12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.
I have always loved this scripture! It is referring to when revelation was given for Emma Smith was to put together sacred hymns for the church. When I first read this scripture I thought of the many times that I have sat in sacrament meeting and felt as if the hymn I was singing was giving words to the prayer in my heart. I know that in those moments my Heavenly Father is listening - to my prayer.
When I looked closer at this scripture and its footnotes it can be read as "God delighteth in the communication of the heart" it also references the "song of the righteous" as a prayer. So whether it be a song that gives our prayer the words our heart was looking for or a prayer in our heart that communicates with our Heavenly Father; "it shall be answered". What am amazing promise!
If you chose a hymn to describe your prayer this morning, what would it be? "There is sunshine in my soul today" ... maybe "Lead kindly light amidst encircling gloom". Is it one of gratitude, need for comfort? Something to think about today as you say your prayers and keep a prayer in your heart.
Love,
Sister Emett
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Psalms 107:28-30
28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
These scriptures remind of the hymn Master, the Tempest is Raging, which goes, in part:
If we turn to the Lord in prayer during the "tempests" of our lives, He will calm the waves and help us weather the storm. I remember during a particularly stormy period of my life, I was feeling overwhelmed and unable to meet the challenges that I was facing. I said to a friend, "I don't know who said that the Lord doesn't give us more than we can handle, because that is not true! I can't handle this! It's too much for me!" Her response has always stuck with me. She said, "I don't know about that, but I do know that the scriptures say that with God nothing is impossible." (Mark 10:27). I really believe that there are things that come to us in our lives that we can't handle. Things that are bigger than us. Things that we are not prepared to endure. But, I also truly believe that it is in those times that we can turn our burdens over to the Lord, and He will help us carry them and will make it possible to do anything we need to do in our lives. So, if you find yourself in choppy water, turn to the Lord. Pray to your Father in Heaven, who loves you dearly. He will bring you through your storm and guide you into your desired haven. He will give you peace.
Love,
Sister Jones
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
These scriptures remind of the hymn Master, the Tempest is Raging, which goes, in part:
Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness.
No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threat’ning
A grave in the angry deep?
And then the assuring chorus:
The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:
Peace, be still, peace, be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, peace, be still.If we turn to the Lord in prayer during the "tempests" of our lives, He will calm the waves and help us weather the storm. I remember during a particularly stormy period of my life, I was feeling overwhelmed and unable to meet the challenges that I was facing. I said to a friend, "I don't know who said that the Lord doesn't give us more than we can handle, because that is not true! I can't handle this! It's too much for me!" Her response has always stuck with me. She said, "I don't know about that, but I do know that the scriptures say that with God nothing is impossible." (Mark 10:27). I really believe that there are things that come to us in our lives that we can't handle. Things that are bigger than us. Things that we are not prepared to endure. But, I also truly believe that it is in those times that we can turn our burdens over to the Lord, and He will help us carry them and will make it possible to do anything we need to do in our lives. So, if you find yourself in choppy water, turn to the Lord. Pray to your Father in Heaven, who loves you dearly. He will bring you through your storm and guide you into your desired haven. He will give you peace.
Love,
Sister Jones
Sunday, May 29, 2011
1 Thessalonians 5:17-23
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These scriptures have many ideas and blessing of ways to get the most of our prayers. Praying always, with gratitude for all our blessings. A few General Conference's ago Elder Bednar give a talk about gratitude, he suggested that once in a while when we pray we should only say thank you for our blessing and not ask for anything. I have tried this, I remember one morning when I started my prayer and I felt the spirit whisper "make this a gratitude prayer", at first I didn't want to, I had so much to ask for and help in many areas for my day, but I tried it and by the end of my prayer I was so glad. I felt love from Heavenly Father, I felt more grateful for all the blessing I have and the problems that I needed help from seemed a little more doable. I was also thinking of Verse 19 "Quench Not the Spirit". Who would not want the spirit, who would try and put it out when you have the spirit with you? Well surprisingly enough, all of us. Many times we have the spirit, we know that prayers work, we felt the power in reading our scriptures, we get blessing from priesthood blessing. But mornings come and we don't have time to pray, night time comes and we are to sleepy to say our prayer, we don't ask for special blessing because we think we should do things on our own, we are quenching the spirit, we are not letting the spirit work in us. The cool thing is Heavenly Father knows this is how we learn and grow, he will still be there. Jesus Christ is still there with his arms wide open. Each day we try, we are better than we think. Love Sister MaryAnn Jensen
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Alma 37:36-37
36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Need Help? Ask God!, Need Guidance? Ask God!, Isn't it wonderful, (with all we have to do every day, places to go, meetings, doctor appointments, school, church, work, etc.) when we want God in our lives, all we have to do is Ask. No where to go, No appointment to make, No open/closed hours to worry about. Just make the moment and Ask God!
The other day, someone who hadn't seen me in a few weeks, made the comment, where is Carol's smiling face? It made me stop and think. What am I doing with my life, how will I be remembered by those around me. If I counsel with the Lord in all my doings, I think I will be appreciated for what I bring. (Even if my own kids, just think I'm a mean old mom.)
When I wake up am I happy and greatful for the new day? When I go to bed, do I ask God to watch over me, and keep me safe from harm?
When I work on this blog, I feel so good about what I write, until a few days later, I re-read my comments, and see that you could really be confused about what I mean......so, Please pray about these scriptures, and then with the Lord and Holy Ghost's help, you will understand.
As always with Love and Gratitude, Sister Woolsey
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Need Help? Ask God!, Need Guidance? Ask God!, Isn't it wonderful, (with all we have to do every day, places to go, meetings, doctor appointments, school, church, work, etc.) when we want God in our lives, all we have to do is Ask. No where to go, No appointment to make, No open/closed hours to worry about. Just make the moment and Ask God!
The other day, someone who hadn't seen me in a few weeks, made the comment, where is Carol's smiling face? It made me stop and think. What am I doing with my life, how will I be remembered by those around me. If I counsel with the Lord in all my doings, I think I will be appreciated for what I bring. (Even if my own kids, just think I'm a mean old mom.)
When I wake up am I happy and greatful for the new day? When I go to bed, do I ask God to watch over me, and keep me safe from harm?
When I work on this blog, I feel so good about what I write, until a few days later, I re-read my comments, and see that you could really be confused about what I mean......so, Please pray about these scriptures, and then with the Lord and Holy Ghost's help, you will understand.
As always with Love and Gratitude, Sister Woolsey
Friday, May 27, 2011
Moroni 7:26
26 And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.
Memorial Day is a bittersweet holiday for me. I look forward to it because it means that the school year is almost over and that I get 2 1/2 months off of work (Yaa!!). What makes it bittersweet is the trip we take to the cemetery every year. It's been almost 15 years since I lost my Dad to cancer. While I remember him often, on Memorial day we visit his grave site. It's an interesting thing to look down at a gravestone of someone who had such a huge impact on your life. I often wonder as I do so, what he thinks of me and what I have done with my life. His gravestone lists his name, my mom's name, and the names of each of his children. That means that my own name is right there next to his on that gravestone. Maybe you've heard the question before, "What have you done with my name?" That is what goes through my mind as I am there at that physical reminder of my Dad.
My dad was (and is) one of my greatest heroes. He was my champion, my cheerleader. Much of what I accomplished in my high school and college career was motivated in part by a desire to please him, to make him proud of me. He listened to me when I cried, he cheered my successes, he fueled my love of music, and even greatly influenced my career decision. I was blessed to have my Dad as one of my professors in graduate school. He would babysit my oldest when he was just a baby and I was in class, and proudly show him off to all of his colleagues (or just anyone that was around). I knew that he loved my child as much as he loved me.
Because of how much he loved me, it is still important to me that I live a life that he would be proud of. What have I done with his name? Have I lived a life that reflects all of the wonderful qualities that he taught me? Would someone who knew him, recognize his wonderful qualities in me, his daughter?
This scriptures invites us, through faith, to become sons (or daughters) of God. All of our Heavenly Father's good qualities are inside of us, because we are his children. As much as my Dad loves me, and I love him, our Heavenly Father's love for us is even stronger! It's hard to even comprehend how much love that is. In return, are we living up to His name? When I stand at my Dad's graveside, I make a renewed commitment to do a better job of living up to who he wanted me to be. When I pray, that is my chance to let my Heavenly Father know that I want to be recognized as one of His daughters. To recommit to live a life that He can be proud of. Just as my own Dad was there to listen to me through my tears, our Heavenly Father wants to hear all of our problems. Just as my Dad was my biggest supporter, our Heavenly Father wants, more than anything, for us to be happy and successful in our life's journey. When you say your prayers today, think of someone who is your biggest champion, and remember that your Heavenly Father loves you even more perfectly. Wow! Aren't we lucky to know that?
Have a wonderful day knowing how much you are loved!
Sis. Norris
Memorial Day is a bittersweet holiday for me. I look forward to it because it means that the school year is almost over and that I get 2 1/2 months off of work (Yaa!!). What makes it bittersweet is the trip we take to the cemetery every year. It's been almost 15 years since I lost my Dad to cancer. While I remember him often, on Memorial day we visit his grave site. It's an interesting thing to look down at a gravestone of someone who had such a huge impact on your life. I often wonder as I do so, what he thinks of me and what I have done with my life. His gravestone lists his name, my mom's name, and the names of each of his children. That means that my own name is right there next to his on that gravestone. Maybe you've heard the question before, "What have you done with my name?" That is what goes through my mind as I am there at that physical reminder of my Dad.
My dad was (and is) one of my greatest heroes. He was my champion, my cheerleader. Much of what I accomplished in my high school and college career was motivated in part by a desire to please him, to make him proud of me. He listened to me when I cried, he cheered my successes, he fueled my love of music, and even greatly influenced my career decision. I was blessed to have my Dad as one of my professors in graduate school. He would babysit my oldest when he was just a baby and I was in class, and proudly show him off to all of his colleagues (or just anyone that was around). I knew that he loved my child as much as he loved me.
Because of how much he loved me, it is still important to me that I live a life that he would be proud of. What have I done with his name? Have I lived a life that reflects all of the wonderful qualities that he taught me? Would someone who knew him, recognize his wonderful qualities in me, his daughter?
This scriptures invites us, through faith, to become sons (or daughters) of God. All of our Heavenly Father's good qualities are inside of us, because we are his children. As much as my Dad loves me, and I love him, our Heavenly Father's love for us is even stronger! It's hard to even comprehend how much love that is. In return, are we living up to His name? When I stand at my Dad's graveside, I make a renewed commitment to do a better job of living up to who he wanted me to be. When I pray, that is my chance to let my Heavenly Father know that I want to be recognized as one of His daughters. To recommit to live a life that He can be proud of. Just as my own Dad was there to listen to me through my tears, our Heavenly Father wants to hear all of our problems. Just as my Dad was my biggest supporter, our Heavenly Father wants, more than anything, for us to be happy and successful in our life's journey. When you say your prayers today, think of someone who is your biggest champion, and remember that your Heavenly Father loves you even more perfectly. Wow! Aren't we lucky to know that?
Have a wonderful day knowing how much you are loved!
Sis. Norris
Thursday, May 26, 2011
D&C 68:28
28 And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.
One of my favorite quotes goes something like this, "Preach the Gospel. And, if necessary use words." The best way to teach someone is by example. I know you Young Women don't have children yet, but if you get in the habit now of praying morning and night (and throughout the day), you can carry that into your marriage. Then, as you kneel in prayer alone and with your husband, your children will see you and their testimony of prayer will be strengthened. They will learn to pray from your example. And, won't it be easier to start that habit now rather then when you have little children running around? I testify to you that the things you learn now, and the habits that you form now will effect your life as a wife and a mother. Start today and make morning and evening prayer a priority in your life. Then, when you do have children they will learn from your example and will "walk uprightly before the Lord".
Love you,
Sister Norman
One of my favorite quotes goes something like this, "Preach the Gospel. And, if necessary use words." The best way to teach someone is by example. I know you Young Women don't have children yet, but if you get in the habit now of praying morning and night (and throughout the day), you can carry that into your marriage. Then, as you kneel in prayer alone and with your husband, your children will see you and their testimony of prayer will be strengthened. They will learn to pray from your example. And, won't it be easier to start that habit now rather then when you have little children running around? I testify to you that the things you learn now, and the habits that you form now will effect your life as a wife and a mother. Start today and make morning and evening prayer a priority in your life. Then, when you do have children they will learn from your example and will "walk uprightly before the Lord".
Love you,
Sister Norman
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Helaman 3:35
"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."
As a kindergartner, you probably made an art project of a traffic light and learned a song about the meaning of each color of that light. And then as you got in the car with your parents, you watched and understood that green meant go and red meant stop, but when the light turned yellow, you may have become puzzled because people didn’t always slow down. In our fast paced society, many drivers ignore the prepare to stop warning given by the yellow light and instead increase their speed in order to make it through the light. If you have driven through the roundabout on 4800 West, you probably have realized that the yield signs are often ignored by many drivers. When obeyed, these signs and lights keep those on the roads safe, but when ignored can put our lives at risk. When we follow the sign and yield, we give way to the other driver. At times, we may need to exercise patience in following these traffic laws. Those who ignore the lights and signs usually feel as if they know what is best.
As a kindergartner, you probably made an art project of a traffic light and learned a song about the meaning of each color of that light. And then as you got in the car with your parents, you watched and understood that green meant go and red meant stop, but when the light turned yellow, you may have become puzzled because people didn’t always slow down. In our fast paced society, many drivers ignore the prepare to stop warning given by the yellow light and instead increase their speed in order to make it through the light. If you have driven through the roundabout on 4800 West, you probably have realized that the yield signs are often ignored by many drivers. When obeyed, these signs and lights keep those on the roads safe, but when ignored can put our lives at risk. When we follow the sign and yield, we give way to the other driver. At times, we may need to exercise patience in following these traffic laws. Those who ignore the lights and signs usually feel as if they know what is best.
Yield means to give way to influence, to submit, or surrender. When we yield our hearts to God, we willingly give way for His influence to be felt and submit to His desires for us. We must slow down and allow His spirit to be felt. We acknowledge that He knows what is best for us. We recognize that obeying His laws brings us safety. At times, our patience may be tested when we want trials to be removed and answers to come quickly. The Bible dictionary states that “Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them.” As you kneel to pray today, before asking for the things you want, take the time to slow down and yield to your Father’s influence, and then ask for the blessings that He desires for you. Don't be in a hurry as you pray because you will miss the moments God has given you to feel His love for you.
Love, Sister Linnell
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