thumbnailCA0RLGK3

The Cow And The Stingray (Appreciating God’s Beauty)

May 20th, 2013 Scott
Print FriendlyPrint or Email

TheDiscipleMd

Many years ago our church held a youth conference that lasted for several days. The trip consisted of a lengthy bus ride, a three -night stay at a university campus, and sight-seeing of church historical sites. It was a wonderful experience and I was glad that I had the opportunity to attend it. Our church boundaries took in most parts of the inner city. Many of the inner city youth had never seen the countryside or had even been out of the state. As our bus rambled over the highway, I recall smiling when I heard one of the girls exclaim, “Look, there is a cow! I’ve never seen a live one before!” It had never crossed my mind that something of such little importance would be such a marvel to anyone. I looked out the window of our moving bus and, sure enough, there they were, some plain looking cows grazing in a field. I have seen plenty of cows in my day but I don’t recall ever looking at them in great awe. Some of these youths did. That day on the bus, I sat back in my seat and pondered about the many blessings that I overlook in my life. And although some might not think it is a “blessing” to be able to have seen a cow, I beg to differ. Being able to see the beauty of God’s work is always a blessing.

Many years ago my wife and I took a cruise. One of the “options” on the trip was to “swim with the stingrays”. And although I had seen stingrays in movies and television plenty of times, it didn’t hold a candle to the experience of swimming next to a “live” one. I still have a photo of my wife, standing in waist high water, huge grin on her face as she held one of those magnificent creatures in her arms. I was amazed at their beauty and grace as I swam next to them. To me, “swimming with the stingrays” was a highlight of the trip. I have never forgotten the feeling. But somehow the joy of seeing a cow has long since lost its luster.

Just this past year Thomas S. Monson quoted the English author Aldous Huxley, who wrote -

“Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted”

Then he gave great council when he said-

“…those things which provide deep and lasting happiness and gratitude are the things which money cannot buy: our families, the gospel, good friends, our health, our abilities, the love we receive from those around us. Unfortunately, these are some of the things we allow ourselves to take for granted” (“The Divine Gift of Gratitude”, October 2010, GC).

For most of us, “swimming with stingrays” rarely comes our way, so we feel enriched. But “seeing cows” comes so often, we forget to enjoy its beauty.  Let us not take for granted the common daily blessings in our lives.  So, the next time you see a cow, take a moment to appreciate its majestic and graceful nature. Because, if you look closely into its eyes, I’m sure you will see… the divinity of its creator, our Father

 

shaking hands

I Don’t Care What You Think Of Me!

May 17th, 2013 Scott
Print FriendlyPrint or Email

TheDiscipleMD

There is nothing like experience to teach you important lessons in life. And although, like most aging people, I feel young at heart and that my soul is still that of a teenager, you can’t help but gain wisdom and knowledge the longer you travel down life’s highway. So it was with a lesson I was taught by a woman in her early thirties. She came in to see me when I was a young and inexperienced Bishop. She had come to talk to me regarding a confidential matter. As we sat down I could see that she was very troubled. Over the course of the next hour she spoke to me of some things she had done before becoming married. As a young woman she had broken some serious commandments that she had never divulged to anyone. She had felt very burdened and wanted to make things right. We had a heartfelt conversation regarding repentance and it’s role in the healing of our souls. It seemed to me that she felt much better by the time our conversation ended. As she got up to leave I escorted her to the door. This was a sister who I admired and who was faithfully serving in her calling as a mother, wife and church member. In my desire to make her feel comfortable I said to her as I started to open the door, “I just want you to know that I don’t think any less of you after our conversation”. As she walked out the door, she turned and gave this unforgettable reply, “Bishop, I don’t care what you think of me, I care what the Lord thinks of me and that I am right with him!”

She taught me a lesson that I would never forget. She taught me that I was the temporary representative of Jesus Christ who had been given the keys and authority to handle such matters. She was coming to me to make things right between her and the Lord. Somehow I had lost sight of that. What I thought of her should have been of no significance.

I certainly had not meant to offend this sister, nor in any way diminish the process of repentance. Yet, by making such a statement I had done so unwittingly. After she left I sat at my desk and thought about that exchange. While I had meant what I said, it was clearly not an appropriate statement for me to have made to her. I have never made the mistake of saying something of that nature again. The revealed manner of repentance sometimes requires the participation of priesthood authority. But lest any of us think otherwise, repentance is a process strictly between an individual and Heavenly Father. While a priesthood leader may be involved, he is simply a third-party, called of God, who serves as a conduit and facilitator of the cleansing power that comes from God himself to His children

 

valley forge

The Pockmarked Army of God

May 16th, 2013 Scott
Print FriendlyPrint or Email

TheDiscipleMD

They are permanent marks on my face! They have been there since I was a kid, scars I received in a battle with the Chickenpox. On the right side of my face there are two pockmarks. They have faded, but they are still visible to the naked eye. They have become a part of my “personality”, a reminder that I won the battle against an opponent that would never invade again. Why, because I am now immune! Once conquered, the Chickenpox seldom if ever strikes the same victim again.

Historians have long known that about two-thirds of the American casualties during the Revolutionary war were caused by disease. What isn’t well-known is that the British soldiers were far less likely to die from disease because they had been exposed to many of the diseases of the day and were immune; much like I have become to the Chickenpox. But most of the continental army came from farms and were susceptible, especially to smallpox, a deadly killer. General George Washington understood the importance of not only fighting the British, but fighting the ravages of disease. In “His Excellency, George Washington”, Pulitzer prize-winning author Joseph J. Ellis wrote;

“When the British began their evacuation of Boston in March of 1776, he (Washington), ordered that only troops with pockmarked faces be allowed into the city. And although many educated Americans opposed inoculation, believing that it actually spread the disease, Washington strongly supported it…inoculation became mandatory for all troops serving in the Continental army…When historians debate Washington’s most consequential decisions as commander-in-chief, they are almost always arguing about specific battles. A compelling case can be made that his swift response to the smallpox epidemic and to a policy of inoculation was the most important strategic decision of his military career” (pg. 86-87)

There are numerous parallels to the battles experienced in the Revolutionary War and the war that is being waged on this earth for the souls of man. I am certain that many of us carry or will carry scars or pockmarks from spiritual battles fought. We don’t see these pockmarks when we look in the mirror because they are of the soul.  Yet, they are real and valuable to both us and to the Lord. Those spiritually pockmarked have been tried and tested and make the best soldiers. They are required to march into new territory! The Lord has faith in them! They have proven to both the Lord and to their fellow saints that they can be trusted. They have the countenance of Christ in their faces as evidence of their will and courage to win! They are the ones who have overcome the tragedy of losing loved ones. They are those whose burden has been heavy, but their backs have never been broken.

Others have been wise, and while they have not been in the heat of the battle, they have inoculated themselves for that day. These are those who pray often, read the scriptures, attend their meetings and do all the things the Lord has commanded. Perhaps they will never face the trials of the pockmarked, but they will be ready for that day. Either way, they are ready and the Lord has faith in them both.

The two pockmarks on the right side of my face will probably be there to the end of my days here on earth.  I can look at them as scars or I can look at them as proof of my inoculation and victory over chickenpox.  I can curse the Lord for the scars, or thank him for the character of my face. It is up to me to choose! It is the same with the pockmarks of the soul. We can choose to understand that they were given to inoculate us from evil, or become bitter and fall by the wayside. It is up to us to choose!

thumbnailCA6ZAA6A

There Is Always A Way Back!

May 15th, 2013 Scott
Print FriendlyPrint or Email

TheDiscipleMD

I’m sure it has been said many times before I heard it, but several years ago a member addressed the brethren of the priesthood in one of our meetings and said this, “Before sinning Satan wants us to believe that it’s “no big deal, that its nothing”.  However after we do, he says to us that it’s too big of a sin to overcome, there is no way back”.  I remember sitting on the stand and thinking how cunning and deceitful Satan can be.  I have spoken to many people who have expressed similar thoughts, who once deceived into sinning feel that there is no hope for return.

There are many examples in the scriptures of those who have gone down this road and fortunately they have found that the mercy of Jesus Christ is always extended.  There is always a way back! Who can forget the story of Saul, he who was persecuting the followers of Jesus Christ.  But, he changed his life and became an avid missionary for the gospel of Christ.  His change of heart was so complete that he took upon himself a new name, Paul! He stands as one of the greatest examples of how the Lord’s arms are forever reaching out to His children. This Saul of Taurus is the same man who held the clothes of the men who stoned Stephen while showing no remorse. (Acts 7) Ironically his repentance is so complete that, like Stephen, he too suffers a martyrs fate for the gospel.

Upon true repentance, lives can be cleansed and the light of the gospel can illuminate the entire soul.   We all recall the story of the “Master’s Touch”. His touch truly can heal us from pain and sin.  Many years ago I stood laughing to myself as I heard a lost driver yell out to another man for directions to his intended destination. The response of, “You can’t get there from here!” from the other man left me smiling. (I think the man was trying to say that the driver needed to turn around, not that it was impossible for him to get to another part of the city).  Well, you can “get there” from where you are because the Lord has provided the way through repentance.  It’s a remarkable thing, repentance.  It’s a remarkable thing, the atonement.  It’s a remarkable thing, the love of our Father.

« Older Entries
Subscribe to Free Daily Message