Isaiah. Who know what he is talking about?
Why were these 80 pages included in the Bible? Reading the selected chapters of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon seem to go on FOREVER! (How many people have never gotten thru them so they didn't even finish the whole BofM?) And yet, they apparently are important enough that God wanted them recorded (painfully so as writing was not easy in those days) in at least two places.
A long time ago, there was a family in my parent's ward whose son was killed while on a church mission. Naturally, everyone was shocked and devastated, etc. It was particularly hard on the parents. Here was their son doing exactly what he was suppose to be doing and yet the Lord still allowed him to be killed. He was already sorely missed and now he was never coming back to their home.
After a few years, the mom said that she had gotten through this hard period of her life by turning to the scriptures. She especially found peace in Isaiah. Ever since I've heard that, I've wondered what kind of secrets Isaiah is hiding from me?
Saturday, September 25, 2010
1 chapter of Isaiah
I understood something in Isaiah! Almost the whole first chapter! I actually got a lesson out of it!
Truly, wow!
That's the good news. The bad news is that it really doesn't matter how much you sacrifice and give to God. If you aren't giving him what He wants, it does you no good. He's tired of being offered burnt offerings or celebrations in his honor (Christmas, even??!). He wants us be clean, stop doing bad things and start doing good things. Relieve the oppressed, plead for the widow, be obedient and willing.
Read Isaiah, Chapter 1. What else do you get out of it?
Friday, September 24, 2010
A word or two on Ghost Hunting
You know how "they" say all of the answers in life can be found in the scriptures? I'm always kind of a doubter because I think things like, "Well, what should I make for dinner then?" or some other smart alack remark. Since I could turn to the Word of Wisdom to answer the dinner question and now have seen a scripture about Ghost Hunting, I am thinking maybe every answer in life CAN BE FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES!
I know, I know, you want to know about the Ghost hunting scripture right? Well, I have been reading about gifts and came across Moroni 10:30 which said to Come unto Christ and lay hold of every good gift, but touch not the evil gift. So I started following the footnotes for not touching the evil gift.
Nephi 18:17-19 And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and wonders...from the Lord of Hosts. And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter---should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead?"
And I read this and thought, "Wow, he is saying even if the Lord doesn't give you what you want right away, you should wait for him." Wait, because you are seeking signs and wonders from the Lord. So when people want to talk to ghosts or call up spirits or whatever, you need to not go along with that, but wait for the Lord.
The footnotes from Nephi take you to Leviticus and First Samuel.
" And the soul that turneth after such familiar spirits and wizards...I will set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people."
And if you follow the 1 Samuel footnote to learn more about "familiar spirits" you come to the story where Saul didn't get an answer from the Lord and so he sought out a "familiar spirit" and the footnote for that says "superstitious".
So, we are told very plainly to stay away from superstitions and trying to call up spirits....even those whom we love and miss so much.....like a spouse who has died. If we want to hear from the dead again, we need to turn closer to the Lord and continue to seek from Him...even if he doesn't answer at first.
Who would have known? !
Maybe the scriptures really are the answer to everything!
After I've read them all and studied them all the time and such, I am REALLY going to know everything, instead of just thinking I do now. : )
I know, I know, you want to know about the Ghost hunting scripture right? Well, I have been reading about gifts and came across Moroni 10:30 which said to Come unto Christ and lay hold of every good gift, but touch not the evil gift. So I started following the footnotes for not touching the evil gift.
Nephi 18:17-19 And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and wonders...from the Lord of Hosts. And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter---should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead?"
And I read this and thought, "Wow, he is saying even if the Lord doesn't give you what you want right away, you should wait for him." Wait, because you are seeking signs and wonders from the Lord. So when people want to talk to ghosts or call up spirits or whatever, you need to not go along with that, but wait for the Lord.
The footnotes from Nephi take you to Leviticus and First Samuel.
" And the soul that turneth after such familiar spirits and wizards...I will set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people."
And if you follow the 1 Samuel footnote to learn more about "familiar spirits" you come to the story where Saul didn't get an answer from the Lord and so he sought out a "familiar spirit" and the footnote for that says "superstitious".
So, we are told very plainly to stay away from superstitions and trying to call up spirits....even those whom we love and miss so much.....like a spouse who has died. If we want to hear from the dead again, we need to turn closer to the Lord and continue to seek from Him...even if he doesn't answer at first.
Who would have known? !
Maybe the scriptures really are the answer to everything!
After I've read them all and studied them all the time and such, I am REALLY going to know everything, instead of just thinking I do now. : )
Better then I think...Not as good as I could
So, I am keeping track of how often I read with the little Google calendar on the side of the blog and I counted up for September....I am a Sister Beck prime example!
I'm doing "Better then you think you are"
After all, I have read more then 1/3 of the days of the month. That is so much better then I was doing before I started this quest! SO, SO, SO much better!
However, I'm not doing "as good as you could be" and I know that is SO true. I could have definitely done better. There were a couple times in the last week where I remembered I had not read as I was climbing into bed. Did I choose to turn around and go get my scriptures? Heck no! I blatantly chose to get on into bed and ignore and promptings I felt to do otherwise.
But, I am back today. At least, I'm trying to be back.
Since September 14, I've been reading about Gifts. I looked it up in the Index and am reading every scripture listed. I'm making a list of them in my little notebook. We will be using them in the upcoming year in our Relief Society. (I don't think anyone reads this from my ward, so I'm not giving them any secret info. : )
I think I have just a verse or two left in the BofM and then on to the Bible or Doctrine & Covenants.
I'm doing "Better then you think you are"
After all, I have read more then 1/3 of the days of the month. That is so much better then I was doing before I started this quest! SO, SO, SO much better!
However, I'm not doing "as good as you could be" and I know that is SO true. I could have definitely done better. There were a couple times in the last week where I remembered I had not read as I was climbing into bed. Did I choose to turn around and go get my scriptures? Heck no! I blatantly chose to get on into bed and ignore and promptings I felt to do otherwise.
But, I am back today. At least, I'm trying to be back.
Since September 14, I've been reading about Gifts. I looked it up in the Index and am reading every scripture listed. I'm making a list of them in my little notebook. We will be using them in the upcoming year in our Relief Society. (I don't think anyone reads this from my ward, so I'm not giving them any secret info. : )
I think I have just a verse or two left in the BofM and then on to the Bible or Doctrine & Covenants.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Struggling
I think I've read two or three times since I've last posted, but it's not even today. And it wasn't yesterday either or the day before that. That is why I am posting....to kick my butt into reading again. I can't read right now, but I will read again soon. Who would have thought there'd be so many starts and stops in this quest? Now we get full understanding on why I haven't been able to maintain a healthy habit of scripture reading. I do HAVE to go now though.....more later.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Repentance again
It doesn't take much to slide. I'd been doing so good and now I've doing so bad. Well, WAS doing bad. I went in to clean up the kitchen (I've been working on it on and off for most of the morning) and I reached over to turn on the radio. That made me think of how I like quiet and that reminded me of scriptures which reminded me that I needed to read. So, of course, I thought, "I'll do that next." And then I thought "No, do it now while you are thinking of it. Otherwise, it won't get done." And I actually listened to the good voice! : )
I turned off the radio (that had barely had time on to tune in) and almost ran out of the kitchen to get my scriptures. So, after a 6 day descend into "the black pit of not doing what's right" (TB POND WR for all you short hand bloggers out there), I'm back! (Hopefully, that doesn't make you think of that guy's scary face in the Shining, which was a movie I was too young to see. The previews have haunted me my whole life.)
Now that I've read and am feeling that "scripture power" again, I realize how much I've missed it. But, just this morning on the way to car pool I was thinking I needed to read as soon as I got back (you see how well that went....it's 1 p.m.) and thinking of how it had been almost a week since I read and I thought something to the effect of how nice it's been to not have to worry about it. I've just been swamped and running around like a banshee and the only time I've even thought of scripture reading is right before sleep. Even then, I didn't think of it every night, but on the nights I did think of it, it was pretty easy to ignore that thought and push the guilty thoughts away. I've had a lot of practice at that over the years. : ) Oops, I don't suppose I should put in a smiley face over that comment.
I turned off the radio (that had barely had time on to tune in) and almost ran out of the kitchen to get my scriptures. So, after a 6 day descend into "the black pit of not doing what's right" (TB POND WR for all you short hand bloggers out there), I'm back! (Hopefully, that doesn't make you think of that guy's scary face in the Shining, which was a movie I was too young to see. The previews have haunted me my whole life.)
Now that I've read and am feeling that "scripture power" again, I realize how much I've missed it. But, just this morning on the way to car pool I was thinking I needed to read as soon as I got back (you see how well that went....it's 1 p.m.) and thinking of how it had been almost a week since I read and I thought something to the effect of how nice it's been to not have to worry about it. I've just been swamped and running around like a banshee and the only time I've even thought of scripture reading is right before sleep. Even then, I didn't think of it every night, but on the nights I did think of it, it was pretty easy to ignore that thought and push the guilty thoughts away. I've had a lot of practice at that over the years. : ) Oops, I don't suppose I should put in a smiley face over that comment.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Speaking of Repentance...
Speaking of Repentance, I've been called to it this weekend at our Stake Conference. Our adult session was like a mini Education week!
So, I am pumped up (well, not currently, but I will read my notes from Saturday night and will get pumped up again before I post next time) to get back to daily study again.
So, I am pumped up (well, not currently, but I will read my notes from Saturday night and will get pumped up again before I post next time) to get back to daily study again.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Personal and Private
I was reminded of how true Repentance is in your heart....in your soul....and not a list of "to do" items that the public can see and determine that you are doing what's right.
Joel 2:13 says "Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God."
Wouldn't tearing your clothes be accompanied by weeping and wailing and kind of a public display of grief, sorrow, or whatever? It really matters what is in your heart. When your heart is in the right place, then the good acts naturally follow.
It is so easy (for me, anyway) to get caught up in how things look to others or what I see others do and then base my judgement of whether they are a good person or not according to their acts. Some people are just great actors though, and it is the private, personal moments that reveal what is in their heart. What is true.
Therefore, for myself, I need to work on my own heart, and not so much what others see me doing. Not seek after the praise of man. Work to please God.....being pleased with myself (and others being pleased with me) will naturally follow.
Yeah?
Joel 2:13 says "Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God."
Wouldn't tearing your clothes be accompanied by weeping and wailing and kind of a public display of grief, sorrow, or whatever? It really matters what is in your heart. When your heart is in the right place, then the good acts naturally follow.
It is so easy (for me, anyway) to get caught up in how things look to others or what I see others do and then base my judgement of whether they are a good person or not according to their acts. Some people are just great actors though, and it is the private, personal moments that reveal what is in their heart. What is true.
Therefore, for myself, I need to work on my own heart, and not so much what others see me doing. Not seek after the praise of man. Work to please God.....being pleased with myself (and others being pleased with me) will naturally follow.
Yeah?
Monday, September 6, 2010
Against all odds
A couple weeks ago we talked about against the odds in Sunday school...
Naturally, I can't remember what we were studying (2nd Chronicles 20, maybe??) but the message was that it doesn't matter the odds because when the Lord is on your side, you can win. It was a lovely message, and maybe some of you true Spiritual Giants will know where it was in the Old Testament.
Anyways, I thought of it again as I was reading in Joel.
Joel 2:11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word.
I have to say, I whine all the time about reading scriptures, but when I actually sit down and "do it right" (ie. studying, not just reading, etc.), I love the feeling I get. I feel awesome! Alight, Powerful, Capable, Happy. All of that, just from reading God's word for 20 minutes!
My "natural man" is obviously very strong and buff if, even with all that, I still struggle to read. It will probably take a long time for my "spiritual man" to get so strong.
Naturally, I can't remember what we were studying (2nd Chronicles 20, maybe??) but the message was that it doesn't matter the odds because when the Lord is on your side, you can win. It was a lovely message, and maybe some of you true Spiritual Giants will know where it was in the Old Testament.
Anyways, I thought of it again as I was reading in Joel.
Joel 2:11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word.
v. 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and repent, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness and he will turn away the evil from you.
The Lord's army is great and you need not fear when He is on your side. If we repent, He will even evil away from us.
Isn't that amazing?
I have to say, I whine all the time about reading scriptures, but when I actually sit down and "do it right" (ie. studying, not just reading, etc.), I love the feeling I get. I feel awesome! Alight, Powerful, Capable, Happy. All of that, just from reading God's word for 20 minutes!
My "natural man" is obviously very strong and buff if, even with all that, I still struggle to read. It will probably take a long time for my "spiritual man" to get so strong.
6 days in a row!
And it is still hard!
So hard.
I've been up for 1-1/2 hours....I intended to read first thing, but just haven't gotten to it.
But, I am reading now...
So hard.
I've been up for 1-1/2 hours....I intended to read first thing, but just haven't gotten to it.
But, I am reading now...
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Still at it!
I am on a 4 day streak! Whew!
On Thursday morning, I read Very, VERY first thing (like 6 a.m.) before I even got the kids up. I always think I will fall back to sleep if I try to do that "in the middle of the night", but I think it was stinkin' awesome! I really had the whole day ahead of me to celebrate then. I'm shooting for that again this week. (But, not tomorrow, cause I'm sleeping in then).
: )
P.S.
I do hope someone else is considering making some posts about something they are working on. It doesn't have to be all about me, you know.
On Thursday morning, I read Very, VERY first thing (like 6 a.m.) before I even got the kids up. I always think I will fall back to sleep if I try to do that "in the middle of the night", but I think it was stinkin' awesome! I really had the whole day ahead of me to celebrate then. I'm shooting for that again this week. (But, not tomorrow, cause I'm sleeping in then).
: )
P.S.
I do hope someone else is considering making some posts about something they are working on. It doesn't have to be all about me, you know.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Hosea is all about Ho's
You know I don't lie. So, don't be thinking my title is a lie.
I j ust read the first three chapters of Hosea and if you are the kind of person that likes to quote scripture out of context to shock people that "it is in the Bible" then Hosea is your kind of place.
Nakedness, whoredoms, adulteress, lovers, stripping, etc. I read Chapter 1, verse 2 three times.
Did the Lord really just tell someone to "take unto thee a wife of whoredoms" ?
(Uh, yes he did).
So, you have to read and look for symbolism. Which I managed to do for some of it....
And I think it is easy to be the wife that chooses our lover because he gives "bread, water, wool, and flax, and oil." And there later, we realize that our husband gave us "corn, wine, oil, and lots of silver and gold." And we remember we like those things too, and we miss them.
Hopefully, we aren't choosing a lover over our spouses, but do we wish way our life now for what we think will be better later, only to realize what we had and want it back? Live life and choose happiness everyday.
I j ust read the first three chapters of Hosea and if you are the kind of person that likes to quote scripture out of context to shock people that "it is in the Bible" then Hosea is your kind of place.
Nakedness, whoredoms, adulteress, lovers, stripping, etc. I read Chapter 1, verse 2 three times.
Did the Lord really just tell someone to "take unto thee a wife of whoredoms" ?
(Uh, yes he did).
So, you have to read and look for symbolism. Which I managed to do for some of it....
And I think it is easy to be the wife that chooses our lover because he gives "bread, water, wool, and flax, and oil." And there later, we realize that our husband gave us "corn, wine, oil, and lots of silver and gold." And we remember we like those things too, and we miss them.
Hopefully, we aren't choosing a lover over our spouses, but do we wish way our life now for what we think will be better later, only to realize what we had and want it back? Live life and choose happiness everyday.
Better then...
What is better then crawling into bed, when you are so very tired and exhausted? And almost crying with relief and happiness because it feels so good to just lay there knowing blissful sleep is just minutes away?
I'll tell you what is better then that---Being able to do it without THE NAGGING GUILT OF HOW YOU SHOULD READ YOUR SCRIPTURES cause you haven't read yet today!!!
Not even 9 a.m. and I have read!!! I am so glad!
Because naturally, the other scenerio has been mine for the past 2 nights. I didn't realize how adept I was at ignoring guilt (promptings??) until I've been working hard (?) at consistent scripture study and confessing my sins on this blog.
But today is a TRIUMPH, baby!
PHEW!!
I'll tell you what is better then that---Being able to do it without THE NAGGING GUILT OF HOW YOU SHOULD READ YOUR SCRIPTURES cause you haven't read yet today!!!
Not even 9 a.m. and I have read!!! I am so glad!
Because naturally, the other scenerio has been mine for the past 2 nights. I didn't realize how adept I was at ignoring guilt (promptings??) until I've been working hard (?) at consistent scripture study and confessing my sins on this blog.
But today is a TRIUMPH, baby!
PHEW!!
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