Light in the Darkness

So I have heard that if you need speak to God you pray, and when you want God to speak to you, you open the scriptures.  Totally happened to me this week.

I find myself reading message boards about controversial topics usually that have to do with the principles that I am trying to teach my growing boys.  And a mother that considers herself Christian can feel a little battered and bruised listening to the attacks on Christians these days.  I know that we live in a world where there is a lot of diverse ideology and everyone wants to be left in peace to live as they wish.  But I also believe in a loving Heavenly Father that gives us commandments to help guide us through life.  And I believe in one that would like to destroy us, and bring us down to his world of misery.  He is real and he has nothing but our destruction in mind.  So I believe that commandments aren't restrictions, but fences that keep me in the safe place, the place where I can find peace and comfort.

But I feel like those that criticize Christians don't know me.  They don't know that I love Jesus and I know that he loves ALL of us.  I try to treat people kindly.  But I also believe there are blessings in obedience to Him who knows and understand all.  But I worry for my children, that they will be attacked because they feel this way to.  Because they believe.  And I want them to feel safe, but some in this diverse world want to not only ignore their choice of lifestyle, they want to crush it.  So I have felt a little in turmoil about what the future holds for them.

I was heavy-hearted, but had to get dinner on the table.  My boys were doing homework.  While I was stirring the food, I opened my New Testament.  And I am not kidding, there were answers everywhere.  I started writing them down, as fast as I found them.  It's a wonder my dinner wasn't burned.  So in my hectic, noisy house, in front of a hot stove, holding a spatula, He answered me.  My questions.  And soothed my heart.  I am still nervous.  But not heavy.  And I have a list of verses I can return to when I need to remember...  I love the verse that says "I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you."  (John 14:18)  He definitely took care of me this week.

"I’m One of the Ninety and Nine"

My friend Verena posted this to her Facebook page.  It's a magazine blog post with a song that is worth a minute to check out.  Thanks Verena.  :)

Michael McLean is the author and songwriter.  Here is a bit of a quote.  Hope it makes you curious to listen to the song.  I've definitely felt this way a few times. 

"Why is it, I wondered, that the lost souls get so much attention in the scriptures.  If you’re a prodigal son and come home your dad throws a party.  If you’re a world-class persecutor on the road to Damascus you get a light and a voice.  Even if you’re a sheep that strays from the fold the good shepherd leaves the ninety and nine good guy sheep in search of the lost one.  

The argument can be made that all of us are lost, and these stories remind us that no matter how far we’ve strayed or how far we’ve fallen, there’s hope and a way back.  These stories are EXACTLY what you need to hear when you’re feeling lost and alone.  

But what about the people who aren’t particularly lost, but may feel unnoticed? What about the ones who are carpooling cub scouts, serving in the soup kitchens, taking clothing to good will, donating blood, singing in the choir, volunteering at the hospital, visiting the nursing home, tutoring students, teaching Sunday School, coaching little league and doing the thousand of other activities the regular good guys do...without any spotlights or fanfare, without seeking any credit, without building up themselves up, but rather, wearing out their lives more or less being the kind of people the good shepherd doesn’t have to worry about. What about them?

I was rather surprised at how intensely I asked this question and how quickly I got a musical answer..."  

http://www.ldsmag.com/component/zine/article/6454?ac=1

Now I Know My ABCs

I have a bunch more videos to add if my computer will cooperate, but enjoy this one.  :)  G. is in kindergarten this year.  One of the things he has to do for homework is study his letter sounds.  His teacher has taught him ways to remember the sounds and I find them completely entertaining.  Hope you enjoy them as well.  :)

The letters for this video are S, R, Y, and P.