Scripture Power

Our Primary president has chosen the song for the primary children to learn this month - "Scripture Power". Here's a link to it if you want to listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOvkLfobHgc. When I first heard it I really hated it. I hated the tune (I still kinda hate the tune) and I hated the way the song was written...and I even hated the title. I'm the music person in primary and this song says:

Because I want to be like the Savior, and I can

I'm reading His instructions, I'm following His plan

Because I want the power His word will give to me

I'm changing how I live, I'm changing what I'll be

I'll find the sword of truth in each scripture that I learn.

I'll take the shield of faith from these pages that I turn.

I'll wear each vital part of the armor of the Lord

And fight my daily battles, and win a great reward

CHORUS

Scripture power keeps me safe from sin

Scripture power is the power to win!

Scripture power, everyday I need

The power that I get each time I read.

I read Ephesians 6:11 (below) and got the kids to put on a bunch of Jordan's hockey gear as we talked about how reading the scriptures gives you strength and protection. The kids loved singing this song. The words are kind of cheesy and I wouldn't be surprised if I saw Ted Flanders' kids singing this on the Simpsons - but the words are true and the message is so very important that I love this song despite it's package. I also love watching the kids belt this song, they're not snobs, they just love what is good, true and kinda fun. I think that's admirable.

11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

More thoughts on the widows mite

Linds posted some beautiful thoughts on the story of the widows mite a few weeks ago but when I was reading it today in Luke 21 I was reminded again how much I absolutely love this story. Dad and I have this Christensen print hanging in our room because its such a favorite of ours.

To me this story is about one of the founding principles of Christianity - Sacrifice. It was Christ's sacrifice for each one of us which will allow us all to return to live with God again. And sacrifice stems from one source. Christ explained this to us when he described the action

of another woman who had served him:

He said...'for she loved much' (Luke 7:47). The impetus for sacrifice - Love.

A Strong Purpose to Defend

I came across a great scripture in Alma 43 today, verse 9. I know it's not from the New Testament but I wanted to share.
"And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires." I love this verse. The Nephites were working hard to defend themselves against the Lamanites. Their reason in doing so was to uphold their homes and families, whereas the Lamanites wanted monarchy and power.

I have been thinking about protecting and upholding families in more ways than one- First of all, by being prepared for emergencies: small or big. One way to do this is to have 72 hour kits for everyone, with food, water, games and appropriate clothes for each person. By following this God given counsel we can defend our lives and homes and liberty should we find ourselves in dire straits. Spence and I are on the Emergency Prep committee in our ward & I am in charge of overseeing this aspect of preparation so it's really on my brain. Caleb pointed out the kit Puentes have the other day and I know for sure he's proud of it. Spencer and I are also continuing to build ours up.

A second way we can defend and uphold our families is through spiritual preparation. This is important too. If we have been feeding our testimonies and praying and helping others then we will be morally strong, with oil in our lamps shoudl we find ourselves in a tough setting. Anyway, can anyone think of other ways we can defend and uphold our families? Love you guys :)

The Prodigal Son

The religion class I am taking right now is the first half of the New Testament, aka The Gospels. So really I should be posting on this blog more! But anyways, last class we talked about the parable of the prodigal son. We all know it well, so I won't waste your time recounting it. But I wanted to focus on one person in particular- the brother who stayed home, did his duty, and was righteous. I've always found the situation to be a bit unfair to that brother. That he should be forced to welcome his brother who had sinned so much with open arms, and completely forgive him right away. After all, he had been working so hard while his brother frittered away his money and had fun.
I thought a lot about this after class. Of course, a lot of people in the church could probably identify with this brother. It seems unfair that those who have been so righteous should be at the exact same level of glory as those who repent near the end. However, I realized how important it really is to welcome people back from sin and be nonjudgmental. People who have sinned go through a lot of pain to arrive where they are, which is something we often forget. And we're not losing any glory by welcoming these people back, instead we will be gaining companions! Being nonjudgmental is something I always strive to do, especially since I myself am far from being perfect.
There are of course a lot of other interpretations of this parable. We could count each one of us as the prodigal son, since we all sin, while the other brother could be thought of as people like the Pharisees, who just think they are being righteous while they are also guilty of sin. Anyways, those are my thoughts on this parable, I've always thought it is an interesting one.

The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock

I don't know where everyone else is in their NT scripture reading but I'm happy to be reading in Luke right now - love the stories and parables.

Gramps and I have been looking at houses in the Belgravia area of Edmonton and so have spent time looking at basements. Almost all the houses there are at least 50 years old and there are more than a few of them that have cracks in the foundations. A lot of houses are purchased with the idea of remodeling so in order to do that a solid foundation is key.

I thought of this scripture in Luke 6, that I read just today -

47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and ^adoeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

The solid foundations of prayer, scripture study and temple attendance help us to face challenges and disappointments. But that solid foundation also helps us to improve, enhance, and beautify our own lives and the lives of others.

1 Corinthians 3:19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."

I've been thinking lately how some common ways of life nowadays have gone far off from God's ways... Mothers hiring someone else to raise their kids when they really don't need to work, people living on credit so they can have the latest trendy clothes, lots of people working way way too much and not spending time with family... I'm not saying that work or fashion in themselves are bad, but I am saying that I've seen people lose balance and that it's easy to go along with what's right in front of you instead of seeking out what God thinks about it.

I was at the Doctor's and read this quote from the bulletin board at reception:

“Good Morning, this is God. I will be handling all your problems today and I won’t need your help.” I liked it, was also inspired by Dad's post, and connected this in with my New Testament reading about how man’s ways are not God’s ways.

James 4:4 ...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

I thought about how so many times in my life I think I know what's best for me. In reality, I discover each time that by putting my faith and trust in God, He'll make my life better than I ever can. He knows the best timing and manner in which to deliver blessings. Look at my recent marriage, for example. If I had not held out for a little while, I wouldn't have met Spence! God knows what I should do and has a plan for me. This still requires doing everything in my power to make these things happen, but it’s a matter of letting Him take charge.

I also recently reread a short story by Tolstoy. It's a good one and really highlights that it's tragic when someone just 'follows the crowd' as opposed to listening to the 'little voice' that's God: 'The Death of Ivan Ilych:'

http://books.google.com/books?id=49qJW9M8O0wC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+death+of+ ivan+ilych,+tolstoy&hl=en&ei=955ITfPvEIGesQOgsNGfAg&sa= X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAQ#v= onepage&q&f=false

Anyway, I think God knows more than man so why not listen to Him?

Fish Oil Might Work

I've been keeping up with the NT reading schedule, so I've spent the last few weeks in the epistles.

I don't know how it is for anyone else, but for me the verses in the epistles are the hardest ones to focus on. My mind is always wandering and sometimes by the end of the chapter I think 'what was it I just read?' I know when I taught the NT in seminary that I was always struggling for ways to make the epistles interesting.

I've tried different methods to keep my mind focused - one being that after each verse I pause and ask - how does this apply to me? Sometimes that helps - but in today's reading of II Peter 2, the first 10 verses or so were all so interconnected that I found that method didn't help much.

Sometimes I read out loud, very theatrically. Or sometimes I just try to find one verse that I think would be wonderful enough to cross stitch and hang on the wall - like the one in I Peter 5:14 - 'Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity'

We'll soon we'll be reading Luke - I always do better with stories.

Or maybe I just need to up my daily dosage of fish oil - when you get to be my vintage that's required stuff for the brain.