The Lord Is My Deliverer

When called the Savior responded "Not my will, but thine be done." He offered himself a ransom for me. So often I take for granted the simpleness of the atonement. If followed we have a promise that he will lead us out of the devoureer's reach. He will deliver us to the place we want to be...forever with him for eternity, For some that maybe hard to fully comprehend.

Because of the Savior Jesus Christ you and I have the ability to go back and live with the father again. A temporal blessing of accepting this gift is true happiness. Yes, it takes work. It takes trial and even sacrifice but if we are willing to shirk off the world and the natural man we will be happy.

Deliverer means to me that I will be lead to a better place than where I have been. That the Lord will guide my footsteps as I am humble and pliable. When faith is exercised Christ is there to hold me up. When trial comes and my heart grows weary Christ is there.

The Lord knows our pain. He suffered so he could help us. He had to know what it felt like to show us the Eminence amount of love the father has for us. What a beautiful thought it is that he is guiding me.

My favorite portrait of the Savior is of a Young man in heavy seas stirring a boat. The Savior is pictured standing behind the captain of the ship pointing the way. The Hymn says "Dark the night of sin hath settled loud the angry billows roar. Eager eyes are watching longing for the lights along the shore" He is the light on the shore that will deliver us to the Father of Heaven and earth.

The Lord is my Rock

Where do you want to stand?
Some prefer to stand on shifting sand and are blown about. Others seek shelter and safety and wander looking for the protection of some unseen savior. But to no avail their efforts are fruitless. Some place their trust in a higher power. They exercise faith and seek the better part. As they hold out for the end they will find the tree of life. The fruit exquisite. The feelings, awesome!

The Lord is My Rock-
The word rock inferred that the things around us are firm, steady and ready to be a sure foundation. Testimony must be built upon such a place. Like the child's game "King of the Rock" the world is always trying to tear down the pure and simple. Those who make Christ the center can not and will not fall. Jesus Christ is the firm and steady foundation where peace is found, and serenity gained.
In Christ we are able to be immovable. We are able to ground ourselves in the sure hope of truth. He is there for us to lean on. He will even carry us if needed.

The picture of Christ standing at the door knocking has always stirred emotions. He longs for us to follow him. He asks us to trust in him.

Many of times it may seems as though there has not been anything secure around us. Sometimes the way may be hopeless. The truth is that,  that is when we must call on our faith...to bring our hearts and minds together.

There was a young man whose family was less active. The young man came to church each week. He sat on the front row after sacrament was through being passed to the congregation. The young man enjoyed being at church because that was the only place where he felt safe. He was a loud young man. He tried all of his leaders patience but they never pushed him away. (That was the beauty of the Church of Jesus Christ) They met the youth where he was . The church offered Fellowship to the boy. They gave him a second home. In time the youth would grow up. But the simple little acts of kindness and love built a testimony that could not be shaken.

The Lord uses his servants to build up his children. We need one another to make it through this experience that we call earth life.

The Lord is My Fortress

Moroni in Chapter 50 of the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon fortified the cities. He did so in a very unique way. He dug up the earth creating a bowl effect he created spear fences. He was caring and preparing for when the enemy might return.

The interesting thing about Moroni is that he was fortifying a city but how could we fortify our individual lives. Before we can expect to fortify a city, the individual must take measures to fortify themselves.

A missionary shared the following example.
While Satan has refined his tools the things that we have to be doing is making are war chest stronger as well. So whats inside?
The Scriptures
Our Family
Church Magazines
Church Activities
Magnifying Church callings
Hometeaching
Family History
Missionary Work

Each of these things build up our defenses and provide in us an unshakable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in his Church on earth today. As we are willing to put aside the things of man we pick up the things of God!

Seek To Be Taught

A man walked out of his home and looked into his yard. He longed to have the yard look beautiful and lush. Over time he just could never get exactly what he was looking for. He had the idea in his mind of what he wanted it to look like.  It just was lacking something. He just kept doing what he thought was right. He would take unsolicited advice when it was given but he would never ask. He could not bring himself to admit that the problem might be that he needed a little help or even a fresh perspective.

The man's wife knew how much the yard meant to him and even offered her thoughts. She would leave books around the house of little helpful hints. Her hope was that he would take the initiative to inquire from something more than he was then employing.

Finally one day the man broke down and asked another man his thoughts. The man's friend had won awards for gardening and landscape. he did not flaunt it. No one knew in the neighborhood that the friend was so skilled. The man's friend smiled and said I thought you would never ask. 

The two men worked together for three weeks. The yard was beginning to look like the picture that he had envisioned. The man was so pleased. He had finally accomplished his task and was able to find joy in the labors of his work.

Our lives are like the Man's yard. We have goals we have things that we want to accomplish but because of our pride we forget to seek the help of him who knows all. Seek to know. Prophets have asked questions and have been filled with wisdom, knowledge and a desire to help others.

Lehi a prophet of the Book of Mormon was concerned for himself he heard the words of church leaders to repent and so he asked God. The scripture says that as he prayed a pillar of fire came and dwelt before him on a rock. While there he was taught; he was shown the will of the Lord. 

Our prayers may not be that dramatic. Most won't ever have that grand of an experience. However that sweet spirit of being taught can and will come into our hearts and minds if one is willing to seek to be taught. Seek to learn as much as possible both temporal and spiritual for knowledge is Power!

I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me.

Heavenly Father really does care for his children. There is proof all around of how much he wants us to be happy. There is so much to see, to hear, to touch, to experience. Look all around and it is plain to see that while the world has a lot to weigh us down. It has twice as much to offer.
just as the primary song says this is how I know that My Heavenly Father loves me:

Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by,

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by our lilac tree,

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heav'nly Father created for me.

2. He gave me my eyes that I might see

The color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear

The magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:

I thank him rev'rently

For all his creations, of which I'm a part.

Yes, I know Heav'nly Father loves me.

I have thought recently of how much love Heavenly Father has for me personally. He has blessed me with a Wife who is a partner and confidant. She is there to be my rock and I hers. Together we have created a family that loves and wants to help and share in our success. We cheer with each success and are willing to be the comfort when failure occurs. Family is what it is all about. Nothing is better than spending quality time with family. Doing stuff together building relationships with each one another. Offering help when help is needed. Being a shelter when life's' storms has beaten down our spirits. One can always turn for home and look for a safe haven.
Sometimes it is necessary to take a break and recognize as President Eyring says the things that are around us. Be grateful for the things in our lives and look for the joy in everything around you. A positive attitude and a hopeful heart can and will change the world.
Heavenly father knows me. He listens to my prayers and he will listen to ours as well. When sought his help is evident he stands at the door ready but we must invite him in.

Sharpen your tools

Sharpen your tools.

Quinton  L Cook posed Alma's question in last conference "..... if ye have experienced a change of heart and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love , I would ask , can ye feel so now?" In other words where are you right now? How is your testimony? Are you working daily to strengthen it? Are you seeking to obtain that highest of all glories?

The great part is we just have to do the best we can. We have an elder brother who is willing to pick us up and carry our load. If we are willing to let him. If we are seeking to follow him and make him the focus of our lives. Are we going to fall short? Yes, because we are human. The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides us a very special tool. 

The tool of repentance. It is an eraser if you will. Repentance allows us to keep progressing forward toward the goal of living altogether at our heavenly home. What a valuable tool!

Everyday requires us to take inventory. What is a little dull? What needs tossed? What tools do I have in my arsenal? 

With a little effort we are prepared to meet the days battle. Everyday is a BATTLE! Satan never gives up. Ever is he looking for the weak and then he exploits that to the fullest.    

Recognize the danger that is out there.Realize the power that you have. Now go out and wield the sword of truth!

Testimony + Prayer + Dilligence = Strength

Never has there been a more critical time than now. We have a need of strong willing men that will stand up and guide their families. Guide them through very tumultuous waters. The battle is waging and if we do not use every ounce of effort we will fail.

The scriptures are full of examples that we could look to. Are you a modern day example? Are you holding that banner high for all to see. Are you that light that will guide others through the darkness?

*The Lord is counting on you. We have a great work to do and many are lacking! Nephi counseled in 1Nephi 15:11 we need to pray we need a testimony and we need to be diligent in doing the mind and will of God.

Our families must know that we are prayerful  We must be constantly mindful of them. We need the Lord's help to know where to guide them. Prayer is our link to our father. Through prayer we are able to seek the Lord's help and expect he will inspire and answer you.
Answers come as we read the scriptures, as we pay close attention to things around us. That is how our Heavenly Father answers our prayers. He puts people in our path. He speaks as we are reading. Tune out the world and you will find that the answers are not as fuzzy as they might seem.

Strengthen your testimony daily. Expect to be taught by the spirit as you are living your everyday life. Gems are out there every day, in everything you do. Are you your greatest example? What are you doing to build your testimony?

In a church meeting a brother asked What are you thankful for? He went down a list of things that many just take for granted. From the air that we breath, the food that we eat, the job that we have. Our lives are rich with blessings.

Do we recognize that? Do you recognize that all things that are around you come from a loving Father? These are testimony builders. Sometimes, these experiences may come with a price. Sometimes it may require that you loose worldly wealth. It may require a little heartache. But truth and light will be what matters most.

Finally, a little hard work is what it takes. Don't be afraid to get a little dirty. Jump in and give it your all. Family is sometimes not the easiest to deal with. We need our family to be there. We  may not show it. If we do our job, if we accept our responsibility than they will know where to turn when Life has gotten them down!

More often than not the greatest memories come from spending time. Where do you spend your time? Are you serving others? Are you serving those you love? I heard from a man not of my faith that the reason why he works is so he go and do things. Camp,ski and be with those he loves. That is what this life is all about. The rest is just fluff.

Now is the time to stand up be counted. Be who the Father intended you to be. Be an example. Share your testimony, pray, put to work those things you have learned from the spirit. Be who you know your to become! The more you build the more your increase from on high.