So on Sunday, we discussed the Crucifixion and the events directly leading up to it. One of the things we talked about was Peter's denial of knowing Christ. There were a few varying opinions as to whether that was bad or not. One brother brought up Pres. Kimball's talk about it called "Peter, My Brother" (or something like that... I may have got the word order wrong). I read that talk several years ago and thought it was fantastic.
In any case, regardless of how people felt about it, I thought it was important to make the distinction between denying Christ and denying that he knew Christ. That's pretty different, and nowhere do we read that Peter denied Christ. He did, however, deny that he knew Him. And then one sister made a comment that we do the same thing. We may not deny Christ, but sometimes we deny knowing Him by how we act. I thought it was profound.
Are there times in my life when I would be ashamed if someone approached me and asked if I was Christ's friend? Would I feel regret over my current actions or conversation? I wish that I could answer in the negative, but I know there are times in which I would realize what I was doing was not what a disciple of Christ would really do and that I was denying knowing Him by what I doing. I hope we all can do a little better.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Sample from the Book: Personal Purity
Occasionally I've been posting samples from the book Messages from the Scriptures. These samples aren't actually in the book, but they are paragraphs that were originally written for it. (Several were taken out before publishing to reduce the page count and therefore printing costs.) Even though they aren't actually from the book, they are good examples of the kinds of things you will see when you read it.
As I child, I was intrigued by the story of the devils and the swine: “So the devils besought [Jesus after he had cast them out of two individuals], saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters” (Matthew 8:31–32). The story is a bit bizarre. Of course, there may be several lessons that can be obtained from this short and unusual passage, but perhaps one of them relates to the Law of Moses, where it is stated, “the swine, . . . he is unclean to you” (Leviticus 11:8). The story might be symbolic that the impure are susceptible to the devil’s influence. It is essential to maintain personal purity. Isaiah said, “be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11). We must avoid sin at all costs. Indeed, those “having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, . . . [can enter] into the rest of the Lord their God” (Alma 13:12). And of course, our “garments [can be] washed white [only] through the blood of the Lamb” (vs. 11).
Personal purity will help us avoid the influences of the devil and return to live with God.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
As I child, I was intrigued by the story of the devils and the swine: “So the devils besought [Jesus after he had cast them out of two individuals], saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters” (Matthew 8:31–32). The story is a bit bizarre. Of course, there may be several lessons that can be obtained from this short and unusual passage, but perhaps one of them relates to the Law of Moses, where it is stated, “the swine, . . . he is unclean to you” (Leviticus 11:8). The story might be symbolic that the impure are susceptible to the devil’s influence. It is essential to maintain personal purity. Isaiah said, “be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11). We must avoid sin at all costs. Indeed, those “having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, . . . [can enter] into the rest of the Lord their God” (Alma 13:12). And of course, our “garments [can be] washed white [only] through the blood of the Lamb” (vs. 11).
Thursday, July 7, 2011
How People Appreciate "Messages from the Scriptures"
So the books have been on the shelves for a while, and I've had a few copies even earlier that I gave to some family members. I don't hear back from a lot of cases, but I thought I'd share a few that I thought were interesting.
My sister lives in Virginia. I sent her a copy of the book since I gave one to my other siblings. A week or two ago, she sent me a message on Facebook telling me that she couldn't continue reading it because her mother-in-law had borrowed her copy. I think her mother-in-law still has it, and last I heard she's really enjoyed it.
One of my best friends lives two blocks from where I live. We've been friends since 7th grade. His wife texted me a few weeks ago explaining that she had ordered a copy off of Amazon but that her husband didn't know. (He was getting it for Father's Day.) She asked if I would sign it for him. Of course, I did. When I next saw them about a week ago, he proudly declared that he has a signed first edition. Heh heh... yep, he does. I think he probably has the first copy that was ordered from Amazon, actually. I'm guessing they bought it almost right after it was made available.
I went camping last weekend with some of my extended family. My younger brother was there with his wife. They had forgotten to bring any scriptures, so since they couldn't have scripture study they read Messages from the Scriptures instead. I thought that was pretty nifty, and it's true that the book has plenty of scriptures lined throughout every page. I'm glad that they were able to read that... but hopefully they'll remember to bring their scriptures next time so they can get it right from the source. As much as I hope Messages from the Scriptures helps others enhance their personal scripture study, there is of course no substitute for actually reading the scriptures themselves.
This last example comes from Tammy, a woman I've never met. I wouldn't even know that she bought my book except that she left a comment on a post here on this blog. I let her speak for herself by directly quoting the comment she left: "I bought your book tonight for a friend. I will have to go buy her another because I read the whole book tonight and highlighted tons!! I loved the insights. I know it takes great effort and sacrifice to write a whole book and just wanted to say thank you for doing so. I highly recommend your book. :)"
My sister lives in Virginia. I sent her a copy of the book since I gave one to my other siblings. A week or two ago, she sent me a message on Facebook telling me that she couldn't continue reading it because her mother-in-law had borrowed her copy. I think her mother-in-law still has it, and last I heard she's really enjoyed it.
One of my best friends lives two blocks from where I live. We've been friends since 7th grade. His wife texted me a few weeks ago explaining that she had ordered a copy off of Amazon but that her husband didn't know. (He was getting it for Father's Day.) She asked if I would sign it for him. Of course, I did. When I next saw them about a week ago, he proudly declared that he has a signed first edition. Heh heh... yep, he does. I think he probably has the first copy that was ordered from Amazon, actually. I'm guessing they bought it almost right after it was made available.
I went camping last weekend with some of my extended family. My younger brother was there with his wife. They had forgotten to bring any scriptures, so since they couldn't have scripture study they read Messages from the Scriptures instead. I thought that was pretty nifty, and it's true that the book has plenty of scriptures lined throughout every page. I'm glad that they were able to read that... but hopefully they'll remember to bring their scriptures next time so they can get it right from the source. As much as I hope Messages from the Scriptures helps others enhance their personal scripture study, there is of course no substitute for actually reading the scriptures themselves.
This last example comes from Tammy, a woman I've never met. I wouldn't even know that she bought my book except that she left a comment on a post here on this blog. I let her speak for herself by directly quoting the comment she left: "I bought your book tonight for a friend. I will have to go buy her another because I read the whole book tonight and highlighted tons!! I loved the insights. I know it takes great effort and sacrifice to write a whole book and just wanted to say thank you for doing so. I highly recommend your book. :)"
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Not Enough to Be Members
In fast and testimony meeting two days ago, a recently returned missionary stood up and bore her testimony. One of the brothers before her had bore his testimony and mentioned how grateful he was that we live in a land of liberty... the United States. (It was the day before Independence Day, so I suppose everyone's thoughts were on that.) But this returned missionary had just returned from Peru. And she mentioned how grateful she was that we are all members of God's restored church. But then she went on to say that it isn't enough to be members -- we must be saints.
That is how we officially refer to ourselves, as saints, so it makes sense that we should live according to the title. In Spanish, santo is the same word that means "holy." Do we live in a way that we are holy? I hope we all do. And if we don't, we can always strive to do better.
That is how we officially refer to ourselves, as saints, so it makes sense that we should live according to the title. In Spanish, santo is the same word that means "holy." Do we live in a way that we are holy? I hope we all do. And if we don't, we can always strive to do better.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Every Idle Word
Matthew 12:36: "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
Last night I was working a little later than I normally would in order to meet a deadline I had. Almost everyone had gone at this point. In fact, I thought everyone had gone, but it turns out that a few people were still around (though I'm not sure why). While I work on a floor with approximately 50 people or so, I'm in an office with four people that are on my team specifically. But due to the vents and such, we can hear what's going on outside of our office uncomfortably well. So last night, I just happened to hear two individuals outside of my office completely and utterly badmouth my team.
It was one of those moments when my blood started to boil. "What? We don't know what's really going on in the company? We don't understand what's really important? We're completely disconnected?" I wanted to go out there and let them know that they were the ones who didn't understand. But I didn't. Instead, I just said goodnight when I left. I could tell they didn't realize I had heard everything they said.
It's still frustrating to me today, but it refreshes a good point. Have you ever heard it said that you should only say things about people if you were comfortable if they were listening? Some times those people are listening. And quite frankly, it just isn't worth it. Many bridges can be burnt that way.
It's often those who are closest to us that bring up the worst comments, I think. I know there have been several things I've wanted to say to my wife... but I know that if I do, I will never be able to take them back again. You can apologize a million times, and you can even be forgiven, but you can't change the fact that the person heard them.
It's important to be nice... to always be nice.
Last night I was working a little later than I normally would in order to meet a deadline I had. Almost everyone had gone at this point. In fact, I thought everyone had gone, but it turns out that a few people were still around (though I'm not sure why). While I work on a floor with approximately 50 people or so, I'm in an office with four people that are on my team specifically. But due to the vents and such, we can hear what's going on outside of our office uncomfortably well. So last night, I just happened to hear two individuals outside of my office completely and utterly badmouth my team.
It was one of those moments when my blood started to boil. "What? We don't know what's really going on in the company? We don't understand what's really important? We're completely disconnected?" I wanted to go out there and let them know that they were the ones who didn't understand. But I didn't. Instead, I just said goodnight when I left. I could tell they didn't realize I had heard everything they said.
It's still frustrating to me today, but it refreshes a good point. Have you ever heard it said that you should only say things about people if you were comfortable if they were listening? Some times those people are listening. And quite frankly, it just isn't worth it. Many bridges can be burnt that way.
It's often those who are closest to us that bring up the worst comments, I think. I know there have been several things I've wanted to say to my wife... but I know that if I do, I will never be able to take them back again. You can apologize a million times, and you can even be forgiven, but you can't change the fact that the person heard them.
It's important to be nice... to always be nice.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Facebook Trivia
So I decided to make the Facebook fan page a bit of a trivia page just so I wasn't tooting my own horn about my book all the time. After all, that's not the kind of fan page that I'd want to be part of. So I've posted trivia questions there. Unfortunately, it's not caught on very much, so I thought I'd publicize it a little more -- like here. If you're a fan of scripture trivia, check it out. This is the current question:
Gideon (from the Book of Mormon) had violent confrontations with two people. One of them he almost killed (but spared). The other he admonished with the word of God... for which he was slain. Who were the two people?
This is a fairly easy question, I would think. Once it is answered on the fan page, I'll add another trivia question. (I've got a good one that I think is a lot harder.)
Oh, and here's the link:
Messages from the Scriptures Facebook Fan Page
P.S. I think you have to like the page and be a fan before you can post an answer on the wall.
Gideon (from the Book of Mormon) had violent confrontations with two people. One of them he almost killed (but spared). The other he admonished with the word of God... for which he was slain. Who were the two people?
This is a fairly easy question, I would think. Once it is answered on the fan page, I'll add another trivia question. (I've got a good one that I think is a lot harder.)
Oh, and here's the link:
Messages from the Scriptures Facebook Fan Page
P.S. I think you have to like the page and be a fan before you can post an answer on the wall.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
"Messages from the Scriptures" is Now in Stores!
My book, Messages from the Scriptures, was recently printed and has been available on Amazon.com for a month or so. But this last week, I received a text from my brother who attends BYU that he saw it for the first time in the BYU Bookstore. I thought that was pretty exciting, so I dropped by Deseret Book in Spanish Fork, UT to see whether they had it in stock -- and they did! It's exciting to be able to walk into LDS bookstores and find my book on the shelf.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)