Fellow citizens and strangers,
One of my favorite scriptures is Luke 18:16: "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Some people wonder why members of our church keep children in Sacrament meeting (worship service), but if you take a second to think they are the ones who above all else Christ wouldn't turn away. They are the ones the Savior tells us to be like. They are the ones we are to look to for an example. They know when something is right or wrong. They turn to their parents (earthly and heavenly) for comfort, keep it simple, don't overcomplicate but still ask questions--which Heavenly Father has promised to answer. They expect Him to answer, they know He will. Isn't that a wonderful promise? Ask and ye shall receive. Knock and it shall be opened to you. Seek and ye shall find.
If we will do the will of The Father, He will answer those questions and concerns. Not only that, we will know he will answer because we know Him, that He keeps His promises. I read a scripture in my studies this morning that perfectly demonstrates this, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments" 1 John 2:3.
Tender moment of the week: We had a "No More Strangers Devotional" meant to build new members, introduce others to our faith, and build the old. A girl, about 9-yrs old, very recently baptized, almost certainly never spoken in public before, small and timid, was asked to share her testimony beforehand. When she got to the stand she was so overwhelmed and freightened I'm sure almost everyone thought she was going to just sit down. And no one would blame her. "There's always next time." Her mom stood with her. Comforted her through her tears and fears. She pulled out her wrinkled paper that she had written her testimony and managed to get a few words out. How hard that must have been. I'm sure the temptation to step down was almost insurmountable at this point. But she didn't. She stood up straight. With faith she read a line at a time and before she or anyone else knew it she had made it all the way through.
So many times we tell ourselves (or others) that there will be another time, another day, another chance. When we have the courage, the knowledge, the surety, the ability. We dig a pit of somedays, rather than creating a masterpiece of "I did it nows". What this child showed us is that this just isn't necessary. We can do it now. We can help others do it know. There is no need to procrastinate our day of happiness. What is something you've decided to do now? How have you found fulfillment? What is something you've put on the backburner? Give it a go. Ask for help. There is no shame in asking for help. Even the Savior, who descended bellow and ascended above all asked for help.
Let us use the Savior's gift of change,
Hermana McNeece
Recipe from ward member :)
Peanut butter pie:
1 jar peanut butter
1 8-oz box cream cheese
1-2 tubs cool whip
About 1 cup powered sugar
All measurements approximate. Add to taste. Mix/beat together. Put in graham cracker crust. Chill. Eat!
One of my favorite scriptures is Luke 18:16: "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Some people wonder why members of our church keep children in Sacrament meeting (worship service), but if you take a second to think they are the ones who above all else Christ wouldn't turn away. They are the ones the Savior tells us to be like. They are the ones we are to look to for an example. They know when something is right or wrong. They turn to their parents (earthly and heavenly) for comfort, keep it simple, don't overcomplicate but still ask questions--which Heavenly Father has promised to answer. They expect Him to answer, they know He will. Isn't that a wonderful promise? Ask and ye shall receive. Knock and it shall be opened to you. Seek and ye shall find.
If we will do the will of The Father, He will answer those questions and concerns. Not only that, we will know he will answer because we know Him, that He keeps His promises. I read a scripture in my studies this morning that perfectly demonstrates this, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments" 1 John 2:3.
Tender moment of the week: We had a "No More Strangers Devotional" meant to build new members, introduce others to our faith, and build the old. A girl, about 9-yrs old, very recently baptized, almost certainly never spoken in public before, small and timid, was asked to share her testimony beforehand. When she got to the stand she was so overwhelmed and freightened I'm sure almost everyone thought she was going to just sit down. And no one would blame her. "There's always next time." Her mom stood with her. Comforted her through her tears and fears. She pulled out her wrinkled paper that she had written her testimony and managed to get a few words out. How hard that must have been. I'm sure the temptation to step down was almost insurmountable at this point. But she didn't. She stood up straight. With faith she read a line at a time and before she or anyone else knew it she had made it all the way through.
So many times we tell ourselves (or others) that there will be another time, another day, another chance. When we have the courage, the knowledge, the surety, the ability. We dig a pit of somedays, rather than creating a masterpiece of "I did it nows". What this child showed us is that this just isn't necessary. We can do it now. We can help others do it know. There is no need to procrastinate our day of happiness. What is something you've decided to do now? How have you found fulfillment? What is something you've put on the backburner? Give it a go. Ask for help. There is no shame in asking for help. Even the Savior, who descended bellow and ascended above all asked for help.
Let us use the Savior's gift of change,
Hermana McNeece
Recipe from ward member :)
Peanut butter pie:
1 jar peanut butter
1 8-oz box cream cheese
1-2 tubs cool whip
About 1 cup powered sugar
All measurements approximate. Add to taste. Mix/beat together. Put in graham cracker crust. Chill. Eat!