She who does her task from day to day,
And meets whatever comes her way,
Believing God has willed it so
Has found true greatness here below.
Who guards her past, no matter where
Believing God must need her there
Although but lowly 'til it be,
Will rise to true nobility.
For great and low there's but one test.
It is that each shall do her best,
For who works with love makes this her goal.
Shall live and rise a noble soul.
-Grandma Georgia LeBlanc
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Honesty . . .helps us get . . . Hope
"Key Principle: Admit that you, of yourself, are powerless to overcome your addictions and that your life has become unmanageable."
What are addictions? Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve observed: "Addiction surrenders later freedom to choose. Through chemical means, one can literally become disconnected from his or her own will."
Things that make addictions more intense:
-denying the seriousness of our condition
-trying to minimize or hide our behaviors
-finding fault with others (family, friends, Church leaders, and even God)
-lies and secrecy
-excusing ourselves or blaming others
-thinking and saying "it's not that bad"
We bind ourselves with "flaxen cords" that becomes as strong as chains (see 2 Nephi 26:22).
We need help, because nothing we have tried on our own has helped. Finding courage to admit that we were not just dealing with a problem or a bad habit, but that our lives have become unmanageable. The amazing thing is that when we are honest, we can finally begin recovery.
We've heard of big sins - things like pornography, immorality, etc.. But, little ones can cause us to loose control or not be able to manage our lives any more.
Okay, so for me. It's probably the little things. The things I do everyday and promise myself I won't do. Like getting annoyed because my kids won't go to sleep on their own, or that I like food (sugar, salt, fat. . . the addictive substances), laziness, procrastination, etc. These things can be binding as well.
These things can make us loose hope. Hope that we can make it with our families to have Eternal life. I often get discouraged and feel like I am never going to make it. At these times, Heavenly Father places a little thought into my head, remember the bicycle parable in Steven E. Robinson's book, Believing in Christ.
We just need to work hard, do our best, and Heavenly Father will help us with the rest.
Back to honesty. This is why I am blogging 12.27. It's because I am weak. I am a natural man, and I need the Lord to strengthen me and make me strong. I need to humble myself, so he can do that!
Hope is the next "principle: Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health."
When we realize our powerlessness over our addictions, most of us felt stripped of any hope. I know at times, I have felt that I am to unworthy for his help. So, it makes it hard to turn to God and find hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Yet, I know it works for others. I guess this is when we are to hard on ourselves.
Just recently, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a talk to the sisters of the Church. He said, that we need to be more patient with ourselves, we need to have more compassion. This is one of the greatest talks!
Forget Me Not!
I am not planning to share with the world, all my weaknesses, but I don't mind sharing how I am working on making my weaknesses to be strong.
I do know that I can be forgiven of my weaknesses and that I am worth hoping for! Each of us are divine, children of our Father in Heaven and he so wants us to return to live with him.
What are addictions? Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve observed: "Addiction surrenders later freedom to choose. Through chemical means, one can literally become disconnected from his or her own will."
Things that make addictions more intense:
-denying the seriousness of our condition
-trying to minimize or hide our behaviors
-finding fault with others (family, friends, Church leaders, and even God)
-lies and secrecy
-excusing ourselves or blaming others
-thinking and saying "it's not that bad"
We bind ourselves with "flaxen cords" that becomes as strong as chains (see 2 Nephi 26:22).
We need help, because nothing we have tried on our own has helped. Finding courage to admit that we were not just dealing with a problem or a bad habit, but that our lives have become unmanageable. The amazing thing is that when we are honest, we can finally begin recovery.
We've heard of big sins - things like pornography, immorality, etc.. But, little ones can cause us to loose control or not be able to manage our lives any more.
Okay, so for me. It's probably the little things. The things I do everyday and promise myself I won't do. Like getting annoyed because my kids won't go to sleep on their own, or that I like food (sugar, salt, fat. . . the addictive substances), laziness, procrastination, etc. These things can be binding as well.
These things can make us loose hope. Hope that we can make it with our families to have Eternal life. I often get discouraged and feel like I am never going to make it. At these times, Heavenly Father places a little thought into my head, remember the bicycle parable in Steven E. Robinson's book, Believing in Christ.
We just need to work hard, do our best, and Heavenly Father will help us with the rest.
Back to honesty. This is why I am blogging 12.27. It's because I am weak. I am a natural man, and I need the Lord to strengthen me and make me strong. I need to humble myself, so he can do that!
Hope is the next "principle: Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health."
When we realize our powerlessness over our addictions, most of us felt stripped of any hope. I know at times, I have felt that I am to unworthy for his help. So, it makes it hard to turn to God and find hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Yet, I know it works for others. I guess this is when we are to hard on ourselves.
Just recently, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a talk to the sisters of the Church. He said, that we need to be more patient with ourselves, we need to have more compassion. This is one of the greatest talks!
Forget Me Not!
I am not planning to share with the world, all my weaknesses, but I don't mind sharing how I am working on making my weaknesses to be strong.
I do know that I can be forgiven of my weaknesses and that I am worth hoping for! Each of us are divine, children of our Father in Heaven and he so wants us to return to live with him.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Prayer is a form of work . . .
Tonight I had a great visit with my son. A great visit!
That isn't typical. He is usually pushing my buttons and testing my patience. Which started out that way. It's way past bedtime and he comes out of his room. I need my kids in bed early. I can't function if I don't have some unwind time in the evening. So, out he comes. And, I'm thinking, "What are you doing? Do you realize, I may blow a head gasket? . . . "
And then proceeds to tell me - he saw some scary images today at school. He is kind of like me. I do not like scary, creepy shows, things, etc. I have a vivid imagination and can see images and feelings I have seen many many years ago. He too has the wild imagination. So, I feel for him.
About ten years ago, an amazing lady by the name of Joan Erickson, came to talk to our stake when we lived in Monticello. She talked about prayer. Since, then, I believe this is one of my favorite things in the scriptures. It's simple, it's descriptive, and it's so TRUE!
In the Bible Dictionary, it states . . . "As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."
We then talked about when we see images, we don't get them from our minds. And the more we are exposed to things, the more we learn to accept them, and then maybe even em-brass them.
We talked about when we feel things aren't right. When we get a pit in the bottom of our stomach, it is the Lord telling us to get out, that things aren't right. And that he knew that (I am so glad).
How we got on prayer, is I told him that I had to pray every night as a child, because of something I was afraid of, or needed to get out of my mind. That as I prayed, I then sang songs, or did whatever I could to replace that.
I asked him, if he said his own prayers. He was honest and said no. I then pulled out the Bible dictionary and we talked about, that if we are asking our Heavenly Father to help us or provide a blessing, we must ask or work for it. It may be conditional based on if we ask for it. I asked him, if he believed in Heavenly Father? He said, Yes. I asked him, if he believed Heavenly Father answered prayers? He said, Yes. And then he prayed.
I feel like we had a great experience. I am grateful for what a strong boy he is. He has such a great spiritual strength. A strength that amazes me. He has such a great testimony. Such simple faith. I am grateful for the example he provides.
One thing I believe is that, parents need to let their children catch them praying. Children need to see that parents say individual prayers and that prayer is a part of our life.
Now, let's get to work and have Heavenly Father bless us through prayer!
That isn't typical. He is usually pushing my buttons and testing my patience. Which started out that way. It's way past bedtime and he comes out of his room. I need my kids in bed early. I can't function if I don't have some unwind time in the evening. So, out he comes. And, I'm thinking, "What are you doing? Do you realize, I may blow a head gasket? . . . "
And then proceeds to tell me - he saw some scary images today at school. He is kind of like me. I do not like scary, creepy shows, things, etc. I have a vivid imagination and can see images and feelings I have seen many many years ago. He too has the wild imagination. So, I feel for him.
About ten years ago, an amazing lady by the name of Joan Erickson, came to talk to our stake when we lived in Monticello. She talked about prayer. Since, then, I believe this is one of my favorite things in the scriptures. It's simple, it's descriptive, and it's so TRUE!
In the Bible Dictionary, it states . . . "As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."
We then talked about when we see images, we don't get them from our minds. And the more we are exposed to things, the more we learn to accept them, and then maybe even em-brass them.
We talked about when we feel things aren't right. When we get a pit in the bottom of our stomach, it is the Lord telling us to get out, that things aren't right. And that he knew that (I am so glad).
How we got on prayer, is I told him that I had to pray every night as a child, because of something I was afraid of, or needed to get out of my mind. That as I prayed, I then sang songs, or did whatever I could to replace that.
I asked him, if he said his own prayers. He was honest and said no. I then pulled out the Bible dictionary and we talked about, that if we are asking our Heavenly Father to help us or provide a blessing, we must ask or work for it. It may be conditional based on if we ask for it. I asked him, if he believed in Heavenly Father? He said, Yes. I asked him, if he believed Heavenly Father answered prayers? He said, Yes. And then he prayed.
I feel like we had a great experience. I am grateful for what a strong boy he is. He has such a great spiritual strength. A strength that amazes me. He has such a great testimony. Such simple faith. I am grateful for the example he provides.
One thing I believe is that, parents need to let their children catch them praying. Children need to see that parents say individual prayers and that prayer is a part of our life.
Now, let's get to work and have Heavenly Father bless us through prayer!
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