GOOD NEWS!

Gaining Wisdom

2012-01-26T11:44:00.002-07:00

At the BYU Forum address on Tuesday Mark DeMoss, anevangelical who founded the DeMoss group which is a public relations firmserving Christian organizations, gave a wonderful talk on how incivility andChristianity are not compatible. That’s a basic feature of Living in Truth.When you are uncivil to anyone you immediately cast yourself into the Pit. As Isaid it is a wonderful talk and if you’d like to read it or hear it foryourself, go here.

In the course of the talk, Mr. DeMoss spoke about wisdom andsaid something that I really liked. He said that every day he reads a chapterfrom the book of Proverbs—one of the books of wisdom literature found in theOld Testament. There are 31 books in Proverbs and so if it is the sixth day ofthe month he reads the sixth chapter or on the tenth day the tenth chapter ofProverbs. By doing this he has read the words of wisdom found in Proverbs everymonth since he began the reading.

So I decided to try it. I won’t do it all my life, but for amonth or two at least I’m going to read Proverbs as he does. I know the valueof repetition. I’ve experienced that before when I studied King Benjamin’sgreat sermon found in Mosiah 2-5 every day for four months. That’s what led tothe writing of my book SpirituallyCentered Motherhood. It was surprising how much I learned from thatexperience, and so I am excited to read Proverbs the next few months.

But it also made me think about how valuable it would be todefine 31 of the great sermons in the scriptures, the sermons that really speakto my own heart and then read those sermons one a day each day of the month. Itwould be another great way to learn and study. Maybe I’ll try that next!

Journey of Faith

2012-01-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

You can find the movie here

Last night I showed my students the documentary, Journey of Faith. I watch it every semester with my students so I’ve seen it over twenty times and I still am amazed by it. We all know the deprivations and adversity the modern pioneers encountered as they traveled from Nauvoo to what is now Utah. But we aren’t as familiar with what Lehi and Sariah and their family endured as they traveled eight years in the wilderness until they finally reached the land of Bountiful. Even then the journey wasn’t over. Nephi was told to build a ship and then sail it across an ocean. What a test of faith. I'm not sure I'd get in a boat built by anyone I know much less sail across the ocean in it.

Watching the movie makes me appreciate the Book of Mormon so much more. Seeing the places the Arabian Desert they traveled through boggles my mind. How could anyone survive? That would tax even modern survivalist adventurers, and yet they were bearing children and caring for young families in that environment.

The most amazing part of the movie is seeing how the Lord directed them to the one very small fertile place where they could stop to build a ship in order to continue on their way to the Promised Land. It makes me think about the desert periods in my life and the oases the Lord has provided for me along my way. It seems that just when I know I can’t take any more desert, an oasis appears.

If you haven’t seen the movie, you need to. It will make you think and appreciate the Book of Mormon more, and help you see the workings of the Lord in your own life.

Words Grow Faith

2012-01-24T11:05:00.002-07:00

In the Book of Mormon the great prophet, Alma, compares aseed to the word of God (Alma 32:28). For some reason most people read that andthink Alma is comparing the seed to faith, but you lose the whole meaning ifyou do that. He explains that if you plant the seed (the word) it will growinto faith so faith is the fruit not the seed.

A seed is a source of something, but it is somethingspecific. The source of a carrot is not a radish seed. A seed is potential forsomething else; something bigger and better than the seed itself. For the seed togrow it needs to be nourished and cared for. If that happens, it achieves itspotential and brings forth fruit. With that in mind let your imagination soarto make associations.

A word is a source of something specific. A word ispotential for something else. But for the word to grow into faith it needs tobe nourished and cared for.

And how do you know if that word is growing into faith? Almaexplains that you will feel it swell within you, enlarge your soul, enlightenyour mind, and be delicious. (See Alma 32:28).

Take the first letter of those descriptive words to make anacronym and see what you get. Swell. Enlarge. Enlighten. Delicious. Then in verses34 and 35 Alma explains that the word will Sprout, Enlighten, Expand and beDiscernible. Alma uses words in very clever ways to teach us about words andhow they become faith. I love it!

Learning From Jazz

2012-01-23T11:25:00.002-07:00

Duke Ellington

I love change and variety. As a matter of fact, I NEED change and variety. If life becomes too stagnant I don’t do well. So (as I explained a couple of weeks ago) this semester I decided to take a class in something I love, but don’t know a whole lot about—jazz. I’m enjoying it very much and learning a lot which I expected. What I didn’t expect was how much it would teach me about Living in Truth.

Jazz grew out of the Blues and the Blues was music invented by Afro-Americans to help them cope with the degrading lives segregation had forced upon them. The words of Blues music are depressing and express all the unfair and terrible things that were going on. But the music is happy and encouraging. It is as if they were juxtaposing the worst of the world with the best of the world in order to instill and maintain hope. Music was a Truth Tool for them.

But there is more. This week I came across a quote from the great Duke Ellington, one of the finest jazz pianists of all time. An interviewer asked how he felt about the fact that the hotels his band played in wouldn’t let him rent a room to stay for the night. He answered, “I take the energy it would take to pout and use it to write Blues music.”

That sums up what Living in Truth is all about. Instead of pouting or vexing about all that is bad in our lives, we can spend our energy and center our thoughts on the positive and good. That’s happiness! That’s Living in Truth!

Sabbath Scripture - Rejoice

2012-01-22T12:55:00.002-07:00

Lift up your heads and rejoice,

and put your trust in God.

Mosiah 7:19

Retaining Warmth

2012-01-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

I love winter because it is cuddly. I love wrapping up in a blanket in front of a fire and watching the flames lap at the bricks, or snuggling into bed with a good book learning from someone else’s life, or snuggling up with Mr. J to watch a good movie. None of that is appealing in summer, but in winter it is magic.

I’ve always loved this cuddly part of winter, but this week I learned something from it. After I slipped out of the cold bedroom air and into the cool sheets of my bed I waited for the warm to seep out of the down comforter and wrap me in its deliciousness. But as I waited it dawned on me that the comforter wasn’t what warmed me. As a matter of fact, the comforter was cold. It didn’t give me warmth; instead it captured and then reflected my own body heat.

This made me think about other things in life. For example, too often we subconsciously think that other people are there to love us or meet our needs or feed our self-esteem. But other people are like blankets; they reflect back the love we give to them. Therefore, if we are feeling unloved, or unwanted, or unappreciated, the answer is to love, want, and appreciate those around us more and then it will come back to us. Love rebounds and reflects to warm just like my comforter.

Nephi Avoids the Pit

2012-01-20T13:32:00.001-07:00

It’s interesting to examine the lives of the people in the scriptures from the view point of Living in Truth. Nephi especially illustrates the value of Living in Truth. In 1 Nephi 7:16 Laman and Lemuel are so mad at Nephi they tie him up. Nephi prays and the bands are loosed from his hands and his feet.

Later the brothers again tie Nephi up while they are on the ship traveling to the Promised Land. This time, however, the Lord does not intervene on Nephi’s behalf. He has to endure being tied up while the ship is being tossed and tumbled in a terrible storm at sea. If anyone had an opportunity to fall into the pit thinking of what should be, Nephi did at that point. He could have been thinking that God should have broken the cords like he did before. Or that his brothers shouldn’t be so abusive. Or that the storm shouldn’t be happening to him. But instead he says, “I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions” (1 Nephi 18:16).

Finally the brothers become so frightened because of the storm, they untie Nephi. Most people at that point would come out fighting, seeking revenge, but Nephi has no ill will in his heart. How do we know? Because he takes the compass into his hands, the Liahona that we are told only works by faith and righteousness, and it works. Nephi prays and the winds cease so there is great calm. I love that last phrase because even though Nephi is talking about the sea, he is describing himself. In the midst of this abuse he experiences great calm.

Nephi Lived in Truth and although he experienced a great deal of Necessary Pain, he knows how to avoid the Unnecessary Pain.

Prosperity

2012-01-19T13:54:00.001-07:00

When I was growing up it seemed to me that nothing went right. It seemed that trials and tribulations were all my family encountered at every turn. My mother had undulant fever. My father contracted encephalitis from a mosquito bite and almost died. Our house burned down. Dad started several businesses and serious problems plagued every one of them. Dad had blood clots in his lungs. Financial problems hung over us like a storm that wouldn't abate. I could go on, but this is enough to give you a feel for the things that plagued us.

Despite all of this, my parents were always faithful in the Church. They paid a full tithe. They studied the scriptures. They attended the temple often. They taught us. They served in the Church and were always very active. The problem with all of this is that I kept hearing and reading verses of scriptures such as that found in 2 Nephi 1:20; "Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land." I saw that my parents were diligently trying to keep the commandments, but they weren't prospering. This bothered me a lot and challenged my testimony.

It took years of study and gospel scrutiny for me to finally realize what the Lord means when he says "prosper in the land." I should have caught on from the very verse I just quoted. The rest of that verse says, "But inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence." I was always so caught up in the "prosper" part that I didn't see that the opposite of prospering has nothing to do with wealth. The opposite is to be cut off from the Lord. This led me to the realization that this earth is one day going to be the celestial kingdom. So to prosper in the land means to stay here—to be part of the celestial kingdom. This is explained in Proverbs 2:21-22, "For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it."

While it is true that righteous people often acquire more earthly prosperity, it doesn't always happen. There are many righteous people who struggle financially and many wicked people who don't. But righteous people will always acquire faith and will "prosper in the land" in that they will receive a celestial inheritance in this land.

Now when I think back on my growing up years I realize that everything went exactly as it was supposed to. My parents had faith. What more could I ask for?

A Postive Side To Vexation

2012-01-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

We’ve talked about vexation as the negative feelings that confront us when we leave the Realm of Truth and fall into the Pit of Illusion. Vexation always occurs then and we’ve discussed how when we feel that vexation we need to identify what is causing the vexation and then ask, “Can I fix it or do I need to live with it?” From there we’ve mainly talked about learning to live with it, but there are also cases when it can be fixed and even situations when those vexing feelings seem to be a call to do something to fix a situation.

When we see injustice in the world around us or experience life changing situations, it can be a call to do something. I have a friend whose grand daughter was killed by a drunk driver. She felt the necessary pain of the situation, and began to experience unnecessary pain. When she asked the question, “Can I fix it?”, the answer as to the death was no, but she could do something to try and make it so others didn’t have to go through what her family had gone through. She got very involved in Mother Against Drunk Driving and has done much good.

The answer to “Can I fix it?” may surprise us sometimes. To Live in Truth means you are open to those surprises.

Informal Church

2012-01-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

Ben got himself ready for church.

We made it home! There's more snow in Everette, Washington, than there is in Utah! Even though we were snowed in and didn't get to do the things we'd planned, we had a wonderful time. Especially touching for me was having our own church service. We sang, we prayed, and each one of us gave a short talk. It was wonderful to hear my young grandchildren bear testimony of Jesus Christ and of the restoration of the gospel. It was exiting to learn from them. And that reminded me of something I'd read from Elder Henry B. Eyring many years before that I looked up again this morning.

In his book To Draw Closer to God, Elder Eyring tells about how we can learn from anyone in any situation and then he relates the story of a time when he was young and found himself bored during a Sacrament meeting. But as he looked at his father, a highly intelligent academic and a master of the scriptures, he was amazed to see him deeply engrossed in the talk.

When walking home from church with his father, Elder Eyring took the opportunity to ask his father what he thought about the meeting and his father said it was wonderful. Puzzled, Elder Eyring tried to summon the courage to ask how it was wonderful when his father, as if reading his mind, started to laugh. "Hal, let me tell you something. Since I was a very young man, I have taught myself to do something in a church meeting. When the speaker begins, I listen carefully and ask myself what it is he is trying to say. Then, once I think I know what he is trying to accomplish, I give myself a sermon on that subject." They walked on in silence for a moment and then his father said, "Hal, since then I have never been to a bad meeting."

Since I read that, I've come to realize that I have a responsibility to learn and that no matter who is teaching I can learn if I have the spirit with me. Sunday, in a very informal meeting, I learned from a five year old and a nine year old more about what it means to be a child of God.

Making the Most of It

2012-01-16T08:51:00.001-07:00

This has been an interesting vacation. Everything we've planned has need cancelled because of the weather--even church yesterday! A hugh storm dropped about a foot of snow Sunday morning and it knocked out power to the church house. So we had church at home,All we have done is relax and cook and eat. I'm taking home five extra pounds and I don't mean in my luggage!But it has been fun to visit and play with the grand kids! We just hope we can fly out today!

Sabbath Scripture

2012-01-15T10:08:00.001-07:00

My grace is sufficient for thee:for my strength is made perfect in weakness.2 Corinthians 12:9

Lessons in Seattle

2012-01-14T10:36:00.001-07:00

Seattle is beautiful. Trees, rolling hills, beautiful architecture. But the people here must have to learn to live with the knowledge that the sun is out there someplace rather than actually seeing it. That makes for strong people.Being here has made me think about how much the way we react to our environment shapes us. We can wake up each day and tell ourselves a story such as,"Oh no, another dreary day!" or we can tell ourselves a story such as "I know sun is up there someplace because it is light and I am excited to see when it will peek through."It reminds me of a woman who was a little older than I am who had never married. She told me that she wakes up every morning excited because she is one day closer to meeting her eternal companion!Hope is an essential ingredient for a joyous life!

Improvisation and Truth

2012-01-13T09:33:00.001-07:00

I'm in Seattle visiting D8 and her family! They are treating us like royalty. I may never go home!Just a short thought today. While I've been pondering and writing about the relationship between Living in Truth and creativity, I've realized that Living in Truth is like improvisation in acting classes or performance. When improvising you just have to take what comes, take what the other actors give you, and then make the most of it all the while working and contributing to make the outcome something delightful.Have a great improvisational day!

Daily Ceativity

2012-01-12T11:05:00.001-07:00

I’ve been concerned for two days that when I wrote aboutcreativity the thought would come into your mind of painting pictures, orwriting music, or creating books. That may be part of the creativity thatensues, but the creativity I’ve discovered from Living in Truth is much, muchmore extensive than that.

When we Live in Truth the blessing of creativity issomething that exists in every moment. It is part of everything you do. Childrenare bickering and you suddenly have a creative idea as to how to stop them in away that teaches instead of reprimanding. You encounter a very grouch clerk at a store and you suddenly have acreative stroke of genius as to how to interact with him in a pleasant way thatyou can see influences him for good. You encounter a situation that is usuallyvery boring like waiting in a long security line at the airport and instead ofstewing and fretting impatiently you suddenly have a creative idea as to how touse that time in a pleasant and profitable way.

As I said before, creativity is the ability to take twothings and make something new out of them. In the last example, you take timeand the long line and instead of enduring a nuisance you create moments of learningor making new friends or spreading goodwill to those around you. You createsomething new in that moment that didn’t exist the moment before. That’s theblessing of creativity that comes from Living in Truth. The poem, story,picture, music you may also create is icing on the cake, but not the cake!

Jazz and Truth

2012-01-11T11:39:00.001-07:00

As I talked about yesterday, when we Live in Truth one of the benefits is that we experience more creativity. Often this happens because we are more spontaneous. When we live in the Pit of Illusion we don’t see or recognize the opportunities or even the wonderful things that are happening around us and therefore it is impossible to take advantage of them or to build upon them. We can’t dance with life because we don’t hear the music life is making for us.

But when we are Living in Truth we are fully in the present and therefore we hear the music and sense the tempo and are able to waltz or rumba or tango to whatever music presents itself. That’s the spontaneity part, and the creativity follows as you make the dance into your own—something new.

This semester I discovered that before one of my classes someone is teaching the History of Jazz. I love music but know very little about jazz. So I decided to sit in on the class. Today we talked about Country Blues and I had a delightful hour on a Mississippi levee listening to extraordinary people discuss the blues in their lives and listening and learning from them. It was delightful!

One more benefit of Living in Truth! Life is so much more fun and exciting when you Live in Truth.

Creativity

2012-01-10T11:34:00.002-07:00

The last few days I’ve been remindedof the many benefits that come from Living in Truth. I’ve talked about a lot ofthose benefits here, but there is one I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned that isone of the most surprising and exciting. Benefits like happiness and peace andlove, I expected to find when I began Living in Truth, but this one amazed me.It is the gift of creativity.

As Elder Uchtdorf said at the ReliefSociety Conference in October 2008, “The desire to create is one of the deepestyearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, orabilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not existbefore.” He goes on to say that everyone can create,and I know that is true. However, when we Live in Illusion and because of thelife experiences all of us pass through, we tend to forget that we can createand therefore we don’t. But creating, taking two separate things and makingsomething new out of them, is deeply satisfying. It is what God does. He is acreator and as His children we are meant to be creators.

This brings me back to Living inTruth. When I Live in Truth, I reside in the same realm God resides in—the Realmof Truth—and in that realm creativity abounds in everyone who resides there. Itjust happens naturally. Whatever people do they find themselves creating asthey do it and that creativity brings them great joy. Instead of going througha day weighed down by burdensome tasks, a person Living in Truth is constantlycreating new ways to do things, gaining new insights, and creating their liveswith exciting new possibilities.

There are many benefits of Living inTruth, but this gift of creativity is one of my favorites. Watch how it worksin your life when you are Living in Truth.

The Power We Have

2012-01-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

It is surprising what a simple gesture of kindness can meanin a person’s life. As I look back on my life, I realize that there were a fewpeople who greatly influenced me. The amazing thing is that in every case thethings they did were small simple things–so small the people have no idea whatan impact they had on me. But even though they don’t remember what they did, Ido.

Growing up in what was then the small town of Centerville, my friends and Iused to visit the older ladies that lived on our street. Two of theseespecially influenced me by their kindness. Mrs. Torrey once gave me an oldbook, Heidi, with the simple words, “I have only sons and so I want you to havethis.” It made me feel so very special and important.

When only five years old, I’d write “books” of my own, illustrate them and godoor to door selling them. Mrs. Torrey and Aunt Nora would praise my books somuch that it felt like they filled me with helium.
Later, in high school, an English teacher, Miss Lee, encouraged my writing. Shewrote at the end of one assignment words that I memorized. “Sherrie, You’ve gotit–whatever it is. Don’t ever stop writing!!!” I can’t even count how many timethose two sentences saved me when encountering editors who rejected mymanuscripts and through many other bumps in life.

Other friends such as Lucille Reading and Laurie Thornton warmed, encouragedand bolstered me, again without knowing what an impact they were having on my life.They just did what was natural for them. They loved me despite my faults.Whenever I’d get discouraged, I’d go visit Lucille and I’d come away lifted.When I went, I didn’t talk about my problems. I just knew that being in herpresence for a little while would “cure” me. She was that kind of person.Laurie was the same way. Laurie was blind, but she had learned to laugh withlife despite the fact that life had handed her some bad cards, and her laughterwas infectious.

Often we read about people who have a mentor that takes them by the hand andplays a major part in their lives the way Anne Sullivan did in Helen Keller’slife. That does happen. But in my own life the most impactful influences havebeen brief, small occurrences like my young women’s leader, Barbara Davis, whodespite the fact that I was being a brat during the lesson one night, patientlyput up with me. Her love and kindness that night communicated a love to me that was much needed at the time.

The reason I bring this up is because we too often underestimate the power wehave to impact others. We never know when something as simple as a smile, ahug, a phone call, or an encouraging word is just what someone needs to sendthem on their way injected with hope–a hope that can last a lifetime. We aremore influential than we realize, and we need to be more aware of the power wehave to encourage others and then use that power.

Sabbath Scripture--My Light

2012-01-08T14:44:00.004-07:00

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy:

when I fall, I shall arise;

when I sit in darkness,

the Lord shall be a light unto me.

Micah 7:8

Truth Tools at the Dentist's Office

2012-01-07T10:07:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had a tooth pulled. It is the second tooth since Grizelda that has shattered so that it needs to come out. It was causing a lot of pain so I’m glad it’s gone. But the good thing is how much the Truth Tools helped me yesterday. The oral surgeon offered to put me out, but I opted for a local and then used the Truth Tools to stay calm and actually found the whole process very interesting. After extracting the tooth, he put cadaver bone in the hole. After the bone heals and the bone transplant takes, there will be enough bone foundation to put in an implanted tooth. It is a strange feeling to think I have someone else’s bone in my mouth, but at the same time I’m very thankful for the scientific advances that allow for such a procedure.

I’m also grateful for the Truth Tools. Instead of coming out of the procedure groggy and in a mental fog, that takes me a good two days to shake off, I walked out feeling just fine. As he drilled and pulled and cut and scraped, I Anchored. The drills make a fascinating music and he kept explaining what he was doing so that, like I said, it was actually very interesting. The way he deftly put the stitches in was also amazing. It was obvious he'd done it thousands of times. That’s where the Storytelling Tool came in. Instead of filling myself with stories about how things could go wrong or it might hurt or any other negative story, I told myself a story about learning new things and how fascinating it was to watch someone who is so skilled at what he is doing.

Truth Tools work! Now I just need to use them to keep myself from being too self-conscious about the hole in the back of my mouth when I smile. They can’t do the tooth implant until the bone heals which will take about three months. Until then I have a missing tooth. My insurance won’t cover a temporary tooth, so I’ll be toothless. I can let it make me very uncomfortable or I can live with it. I’m opting to live with it. I’ve got Tools to help me do it!

The Power of Words

2012-01-06T10:44:00.001-07:00

As I’ve studied and learned how to Live in Truth, I’ve become very aware of how powerful words can be. The words we choose to say and think make all the difference in how our lives unfold. I've come to realize that we can change the course of our lives by simply changing the words we use. And I’m not just talking about the big moments in life. What I’ve realized is that EVERY thought and EVERY spoken word influences our lives. So I’ve been working on paying attention to the seemingly unimportant conversations of my day and what I say.

For example, when someone greets me with the usual, “How are you?” I often answered, “Not too bad.” But bad is a negative word and it creates negative energy. I now answer, “I’m doing very well.” Just saying it I can feel the positive energy.

But, you ask, what if I really am sick and really not doing well? You still can use positive nouns and adjectives, but negate them with an adverb such as not. This works because the mind doesn’t imagine negating words. For example, when I say, “Don’t think about blue bunnies,” what do you think about? Blue bunnies. This means that when I answer, “I’m not doing well,” what the brain imagines is “I’m doing well.” Thus positive energy is created to help counter the negative situation.

It is amazing how choosing positive words can change the way we feel and behave. Words have power and we can empower or deplete ourselves by the words we use. So enjoy a good word today!

We've Got Options

2012-01-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

I once heard a psychologist explain that depression iscaused when a person can only see two ways to go and he doesn’t like either oneof them. That may be anover-simplification, but there is something important here for all of us: thereare always options.

Too many times we come into a situation and only see one ortwo options open for us to pursue. If we don’t like either one, sometimes weneed to accept what we don’t like and move on. But often there are otheroptions if we just let our imaginations explore the situation. Many times thereare options that aren’t as obvious that offer us new possibilities and greatopportunities, but we have been so stuck in the rut of habit that we don’t evenconsider those options.

So next time you are feeling vexation because of choices youneed to make, sit down with a piece of paper and write out all the options youcan think of. Let your imagination soar. Some of the things you think of may beabsolutely ridiculous, but write them down anyway. They’ll give you a good laughand that is like taking medicine! Later go back through the list, consider eachoption carefully, and then choose the best one. Don’t look back, move forwardin faith and then let the future unfold for you.

Be New!

2012-01-04T08:49:00.002-07:00

It’s the first day of the new semester. New classes. Newstudents. New opportunities. But especially new things to learn. But as you all know, I am not the only onebeginning the “new.” You are all embarking on a new year. It’s been said somuch we don’t really stop to think about what new means. So let’s look at theword new.

One of the definitions for the word new is “being other than the former or old.” Wecan think of that as a statement that 2012 is not 2011. In other words we cansimply assume that the present time will be different than the former time. Butthat doesn’t inspire us much. Instead we can think about the fact that life canbe different from the former or the old. That opens up all kinds ofpossibilities.

With this definition new means that the things that happened in 2011 or before don’tpredict what will happen in 2012. Life is new and not a repetition of what wentbefore. 2012 is full of new friends, new opportunities, and new things tolearn. It is waiting for you to experience and how you experience it is achoice.

So whatever the past has brought, forgetabout it. Good or bad, the new year is NEW and it is waiting for you toexperience it. Look forward with anticipation and excitement. Expect the best.Be something other than the former or the old!

My Anchoring Sign

2012-01-03T05:49:00.001-07:00

I just had to share with you the wonderful Word of the Year sign Heather made for me.

This is going to help me remember to Anchor in the now

so that I enjoy every gift the present moment has to offer me.

Thank you so much Heather!

You can check out her web site at http://www.simplyfreshdesigns.com/.

For the Word of the Year signs (She calls them One Little Word) see
http://www.simplyfreshdesigns.com/2011/12/2012-one-little-word-posters/

No Trouble

2012-01-02T09:55:00.001-07:00

To begin the new year, I thought I'd review the prinicple of what it means to Live in Truth. So today let's start with John 14:1 where the Savior tells us to, “Let not your heart be troubled.” The Greek word that is translated troubled in this verse is tarasso. Tarasso means “to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity; to disquiet, make restless; to stir up; to trouble: to strike one's spirit with fear and dread; to render anxious or distressed.” In other words, the Savior is telling us to not let life vex us. The first step to accomplishing this is to admit to ourselves that being vexed is a choice we make. Too often we think that thoughts and feelings are thrust upon us, and that we have no control over them. That would make us helpless victims. But the Good News! is that we can choose our thoughts and feelings. We are in control.

In the scriptures the word heart is often used for the concept of feelings and in Proverbs I found a piece of advice I like. It says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). The Complete Jewish Bible translates that same verse as, “Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life's consequences.” And the New International Version of the Bible translates it, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Between the three definitions we get a very good idea of what God is trying to teach us here.

The secret to happiness is to carefully choose the thoughts and feelings we let into our hearts and minds. It is possible to keep our hearts from being troubled! So if we feel vexation creeping in, the first thing to do is realize we have power to cast it away. We are not victims of feelings, we are agents that control the feelings. We can choose happiness!

Sabbath Scripture--New Year-New Beginnings

2012-01-01T16:59:00.004-07:00

Marvel not that all mankind,

yea, men and women, all naitons, kindreds, tongues and people,

must be born again;

yea, born of God changed from their carnal and fallen state,

to a state of righteousness,

being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughter.

Mosaiah 27:25

The Best Is Yet To Come!

2011-12-31T10:34:00.002-07:00

I was once told that in the 1830s a bill was put before the United States Congress to close the patent office because everything that could be discovered had surely been discovered by then. Therefore, there was no more need for a patent office. I don’t know if that is urban myth or if it actually happened, but even if it didn’t happen I’m sure there were people in the 1830s that thought there would be no more inventions.

In hindsight and knowing all that has been discovered since then, you and I can laugh at how absurd that thought was. But if we had been living in the 1830s we may have been among the naysayers. Naysayers only believe what they can see and what they have experienced and even then they are jaundiced by negative perceptions.

On this last day of 2011, I think there is something to learn from this. A new year brings with it new beginnings and who knows what wonders await us? We can be naysayers and think that the future will be exactly like the past—nothing new, nothing better. Or we can be excited about the possibilities of what is to come—new things to learn, new friends to make, new experiences, new growth, new tender mercies and miracles. As Mr. J's mission president tells us every time we see him, "The best is yet to come!"

So as the clock begins to strike to take us into 2012, I hope you begin the year by thinking, “The best is about to begin,” and then expect it.

Thank You!

2011-12-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

I’ve been at my computer all day for the last two days working on the finishing touches of my book Living in Truth and Avoiding the Pit of Illusion. I hope to send it off to the editor next week. Wish me luck.

As I’ve been rewriting and polishing the manuscript, I’ve been reminded of how much all of you have helped me. Many of the stories come from readers of Good News! and the stories are what make the book.

Stories are so much more powerful than lecture! I think that’s why the Savior taught in parables. The parables capture our attention, teach deep in the heart not just in the mind, and they are easy to remember. So many thanks to all of you who have emailed me your experiences with Living in Truth. Now just pray that the book gets published!

I'm Anchored

2011-12-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

I’ve finally decided on my “Word of the Year.” One of the most empowering parts of Living in Truth is to live in the present moment, and I want to get better at doing that. I’ve been trying, but with so many years of Pit of Illusion type habits to overcome I’ve made slow progress. So my Word of the Year is anchor—the verb anchor. I am going to concentrate on experiencing every single moment. I’m going to anchor myself to the present and not let myself carry around baggage from the past or worry about the future. I’m going to take what comes and love it.

Every moment of life offers something wonderful, but I’ve missed so much of it because I haven't been present. Not anymore! I’m going to create (even though I’m not very artistic) some clever signs to remind myself and put them where I can see them often. I’m going to start my day by anchoring to the morning, end my day by anchoring to the evening, and anchor myself to everything in between.

I’m going to start 2012 anchored to the present and I’m going to stay there. After all, the present moment is the only one I have any control over.

Reminders

2011-12-28T11:17:00.001-07:00

Over the last few years as I’ve been learning to Live in Truth I’ve discovered that I need reminders. Old, long-ingrained habits and ways of life are difficult to overcome, and I need all the help I can get in order to grow and change. That’s why I have a copy of My Charge on the mirror so that I see it often every day. I also have assigned meanings that remind me of what it means to Live in Truth to things I see every day. I have words that encourage me on the inside of every kitchen cupboard so that every time I get a dish out or put one back in, I see the word and am reminded to Live in Truth. I also had engraved on my ipad the words, “Take what comes and love it.” And as soon as I decide on my Word for the Year, I'll put it in places where I'll see it often.

"Surrender" by Brighton Jewelry

That’s why one of the Christmas presents Mr. J gave me is so fantastic. He totally surprised me with a necklace that opens up and inside on one half it says, “Trust and enjoy” and on the other it says, “Everything is exactly as it should be.” The necklace itself is beautiful with stones of purple and blue setting off a heart made of clear stones, but knowing what it says inside means the most to me. It encourages and empowers me when I wear it. I hate taking it off!

I’m not selling necklaces, but I am selling the idea that we need all the help we can get in order to overcome telestial influences and grow into celestial beings. It isn’t going to happen unless we make it happen, and part of the help we need to make it happen comes from surrounding ourselves with things that remind us to trust in God and to take what comes and enjoy it.

It's "Word of the Year" Time

2011-12-27T09:07:00.001-07:00

The new year is fast approaching and the time has come when people choose their New Year's Resolutions. But I've found that a list of goals becomes overwhelming and by the end of January I'm discouraged and done with resolutions so I don't set goals instead I pick a Word of the Year. Two years ago my word was rejuvenate and this year my word was grateful.

To make the Word of the Year work best choose a verb—an action word—and then constantly remind yourself of your Word of the Year. For example, when I chose rejuvenate, I let the word underscore everything I did. If I was cleaning house, I’d think about rejuvenating it—doing it better and/or more effectively than ever before. If I was studying, I’d think about rejuvenating my studies—having more enthusiasm and excitement in my study. If I was with friends, I’d think about rejuvenating my friendship—not taking friendship for granted but cherishing it and giving more to it. Instead of feeling like something extra or burdensome to do (like a goal often seems), my word resolution simply enhances and invigorates everything I am already doing. In this way I help the natural process of letting the Spirit renew and guide me day by day without getting discouraged or being tempted to give up. I love it!

This year I’m still trying to decide between two words. It has been so difficult that I was tempted to use both, but I know from experience that part of the power of choosing a Word of the Year is the focus and when I pick more than one word the effort becomes diluted and is much less effective.

As soon as I decide which word, I'll let you know. In the meantime, what words are you thinking about? And what experiences did you have last year with your Word of the Year?

Christmas is Good News

2011-12-26T08:17:00.001-07:00

I hope your Christmas celebration filled you with joy, love, and hope. That's what it is meant to do, but if we get too caught up in the materialism of gift giving and getting, that doesn't happen. Instead we pass through Christmas stressed, fatigued, disappointed, and weary. But if we take time to remember what Christmas is all about, the joy overshadows any of the stressful things. That's why I thank all of you for celebrating Christmas with me here on Good News! It gave me the opportunity to spend time thinking about the Good News. After all, the birth of Jesus Christ is the best news that ever was. He is The Good News--the very best news that has ever been given.

I've loved researching more about the events that were the original Christmas, and sharing what I know and what I've learned with you has made my Christmas very meaningful. I hope in some small way it has contributed to your Christmas celebration also.

So thank you for stopping by, and I hope you will continue to visit Good News! all year long. I love having company!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

Fear not;

for, behold, I bring you good tidings

of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.

Luke 2:10 and 14

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

It is Christmas Eve! Years ago that meant magic, wonder, excitement, anticipation, and joy knowing Santa Clause was about to come. Now it means magic, wonder, excitement, anticipation, and especially joy knowing that my Savior came.

The other day I had one of those everything-goes-wrong days that tend to push me into the Pit of Illusion. I was fighting against the feelings and trying to get back into the Realm of Truth as I went to bed. I usually fall asleep listening to something and that night I put on Susan Boyle’s Christmas album. As I lay in the dark fighting the negative feelings within me I suddenly became aware of the words being sung, “Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.” And with those words came the feeling that the negative thoughts I was plagued with were temporary because of Jesus Christ. What a gift! These bad dayswill have an end. All I need to do is hang on and He will do the rest. He was born to conquer all negative, bad, evil, horrible things. He will set all things right and that means make all things good. Because of Him we are being “fit for heaven” where none of that negative things will exist. I went to sleep firmly planted in the Realm of Truth, and rejoicing in that First Noel.

I love the fact that this Christmas comes on a Sunday. Besides the normal celebrating, we can go to His house and worship Him. Tomorrow I’ll sing songs of praise to Himwith neighbors and friends and people I love, and with them I'm I'll partake of His holiness. Tomorrow I'll have a few moments to think about all the things I've written about this month, but most importantly on His birthday I'll partake of the sacrament and remember how Mary in the House of Bread, placed that Bread of Life on the feeding trough--a symbolic offering, a feast for me.

My heart is full to overflowing with the magic, wonder, excitement, anticipation, and especially joy that is Christ.

Christmas in the Book of Mormon

2011-12-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

The Jews in the Old World were not the only people awaiting the Messiah. On the American continent many of the Nephites eagerly anticipated the day. But there were also many people who didn’t believe, and they began to scorn and persecute the believers. The persecution became so bad the wicked people proclaimed that if the sign of the coming of the Lord did not occur by a certain day, they would kill all the believers.

Samuel the Lamanite prophesies
of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The prophet at the time, Nephi, was filled with sorrow at the wickedness around him. For years he had tried to help the people but so many of them refused to believe and repent. Now as they issued their mandate, he prayed mightily all day long in behalf of his people asking that the Lord would be born so that the righteous who awaited the Messiah would not be killed. After hours of prayer he heard a voice saying, “Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets” (3 Nephi 1:13).

As promised that night the sun went down, but there was no darkness. It must have been a strange experience to watch the sun disappear beyond the horizon and yet the sky remain as light as if it were noontime. The believers rejoiced as they recognized the sign given them by Samuel the Lamanite. But those who had threatened to kill the believers were frightened and many of them fell to the ground as if they were dead. Fear filled them for they knew that they had been wrong, and they worried about what would now happen to them. That entire night the light continued and the next morning the people watched as the sun rose on an already bright sky.

I love to think about this story and reflect on what it teaches me not only about the bitrh of Jesus Christ but about me being born again in Him. When Christ has been born again within us there is no longer darkness. When we have experienced the mighty change of heart, even a situation thatthe world says should bring great darkness into our lives such as the death of a loved one or any other tragedy is mitigated by the light of Christ within us. When a person loves and trusts in Jesus Christ, there is always light shining brightly.

Celebrating Christmas--The Mother and Child

2011-12-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

I’ve always felt our Christmas celebrations pay too little attention to the mother, Mary. She played a magnificent role in the coming forth of the Son of Holiness and my own celebrating and worshiping is enhanced when I think of her. Two of my most meaningful Christmases werethe ones when I had a baby in December. I remember wrapping my babies and thinking of Mary swaddling hers and imagining what she did and thought.

Most scholars believe she was young, perhaps fourteen or fifteen years old, because it was the custom of the day to betroth a daughter when she began to menstruate. Other scholars argue that menstruation happened later at that time, but even sixteen or seventeen is young.

Some have interpreted the verse, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19), to mean that Mary was bewildered and didn’t know what was going on. To me that is absurd. All of Mary’s life people had talked about the prophesied Messiah. She couldn’t have been unaware of the teachings and longing for a Messiah. But more than that, an angel appeared to tell her that she was going to bear the child, and then she found herself with child when she had never known a man. How could she not have known?

Of all people, Mary was the one who knew—not just believed but knew—that the Savior of the world had come. She knew the baby she had suffered to bring into the world was the long awaited Messiah. To me the fact that she kept the things in her heart indicates that she knew how sacred the events and happenings were and therefore she didn’t speak openly about them. Instead she kept the details to herself and pondered on them often.

Of all the women in the world, Mary was the one worthy and willing and ready to mother the Son of God. We are told she was a virgin. The word originally meant simply a young woman.

But the definitions now include, “an unmarried woman devoted to religion,” “a woman who has not had sexual intercourse,” and “a person who is inexperienced in a usually specified sphere of activity.” Mary fits all the definitions. The birth we celebrate was to a virgin who had never known a man, a virgin innocent and pure.

Perhaps that is the most important symbol of the Christmas season, for it is only in a pure and innocent heart that Christ can be born again.

Flight Into Egypt

2011-12-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

Throughout the Bible we repeatedly find metaphors in which the lands of Babylon and Egypt are symbols of a corrupt and immoral world and the area of Palestine is a Promised Land. In the metaphor God directs people to leave the worldly place and flee to the Promised Land. Thus the Children of Israel left Egypt and made their way to Israel. Abraham left Babylon and made his way to Palestine.

But we find the reverse in the story of the Savior. Jesus was born in the Promised Land, but Joseph and Mary took him into Egypt. And thus a new metaphor is introduced.

"Flight into Egypt" by Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337)

This time we have Jesus Christ, who is a God and the inheritor of the Promised Land, fleeing that land and traveling into the corrupt and immoral world for a time then returning to the Promised Land when the angel calls them back to the Promised Land.

Likewise, Jesus Christ, left his heavenly home with God the Father, but will return to it as soon as His mission is complete.

The Flight into Egypt, then, is symbolic of the fact that Jesus Christ condescended to come into the world and save us from sin (the immoral world) and corruption (death). Because of His birth and His death, angels, prophets, and teachers call us out of the world and lead us into our Promised Land. Just as in all other things, Jesus Christ set the example. You and I can flee this world and obtain a better one. It is the greatest gift anyone has ever given us and it is Jesus Christ that made such a journey possible.

The Baby Jesus Is Welcomed

2011-12-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

Usually when we tell the Christmas story we include the shepherds and wise men, but there are other important characters in the story that we too often forget about. But the gospel writers must have thought they were important because unlike the shepherds and wise men we know these people by name; Simeon and Anna.

Simeon was “just and devout” and had been “waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him” (Luke 2:25). The Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah and on the day that Joseph and Mary came to present Jesus, Simeon was led by the Spirit to go to the temple. As he beheld the child, he took him into his arms and joyfully cried, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Luke tells us that these words caused Mary and Joseph to marvel. We can imagine how much joy and comfort this must have given them after all the gossip and persecution they had experienced to encounter someone who believed and shared in their secret.

But the comfort was short lived as Simeon turned to Mary and prophesied, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35).

Also in the temple that day was the prophetess Anna who had been a widow for eighty-four years and who lived at the temple serving “God with fastings and prayers night and day”(Luke 2:37). When she heard Simeon proclaim the Messiah, the Spirit also bore witness to her of the divinity of the child and she gave thanks to the Lord that at last the long awaited Redeemer of Israel had been born.

Both Simeon and Anna were ready and waiting so that they recognized their Messiah when he came into their lives. Likewise the promise to all of us is that if we are ready and waiting, Jesus Christ will come into our lives and we will know Him.

The Baby Jesus Presented at the Temple

2011-12-19T11:20:00.001-07:00

When Jesus was eight days old He was circumcised and given the name Jesus (Luke 2:21). But that name which we know so well is not the name Mary and Joseph would have called him by. Jesus is actually the Greek form of his Hebrew name which was Yeshua and fittingly means “salvation.” Linguistically it is related to the Hebrew name Yehoshua (rendered Joshua in our Bible) which means “Jehovah saves.” Luke also reminds us that Yeshua is not a name Mary or Joseph decided upon, but the name the angel Gabriel pronounced upon him at the time of his conception.

Ritual naming and circumcising took place when a male child was eight days old. A separate ritual occurred after the purification time for the mother. If a mother gave birth to a male child the purification time was forty days and for a female child it was eighty days. Thus forty days after the birth, Joseph and Mary traveled the five miles from Bethlehem to the temple in Jerusalem to attend to the purification ritual. The fact that both rituals were performed tells us that Mary and Joseph were strict observers of the law of Moses.

But there is something very interesting going on here. In addition to the circumcising and purification rituals, a firstborn son was taken to the temple when forty days old to be presented to the Lord and according to the law redeemed at the price of five temple shekels (Numbers 18:16). The baby would be given to the priest and the priest would lift the baby up before the altar to dedicate him to the Lord. This reminded the people that thousands of years before God had saved the firstborn sons of the Israelites during the first Passover.

All of the laws of Moses were intended to teach the people and help them look forward with hope to the time when their Messiah would come to redeem His people. Circumcision and purification ceremonies reminded the people that their hope was not in generation but in regeneration, and on that ritual day the Infant being circumcised was not in token of regeneration or salvation; He was Salvation. He was not only the firstborn son of Mary being presented to God; He was the Son of God being present to His Father.

The Infant the priest held in his arms that day was not in token of the Messiah but He was the Messiah that hundreds of thousands of rituals had been performed to celebrate. He was the baby that would be our Salvation.

Sabbath Scripture - Spread the Good News

2011-12-18T09:26:00.002-07:00

And the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all the things that they had heard and seen,

as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:18

Today is the day for us to do the same!

The Wise Men's Gift of Gold

2011-12-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

The symbolism in the Wise Men’s gift of gold is obvious. Since the beginning of time, gold has been the most sought after of all precious metals. It is the metal of kings. But even more important it is a symbol of the celestial kingdom with silver being a symbol of the terrestrial kingdom and brass or bronze of the telestial kingdom. Therefore, it was only natural that to celebrate the birth of the King of Kings, the Wise Men would bring a gift of gold.

But there are other things about gold that make this gift especially fitting for our Savior. The chemical symbol for gold is Au derived from the Latin word aurum which is related in several languages to words that refer to dawn an example being the Latin word aurora.

Gold is dense, soft, shiny, and the most malleable and ductile pure metal known. In addition, gold maintains its color without oxidizing in air or water which means it is non-corrodible. Chemically gold is known as a transition metal and of all the metals, pure gold is the least reactive and is able to resist most acids. Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity and has also provided the basis for monetary standards for many countries throughout history.

So there was much more meaning in the gift of gold than the fact that this infant was King. The Baby presented the gold would grow to be the Savior of the world. He was the “dawn” of salvation for all mankind. Through His atoning sacrifice we would be empowered to “transition” or make the mighty change from the carnal, sensual and devilish life to the spiritual and righteous life. He would be the only One to ever live a life “non-corroded” by sin, the One who would set the “standard” of righteousness for all who wished to return to God to follow. He was and is the “conductor” of the Light of Life. Yes, gold was a fitting gift for a King who would be much more than a King. He is our Savior.

The Gift of Myrrh

2011-12-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Another royal gift given to the baby Jesus by the Wise Men was myrrh. Like frankincense, myrrh is harvested by cutting into the trunk of the myrrh bush and letting the wound bleed. The sap that oozes out hardens and is then picked from the tree and used for perfumes, incense, and embalming. The principle species is Commiphora myrrha, but a related species Commiphora gileadensis is referred to in the Bible as the “balm of Gilead.”

The word myrrh comes from the Aramaic word murr which means “bitter.”

Hundreds of years before Christ, myrrh was used and valued for its powerful fragrance. It was also used to heal wounds, but the most famous of its uses was that it was the principal ingredient in ointments used in embalming mummies in Egypt. At the time of the Savior it was used in Palestine to anoint dead bodies in preparation for burial. Because of all these uses, myrrh was often as valuable ounce per ounce as gold. As a matter of fact, sometimes the price of myrrh rose higher than that of gold.

The most interesting thing to me, however, is that the myrrh bush has long, spiky thorns. Thus the myrrh branch foreshadows the crown of thorns placed upon the Savior at the time of His death. The gift at his birth was a symbol of His royalty—The King of Kings. But at the same time it reminds us that at His death the soldiers would reject their King. Instead of crowning Him with gold and jewels they would crown Him with thorns.

Thus myrrh is a symbolic reminder that this Royal Baby would suffer and die for us.

The Gift of Frankincense

2011-12-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

Frankincense

We don’t actually know how many Wise Men came to worship the baby Jesus. Tradition maintains that there were three but that is because there were three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. All three are significant in that they are gifts befitting a king. But in addition, all three have symbolic significance.

Frankincense is found in the scraggly, but hardy, Boswellia tree, and is harvested by slashing the bark and allowing the resins to bleed out and harden. The hardened resins are called tears. Frankincense trees grow in very difficult environments where most plant life could never exist such as out of solid rock. How it attaches to the stone is unknown, but a bulbous disk-like swelling of the trunk at the base of the tree allows it to adhere and grow. This growth prevents it from being ripped from the rock during violent storms that frequent the places the trees grow in. The bulbous swelling is slight or absent in trees grown in rocky soil or gravel.

Frankincense is used as a perfume, but more significantly it was used as incense and burned on the altar of the Jewish temple. Think about the last time you saw smoke rising and how it forms a “ribbon,” that connects heaven to earth. This is why incense became a symbol of prayers which when uttered rise to God.

Frankincense is also a symbol of another connection between heaven and earth, priesthood, which is the power of God shared with mankind.

What a fitting gift, then, frankincense was for the King of Kings, the great High Priest, who is our mediator, connection to heaven.

Wise Men

2011-12-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Of all the stories associated with the birth of Jesus Christ, the story of the Wise Men raises the most questions and intrigues me most. How did they know about the King of the Jews? How did they recognize the star? What made them come so far? Who were they? Did it take them weeks, or months, or years to arrive in Bethlehem?

I once heard a scholar speak about them and his assumption was that since they were from the East they were non Jewish. But there were many Jewish communities in the East as well as in Egypt. Therefore, my guess is that the Wise Men were Jewish people of the Diaspora whose families had been taken from Palestine during the Assyrian or Babylonian conquests or at least men influenced by Jewish people of the Diaspora.

But there are still more questions. Did angels announce the birth to the Wise Men as they did to the shepherds? Or did the Wise Men learn from scriptures or an oral tradition that a star would announce Christ’s birth? The wording in Matthew makes me think they had scriptures or an oral tradition that they recognized as fulfilled when they saw the new star. All we are told is that they saw the sign in the East and then traveled west to Judea—symbolically they followed the path of the sun. It was a long journey, and once in Jerusalem they began to inquire, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).

News of their inquiries concerning a king reached Herod, and he sent for them under the guise of wanting to worship this new king. But in fact, Herod was troubled by prophecies that a child would be born who would rule Israel–after all, he was the king of this land. And being a ruthless king he would not let such a thing happen.

After consulting with his priests, he told the Wise Men of the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and sent them on their way after instructing them to return to tell him when they had found the new king. But being warned by an angel that Herod’s intent wasn’t to worship the king, but to kill Him, they refused the order and after worshiping the Infant King returned to the east without telling Herod.

As the prophecy foretold the Wise Men found Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in Bethlehem, but not in the stable. By then Mary and Joseph had moved out of the stable and into a house. I often wonder what these intelligent, wealthy men thought as they beheld the helpless infant born to such humble parents. They’d had a lot of time to build up expectations as they traveled to Bethlehem. Did they go away confirmed and elated or disappointed and wondering? The decision was theirs to make, but I tend to think they were jubilant. They knew they had found the King of Kings.

Tradition always tells the story of the Wise Men following a star, but really they were following their own hearts. Thousands saw the sign, the star in the sky, but few had studied enough to be able to recognize it and fewer still cared enough to see where it led. No, it wasn’t the star they followed, it was their own hearts that guided them to travel west, to find their Savior, and to refuse to tell Herod. Thus we have a beautiful definition of what it means to be wise; to follow the righteous promptings of your heart.

That is one question the story does answer; the wise men and women of the world are those who follow the path of light to find their King.

The Christmas Star

2011-12-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

Picture by
©Debbie Yarra www.yarraimages.com

I’ve always thought it very fitting that the Light of the World was introduced by a bright, new star.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine being in a dark, dark room when suddenly a speck of light appears. Slowly the light grows until the room is illuminated as if by noon-day sun. Even in your imagination you can feel the light bringing with it hope and love. It is amazing how much positive feeling light introduces to a dark place, and all we have to do to get rid of the dark is to let in the light.

On that first Christmas night, far above and untouched by anything worldly, the new star pierced the darkness testifying to all nations that hope had come.

But this symbol is more than metaphor. Christ is the Light of the World. His light, the Light of Christ, still shines to guide wise men and wise women to find Him and live forever in a place where there is no darkness but only light and the love and joy that accompany that Light.

Tending Their Flocks By Night

2011-12-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

On the outskirts of Bethlehem, shepherds were watching their flocks the night the Savior was born. The fact that there were shepherds rather than a single shepherd leads some to believe that the birth of Christ took place in the springtime when the new lambs were being born. Usually only one shepherd was required to stay the night with the sheep. But lambing season meant every available shepherd would be needed to help in the birthing process.

In the social structure of Jewish life, shepherds were on the bottom. Deemed by the upper classes as men of no consequence and as unclean under the law of Moses, the shepherds were nevertheless saviors to the sheep. Besides assisting in the births, they nourished, gathered, comforted, and protected their flocks, sometimes risking their own lives to defend the sheep. Thus Jesus became known as The Good Shepherd. But besides being a beautiful metaphor it points out the deep irony that the Good Shepherd was considered by the Pharisees and Sadducees less than a man of no consequence while in the very act of protecting and saving them.

Gerard (Gerrit) van Honthorst (1590�1656), Adoration of the Shepherds
(Die Anbetung der Hirten, Adorazione dei Pastori, 1622). 164 x 190 cm,
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, Cologne.

But there is more to this symbolism of shepherd and sheep. One scholar notes that a tower called Migdal Eder–the watchtower of the flock–was situated on the road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The sheep gathered at Migdal Eder were raised to be sacrificed at the temple during the Passover and other ritual celebrations. It was tradition among some of the Jews, that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem and revealed at Migdal Eder (Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, 1:269). In addition the shepherds were protecting and nurturing the sheep through the night waiting for the dawn and new light.

How fitting that the angelic announcement, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11), was made that natal night to humble men serving the needs of sheep that would be sacrificed in similitude of the Lamb of God.

But that has not changed. It is still to those who are feeding His sheep that He reveals Himself. It is to those who serve his flock that the testimony is revealed—the testimony that all who are unclean have a Savior and can come forth from the darkness of their tombs into the Light of Life.

Sabbath Scripture--Mary's Psalm

2011-12-11T09:54:00.001-07:00

And Mary said:

My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:

for, behold, from henceforth all generations

shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;

and holy is his name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him

from generation to generation.

He hath shewed strength with his arm;

he hath scattered the proud

in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats,

and exalted them of low degree.

He hath filled the hungry with good things;

and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath holpen his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy;

As he spake to our fathers,

to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Luke 1:46-55

Christmas Angels

2011-12-10T08:40:00.001-07:00

"Heavenly Hands" by Greg Olsen (click here)

There is one thread that weaves through the entire Nativity story—the angels. The English word angel comes from the Greek word angelos which means “messenger.” A messenger is someone who carries a message from one person to another and these messengers carried the Glad Tidings or Good News from God to man.

First the angel Gabriel delivered the message to Mary that she would be the mother of the long awaited child. Next Joseph received a visit from Gabriel and was told to “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:20).

But when we think of angels at Christmas time, we usually think of the angel who appeared to the shepherds tending their sheep in fields near Bethlehem. He delivers his message, “Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12).

As soon as he made the announcement the heavens opened—as if the joy was more than heaven could contain any longer—and suddenly a great multitude of angels burst forth in song.

For a moment imagine with me that you were one of those angels—a messenger. You knew that your Savior had been born. You knew that because of that birth the misery, depravity, abuse, and horrors of a mortal world now had a cure. The Light of the world had been born to put all things right and the joy of that knowledge filled you until like an erupting volcano the joy spewed forth. Imagine how you felt. This wasn’t just good news; this was the greatest news of all time. And you couldn’t contain the happiness you felt. As the heavens opened you sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

What a choir that must have been—the sound of heaven rejoicing!

But you don’t have to imagine. The same thread that ties the Nativity story together, ties you to the story. You are the angel--the messenger! Christmas is the opportunity for you to sing, or pray, or shout your praises or in any way you can to convey the Good News to all those around you that a Savior has come to save the world.

The Stable Cave

2011-12-09T09:40:00.001-07:00

We all know that Jesus was born in a stable, but the facts about that stable, about how they got there and what it is, are not so well understood. The word the King James translators choose to translate as inn, kataluma, is the same word that Mark and Luke later use for the Upper Room in which the Last Supper is held.

In both Luke 22:11 and Mark 14:14 the same Greek word, katalum, is translated as guestchamber, and in the story of the Good Samaritan the word translated as inn is not kataluma, but pandeion.

What most scholars now believe is that Mary and Joseph went to stay with relatives in Bethlemem (which makes sense also because Bethlehem was such a small town it would be unlikely to have enough business to support an inn), but by the time they arrived their relatives' guestroom was already taken and so they stayed in the stable. This makes sense because many homes in that day were built in front of a cave and used the cave to stable animals and supplies.

But where the stable is isn’t the important thing. The stable is still a stable filled with animals and the filth and stink that go along with a stable. I can imagine how Joseph and the relatives worked to make the cave as comfortable as possible as Mary stove against the pains that would bring our Savior into the world.

Again the symbolism is astonishing. Caves are under ground. They are below the earth's surface and from this underground stable-cave Mary brought Jesus forth and gave Him mortal life. This foreshadows the event three decades later when, from an underground sepulcher-cave, Jesus would come forth to give Mary and all of us immortal life.

Both caves remind us that Jesus descended “below all things” (see 1 Nephi 11:16; D & C 88:6). Theologians call this the condescension of God, and Paul describes it like this: He was God “but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7). The King James translators chose to translate the Greek word used in this verse as reputation, but a more accurate translation is that Jesus “emptied himself.” He was God, yet He emptied himself of power to begin anew, growing from grace to grace.

He is the Word, and yet He came as a wordless infant.

He is the Almighty One, and yet helplessly

He took nourishment at Mary’s breast.

He is King of kings,

and yet He came as the servant of man.

He, the great I Am, condescended

below all things

to be the beast upon which all burdens would fall.

The Swaddling

2011-12-08T10:46:00.001-07:00

During New Testament timesbabies, especially male babies, were considered a great blessing, the very “saltof the earth.” Therefore when a baby was born into a family it was washed withwater, rubbed with finely pulverized salt, then rubbed with oil, and lastlyswaddled. An illegitimate baby could not be salted or swaddled.

The swaddling wasdone by first placing the washed baby diagonally on a swaddle cloth. The infantwas then rubbed with finely powdered salt and oil. The cloth was then broughtup and over the baby’s arms, legs, and torso. Next the end of the swaddle band,made by tying together strips of linen cloth about four or five inches wide and up tosix yards long, was held under the baby’s chin, then wrapped up over theforehead and then around and around the infant all the way down to the feet. Swaddlingkept the child warm, restricted movement, and it was also thought that it ensuredthe baby would grow strong without deformity.

Because of this aswaddled baby is a metaphor for a legitimate child that is loved and properlycared for. Thus Ezekiel says when chastising Israel, “Thy birth and thynativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother anHittite. And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was notcut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee: thou was not saltedat all, nor swaddled at all” (Ezekiel 16:4).

In other words, Israelis so wicked they have become illegitimate children. They have chosen to be children of the Hittites and the Amorites (children of the world) rather than be legitimatechildren of their Heavenly Father who would have swaddled and loved and cared forthem.

I love this smalldetail about Mary swaddling her baby because it tells us so much. First of allit gives us a glimpse into the heart of Mary who cared for her child in thebest possible way. To us Jesus Christ is our Master, our Savior, ourProtector, but for a time to Mary He was a dependent child. That is arelationship no one else will ever share with Him.

But there issomething else. Of all people, Mary knew the significance of this child and thecircumstances concerning His conception. She knew that despite the rumors andhatemongers this child was legitimate and so by swaddling Him she proclaims to theentire world that her baby is God’s legitimate Son.

One can only imaginewhat Mary thought as she wrapped Him. From the moment of the miraculous conception,if not before, Mary must have sought for any information about the fate of thischild. There were many prophecies, and Mary must have hung on every word therabbis and others said about the coming Messiah. She must have asked questionsand in the answers would have discovered the terrible fate that awaited herlittle boy.

Therefore, didwrapping Him in swaddling clothes make her think about the fact that oneday He would be wrapped in similar looking grave clothes? Did seeinghim wrapped tightly in the bands of birth make her think of the bands of deaththat would surely come to Him?

Whether she thought aboutany of these things or not, the bands Mary swaddled her Son in remind us ofthe day He was wrapped in burial linens and placed in a tomb. He was born to die for us, and by sodoing He “swaddled” us, proclaiming us His legitimate children and providing away to take away our “deformity.” But most important, Jesus Christ has changed our burial linens into the swaddlingbands of new birth.

"Away in a Manger"

2011-12-07T09:28:00.001-07:00

When I was a child my favorite Christmas carol was “Away in A Manger.” We sang a version in which the chorus divided into two parts and half of us would sing “asleep” and then the other half would echo “asleep” in lower tones. Then all together we’d sing, “Asleep the Lord of all.” I loved hearing the volley of voices, but I especially loved thinking about that new born baby in his straw bed, the animals looking on, his mother tenderly swaddling him.

Being a city girl, for me the word manger was synonymous with bed or cradle. No one ever explained to me that a manger is a box used to feed animals. In other words, it is a feeding tough. Our word manger comes from the French word manger which means “to eat.” In Bethlehem the manger in which Mary placed her Son would most probably have been carved out of stone.

stone manger

As I learned these facts about the manger my earlier imaginings began to grow. I now picture Joseph carefully cleaning out the feeding trough worrying about his young wife and the responsibility he had to protect her and the child. I see him gathering the best straw to make a soft nesting place for the baby. I wonder if Mary swaddled the baby herself or if someone was there to help her. According to the law of Moses it was unlawful for a man to witness child birth, but if no one else was available perhaps Joseph had to serve as midwife and nurse. Perhaps he first swaddled the baby and placed Him in the manger.

Whoever did it, I doubt that at the moment the significance of what they did registered with them. Here they were in the House of Bread placing The Bread of Life not in a cradle, but on a feeding trough, a symbolic offering that invites you and I to partake of the Eternal Bread.

I can’t think of that manger cradling the Bread of Life now without being reminded of the weekly feeding tough—the Sacrament table—I visit to partake of the Bread of Life. As I ponder on it, I can hear the words, "He that cometh to me shall never hunger" (John 6:35). "He that eatheth of this bread shall live for ever" (John 6:58), and I am remind that the Bethlehem manger offers Eternal sustenance to all mankind.

Celebrating Christmas - Bethlehem

2011-12-06T10:19:00.001-07:00

"Journey to Bethlehm" by Joseph Brickey (click here)

The Nativity begins with the decree thatthe people of Palestine must participate in an enrollment or census tofacilitate the assessing and collecting of taxes. For Joseph and his youngbride that meant they must travel about ninety miles south to the town ofBethlehem which would have been at least a five day journey—especially for apregnant woman. If they traveled the most likely route this meant they wentthrough Jericho (the lowest point on the earth) and then up the hill country toBethlehem, a hike of 3,500 feet. Having given birth to ten children, thethought of Mary making such a journey shortly before giving birth amazes me.

Bethlehem, years ago

But it was important that she go toBethlehem. It was well known at the time of the Savior’s birth that the Messiahwould be born in Bethlehem. When the wise men traveled to Jerusalem andinquired of Herod about the new king, Herod assembled his wise men and leadersand “demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, InBethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem,in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out ofthee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel” (Matthew2:4-6).

But it is not just prophecy thatmakes the place significant. The word bethlehemmeans “house of bread.” I will never forget the amazing feelings thatsurged through me the first time it struck me that the Bread of Lifewas born in the House of Bread. Ever since then I can’t think about those words or hear the hymn “Oh Little Town ofBethlehem” without feeling the swelling warmth within me once again especially whenI hear the last phrase of the hymn, “The dear Christ enters in.”

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem today

Physically the Bread of Life wasborn in the House of Bread. Spiritually the Bread of Life is born again ineveryone who chooses to partake of Him.

The Date of the First Christmas

2011-12-05T08:08:00.001-07:00

The exact day of Jesus’ birth is highly debated. If you search it out, you can find theories that propose almost every month of the year. The truth is no one knows for sure when Jesus was born. Celebrating His birth on December 25th began in the fourth century, but earliest Christians celebrated it on Epiphany (the day many believe to be the baptismals date of Jesus Christ) which is January 6th.

I have no clue as to when the exact day was, but some people think that Jesus Christ not only died during Passover, but that He was born during Passover. If that were true it seems the gospels writers would have mentioned it, but whether it is true or not, I like to think about the possibility because the symbolism is so beautiful and thinking about it is the perfect way to begin the Christmas season.

Called by the Jews Pesach, Passover commemorates the Exodus, which delivered the Children of Israel out of the bondage they suffered for so many years in Egypt.

In the book of Exodus we are told how God helped the Israelites escape slavery in Egypt by inflicting ten plagues upon the Egyptians. Enduring the plagues which included water turned to blood, an infestation of frogs and flies, suffering with boils on the skin, and enduring deep darkness Pharaoh stubbornly refused to release the Israelites until the final plague in which all the firstborn children of the Egyptians were killed by a destroying angel.

The Israelites, however, escaped this plague because the Lord had instructed them to mark the doorposts of their homes with blood from a sacrificial lamb. When the destroying angel passed through Egypt he passed over any home with blood on the doorposts, thus the name Pesakh which means Passover.

Every year Jews celebrate Pesach by preparing a meal of lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs—symbols of that first miraculous Passover. The meaning of the lamb is obvious—it is about the Lamb of God, the Messiah, who would come to free us from death and the bondage of sin. Because the Israelites left in haste there was no time for bread to rise, thus the unleavened bread which is also a symbol of not being puffed up with sin. And the bitter herbs were to remind them of the long bitter years they were enslaved in Egypt.

Thus if the birth did occur during Passover, on that first Christmas night families throughout the land may have prepared and eaten their the bitter herbs, while the Son of God came into the world to offer a sacrifice that would set right all the bitter experiences of life. They may have eaten unleavened bread while the Messiah was born to save us from sin, and they may have tasted the Passover lamb, at the very moment The Lamb of God was being born.

Whether the first Christmas occured during Passover or not,the symbolism is beautiful. Because He was born, the nullifying effects of death will pass over all of us. He was born to save us, and we will live because He died.

Sabbath Scripture-The Messiah Will Be the Son of God

2011-12-04T09:16:00.001-07:00

I will declare the decree:

the Lord hath said unto me,

Thou art my Son;

this day have I begotten thee.

Psalm 2: 7

More on the Truth Test

2011-12-03T14:06:00.001-07:00

I discovered after yesterday’s post that I had written about the Truth Test before. I just couldn’t find it. But repetition is good.

Like I said yesterday, the Truth Test is especially good for long-term vexation and especially powerful if you write out your feelings and answers. But once you’ve used the Truth Test and learned the questions, it does work for daily vexation to ask yourself the questions in the order they come and ponder the answers. Usually I find myself laughing at myself as I realize that I am out of truth and into illusion. Other times I do get all the way to the last question and then am able to change.

The most important thing about the Truth Test is to use it. I know it sounds like a simple solution to a big problem, but it really works. Try it and then email me and let me know your story.

The Truth Test

2011-12-02T10:24:00.001-07:00

I don’t know how I have missed explaining the Truth Test all this time, but a kind reader who had heard me speak about Living in Truth e-mailed me the other day to say she couldn’t find the Truth Test in past posts. The Truth Test is crucial to Living in Truth, but somehow I guess I’ve never talked about it on Good News! So today I’m going to rectify that.

The Truth Test is a powerful Truth Tool that works on daily frustrations but is extra powerful in healing deep seated pain such as what comes from abuse and traumatic experiences. It works best if you actually write out all that you feel (explain all the pain) and then also write the answers to the questions. Just thinking through the answers can be helpful for daily vexation, but the power for healing long existing pain comes from getting the thoughts out of your head and onto paper. If you don’t want anyone to read what you write, burn it after you write it. But WRITE it. I’ll explain more tomorrow, but for today here is the Truth Test.

THE TRUTH TEST

I feel _____________________________________________(i.e. sad, angry, jealous, hurt, resentful, offended, fearful, etc.) because __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. What is my expectation? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Is this expectation the truth and nothing but the truth in a mortal world? What is the truth? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Is this necessary or unnecessary pain? ______________________________________________________________________________

4. How would I feel if I stopped expecting this? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What is my heart (conscience, divine spirit, God) telling me to do right now? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Make Christmas Last All December

2011-12-01T09:35:00.001-07:00

It’s December first!

I love December because for me Christmasisn’t the 25^th, Christmas is the whole month.

So Icelebrate all month long because of theopportunity it gives me

to think about the most important event in the historyof the world,

the birth and Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Like last year I am going to be celebrating here on GoodNews!
by exploring the symbols of Christmas. Starting on Monday December 5^th,
I will talk about a different symbol each day. It will be similar to what I didlast year,
but I will be adding a lot so I hope you will take a moment out ofyour busy day
to come celebrate with me.
Read. Leave your comments. Enjoy!

And spread the Good News!
Invite your relatives, friends, neighbors,or even strangers to
Celebrate Christmas with us here on Good News!
After all,the very best news is that Jesus Christ was born to save us all.

So share this link: Good News! and spread the good cheer.

There's a Blessing In This Moment For You

2011-11-30T09:55:00.001-07:00

This morning when I went out walking the rising sun had painted the puffy clouds a deep coral. It took my breath away and I stood there for a minute unable to walk on. Besides the brilliant colors the clouds looked like a layer of cotton balls and where they dipped and then rounded the color intensified and muted like the nuances of symphony music.

Since I’ve been endeavoring to Live in Truth one of the many blessings I’ve discovered is that in any given moment God is sending me something wonderful to see or hear or feel or smell or taste or experience. But I’ve spent most of my life so caught up with stressing, worrying, wishing, or fretting that I’ve missed most of it. Living in Truth has taught me to live in the moment—to look around and be aware and most of all to enjoy. Vexing over past and future gave me nothing but pain. Living in the present, like it did this morning, has given me so much joy.

Even when I was going through the battle with Grizelda and not knowing if I would die from cancer or be blind for the rest of my life, I found that by just forgetting about those possibilities and enjoying each moment as it came I could experience joy. If I became blind, then I would be blind. But I realized that by vexing about it before it happened I was already blind. It made more sense to enjoy the present in case I did go blind.

Try it. Stop whatever you are doing right now and look around for the blessing this moment holds. Listen. Look. Feel. Smell. Pay attention to the taste in your mouth. Whatever presents itself to you in this moment, savor and enjoy it. Then thank God for that blessing. If you do this pay close attention to the whole rest of your day because many more blessings will follow.

Remembering Grizelda

2011-11-29T10:28:00.001-07:00

As the month of December approaches mymind is full of Christmas and the birth of my Savior, but it is also full ofthe miracle I received three years ago this December—a blessing provided by that Savior. With the marvel of that miraclefilling my heart I went back and read what I had written here on Good News! theday of my brain surgery to extract Grizelda. I’d forgotten that I finishedreading the Old Testament the very day of the surgery, and was struck onceagain with a verse that stood out to me that day. “But unto you that fear myname shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and yeshall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” (Micah 4:2).

That verse means even more to me nowthan it did then. He did care for me like a prize calf in a stall. He fed myspirit so that as I walked through the shadows of adversity I was at peace, heprotected me, he tended to my every need. But it didn’t end. He continues to doso even though I am so undeserving.

As the anniversary of that event draws near, the memories keep springing tomind and so do all of the wonderful things I learned from the traumaticexperience. I am so grateful.

The Best Part of Christmas

2011-11-28T09:34:00.001-07:00

The last few years I’ve been an absolute Scrooge when it comes to decorating for Christmas. I haven’t even wanted to put up a tree and when I finally did it it was with great reluctance. It wasn't fun at all--it was torture. But this year I found myself excited to do it. The difference? My son, his wife and children are temporarily living with us while they buy a new home. That means my almost 4 and almost 2 year-old grandchildren were here to help me decorate. But it wasn’t the help that motivated me. It was knowing they would bring the magic. And they did!

Saturday night we put up the tree and all the other decorations. After we put the limbs on the tree my grandson, Cash, left the room for a few minutes. When he came back, Mr. J had the lights on the tree. When he saw the lights, Cash stopped in the doorway, his eyes opened wide in wonder and a joyous grin stretched across his face. “It’s Christmas!” he said. That one look captured all the magic of Christmas and made all the work worth it.

I realize now that what I’ve been missing the last few years is children. Those of you who still have children and are stressing because they undecorate the tree as fast as you put things back on it, be grateful. I‘ve discovered that’s the best part of Christmas--watching the children enjoy it.

Sabbath Scripture-Blessings

2011-11-27T09:05:00.001-07:00

[God] doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you;

for which if ye do,

he doth immediately bless you.

Mosiah 2:24

Everytime we obey

we are immediately blessed

with increased faith.

Rejoice With Others

2011-11-26T09:50:00.001-07:00

It is often very easy to feel compassion for those less fortunate than we are. Especially at this time of year we concentrate on giving to those in need and helping out. But what we sometimes forget is that it is also important to rejoice with those that rejoice. For many of us that is so much harder to do. Jealousy, envy, and pride are just a few of the things that keep us from rejoicing with others, but learning to do it is just as important as helping the less fortunate.

Paul counseled the Corinthian saints by using the example that they were all one body. Then he said, “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26).

As we reach out to those less fortunate this Christmas season, also find someone who has cause to rejoice and instead of feeling negatively about them, rejoice with them. Tell them how happy you are for them. Pray and thank God for what He has done for them. Get excited about their blessings and then watch what happens inside you.

It is important to mourn with those that mourn, but it is also important to rejoice with those that rejoice.

Stop the Story

2011-11-25T15:58:00.001-07:00

I've been rewriting my book, Living in Truth and Avoiding the Pit of Illusion. I wasn't happy with the way it was, and the revising has been a laborious yet insightful process. Today I've been working on the chapter on Storytelling and reviewing it has reminded me of how important it is to stay within the realms of truth. So often the simplest things trow us into the Pit not because of what happens but because of the story we tell ourselves about what happens.

Something like burning the beans for Thanksgiving dinner happens and instead of simply deciding whether we can fix it (make a new pot of beans) or live with it (not have beans as part of the meal) we tell ourselves a story about how stupid we are or how clumsy we are or how we are constantly making mistakes. Or we blame others. If they hadn't been so noisy we would have heard the timer. Or if they'd help out more we wouldn't be so over-burdened that we couldn't keep up with it all and so we burn things. These are all stories, and none of them is the truth.

When we tell these kinds of stories we are dealing with an illusion instead of with reality and it causes vexation which is unnecessary pain. Dealing with an illusion is like dueling with a ghost. You can shoot and shoot and shoot, but the ghost is never going to die.

But when we acknowledge the truth and decide whether to fix it or live with there is no unnecessary pain. We move forward without being vexed and all we had to do to achieve that peace was drop the story we were telling ourselves.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-24T09:38:00.001-07:00

The Good News! today is that we all have so very much to be thankful for.

I'm grateful for family and friends and for YOU!

Thanks for reading and leaving comments and just plain making me think.

I love you all!

Enjoy your day.

Advice To An Exile--Me!

2011-11-23T12:34:00.001-07:00

In the Old Testament we find a letter written from the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. I love this letter and consider it a letter to me because just as the Jews were exiled from their home, I have been “exiled” from my heavenly home and can learn much from Jeremiah’s advice. These Jewish exiles have been taken captive to Babylon where their captors hope to assimilate them into Babylonian culture and make them friends of the empire instead of enemies. They are in a foreign environment and experiencing many things that they consider shouldn’t be, and are unable to keep many of the traditions and commandments they know should be.

From Jerusalem Jeremiah writes this letter urging the people to make the best of the situation. He tells them to “Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them” (Jeremiah 29:5). To be happy they need to accept the truth of their new surroundings, to concentrate on what they can do not on what they can’t do. He goes on, “Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace” (Jeremiah 28:7). In other words, don’t fight the truth of your new reality. Learn to live the best you can within that reality. Make peace with your new world.

Then Jeremiah says to them, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (KJV Jeremiah 29:11). The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible translates that verse as, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

That’s what we have—a future with hope. We are foreigners in a telestial world, but God has a plan for us and His plan is for our best good. We will experience things in this world that we have been taught “should not be”—things that will not be part of a celestial world, but instead of fighting against them, we can accept them as telestial truths and then deal with them in the most celestial way possible knowing that “all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another” (D&C 90:24).

Shoveling Manure

2011-11-22T12:16:00.001-07:00

Yesterday and today have been days when I am thankful for the Truth Tools. We were planning to leave early this morning to go to Seattle to be with D8's family for Thanksgiving and to see our newest grandson. But when we got the weather report last night and saw that there were severe storm warnings in the mountain passes between here and Seattle, we decided not to chance it. D8 shed a few tears and I shed a few tears, but the truth is we are staying home. I can’t fix that so I’ve got to live with it.

Now I’ve got to quickly plan and prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. Everything is going to be so different than what we planned, but I’m looking for the silver lining.

One of my dad’s favorite stories to tell us was about the little boy who asked for a pony for Christmas. Christmas morning all he found was manure. Quickly he grabbed a shovel and began digging. Surprised that he wasn’t disappointed his parents asked what he was doing. His reply: “With all this manure, there has got to be a pony in here somewhere.”

With a smile on my face, I’m digging! Something good is bound to happen.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-21T06:35:00.001-07:00

As we get closer to my favorite holiday,

Thanksgiving,

my heart is full of thanks.

Perhaps that's why I love the holiday so much.

Other holidays are stressful and draining, but for me

Thanksgiving is invigorating and uplifting.

It makes me think about how

thankful I am to be alive.

I'm thankful that Grizelda,

even though she refuses to leave,

is being a good visitor and not causing me problems.

I'm thankful for family and friends.

I'm thankful for all of the big things like the gospel and my beautiful home.

But I'm also thankful for raindrops,

sunshine on my cheeks,

a warm shower, a soft bed,

a fluffy down comforter given to me by a dear friend,

the scriptures,

crisp autumn mornings to walk through piles of crackling leaves.

I'm thankful for so many things

and the more I list the more it feels like gratitude

is lifting me like helium lifts a balloon.

I can tell already that today

is going to be a high flying day!!!!

Happy thanks giving week to you all.

Sabbath Scripture - Spread the Good

2011-11-20T08:01:00.001-07:00

Thou shalt declare glad tidings,

yea, publish it upon the mountains,

and upon every high place,

and among every people

that thou shalt be permitted to see.

Doctrine and Covenants 19:29

Tradition!

2011-11-19T08:47:00.001-07:00

Those of us here in Utah Valley woke up to a white world. It snowed last night covering trees, bushes, dirt, roads, cars, and rooftops with beautiful white snow. I love the first snow. I love it so much that years ago I started a tradition in the family that when the first snow that sticks to the ground falls I make cinnamon rolls. So guess what I'll be doing today? I can't wait.

Traditions are wonderful. Look at these definitions of the word tradition. (1) The handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. (2) cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions. Traditions are powerful ways to teach and to instill joy in your family. They give children (and me!) things to look forward to and anticipate. In short, traditions are wonderful.

We are coming into the holiday season when everyone has holiday traditions, but I'm curious. What traditions do you have that aren't part of a holiday? Leave a comment and share with us.

Empowered

2011-11-18T11:42:00.001-07:00

We’re now entering the week of giving thanks! Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday—good food, good company, lots of love, and a reminder to be thankful.
I was talking to D2 today and she told me how she has been using the Truth Tool gratitude and playing the “But thanks. . . “ game all week and how it has made her feel so good. She told me several experiences and then exclaimed, “Giving thanks changes you!” I couldn’t agree more.

Thanksgiving is a great time to remember all that we have to be thankful for. It is also a great time to practice using the Gratitude Truth Tool. Instead of thinking, “Yikes, I have to cook dinner for twenty people!” give thanks and say, “Wow, I’ve got twenty people to love and who love me. How blessed I am.” Then notice what happens inside you. It isn’t just about a warm fuzzy feeling that comes. It is about the energy and empowerment that surges through you when you give thanks. Sincerely giving thanks is like plugging yourself into an energy source. It invigorates. It uplifts. It encourages. So give thanks and reap the benefits!

The Bottomless Pit

2011-11-17T10:37:00.001-07:00

I’ve talked a lot here on Good News! about the Pit of Illusion and the vexation that comesfrom being in the Pit of Illusion momentarily. But when we live in the Pit of Illusion all of the time, we live in a bottomless Pit and that is excruciating pain.

A few years ago, I met a man (I’ll call him John) who whenhe was nineteen had left a girlfriend he loved very much in order to serve amission. She promised to wait, but while he was gone she met and marriedsomeone else. This upset John so much that his life has become bitter. He nevermarried. He can’t hold a job for long because he can’t get along with otherpeople. He left the Church because he can no longer believe in a God who wouldbetray him like that. He haunts himself with the thought that while he wasdoing God’s work, God let his girlfriend marry someone else.

John’s life has been one of pain and vexation because he isliving in the Pit of Illusion all of the time. The simple truth is that hisgirlfriend married someone else. But instead of dealing with that truth—findingways to heal and to move on with his life—John has spent his life based on the illusionthat the girlfriend ruined his life. He nurses that thought. He bases all hisdecisions on that perceived thought. He feels like everyone is against him justlike she was. He is working so hard to deal with the illusion that he can’t seethe truth let alone accept and deal with it.

There is always pain in the Pit of Illusion. But it isself-inflicted pain and all we need to do to relieve the pain is to stopinflicting it. When we stop the unnecessary pain and climb out of that horriblePit, we find that God is a God of truth and is there to help us.

Be a Poet

2011-11-16T09:39:00.001-07:00

In George MacDonald’s book On the Back of the North Wind, the North Wind explains to the boy Diamond that a poet is someone who sees something good in the world and then helps other people to see it also. I love that definition of a poet, but I also love the implication that anyone who helps others to see the good in the world is a poet.

I love to read poetry. I love to write poetry. I love language. But a lot of modern poetry is not about seeing the good or helping others see the good. Somehow the literary world has lost its avocation of good and has become an advocate of reality as if reality is a given that can't be disputed—but reality is something we all create. We each have our own reality that we create for ourselves.

So I’m proposing that we all be poets using George MacDonald’s definition. As you walk through your day, see the good, and be a poet--share the good in whatever words you have. Then watch the magic happen as your own reality grows more beautiful.

God Knows the Way

2011-11-15T10:49:00.001-07:00

Yesterday when my son told his three-year-old son that their new baby wasgoing to be a girl, my grandson broke out in tears. He wanted a brother,not another sister. But after talking through the situation with his dad, my grandson is nowhappy that he will have two little sisters to love and protect.

When my son first told me of this I laughed. It was cute,but the more I’ve thought about it the more I realize that I’ve cried about alot of situations in my life that later turn out to be not only right, but thevery best, right thing for me. As a matter of fact, some of the times when I thought Godhad forgotten all about me have turned out, down the road a few years, to be actualanswers to my prayers.

This has taught me to trust more. God knows where I amsupposed to be doing better than I do, and if I relax and trust in Him, I’ll getthere a lot faster and with a great deal less pain and vexation.

Glad Tidings

2011-11-14T09:07:00.001-07:00

Find cross stitch here

This morning I was reading this:

“And thou shalt declare glad tidings,

yea, publish it upon the mountains,

and upon every high place,

and among every people

that thou shalt be permitted to see”

(D&C 19:29).

That was an invitation I cannot resist. So, I’m going to declare glad tidings all day long.

Glad tidings are good news.

Glad tidings are the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Glad tidings are hope and love and all those things are possible because of Jesus Christ.

I’m glad for those tidings.

My heart is singing. I don’t have a musical voice, but my heart is bursting with song.

My heart sings loud and true and clear and right now it is singing glad tidings of great joy.

The world is in chaos, but I have a Savior who will put things right.

That is the best of good tidings.

I made mistakes and encounter fear and sorrow, but He will succor me through the dark days.

That is the wonder of the good tidings.

Every note of my heart-song is full of rejoicing.

I hope you can hear it, because angels carry the songs of rejoicing to whoever is listening.

Are you listening?

Glad tidings are in the air.

Sabbath Scripture - All You Do

2011-11-13T07:35:00.001-07:00

"Wherefore,

thou shalt do all that thou doest

in the name of the Son,

and thou shalt repent

and call upon God

in the name of the Son

forevermore."

Moses 5:8

Words Have Power

2011-11-12T13:17:00.001-07:00

Words are poweful. I've always known that, but over the past year as I've been researching words, I've had that reinforced to me over and over and over. Just yesterday I was re-reading a book I first read years ago. The book contains interviews by Bill Moyers with poets, and of all people poets know the power of words.

One of the poets interviews is James A. Autry and he stands out from the rest because of his unique situation. A lot of today's poets seem to have come out of the hippie movement--and I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean that in they are concerned and are free-spirited and set themselves apart from modern culture. But Autry is a successful businessman, the "corporate" poet.

In his interview with Moyers Autry condemns the sports and battle metaphors that are used in business language. He explains that when "you think of yourself as a winner, you must think of osmeone else as a loser, and that makes the whole thing a zero sum game."

And then there is the part of the interview I love best. Moyers asks, "So you believe we take on the qualitites of the elanguage we use?" And Autry answers, "Yes."

To that I say a loud, "Amen." The way we speak shapes what we are. You can argue the old chicken and the egg thing here about which comes first--the way we are or the language we use. But at this point it doesn't matter how we got to be the way we are. What matters is how we grow to be something more than what we now are. And changing the way we speak is one of the most powerful ways to change what we are.

Words have power and when we use positive, uplifting, encouraging, kind, loving words we take on thsoe characteristics.

Living in Truth

2011-11-11T11:00:00.001-07:00

D2- My very favorite nurse.

While talking to D2 yesterday she told me of an experience she had with Living in Truth. She has just begun an on-line university program to pursue her Master’s degree in nursing. This is something she has wanted to do this for years and was so excited, but after her first week she tried to log on one morning to do her daily assignment and was told she had been dropped from the program because she was ineligible.

It took a lot of work, many, many phone calls, and some down and out sleuthing to find where the problem was but finally it was discovered what had caused the glitch and she was reinstated. The people at the university were extremely apologetic and kept telling her that nothing like this had ever happened before. But the interesting thing is how she handled all this. She explained, “It was such a mess and I’d feel myself getting all tense and frustrated and disappointed at what was happening and then I’d use the Truth Tools and calm down and just do what needed to be done. It took a week to straighten everything out but the interesting thing is that, one morning while talking to my advisor she suddenly said, ‘You are so calm.’ And I realized I was.”

What D2 recognized is that getting angry and venting on the people at the university for what turned out to be a computer mistake wouldn’t have made anything better. It would only cause her vexation. Yes, the mistake meant she had to start over with a new cohort and yes it was lost time, but by passing through the ordeal without becoming vexed meant she was at peace and at this point is even realizing that having to start over has some benefits. “I was so nervous the first week since it has been so long since I’ve been in school, and there was so much to learn. But that week got me acclimated. I learned the system and how to do things and so when I started over instead of being nervous at all the new things, I started relaxed and ready to go. Besides that the first cohort I was in had very few nurses in it. Most of the students were public health majors. But this new cohort is almost all nurses. It will be so much better for me.”

What she didn’t say that I’m sure is also a benefit is that if she’d become vexed over the situation the negative energy vexation generates would have also spilled over into her new beginning and cast a shadow on all she was doing. Living in Truth is the path of peace and the benefits go on and on.

A Tale of Two Foxes

2011-11-10T09:36:00.001-07:00

As you know by now, I love folktales. This one is an old Appalachian folktale that beautifully illustrates theblessings of Living in Truth and what we become when we live in Truth.

There once were two foxes who lived in a plentiful wood. Onefox was tall and slim and the other shorter and stouter, but they were suchgood friends that the other beasts of the woods teased them and gossiped about them. Besidesthe teasing and gossip the foxes daily heard and saw much quarreling and aggravation from everyone around them. One day after watching two squirrels fighting over an acornthe taller fox said to the shorter, “Maybe we should be like everyone else and then they wouldn't tease us and gossip so much.”

“Yes,” said the shorter fox. “Maybe they know something wedon’t. Maybe we should see why such a life is so pleasing to so many.”

“Then let’s try fussing and fighting so we will be like theothers.”

“But how do we do it?” asked the shorter fox.

“I’ve seen the animals bite each other,” said the tallerfox.

“But that would hurt and you are my friend. I don’t want tohurt you.”

“You are right,” said the taller fox. “Maybe we could argueabout something and that would make us angry like it does the squirrels fightingover the acorns.”

“That wouldn’t hurt as much,” said the shorter fox. “But howdo we do it?”

“Like this,” said the taller fox, and picking up two largesticks he shouted, “These are my sticks. You can’t have them.”

“If they are your sticks, Brother Fox, I don’t want them. I would neverdeprive you of something you wanted that much.”

“We are not getting anywhere,” said the taller fox.

“No, but maybe I can help. I’ve heard the bears say this andit caused a great turmoil.” And then the short fox growled as loud as a fox cangrowl and shouted, “These woods are mine and there is not room for both of ushere.”

Startled the tall fox looked at his friend and said, “I likeyou. You are my friend. And I like this wood very much, but if you want to bethe only fox in the wood then I will go. I will find another wood.”

The short fox looked startled, “You will go? But I don’t wantyou to go. You are my friend.”

“And you are my friend. I am happy you don’t really want meto go. I will stay.”

For a long moment the two sat silently. Finally the tallerfox smiled, “Brother Fox, I don’t know why the others like this fussing andquarreling. It takes too much work."

“Yes,” agreed the shorter fox, “Let us be what we are andleave them to be what they are.”

And so they remained friends and were never again tempted tobe like the others.

What is Worship?

2011-11-09T06:39:00.001-07:00

I wish I were full of answers today, but instead I’m full of questions. Yesterday I was struck by the word worship. It is a word I’ve heard and used all my life; “I go to Church to worship.” But suddenly it hit me that I don’t really know what that means.

I looked up the word and my dictionary said, “Reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also: an act of expressing such reverence.” The word comes from Old English weorth which means worthy and -scipe a suffix which in English translates into –ship a suffix meaning “state or condition of.” That only gave me more questions. How do I “Reverence God”? Is the state of "worthy" mine or His?

From this etymology of the word I got the feeling that worship is praising God's worthiness. But simply saying words of praise seems to fall short of what my heart tells me is intended.

What all this pondering boils down to is this question: What is the difference between sitting through a Sacrament meeting and worshiping at a Sacrament meeting?

I’ve pondered for hours now and think I’m discovering some important things, but I’d like to hear what you think. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think it means to worship God or how you think we should worship.