Poem: New Light

Off in the distance, there is a new light.

I've seen many stars, but never one so bright.

To a world of despair

it beckons, "hang in there,"

As the lighted hope penetrates the night.

Something inside of me burns strong and clear,
it tells me to follow the star to be healed.
The journey may be long,
but the star's light guides me on
as my new-found strength conquers my fear. 

I would walk through dust and storm,

travel on gravel till skin was torn,

brave any torrent,

or swim any current

to know my King, on this night born.

"Wise Men still seek Him"

Poem: A Shepherd

The shepherd was weary as he stood

leaning on his shepherd's crook.

Worried thoughts passed through his head--

--a family with a lack of bread,

a dirty floor to lay his bed,

a wayward brother gone astray,

he hadn't got much sleep today.

The sheep he tended grazed and lolled

without worry, around they sprawled.

He watched them. Protected them.

They knew him, and he knew each one.

He stood, wishing life could be so simple 

as trusting that someone greater than he

was watching and protecting his own family.

When suddenly, off in the distance,

a light began to blossom

from dark to light, a glorious sight,

the shepherd watched in awe.

A messenger, sent from not too far

bearing good, and welcomed, 

tidings of great joy.

Finally, we are gathered as sheep.

We know our Shepherd,

and He knows us each.

We are watched. We are protected.

Good tidings, oh world--oh, what great joy!

For we are safe within His fold.

Poem: What Do You Do?

I once came across three young men
working outside in the heat of the sun.
Each was performing the exact same labor
but I decided to ask the motive of each one.

"I am cutting some grass," said the first of his job
as he sleepily wiped sweat from his brow.
"I am earning six dollars an hour" said the next
pushing through till the job was over.

Then, to the third, I asked, "what do you do?"
He looked up, stood tall, and with pride
he said, "sorry, sir, I can't waste much time to chat,
for I'm pruning the lawn for a temple of God."

(Poem adapted from a story shared in General Conference.)

The Grateful Chain

I am grateful for Summer, because I love to be warm.

I am grateful for Winter, because it makes me love Summer more.

I am grateful for blankets, because they keep me warm.

I am grateful for bright pink blankets, because they make me happy.

I am grateful for the color pink, because it is HAPPY!

I am grateful for rainbows, because when I see them, I have a good day.

I am grateful for my Physics class in highschool, because now I know why we have rainbows.

I am grateful for school, because I learn how things work.

I am grateful for Wikipedia, because it carried me through tough assignments at school.

I am grateful for my history classes, because now I know how to not make history repeat itself.

I am grateful for parrots, because they are talking animals, and that's fun.

I am grateful for carrots, because I like the snapping noise they make when I eat them.

I am grateful for my ears, because I can hear music.

I am grateful for music, because it is what I am made of.

I am grateful for a body, because it lets me run and jump and dance and move.

I am grateful for health, because it gives me opportunities.

I am grateful for new experiences, because I get to change and grow.

I am grateful that I can change, because I am imperfect.

I am grateful for imperfections, because they teach me to be strong.

I am grateful for a Father in Heaven, because He gives me strength.

I am grateful for my parents here on earth, because they support and love me.

I am grateful for family, because they are my best friends.

I am grateful for love, because it fills me with warmth.

I am grateful for warmth, because it reminds me of Summer.


Make a GRATEFUL CHAIN!

Poem: The Evidence

He had lost his breath. He could hardly breathe.
It was as if a sea had swallowed him under.
Perhaps it was true, what he'd doubted so long.
But, how could it be? he wondered.

Could he have been wrong? He had been so sure.
The man trembled in awe at the thought.
If this was true, he had much rearranging to do
as he considered his life's new-found plot.

A match had been struck. He felt warm and alive--
--it was a joy that he could only call odd
as he cradled his newborn child and thought,
perhaps, just perhaps, there might be a God.

Poem: A Psalm

I may not have the strength to stand

but, by His hand, I rise.

I may be hindered by my slow tongue

but He, to my words, adds fire.

At times the details slip through the cracks

but He sharpens my senses with ease.

I often fall short of my souls desires

but He carries me the last mile.

My heart has been known to falter and fail

but His words breathe life to my pulse.

I am nothing, yet I am enabled and loved

by Him whom I call Lord.

Did You Know...?: GOD SPEAKS!

Welcome to a new blog segment: "Did You Know...?"

DID YOU KNOW...?

That GOD STILL SPEAKS?

Have you ever wondered what your purpose is in life? If God really knows you? If He loves you? 

Are you trying to protect your family from bad influences, but don't know how? 

Do you want to know how to become more like Christ?

Ever wondered what God wants you to know?

God has always revealed this type of information through prophets and apostles. In the Bible, we find men like Moses, Noah, Peter, John, Abraham, etc--they received revelation directly from Heaven for the answers to these very questions and more! 

AND BECAUSE GOD STILL LOVES US, GOD STILL SPEAKS.

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

Amos 3:7

This weekend, a prophet of God will give us the direction that we need in this confusing and changing world!

Do you have a QUESTION?

Come for an ANSWER!

WHEN:

October 4th and 5th, 2014 (Saturday and Sunday)

HOW:

https://www.lds.org/church/events/october-2014-general-conference?cid=HPTU093014451&lang=eng

WHO:

First Presidency of the Church

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

President Thomas S. Monson

Prophet

Quote: "Face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility." 

President Henry B. Eyring

First Counselor of the First Presidency

Quote: "Every person is different and has a different contribution to make. No one is destined to fail."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor of the First Presidency

Quote: "Even when we think we cannot rise up, there is still hope. And sometimes we just need someone to look us in the eyes, take us by the hand, and say, 'you can do it now!'"

President Boyd K. Packer

President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Quote: "Just as chalk can be removed on a blackboard, with sincere repentance the effects of our transgression can be erased through the atonement of Jesus Christ."

Elder L. Tom Perry

Apostle

Quote: "Today's complexity demands greater simplicity."

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Apostle

Quote: "Each day is a day of decision, and our decisions determine our destiny."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Apostle

Quote: "In the eyes of God, whether in the church or in the family, women and men are equal, with different responsibilities."

Elder M. Russell Ballard

Apostle

Quote: "It is impossible to fail when you do your best when you are on the Lord's errand."

Elder Richard G. Scott

Apostle

Quote: "The way back is not as hard as it seems to you now. Satan wants you to think that it is impossible. That is not true."

Elder Robert D. Hales

Apostle

Quote: "Our love of the Savior is the key to Savior-like obedience."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Apostle

Quote: "Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend."

Elder David A. Bednar

Apostle

Quote: "Strong faith in the Savior is submissively accepting of His will and timing in our lives, even if the outcome is not what we hoped for or wanted."

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Apostle

Quote: "Family commitments and expectations should be at the top of our priorities to protect our divine destiny." 

Elder D. Todd Christopherson

Apostle

Quote: "As disciples of Jesus Christ, we ought to do all we can to redeem others from suffering and burdens. Even so, our greatest redemptive service will be to lead them to Christ."

Elder Neil L. Anderson

Apostle

Quote: "These are your days to stand strong as a disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ."

COME LISTEN TO A PROPHETS VOICE!