His Love

I went to a "Friday Forum" today at the institute where a speaker comes to address the institute students.  Today was especially powerful.  At the very end of his remarks the speaker, Jordan Sharp sang a song that touched many of our hearts including mine.  I found it on Youtube with the lyrics and just thought that I would share the light and peace that I felt with this song.  I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ who helps us find His love in our darkest times.

Musical Light

     Today I have been pondering upon the effect that music, especially with words, has on all of us.  I have noticed that all around me are people that constantly have ear buds or some kind of ear phones in/on their ears.  As it seems thy are constantly listening to something.  I don't know the reason why they do it, and to me that's not important, but I wonder if the music they listen to uplifts them, numbs them, or is degrading in some way? 
     Have you ever noticed that music can immediately change your mood and the spirit that you feel around you?  I have read many places that listening to music is one of the only activities that uses and stimulates your whole brain.  That means when coupled with words it can effect so much of you!  Don't get me wrong, I love music without lyrics, but I do know from experience that when things (words) are put to music they stick with you longer and you learn them faster.
     With this in mind I would like to bring up the hymns that we sing in church.  They teach doctrine, as well as bring the spirit into wherever we may be singing/hearing them.  They effect our very souls.  There is a primary song that basically teaches that when we are in a situation that would cause us to be un-Christ-like or to be in spiritual danger, whether it be through thoughts or actions that we should just "Hum [our] favorite hymn".  Music is so powerful and what we listen to, play and sing can determine very quickly whether or not we have God's spirit with us. 
     In light of all of this I would like to share the lyrics of my favorite hymn:
     #123 "Oh May My Soul Commune With Thee"

Lyrics

1. 1. Oh, may my soul commune with thee
   And find thy holy peace;
   From worldly care and pain of fear,
   Please bring me sweet release.
2. 2. Oh, bless me when I worship thee
   To keep my heart in tune,
   That I may hear thy still, small voice,
   And, Lord, with thee commune.
3. 3. Enfold me in thy quiet hour
   And gently guide my mind
   To seek thy will, to know thy ways,
   And thy sweet Spirit find.
4. 4. Lord, grant me thy abiding love
   And make my turmoil cease.
   Oh, may my soul commune with thee
   And find thy holy peace.

     We can have the sweetest and most spiritual times of our lives as we let good and uplifting music permeate and be a part of our lives.  What is your favorite song?  What music brings you peace?  Please be careful with the music you listen to and find peace in listening to the music that would invite His spirit into your life.  It will bring you a perfect environment for understanding the things that the Lord would reveal to you as guidance in your life.

One Light

Today I have been pondering upon the effect that each person can have on all the people that are in their lives.  I find it hard to explain, but I amazed at the way that God puts us in "orbit" with certain people at certain times.  The complex-ness of each person's social network is incredible.  We each know someone for a specific amount of time and maybe for a special purpose in our lives.  Just doing one act of service for someone could be an answer to their prayer that day. Maybe what you say to them personally, or share in church could effect the way that they live their life from that point on.
God has created us to support and lift one another up and to become like Him.  We need experience on this earth in His service to do that.  Yesterday I was having a really hard time.  I pleaded with the Lord to send some help in the form of other people.  I was so grateful that I had the Lord's love with me, but I really needed someone to talk to (not that I can't pray to God).
Throughout my day yesterday and so far today, there have been so many little kindnesses of several different people.  Whether it was that they took the time to talk to me, give me a hug or a sweet little gift, they were all witnesses of God's love in my life.  Without the accumulation of all of these people, it wouldn't have had the effect that it did on me.  You just never know the effect you can have on someone's life however small it may seem.
 The Lord and His servants have always taught of the importance of our effect on others.  In Hebrews 12:12 Paul the apostle counsels us: "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees."  The Lord also makes sure that we know that He will never leave us in our times of hardship and trouble.  In Isaiah 41:10 He assures us,"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
We have His light within us and it is to be shared.  We could be the one light in someone's day that could be the difference.  How do you treat those around you?  How can I be more kind?  Who in my life needs help?  These and maybe other questions are things we can ask ourselves each day to better follow the Savior and fulfill our purpose in the lives of those around us each day.

Keeping God's Commandments

A miracle in my life happened today, and I would like to share it with y'all.  I feel that keeping the Sabbath day holy is of paramount importance in my life to the extent that I will not do homework on Sundays.  This last weekend was very crazy and so busy that I just didn't have time to finish one of my assignments on Saturday that was due Sunday.  I told the Lord in my constant conversations with him (my thoughts in my head), "Lord, I'm going to keep your Sabbath day holy in the way that I have proposed to do and have previously talked to you about .  I seriously am going on faith here, but I feel that my Sabbath day observance has to come first because of my love for you, so you are going to have to make something happen.  Even if you don't I'll still be okay in knowing that I kept your commandment in the best way that I could,"

  I had a great Sabbath day yesterday.  It was full of revelation and hope.  I came to my English class (the class where the assignment was due yesterday) and started talking to my fellow students.  Only 2 people in my whole class had done the assignment.  Five minutes into class, the professor said that he bumped the due date of the assignment to today instead of yesterday.  Simply a tender mercy, a miracle from God.  

 "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say ye have no promise" -Doctrine& Covenants 82:10

Mountains of Light

I just watched this video and it is so full of the spirit.  It is amazing to me how much the Lord carries us through the trials of this life if we will let Him.  He loves each one of us individually and is in the details of our lives if we will just look!  His tender mercies are everywhere.

A New Window

I never thought that I would have a blog of my own, but here it is in the flesh.....or rather in in it's digital-ness.  For sometime I have had the thought of having my own blog pressing ever so gently on my mind.  I thought that it was a crazy thought, seeing as I struggle to even have time...or make time... to write in my own journal.  The Lord's spirit is a great thing you see, when in my imperfectness put off one of His promptings, he just gently keeps reminding me.  Well, some things happened to me today where the spirit pressed a  lot harder and I thought to myself "Alright, alright!  I get it Lord!  I supposed to make a blog!"  So here I am writing my first post on my first ever blog.  I hope that my lack of knowledge in technology-ness will not prevent me from sharing my thoughts and impressions.  I love the Lord and HE is my light.  I want to share of His love, truth and joy.  I hope that maybe one day my thoughts will touch someone's life and bring them closer to Christ.