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Sacrament Talk

Sacrament talk 02/11/24 Topic: Being Christ’s Shepherd as we Minister and How We Can be Willing to Accept Help From Others I’m not always great at ministering and I’m terrible at asking for help, so I approached this talk with the idea that I would look for a different perspective and seek tools to help me improve. Something that would help me see the importance of both. I broke the topic into two parts starting with Being Christ’s Shepherd as we Minister. President Russell M. Nelson said: “The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire.”  Acts 20:35 states: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And Jesus stated that one of the two great commandments is “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.” (Matt 22:39) That’s what ministering is about. I really enjoyed hearing Sis...
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Beautiful Souls

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The other day I saw a post from a friend on Facebook that saddened me. She receives negative feedback on some of the information she shares about her journey to healing. I'm not sure why people think they know what's best for her and her journey. Or why they feel the need to tear her down or question her on social media. She has been through a lot, and I think she is a beautiful soul. Unfortunately, beautiful souls are often misunderstood. Their journeys are often filled with challenges and trials that help them become these amazing people that see the world a little differently, and people aren't comfortable with different. We only need to look at the life of Jesus Christ to see that this is true. He has the most beautiful soul, filled with love, wisdom, compassion, faith, and hope. His teachings seemed foreign to those living in his time, and they still remain controversial today. Why? His whole goal is to bring us life, eternal life, joy, love, and hope. Yet there will a...
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The Case for Simple Living

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This quote has got me thinking about what 'unnecessary things' I need to eliminate so the 'necessary' may speak. I've been looking at all the aspects of my life and trying to evaluate what is truly necessary and what can go. It's a tough exercise, as you have to deal with the selfish part of you and learn to let go. It is sometimes a battle with the world's view when you try to simplify. Our nature as human's beings for acceptance and recognition can get in the way. I learned that it is totally worth it! I think there is an appeal for some of us to create a simple life, a peaceful life, especially in these chaotic times we are living in. I learned that for me God plays a huge part in my life, and I want to live a life that speaks to that. I began my journey to a simple life with these verses found in the Book of Mormon: "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things bro...
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Creating Healthy Habits

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  Habits play an important role in multiple aspects of our lives: mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health, productivity, relationships, and self-esteem. It's worth noting that there are times in our lives when we may need to build new habits, more helpful habits, and change habits that no longer align with our needs. We are never too old to create new habits and that's great news for those of us with aging, changing bodies. I want to make a distinction between habits and routines. According to healthine.com habits differ from routines because habits typically involve little to no conscious thought, while routines typically require some intention and discipline. With that said, if we do it right, our habits can flawlessly become part of our daily routine. And when that happens, life becomes better. It is helpful to know that there are multiple habit focus areas. A few are: Preventive habits like taking a vitamin each day or brushing your teeth each day. Eating habits ...
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Communication and Relationships

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  I've been thinking a lot about maintaining strong relationships during trials. What is it that keeps people together when it would be easier to drift apart or walk away? Why do people stay and fight for a relationship? What do they get out of staying together?  Every relationship will have its peaks and valleys. Every relationship will bring joy and sorrow. How we navigate both strengthens or destroys the relationship.  According to thehealthyjournal.com close to 70% of relationships fail within the first year, while 40% of marriages end in divorce. The statistics for divorce increase to 50%+ for occupations such as military personnel, health care workers, and law enforcement. Those are staggering numbers to me. Marriages are falling apart at an alarming rate: 2.3 persons per 1,000 people. Even more surprising to me is that divorces amongst people aged 50+ years are rising. The US divorce rate is the third highest in the world with the average length of a marriage in th...
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Life's Pauses

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  Don't you hate it when life doesn't go as planned? When things come up that force you into a pause? I know they say it's good to stop and pause, to reset and recalibrate, but I only like to do that on my terms, not when life chooses for me. Those unexpected challenges that pop up in life and throw your plans out of whack, they're just annoying!  I'm not sad to see this month move on. We've had a few unexpected challenges pop up recently, some mild and some a little more intense. These challenges have put a crimp in our plans. They're messing with our mojo. They're throwing off our groove. And we aren't happy about it! We are in a pause period and to be honest, we are ready to move on. Pausing isn't really one of our strengths as a couple. We are doers and goers! We've been here many times before. My Book of Quotes is filled with phrases focusing on overcoming challenges, looking for the good in every situation, making the best of the pause ...
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The Heart Matters

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  I read an article titled What God Talks About by Phillip Snyder. In the article he shares that in his early twenties he spent a lot of time focusing on the problems within Christianity and he was quite vocal about it. Then one day his heart was changed while reading John 17 verses 20-23:  "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and has loved them, as thou hast loved me." The context of these verses was not lost on Mr. Snyder. Jesus is praying to the Father right before He is to go to the Garden of Gethsemane, and then the cross. This is the last time he would...
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