Arrayed in Whit Robes

Have you ever heard the saying that if it's not hard it is not worth it?  Well when your going through it, it's not the saying you really want to hear!  However, there is something empowering and enabling about it.  For it give me courage to takel hard things, instead of trying to avoid them.  It is because i know that the hard things are tied to the greater blessings.


"Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty... I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led diffcult lives and led them well."
-- Theodore Roosevelt

Take the hard rough and the high road and learn from the experience!  This is something that rings so true!  "And i said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.  And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14).  This is the answer to the question, "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they" (13)?  These are they that sit in the kingdom of God and receive all by His hand.

The scriptures continue to say, "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that siteth o the throne shall swell among them" (15).  From these scriptures it is clear that their is always something required of us.  If it wasn't hard it would be worth it.  There is nothing in life that is worth it that isn't hard.  These are they that have come through great tribulation--life was not easy!

However, because these came through life by the blood of the lamb and endured the hard road, they are promise: "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" (16-17).  The hardest road has the richest blessings!

Stand tall, lean on the Lord, follow Him, Trust Him, His is the Hard road, but His has the Greatest blessing and the most help!

Love your Brother

Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone else makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? Or have you had an encounter with an overhanging cupboard door left open at the wrong place and the wrong time which has been cursed, condemned, and avenged by a sore-headed victim?

While Elder Wirthlin was not necessarily talking directly about loving ones brother but the principle of learning to laugh, his main idea inherently is the same. This idea is that we should not become angry or contentious with our fellow man, or with the cupboard door.  Instead the idea is to find a way to seek to become more like the Lord, to show charity, kindness, and love.

These thoughts are also reinforced by the teaching of John: "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes" (2:10-11).  

It is interesting to note that those who are angry with the brother are considered to walking in darkness.  Have you ever been angry with someone?  How did you feel? What were you able to accomplish while you were angry?  What were you able to think about while you were angry?  These feelings of hatred roar in side us until like the all-encompassing storm they block out all light and leave us stumbling on our way.

However, have you ever just laughed at an insult and turned love on its way.  There is a peace a light and a focus that comes.  We learn more about Christ and how He must feel towards us and everything in our lives somehow seems to be enriched.  

Final Report

S-Specific ~ What was your project? Be specific. Report any changes you made in your project here.

My project over the course of the semester began as a more intense version of my semester long project last semester. My project was to go out of my way to get to know and meet new people. As I met this requirement I would write about the people that I met on blog. This would create a way to both share my experiences as well as create a way to measure my success.

The Gospel

A while back the question was raised, "what do Mormons believe?"  Joseph Smith responded to this question with 12 statements or formally known as the articles of faith.  The forth article of faith states: "We believe the first ordinance and principles of the Gospel are first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second repentance, third baptism for the remission of sins, and forth the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands."

It was fascinating to me to study the book of James along with the story of the restoration of the Gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith.  James counseled the Israel that "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

It was here that Joseph gained an idea of how to find truth: pray and ask.  It brought faith that there was a God and He answered prayers.  It was from this faith that sprung the First Vision and he's faith was made sure.

He then upon knowing of God sought to know if his course in life was in line with God.  Moroni appeared to the boy and latter revealed the Book of Mormon, a book dedicated to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance.

Through the Book of Mormon Joseph was taught about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, upon separately learning of these two and each question being sought with prayer.  Joseph was given the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

What is the significance of these events?  In each case Joseph came to the Lord in prayer with a question.  The pattern of James was followed all throughout the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The patter was lack of knowledge then prayer then answer. These came significantly in the order of Faith -> Repentance -> Baptism -> Gift of the Holy Ghost.  All in all this is the same pattern that we must follow.  When we lack knowledge pray, ask God, and then follow what is revealed.  Our idea will lead us to experiment with will increase our faith, the answer will increase our faith to act and change and in turn we will draw closer to God.

The Gospel is beautiful and consistent.

Final: How is a Tongue like a Horse

A.

 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Final: A Few Principles && Doctrines

1. Grace

- Grace is the strengthening enabling power of Jesus Chris.

- The Grace of Christ strengthens us and assists us in doing good works and moving forward.  It also is the enabling power that allows us to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after our own best efforts.

- Because Grace comes through Christ it is first requisite that one have Faith in Christ.

- Ephesians 2:8-9 : For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

-Elder Bednar: In the strength of the Lord and through His grace, I know that you and I can be blessed to accomplish all things.

2. Faith

Final: The Godhead

Dear Friend,

All throughout time God always made Himself known to man.  He parts the veil and reveals Himself to His prophet and then that prophet testifies to the world that God lives and that He loves us.  The greatest news that we share is that God still follows this pattern even in our generation.  The major reason that we believe that that the Trinity is not the whole truth is because the veil has been parted and God has revealed himself again to man in our generation.

Joseph Smith was the first prophet in our day to whom the veil was parted and the nature of the Godhead was made perfectly known.  Consider Joseph’s own words:

I could of had it all!

On my way back from swimming this morning a popular song came on the radio.  One of the lines is very contagious: "I could of had it all..."  It got me thinking as i read in Hebrews for class.  Here Paul is talking to a group of people that feel the law of Moses will save them and he is trying to teach them faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One of the example of faith that Paul uses is that of Moses and he words almost echo this song i just mentioned, Paul basically says that Moses being in the house of Pharaoh could of had it all, but instead chose to follow the Lord: "esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt... By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

He forsook the world, all of it, for all of it was truly at his finger tips being the son of Pharaoh--ironically to the world this also meant the son of god, for the world called Pharaoh god.  But he chose instead to follow in faith the promises of the true and living God.  The promise of eternal life and exaltation.  He gave up the seeming all for the All.

This is where i got to thinking "What are my Egypts?"  What are the things in my life that i want to hold on to so that i can "have it all?"  As i thought a few came to mind.  Then the question is do i "[Esteem] the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt?"

Then the words of Moses came again to mind as he saw the Lord and learn of the world's and man's true place: "Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed."  He was offered the world! He saw all of Egypt at his hands, Pharaoh was the claimed god of the world who ruled with an iron hand! There was nothing that was denied him!  Yet, Moses with only the sight of God realized: Man is Nothing!  Then the true power of his word: Which thing I never had supposed.  Truly God's promises are far greater than anything in this world and they are never broken!

With this in mind my Egypts don't seem so big and my gratitude for a loving Father and His Son surpass my understanding.  I know they live and love us, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Careful for Nothing

Careful is an interesting word; it means to be anxious to protect something from harm or danger.  Anxious is an interesting word; it means to yearn or worry about: such as the feeling for breath when the air is thin.

Therefore what dose it mean to be careful for nothing?  It mean to not yearn for anything, in other words, it means to cease to focus on the goals in life and enjoy the now on your way to them.  It means to find joy in the journey; to stop and smell the roses; to find peace now.  So how is this to be done? Paul gives us the answer: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6).  As we walk through life give our worries to the Lord let our advance worrying become our advanced prayer and planning.

This council also comes with a promise "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (7).  No greater blessing sometimes than that of peace.

So then the question becomes: aren't we supposed to have high goals and shoot for them?  "What wilt thou have pay the price and take it!" "Aim high in dream and hope!" "Never, never, never give up!"  Don't goals and dreams imply being not content with where one is in life, desiring and longing for more?

I don't have an answer for that...

But here are some more of Paul's words:  "for i have learned, in whatsoever state i am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and i know how to abound: everywhere and in all things i am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need" (11).  It seems then the answer is both.  With the guidance of the spirit, we fill our role in life and reach our greatest potential.  When prompted to move we move and know that there is nothing that we cannot accomplish, and therefore if we are stalled or stopped, or our course is changed, or while we fly--we enjoy the journey and flight--not the end. We trust that our power is infinite for "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (13).  

Lighten the Load

"And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, ALL hope that we should be saved was then taken away..." (Acts 27:20).

It is interesting to me it is in the times of our greatest difficult that the Lords true power is shown in so many ways.  It is also interesting to me that as the circumstances become worse my faith in Him increases.  It is in those times of utter oblivion that I know He always hears me, and by hears i mean shows His power and His hand in my life.

I think it is because He always comes to our aid that He asks us not to murmur.    "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke..." (Philippians 2:14).  I think for me when i begin to murmur, i am in essence blaming others for my trails and sorrows, as well as my weaknesses.  Murmuring in essence is saying your failures are someone else's fault.  Went i reflect on myself doing this i think how prideful, arrogant, and evil.  It's just not right.

God has given me a clear way to avoid this pitfall and even to over the "cause" of it.  "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (4:6).  He asks me to pray unto Him and share my weaknesses with Him, to offer them to Him.  He then promises peace and strength that knows no bounds, even His peace and His power: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your [heart] and [mind] through Christ Jesus." (7) "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (13).

Truly there is nothing that we cannot do through Christ and with His help, why complain and why murmur when i know that Christ will personally aid my endeavor and strengthen my weaknesses.  He lives and will always come to our aid. He lightens my load and commands the storm.  O murmur not my soul and let the God of all rule your storm. For He is mighty to save. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Ryan

What's up Ryan!

I hear all the time that the innovation of computers over the last few years is all about how many CPUs one can cram on a single chip, but that has never sounded all that interesting.

However, as i have met new Computer Science majors and have been able to get to know them, I have come to realize it really true.  The more friends you have in a group or class the lighter the load becomes.  How grateful i am to people who are willing to go out of their comfort zone and just make new friends.

For some reason that is hard for a few of us.

Too Hard to Stand

Life just has a way of knocking you are your butt sometimes.  And to make it worse, life has a way of sitting on you when you try to get back up!  Over the past few weeks school has become a livid nightmare, unfortunately in many ways that nightmare has become real.  I feel like i just got blasted by a cannon ball hurled through the air and in the process lost my leg, only to have ever professor dictate the command to "Get back on you feet, charge that hill!"  Have you ever tried to charge a hill with your leg blown off, it's not a pretty picture.

On a more serious note, there is nothing quit as painful and dark as those moments when you feel as though your life is completely out of control.  I have felt like i have been asked to do the impossible, i don't have to capacity, the gifts, nor talents, the laws of physics demand to be enforced.  I have felt my knees buckle under this load, were my prayers begin because literally my knees were forced to the floor.  It is these moments that the English language or any language for that matter is utterly worthless, it has not power to covey anything of what i feel.  Nor am i capable of uttering anything coherent.

It is in these moments that i have no clue what pray for or even how to ask for help that the Holy Ghost intercedes.  "...the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered" (Roman 8:26).  There is indeed a special spirit that is with us in these moments, though often my burned is never taken, my Father always seems to draw closer in return.  It is in those moments were nothing is spoken everything is said, both from my soul and from Him.

There is a peace that comes..."For we are saved by hope"  i'm comforted by my Father whom i cannot see, yet my soul seems to know "If God be for [me], who can be against [me]?" There is nothing that can separate us from the Love of our God and yet i know that He draws ever closer as we pray to Him in are times of sheer distress.  For my soul has found peace on my knees even when mind had no capacity to speak the feeling of my soul.  He Lives and Love us this I know, In the Name of Jesus Christ, Aman.

Lourin Fine

Boring to 5'7'' brown hair, blue eyes, and a English major.  Life is so much more fun when your meeting new people.  Lourin is my ISA class.  It was fun to finally meet someone that is supper outgoing and friendly.  She is from Masia, AZ and loves music.  She has been involved with music all her life and every calling she has ever had in the church has had somthing to do with music.

Life is so much more fun meeting new people.

Add some Purple

Have you ever met someone that critics everything to the point of utterly destroying it?  In other words some one that if you gave them a red pen and asked them mark everything that was wrong with a piece of work, all one would be left with is something that looks like a blood bath.  I have such a professor, literally there is nothing that passes here critical eye.  With this being said let me tell you about purple.

My group had a technical project due in which we were required to print a formal copy and post it for the classes review.  We thought we had everything covered and just need to print a formal copy.  Upon walking into class i first noticed a small look of horror on my teammates face, i then noticed that our technical description was covertly covered up under his book.  This raised my concern for usually when one is proud of something you don't hide it under  a book.  That is when i heard the worst words one can ever hear..."Check this out!"

Our document was aesthetically pleasing, it was design with vertical boxes capture the main points.  These boxes we had very carefully chosen to be cougar blue; however, that was not the blue staring me in the face.  Rather everywhere blue was supposed to be a saw puke purple, not purple--puke purple. Our document was purple! And the description covertly hiding in the sea of purple.

I couldn't shoot myself so i just started to laugh!  In fact i laughed so hard i interrupted the entire class because i couldn't stop for the first 15 minutes.

It was in this rage of laughter that i met and began to interact with two awesome girls.  Since then we have become really good friends.  I now when something going horribly wrong the phrase is, "You should have added purple!"

Just What You Deserve

Have you even been blamed for something that you didn't do?  I think this is one of the most infuriating circumstances to me!  You can hang me out to dry for the crimes i commit but accuse me of something i didn't do and i'll fight you to my dying breath.

Now, have you ever been accused of something that you did do?  These are the moments were i discover i have messed up, they are the moments were the consequences come into focus as though they were blurred before. The blood seems to sink to my toes, my heart pounds, and ever mussel goes weak.  I will never deny something that i have done wrong but in these moments i would give anything to change the past and avoid the consequences.  I feel like i'm standing in front of a firing line.  The strong reality is in one way or another and directly i stand condemned before the Lord.  In some way i have messed up.  "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one"  (Romans 3:12).

In very real way the consequence for these short comings is death.  "For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness...for the end of those things is death" (6:20).  There is no more horrible feeling!  I will confess that God is just and this is the end that i deserve.

However, this is not the end to the law.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is "Good News," news that the law will be satisfied but by the blood of the lamb.  Our Father offered His only son to by me back from the death, justice, and hell that i so richly deserved.  Christ who was perfect with out sin, willingly stepped into my place and offered me His.  "...we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:20).  This is a price that He has already so willingly paid.

Have you ever had someone wave a consequence that you so richly deserved?  How does it feel to know Christ has waved the eternal consequences for all of your sins?

It bring me peace, hope, joy, strength, and an admiration for Christ and my Heavenly Father--this is why i will sing their praises forever.  For all they have so willingly done for me!  God be thanked for the matchless gift of His son.  He has showed me mercy--He has not given me what i so rightly deserve.  He has given me strength, joy, peace in this world, and the promise of eternal life in the world to come--He has given me that which i don't deserve.

All He asks is for us to faith in Him, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (Roman 1:16).

And to follow Him, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified" (2:13).

What peace the Gospel brings!  By the power of the Holy Ghost i solemnly proclaim that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten son, He is the Jehovah of Old Testament and the Messiah of the New, He is my Savior and yours, and He lives!  He has paid the ultimate price and has complete power to fulfill all that He has promised.  He can and will make us clean when we repent and follow Him--this I know.  He stands between me and what i so rightly deserve--this passes all my understanding--yet by God i know and have felt this truth...and the relief and peace that comes from His Gospel i cannot do with out.   In the His sacred name i bear this witness, even Jesus Chris, Amen.

Success

80% of success is just showing up!

If not now when?

What wilt thou have pay the price and take it.

Hypocrite

Warning you just might NOT be a Hypocrite!  Have you ever had a friend, roomate, comanion, or family member justtify their complaceny or rude behavor with the phrase, "I hate hypocrites." They wage war on their conscience and on you because they feel if it's not 100% natural it's completely hypocritical!

"Give me a Break!" The age old addage "Fake it till you make it" is 100% true genuine and viable.  As we discussed in class the ideas and principles of Charity I recieved further light and knowledge on the "I hate hypocrites" rant.  Their argument is fully blown away when one considers Paul's teaching in 1 Corin. 13.

Though I speak with the thongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a thinkling cymbal.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I five my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profieth me nothing. 

If a man hath not Charity he is nothing.  Now, this is the "I hate hypocrites" greatest rant, "see you can't just do things, just doing things is not enough!"  They're right but justified wrongly.  "If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine..."  We must act and show Charity.

To show Charity is all together fitting and proper!  Why?  It is because Charity is Christ.  Charity is the pure love of Christ.  Therefore, we have charity when we reflect the pure love and action of Christ.  It is to do what He would do and say what He would say regardless of the circumstances, consequences, or our current state of mind or feeling.

You don't have to "feel it" or "like it".   You reflect it.  You follow Christ and show His love, His care, His feeling, and His words.  This is because it is He that never faileth.  He beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all tings.  He suffereth long, and is kind; He evnieth not; He vaunteth not himself, He is not puffed up, and doth not behave himself unseemly, seeketh not his own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.

He is no hypocrite and therefore nether are we when we reflect Him in our deed, words, and thoughts.  Never shirk, we have taken His name upon us: Reflect Christ and always follow Him.

Found in the Bearing of It

Have you ever been asked to perform some hard task and then refused?  Why did you refuse?  For me when the situation arises it is because i have no faith that i'm capable of the task.  For example, i was asked to design a complicated project for my CS class, up on reaching a difficult point, i threw in the towel!  I was done!  It took council with the senior architect himself--my professor, to get me working again.  Once i had counseled with my professor i was able to move forward again.

It is fascinating to me how this same principle applies to testimony, we've all heard the truth, "Testimony is found in the bearing of it."  The faithless and prideful will never stand and speak what they feel is not true.  "But the natural man recieveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." I loved this point in my New Testament class: to bear testimony of Christ or of the Gospel requires faith, a hope, a belief, a desire for it to be true, this desire invites the Holy Ghost then to bear witness of the truth, as He does the witnesses is sealed and the truth confirmed.  It is in this way that a testimony is found in the bearing of it.

As i go through life, i strive to face all of the hard problems but there are times when i have just had enough.  It those times that life for me becomes to hard to stand and requires prayer!  It's these times that i require the council from the chief architect.  He always answers!  In those tender moments i receive the strength and piece that i need to move on, the faith to push forward.  He sometimes rebukes me first to ensure i know where i went wrong and that i know messing up again is not to be accepted, but then He always steps in and speaks peace to my soul.  He has comforted my soul, healed it, cleansed it, changed it, and made it soar!  Jesus Christ lives and has all power to heal and to make clean, He has saved me from hell.  There is a God in Heaven who loves us, of this I know.

...But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.


God be thanked for the matchless gift of His perfect Son!  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amman.

I just wanted to remember this!

It's really nice to hear a kind word!

HI Christopher,

                Good to hear from you.  A very impressive resume.  I’ll send it around today and see if we can generate some interest.  Is this for the summer or starting now?  How many hours a week are you interested in?

Bishop Whiting

Convex Hull

Ryan,

Through a project i deemed as utter misery, i was able to make a new friend.  It was just through a couple of simple suggestions on the implementation of the project.

It's so fun meeting new people, it make life worth while!

Sincerely,
Chris

The Greatest Investment of All Time

It's offical! At 25 you become a menace to society if you are not married and have a job! So what is the call to this 24 year old-->"Are you anxiouly engaged in become ingaged?" and "Stay home and get a Job!"

That is my life, it feels as though i'm thrown into the maze of life with a map that is encrypted and if i can but figure out the decryption primes i will have a clear road of success. After all every buisnessman in the world has a decryption code they're willing to offer, the only problem is if you spend the time to figure out if theirs works you may miss out on your own.  What am i saying? Life right now feels like a cyber war, figure out your code before someone passes you in the maze and takes your spot, find the right job, work hard, get married and above all Be Successful..it's that easy! ..Right?

Right! This is one of the struggles that i have been facing over the past few weeks and months.  What is the path through the maze that leads to success?  And how do i find the road to success or code for it?  It's been interesting to see all the answers i got from the world.  They had their opinion and theirs was the loudest and theirs came first.  But today after i finaly took the right and correct time to ask my Father that knows, i recieved the True and Perfect answer.

"That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."  

This scripture gave me the first prime to the RSA code, and then this morning i received the second:

"If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world,let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishnes with God. Therefore let no man glory in men.  For all things are yours: Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's."

The Greatest Investment of ALL Time is investing in God commandments and in His Gospel.  Believe in Christ and Faith in Him.  Trust Him and follow His ways and then come all hell we will recieve all that the Father has, for will are and will still be His.  This is the life and the way--Jesus Christ.  Following His is the secret code to the perfect pass for life, and though this world will pass away we shall inherit it all worlds without number, even all that the Father Hath.

What peace the Gospel brings, trust Him and work, marriage, life, success, all fall into perfect place.

In the name of Jesus Chris, Amen.

Smash it with a Hammer!

CopyRight: http://lastscionz.deviantart.com

Welcome Heather!
After a few week of insane Computer Science classes the consensus is to smash the whole proverbial thing with a hammer!!  Just when i was in mood to smash it all i met her, she was 5'7'' dark hair and looking perplexed.  She just sat there, with her books open fixed on her computer screen with a gaze so powerful i expected a hole to appear in the screen any second.  I made a friendly motion and then with the wrath of a woman scorned she turned on me her eyes burning trenches through the walls as she turned.  I thought i was dead for sure!  Then upon targeting me with her sights, she realized i was a human and took her finger off the trigger of her amazing gaze.

From there it started with, "o, hello".  I was pleasantly surprise, she was going to be cordial.  We talked and discovered we had a common enemy--Computer Science, this was the passion of her stare.  I told her a hammer was more effective that a lazier beam glare and we happily joined forces in the "He-She Computer Smashers Club".  We meet Monday and Wednesdays and smash computers to our hearts content!  

Who ever said Computers couldn't make our lives happy and less stressed?

Stand Around

And there came tither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.  Howbeith, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city...

One of my favorite thoughts from yesterday’s class deals with the priesthood and more specifically Priesthood Blessings.  What a matchless gift the Priesthood is.  There have been so many times in my life that spiritually, physically, or mentally I have felt stoned--beaten beyond natural recognition.  However, it is always in those times that someone in life is there to offer a profound hand.  Through blessing my soul and mind have comforted, healed and made whole.  The power of the priesthood is real and all encompassing.

I have also had the blessing of being on the giving end or the instrument end of powerful priesthood blessings.  There are many instances throughout my life in which i have witnesses the power of God--His priesthood is real and the day of miracles has far from ceased. 

Over the break we had a family nightmare and through the priesthood a tender mercy.  I'm so grateful for the Priesthood and the matchless power that it is and for the great peace that it brings. 

I testify of the refining, spiritual, comforting, strengthening, and restraining influence the priesthood has had in my life. I have lived under its spiritual influence all my life—in my grandfather’s home, in my father’s home, and then in my own home. It is humbling to use the transcending power and authority of the priesthood to empower others and to heal and bless. May we live worthy of holding the priesthood authority to act in the name of God, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

~PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST

Gods Timing

"Though this be madness, yet there is a method in't..."  That is a profound statement, what the Lord often dose in my life could often be contrived as maddness, why is this sprocket in my life going the wrong direction, it should follow all the rest!  Like the narrow view of a few sprockets in a greater system so too thing in my life appear to be working the wrong way went looked narrowly upon.  However, this miss guided diagnosis can be reminded by an engineer with a greater view of the machines true purpose and design.  Also my life and each individual sprocket make sense and has a purpose when viewed from the right level of design.

The Lord like the master engineer often has to remind me that He is in charge and has a greater design.  This is one great insight i gained from class yesterday.  The Lord's timing is amazing!  I often feel like Cornelius praying to no avail and then one day i see the work the Lord has done and hear His voice, "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God."  Just as a heavenly directed message and a divinely prepared prophet meet two more cogs are shown to be insync.  Then the Prophet comes and i fully understand and believe.

After all of the examples i have seen in the scriptures and feel in my life, i truly know this is a lesson that i am meant to learn right now.

Just Saying a Good Word

So here was the invitation -- start a conversation with someone-- start it with something good that you notice about a person and see how it changes your life and those around you!  Try it and Report what happens!

Write a comment on this post about it...

A New Friend

Have you ever wondered what life would be like to be someone else?  To walk in someone else's shoes or at their height?  Have you ever wondered what it would be like to just be the perfect you?

Over the last semester taking the initiative to speak with every one has really changed the way that i view others and therefore the way that they view me.  Life has flopped, and this time flopped is a good thing. My new roommate for example and proven to be one of my best friends.  It is crazy how much we are alike, from everything to Trombone to swimming to the way we keep our room and the hours of the day.  Just being open and friendly with him has been so cool, he's returned it a thousand ways.


Speaking of those thousand ways..check this out...Have you ever wondered what it would be like to do the dishes and have one of your roommates come in and spontaneously just start helping, ...yep it happened... really, it was a surprise, so what's my point, my new roommate is awesome, and has become one of my greatest friends. The point however is this would have never happened had i been my natural reclusive quiet self.

Trying to break the quiet mold has also over the past few weeks drawn me close to Melanie and Danielle as well, both were spontaneous arrivals (a common ground Shakespeare, and a matchmaking mouse) but in light of these they have proven some of the greatest blessings in my life! Just a kind word! ... They talk and share a kind word and with that make life a heaven on earth.  Not to mention the fact i have never met two more driven, brilliant, beautiful, open, successful, and inspiring women in all my life.
Open up, say hi and make new friends...life is short, but friends like these make life worth everything!!

~God Bless

Waiting on the Lord

One of the most fascinating thoughts for me on Monday was the idea of the lame man outside the Temple walls.  This man seeing Peter and John begged for anything that they could give: alms, silver, or gold.  I often feel this way or have been reminded that I approach my Heavenly Father this way: bless me with this job, with money and what I need.  I think that God only has to offer what I think He has or what I know of, often overlooking one of the greatest difference between my Father and I—He knows infinitely more than I do, said in a different way, I don’t know all that He does, I’m the blind one, lame one, ignorant one, who doesn’t know what God or Peter or John have to offer.  How my prayers change when I remember that God has answers and blessing greater than the ones I can dream up for myself.  This has just recently come up in my life when according to the Lord’s timing two choices that I had drastically took a flop in priority.  I was the one looking for money and the Lord allowed me to walk.  It is always a tender experience when the Lord is willing to bless us with what we are too ignorant to ask.  Then I am also reminded of what is to follow such a marvelous blessing—walking, and leaping, and praising God.  We are to return thanks for such grand blessings and to let our light shine that others may glorify our Father which is in Heaven.  Waiting on the Lord always bring greater blessings.

Full Purpose Winter 2012

S-Specific ~ What is your project? Be specific.

Everything that the Savior did was motivated by Love.  His Gospel and ministry and His direction through His Prophets and Apostles has always been about the individual, about people.  ‘Love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart’, ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.’ Everything is about people, ‘feed my sheep.’  My project is to become a people person, to meet new people, help new people, talk with people, and share the Gospel with people.  It is to Open My Mouth.

M-Measurable ~ How are you going to measure your progress and know if you succeeded?

Every encounter I have I will post on my blog, I will strive for 3 new contacts every week. I will also strive to find 3-4 people to view my blog and to try this experiment for themselves and then post an experience on my blog.  I will also find 3 or more talk close or applicable to this subject as well as reviewing Preach My Gospel.

A-Applicability ~ How applicable and relevant is your project at this phase of your life?

I’m a hermit, I’m missing out on the world and the roses around me because I’m too busy with school and my studies.  I’ve locked myself into my own metaphorical library and closed the doors to others for good.  I really struggle with this, but as I have worked on it, it is amazing how many thing in the Gospel become more beautiful and meaningful.  This is a Gospel about people and so when we are immersed in people we draw closer to the Savior as we follow His example with them.

R-Rigor ~ How much is this project going to push you above and beyond what you normally do?

I never do this!  Looking for scriptures from the second half of the NT is not something I would normally do none the less looking for talks on the matter, and finally I never willingly go out of my way to meet and talk with new people---Wowow!  Between fulfilling these goals and especially recording them this will require focus and time.

T-Time ~ How much time are you going to spend on this project each week?

I will spend at least an hour, however, I’m sure it will run more than that.

S-Scripture tie-in ~ What parts of the New Testament form a foundation for your project?

‘If ye love me feed my sheep’, ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’, Evilàcounseled “threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”

Acts

I really like the comment today about a proper title for the acts of the Apostles.  Instead of looking at it in the light of a record of the dealings of a few good men, after Elder Holland's comment, i saw the record as the Savior's servants doing His work.  The record went from boring to infinity personal.
As i thought about this idea, i realized that much in life is a matter of seeing things in the right perspective and in the right attitude.  Almost everything in the Gospel and in life becomes of grand proportion or sinks into insignificance when placed in the right perspective.  When i thought of the living Savior personally guiding His Apostles their lives and works  became infinity more instructive and intimate.  When we put life in the perspective that the Savior would have us put it, there are countless things that become more beautiful, like the scriptures.
It interesting to me how just a little light, a new perspective can invite the spirit to bear truth of it, then a cascade of emotions come driving us to desire to be better in every way.  What truths am i missing that could add more joy and beauty to life, like the simple idea...it's the Saviors acts through His Apostles?
This idea also brought new light to how i view scripture in general, it's the Savior's Gospel and actions through the lives of His prophets.  That's Cool!
One final thought that really impressed me is the Savior's infallible proofs...no one can imitate Him! And when we come to stand at the veil we will know to whom it is we speak and His sign will be sure.

A New Semester Winter 2012

New Testament 2nd Half