Topic: Family; Genesis 18:10,12, 14

"And lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son, And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. . . .Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also. . . . Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."

Topic: Jesus Christ; D&C 76: 22-24

"and now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we  saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father -- That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God."
Joseph Smith

Topic: Jesus Christ: Luke 2:36-38

"And there was one Anna, a prophetess. . . And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

Topic: Jesus Christ; Luke 2:25-32

“And behold there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon . . . and it was revealed unto him  by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the  Lord’s Christ. . . And when the parents brought in the child Jesus . . . Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. . . A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. “

Topic: Jesus Christ; Luke 2: 8

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, and, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them . . . and the angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God," 

 

Topic: Jesus Christ; Matthew 2 1-2, 9, 11

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. . . there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. . .  . and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. . .  And when they were come into the house , they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:"     

Topic: Jesus Christ; Luke 2: 8

"and there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, and lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

Topic: Jesus Christ; Luke 2:7

"And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

Topic: Jesus Christ; 3 Nephi 1: 13 & 21

“In the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah," (600 BC) Nephi records that many prophets came prophesying that Jerusalem would be destroyed. His father, Lehi prayed about the manner and received revelation and direction to take his family out of Jerusalem into the wilderness. From there the Lord directed them to build a ship, after the manner he directed, that he would carry his people across the water.

Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come and Nephi quoted that scripture in 2 Nephi 17:14. In 83 BC the prophet Alma prophesied that the child would be born in the land of their forefathers.

And so it was that . . .
3 Nephi 1:13 and 21

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer: for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given . . . And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.”

Topic: Jesus Christ; Alma 7:10

"And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and concieive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the son of God."   

Topic: Jesus Christ; John 1:14

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

Topic: Jesus Christ; Micah 5:2

"But thou, Bethehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel;"

Topic: Jesus Christ; Isaiah 7:22

"Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. . ."
Quoted by Nephi in 2 Nephi 17:14

Topic: Gifts; 4:14

"Neglet not the gift that is in thee . . . "

Topic: Gifts; Ephesians 3:7

"Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power, unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Getiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

Topic: Gifts; 1 Corinthians 12:31

" . . . Covet earnestly the best gifts . . . "

Topic: Gifts; 1 Corinthians 13;2

"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."

Topic: Gifts; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit . . . For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdon: to another . . . "
What is your gift?

Topic: Gifts; Romans 12:5-6

"For we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us . . ."

Topic: Gifts; Romans 11:29

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."

Topic: Gifts; Romans 5:14-15

"Nevertheless death reigned from Adan to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the simlitude of Adam's transgression. . . so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."

Topic: Gifts; Romans 1:11

"For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some Spiritual Gift . . ."

Topic: Gifts; Acts 11: 17-18

"For as much then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

Topic: Gifts; Acts 10:44-45

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word, and they of the circumision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Topic: Gifts; Luke 21:1-3

“And he looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites, and he said. . . this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.”  

Topic:Gifts; Mark 7:10-12

"For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whosoever curseth father or mother, let him die the death; But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother"

Topic: Gifts; Luke 11:13

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

Topic: Gifts; Matthew 5:22-24

". . . I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother (or sister) without cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught aganist thee; leave there thy gift before the alter and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."


This is a lot harder to do than it is to read. The scripture says, whosoever is angry without cause, but if we are wounded, don't we always believe we have cause to be angry? I have carried the pain of that hurt for several years now and yesterday I was able to let it go. It changes nothing. It does not erase the act, does not change the heart of the perpetrator. All it changes is my attitude. I am simply tired of living in the past and yesterday I let that go and remember whatever it was no more.
Ceil

Topic: Gifts; My gift to all

Today I give the gift of forgiveness.   For those who have offended me either intentionally or on purpose, I forget what you did. If you sent me emails that were so horrible that they seared my eyes and wounded my soul, I have deleted them and remember them no more. I remember only the good things from this day forwarded. No longer will I allow the past to tarnish today.  I remember, your smile, the kind things you did and the small tokens of appreciation. Those things I have kept. I will remember and cherish them forever.

Ceil

Topic: Gifts; Ephesians 4:4-7

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, and through all, and in you all. But into every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."  We are given grace (or clemency) through the gift of Christ which is the atonement.
 

Topic: Gifts; Exodus 23: 8

When the Lord gives Moses the laws, pertaining to integrity and godly conduct he says, "And thou shall take no gift: for the gift bindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous."
I think this means that our conduct should not be swayed from righteousness by gifts. In other words we should not take gifts in payment for our christan duty such as preaching the gosple and doing good deeds.

Topic: Thankful; What I am Thankful For

The fullness of the earth is ours, "And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man: for unto this end were they made to be  used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extorton. And in nothing doth man offend God, or aganist none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments."
Happy Thanksgiving

Topic: Thankful; What I am Thankful For

The people I am most thankful for are those in my family. I consider it a privilege and honor to be the wife of Edward the mother of Eddie, Henry, and Gwen, the grandmother of fifteen, and the great grandmother of three.   It is a privilege and honor to be the daughter of Andrew and Virginia and the granddaughter of Mellie and Johnny the niece and cousin of a countless number of wonderful individuals. No other honor could be bestowed upon me than to be associated with such choice people.  

Mellie Ceil

Topic: Thankful; What I Am Thankful For

Only one more day until Thanksgiving and I have only began to express the things I'm thankful for. Today I am thankful for my eyes, ears, legs, hands, arms, brain, my heart (both physically and emotionally speaking) and all that I am. I am also thankful to live in a time when if these eyes, ears, legs , and so on don’t work I can purchase glasses so I can read, or a hearing aid.  My arm can be retied into the shoulder socket, or a broken bone put in a cast to heal straight and as good as new.  I am thankful for all these things and more.

Ceil

 

Topic; Thankful; Who I am Thankful For

I am thankful for my hometeacher and his sweet companion. The Lord sent them to do for me what I could not do alone. Thanks V&PS
Ceil

Topic: What I am Thankful For

I am thankful for Ben Bingham and the impact he has had on my life. Ben taught me the importance of writing from the heart and he taught me creativity. I took a class from him once but the most important things he taught me have been outside of a classroom.  He has always encouraged me to find and develop my talents and to follow the things that are inside of me. My grandchildren adore him and he has been their mentor as well as mine. Likewise, he encourages them to follow their insides to be who they were meant to be. He took one of them, who aspires to write, to visit the writer of his favorite children’s book. What a thrill that was for that child. The wonderful things he has done for us are too numerous to mention here but there are two things he has done that are of great importance to me. When my husband died, Ben was there for me and helped me through that difficult time. The other thing is that he literally saved my life. I am forever grateful for Ben Bingham.

Ceil DeYoung

Topic: Thankful; What I'm thankful for

I express thanks today for writers like Ken Baker, who has written on his blog about two writers who have inspired and encouraged him. I'd hardly know where to start, my list is so long. If I had to list only three they would be; Marilyn Richarson probably taught me the most simply because she was my first contact when I began writing. Betty Vickers, who let me contribute to the newsletter, and Caleb Warnock, who put up with me through umpteen dozen classes.
Thanks you guys.
Ceil

Thopic: Thankful' Hebrews 13:14-15

". . . We seek one to come. By him there fore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

Here Paul writes to the Hebrews about the sacrifice Christ made for us and that our praise to God -- the fruit of our lips-- our thanks --is our sacrifice to him.

Topic: Thankful; 1 Timothy 2:1 -2

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority: that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

I find this so interesting that not only does Paul exhort Timothy to pray, for all men, kings and all that are in authority but to give thanks for them. Doesn't our attitude toward those in authority over us change when we pray for them but what if we gave thanks for them?     

Topic: Thankful; Ephesians1: 15-16

"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him."  

This the opening paragraph in the letter Paul writes to the Ephesians. It reminds us of the love our brethren and sisters, who labor in the gospel, have for us.

Topic: Thankful; 2 Corinthians 9: 13-15

"Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ. . .  And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto Go for his unspeakable gift."

I think the ministration Paul speaks of here is the twelve, who were the Church administrators.

Topic: Thankful; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law, but thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Death is not the end but the begining of our time in immortality.

Topic: Thankful; The Acts 27:34

"Wherefore I pray you to take some meat; for this is for your health; for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all:"

This is an interesting passage. This is where Paul is held prisoner and King Agrippa said, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christan." Since Paul was not worthy of death they put him on a ship to bring him before Caesar. But the ship was caught in a tempestuous wind. After many days Paul stood before them and said, you should have listened to me, but be of good cheer because there will not be the loss of any man's life, but of the ship only. Then after 14 days they were frighten and ready to abandon ship. Paul gave the above quote and all were saved. However, as Paul had told them the ship ran aground and was broken by the violent waves.

Topic: Thankful; Luke 17:12

"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, that stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priest, and it came to pass, that, as they went they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan."  
Who do we forget to thank? Most certainly the Lord, who has given us all things; but what about our children, our spouse, our neighbor, our co-worker, our boss, people who wait on us in stores, or the bank, or wherever.

Topic: Thankful; Luke 22: 17 &19

"And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this and divide it among yourselves: . . .  And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: This do in remembrance of me."

Topic: Thankful; St Matthew 15: 36-38

"And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks and brake them and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.  And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children."
It is interesting to note here that Christ did not take the food and comand it to multiply.
Instead he gave thanks. Is the message here that if we would have the blessing we need and want we need to ask for them by giving thanks?  

Topic: Thankful; Finding the Right Bus by Ceil DeYoung

I have a son who was born visually impaired. He didn't look handicapped. When he went to school, his peers made fun of him because he had to get right up to the school buses in order to see the number on each bus. Only the bus with the right number on it would bring him safely home.

We are surrounded by people like my son, whose problems can't be seen. I just read some alarming statistics about depression, abuse, addiction and suicide in the state of Utah. All of these individuals have areas of their lives that are not desirable and yet somehow they must find their way safely back home. I was not there to help my son, his teachers were busy with other task, his brother and sister and childhood friends went to a different school. This was something he had to do for himself and it didn't help to have kids make fun of him.

Gaining your own testimony, overcoming your fears, and having faith is like finding the right bus. The road back home may not be easy even when you are on the right bus, but how much better to be on the right bus than still waiting at the bus stop. God lives. He loves us and has prepared every needful thing for our return. For this I am thankful.
Ceil DeYoung

Topic: Thankful; Daniel 6:10

Daniel you remember had the gift to interpret dreams and gained a huge number of likes. When Darius becomes the new king and he sets up 120 princes over the whole kingdom. Over these are three presidents of which Daniel is the first. This displeases certain people and they seek to get rid of Daniel and convince the king to make a decree that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."

Would you have the courage to worship in a similar situation?  

Woops! Sorry.

Yesterday's scripture was Psalms 92:1-2. I left off the Chapter number. Sorry about that.
Ceil

Topic: Thankful; Psalms:1-2

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High; to shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night."

Can you name something different each day that you are thankful for?

Topic: Thankful; Ezra:3 10-11

"And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, afte the ordinance of David king of Israel.
 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord. . . and all the people shouted with  a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid."

Something to think about during this season of thanksgiving, what privileges do we have that we would miss so much that we would shout to have them restored?

Topic: Thankful; 1 Chronicles 16:7

"Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph his brethern. Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works."
Psalms obviously means songs so keep a song in your heart today.

Topic: Thankful; 2 Samuel 22: 47-50

"The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation, it is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, and that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up aganist me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore, I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name."
Here David sings praises unto the Lord. The phrase, he hast delivered me from the violent man, hits home because he has done that for me and I am grateful.

Topic: Thankful; Jacob 4:2-3

Here is a good one for those among us who write.
"But whatsoever thing we write upon anything save it be upon plates must perish and vanish away; but we can write a few words upon plates, which will give our children, and also our beloved brethern, a small degree of knowledge concerning us, or concerning their fathers-- Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethern and our children will receive them with thankful hearts . . ."
How mind boggling to think of the fragility of the things we write. Five years and most things will be outdated, paper will in the end decay. What good is cyberspace if in the end we cannot access it? The only thing that counts in the end are those things that are written, recorded, or bound on earth and in heaven. Gives me shivers. 

Topic: Thankful; Colossians 3: 14-15

" And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
Paul says charity is the bond of perfectness. Charity being love does make us perfect for by love God sent his Son that through love he atoned for us. As we server others that pure of Christ makes us perfect and the peace of God rules in our hearts. Be ye thankful.

Topic: Thankfulness; Romans1: 18, 21-22

"For the wrath of God is reveled from heaven aganist all ungodliness and unrighteounsness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; . . . Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their folish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, . . . "

Topic: Thankful: Psalm 100

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."  

Topic: Change; Alma 19:32

"And they did all declare unto the people the self-same thing- that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil."

There is not much I can add to that.

Topic: Change; Alma 5:12 &14

"And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. . . And now behold, I ask of you my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of  God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"

I love this quote. Alma is not talking to the lost sinner by the wayside here. Not at all. He says, I ask of you my brethren (and sisters) of the church.

Topic: Change ; Mosiah 5:7

"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children  of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you:  for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters."
Do we not all need a change of heart?

Topic: Change; Hebrews 7:11-12

"If therefore prefection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Meichisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changd, there is made of necessity a change also of the law," 

God does not change but for our sakes and for the progression of the plan of salvation it is sometimes necessity to change the law. I think that's what it means.

Philippians 3:20-21

". . .Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the workings whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

Here again I have no idea what Paul means, but I like the idea that our vile body can be changed into a glorious body. I also like that he (Christ) is able even to subdue all things unto himself. It suggest to my mind that were I like Christ I might be able to subdue all things unto myself. That I might be able to more easily subdue my own anger, or addiction or hunger or other bodily passions.

Topic: Change; I Corinthians 15:50

"Now this I say, bretheren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

I must confess that I have no idea what this means except that it fills me- a weak, struggling sinner- with peace. The opinions in my post are my own. I am not a spokesperson for any church or belief. I welcome your comments and quotes.

Malachi 3:6

Change is sorta like seasons so I will use that referance to end out the month.

"For I am the Lord, I change not;"
The Lord is perfect and does not need to change but me on the other hand . . .

The Word of Wisdom

". . .verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature and the use of man-- Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prucence and thanksgiving. . ."
Of course in todays modern world we can have strawberries and melons both in season and out. 

3 Nephi 27:11

"Verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return. For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down;"

This one is rather scary as well. It goes back to, by your works shall ye be known and the fact that just because it feels good (joy) at the time it doesn't mean it's something you should do. Or as I recently put it, I have been involved in a good work but I have neglected the thing I should be doing. 

2 Nephi 7:4

"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of Israel. When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. He waketh mine ear to hear as the learned."

I certainaly could use the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak words of season unto my children, my publisher if I had one and if only my old ears would waketh to hear as the learned. Great blessings are they not?

D&C 88:110-111

Well, this sounds like the same thing it was talking about in Revelations only it makes more sense.

"And Satan shall be bound, that old serpant, who is the devil, and shall not be lossed for the space of a thousand years. And then he shall be loosed for a little season that he may gather his army." 

My dear husband once loved to study Revelations and Section 88 and whatever he could find about the end time. That's all right because it was his interest but as for me I am more concerned about the season I am in at the present. The more work I do now, unless I get completly sidetracked, the less I will have to do in that thousand years. Sometimes I have been involved in a good work but I have not done the work I need to do. That is almost as confusing as Revelations.

Excuse

Well maybe it's just as well that I skipped yesterday. The next scripture listed would be from Revelations and I have no idea how much to quote and stay in context or what comment to make. So on to todays scripture.

Excuse

Sorry i missed yesterday. It was one of those days that started without me. I hope you have never had one of those.

Peter 1:6-7

This is from the first letter of Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ and is part of his salutation. In it he reminds his readers, the elect, of the knowledge they share of the knowledge in Christ of his resurrection from the dead.

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, through now for a season, if needbe, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

Hebrews 11:24-25

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoh's daughter: Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season:"

2 Timothy 4:2-3

"Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will  come when they will  not endure sound doctrine but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears."

What does Paul mean here 'in season, out of season'? Be ready at all times with correct doctrine not just when you're teaching a Sunday School lesson or whatever? Prehaps.
PS. I had to extend it to verse 3. I love the visual of teachers with itchy ears.
Ceil

I Thessalonians 5:1-5

"But of the times and the seasons brethern, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety: then suddenly destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child: and they shall not escape. But ye, brethern, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are children of light, and the children of the day:"   

Seasons: The Acts 1:6,7,8

"They asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel ? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the season, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive, power, after the the Holy Ghost is come upon you; . . ." 

In our child like ways we often miss the big picture.

Seasons: John 5:4

"For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and troubled the water; whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole."
If you remember the story there was a man there who had his infirmity for 38 years but he could never be the first to get down into the water. He asked Jesus to help him but instead Jesus said, "Wilt thou be made whole?" and then Jesus said to him, "Take up thy bed, and walk."    

Many things to think about here, least of all is why the water was only troubled at certain seasons.

Topic Seasons: Daniel 2:20-22

This is a long one but I think we can apply it to our time. It's in response to a vision Daniel recieved.
"Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him."

I love that.  

To everything there is a season

I've used this one before but there are 9 verses to it so I will use a different one.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1 and 7
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens. . . 
a time to keep silent, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

I pray for the season of silence, war, and hate to pass and the season to speak, love and of peace to come again.
Amen

What is a season?

"Deuteronomy 28:11-12
And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasures, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season . . . ."

He is speaking here to Israel of course but shall we not also likewise be blessed in his season by his promise and covenate to us.   

Genesis 1:14

It is October and there is a chill in the air. The season is changing. In the begining:

 "God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so."

Why do we need seasons -- or do we?
   

Ecclesiastes 3:1

"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"

I have been thinking that I'm running as fast as I can and getting nowhere. As a result I took a week, well actually two weeks and made a list of all the things I was trying to cram into a week (12 items). I then assigned a time limit to each and found that to really do that one thing well I needed to give it eight hours in my day, now times that by at least six. Long story short I need to cut everything that was not important. I hate routine I really do but if I am to accomplish any thing that is what I need—along with tons of discipline. Ceil

Amos 3:3

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

Hummm. As in marriage, friendship, business, religion of course or life in general? Ceil

2 Timothy 1: 7

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind."

So where does fear come from then?  The other guy?

Alma 37:6

"But behold I say unto you that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass:" 
I think of children who forgive so easily, who hug me even when I'm grumpy and love me anyway.

St John 17: 11

More from Christ great intercessory prayer.

"Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."

St John 17:3

From the great intercessory prayer: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
Probably the most important scripture in any book.

John 14:18

From my favoite book of the Bible, "I will not leave you comfortless:I will come to you."

Proverbs 23:9

"Speak not in the ears of a fool for he will despise the wisdom of thy words."
I think is something like casting pearls before swine.

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.  (or me ) It's it just so true. Just can't be someone we are not.

Pray always

Pray always that ye may not faint, until I come. How did it get to be Thursday all of a sudden?

Perfect Brightness of Hope

Last night in FHE our scripture was taken from 2 Nephi 31:20


“ ...ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men, Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”
Phil S has written a beautiful heart wrenching book entitled The Perfect Brightness of Hope, which I shall write more about in the coming days. His site is http://www.perfectbrightness.com/ or you can find him on Amazon.
Ceil

How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art is definitely one of my all time favorite songs. According to Wikipedia it is from a poem written by a Swedish minster, Carl Boberg in 1888. The song speaks to me because being claustrophobic, I prefer the wide open space of sky to the confines of human dwellings. In addition, there has always been something calming about trees and plants to me. If I am upset you will likely find me pulling the weeds out of my garden or admiring the many plants that live in my home. For my inspirational thought today I take verse two and three from the hymn How Great Thou Art.


When thru the woods and forest glade I wander and hear the birds singing sweetly in the trees, when I look down from lofty mountains grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. And when I think that God, his son not sparing sent him to die I scares can take it in. That on the cross my burden gladly bearing he bled and died to take away my sin then sings my soul my Savior God to thee how great thou art, how great thou art.
Ceil

I repent

I decided this morning that I can't get away with just posting once a week or whatever. I need to post daily if not for anyone else but myself.

From someone who hates the word can't I have to admit that I can not post to this blog every day. So I will post when I can. 
Along with the first chapter first verse of John
 the verses that follow that line of thought and I love verse 5 that says "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." It is just the feeling it leaves me with not so much as what it says.
Ceil

Another Favorite

John 1:1 "In the begining was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God."
As a child, long before I knew that the meaning of this scripture, it spoke peace to my soul.
Ceil

What is my favorite Scripture?

I guess my favorite scripture depends on where I am in my life. I have so many favorites but one of the first comes from 1 Corinthians 13. I love that entire chapter but verse 12 really stands out to me. "For now we see through a glass, darkly: but then face to face: now I know in part: but then shall I know even as also I am known."
I like the idea of  knowning even as also I am known. That thought fills me with peace and comfort.
Ceil