"He Denieth None"

Another guest writer: I asked my Zone Leader Elder McBride To share something that he felt inspired to write about. He is one of my favorite missionaries out here, and I will be sure to forward any comments to him.

As of late I have been doing a lot of pondering upon the Savior and His sacrifice for each of us.  I have stared at picture after picture of Jesus Christ and remained speechless at the thought of that act which was performed out of an unconditional and perfect love.  I have thought about why the Atonement is so important in my life and the difference it can make in the lives of those that surround me.  I wondered how it is that I might come to better understand God's love. 

I was reading in the bible, and came across this scripture in John 10:17-18, that says, "therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.  I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.  This commandment have I received of my Father."  This scripture hit me with a greater force than it had previous.  I started to think about how the Savior came willingly to do this for the Father, to show His trust and His love.  It started a reflection of my life and how willing I was to do things for the Lord, and I came to this result; Our willingness to do what God asks of us, is a measure of our love for Him. 

That pulled my mind to even greater reflection and remembrance; God willingly gave His Son, and watched him suffer all pains, stand rejection, and be mocked.  God withheld all power to save His Only Begotten Son of these troubles to give me the opportunity to return to his presence.  How convenient was it for the Father to watch his Son suffer?  How convenient was it for the Savior to suffer, bleed, and die for my mistakes, sins, and rebellion?  These questions came to my mind quickly as I thought of times I had placed things aside that God has commanded me to do, because they weren't always convenient.  I wondered how much love the Savior had to have for not only me, but for my family and friends and even those I don't know, to lay down his life so that we may return to our Father in Heaven. 

All of these things brought my focus back to the Atonement, back to why the Savior is so important in my life.  I am inadequate.  I do make mistakes.  I have placed other things before God in my life, and loved things other than Him first.  I am grateful for the willingness that Christ shows in forgiving me of these mistakes and if it were not for His love, and His Atonement, I would not be as happy as I am today, or as thankful for the things I am given, by His hand.  So, I am brought to this scripture from the Book of Mormon, "for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him..." (2 Nephi 26:33).  I am not denied by him, none will be, if they come unto him.

Christmas

Birth heralded by angels, our Savior rose:

To become the first,
The first to fight death and win,
The first to live without sin.
The perfect Son,
The chosen One,
Chosen to lead, Chosen to find,

Chosen to bring those left behind,

Perfect faith for this Man,
Behold this the great 'I Am"
He brought comfort to widows,
Sight to the blind,
Strength to the lame,
And peace to the mind.

Our hearts are healed
As we touch his cloak,
He is the one,
The only source of Hope.

He lived for us, his beautiful life,
Though filled with sorrow, pain and strife,
He took our pain, our tears our sins
And bled them from his pores of skin.

He gave His precious miracle of life,
To save our souls, to save our lives
He was nailed to the cross,
Where He hung and He died
For us He lived, for us He died.


Advocate, Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Author of Life, Beginning and End, Bread of Life, Creator, Deliverer, Firstborn, Gate, God, Great Shepherd, High Priest, Holy and True, Immanuel, King Eternal, Lamb, Last Adam, Life, Light of the World, Lion, Mediator, Morning Star, Our Holiness, Our Protection, Our Peace, Precious, Rabbi, Rock, Savior, True, Teacher, The Way, The Word.

Remember Christ this holy season.
He is the one, the true reason.
For Joy, for Peace,
For Christmas Cheer,
So let us remember Him this year

"Just a Religion"

"This is not 'Just a Religion'"

"Carest thou not that we perish?"

"Carest thou not that we perish?" Mark 4:38 Who heard these words? The savior and redeemer of the world, the one who suffered, bled, and died for every one of us. He who cared enough "to go forth suffering pains, afflictions and temptations of every kind" (emphasis added) Alma 7:11, heard these words from those who were closest to Him, in His earthly life.
I have also heard these words0--not with such anchient grammar--but I too have suffered this harsh judgement of "You just don't care." from those I do truly care about.

I know just as most children, I have said to my parents, "You don't love me." Or "You're just doing this because you hate me." The list goes on and on!

What is my point in bringing this up? It's the teaching that Christ did after he heard these words from his beloved apostles. After he arose, and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea "Peace be still" He said simply, "How are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" Mark 4:40

Believe that your parents love you. Believe that Christ loves you! Have faith that everything he commands is for your good. "Be not faithless but believing!" John 20:27

Scripture links provided by http://lds.org/ also http://mormon.org/

What Matters Most?

Take some time out today and appreciate the gifts God has given you!

Continue in Patience!

Keep Pushing, You're so close to getting that second marshmellow!

Gifts to Christ

I sent out a facebook invitation to all of my facebook friends inviting them as I invite you to "Strengthen your faith, commit to yourself, what you are going to do to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ. I know you will find more peace and happiness as you strive to do this. And that is what Christ wants for all of us. That is his "work and his glory". That is what he died on the cross for. So let us this day make that step of faith. When you do something, or if you are planning to do something, post it under "[this blog]" Let us see how we can change our worlds, as we bring us and our friends closer to God, and closer to our Savior."

So my friends...The comments are now yours.

Cold Weather: A time to find Joy!

*Chattering Teeth*
So the weather got unexpectedly cold pretty fast, and I was out walking the streets of Petaluma, when I asked myself, "What does cold weather have to do with the gospel?"

Mother

It was my wonderful Mother's birthday yesterday and it got me thinking, ... How amazing are our mothers? How much do we take for granted the things that they do for us and give to us? My mother is incredible, 8 kids, she had to raise me, She has been through a lot. She is an incredible example to me of humility, and the way I need to live to draw closer to my heavenly parents. I know my Mother loves me, I have no doubt. And I know my mother loves My heavenly Father, and my Savior.
Thank you Mom, for ALL that you have done, do now, and will do! I love you so much!