Our Own Trial

I have been reflecting on what I learned at church today. The Sunday school lesson stood out the most. We talked about three faith promoting saints Deborah, Gideon, and Samson. Each of these Israelites had their own case that lifted their faith and sent them to places that they would of never been had not the Lord been part of their lives. Deborah strengthened Barak to face the enemies of Israel, Gideon faced thousands with his three hundred and Samson, a repentant soul, brought down the house of the Philistines with the strength of the Lord.

I was thinking of how the Lord in his infinite wisdom has given each of us our own trial or test. Barak asked the prophetess to be there to strengthen him as he faced an enemy that could have crushed Israel. In other words he asked someone with more faith to assist him so that his faith would be stronger. Gideon asked the Lord for a miracle, not to test the Lord but to affirm his own faith that he was being obedient and that the Lord would be there for him and his three thousand brethren. Finally the Nazarite, Samson who had done so much that would have soiled Israel’s good name asked in fervent prayer to be an instrument one last time and allow him to destroy the enemies of his people. He would give his life and seal his testimony of the power and divinity of God by destroying pillars that held the building up.

I think of the trials that I have been asked to go trough and at first I thought that I was going to die from them. I am eternally grateful that I am alive but more than that I love the fact that I have learned from the experiences that I have been in. I have learned faith and gained knowledge from plain and simple things that could not have happened if I had not seen the miracle that they were.

At one time two weeks ago I was talking about training wheels in reference to riding a bike and the lesson that we gain when they are removed. We are asked to ride alone, no extra wheels, and sometimes we fall but most of the time we have gained the faith to balance and stand on our own and just as we were infants being taught to walk; our parents are always there and will cheer us on as we accomplish things for ourselves. The more I learn about walking on my own by faith the more scared I become because like flying, as you look through the window you realize that you are leaving the ground. Your initial thought is fear of falling but you keep rising. Somehow I think that my faith has got to that pivotal moment where the wheels have left the ground and I realize that I am rising. Part of me wants to shout for joy but the other part wants to throw up from fear. I trust the Lord it’s just a new experience. I sense that this flight of faith has been for a while as I have begun to see and recognize the miracles of my life and have made special effort to thank my Father in Heaven for them and the chance to see them come to pass in my life.

I know that not everyone will have these types of epiphanies because the test is different for each of us. You can’t cheat on this test; the answers are unique for each of us. Attempting to cheat will only result in unhappiness. Let us each take some time to recognize the faith promoting miracles in our lives. Don’t cheat yourselves of the great experience that God has given us.

Image is here.

The lessons we learn

Today we talked on a talk by Linda Reeves about Protectionfrom Pornography and the topic was strange it started out as a discussion on protecting ourselves to protecting our children and building a good relationship so that we can teach them how to direct their own course away from the wicked things of the world. All the while we were talking couldn’t help but reflect on the things that I have taught my son and a friend of mine who passed away. Both examples of the things I discussed were a great influence.

One of the things that we discussed was first establish a relationship of trust. Children will be more eager (and I guess friends to) if you care about what they like. My son listens to what I care about because I care about the things he cares about. He wants me to know that games of all kinds are part of his interest. My friend Christine before she passed had a strong interest of her boyfriend, family, volunteer service and job. Because I was willing to show genuine interest in what they felt was important, the things that I felt important were listened to.

I have taught my children and my friends a few things, because I want my children to avoid things that are poison to the mind and body to treat your relationships as an opportunity to really get to know someone. Porn teaches lust and objectism (ok it’s not a word but you get the idea; someone is an object and should be treated like such). Hormones, kisses, sex and such are good things but like fire that is not honed and controlled can result in a bon fire that is out of control. The damage done from a wild fire is repairable but could have been avoidable. The same is true for porn and things like it; avoidable and preventable. Teaching children to know that kissing is safe but that ‘soul’ kissing is dangerous teaches them the difference between a match and blow torch; both can be used to ignite kerosene but one clearly over does it; could cost you your life or just your eyebrows. Some of the rules of dating I taught to my friend Christina, my children at the time were too young but I aim to pass them along so that they get it too.

“Christina, take your time to build relationships and you too can have the relationship that [my wife] and I, your Mom and Dad have. There were rules that [my wife] and I always followed on our dates and here they are....

[Ihave to] a PLAN date. I knew where I was going on the date. [I was] PAYING for the date; if there was money involved, I was paying for the date. [I should be] PREPARED for the date; if there was any prep needed (what to wear or have on your person) I made sure that [my date] knew.

Other rules we had been Rule of the Trinity. Avoid being alone; date in public and/or with friends. Avoid being in the dark; learn what they are like in the light. The great dates are in the light. No movies (there is no communication or learning and it’s in the dark). Avoid lying down; this is self explanatory.

Any combination is fire but all three was the absolute fire.

Finally when things are getting to hot and heavy, [my wife (then my girlfriend)] was the one to initiate Water Breaks. That’s when the kissing is too much and the touching is too much and its time to break apart before something happens. She would yell "OK we need a water break and then get away from me so that she could clear her head, maybe get a drink but definitely get away from the kissing and touching.

One you can pass on to your nieces and nephews (and children should you have some) is the two feet rule.

The door is two feet open. You are two feet apart from your date/interest. Two feet on the floor at all times.

At any rate I am now rambling. Good luck and God bless.”

An excerpt from my message to my find Christine.

It has been two years since I gave that wisdom to Christina and I will give that wisdom to any one interested and at most my sons and daughter who will one day have an interest in girls and boys and will internalize that and keep them safe and informed. Kids are smart but do dumb things (sometimes) but if they have a good relationship with parents they will then at least be willing to talk about things before they happen or things when after they happened. We want kids to talk to us no matter what. Like our Heavenly Father, we want our kids to be eager to avoid mistakes because they were well taught or come to us (and those that would help) if they have made mistakes. My friend lost her life to a disease and will always be missed but I hope that the things that I taught her will be a asset and blessing to her in the next life as it is to my kids in this one.

Hopefully I will have armed my children my with wisdom and have given you something to share... 

The picture is of my friend Christina (August 1985 to November 2011)

Memorial to that which is Important

It’s Memorial Weekend and we are called to reflect on our American siblings; men and women who gave their lives for a country that in some cases did not return for the sake and freedom of those that they left behind. One such American was a sailor named Henry ‘Bessy’ Bingham, my dad’s uncle. Because of our loss so many years ago Bessy’s brother David (grand'pap) was the only one left to carry on the family name and through David’s family I am here. Soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have all given their all to this country and I am so grateful. For this article I just wanted to just give a moment for those that have died to give us liberty that we now enjoy in a great country represented by the ole red white and blue.

Now the subject I wanted to discuss. While we are reflecting on the memories of men and women that have given us a great example following prophets and the savior by giving their lives for that witch they believed in so that we would not have to I want point out a poison that has infected not just our country but the whole world; complacency. Brothers and sisters we have been seduced by the ‘Coolness’ and have been quick to accept that someone else will take care of the problem even telling ourselves that Father will do it when we ourselves will not. Some have allowed fear to cripple us so that we cry what can be done while others who are small race into the fray praying that God will direct their path only to die with the cause that they went into the fray with.

We have spent too much time allowing us to be seduced by a ‘dark side’ that is all around us. Satan talks to us in advertisement, music and pulls every which way with his doctrine; good intentions mixed with crap.  He has tricked us into believe that the law of ‘happy rainbows and sunshine’ will be a better replacement for the structure of law that hold men accountable and show us a right and wrong. Flawed or not, being mortal who attempted to do what is right has lead us through better moments then a demand for social justice and equal outcome. There was a time when men and women were punished for their sins against society and swift was the sword of justice. Now the sword stays dormant and rusting from lack of use.

This error has not been just my country but all the countries of the world. The bigger the government got the worse it got. We no longer push and explore because we are told not to. We no longer educate ourselves because we are told not to. We no longer get justice though it is demanded because it will hurt someone’s feelings and finally we no longer win because someone will lose. We have been seduced by the ‘Coolness’.

What will we do to correct this course? Though it must be done at an individual level, we must rapidly turn to God, demand accountability and choose righteous leaders and not just ‘good’ leaders. The pot that is government is a corrupt and black pot; a cesspool that ‘unicorns and puppy dogs’ have poisoned. We are encouraged not to remember those that have given their all and look at cartoons and photo shopped pictures instead of calling for accountability. When we break down the doors of those that are accountable and hold their feet to the flame will they continue to misbehave? We must remember that many countries are in bankruptcy because of war, famine, pestilence and death. We are facing a famine of the word of God and our children have been taught to ‘shut up’ about ‘Him’, the God of Israel or cease to talk about such offensive things. If we want it to stop we must talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ, prophesy of Christ and write according to our prophecies.

I hope that this has encouraged you to seek to be part of something bigger than yourself and to stand tall for yourself, community, city, state (province) and country. If you can’t go big then start small. Start with the very thing that the founders did liberty and justice for all. Let men be accounted for their own sins and not for your father’s transgression and if we are left to pay then let us pay it quickly. We can correct our corruption but we must seek repentance and encourage others to do the same. We are from divine inheritance and we must show it.

Brothers and sisters, please take some time this weekend and perhaps everyday from this weekend to remember those that who have given their all so that we might enjoy time with our families, freedoms and the ‘Coolness’ that is ever present. Let us be in the world and not of it. Be diligent.

In the precious name of the Master, Jesus Christ, Amen.

I find your lack of faith disturbing

Today there was several talks that by themselves were just impressive but together in my mind were a great teaching lesson on what I needed to do next with my faith. In sacrament meeting the one talk that stood out was on the words that we use and how to use them as a teaching mechanism and the means to create great roads of dialog with those that we associate with. In gospel doctrine we talked about Joshua and his struggle to gain courage to lead Israel and take Canaan. Finally, the topic in priesthood we talked about gaining wisdom and applying it to our knowledge, also gaining knowledge so that we can go beyond our faith. All of the lessons were by themselves unrelated. It was at the end of the lesson of priesthood that I realized what I had been sent there to learn (as I was curious this morning).

The lesson was that despite what the Lord attempts to say to me and the need to exercise faith that I had not seemed to stretch and the fact that my faith had not grown much these past few weeks had been both disturbing to the Lord and, when I opened my eyes, to myself. This was not to say that I had not grown in wisdom and knowledge but my faith had not really improved. I realized that I had become as Luke of Star Wars who after seeing all these miracles of the Force could only mutter "I don't believe it." This has been why I have failed to get a new job or change my circumstance is because, though like the children of Israel, have seen the Red Sea parted still struggle with belief that I was there.

There are times in life especially for the Saints when we read the stories of crossing the Mississippi on ice, or causing the great walls of Jericho to fall, that we falter in our faith thinking that we are not sufficient to witness those miracles. I then think of the home teacher of young Howard W. Hunter who came from an inactive family. He (the home teacher) perhaps didn't think hat he would witness a future prophet come from one of the homes that he visited. He was glad that he got the Hunter family to attend church. I think that we need to continually remember that 'size maters not' and that is especially true in our roll in the church. Those with a fervent desire to do good will witness the miracles because their faith will increase. The callings that we are called to do with faith and diligence will increase our understanding. Above all, our faith will increase when we make an effort to seek for wisdom in all things.

Let us make a better effort to 'do or do not' and not just 'try'; clearly define our roll in the Lords church. We need to search, ponder and pray that might be given the opportunity to expand our mind and faith. God is not attempting to block us and cut us off from crossing the street, but as a parent seeks to teach us and lead us by the hand, so by showing us the way, we cross the street on our own. As it was with Israel so it should be with us, let the Lord guide us by day with a pillar of smoke and a pillar of fire by night. We may not know where we are going in life but if we have faith we will get there.

Mothers Day

It’s Mothers Day. On this day we cherish the very person that did more than someone that birth us but taught us charity and faith. The woman that would spend the rest of their lives loving and thinking about the success and welfare of each person that is part of her home. Friends and neighbors old and young alike are part of that. To some of us even that single woman that always took care of the neighbor kids is part of that roll as Mother and is a delightful memory that can be shared over and over again.

I want to extend my appreciation for the woman that was my mother (she pass away a few years ago) and let her spirit know that I am still attempting to be the very person that she knew that I could be. I attempt to daily think of what mom would want of me and how I can pass those precious lesions to my children.  On this day, I reflect on the various mothers in my life; my wife, my step mom, mother-in-law, sisters (all mothers each of them), Grandma and several of my cousins that are either mothers or husbands to mothers. We live in an age that allows us the opportunity to share our experiences about life and the experiences of rearing great kids and the lessons that they have taught us all.

Mom would say that it was the lessons that I would teach her but I know that she was being humble exemplary of a good teacher by giving me the credit for the great experiences in my life. I only wish that I could tell you of the many stories that have happened (I’m coming up blank). I do remember that mom always had a smile for everyone, was creative and energetic, she taught health and awareness and encouraged us to explore our world and learn what it had to offer. There was plays and music in our life. Talent was encouraged and exercised. Because of my mom I learned to act, play three interments and dance. That being great, more than that, mom taught me to love and laugh; she taught to roll with the punches and cry when it was needed. She taught courage and the power of prayer; faith in God and a strong testimony of the Atonement.

Mom you will be missed by me and my four siblings. You are a legacy that I hope that I can share with my children’s children. Thank you for all you did.

Nathan.

The image is of my mother Margot (1952-2011)

Noah revisited

In light of the new movie, I would like to address the debacle that is the new Noah movie. First creative license is fine but what they did was an abortion to the story. So in light of what has been in the news for the past two weeks and on the internet, here are some things to consider...

Noah and his children and their choices...

Noah had sons and daughters that were both obedient and disobedient. I don’t know what it’s like to have children who reject the gospel but to Noah's credit he had at least three sons that were covenant keeping children. I will never get to be six hundred years old in this life so I have no idea of what his family was like by the time he even hit half of that. It had to be a big family and I am certain that many of the children of Adam had lots of kids in those days. It had been a few years ago (perhaps decades) when Enoch (Noah's great grandfather) and his city had left leaving Noah, his wife and sons (with their families) to fend for themselves. Could you imagine the day that the prophet had received a vision to build a boat? 

Noah was not a young man and had spent all his life defending the truth and preaching the gospel to the wicked children of Adam. While he was doing this entire he was commanded to build a boat. Now he had probably a sizable crew being old with sons, grandsons, great grandsons etc. So getting the ship together would be a task but with a good crew and the Lord the Ark would not be lost. With his children he would be able to collect the order that the Lord commissioned him to do and get all the necessary animals of the earth.

Shutting the door; that did Noah shut out...

Now the scriptures say that Noah had three righteous sons and it makes no mention of the other sons and daughters that were his children. I could imagine that when he was building and gathering that in the beginning that there would be a lot of obedient children and that they obey their father without question but it doesn't stay that way when there is hard times. The persecution had to be brutal. Being a member of the church can be that. It’s easy to be baptized and teach in church but when you are being persecuted by the neighbors and friends who also might have been members of the church it becomes harsh and perhaps unbearable. How easy it would have been to sway good faithful children of Noah from the task at hand. 

I imagine that closing those doors to the good kids who had turned their back on their father was extremely tough, after all these are his kids. Those left behind were the children that let go of the iron rod and had gone off and done their own thing; they started faithful and for whatever reason wavered and joined the wicked. They might have mocked and ridiculed their father/brother/son and laughed when he closed the doors. The rain would come and those same people would bang on the doors begging to return to God; to Noah. However the door was closed and that chapter was closed. It was time to start a new chapter.

Life on the boat...

Life must have been crowded and the family work must have been hard. Weather they were floating or just sitting on a boat in the rain, the life on the boat had its responsibility to the animals and to keeping them all alive. I am certain that it was not an easy task; feeding watering and cleaning the boat had to be a daily task and yet I feel that there were birthdays and anniversaries celebrated so give the Ark some merriment. There might be fights and disputations but when you are all in a crisis, people work fast to get along. Also if it got to heated I bet there was placed in the Ark that you could go where you would not see that one guy/gal that rubbed you wrong so you could cool off.

Our obedience when the sky is clear...

So now I am getting to the point that I think should be made; applying the story to ourselves. The scriptures say that we should liken the scriptures to ourselves. How can this be done when there is no flood, animals, angry mobs trying to kill us etc? The Lord has asked us to do things at a more personal level to levy our spirits and prepare for the floods that will come in all its forms. For some it will be a physical challenge, others spiritual or mental. For some of us it will be a long time before we know normal again. Physical ailments and mental trauma could in fact bang against our Ark and if it is not finished when the trial comes then we will go down with the ship. If it is built we will be asked to stay on the ship for a time till the waters recede and our life will be again new and different. We may not be releasing the animals and family off the ship but perhaps walk after our rehabilitation or communing with people after our mentally debilitating experience. I do not know your experience; only my own. I know that if you are building in the rain it is harder than in the sun. I know that if you act quickly then you are more prepared then when you are idol and wait to the last minute. I know for some of us we look at this life as our probation; a time to prepare to meet God and that could be a time in the boat or before it by how you look at it but none the less we are on that Ark together. We can do great things if we are united in our effort and we can prepare if we trust each other and the Lord in all things. Ours is going to be a unique experience for just us and if we are true to the task then when the rainbow comes and we behold the promise that was for us (and maybe our posterity) we can smile when He says "Well done".

Image is located at Nothing Wavering.

God gave men the priesthood because...

I want to point the reasons for priesthood to being a men only thing. First I know that it was such a controversy recently and I know that some women could do a better job but there is a key reason why it’s in the hands of men; we, guys, are lazy!

Ok, one of the key things that God has pointed out to us all the time (from Adam on) is that men will be the bearer of the priesthood, providers for our families defenders of truth and right.This comes with a standard of responsibility; namely to bless and edify the whole earth, establish order and to bring all nation tongues and people to Christ through the blessings of the covenants of the priesthood. 

I know it’s the vague answer but have you considered this part of the equation that the priesthood was given to men to get them off their rumps and do something. We guys (as most wives, mothers and sisters know) are inherently lazy. For heaven’s sake, a guy invented the television, remote control and a lot of comfy things that we all enjoy. The Lord in his infinite wisdom told us to work and beyond that gave men the priesthood so that we could get out there and do more than just collect a paycheck and collect action figures (hobbies). 

Imagine for a moment that at the end of the day Brother and Sister Smith are getting into bed after a hard day work, she with the kids and he with the job. At night the Sister Smith is 'asked' by her sick children to take care of them and then the phone rings and it’s a fellow saint asking for a blessing. If women had the priesthood, the husband would ask the sweet wife to do it because he is tired (the poor baby); never mind that she has been busting her hump too. Disputations would erupt and the two would always be at odds as to who should exercise their priesthood keys. Now because the man is the only one with the rights to exercise those keys in our modern day, each members roll is defined and the wife would kick her sweet husband out and have him get dressed give that blessing. He's not arguing about it because he knows that it is his sole responsibility. He calls another brother and they give the blessing. Brother Smith is grateful for the chance to bless the siants life and goes back to bed. 

I know that it’s over simplification but does it really need to be complicated? We each have a roll in life and in the church. Heavenly Father loves each of us and when we have our role or life chore then we know what is expected of us and we can then perform it to the best of our ability. The fact that there is a disputation among the brothers and sisters in our church today is ludicrous. From the very foundation of the world he has defined our role and how we should treat each other and while I empathize with the plight that has been created I am sure that if we are prayerful of our troubles, we will get an answer. We may not like it but if we accept it and obey it, we will be happy. 

Image is found here.