Birthday

A birthday of a child, one of your own is humbling. Each year is precious, as they advance through different stages in life, you with them. It goes by, oh so fast. But the one stage I remember is the blessed beginning of holding that baby with the one who so courageously endured the months of pregnancy and the beyond description ordeal called delivery. Each has spoken to us, like a still whisper you can barely hear, "now take care of me", and hopefully the baby feels the heartfelt return through the tears "we will".

The Shield

Another post about our shield. Studying and applying scriptures consistently can only help us through life's difficulties or daily preparations (29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked— Book of Mormon, Helaman, Helaman 3). Go back and read the other shield posts in the blog. I believe this is the fourth entry. 

"Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. No matter how antiquated or lacking in parts your armor may be, always remember that it is within your power to make the necessary adjustments to complete your armor." N. Eldon Tanner

Turkey Bowl Stats

Hey, I wanted to list my own Fantasy 2014 Turkey Bowl stats:

1 A one handed end-zone interception.

1 A two yard rushing touchdown, up the gut

1 A punt return for touchdown, untouched

1 A crashing sack of the quarterback, around the left tackle, and finally

0 A non visit to insta care

Rip-Dive Experience, Hanging Christmas Lights

Today we put up the Christmas lights.  Three trips to Walgreens. Here are the items you will need: fasteners, extension cord, strands of hanging bulbs, and wire.  Then, the most important item- Patience. Especially when you have lined everything up and the plug is not matching the outlet- Houston, we have a problem. But, wait- the kids figure it out while I am having a brain cramp.

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Romans 12:12

Another Prayer Quote

"The most meaningful and spiritual prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and few, if any, requests. As I am blessed now to pray with apostles and prophets, I find among these modern-day leaders of the Savior’s Church the same characteristic that describes Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon: these are men whose hearts swell with thanksgiving to God for the many privileges and blessings which He bestows upon His people (see Alma 48:12)."

—David A. Bednar, "Pray Always"
Topics: Gratitude

List

“If you stay anchored to the gospel of Jesus Christ, I promise that you will not have any challenge that you can’t deal with.

Live a Christ-anchored life.

Make time for self-evaluation.

Find and befriend a lonesome person.

Stay clear of harmful things.

Say thanks to your parents.

Don’t forget to pray.

And never take life too seriously—it’s okay to have fun."

M. Russell Ballard

Scripture to Memorize

34 ¶Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? (New Testament, Luke, Luke 14)

Like this scripture says "Salt is good". Yet, sometimes it can lose it's savour.  It can be revived or seasoned again. Let's take action, Pray. Our relationship and connectivity with the Lord should be bookmarked permanately in our heart.

Learned from Church

I really enjoyed our sacrament speakers.  The couple spoke about blessings.  The first speaker spoke about simple gratitude practices. Having a gratitude journal and prayer.  She struggled with her colic newborn, at night, no rest for months. Yet she was patient through it, and she quoted this : "that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running." President Dieter Urfdorf

Her husband talked about a daughter of a patient he was treating, her mother, whom she without complaint, in simple praise, helped in every way for her need while helping her children. He mentioned that we need a method to record and document spiritual experiences, "remember to retrieve" he said. He records these experiences in an email file.

A teacher gave these insightful ideas to improve our prayers: have a habit, pray vocally, thoroughly think through and ponder your needs, write down your ideas and questions, and read your scriptures first before you pray. As inspired, Our Heavenly Father will tell us what to ask?

And finally, the book of Jeremiah, filled with vast scriptural Diving opportunities provide Hope of living and enduring in a doubtful life experience. Dostoevsky settled that question a long time ago. Writing toward the very end of his life in 1881, he declared, “It is not as a child that I believe in Christ and confess him. My hosanna has passed through a great crucible of doubt.” Neal Maxwell broadens the insight:

"I testify that, though He never needed it, He gave to us what we desperately needed—that program of progress—repentance, which beckons us to betterness. I thank Him for helping me, even forgiving me, when I fall short, when I testify of things known but which are beyond the border of my behavior, and for helping me to advance that border, bit by bit. His relentless redemptiveness exceeds my recurring wrongs.

I testify that He has given us, and will give us, living prophets. I thank Him for His superb selection of His special witnesses and for His omniscient orchestration of their varied gifts in a symphony of salvation."

Jeremiah was as an "iron pillar" described by the Lord in his time of trial, captivity, and demonstrated courage; like his prophet friend Lehi, described by the Lord in vision for us to hold the "iron rod" through our time of trial, captivity, and unfailing courage.

4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. (Old Testament, Jeremiah, Jeremiah 23)

15 ¶Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. (Old Testament, Jeremiah, Jeremiah 28)

Dive, Prayer

Prayer to me is a layer like a blanket to comfort and provide warmth. With a cup of spiritual hot chocolate in our hands.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (New Testament, Revelation, Revelation 3)

34 ¶Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? (New Testament, Luke, Luke 14)

7 ¶Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (New Testament, Matthew, Matthew 7)

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. (Old Testament, Psalms, Psalm 55)

31 ¶Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Old Testament, Ezekiel, Ezekiel 18)

Dive

I found this about season of prayer:

 "Yea, cry unto him for mercy, for he is mighty to save; yea, humble yourselves and continue in prayer unto him; cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks; cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening; yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies; yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them; cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets and your secret places and in your wilderness; yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose this is all, for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need; I say unto you, if ye do not anything of these things, behold, your prayer is vain and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who deny the faith." [Alma 34:18-28.]

 I think that is very excellent doctrine, and I read it to impress upon your minds the season of prayer. The season of prayer is in the morning before the family separates. A good time for prayer is when you assemble at the table before you partake of the morning meal, and let the members of the family take turn in the praying. That is the season of prayer. The season of prayer for the merchant is in the morning when he goes to his place of business and before he begins his day's work, over his merchandise. The time of prayer for the shepherd, is when he is out with his flocks watching over them. The time for the farmer to pray is when he goes with his plow into the field, when he goes to sow his grain, and when he goes to gather his harvest. And if a man will pray as he is commanded to do in this passage of scripture which I have read, then he more than likely will be found in all things righteously keeping the commandments of the Lord. (In Conference Report, Oct. 1919, 142-43.)

Idea

Continue to review thoughts and scriptures in your mind. Make it a daily activity. I call these moments as "thought fillers" or "script-ions".  Record them on small note cards to review often.

New Topic

"Pondering is the thinking and praying I do after I read and study the scriptures." Richard Scott

This led me to my topic. It is more a phrase. In the spirit of thanksgiving, let's enhance our "season of prayer" to receive promised blessings from heaven above.

Exemplifiers

"Children often have the "thoughts and [the] intents of [their] hearts" focused on the Master. Though not full of years, such children are full of faith! Too young for formal Church callings, they have been "called to serve" as exemplifiers, doing especially well when blessed with "goodly parents" (1 Ne. 1:1).

Neal Maxwell, 1996, "Becometh As A Child"

Pondering a Topic

I am pondering a concluding topic for this month.  Gratitude and prayer have surfaced in my mind.  It will come to me, a topic. But, I like this mention of prayer:

"Thus, one of the chief purposes of our mortal probation is to see if we can learn with the spirit of prayer always in our hearts so that when the Lord chooses to speak, we shall hear his voice in our souls." President Joseph Fielding Smith 

The Winnebago RV, Learned at Church

The value of having an "open heart, open door" to those seeking help.  A young girl being embarrassed when her mother offered a poor relative to park in front of the house in an old Winnebago RV (the speaker called it a loaf of bread parked) for weeks, and obtaining meals from her family.  Then years later being confronted by a member of the Winnebago family so thankful, and being influenced by and accepting the gospel because of the "open heart, open door" shown by her mother.

This scripture then expresses the Winnebago story above:

 19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more. Doctrine and Covenants 78.

A Carpet Ride

It was fun seeing my daughter take part in helping with a junior high play production. We watched it tonight. It brought to me many memories of her drama activities. These lyrics from this song were heard:

"Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky"

SALT

Last night, we went to the contemporary dance performance of the SALT Company, EMBARK. Our daughter was able to perform a number with her teen group from Artistic Dance, artisticdanceutah.com. I love what they are trying to do through dance- a vessel, to fulfil their mission:

"Our mission is to use this art form to connect, inspire, and transform communities through artistic excellence, exhilarating performances, innovative choreography and superb outreach programs."  saltdance.com

Vessels Of Gold

"The Apostle Paul, writing to his young friend Timothy, said of these, "In a great house there are . . . vessels of gold and . . . silver, . . . of wood and of earth"--these means of washing and cleansing common in the time of the Savior. But Paul goes on to say, "If a man . . . purge himself [of unworthiness], he shall be a vessel . . . sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. "Therefore," Paul says, "Flee . . . youthful lusts: . . . follow righteousness, . . . call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Tim. 2:20-22; emphasis added)" Jeffrey R. Holland

His Chamber

Daniel 6:10-23: these verses highlighted-

10 ¶Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me:

Feels Like

To know what the voice of the Divine sounds and feels like, read His words, study the scriptures and ponder them." Richard  G. Scott

I feel generosity, gentleness, courage, meekness, encouragement, gratitude, hope, enlightenment, positivity, and peace in my heart from the divine when I am engaged in scripture study.

Each

"The people have allowed me to - they've respected my choice of wanting to be like, a little, you know, a baby alchemist, and just trying to mix different cultures together and things that I think are interesting. Each person is unique like a snowflake, and each snowflake is cool." Pharrell Williams

Scripture View

The power of scripture can be thought this way; always new and shiny, expressing multiple meanings depending upon time read or multiple doctrines expressed by the particular author-prophet. This inspires an elevated way of reading and exploring scripture.
 
Like this phrase,  "If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. ... It becomes special because you have made it so." F. Burton Howard

A Token, Learned At Church

12    Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: joshua 2:.

 
The promise or covenant given by a true token from Rahab, blest her, her family, and surely her people. She courageously sought and lived this promised token. May we desire and commit as she did.

 
"Now is the time to adjust your own spiritual oxygen mask so that you are prepared to help others who are seeking the truth." This a modern day promise, a Rahab desire, stated by Elder Neil Andersen. Then this caution: "Be sure to adjust your own mask before helping others.”
 
 

Learned At Church

The power of scripture can be thought this way; always new and shiny, expressing multiple meanings depending upon time read or multiple doctrines expressed by the particular author-prophet. This inspires an elevated way of reading and exploring scripture.
 
Like this phrase,  "If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. ... It becomes special because you have made it so." F. Burton Howard
 
12    Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: joshua 2:
 
View, token-
 
The promise or covenant given by a true token by Rahab, blest her, her family, and surely her people. She courageously sought and lived this promised token. May we desire and commit as she did.
 
"Now is the time to adjust your own spiritual oxygen mask so that you are prepared to help others who are seeking the truth." This a modern day promise, Rahab desire, stated by elder Andersen. Then this caution: "Be sure to adjust your own mask before helping others.”
 
 
Tim Asay

Tip

Be certain to file this scripture somewhere; perhaps in your notes section of your iPad. 

Topic Scripture Memorization

The scripture should be meaningful. One that can be imprinted or permanently decaled to one's heart. A scripture to be thought of and used during waiting, idol or musing moments. 

Vessel scripture to memorize:

23 Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also. (Book of Mormon, Alma, Alma 60)

Pottery, Vessel Piece

When I think of a Vessel I think of a pottery piece made by our son. Sitting silently on our living room picture stand. A gray bowl. I picture the effort- hands and the thoughts making such a piece.  A humble school project.  Now picture the effort, meekness, and humility of Christ for us. 

Scripture Linking

As you Dive, and find Treasures of wisdom utilize this method:

I draw lines to connect ideas. I shade verses and underline key words. When I find ideas that relate to each other, I make a scripture chain to link those ideas (see "Scripture Linking," Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 58). 

Dive

"Scriptures are like packets of light", Elder Richard Scott said.  A topical guide dive is such a "packets of light" experience:

From my dive, the topic Vessel. I really liked these scriptures:

be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord: Isa. 52:11 ; ( 3 Ne. 20:41 ; D&C 38:42 ; D&C 133:5 ; ) (Topical Guide, Vessel)

6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. (Old Testament, Jeremiah, Jeremiah 18)

48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. (New Testament, Matthew, Matthew 13)

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; (New Testament, 1 Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 4)

23 Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also. (Book of Mormon, Alma, Alma 60)

Seek Me

13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

(Old Testament, Jeremiah, Jeremiah 29)

Are we searching with all our hearts?  It should always be our desire.

Searching Topics

Boyd K. Packer speaking of topic searches related:

“However you follow these references,” I told him, “side to side, up and down, book to book, subject after subject—you will find that they are a consistent, harmonious witness to the divinity of the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ—His birth, His life, His teachings, His Crucifixion, His Resurrection, and His Atonement.”

Searching for Topic

Are we all clay in the potter's hand? What vessel doth seemeth good for the potter to mold of us? His child.

2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. 

3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 

4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 

6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. (Old Testament, Jeremiah, Jeremiah 18)

Thus, bringing us to the topic for this week, Vessel.

Learned at Church

The blessings of hearing of shared testimonies in fast and testimony can be inspirational. Today these thoughts inspired me:

"The Lord is present in the scriptures"

-a member recommitted to scripture study

"We blazed trails of family traditions started by us"

-a recent converted parent, first generation

"When I think how horrible things are for me, someone else has it worse"

-cancer survivor

"Not why burdens, but why am I here? A gift"

- cancer survivor

"I fear differently, fear now is that I know"

-next cancer surgery

Then in Sunday School class:

As he read the tales of the Wizard of Oz to his children, the author- he is quoted:

"To please a child is a sweet and lovely thing that warms one's heart and brings its own reward.” L. Frank Baum

This reminded me of telling my "accident stories" to my children before bed when they were younger.