It is joyful to ponder in the quietness of my home in the early hours of the morning. It is quiet inside, and outside I hear only a soft humming noise, proving that life is going on. Like life, if I can keep it quiet in the inside, it softens the humming noise of my day. Inspiration can flow, peaceful thoughts come to mind, calmness is achieved.
Afternoon time makes way to teenagers whining about homework, and chores, teasing and roughhousing. They need. Babies could be here, maybe even my grown children. They need. The phone will be ringing, my husband will be calling. He needs. Dinner to be made. Messes to be made. Many things to accomplish before night settles in. I need.
Keep it quiet in the inside. The humming noise can actually be peaceful as I serve. I give, I serve, I am filled.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Day Fourteen
Along the journey today, I will choose to use my gift to uplift and serve someone in need. I know what I have to do today to accomplish this journey.
As for the questions in this chapter... Why are they so hard for me to answer? I have to really ponder on them. I will type them out here, and then think about them throughout the day and get back here tonight and see what I came up with for answers.
Questions:
"What motivates you spiritually?
What is one gospel subject that you enjoy studying?
What meaningful activities bring you the most joy?
Which of those activities help you feel closer to Christ?
What qualities do you have that can help others feel closer to Christ?"
Answers:
Positive streams of energy and thoughts flowing through me (Holy Ghost directing me).
Love and service, following the Spirit, feeling the love of God.
Connecting with people, fulfilling relationships, helping others.
Connecting with people, fulfilling relationships, and serving others.
Listening, having compassion, connecting, and serving.
As for the questions in this chapter... Why are they so hard for me to answer? I have to really ponder on them. I will type them out here, and then think about them throughout the day and get back here tonight and see what I came up with for answers.
Questions:
"What motivates you spiritually?
What is one gospel subject that you enjoy studying?
What meaningful activities bring you the most joy?
Which of those activities help you feel closer to Christ?
What qualities do you have that can help others feel closer to Christ?"
Answers:
Positive streams of energy and thoughts flowing through me (Holy Ghost directing me).
Love and service, following the Spirit, feeling the love of God.
Connecting with people, fulfilling relationships, helping others.
Connecting with people, fulfilling relationships, and serving others.
Listening, having compassion, connecting, and serving.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Day Thirteen
"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? " Isaiah 50:10
Me. Fear the Lord. Obey the counsel of the Prophet. Walk in darkness. Have no light. Yes, this is a very good description of apathy. This is the very thing I have been thinking about over the past few months. Go through the motions, but feel spiritually sluggish.
Example:
Testimony meeting..."Ho hum, not feeling it, don't think of bearing my testimony, for I need strength from others."
Family scripture reading..."OK, hurry hurry, need to get going today."
Personal prayers..."Not feeling it, say a few memorized clichés, it's better than nothing, right?"
Personal scripture study..."I'm a little sporadic, but very busy. Sooner or later life will calm down, and I'll be more consistent."
Here is my "natural man" coming out again. I know exactly what I need to do. But, somehow I find myself in a pit of apathy. Isaiah in chapter 50:11 explains my situation further. "Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow."
So the chapter in today's book is perfect for getting out of this pit. I will take the journey of the day.
Ways I have been able to turn to the Lord for direction and support... This is an attitude thing. If I lose my pride, and submit, almost automatically I feel the Spirit. I am directed continually throughout my day. Calm feelings and peacefulness come over me. I'm happier, able to feel the Spirit, listen to that "still small voice," and be directed in all things. I feel softer, more kind, more loving. My thoughts are more clear and directive. My prayers come from the heart not the logical check off list of just things I need and things I'm grateful for.
Ways I have been able to trust the Lord...Let go of the "sparks that I have kindled." I not sure if that makes sense at a logical frame of mind, but in my spiritual mind, it makes perfect sense. Let me not walk in the "sparks of my own fire, and compass myself in these sparks." Be open to the Saviors' love. Open and trusting, that's it.
Me. Fear the Lord. Obey the counsel of the Prophet. Walk in darkness. Have no light. Yes, this is a very good description of apathy. This is the very thing I have been thinking about over the past few months. Go through the motions, but feel spiritually sluggish.
Example:
Testimony meeting..."Ho hum, not feeling it, don't think of bearing my testimony, for I need strength from others."
Family scripture reading..."OK, hurry hurry, need to get going today."
Personal prayers..."Not feeling it, say a few memorized clichés, it's better than nothing, right?"
Personal scripture study..."I'm a little sporadic, but very busy. Sooner or later life will calm down, and I'll be more consistent."
Here is my "natural man" coming out again. I know exactly what I need to do. But, somehow I find myself in a pit of apathy. Isaiah in chapter 50:11 explains my situation further. "Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow."
So the chapter in today's book is perfect for getting out of this pit. I will take the journey of the day.
Ways I have been able to turn to the Lord for direction and support... This is an attitude thing. If I lose my pride, and submit, almost automatically I feel the Spirit. I am directed continually throughout my day. Calm feelings and peacefulness come over me. I'm happier, able to feel the Spirit, listen to that "still small voice," and be directed in all things. I feel softer, more kind, more loving. My thoughts are more clear and directive. My prayers come from the heart not the logical check off list of just things I need and things I'm grateful for.
Ways I have been able to trust the Lord...Let go of the "sparks that I have kindled." I not sure if that makes sense at a logical frame of mind, but in my spiritual mind, it makes perfect sense. Let me not walk in the "sparks of my own fire, and compass myself in these sparks." Be open to the Saviors' love. Open and trusting, that's it.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Day Twelve
My Oh My, Life! What? Craziness! How long did it take me to get to day 12? Eight days. I'm still trying to "calm the storm". Maybe I should actually read my scriptures, and say meaningful personal prayers. Maybe it actually would help if I would do what this book suggests. So, here I am again. Ready and willing. . .
After reading today's chapter and scripture verses, with tears, I am now writing.
My natural ways do take over so easily. I have gone eight days without reading my scriptures. Eight days when I have felt frustrated by life. Eight days where I could have just sat for a moment and read the message for the day, and been strengthened. And here in Luke 17:19, the message is clear to me this morning. "Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." Arise Nadine, take on the challenges of life. I can do this with the Saviors' help.
With tears, and much emotion, I am feeling the Saviors love for me. I will reach for Him and ask for his help with all my challenges of the day. I'm so sure at this moment, that if I do this, I will be blessed with peace in my life.
Why did I go eight days without filling my cup, and starving my spirit to death? I don't need to answer this question, I just need to arise and go do my life with faith in my Savior. I know by doing this I can overcome any challenge I face.
After reading today's chapter and scripture verses, with tears, I am now writing.
My natural ways do take over so easily. I have gone eight days without reading my scriptures. Eight days when I have felt frustrated by life. Eight days where I could have just sat for a moment and read the message for the day, and been strengthened. And here in Luke 17:19, the message is clear to me this morning. "Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." Arise Nadine, take on the challenges of life. I can do this with the Saviors' help.
With tears, and much emotion, I am feeling the Saviors love for me. I will reach for Him and ask for his help with all my challenges of the day. I'm so sure at this moment, that if I do this, I will be blessed with peace in my life.
Why did I go eight days without filling my cup, and starving my spirit to death? I don't need to answer this question, I just need to arise and go do my life with faith in my Savior. I know by doing this I can overcome any challenge I face.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Day Eleven
Calm the Storm. . . I feel like life has been a storm this past week. Now, I am sitting quietly in my bedroom, and for this first time in days, I've been calm and quiet enough to ponder.
There are so many tasks to take care of. Struggles, worries, and pains come daily over this or that. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with everything. I do things like a robot; just move through life in a bland way, accomplishing the necessities, but not taking the time to find the joyful moments. This morning while pondering in a quiet place, I realize that there is a storm inside of me, and that is what I am trying to calm by my robotic joyless actions. There is a better way.
Acts 17:27 "Seek the Lord...(for) he be not far from every one of us."
I know this. When I am truly seeking the Lord, I have a calmness throughout my day. I face life with energy and feel peaceful even in times where there isn't much peace.
Nephi 25:26, "Talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, and preach of Christ..." When I do this I develop a personal relationship with the Savior. If I do this daily, I will find the peace I need to live life with more abundance and joy.
There are so many tasks to take care of. Struggles, worries, and pains come daily over this or that. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with everything. I do things like a robot; just move through life in a bland way, accomplishing the necessities, but not taking the time to find the joyful moments. This morning while pondering in a quiet place, I realize that there is a storm inside of me, and that is what I am trying to calm by my robotic joyless actions. There is a better way.
Acts 17:27 "Seek the Lord...(for) he be not far from every one of us."
I know this. When I am truly seeking the Lord, I have a calmness throughout my day. I face life with energy and feel peaceful even in times where there isn't much peace.
Nephi 25:26, "Talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, and preach of Christ..." When I do this I develop a personal relationship with the Savior. If I do this daily, I will find the peace I need to live life with more abundance and joy.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Day Ten
"And the Lord said, Nadine, Nadine, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren."
The Savior prays for me that I may keep my faith. I am in a war with Satan. He wants to sift me as wheat. I need to strengthen the people around me: my boys, my husband, my adult children, my friends, the people I meet each day. Strengthen them. That is what I need to focus on today.
The Savior prays for me that I may keep my faith. I am in a war with Satan. He wants to sift me as wheat. I need to strengthen the people around me: my boys, my husband, my adult children, my friends, the people I meet each day. Strengthen them. That is what I need to focus on today.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Day Nine
"Render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice..." Mosiah 2:20 Today's reading challenge is King Benjamin's talk in Mosiah. I liked that scripture, so I thought I would share.
The challenge has to do with following words of the Prophets. Just as ancient prophets such as King Benjamin had the keys the prophet and our church leaders have keys. We get specific and personal guidance for our day and our time. What a great blessing! The conference talk that I really loved was the talk by President Eyring in the Sunday morning session. I will share a few quotes:
"Different as we are in circumstances and experiences, we share a desire to become better than we are. There may be a few who mistakenly feel they are good enough and a few who have given up trying to be better. But, for all, the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can and must expect to become better as long as we live."
"Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him, our perfect example. Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others. There is no surprise in that, since the Lord proclaimed those as the first and great commandments. It is love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey Him."
"Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own. Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion."
I loved the entire talk.
The challenge has to do with following words of the Prophets. Just as ancient prophets such as King Benjamin had the keys the prophet and our church leaders have keys. We get specific and personal guidance for our day and our time. What a great blessing! The conference talk that I really loved was the talk by President Eyring in the Sunday morning session. I will share a few quotes:
"Different as we are in circumstances and experiences, we share a desire to become better than we are. There may be a few who mistakenly feel they are good enough and a few who have given up trying to be better. But, for all, the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can and must expect to become better as long as we live."
"Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him, our perfect example. Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others. There is no surprise in that, since the Lord proclaimed those as the first and great commandments. It is love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey Him."
"Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own. Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion."
I loved the entire talk.
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