Humility, Obedience, Virtue

We had a really great Region Conference this last Sunday. Elder Gary Stevenson spoke on three Christ-like attributes to practice every day: Humility, Obedience, and Virtue. I love how he defined virtue - that our private actions and conversations are in line with what we profess to believe in public in our churches.

I found his same HOV pattern in my scriptures this week where Alma counsels us, "to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.... learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. Yea cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and withersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever." - Alma 37:34-36

I absolutely love it when I hear counsel from modern day prophets and apostles and soon after find something in my scripture study that coincides perfectly with what they just said. It happens all the time!

Just thinking about verse 36 of Alma where he admonishes that all our thoughts and affections be directed to the Lord, reminded me of this cool song, "I Point to You".
Enjoy!!

-Alicia


"I Point To You"
by, We Are Messengers

How can I forgive when I can't forgive myself
How can I move on when all I have is regrets
How can I fix you when I keep turning away
How can I make it past the noise with my shame

I need a miracle
Some healing for my heart
I need a revelation
A brand new start
I want simplicity
Where I can rest
But I need a miracle to put my past to death

I know You want my heart
My bruises and my scars
I'm coming as I am
The only way I can
I can't forget from where I've come
And what my heart's been rescued from
Yeah when they ask me who
I owe my whole life to
I point to You
I point to You

I want so badly just to finally get well
But I don't want a quick fix and emotional sell
I will be honest with my humanity
No I'm not perfect and I don't pretend to be

I need a miracle
Some healing for my heart
I need a revelation
A brand new start
I want simplicity
Where I can rest
But I need a miracle to put my past to death

I know You want my heart
My bruises and my scars
I'm coming as I am
The only way I can
I can't forget from where I've come
And what my heart's been rescued from
Yeah when they ask me who
I owe my whole life to
I point to You
I point to You

People say that I've lost myself
I'll say I'm found in You
People ask where does my story end
I'll say it starts with You

I know You want my heart
My bruises and my scars
I'm coming as I am
I know You want my heart
My bruises and my scars
I'm coming as I am
The only way I can
I can't forget from where I've come
And what my heart's been rescued from
Yeah when they ask me who
I owe my whole life to
I point to You
I point to You
I point to You
I point to You

Repulsive Rameumptoms

What is a Rameumptom?

It's a stand or tower where the Zoramites gave their rote prayers saying how grateful they were that they were better than everyone else. When Alma and Amulek viewed the scene of such wickedness and arrogance, they were filled with sorrow.

Alma described that the Zoramites "were a wicked and a perverse people... their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods...their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride... they cry unto [God], and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. ... they cry unto [God] with their mouths, while they are puffed up even to greatness, with the vain things of the world." - Alma 31:24,25,27

This kind of pride is so tragic, so tragic that when Alma witnesses it he cries out with his own prayer, "O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among the children of men?"  - Alma 31:26

When I read these things, I can't help wonder what the Rameumptoms of today might look like. I don't think they would be physical towers. But what other means could we use to rise above the crowd and boast? How are we channeling attention to ourselves and away from the Lord?

After reading Alma 31 and  Proverbs 16:18-19 this morning, I found a quote from a lead pastor that says, "Pride is that ugly part of your heart that causes you to be more concerned about yourself and your own reputation than you are about Christ and his." - Sam Storms (Christian Living - May 6, 2015 - How Pride Poisons the Soul)

Interesting how this pastor describes arrogance as "that ugly part" and Alma describes it as "gross". Perfect descriptions, I think!

Now, Alma's mission wasn't completely full of gross and depressing scenes of wickedness. He also met those who were repentant, who "took no thought for themselves" who had great faith and focus on Christ, so much in fact that in every affliction they were, "swallowed up in the joy of Christ". (Alma 31:37-38)

It must have been a breath of fresh air for Alma to meet those who had been humbled. In fact, I know it made him very happy because in Alma 32:6 it says it says he beheld them "with great joy".

 From my own experiences, I can see a world of difference, night and day difference, when I meet people who "take no thought of themselves" who are truly and sincerely focused on the Savior. They are the ones that shine to me, and they don't even know it.  They have discovered where real, lasting beauty resides.

Wow, what a contrast!

If Thine Eye Be Single

The Savior admonishes in the Sermon on the Mount for us to "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven." (Matt 6:1)

He also counsels, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt 5:16)

So, the question I have is this... What is the differentiating factor determining if our alms or good works "before men" are so terribly wrong or so incredibly right? I believe that it all centers on our intention. We might ask ourselves if our righteous deeds are done with the intent to be "seen of men" or to "glorify [our] Father which is in heaven"? 

"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." (Matt 6:22)

The point here again is that our vision, our focus, our intent must not be divided. We can't have half our desire to glorify God and the other half to glorify ourselves. The Savior in His sermon also makes it clear that "no man can serve two masters".  (Matt 6:24) And the apostle James taught, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).

Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt 6:33)

Light will be added unto you, brighter and brighter. This is how we shine... By doing good works, giving alms, fearlessly loving, and simply serving others - all the while "taking no thought of [ourselves]" being 100% focused on giving credit where all credit is due, to our Father in Heaven.

-Alicia

First Goal of the Year

"Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake."

- Psalms 115:1 - KJV

"Don't give glory to us, O LORD. Don't give glory to us. Instead, give glory to your name because of your mercy and faithfulness."

- Psalms 115:1 - God's Word Translation

"Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."

-Psalms 115:1 NIV Translation

This is such an awesome scripture!  I love this verse in all the versions of the Bible.  Can you imagine how different the world would look if we could only remember where all the credit and glory really belongs?  Can you imagine how much we would stop worrying about the opinions of others, for good or for ill... and focused on the One opinion that really matters most?

Even Christ--who deserves all the glory--said during His ministry,  " Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." - Mark 10:18

Elder Neal A. Maxwell observed,

Is there not deep humility in the omnicompetent Christ, the majestic Miracle Worker, who acknowledged, “I can of mine own self do nothing” (John 5:30)? Jesus neither misused nor doubted his power, but he was never confused about its source, either. Instead, we mortals—perhaps even when otherwise modest—are sometimes quite willing to display our accumulated accomplishments, as if we had done it all by ourselves. Hence this sobering reminder:

“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.[Deuteronomy 8:17–18]"

On another occasion Neal A. Maxwell recognized,

“Something I have heard President Hinckley do many times publicly is to give all the glory, the praise, and the honor to God. This is something I am going to do more often, including today, incorporating my appreciation for God’s tutoring and blessings.”

I think this is a fantastic place to start with a New Year’s resolution…  to always give credit where credit is due.  To be watchful and careful everyday that my motives are pure and not self-centered or self-aggrandizing. And when there is any praise given to me, I pray that I will be quick to acknowledge from Whom all blessings flow.

-Alicia

"Let not any passion be for kingdoms we have fashioned in our own name For our own fame... Let us not be fooled And let us not be disillusioned Let our eyes see You clearly... Anything that’s true Anything that’s good Let it point to You... Not to us" -Nichole Nordeman

"And Mary said..." - Ponderize - Week 61

In our church, we use the phrase "magnify the Lord in your calling" quite a bit.  I've been thinking what it means to magnify the Lord.  All too often, we might think this means exhausting ourselves to do more, be more, to run "faster than we have strength" in order to magnify our calling but we forget "the Lord" part.

In Luke 1:46, Mary, the mother of Christ said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord."

What does it mean to magnify something? It means to increase, extend, expand, intensify. 

If it is the Lord that is the one that is magnified first in our heart and mind then He becomes bigger, stronger, more powerful than the other things that may try to consume us... like our fears, our weaknesses, our anxieties, our doubts, and even our foolish pride.  

The problems and struggles we face may seem Goliath in size, but when our soul magnifies the Lord,  we see that God is bigger than any obstacle. With this knowledge, we can do as David did: We will "hasten and [run] toward" those giants, with full confidence that we "come to [our problems] in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel" so "that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." (1 Samuel 17:45, 46 & 48)

Through a vision that daily recognizes and embraces the all-consuming presence and power of God, we see that God is greater, He's stronger, He is more powerful than any troubles we face, and we will come off conquerors!! With God, we need not fear.   

-Alicia

Magnify

by, We Are Messengers

An Unseen Power- Ponderize - Week 53

We stayed up late last night with our kids huddled around the bedroom windows watching the most spectacular heavenly light show.  There's nothing quite as exciting as a good thunderstorm where the lighting bolts rhythmically dance in rapid succession brilliantly illuminating the panorama of the night sky.

I'm always dazzled by such displays of nature and I can't help but feel a little like Moses did when he witnessed the grandeur of God, "of the same he greatly marveled and wondered... Now... I know that man is nothing." (Moses 1:8&10)

Isn't it awesome to think that the Creator of all, the God of this Universe is our Father and that His power is not only available to us but that He wants to endow us, bestow, and enrich us with that same power!  It's not a small or inconsequential thing to have Him in your corner.

I absolutely loved the final hymn, Let Us All Press On, from General Conference yesterday. The choir sang it slower and with tremendous conviction. Tears were streaming down many of their faces as their souls bore personal testimony.

"Fear not though the enemy deride; 

Courage, for the Lord is on our side...

 If we do what's right we have no need to fear,

For the Lord, our helper, will ever be near;

In the days of trial his Saints he will cheer,

And prosper the cause of truth.

We will not retreat, though our numbers may be few

When compared with the opposite host in view;

But an unseen pow'r will aid me and you

In the glorious cause of truth."

I know there are dark and stormy clouds ahead and the prophesies of these last days are being fulfilled before our very eyes. But like electricity--we often cannot see it, yet the power of God is vibrant and living, ever-flowing around us. And in just the right moments the honest and faithful in heart will shine forth His power in a glorious display!

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid... for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."- Deuteronomy 31:6

-Alicia

"There is a God in Heaven" - Ponderize - Week 36

"...We know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them." D&C 20:17

In my studies this morning, I came across this scripture I've just quoted. All day, I've been thinking about what a blessing it is to know that there is a God in Heaven and that He knows each and every one of us, that we are His literal spirit children, and that He is deeply and intimately involved in every detail of our lives. What comfort this gives in all our various struggles and trials we face.

Tonight, I found this 2 minute video clip on the LDS youth page.  It fits perfectly!

It reminds me of a quote from Our Creator's Cosmos by Elder Neal A. Maxwell:
"In the expansiveness of space, there is stunning personalness, for God knows and loves each of us! (see 1 Nephi 11:17). We are not ciphers in unexplained space! While the Psalmist’s query was, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4), mankind is at the very center of God’s work. We are the sheep of His hand and the people of His pasture (see Psalms 79:13; 95:7; 100:3). His work includes our immortalization—accomplished by Christ’s glorious Atonement! Think of it, brothers and sisters, even with their extensive longevity, stars are not immortal, but you are."

There's a song I listen to on my Christian radio station. If you look up the lyrics, they might seem a little repetitive but honestly, I find them powerful.  You can't help but rejoice when you sing these words over and over again.

Our God

"Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise
there's no one like you, none like You!

Our God is greater, our God is stronger,
God you are higher than any other.

Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!...

...And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.

And if our God is with us, then what could stand against."

Anyway, I look at Who we have constantly cheering us on and I can't help but think, "What is there to fear? He's got us!  He has everything under control. He knows exactly what He's doing and He's doing amazing things with our lives we can't even begin to comprehend."  I love this!

-Alicia :)

The Depth of God

Just some verses and a couple of quotes I've been focusing on in my studies.  I'm grateful for the wisdom of God, for His all-knowing and all-seeing understanding.  I'm grateful that I can put full confidence in the direction He points me and in the learning experiences He gives...  for I know that He sees the bigger picture.

-Alicia

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." - 1 Cor. 2:9-10

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9

 "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." - Mosiah 4:9

"The Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people." - Alma 24:27

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."- Alma 37:6

"The Lord will lead us along, just as promised. He balances giving to the Church and its people the needed, specific directions, with providing the relevant learning experiences, including having our faith and patience tried in order to be strengthened. Thus He leads us along, but He desires that during that process we take His yoke upon us in order to learn of Him by our personal experiences. We surely feel the weight of that yoke at times, but the path is clear." - Neal A. Maxwell

"A universal God is actually involved with our small, individual universes of experience! In the midst of His vast dominions, yet He numbers us, knows us, and loves us perfectly."- Neal A. Maxwell

Custom-Fit Collision Course

My husband shared this incredible article with me last night about this couple who survived a horrific car wreck and walked away with only minor injuries.  But the most impressive part to me was the display of their faith.  Amen to everything she says at the end of her Facebook post a thousand times over.  The miracle is not that they were saved from the wreckage.  If one had been killed in the crash or permanently injured, they still would have seen it all as an opportunity to testify.  That is the real miracle.  Our Father has beautiful plans and purpose in the tiniest details of our lives.  I believe this, I believe it with all of my heart... no wait... I KNOW this!
Someday it will all be unfolded before our eyes and we will see just how many custom-fit "collisions" were meant to crash right into you and me.  It's nothing short of glorious. ;)
-Alicia

 "If there's anything you read out of this novel I'm typing up here it's this: I want everyone to to know the love and the power of God. He has a purpose...and it's so clear that NOTHING...not even a car accident like this one will cause his plans for you to change. We are put on this beautiful earth for a reason and the reason is to help people know Him. We are made to show and share His love. And if it takes a car wreck like this for me to get to do that then I would do it all over again. I'm praying that everyone who reads this can get a glimpse of Gods faithfulness. He is GOOD. And working. And the plans he has for YOU and your life aren't going anywhere. Good or bad, what you want or what you don't want...it's God's doing. It's his plans unfolding. It's his kingdom coming. Embrace the struggles and the joys of this life! Without a doubt it's a miracle we're alive, but more than that it's simply Gods plan for us. We're so grateful for this wreck and all it will do in our lives. We are blessed to be okay. And so in love with the amazing God we serve." - Arika Stovall

"Glory in the Lord" - Ponderize - Week 9

What a wonderful Family Night tonight!  I invited a brother, Alex Balinski, from our ward to come and teach our children about his website preparetoserve.com and his youtube channel with stories and testimonies from returned missionaries.

Living in this student area, there's a lot of change over, a lot of move-in's and move-out's.  It provides a wonderful opportunity to meet hosts of amazing people and soak up all the good they have to offer.  There is so much talent, so much heart and soul here. truly a gathering of Zion's finest.

I felt strengthened and inspired with every missionary story Alex shared with us tonight.  I think this one was my favorite:

I could listen to stories like these all day!  These are the things that sustain me.  I love that we have the opportunity to witness to one another about the truth and reality of a Father in Heaven who hears and answers prayers, who knows us all so deeply and is involved in the tiniest details of our lives.

So, with this fresh in my heart... this is my verse to ponderize for the week:

"Who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." - Alma 26:16

-Alicia

To God Alone

I woke up this morning with this song in my head.  It's officially the Christmas season.  And well, this isn't exactly a song written for Christmas but I think it should be...

Because, the true magic of Christmas is found when we lose ourselves, when we forget about what we want and think instead of how we can give.  Something incredible occurs when we focus on the beauty and good all around us and recognize God's hand.  The magic and glory of Christmas is when we have our eyes opened and our hearts filled with gratitude and wonder for the miracles that are constantly occurring.  Our souls feel lighter and we hunger for so little because we see that we already have so much.  The greatest and most valuable gift to all of mankind has already been given in the most humble way.  Everything we have ever needed is found in and through our Savior and His Priesthood authority.  We don't care about popularity, praise, position, or power.... Our cup runneth over when we kneel at His feet and worship Him, the only One worthy of such things.  This is the attitude that allows peace to enter into our hearts and fill us with good will and sincere love for our fellowmen.

Why wait for the Christmas season?
I believe in Christmas all year and every day of our lives.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." - Luke 2:13-14

"To God Alone"

by, Aaron Shust

Can You take me by the hand?

Can You use me as I am?

Break me into who You want me to be

When the time is finally right

Will You open up my eyes

And show me everything You want me to see?

This life is not my own

To God alone be the glory

To God alone be the praise

Everything I say and do

Let it be all for You

The glory is Yours alone

Yours alone

Take the offering I bring

You want more than what I sing

Can I give You every part of me?

Turn these pennies into gold

Take this life I call my own

Until I'm running after Your heart

I'm needing to let go

To God alone be the glory

To God alone be the praise

Everything I say and do

Let it be all for You

The glory is Yours alone

We will rise and we will fall

But You remain after all

You're glorious and beautiful

You're beautiful

To God alone be the glory

To God alone be the praise

Everything I say and do

Let it be all for You

The glory is Yours alone

The glory is Yours alone

Yours alone

Yours alone

-Alicia