Answering Prayers

I have had so many prayers answered through the hands of other people - people who acted, not realizing that they were the answer to my prayers. I have tried to listen to the spirit and do the same.

Praying for others is always a good thing, and sometimes, depending on the situation, it is all we can do. But there are other times that require more, and those are the times when we should allow ourselves to be used by God to bless a life.
Those times are the best:-)

The Hard Knocks of Life

This comic just made me smile and then snort, but it was a happy snort. While many probably share the sentiments of the screw, I have adopted the attitude of the nail. Each time life hits me with

something and I survive it, man, do I feel stronger because of it! I learned long ago that it is all in the attitude. Sure, I still have my down moments, but I don't let myself stay down.
That is the key.
God wants us to looks on the hard knocks of life as teaching and refining moments. Depending on our obedience, they can be part of the all-important, slow sanctification process that we should all be moving toward.
I don't pray for trials, but I do pray for an increase and strengthening of my faith, which inevitably brings trials. But that's okay.
Life is a university of spiritual preparation that seems so long to us, but is just a blink when compared to eternity. I don't know about you, but I would rather take advantage of this time of steady internalization and study of the important things than wait until the last few minutes and try to cram for the final. In this instance, I don't think that will work out well.
Happy Sabbath!

Human Kindness

This morning, I have been pondering the things that are going on in the world, and the signs and wonders that signify these being the final days of spiritual preparation for the people in every land

and nation.
Despite the many souls with caring hearts who seek out opportunities to help their fellow man, sadly, there is a growing absence of simple, plain old human kindness. And because of this absence, the world continues to sink further and further into despair as man focuses inward instead of outward. For some, unless there is something to be gained, his fellow man is of no use, while the treasured few look upon the plights of others with charity, which is the pure love of Christ, and they spring into action to help. We see the evidence of those precious souls in the humanitarian aid given to the victims of hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters occurring here and around the world.

But those are the big things. What about the small everyday things? What about differing opinions and views on current events and controversial subjects? What about differing religious beliefs? Just because we don't agree doesn't mean we can't still be kind to one another. We are always going to see others who believe differently, but they believe what they believe, just as you believe what you believe. We just need to know that the Savior will be the judge of all things and it is not our place, thank goodness! I don't know about you, but I DO NOT want that job!

There are also going to be those who choose to live in a way that we don't agree with - and if you are a parent, sometimes these choices will break our hearts because they go against all we have taught them (Believe me, I've been there in a major way,) but again, the Lord will be their judge. Our job is to love, NOT CONDONE OR ACCEPT THEIR ACTIONS AS RIGHT, but love them, be their guide, and shower them with kindness, as far as they will allow.

I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but what about simple discussions on social media? These days, unkindness at the electronic keyboard abounds over various things, including subjects relating to God and religious beliefs and teachings. Whenever this happens, no matter who is right or which opinion is most right, the harsh words, accusations and judgements drive the spirit of the Lord away quicker than we can blink. Because of this, in many cases, instead of using social media as a weapon of the Lord, it becomes a tool of Satan. And that tool is growing sharper by the day.

I love this life, and I love the knowledge of my place in this world. We all have a purpose, and we have all been gifted with the light of Christ. When we are mean, cruel, vindictive, angry, and allow those - as well as other emotions - to drive us to spew words of harshness and dole out unkind acts, we smother that light a little at a time until one day, there is only a tiny wisp of a spark left, and if we don't bring in good material to kindle it, it will go out.
I pray that we will all let kindness reign in our minds and hearts, in our words and deeds, that the light of Christ within us will illuminate the straight and narrow path ahead of us that leads back to the Father of us all.

Feeling Joyful

This morning, I have been pondering how much I have felt the love of my Heavenly Father. I have been the recipient of some truly glorious spiritual experiences lately - experiences that are hard to put into words. Because of this, I find myself praising my Father throughout the day every day, and even that doesn't truly convey what I feel.

Because of my Lord, I have been blessed with many "Ammon" moments, and lately those moments have increased in intensity. I glory in my God unto boasting of Him because of the many miracles He has performed in my life. Because He rescued me so long ago, and because His Son atoned for my wretchedness, I am able to still be here, whole of spirit, and able to sing His praises and share His word. Sometimes I am filled with so much joy, the tears just come in a rush. I am awed that He would rescue ME - a soul so rebellious and proud - and bestow upon me so much mercy and grace that even during these times of trial, I am warmed and comforted by the surety of His love.

Like Ammon in The Book of Mormon, my heart cries, "Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever. I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things;" (Alma 26: 8, 11-12)

I am so thankful!

Achieving Holiness

This is now, without a doubt, my new favorite quote, because it says it all and there is nothing else I

can add. I KNOW that it is true.
But the key to achieving this level of holiness is WANTING it enough to do it - which means living each day as if you have already reached it.