Be Believing

Sometimes in life, we wander through periods of wilderness.  Other times we are blessed with a land of promise.  The Lord doesn't always give us what we want, not because we don't deserve it, but rather, He knows we deserve something better.

During our times of wandering, it is important to keep the faith and continue to believe.  The following are a handful of scriptures that I find inspiring and help my faith during these dry times:

"Be not faithless, but believing." {John 20:27} 

"Fear not: believe only." {Luke 8:50} 

"Be not afraid, only believe." {Mark 5:36} 

"Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart..." {Mormon 9:27} 

"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." {Mosiah 4:9} 

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." {John 14:27} 

"Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." {Joshua 1:9}

So whether you are walking through your wilderness or have made it to your Promised Land, it is important to keep in mind that the Lord is always with you and has great plans for your life, no matter where you are at in your journey.

[Image Source]

~ * ~ Fear not, but be believing. ~ * ~

Eden

You know those moments in life when you realize you have become your parents?  Yeah, totally had one of those the other day.

I decided to buy a new music album off of iTunes to help me tackle a very large cleaning/organization project.  After it downloaded, I stopped to think about how my music interests have changed over the years.  In high school, if you even mentioned the word "pop" around me, I would have walked away.  But as time has gone by, my interests have gone from hard-rock/punk to alternative to pop... to instrumental.  And the funny thing is, this is exactly the kind of music my parents listed to when I was younger!  I grew up with a lot of Yanni, Kenny G., Jim Brickman, and Donny Osmond playing in the house.

In a psychology class I took years ago, I heard that as people age, they actually revert into what they experienced as a child when it comes to personal tastes, etc.  Boy is it ever true in my case!

Anyway, one of my favorite artists is Piano Guys.  They are phenomenal and made listening to piano music fun again (not to mention how David Hodges has influenced me in my choice of music as well).  As I listen to their stuff on Pandora, Paul Cardall kept coming up, and I really started to like his piano music.  So I purchased one of his CDs this last week: Living For Eden.

Within twenty seconds of the first song, I knew I was in love.

It hasn't changed after hearing the entire album.

I looked at the CD artwork and found this on the back:

"Music is a means to an end for me.  It's a gift that allows me to share emotions that reflect my life's philosophy.  Johann Sebastian Bach said, 'The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.'

Life is full of surprises.  There are ups and downs, happiness and pain.  But, through it all there exists in my heart the comforting assurance that faith in a loving God and loyalty to family creates a Garden of Eden, or refuge, in our lives.  I've learned that long-term happiness does not come from any accolades, money, or advancement in society but by putting our whole heart into love, sacrifice, and service to those in our home, extended family, and community.

This album [Living For Eden] is a celebration of my 35 years.  I love life.  I am reminded every day through my experiences of the gift of life.  However, I think of the millions of people suffering in the world.  Pain and loss is all around us.  Poverty, disease, war, the list goes on.  It's overwhelming and devastating.  My heart turns to these people.  I believe we should trust in the message of Jesus who more than 2000 years ago taught us how to live and love all people.

We should focus all our priorities in actively building homes with love and also extend that love to our communities.  And then, maybe, this world once again will become a peaceful place like the Garden of Eden."

- Paul Cardall

I want to add my testimony to his about how our priorities need to be within the home.  It is in this sacred place that we learn the basic values and morals to function in life.  This is where we should feel safe and be able to escape the concerns of the world.  I have been blessed to live in such a home.  Though it is not the Garden of Eden, it is my Eden.  I am proud to call it Home.

What will your Eden be like?

Children & Christ's Atonement

Today I had the awesome opportunity to attend my cousin's mission homecoming.  Now normally I attend a Single's Ward (individuals aged 18-30 who are not married).  But today, I attended a home ward where young families abound.

What struck me, and the thought I wish to share with you today, is the love I felt as I looked around the room at the little children (some of which belong to my cousins not much older than myself, I might add).  I looked at those little children and was thinking about the Atonement as the Sacrament was being passed.  I realized the Jesus Christ Atoned for everyone, including the innocent three-year-old two benches in front of me.  Now, children are innocent and I (as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) firmly believe that if a child dies prior to the age of accountability (age 8), they have a freeway pass to Heaven.  So, knowing the Atonement takes away sin, I asked myself, "How would this innocent child utilize the Atonement when they haven't sinned?"  Well, I was quickly reminded that the Atonement is not only for the sinner, but also for the saint.  Christ Atoned for us so that we have the opportunity to return to our loving Father in Heaven.

Jesus Christ Atoned for everyone no matter their age, race, gender, or lifestyle.

On top of that, I think about the love the father has of this three-year-old sitting in front of me.  I think about the cousins closest to me in age, who now have children of their own, and I can imagine the love and pride (the good kind) they experience when they look at their child.  Take that warm fuzzy feeling of love and magnify it by infinity.  That is the love that Heavenly Father experiences as He looks down upon us.

This love is why Jesus Christ came down to this Earth and died for our sins; so Heavenly Father has the chance to be reunited with the children He loves so very much.

As I continue to look around at the children, and feel the warmth of love, the Spirit quietly whispers to me: "He doesn't love them more than you.  You are loved just as much as that small, innocent child."

The Lord loves all of us unconditionally: the sinner and the saint, the poor and the rich, the mean and the kind.  But I think He has varying degrees of (wholesome) pride when we choose to follow Him and when we think of Him and His Son.  It is similar to when a parent sees their child succeed in life.  Obviously they are going to feel a sense of pride from that child and rejoice in their successes.  How much greater could that feeling be from our Infinite Eternal Father in Heaven?  How much more are you willing to do to please Him?

When I was a child, I made mistakes.  Some of these mistakes hurt my parents dearly and I still remember the shame I felt at seeing them disappointed with me.  How is our relationship with Heavenly Father any different?  Likewise, I think when we choose a different path, stray away from Him, He feels sad and wishes we would choose differently.  But He knows it is ultimately our decision (that's why He gave us agency), but He still feels sad.

Think of the loss He would have felt during the War in Heaven, when he lost a third of children!  That's billions of children!  I easily can see Him upset at the loss (yet, having the infinite knowledge He does, He realizes the power of agency in His children).  I cannot fathom a parent who loses even one child not to experience some sort of great loss.

But that is why we are in this life.  We are here to learn and prove ourselves to Him, so that we may return to live with Him someday.

Christ sacrificed His perfect life so that all may be given the chance to succeed.  Some may not partake of His gift, others will abuse it, and yet there are many others who will cherish the gift we cannot fathom, and return gratefully into His loving arms as we fall down at His feet.

I long for that day.