Following Happily: Sheeple? Thanks for the Compliment

Sheeple? Thanks for the Compliment

plainbibleteaching.com

Do you ever feel offended when you hear someone referred to as a sheeple? When we remember whom we follow and whose we are, we should be glad to acknowledge that we follow happily and feel thankful for the compliment.

Jesus said,

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand" (John 10:27-29).

Before this Jesus so spoke to those who do not believe, who mock the believers,

        “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I                        said unto you” (John 10:26).

In humility we should pray that those who so seek to offend will be able to be drawn into the fold. The Father loves them as well, and if they choose His Son, He will again choose them.

Last Night's Dream

A Family Christmas

clipartkid.com

I had a dream last night. It was rather strange. I was at a family Christmas party. My Dad was there. Suzanne and her family were there. Valerie was there. I think my Mom was there, but I can’t really remember. It feels like she was.

Well, we had a good time visiting; and everybody was busy doing different things. After the day was half over, Valerie said to me, “Heidi, why don’t you go fix your hair. Sure, you haven’t even combed it today.”

So I went into the bathroom to see what she was talking about. And half my hair was pulled into a pony tail on the one side of my head. The other half was hanging, and a mess, and matted.

I was in disbelief. I must have fallen asleep the night before with pigtails in my hair and one of them had come out, and I spent Christmas day that way.

So I thought that I’d surprise everybody and curl my hair. So I plugged in my heat curlers (who does that anymore?), and I was getting ready to curl my hair. But it took so much longer than usual, because Suzanne's girls had taken the pins that hold the curlers and hid them in different nooks and crannies around the bathroom.

So that was my dream.

Now I am open for interpretations. 

Basking in the Light

Basking in the Light

A friend of mine titled this photograph for me. It warms my soul that it is so appropriately named, “Basking in the Light”. Vereen said that when she looked at this photo, “The first thing I saw was a child touched by the Light of Christ. Beautiful.” While I completely agree, this set me to thinking.

Children

I believe that we all see little children as special. We notice their sparkle and the goodness that they add to this world. We sense the wonder of creation and continuation. It is marvelous to behold.

We need to hold onto these sentiments as we are introduced to one another and interact with one another. Why? Well, it is because we are all still little children. We are children of God.

Light of Christ

Every human being born into this world is endowed with the Light of Christ. Every single one. He said, “I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:2). 

God Loves Us All

Jesus loves all of us with a love that is endless and complete. God makes His sun to shine on all of us and his rain to fall on all of us, because it is His good will to bless us and help us to find joy. (See Matthew 5:45)

Look for the Good

How quickly do we look for the darkness in one another, when we should be noticing the light? How often do we condemn the imperfections in ourselves, when it would serve us better to be thankful for our gifts and develop them?

Bask in the Light

I am pleased with the composition of this photograph. The child is truly basking in the light. What a great example for all of us. There is light everywhere around us, and there is light within us. Let us find pleasure and joy in our work, in our days, in our families, in our friends and associations; and let us bask in the Light.

Furthur Reading:

John 1

Doctrine and Covenants 93

Living the Gospel Joyful

Bless the Legos, the Beasts, and the Children

Bless the Legos, the Beasts, and the Children

But Most Especially, the Children

(Google Image from cagi-in.org)

A couple of years ago, outrage circulated the Web at a rather quick rate over a Minnesota dentist who killed a lion in Zimbabwe. The circumstances were sketchy, and killing such a beautiful animal for sport surely is upsetting.

More recently, zoo keepers in Cincinnati had to make the difficult decision to end the life of a beloved gorilla in order to save a boy’s life.

Both of these glorious animals had names: Cecil the Lion and Harambe the Gorilla.

So what’s my point? Well I entered a discussion thread over Cecil during that time of outrage, and someone said that it is arrogant to think that a human’s life is more important than an animal’s life. I am certain, after seeing the “silent” verbal attacks on Facebook concerning the boy and his parents who were at the zoo that there are thousands who agree with him. While I do not wish to diminish the grandeur of all life, and I don’t devalue the life of these animals, I am not arrogant because I believe God’s word.

Man Made Just a Little Lower than the Angels (Psalm 8)

(Second reference Hebrews 2)

1 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

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:

7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

God Loves All His Creations

Although God notices the fall of a sparrow; although He feels sadness for the beast who loses His life; although God recognizes inconsistencies and injustices; God still loves His children more than all of His other creations. Why? He loves us most because we are His children. And His first two great commandments are that we love Him and that we love one another (see Matthew 22:36-40).

The Lord Wants Us to Trust Him and Find Safety in Him (Luke 12:27-28)

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

God Values Us Above All His Creations (Matthew 10:29-31)

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

What Should We Value Most?

Even more recently I read about a young boy that knocked over a lego sculpture that was valued at $15,000. Evidently, the exhibit was open for picture taking, and the boy accidentally knocked it over. From the responses of Facebook readers, you would think that the child’s was valued at a lesser amount. The comments made against him and his parents and their parenting skills were horrendous.

I think that the lack of empathy we have for human beings is appalling. It seems that some people care more about the well-being of animals and legos than they do people.

If we are of so much worth to our Father, I believe that it is arrogant when we do not acknowledge that every other human being on earth is also of great worth to God. Every one. We all make mistakes, and that is part of the reason for us being here. We need to learn and grow. And I believe that our Father will be happy if we choose to aid rather than hinder each other in our journey back to Him.

Remember

Remember

Photograph by Rosaura Ortiz

What has made this Country great in the past?

It was the people. We the People.

What kind of people made this Country great?

Americans. Americans were a people who looked to God for direction and protection. We were a people who looked to serve one another and to be a beacon on the hill, a light shining forth in the darkness of the world.

We were a people who loved God, Country, family, and each other. 

One thing is for certain. Since we have been forgetful of the God of this Land, who is Jesus Christ, we have succumbed to the darkness of the world around us. No matter how enlightened we all think we may be, without the Light of Christ in our lives, there is not light; without Him, all is darkness.

While we remember those who serve; those who are still Americans, who love God, Country, and fellow citizen: man, woman, and child; let us not forget the God who has instilled within our hearts the ability and the power to feel such love and the desire to preserve it.

While we remember those who leave home and family to protect our homes and families, let us not forget the importance of family. Let us not forget the importance of strengthening home and family ties and supporting the fundamental building blocks of society and of eternity. Let us remember to build up and support our own family fortresses against the evils of this world and offer protection to our little children. And while our servicemen and servicewomen are far away from home insuring our safety, let us offer protection and service to their families.

We have been forgetful for too long. It is time. It is time for us to remember. It has always been up to us, We the People.

Also Read:

Lest We Forget

Motherhood

Thoughts on Motherhood

All I ever really wanted most to be was a mother. With any other interest, talent, or desire that I’ve had, motherhood was the greatest desire of my heart. I’m so glad that God granted me this blessing, with six children of my own and other children whom I’ve taught and who have taught and blessed me. It is a privilege and an honor.

Here I am with my firstborn. Now she is ready to deliver her firstborn very soon. How grandchildren bless our lives! George will be our fifth grandchild and second grandson. 

This weekend marks the first Mother’s Day with my own mother departed from this earth. I am so thankful for her love and example to me, and I am thankful for my grandmothers and their love and support throughout my life. I am also thankful for my dear mother-in-law and her accepting me as her own with great love and cheerfulness. And I’m thankful for my husband’s grandmothers as well. How I miss every single one of these mothers.

I had the greatest privilege of serving my mother in her last days here on earth. I enjoyed her mothering then as always, and in the moments when the roles reversed a little, I was thankful to serve the woman who had always so selflessly done everything for me and who continues to be a blessing to me every moment of my life.

I am also thankful for my sisters and the part that they have played in loving and mothering me. I miss them too. Fortunately, I can still call and visit two of them. The other one I visit in memory, love, and tears.

I am also blessed with three beautiful talented daughters. They are all contributing to the blessings of motherhood according to the time frames of their own lives and their individual talents in significant ways. I also have two beautiful daughters-in-law who are wonderful mothers. It pleases me and warms my heart to see the rising generation full of love and service for children and their fellow men. My sons are also a great blessing to their own children, family, and friends; and they value and support their wives in their roles as mothers by being wonderful fathers too.

I must say how thankful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ which has everything to do with families; and I am thankful for the role that motherhood plays in unfolding God’s Plan of Salvation for His children. How blessed we are for Mother Eve and the part she played in establishing the human family, and for Father Adam, with his exactness and honor in accepting the Plan and supporting Eve in her role of motherhood. I am most thankful of all for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving us the gift of life, and that eternally through His offering of His soul and body to save ours. Because of Him, families are forever, and motherhood is eternal.

This was of utmost significance when our son Robby returned to heaven shortly after birth. But the significance is no less diminished with each and every individual who holds a place in our hearts. God established families and gave us the privilege of participating in His glory through experiencing motherhood and fatherhood. And if these are the things which we value most, He will bless us with the privilege of the continuation of family lives forever.

Motherhood isn’t easy. There are so many challenges. But it has to be the most rewarding calling there has ever been. Inside this bosom of mine, motherhood is most precious and prized, and my children’s happiness is my greatest desire. I love being a mother.

He Lives

Today was Fast and Testimony meeting in our Church. Although I didn’t stand today to bear my testimony, I want to share with you what was in my heart…what is in my heart today.

Artist: Brent Borup

Did Jesus really live again?

Yes! When the third day came, He wakened and He left the tomb….

Did Jesus really live again?

Oh yes! And so shall I.

(Song: Did Jesus Really Live Again)

The essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that he lived an exemplary life, taught us the Gospel in word and deed, established His Church, atoned for our sins, died for all of us on the cross on Good Friday, and rose again Sunday morning. 

(Read: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ)

The essence of the message of Jesus Christ is one of Love. God is love, and He sent His Son. We can indeed feel the Savior’s love in all the world around us. It’s everywhere. We can hear and feel and see and know, because all things testify of Him. But if we look to the logic of the world, we will miss it. The Spirit will bear witness to our spirits that Jesus is the Christ if we look to him in every thought; if we try a little harder to doubt not, but be believing; if we trust in the radiating warmth of the Spirit as He witnesses to us that we are God’s children and that He loves us. As we search for God and for His Son, through reading the scriptures and through keeping the commandments, we will find Them. We will know that the Spirit is sent to us to comfort, teach, and guide us. And we will trust that Jesus will come again as He promised He will.

Some people think that they have grown beyond the need of a Savior; but none of us has. Though we are all children of God, and though He loves us, we still rely on Him for everything we have. All of us may be considered good people in the respect that I so often hear people say of others, “He is a good person;” because we do some pretty wonderful things and because we are children of God; and God is good. But without Him, we are nothing.

My testimony is that we need religion. Why? Because Jesus is the One who established His Church under His Father’s direction, and I trust that He did so because we need it. While there are many people living decent lives and living by their own light, we must remember that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World and without Him there is not any light at all.

My testimony is that no matter how good we are and how well we do there is absolutely no substitute available to certify our salvation other than the Lord Jesus Christ and His redemptive sacrifice for us. There is no substitute anywhere to be found that will offer us the security that comes from living the principles and ordinances of the gospel. And there will be no substitute for the Keeper of the Gate to Heaven, who is the Holy One of Israel, Jesus, our Messiah.

I love the Lord Jesus; I know He loves me; and I need Him.

Other scriptures and songs that were referenced:

God is Love

He Sent His Son

I Feel My Savior's Love

All Things Testify of Him

Spirit Bears Witness

Comforter Testifies of Christ

Look to Christ in Every Thought

If With All Your Hearts

Holy Ghost Will Teach Us

I Will Come Again

Everything Good Comes from God

We Need the Lord to Sustain our Lives

Christ Established the Church

Jesus is the Light of the World

Let Your Light So Shine

I Am the Light You Should Hold Up

His Light Governs All Other Light

No other Redeemer than Jesus

Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel

Keeper of Gate is Holy One