I flicked on the lightswitch in our bedroom the other day and it got me thinking...
We have those new energy-efficient lightbulbs that everyone's getting these days. You know the ones that take forever to actually get bright? I was thinking about how our testimonies are kinda like that. When we first gain a testimony of something, it's kind of like switching on the light. At first you notice a big difference because you've gone from total darkness to being able to see what's around you. But then, if you keep waiting the light gets brighter. Sometimes it happens so slowly that you don't really notice a change at first. But if you compare how much brighter it is from when you first turned the light on, you can definitely tell that the light is getting stronger.
Strangely enough, the scripture at the top of my blog has this same principle in it. (And I didn't even plan that!) :)
"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." -D&C 50:24
Take a minute and look at something you have a testimony of (prayer, scripture study, following the propeht, paying tithing, etc.) Think about when it first really clicked with you. Now look where you are. It's a lot brighter huh? The important thing to remember though is that you have to leave the electricity running through the lightbulb long enough to let it get bright. Just the same, you have to keep feeding and building your testimony if you expect it to get brighter and stronger.
Showing posts with label scriptures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scriptures. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
#14: 'TUTE!
Okay, this post was inevitable. I'm just too crazy about Institute classes to not say something about them when I have an audience. If you have never attended an Institute class or--perish the thought--never even heard of Institute, let me clue you in on what you've been missing all your life. :)
Let's start with the basics.
What exactly is Institute, you may ask? Well to quote the official web page...
This is how Franc describes institute:
Institute is a safe place. :)
How do I describe Institute?
Institute is a place where I have come to know who my Savior is, who my God is, and who I am. The Insitute offers wonderful scripture-based classes on a variety of topics. Whether you want to learn the history behind the events in the Old Testament, understand the life of Jesus Christ more clearly, study the early beginnings of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, listen to stories of women recorded in the scriptures, or study the words of living prophets, Institute offers something for EVERYONE (and that list only mentions a few of the classes I've taken through the Institute). Not to mention the leadership opportunities you can take advantage of (which looks great on a resume, by the way) or all the free food (because let's face it, we're starving college students).
It's through institute that I've made friends, strengthened my relationship with Jesus Christ, and learned to better recognize the promptings of the holy spirit. Making Institute a part of my life during college also helped me to realize how many people believe the same things I believe and try just as hard as I do to live great lives. When you're in the 18-30 bracket, it's really easy to get caught up in school and work and life and feel like you're the only one trying to live the standards you've set for yourself. By involving yourself in Institute, you find yourself surrounded by people that not only accept your standards, they help you to live them!
Now, I know what you're going to say, "With my schedule I don't have time for Institute" or "The Institute building is too far away from where I live".
Those are just excuses.
Trust me.
I did the whole college thing full-time (16 credits a semester) for 5 years, plus a 15-20 hour per week job most semesters, and I lived 40 minutes away from campus. If I had given into those same excuses I would have missed some of the best experiences of. my. life. Don't make the mistake of losing out on some incredible experiences and friendships just because right now you can't see how far institute can take you.
President Thomas S. Monson (a prophet of God) gave us a promise if we make institute a priority in our lives. He says:
Did you catch all those promises? Friends. The spirit of God. Increased faith. Power to avoid temptation. Direction in life. Divine favor. If that's not something you want in your life, you're reading the wrong blog. I'm not sure if I've ever met someone that doesn't want those things. The hard part in life is to figure out where to find all that...
And I'll give you a clue:
I JUST TOLD YOU WHERE TO FIND IT.
So go get it. A prophet of God just promised you that's where you'll find it all. And I can tell you from experience that it's true. I found ALL those things when I went to Institute.
Now that I've got you hooked on Institute, what's the next step? I'm glad you asked. Simply visit the Institute of Religion website for info on classes, locations, FAQs, videos, and more info. Or if you already know where your local Institute meets, just walk right in. There's plenty of people to tell you about classes and upcoming activities. You won't regret taking an Institute class. It's free, it's wonderful, it's Institute.
What are you waiting for?
Let's start with the basics.
What exactly is Institute, you may ask? Well to quote the official web page...
"Institutes of religion provide weekday religious instruction for single and married post-secondary students. Other married and young single adults ages 18-30 are also welcome to attend. Adult religion classes are available for those over 30. A variety of free distance-learning classes, including religion courses are also available."If that wasn't enough to convince you that it's awesome, just ask Franc how cool Institute is...
"With a worldwide enrollment of 350,000 students in over 2,500 locations, there is an institute of religion near you. Institute is a safe haven from the pressures, trials, and challenges of the world. Institute is concerned with education for eternity and provides an opportunity for students to be touched and nurtured by the Spirit through classes and activities."
This is how Franc describes institute:
(This video cracks me up by the way)
Institute is a safe place. :)
How do I describe Institute?
Institute is a place where I have come to know who my Savior is, who my God is, and who I am. The Insitute offers wonderful scripture-based classes on a variety of topics. Whether you want to learn the history behind the events in the Old Testament, understand the life of Jesus Christ more clearly, study the early beginnings of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, listen to stories of women recorded in the scriptures, or study the words of living prophets, Institute offers something for EVERYONE (and that list only mentions a few of the classes I've taken through the Institute). Not to mention the leadership opportunities you can take advantage of (which looks great on a resume, by the way) or all the free food (because let's face it, we're starving college students).
It's through institute that I've made friends, strengthened my relationship with Jesus Christ, and learned to better recognize the promptings of the holy spirit. Making Institute a part of my life during college also helped me to realize how many people believe the same things I believe and try just as hard as I do to live great lives. When you're in the 18-30 bracket, it's really easy to get caught up in school and work and life and feel like you're the only one trying to live the standards you've set for yourself. By involving yourself in Institute, you find yourself surrounded by people that not only accept your standards, they help you to live them!
Now, I know what you're going to say, "With my schedule I don't have time for Institute" or "The Institute building is too far away from where I live".
Those are just excuses.
Trust me.
I did the whole college thing full-time (16 credits a semester) for 5 years, plus a 15-20 hour per week job most semesters, and I lived 40 minutes away from campus. If I had given into those same excuses I would have missed some of the best experiences of. my. life. Don't make the mistake of losing out on some incredible experiences and friendships just because right now you can't see how far institute can take you.
President Thomas S. Monson (a prophet of God) gave us a promise if we make institute a priority in our lives. He says:
"Think of it. Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise which I leave with you."
President Thomas S. Monson (April 21, 2009)
Did you catch all those promises? Friends. The spirit of God. Increased faith. Power to avoid temptation. Direction in life. Divine favor. If that's not something you want in your life, you're reading the wrong blog. I'm not sure if I've ever met someone that doesn't want those things. The hard part in life is to figure out where to find all that...
And I'll give you a clue:
I JUST TOLD YOU WHERE TO FIND IT.
So go get it. A prophet of God just promised you that's where you'll find it all. And I can tell you from experience that it's true. I found ALL those things when I went to Institute.
Now that I've got you hooked on Institute, what's the next step? I'm glad you asked. Simply visit the Institute of Religion website for info on classes, locations, FAQs, videos, and more info. Or if you already know where your local Institute meets, just walk right in. There's plenty of people to tell you about classes and upcoming activities. You won't regret taking an Institute class. It's free, it's wonderful, it's Institute.
What are you waiting for?
Thursday, April 5, 2012
#12: A sabbath day throwdown? Not quite!
Maybe you've noticed by now that the Old Testament is pretty harsh. Take this passage for example:
Exodus 31:12-17
12 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Exodus 31:12-17
12 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Everyone that defileth the sabbath shall surely be put to death?! Ouch. Whatever happened to that merciful Father that is loving and forgiving? Oh well, you think, it's just the Old Testament, it's not like that part's really applicable anymore...
But aren't we supposed to "liken the scriptures" to ourselves? So that means there's got to be a connection somewhere, right? Maybe there is. Try this one on for size:
Nowhere in this passage does it say that you'll suffer physical death if you don't keep the sabbath day. There are two kinds of death: physical (which we're all aware of) and spiritual (which is separation from God because of the choices we make). Perhaps the scripture is talking about the second one. When we don't make time for church, we are separating ourselves from our Father in Heaven (spiritual death).
The second part of verse 14 makes sense in that context as well. If you don't go to church, you're cutting yourself off from that association and fellowship with those that share your values and beliefs. Why would you do that to yourself?
This Easter Sunday make the effort to go to church. Then keep coming back! Make sabbath day observance (including church attendance) a priority in your life and watch God work miracles with the rest of your week.
Everyone that defileth the sabbath shall surely be put to death?! Ouch. Whatever happened to that merciful Father that is loving and forgiving? Oh well, you think, it's just the Old Testament, it's not like that part's really applicable anymore...
But aren't we supposed to "liken the scriptures" to ourselves? So that means there's got to be a connection somewhere, right? Maybe there is. Try this one on for size:
Nowhere in this passage does it say that you'll suffer physical death if you don't keep the sabbath day. There are two kinds of death: physical (which we're all aware of) and spiritual (which is separation from God because of the choices we make). Perhaps the scripture is talking about the second one. When we don't make time for church, we are separating ourselves from our Father in Heaven (spiritual death).
The second part of verse 14 makes sense in that context as well. If you don't go to church, you're cutting yourself off from that association and fellowship with those that share your values and beliefs. Why would you do that to yourself?
This Easter Sunday make the effort to go to church. Then keep coming back! Make sabbath day observance (including church attendance) a priority in your life and watch God work miracles with the rest of your week.
Friday, February 24, 2012
#9: No half-hearted prayers, please
"Ye must pray always, and not faint" (2 Nephi 32:8-9)
Heard this one before? I've heard this scripture plenty of times in many lessons and there are many different ways that this one line could be interpreted based on an individual's circumstances. I've heard it explained that we should pray always and not give up; that we should pray always and our prayers will sustain us; these are all very nice and very applicable but I never felt that this scripture really spoke to me. Until it was explained to me in a whole different way.
Turns out there's a few different definitions of the word faint (I love looking up definitions if you can't tell by now). The definitions below made this scripture light up like a firework for me!
"Pray always, and not faint"... it's almost like the Lord is saying "Pray, yes, but I don't want any half-hearted prayers. Give me the real thing. Really talk to me."
Now it makes sense. The Lord is giving us specific instructions on how to get the most out of our prayers. We can pray all day long but if our prayers aren't clear, loud, strong, and heartfelt, what are we really going to get out of it? Not nearly as much as if we really talk to Heavenly Father. He wants the real thing. A real conversation with us.
Let us pray always...and not faint!
Heard this one before? I've heard this scripture plenty of times in many lessons and there are many different ways that this one line could be interpreted based on an individual's circumstances. I've heard it explained that we should pray always and not give up; that we should pray always and our prayers will sustain us; these are all very nice and very applicable but I never felt that this scripture really spoke to me. Until it was explained to me in a whole different way.
Turns out there's a few different definitions of the word faint (I love looking up definitions if you can't tell by now). The definitions below made this scripture light up like a firework for me!
faint
adjective
1. lacking brightness, vividness, clearness, loudness, strength, etc.
2. feeble or slight
3. feeling weak, dizzy, or exhausted; about to lose consciousness
4. lacking courage; cowardly; timorous
Now it makes sense. The Lord is giving us specific instructions on how to get the most out of our prayers. We can pray all day long but if our prayers aren't clear, loud, strong, and heartfelt, what are we really going to get out of it? Not nearly as much as if we really talk to Heavenly Father. He wants the real thing. A real conversation with us.
Let us pray always...and not faint!
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