Last night I was in the kitchen and a song came into my mind that I haven't even thought about for a very long time.
It is a song written about the Biblical account of the Good Samaritan. It's entitled "Do Likewise My Friend."
That parable is one of my favorites. I love the account and the meaning it has for each one of us.
"Do likewise my friend, so simple the call, from the Greatest of all. Do likewise my friend, and you shall live. Do likewise my friend."
Those lyrics remind me of the obligation we have as sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father.
I love that this particular song was recounted in my mind. In fact, I went upstairs and pulled it up on YouTube and listened to it.
I want to follow the desire of my Father. It's great knowledge to have!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Daddy, Are You There?
Our two boys and I attended a father and sons camp outing at the church owned property called Aspencrest. It was a remarkable time and there was a fairly good showing from members of our ward.
I need to share an experience with you that was profound and touching to my heart.
Early Saturday morning, I awakened by the sound of a small child crying. I thought that it was a dream and so I listened carefully until I could hear the crying. Soon a bright light shone in our tent and the young voice asked, "Are you there, daddy?" I told the child that I was not his daddy but I asked him who he was. He answered back with his name and I immediately knew that his tent was nearby where we were sleeping. His father eventually heard the call from the child and he found his way.
You might not think this is that big of a deal but the parallel became very apparent to me.
I know that my Father is there but there have been times in my life that I have needed His comfort and I have asked the same question the young child asked. "Are you there?"
We can ask that question as often as we want and His answer will never disappoint. He helps us in times of need.
I am thankful for the precious experience I had while camping with our sons. I will never forget it.
I need to share an experience with you that was profound and touching to my heart.
Early Saturday morning, I awakened by the sound of a small child crying. I thought that it was a dream and so I listened carefully until I could hear the crying. Soon a bright light shone in our tent and the young voice asked, "Are you there, daddy?" I told the child that I was not his daddy but I asked him who he was. He answered back with his name and I immediately knew that his tent was nearby where we were sleeping. His father eventually heard the call from the child and he found his way.
You might not think this is that big of a deal but the parallel became very apparent to me.
I know that my Father is there but there have been times in my life that I have needed His comfort and I have asked the same question the young child asked. "Are you there?"
We can ask that question as often as we want and His answer will never disappoint. He helps us in times of need.
I am thankful for the precious experience I had while camping with our sons. I will never forget it.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
A Glass Of Milk-Paid In Full
I decided that this story that I recently read would be appropriate to share.
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Year’s later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the following words: “Paid in full with one glass of milk”
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Year’s later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the following words: “Paid in full with one glass of milk”
Friday, September 7, 2012
Every Step
Their first steps are an incredible experience and all of the steps that follow are exciting. It seems like just yesterday that our children were taking those 'first' steps that were anticipated. The freedom that would come by the independence they would gain. Was the independence for them or for me?
I am forty now and I read every day that someone else has passed away and they are my age and younger. It is a gentle reminder that the steps we take today need to count for something. Life is full, literally, and there are many things to do but I want to live today with purpose and meaning.
I am grateful for guidance and direction that I feel in my life. There is a Plan and by following that Plan life is always worth living. The everyday steps mean something and contribute to constant growth.
Do something today that has purpose not only for you but for someone else.
Today is the time to do my best and tomorrow I will pick up where I left off and continue to strive to do my best. It's all that is asked. One foot in front of the other.
I am forty now and I read every day that someone else has passed away and they are my age and younger. It is a gentle reminder that the steps we take today need to count for something. Life is full, literally, and there are many things to do but I want to live today with purpose and meaning.
I am grateful for guidance and direction that I feel in my life. There is a Plan and by following that Plan life is always worth living. The everyday steps mean something and contribute to constant growth.
Do something today that has purpose not only for you but for someone else.
Today is the time to do my best and tomorrow I will pick up where I left off and continue to strive to do my best. It's all that is asked. One foot in front of the other.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
You Can Do It
I am fortunate enough to have be blessed with the ability to be comfortable around other people. There are people that we all know who don't feel that same way. They are terrified when it comes to interacting with others, in fact, they would rather do about anything else.
I met a man named Moses Oliver from Charleston, South Carolina. He is a large African-American man who is very shy and keeps to himself. We were asked to introduce ourselves in front of a class size of 38 people. Moses was terrified by this. He and I talked and he told me that he was big and strong and that there were only a few things that really scared him and speaking in front of people was one of those fears.
He did get up and fulfill the assignment given to him. He did a great job and he expressed himself very well.
The tough things get easier the more that you do them. I watched Moses begin to overcome his own fear.
If you have a fear take the time to practice to overcome it.
I met a man named Moses Oliver from Charleston, South Carolina. He is a large African-American man who is very shy and keeps to himself. We were asked to introduce ourselves in front of a class size of 38 people. Moses was terrified by this. He and I talked and he told me that he was big and strong and that there were only a few things that really scared him and speaking in front of people was one of those fears.
He did get up and fulfill the assignment given to him. He did a great job and he expressed himself very well.
The tough things get easier the more that you do them. I watched Moses begin to overcome his own fear.
If you have a fear take the time to practice to overcome it.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
It's A Big Circle
We all take turns with the various opportunities that we are given to help and to serve. I talked with a person who is spending their time helping out at a homeless shelter here in the Salt Lake Valley. She is having a great time serving those who are less fortunate. She told me that with the 'highs' of service come the sorrow at the situations these people are in, all varying of course.
You've probably had some great experiences with helping others. You will continue to have those with each passing day. To be in the service of somebody else is one of life's greatest blessings crowned with a lot of happiness and joy.
I love to help others.
You've probably had some great experiences with helping others. You will continue to have those with each passing day. To be in the service of somebody else is one of life's greatest blessings crowned with a lot of happiness and joy.
I love to help others.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Team Work
I attended a training opportunity in St. Louis, Missouri. It was a week long course and the training was done in a team-oriented environment. Each day I was teamed with five other people where we would discuss the various topics that were given to us. It was a valuable opportunity where I learned a great deal about myself and about others. I like to think of the grand possibilities that can come when we work as a team. I was a member of a intramural flag football team, back in Junior High School. We played at lunch time. I was very small but I could run pretty fast. I will never forget the team that I was assigned to. Nobody was big and we were not 'stacked' with the most football talent. A coach told us that we ought to find our strengths and then go to work on creating the right combinations so that we would be competitive. I must admit that I was apprehensive about our chances to be anywhere near being competitive. We had a girl on our team who had some vision on our possibilities. We began to work together and form some 'plays' that would bring out the best in the talent that we had. We played our first game and we handled the team quite easily. The second, third, fourth. We beat them all. Within a couple of weeks we saw our team play competitively. It was a fun time and a lesson was taught to me personally. Do your very best with what you have and everything will be okay. I believe that even today.
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