate your scriptures. In the margins write scripture references that clarify the passages you are studying.
• •Memorize verses that are particularly meaningful to you.
• •Substitute your name in a verse of scripture to personalize it.
• •After studying, offer a prayer to express thanks for what you have learned.
• •Share what you learn. As you do this, your thoughts will become clearer and your power of retention will increase.

We can do this, and we will feel the spirit in our lives!
Love from Dixie

In Gratitude.....

This is a continuation of The Invitation, a  previously posted blog challenge.  We are now on Day 6.  Please feel free to read the other days and start at anytime! Incorporate this challenge to fit you!  Weekly, monthly, daily however it will work for you!   All material is original blog material written by Dixie. ( I just borrowed the idea ;)   Scripture suggestions are from my personal study, all thoughts and challenges are from my personal history and my future as I too continue to strive for more closeness to Christ.

Thought for the day:  We are all thankful for the good things in our lives, for the peace for the comforts, for the things that make us happy, for the things that bring us joy.  But what about the burdens, the tragedies, the tough times?  When we study the gospel of Jesus Christ, we learn that we are here on the earth today in order to progress, to learn, to grow, and to be perfected, that we may live again with our Father in Heaven.   In order to do that we must be tried and tested, purged and purified, that we may be made perfect through suffering, that we will learn to put our whole trust and faith in God.  This is something I must think on personally everyday as I live, like many others I am sure, in the refiner’s fire.  I have buried my 20-year-old son, 3-year-old daughter and 34-year-old step son, these are among my heaviest of burdens. I anger not at my Savior though, because of my tragedy.  I love him for death is not the end, and I am a new woman today because of the things I have suffered.  I glory not in the death of my children, I am not happy because of it I am not thankful for it, in that way, but I am thankful for the woman it forced me to become as rather than turning to anger and the ways of the world, I stayed with Father in Heaven and he heals my heart…….my trials have put my faith in a more perfect way….

“We complain sometimes about our trials. We need not do that. These are things that are necessary for our perfection. We think sometimes that we are not rightly treated, and I think we think correctly about some of these things. We think there are plots set on foot to entrap us; and I think we think so very correctly. At the same time we need not be astonished at these things. We need not be amazed at a feeling of hatred and animosity. Why? Because we are living in a peculiar day and age of the world; which is distinctively called the latter days.  I know that as other men we have our trials, afflictions, sorrows, and privations. We meet with difficulties; we have to contend with the world, with the powers of darkness, with the corruptions of men, and a variety of evils; yet at the same time through these things we have to be made perfect. It is necessary that we should have a knowledge of ourselves, of our true position and standing before God, and comprehend our strength and weakness; our ignorance and intelligence, our wisdom and our folly, that we may know how to appreciate true principles, and comprehend and put a proper value upon all things as they present themselves before our minds.  It is necessary that we should know our own weaknesses, and the weaknesses of our fellow men; our own strength as well as the strength of others; and comprehend our true position before God, angels, and men; that we may be inclined to treat all with due respect, and not to over value our own wisdom or strength, nor depreciate it, nor that of others; but put our trust in the living God, and follow after him, and realise that we are his children, and that he is our Father, and that our dependence is upon him, and that every blessing we receive flows from his beneficent hand”.- John Taylor

Penny in the shoe:  today when you feel the penny in your shoe think of something to be grateful for, even small things for we forget many days the tender mercies of the Lord in our daily lives.

Challenge for the day:  When thinking of your trials, your burdens, yours struggles, think of how they have changed you, your life for the good, look at the positive side, be thankful in all things.

Suggested Scripture Reading.  (reading made easy just click a link :) Psalm 34:19  2 Corinthians 4:8–18  1 Peter 4:12–13  Alma 36:3  Ether 12:6  D&C 121:7–8

Journaling thought:  How would your life be different if you had no trials or hardships?  What have you learned about yourself and about God from the things that you have suffered, from your personal Gethsemane?

Thankful for the Thorns

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door.  Her life and been easy, like a spring breeze.  Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease.  During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son.She grieved over her loss.  As if that weren’t enough, her husband’s company threatened a transfer, then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come.  What’s worse, Sandra’s friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer.  “Had she lost a Child?  No, she has no idea what I’m feeling.”  Sandra shuddered.  Thanksgiving?  Thankful for what? she wondered.  For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear ended her?  For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child? “Good afternoon, can I help you?” The flower shop clerk’s approach startled her, “sorry,” said Jenny.  I just didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you.”I……I need an arrangement” spouted Sandra.  “For Thanksgiving?” Sandra nodded. “Do you want beautiful ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call “thanksgiving special.” Jenny saw Sandra’s curiosity and continued, ” I’m convinced that flowers tell stories, that each arrangement insinuates a particular feeling.  Are you looking for something that conveys gratitude this Thanksgiving?” “Not exactly!” Sandra blurted.  “Sorry, but in the last five months everything that could go wrong has.”  Sandra regretted her outburst but was surprised when Jenny said, ” I have the perfect arrangement for you.” The door’s small bell suddenly rang, “Barbara Hi!” Jenny said.  She politely excused herself from Sandra and walked toward a small workroom.  She quickly reappeared carrying a massive arrangement of green bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses.  Only the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped, no flowers.  “Want this in a box?” Jenny asked. Sandra watched for Barbara’s response.  Was this a joke?  Who would want rose stems and no flowers?  She waited for laughter, for someone to notice the absence of flowers atop the thorny stems, but neither woman did.  “Yes please, its exquisite,”  said Barbara.  “You’d think after three years of getting the special, I’d not be so moved by its significance, but it’s happening again.  My family will love this one, Thanks!” Sandra stared, “why so normal a conversation about so strange an arrangement,” she wondered.  Um…..” said Sandra pointing, “that lady just left with umm….” “Yes?” said Jenny.  “Well, she had no flowers!”  said Sandra.  “Yep. That’s the Special, I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet.”  But, why do people pay for that?” In spite of herself Sandra chuckled.  “Do you really want to know,” asked Jenny.  “I couldn’t leave this shop without knowing” said Sandra.  “Thats good” said Jenny, “well,” she continued, ” Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling very much like you feel today.  She thought she had very little to be thankful for.  She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs and she faced major surgery.”  “Ouch,” said Sandra.  “That same year,” Jenny went on, ” I lost my husband, I assumed complete responsibility for the shop and for the first time, spent the holidays alone.  I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel.”  “What did you do,” asked Sandra.  “I learned to be thankful for thorns.”  Said Jenny and Sandra’s eyebrows lifted.  “I’m a Christian Sandra, I”ve always thanked God for good things in life and I never thought to ask him why good things happened to me.  But, when bad stuff hit did I ever ask!  It took time to learn that dark times are important.  I always enjoyed the flowers of life but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God’s comfort.  You know the Bible says that God comforts us when we’re afflicted and from His consolation we learn to comfort others.”  Sandra gasped, “a  friend read that passage to me and I was furious, I guess the truth is , I don’t want comfort. I’ve lost a baby and I”m angry with God.”  She started to ask Jenny to go on when the doors bell diverted their attention.  “I’m here for twelve thorny long stems!” Phil laughed heartily.  “I figured as much,” smiled Jenny, “I’ve got them ready”  She lifted a tissue wrapped arrangement from the refrigerated cabinet.  “Beautiful,” said Phil, “My wife will love them”  Sandra could not resist asking, “these are for your wife? Do you mind me asking why thorns?”  “I’m glad you asked,” he said, “four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced.  After forty years we were in a real mess, but we slogged through, problem by rotten problem, we rescued our marriage and our love, really.  Last year at Thanksgiving I stopped in her for flowers.  I must have mentioned surviving a tough process because Jenny told me that for a long time she kept a vase of rose stems, stems! as a reminder of what she learned from thorny times.  That was good enough for me, I took home stems.  My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific thorny situation and give thanks for what the problem taught us.  I”m pretty sure this stem review is becoming a tradition!”  Phil paid Jenny, thanked her again and as he left said to Sandra, “I highly recommend the Special.”  “I don’t know if I can be thankful for thorns in my life,” Sandra to Jenny.  “Well, my experience says that thorns make roses more precious,” replied Jenny, “we treasure God’s providential care more during trouble than at any other time,  Remember, Sandra, Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we might know his love.  Do not resent thorns.”  Tears rolled down Sandra’s cheeks.  For the first time since the accident she loosened her grip on resentment, “I’ll take twelve long-stemmed thorns please,” said Sandra.  “I hoped you would,” smiled Jenny, I’ll have them ready in a minute.  Then every time you see them, remember to appreciate both good and hard times.  We grow through both.”  “Thank you, what do I owe you?”  “Nothing, nothing but a pledge to work toward healing your heart.  The first year’s arrangement is always on me.”  Jenny handed a card to Sandra.  “I’ll attach a card like this to your arrangement but maybe you’d like to read it first, go a head, read it.”  The card said: My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn. I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses but never once for my thorns.  Teach me the glory of the cross I bear, teach me the value of my thorns.  Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain.  Show me that my tears have made my rainbow.

May our hearts be filled with gratitude today and always,

Love from Dixie