At The Back Door by Robert Duncan
One of my mother’s “famous sayings” when I was growing up, [used with increasing frequency and urgency the older my siblings and I became], was “Please Remember Who You Are!” Without fail, as we were running out the door to play with friends, or to have a “sleep over”, attend a party or go to Prom, Mother’s voice could be heard calling after us; “Please Remember Who You Are!“
As time went by, it became an inside joke to see Continue reading
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Some of the most sublime and thought-provoking teachings of Jesus can be found in the 5th Chapter of Matthew , in the New Testamant – called The Sermon on The Mount. Not far from the city of Nazareth, a large crowd gathered on a hill. They had a commanding view of the beautiful Sea of Galilee as they listened to the man who had calmed its waves and walked upon its sparkling water. Continue reading
On December 19th, 2010 [yesterday] Mr. MoSop [aka Peeps] and I celebrated Twenty-One Years of Marital Bliss.
But. . .not precisely.
I suppose the correct term would be “commemorated” – or simply “acknowledged” our 21 years – since the last I checked, “celebrate” tends to imply throwing a party, or at least actually doing something together to mark the passage of time!
Since the birth of this blog, Continue reading
“‘Tis the season to be jolly!” 
Christmas is the season of giving, which is the very essense of the spirit of Jesus Christ – who’s birth we celebrate. What better opportunity to give kindness, and participate in a little “Smile Experiment”? Continue reading
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When I heard the story of Narayanan Krishnan, my heart was deeply touched and I was moved to tears. I cannot think of a better story to share as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ – whose ministry was devoted to the forgotten and neediest of society. Continue reading
I don’t know the exact moment I realized my Mom was getting older. It certainly seemed to creep up on both of us! This fact still catches me off guard when Continue reading
In a world where we experience a continual barrage of discouraging information and negative news, it often seems impossible to find hope. How do we rise above it all? How can we find higher meaning? How do we have faith?
I’ve learned through personal experience that it is only by entering darkness that we may emerge into brighter light. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a tragedy to give new perspective, but also allows us to experience a miracle, like the story of Bronson. Continue reading
This is a story about how one unlikely girl fulfilled her dream of becoming a cheerleader. It’s really a story about hope, and love, and what’s still right with the world. Continue reading
President Thomas S. Monson
Happy ”Valentine’s Eve”! I would like to share the following story about love shared by President Thomas S. Monson,of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Continue reading
Each year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in conjunction with Brigham Young University, offers a week-long summer program for teens ages 14-18 called “Especially For Youth” (“EFY” for short). The first EFY program was held in 1976 in Provo, Utah. Continue reading
While driving to work, I had a favorite CD playing in my car – a collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs. I was preoccupied with the traffic, so the music mainly provided a soothing background. At one point, the lyrics of a particular song caught my attention. I felt moved by the sentiment of the words:
Love,
Love Changes Everything:
Hands and Faces,
Earth and Sky.
Love,
Love changes everything:
How you live and
How you die……Love will never let you be the same
- Lyrics by Don Black & Charles Hart
I realize that these lyrics were meant to refer to romantic love, but I couldn’t help reflect that in relation to the gift of charity, love really does change everything! When we are possessed with pure Christlike love, the way we feel about ourselves, the way we feel about others, and even the way we experience reality is never the same. Christlike love is not the giddy wave of affection we often associate with romantic love. It is something much more subtle, something deeper. It is a love that does not alter with our moods or with external circumstances.
If we continue earnestly, with faith and hope in Christ to seek the gift of charity, it will be granted to us. We can become filled with a love of God and of all people. The apostle Paul gave a beautiful promise:
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
- Ephesians 3:17-19
Video: “Love Changes Everything” performed by Michael Ball
We continue this week’s theme of love with a masterful sermon given on the subject by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This message was delivered at the 179th Semi-Annual General Conference on October 3, 2009.
President Uchtdorf
“Our Father in Heaven has given us, His children, much more than any mortal mind can comprehend. Under His direction the Great Jehovah created this wondrous world we live in. God the Father watches over us, fills our hearts with breathtaking joy, brightens our darkest hours with blessed peace, distills upon our minds precious truths, shepherds us through times of distress, rejoices when we rejoice, and answers our righteous petitions.”
The entire text, entitled “The Love of God” is worth careful study. I have included a video clip of the last half of this powerful message for you to ponder and enjoy. May we never forget;
” Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely….Since “God is love,”the closer we approach Him, the more profoundly we experience love.”
Happy Valentines Week!
