from fat to thin

Tuesday 31 May 2011

No soul so dark ...




He came to us: He loved us that much; there isn't a soul He's unwilling to touch.
No life so dark He cannot light - No sadness no sorrow - He cannot right.
Come unto Him. Come unto Him; come unto Him -
Come learn of Him, He's meek and humble -
and lowly of heart, come unto Him.

He came to earth, He lived as a man; there's no earthly care He can't understand.
No earthly pain He did not feel; no hunger, no heartache He cannot heal.
Come unto Him. Come unto Him; come unto Him -
Come learn of Him, he's meek and humble -
and lowly of heart; come unto Him.

He lived like us, acquainted with grief, to those who belived He offers relief.
He opens eyes He forgives sin, for the humble, the faithful who will follow Him.
Come unto Him. Come unto Him; come unto Him -
Come learn of Him, He's meek and humble -
and lowly of heart; come unto Him.




Monday 30 May 2011

We are all actors ...?

Day 17

How good an actor are you? To be an actor means that you are not yourself, you are not true, an imitation of someone else.

The word HYPOCRITE means actor.

So maybe the question should be - How good an hypocrite are you?

Jesus warns the scribes and the Pharisees in the temple, to clean the inner vessel.

Dirty outside cup tilt 1



'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of then may be clean also.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and all uncleanness.
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.' (Matthew 23:25-28)







How many times do we know the law but do not keep it because we fear man more then God? I would say, too many times in a day never mind a week or a life time.

God is telling me to cleanse the inner vessel. I am not a bad person but maybe i am a better actor then i should be!

Sunday 29 May 2011

A life's story

Red for every day, Flowers for the thoughts that keep me awake, and Footprints for my Gifts from God

I started writing a Journal when i was about 13 years old, just a few years ago. Some of them contained, pictures, things i had collected, assorted nic-nac and bibs and bobs but they all contained me.


'And after I had made these plates by way of commandment, I Nephi, received a commandment that the ministry and the prophecies, the more plain and precious parts of them, should be written upon these plates; and that the things which were written should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should pocess the land, and also for other wise purposes, which purposes are known unto God.'


Even from the early days we were commanded to keep sacred records. Our dealings with God and with each other. Now i'm no great prophet, celebrity nor am i famous for anything that i am aware of, well, not up to now anyways.
So why do i write?

“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ and to be reconciled to God; and we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know. …” (2 Ne. 25:22–23, 26.)

Theodore M Burton states that 'Your personal history may be one of the most persuasive witnesses of the gospel your family will ever hear.' (1977)

So what do i write? At the beginning of each Journal i write my testimony of the things that i know to be true and i complete each Journal with the sentiments. I write my life, the ups, the downs, the good bits and the bad. I write about my children and my extended family when appropriate. I write about my Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the witnesses i recieve through the Holy Ghost of the truth. But just has Nephi stated i dont have the room to write of things of the world for i know that those things will be contained in other records.

Who do i write for? My children's children's children and for all those that follow me after i am gone. I dont expect my Journal's to become the most sort after book but i hope that in the future those that follow me will see that i was normal and that i survived because even though i got mad at God i still put my trust in Him.

Saturday 28 May 2011

Finding God

Day 15



Yesterday i couldn't find God anywhere. I looked in the wardrobe, in the bathroom, in the washer, but He wasn't to be found. I went out into the world my duties to fulfil and still i didnt find Him. My mood was low and i was tired and stressed but still He didn't come. Why oh why, i thought did He leave me on my own.

At the end of the day the Spirit spoke to my heart and said 'Did you stop to pray today?'

'Why should i, you do not answer?' I thought you are not there.

Then the spirit spoke again 'Did you pause this morning and spend time feasting upon my word?'

And there on my bed lay my scriptures, the case unzipped but the pages not turned and i knew i had not put God first today and Satan had got hold my day instead.

Instead of joy, sadness, instead of a lightness, heaviness and all i needed to do was spend a few minutes with God.

I'LL SEEK THE LORD EARLY
I’ll seek the Lord early while in my youth,
And he will help me to know the truth.
I’ll search the scriptures and find him there,
Then go to our Father in fervent prayer.
I’ll seek the Lord early, and I’ll obey
His living prophets in all they say.
I’ll keep his commandments; His love will abound.
I will seek the Lord early and He will be found.
Joanne Doxey
Did i learn my lesson? Yes, maybe, well at least for one day.

Friday 27 May 2011

Faith

Day 14
'And now as i said concerning faith - faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.' 
(Alma 32:21)

Jesus taught the people that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, then they could uproot and replant a tree and they could move a mountain. 


This is a mustard seed. I'm not sure right now, if i have even that much faith. I'm kinda cross at my Heavenly Father for past things. 


This is a mustard seed tree. Now that's a big tree. I didnt know it could grow that big. That tiny seed must have a lot of faith to believe it will fulfil its potential. I on the other hand lack even that tiny bit at times. Sometimes i think maybe i want the wrong blessings or i ask for too much. I pray lots, so maybe i pray too much??? 

Too many questions?

So how do i find this faith?

'And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.' (Luke 11:9)

'Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.' (2 Nephi 4:35)

 So all i need to do is ask.

Wednesday 25 May 2011

Good Samaritan





Have you ever noticed when you watch war films, or police series, such as CSI that they all cover each other backs? Have you tried looking at your back or tried to see what was behind you, as you are walking forward? It's a bit like tryin to lick your elbow. You just cant. 

However it's good to have someone watch your back. I have such a person. He watches my back all the time, even when he's not with me. He wants to know how i am, am i safe, am i well, okay he doesnt walk round with a gun, well if he does i havent seen it. He is always there. He doesnt walk away when life gets tough and my life has been tough these last 18 months. He was under no obligation to stay but he did and does. 

Now you expect me to say that his name is God or Jesus but they are around but this friend isnt them. Jesus teaches us to keep his commandments and to love one another. His disciples asked him who their neighbours were, in reply he tell the story of the good samaritan. When the man was attacked and laid dying the samaritan, a stranger had his back and came to his aid. The scriptures also tells us that charity is the pure love of Christ. Now it's not talking about casseroles and sweaters, it telling us that love that serves is love that's pure. My friend takes care of me and they call him Heron.

My friend is my good samaritan, he has my back.


Tuesday 24 May 2011

Standing still



M. Scott Peck says that we spend most of our time either dwelling in the past or thinking about the future and very little time actually in the here and now. So pause for and think about this very moment. What does it feel to be right here, right now. 

Buddhist call it mindfulness, being mindful of everything we experience. At some point today lay flat somewhere, probably not a good idea to do it at work. I dont think my bosses would appreciate it anyway. Lay your hands at the bottom of your ribcage one on top of the other. Breath in through your nose and feel your hands rise. Then breath out slowly and repeat several times. Think of a word, i often use the words peace or heal or breath, and with each out breath repeat the word. If your mind wonders just acknowledge that it has and then carry on as before. 
Now concentrate on one foot, let's say the left one. Think about it, how does it feel? No, dont move it. Now move up your leg. How does your leg feel? Again if you find your mind wondering just acknowledge it and bring it back to where it's suppose to be. Slowly move up one leg, is there any pain or stiffness? Let your mind rest a moment on the pain, the stiffness and tell it to heal by repeating the word with each breath several times. Now move to your other foot and leg and do the same. Gradually move up your body and down your arms allowing yourself to just feel yourself. Right up to your head. Then mindfully pull all that stiffness, and aches and pains out through the top of your head and let it go.

Now you should feel relaxed in the moment. You can stay like this for as long as you want, just continue to follow your breaths in and out, in and out. You have now completed your first yoga session. How do you feel? 

Dare to live in the moment.


Monday 23 May 2011

Faith

Day 10





Today in Sunday school i taught about faith. It is through faith that we will begin to know that Jesus was no ordinary man. It is through faith that we begin to see the miracle of belief that develops in our lives when we just say 'show me, tell me'. 

On the 4th day after the death of Lazarus, all his family, friends and church leaders mourned. It is only at this point that their friend Jesus comes and prays unto his Heavenly Father so all can hear it and then brings forth Lazarus from the sepulchre, wrapped in grave clothes. Even though Martha had great faith in and understood that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God she has a moment of doubt, however Jesus reassures her that all she needs to do is believe and she will see the Glory of God. (John 11) It was after this miracle that the Pharisees and the Romans began to believe that Jesus was threat and started to seek him out to destroy him. Why was this such a problem? After 3 days the Jews believe that the spirit as left the body and Jesus did what appeared to be the impossible. Jesus then goes into hiding but continues to teach.

If we have the faith of a mustard seed we will one day see the Glory of God.  If we have faith we can see the Glory of God in everything around us. As i have learnt to walk by faith i have come to appreciate more the atonement and to accept more fully His Grace. But we must line upon line, precept upon precept until we know all things. (D&C 98:12; Moroni 10:5)



Sunday 22 May 2011

Nothing

Today God said nothing. Today there is just quietness. Today there is peace.





 "Be still, and know, that I am God." (Psalms 46:10)

Saturday 21 May 2011

I am daughter of God

Day 8


 
What did God tell me today? He told me that my children will follow me. I'm sure you have heard the saying 'he is just like his dad' or 'she is just like her mum'. I dont think i'm like my mum but my children do. The one trait i would like that my mum has and i dont is the ability to keep house. I really didnt learn that skill from her and therefore my children didnt learn it from me either.

I often walk past my children's rooms and think 'i wish they would pick up their walk-on-wardrobe and make their beds.' But, then i walk past my room and i look at the pile of clean washing, the pile of dirty washing, the pile of books, the pile of paper and ok it's not all over my room but it's not where it's suppose to be either. However the one thing that i have learnt is that if i make my bed in the mornings my room looks instantly tidier.

The other thing i have noticed is that the cleaning rota each week doesnt get completed until the very last moment and often gets left until the beginning of the next week. Again i moan at the girls to get their part done but today its Saturday morning and mine hasnt been done either and today is the day when the rota moves round to the next person. No! It's not Monday, girls. Why because the following week it will be Tuesday and then Wednesday and so on and so on. I did make a conscious decision last saturday that i would do my part of the rota today and last week i spent over 2 hrs cleaning the kitchen and it looked amazing. It's not my turn this week.

The one positive thing they have learnt from me is their thirst for knowledge. They are all very studious in their own way but they all have different likes and dislikes and talents. They know that learning doesnt just come from books but from all around us. I think other positive traits my children have are they are open, friendly and would help anyone in need. They know who they are, children of a Heavenly Father who loves them. They have respect for themselves and for others and they do their best to be honest.






Thursday 19 May 2011

Live with a purpose

Day 6




Do you realise that even trees have purpose?

Eve had a purpose. She was the Mother of all living and without her all mankind wouldn't have become mortal.

Mary the Mother of Jesus Christ had a divine purpose, to be the vessel of the Son of God. To teach him has he grew and to watch him die for all mankind.

I dont really know what my purpose is! How do you define a person's purpose?

In Psalms 8:4-6 we read:

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels,
 and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands;
thou hast put all things under his feet.

God is mindful of us. He knows us and he knows our purpose. He has made us just a little lower then the angels and will one day crown us with glory. Therefore my purpose becomes simple; to take upon me the name of Christ, to always remember Him and to keep His commandments and He promises me that if i this then i will have His spirit to be with me always. (D&C 20:77)

Sounds easy?

But to live as God would have me live every moment of every day, the thought makes my mind race. Just to have one moment of my life exactly has God would have me live it that's more then my mortal brain can comprehand.

Sunday 15 May 2011

Words from God today ...




"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace;"



Wednesday 11 May 2011

Just another day


I keep meaning to blog more often then i do, which isn't enough but i get caught up in some of the more interesting blogs out there including my daughter's. They seem to have a theme and so does my daughter. I on the other hand just seem to warble about what i know best - Jesus Christ.

I didnt think anyone else was reading apart from my children, who somewhat have to, until a friend at work said to me 'I enjoy reading that thing you keep writing in'. I was a little surprised that someone else had found what i was writing interesting or worth the bother but they had. So this is for them, all those who read my blog.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.



If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.



Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.



Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.



Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.




With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.



Max Ehrmann, Desiderata