Quiet Noise

Today during Church I was so distracted I could not think. I had so much going on around me (I thought). I felt that the kids were rather fidgety. I heard the bags open and close. I felt each movement around me amplified.
After Church Dedra commented about how good the kids were. I mocked her and said they had been awful. She asked me what meeting I had been in because the kids were great.

Satan, seeks to get at us every chance he can. Even if it means that he can catch you wandering in a church meeting.

The blows from the adversary are subtle. They come when we are not looking because if we were, we would duck rather than be smacked square in the face. I love the story of the frog and the boiling water. If a frog were to be placed in a boiling pot of water he would jump right out. However if the water were warm and the frog was placed in it and the water heated up to a boil. The frog would stay and die. Beware of being affected by degees.

How important it is for us to be ever watchful. People are hurting including those we meet those we rub shoulders with. Paul taught Lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees. Lead them to the waters of Christ.

The Lord Need Not Change

The Lord requires that we be obedient. That we search out his will concerning us and then put that knowledge to use. Sounds easy enough. Then why is it so stinkin' hard!!!! Everyday we fall short and have need to repent.  Why?!!! We are human. We are learning. The Lord knows that. He also knows the intent of our hearts. He knows where we are.

Where much is given much is required. As we learn we must apply.

In 1st Samuel 15 Samuel teaches that even when provoked the Lord is slow to anger. He is kind, and gentle. The way that he parents should be our model. Teach. Help others feel and recognize the spirit. As we do we will grow together and rejoice in the blessing of the Lord!

The Lord does not change for us. We must change to meet the Lord. When we turn our hearts to him we gain peace and happiness. We gain courage and hope for a brighter tomorrow.!

Put off the Natural Man

We must learn how to control ourselves. Learning to shake off the natural man and controlling everything about us. That is the beauty of this life. We are trying to master our bodies. We must master these bodies to be allowed back into the presence of the Father. King Benjamin taught that the "Natural man is an enemy to God." Man, the greatest creation of our father, out of control is his enemy. Our task is to not limit ourselves or purposefully go without just because. We are to learn to control this human body.
We are to allow our Heavenly father to guide us. There is so much out there that is leading us astray. Everywhere you look someone or something is clammering for our attention. Our goal is to put up our blinders and plow forward. There are some really great things out there. But if we do not bridle our passions, if we allow ourselves to run amuck, that allows satan closer and little by little he wins.
It is so easy when met with trials to not plow forward and ignore what is around us. All of us fall short and have a need to repent. To realize that we have done something wrong and continue moving forward.
The father wants all of us to move closer to him. His work is that all of us may return home to him. However, there will be some that will not heed is voice. They will not bridle the natural man  and reign him in. these are they that will be met with terror and ultimate distruction.
Nephi taught "turn away from sin" The counsel form the father is constant, pray to combat sin. Pray with all your heart. Seek the promptings of the spirit and they will cut off the natural man and allow us to win the prize. Learn all you can. Once you have been converted teach others. Seek, that all around you know of your love and devotion to the Savior of the world. You, be that sounding alarm.
Yes, there will be those who will mock you. They will make light of things you hold dear. Satan uses others just as the father does. However, the servants of lucifer tear down not up. They seek that all are miserable like unto themselves. Know this, the Lord protects those he calls to the work. 
The Lord does not leave us alone. He gives us prophets. He calls leaders to guide us down the path. They are a light in a ever darkening world.
Be obedient! If needed, repent. Take the time to put your life in order. There still is enough time. Come Unto Christ, and be perfected in him!(Moroni 10:32)

Following the Spirit

I am grateful for the spirit. I believe that the spirit will guide us and use us as instruments in the lives of others as we are worthy to hear.
There is a great hymn that I have come to love. "Let the holy spirit guide." It reads:

1. Let the Holy Spirit guide;
Let him teach us what is true.
He will testify of Christ,
Light our minds with heaven's view.

The spirit has our best interests at heart. He wants us to succeed. The only way we can is if we are willing to listen. Listen for that still small voice that teaches us all truth. Moroni taught that by the spirit we can know the truth of all things. Christ taught that he would send the "comforter. He would teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance....

2. Let the Holy Spirit guard;
Let his whisper govern choice.
He will lead us safely home
If we listen to his voice.

Father's work and glory is to see that we make it home to him. He did not leave us alone. The spirit helps us to make choices to listen and then go and do. By following that still small voice, we are able to enter back into the presence of the father.

3. Let the Spirit heal our hearts
Thru his quiet, gentle pow'r.
May we purify our lives
To receive him hour by hour.
Text: Penelope Moody Allen, b. 1939.

Life allows us the opportunity to make choices. We succeed and we fail. It isn't so much what happens to us during this life. It is how we react to what happens to us. How we move forward measures the man. The Atonement makes it possible for us to make corrective action. We are able to repent and continue on that journey. The spirit takes our hand and leads us to a better life. If we allow him to work in our lives. He leads us to healing living waters.

Fight for them

Webster defines the word PROTECT as:

a : to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction : guard b : defend 1c <protect the goal>

My goal in writing here is to invite others to protect themselves. It is so important that we be ready at a moments notice to fight. What are we fighting? Elder Quintin Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve stated in the last general Conference,  "Our day has been described as “a time of plenty and an age of doubt.”⁸ Basic belief in the power and authority of God is not only questioned but also denigrated." We do have so much to be thankful for. We have at our fingertips the ability to do many mighty things. Yet we doubt ourselves. We doubt that we can change lives through our faith and actions. We doubt our affect on others. We must realize that people are watching. People care, that you might have something to say! The ideal opportunity does not just happen it comes when you are willing to create them. Fight for them!

Elder Cook went on to say, "My personal experience of living and interacting with people all over the world has caused me to be optimistic. I believe that light and truth will be preserved in our time. In all nations there are large numbers who worship God and feel accountable to Him for their conduct. Some observers believe there is actually a global revival of faith. As Church leaders, we have met with leaders of other faiths and have found that there is a common moral foundation that transcends theological differences and unites us in our aspirations for a better society."

Each day we are met with new challenges. Some will be easily conquered; others will have to have much time spent. No matter the task we must come off conquorer.  The only way that we will protect ourselves, our family, and those around us is if we focus. Focus on the positive. Focus on the things that matter most. To quote President Uchtdorf.

These things are Reading our scriptures and the words of living prophets. The word of God is the way our Heavenly Father speaks to us. Next time you are reading focus in not only on the words, but on the way you are feeling. The spirit has taught me many lessons as I have read. 

Prayer has great power. Through prayer we show our willingness to be obedient. We show our need for help. Prayer, allows us to call on him to protect us. It helps us when we need to be seen us through the very hard times. Prayer helps us identify our problems and then to seek for help and guidance.

Family Home Evening, this time that we set aside to bring our families together is so very important. We grow together. We learn together. Isn't it fun to see the light bulbs go on when a principle is being taught. How about when the children teach the adults. This time spent with family is priceless. No treasure in the world is worth more to me than my family.

Take the time. Protect those you Love by starting at home and start with the basics. Once you have got the basics down, never put them down. Make them apart of you. These talents are that whole Armor of God. They are what will defend and protect you and lead you back to the Father. 

 During church on Sunday one of the speakers talked about the little things. He shaped his talk around Pres. Uchtdorf's talk. He talked about how because of life he was missing out on the things that matter most. He talked of calling his father who helped him recognize that he needed to put back in his life the things that made him who he wanted to be.

So, many times in our lives we are just trying to make it through. We are trying to recognize the good and live in a hectic fast paced world. It is Hard! We have many things vying for our time and talents. Many of which are important.


We have to prioritize! We have to be willing to see things for what they are. The first and foremost must be our own spiritual welfare. Make sure that whatever you are doing it is building your own testimony. Second, One must look out for his family. Family is what this life is all about. We are to take care of one another. Make sure that as a immediate family we are moving forward. Then, we are to look out for those time busters. Seek to better yourself while serving your fellowman.

There is great joy that comes from service spent to our Heavenly Father. It is more important than any other activity spent outside of the home. We have callings, Priesthood assignments, and we have the things we like to do. Notice that comes last. Normally, when you choose rest or recreation something important gets put on the back burner.

It is my prayer that we as men will recognize what is important. Then  make those things, the things that we want to do!
 

Family

This week my  study became literally a part of my life. I was supposed to start this week to study the word Family. I thought alot about where I might take this weeks study. I had ideas that were good but boring . I just didn't feel it coming together for me.

Heavenly Father, knew exactly what I needed to be able to understand this topic.

The ride of a lifetime started last Saturday morning. We got a call from a very dear friend. Dedra took the call while I went back to sleep. Dedra was told about a little girl. Our friend told her that she was four years old, and that she needed a family to give her a home. Dedra told her that we would take her. Our friend told us that she would talk with this other family and get back to us.

All day long Dedra could not get the thought of this little one out of her mind. She kept telling me that the little girl had been on her mind. Not just a little bit!!! She was being consumed with the idea.

A few hours later she called me and said that our friend had called again. The friend told us that the family who had this little girl was willing to sign papers over to us relinguishing guardianship to us. They wanted to nullify their adoption and let us move toward that for ourselves over time.

Dedra was so excited. We got in the car and went to our friends home three hours away.

The next day we met with the adoptive Mother. She was really emotional but wanted the girl out of her home.  We met the father who was a stand up guy! He told us he just wanted what was best for Anna. I came home Sunday night and left my family there to work out the details. I had to be to work the next day.

I came back two days later. We met with both parents and they signed off on the guardianship papers. then we met with a soical worker who was helping us sort through this mess. She told us about a meeting they were having to decide if we needed to work through the courts or if we could just bring her home and work form here.

About 5:45 on Thursday they called us and said that Anna was ours and that we could bring her home.

There have been so many lessons of prayer, recognizing the spirit, watching the spirit work in our lives. Not only in ours but Anna's adoptive family, Our friends family and our family.

I truly have been well taught this week of the power of families. How it is in the family unit that we obtain exaltation. We recieve the most choice of heavenly blessings while cultivating these relationships.

How grateful I am for those who listen and follow the promting of the spirit.