"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeh them nto, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:24-27)
How many times in the Book of Mormon do we hear the worlds, "and according to your faith it will done unto you?"
Faith: Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
Believe: Accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of: Accept the statement of (someone) as true.
It's simple: completely trust the teachings in the Book of Mormon and act accordingly. "... and doeth them..." will surely gain a testimony. Just believe the things it teaches, and suddenly a whole new world is opened up, one that gives me hope!
Our ability to learn is based on our capacity to ask the right questions, and then to have an open mind to all possibilities and an open heart to the spirit. This is how I try to Live: tell me something good!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Go With the Flow, Don't Force It
"The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of rightousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." D&C 121: 46
Compulsory definition: Required by law or a rule; obligatory....Involving or exercising compulsion; coercive.
Compulsion defintion: The action or state of forcing or being forced to do something.
Don't feel like its an obligation. Serving the Lord and living life to the fullest is a natural and divine attribute. It is a part of a nature as embryonic gods to desire to grow. I'm only starting to learn how to separate myself from so many of the extrinsic values of the world, because I'm realizing how temporary, unstable, and unfulfilling (and quite boring) these values are. The world and its definition of success depresses me. As I further my education in the gospel and the truths of the testimonies of its valiant members, I'm finding myself happier and motivated.
I'm stoked to find out how all the good things in this world are so interconnected. Things like love, peace, nobleness, discipline, happiness, faith, virtue, knowledge, patience, hope... All these amazing things pump ambition and hope into my heart. I'm so thankful for the atonement of Christ for saving me from destroying devices that is sin. Otherwise none of these values would mean anything to me, and I would spend the rest of my existence in a shallow attempt to get the next "high" or comfortableness.
Compulsory definition: Required by law or a rule; obligatory....Involving or exercising compulsion; coercive.
Compulsion defintion: The action or state of forcing or being forced to do something.
Don't feel like its an obligation. Serving the Lord and living life to the fullest is a natural and divine attribute. It is a part of a nature as embryonic gods to desire to grow. I'm only starting to learn how to separate myself from so many of the extrinsic values of the world, because I'm realizing how temporary, unstable, and unfulfilling (and quite boring) these values are. The world and its definition of success depresses me. As I further my education in the gospel and the truths of the testimonies of its valiant members, I'm finding myself happier and motivated.
I'm stoked to find out how all the good things in this world are so interconnected. Things like love, peace, nobleness, discipline, happiness, faith, virtue, knowledge, patience, hope... All these amazing things pump ambition and hope into my heart. I'm so thankful for the atonement of Christ for saving me from destroying devices that is sin. Otherwise none of these values would mean anything to me, and I would spend the rest of my existence in a shallow attempt to get the next "high" or comfortableness.
Monday, February 4, 2013
John 2:1-11
Read these verses. They have me wondering...
In verse 4, Jesus says his hour has not yet come. He, in other words, is saying that he has his powers for the purpose of his "hour", or his divine mission on this Earth from Heavenly Father. This is the reason Jesus had his power, so that he could truly sacrifice himself according to the Fathers will, rather than just his own.
Now the idea came to me; Maybe his entire ministry, up to the point of the passover and Gethsemane, was simply his will. He truly loved us with his entire heart, and the thirty years prior to his ministry and miracles he lived however his heart desired. He was a carpenter. He was a loyal and happy son to his Mother Mary. We even see in the beginning of John that it wasn't uncommon for him to be close to his mom.
So here's the theory: Jesus lived life as he chose to, righteous and happy, until his hour was come. He lived his life, his purpose on this Earth, was for his moment of truth. But he is the perfect example. He chose his profession. He lived a life prior to his ministry. He had agency. He began his ministry as he was called of God to establish a righteous church and to spread a message of good tiding unto the children of men. I know that I have a life ahead, full of adventure, marriage, family, and whatever profession I choose. However, my hour is yet at hand: To serve a mission. Perhaps that is my fore-ordination in this world, and any calling after that in the body of the church is my ministry. Its just a speculation, an idea. But hey, it gives me hope. It says to me that there is a reason eternal life is our most prized blessing; It's because there are joys and happiness that god wants us to enjoy, and eternal and immortal life is the only way for us to experience the things that God wants us to experience.
"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; "for the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves." (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27-28)
"That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." Matt 6:4
In verse 4, Jesus says his hour has not yet come. He, in other words, is saying that he has his powers for the purpose of his "hour", or his divine mission on this Earth from Heavenly Father. This is the reason Jesus had his power, so that he could truly sacrifice himself according to the Fathers will, rather than just his own.
Now the idea came to me; Maybe his entire ministry, up to the point of the passover and Gethsemane, was simply his will. He truly loved us with his entire heart, and the thirty years prior to his ministry and miracles he lived however his heart desired. He was a carpenter. He was a loyal and happy son to his Mother Mary. We even see in the beginning of John that it wasn't uncommon for him to be close to his mom.
So here's the theory: Jesus lived life as he chose to, righteous and happy, until his hour was come. He lived his life, his purpose on this Earth, was for his moment of truth. But he is the perfect example. He chose his profession. He lived a life prior to his ministry. He had agency. He began his ministry as he was called of God to establish a righteous church and to spread a message of good tiding unto the children of men. I know that I have a life ahead, full of adventure, marriage, family, and whatever profession I choose. However, my hour is yet at hand: To serve a mission. Perhaps that is my fore-ordination in this world, and any calling after that in the body of the church is my ministry. Its just a speculation, an idea. But hey, it gives me hope. It says to me that there is a reason eternal life is our most prized blessing; It's because there are joys and happiness that god wants us to enjoy, and eternal and immortal life is the only way for us to experience the things that God wants us to experience.
"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; "for the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves." (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27-28)
"That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." Matt 6:4
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
My Dear Bro
Marcus, you are a kid with the potential for greatness in whatever your passion is. If that passion is basketball, then you will be successful. This I know without a doubt. The heart that's inside you is pure and defiant. If only you would watch and control your emotion, which can destroy even the best man in a quick moment. If we lose our temper, we are controlled by the emotion of anger. "What a tyrant to be ruled by!
"Even the Savior, before he cast the money changers out of the temple, braided his whip; he was in full control of himself in the exercise of his righteous indignation."*
If you just wouldn't be so quick to anger you might open up your heart to what Dad has to say. If you wouldn't be so concerned with the fads of the world you would improve.
I don't have the ability nor the responsibility to lecture you. I only hope you realize this thing on your own, so that you can make a step towards progression. As for now, I'll just wait I guess.
*Stephen R. Covey
"Even the Savior, before he cast the money changers out of the temple, braided his whip; he was in full control of himself in the exercise of his righteous indignation."*
If you just wouldn't be so quick to anger you might open up your heart to what Dad has to say. If you wouldn't be so concerned with the fads of the world you would improve.
I don't have the ability nor the responsibility to lecture you. I only hope you realize this thing on your own, so that you can make a step towards progression. As for now, I'll just wait I guess.
*Stephen R. Covey
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
quote from Papa Draney
Some guys from work told me that no one respects a man in the office who wasn't at one point out at a nitty gritty job like carpentry or labor work. When I said that, my dad responded vehemently:
"Who gives a crap what they think. Don't they know they're employer never worked a job like that? And do you think he cares about people who call him unsuccessful?! If he heard him saying that he'd probably just fire him and hire the next man in line. His labor work is making Randy millions of dollars a year..."
"Who gives a crap what they think. Don't they know they're employer never worked a job like that? And do you think he cares about people who call him unsuccessful?! If he heard him saying that he'd probably just fire him and hire the next man in line. His labor work is making Randy millions of dollars a year..."
My Sweet Agenda
I'm not just doing these things to be an effective missionary. I dream of an amazing life, and its something I want more than anything. A life with meaning and exploration and experience. Minimizing idle time is my ultimate goal I think, and I want to enjoy it. So in the back of my mind I have one of the Lords promises in my head:
Jacob 2:19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
I love this promise because I believe focusing too much on work can be one of those things that takes up our time that we could be growing! Valuable lessons come from work, but there is a greater work to be done among God's children. At least in my life, right now I need to focus on is a mission and preparing for one. What I luxurious blessing it is for me, for I'm only beginning to dig into this gospel, and I'm loving it!
Jacob 2:19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
I love this promise because I believe focusing too much on work can be one of those things that takes up our time that we could be growing! Valuable lessons come from work, but there is a greater work to be done among God's children. At least in my life, right now I need to focus on is a mission and preparing for one. What I luxurious blessing it is for me, for I'm only beginning to dig into this gospel, and I'm loving it!
The Beginning of Progression
I’m going to form habits. This will require 66 days at
least. I’m going to follow the Word of
Wisdom and some Buddhist ideas on what it means to have control of the
body. Then, when I’ve figured out what
guidelines I’m going to follow, I will stick to them for the determined amount
of time, and will then try to further my spiritual progression once I’ve
reached a habituated body that’s no longer overwhelmed by the needs.
I don’t
want to worry about my bodily needs; there are more important things to do with
my time. Nevertheless, it is a problem that I need to fix if I want to move on. It’s essential to master this to be an
effective missionary. D&C 84:
80 And any man that
shall go and preach this gospel of the kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful
in all things, shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body,
limb, nor joint; and a chair of his head shall not fall to the ground
unnoticed. And they shall not go hungry, neither athirst.
81 Therefore, take ye
no thought for the morrow, for what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, or
wherewithal ye shall be clothed.
82 For, consider the lilies of the field, how
they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin; and the kingdoms of the world,
in all their glory, are not arrayed like one of these.
83 For your Father, who is in heaven, knoweth
that you have need of all these things.
84 Therefore, let the morrow take thought for
the things of itself.
D&C 89:
Did you see that?! That's exactly what I'm looking for! I wonder what kind of mysteries its talking about. Oh well, I'll find out. I'm freaking excited! I hope the act of forming strong habits will be enough to start this process.
D&C 89:
18 And
all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to
the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures
of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall
walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise,
that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and
not slay them. Amen.
Did you see that?! That's exactly what I'm looking for! I wonder what kind of mysteries its talking about. Oh well, I'll find out. I'm freaking excited! I hope the act of forming strong habits will be enough to start this process.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)