Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Everything we Do

Everything we do
In the name of the Lord
Shows our commitment to
Living by His word

Monday, June 27, 2011

The Teacher Says the "DO"

The teacher says the "do"
And I'm already there
Learning something new
Preparing, then, to share

Applying the What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be? by Elder Lynn G. Robbins to teaching...
I had an ahah. In summer school, I have two kinds of students I struggle with: those who don't listen and those who don't listen. One is really smart and does their work- but the "be" is missing in behavior. The other is distracted and has not come to learn- the "do". One is a hypocrit and has not come to school to learn but to cause trouble and distract and get attention for it. What do you think?

It Is Time to Be

It is time to be
What's been asked of you
To really see
And desire to do

What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
Ensign, May 2011, 103

With Christ's Name and Nature

With Christ's name and nature
I can do and be
To spiritually mature
To hear and truly see

To do without being
Makes one a hypocrit
To be without doing
Is lonely, without profit

What Manner of Men and Women
Ought Ye to Be?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
Ensign, May 2011, 103

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Your Faith is Only as Secure

Your faith is only as secure
As your obedience to God's laws
Repentance is the cure
When you've put the rules on pause

The Fig Tree

The fig tree strove for perfection
Its leaves grew large and green
But after many seasons of inspection
Not a fruit was ever seen

As much as it might try
To impress and attract
It was as a lie
A counterfeit in fact

Know that What You Do

Know that what you do
Reflects back at you
To cheat, lie, or steal
Will become visably real

He Lies at the Door

He lies at the door
To tempt us to act
To thwart more and more,
Tempt, and distract

The Fire Gets Hot

The fire gets hot
When coals heat together
We grow a lot
When we get close to each other

When Life Throws You a Curve

When life throws you a curve
Don't let it knock you flat
But, let its lesson serve
To teach you where you're at

Do not keep a score
But look upon your heart
Let your feelings pour
In prayer, love will impart

Become a Super Saint
And win the race of life
With all your might, mind, and strength
Align for grace and light

The race is not to the swift
But to those who endure well
Do not let your poor heart drift
Open it to God and let it swell

Saturday, June 25, 2011

We are a Family Oriented Church

We are a family oriented church
With Jesus Christ at our center
If there is more you want to learn
Our doors are open, come and enter

I Prayed with My Eyes Wide Open

I prayed with my eyes wide open
For fear I would fall asleep
I lifted my head to heaven
With thoughts a heavy heap

Then, fading, I closed my eyes
Thoughts drifted another way
With tears still in my eyes
I'd not finished what I would to say...

Because of Faith

Because of faith- each challenge
Can be met with hope and prayer
As to Him I pledge
Loyalty anytime, anywhere

By way of introduction
I have come unto Christ
In faith for His instruction
I oft receive light

Naught from Him embarasses
I want to be found loyal
At all times and in all places
With moral courage- royal

thank you Kylee Holt for your kind words of encouragement

Friday, June 24, 2011

Restored Unto Christ

Saints are restored
Unto the Lord
Through loving care
And according to prayer



Behold, these things which
we have desired concerning our brethren,
yea, even their restoration to the knowledge of Christ,
are according to the prayers of
all the saints who have dwelt in the land.
(Mormon 9:36)

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Father Abraham

Father Abraham would be proud
To know his children can unite
In fasting and prayer to God
That at least he'd taught them one thing right

Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson will participate in fasting and prayer for more cooperative spirit in the city
Published: Monday, June 20, 2011, 6:12 PM Updated: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 1:59 PM
By MARY KLAUS, The Patriot-News The Patriot-News
Follow

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

I Have Received His Kingdom

I have received His kingdom
And strive much to be pure
That I might know sage wisdom,
Be faithful, and endure

I pray that His sound judgments
Not need to chastise me,
That my enemies not triumph,
As, God, I am following

Of much I am ashamed!
Despite doubts and anxiety,
Help my faith become a flame.
Father in heaven, I trust in Thee!

Doctrine and Covenants 136:42
Be diligent in keeping all my commandments, lest judgments come upon you, and your faith fail you, and your enemies triumph over you. So no more at present. Amen and Amen.
Psalms 25:2
O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
Psalms 41:11
By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.



Tuesday, June 21, 2011

God Chose

What is it about children
Heavenly Father would have us see?
To be the greatest of His kingdom
He would have us like them be...

Trusting, believing
Quick to take His hand
Obedient and innocent
Wanting just to understand

Their simple words
Confound the wise
They see the world
Through wondering eyes


New International Version (©1984)
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
New Living Translation (©2007)
Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

English Standard Version (©2001)
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,

International Standard Version (©2008)
But God chose what is nonsense in the world to make the wise feel ashamed. God chose what is weak in the world to make the strong feel ashamed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
But God chose what the world considers nonsense to put wise people to shame. God chose what the world considers weak to put what is strong to shame.

King James Bible
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

American King James Version
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

American Standard Version
but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

Bible in Basic English
But God made selection of the foolish things of this world so that he might put the wise to shame; and the feeble things that he might put to shame the strong;

Douay-Rheims Bible
But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise; and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong.

Darby Bible Translation
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world, that he may put to shame the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world, that he may put to shame the strong things;

English Revised Version
but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

Webster's Bible Translation
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Weymouth New Testament
But God has chosen the things which the world regards as foolish, in order to put its wise men to shame; and God has chosen the things which the world regards as destitute of influence, in order to put its powerful things to shame;

World English Bible
but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

Young's Literal Translation
but the foolish things of the world did God choose, that the wise He may put to shame; and the weak things of the world did God choose that He may put to shame the strong;

Monday, June 20, 2011

With Dual Citizenship

With dual citizenship
And universal stewardship
Jesus did all that was required
As through prayer He was inspired

The Sabbath and the Sacrament
Elder L. Tom Perry
Ensign, June 2011,

The Lord God who Made You

The Lord God who made you
Is the first whom you should serve
Always He is there to pray to
For comfort and to learn

By His voice the mountains flee
And great rivers change their course
He is the first to help you be
And have a life that is choice

In the New Testament

In the New Testament
God reveal Himself once more
Reemphasizing what was meant
Millenia before

During His ministry
Christ taught of God's law
And His apostles recorded
A sample of what they heard and saw

Envision Your Converts

Envision your converts
All draped in white
Inside of the temple
Their futures made bright

Envision the smiles that comes from a glow
And the tears that catch in their voices
From all they have come to know
Meanwhile... beyond the veil...envision who rejoices

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Father is the One You Call

Every year I try to write new Father's Day Poems
It is hard to think of an Universal description of Him
Until you think of God- who is always there
wise
solid
a part of you

Father is the one you call
When you have had a scare
When you are stuck at a wall
And you need life to be fair

Having tested mortal paths
He provides security
Unto gratitude for all one has
And for durability

He can lend a hand
Listen to you worry
Be there to understand
And slow you down when you shouldn't hurry

Click on the above title to go to Focus on the Family and read comment after comment with tributes and memories of Dad- as well as forgiveness and coming to terms with not having...

Always- You Have Been A Rock for Me

Always- you have been a rock for me
Filled with goodness inside
Like this geode- the best to see
What the test of time cannot hide

I am keeping half and giving the other to my Dad!

Ganbaru

One word from Japan to share
It's "Ganbaru," which means
Hold out, stand firm, hang in there
And believe in your dreams

In the face of destruction
Widespread to cast
Comes this simple instructiion
And friendships to last

In the wake of a tsunami
Comes the rising sun
Men are rebuilding
And faith in us is won

There has not been pity
But a desire to serve
To restore each man's dignity
And ability to work

http://desne.ws/mFv1UI

Bishop Burton presents Mormon church aid to Japanese fishermen
June 15, 2011
By Sarah Jane Weaver, Deseret News

Latter-day Commentary: Priesthood and the Primary boy

Latter-day Commentary: Priesthood and the Primary boy

As a teacher, I was deeply moved.

I have missed coming to your site. It has been a long time.

When I was a little boy
I was bored in school
I disturbed class to annoy
Thinking it was cool

For when the teacher said, "enough!"
Through the office came my reward
In their efforts to be tough
They sent me home to be bored

But my mom was a teacher
At another school
And each day she would share
Lessons of the golden rule

This was a public class
And the Bible was a friend
For the lessons taught us fast-
Goodness wins in the end

Yet, I continued my ways
In the days before detention
To my mother's class always
Enjoying that attention

Then one day...she said, "enough!"
And put me in a Christian School
They lacked "authority"... it was tough
Though I was young, I could not be fooled

I learned about lip service
And that was when I changed my ways
I rose to a higher purpose
And will do so for the rest of my days!

Latter-Day Commentary: Priesthood and Primary...
this is a great site to visit

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

In Patience Possess Your Soul

Let naught possess your soul
Save in patience, kindness, and light
That love complete you whole
With virtue and charity bright

Luke 21:19
In your patience possess ye your souls

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Hey, Guess What?

Hey, Guess what?
I found Jesus Christ
My eyes once shut
Now see with Light

How about you?
We've much to share
I feel so new
With much to declare

Learned the definition of proselytizing -is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. I don't know about this definition. I think of being a missionary as sharing light, giving truth, bearing witness, inviting... to receive, be (themselves) converted, grow, and know for themselves. What do you think?

I Pushed Everything Aside

I pushed everything aside
To be swept of pride
Then I invited in the Lord
That His Spirit be my guide

Then... slowly, one by one
I called back just some
Of the old things I had done
That held Light unto the Son

And feeling richly blessed
Through abandonings sins- confessed
I felt such peace and rest
Words cannot be expressed

To Always Remember Him
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Ensign, April 2011, 49

"You and I can put Christ at the center of our lives and become one with Him as He is one with the Father. We can begin by stripping everything out of our lives and then puttting it back together in priority order with the Savior at the center."

Having Received His Kingdom

Having received His kingdom
I am striving to be pure
And seek His Light and wisdom
To be faithful and endure

D&C 136:41-42
Now, therefore, hearken, O ye people of my church; and ye elders listen together; you have received my kingdom.
Be diligent in keeping all my commandments, lest judgments come upon you and your faith fail you, and your enemies triumph over you. So no more at present. Amen and Amen.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

In a Last Ditch Effort

In a last ditch effort
To save a company
Each gave up time and comfort
Gone weekends once claimed free

Along with the long hours
Other commitments must be kept
One prayed that blessings shower
As for seventy days he hardly slept

A year prior he had been promoted
With his old job still to do
With naught a raise since quoted
He had been working as though two

Selfless of himself to give
He worked hard, with integrity alight
But knowing the times in which we live
He prayed for an end to come in sight

Then, one day, there was a job post too good to be true
In a company familar- through a boss he once knew
He was quickly hired after an interview
Indeed God does bless, "after all you can do"

Thinking about last night. My husband took me out to dinner to celebrate that I have a week off. I felt a little guilty because he has been working straight for weeks with weeks to go. We were really hungry. I had been cleaning up my classroom till late and he had ridden his bike to work today. I ate all I could and was walking out of the Panda Express with my open plate of food and almost walked into someone coming in. He was a thin man, a little dusty- but polite. He stared at my plate and went in. He had a Panda cup and was going in for a refill. As my husband held my door to get in the car, I told him, "that man is hungry- can you buy him dinner?" I sat in the car and watched my husband be my hero. By then the man had come out and was pacing beyond the store. Rick went over with his hands in his pockets and said. Come on I want to buy you dinner. Just like a father would his son. They went in. He ordered and was very hungry! Rick showed him where the napkins were and he sat down and ate with the dignity as a paid customer. (My husband thinks he had found a Panda Express cup and was going in for free refills to fill his empty stomach) I pray for the day when all men will know the dignity of employment and self reliance. I don't know his circumstance but he was a good person- not on drugs or drunk and probably would never approach someone for money or food. These are humbling times. I in my chubby body celebrating having a vacation made a commitment to myself to never walk out of a restaurant with leftovers that I cannot share. I knew ahead of time I had too much. I should have asked for a container to put what I wouldn't eat. From my abundance I could have freely shared. I pray for that man and for my husband to get this job next week. Blessing to anyone for reading this.

As it Was in Egypt

As it was in Egypt
So it be today
Oh, God, I beseech Thee
Help Thy people go Thy way

Father who art in heaven
O'er all found here below
Help us to listen
Feel and see and know

Overthrow our pride
Our sinful tendencies
Help our hearts reside
With Thee, across all lands and seas

Awake us from our slumber
Where we feel no pain
Unto to Thee, to remember
What through Thee we gain

Help us to cling
To virtue and high morals
Through charities off'ring
Help us witness wondrous miracles


My Father's Day Invocation to the Father of us all

The People of Ammon

Screaming, slaughter, retaliation, and blood
A legacy of battle and hatred in flood
Till, one day, stung for all the murders they had done
They buried their weapons, each and every last one

..So changed having turned to God and His light
When another group came to force them to fight
They would not fight nor would they flee
Sadly this new enemy was their own family

They prostrated themselves wherever they were found
Their blood spilled and spread upon the ground
When the slaughter ended, suddenly stilled
Over one thousand had quickly been killed

Pricked in their hearts for the numbers slain
Great numbers covenanted to never kill again
Never to fight, even in self defense
So wanting to change from a lowly existence

They had to move where they could find peace
To another nation as refugees
But, with these people, they had been known to fight
They had to prove they had turned to light

They promised to be servants, humble and low
Due to the love of God they had come to know
This country welcomed them and gave them land
Together they served and worked hand in hand

One day, there was a terrible war
They would lose all they had worked for
Every man was needed or all would be lost
But this group's covenant to God would be the cost

They could not fight, nor would anyone let them
But their young sons could and offered to give their help
With faith, they knew God was on their side
And this was a truth which cannot be denied

For they trained as much as they prayed
And in the end all of them were saved
The battle was won...It was a miracle
And they increased as a promised people

Alma 24:25
stung for the murders which they had committed

Friday, June 10, 2011

My Dad

My Dad throws me way up high
So I can touch the sky
He Twirls me round and round
And hangs me upside down

The best thing about my Dad
Is he comforts me when I've been bad
He tells me he believes in me
And...just like him, I want to be!

He's the reason I try hard
At school, home, and in the yard
I want to grow to be like him
My Dad, he makes my world spin

Father's Day
A time to recommit
And celebrate the influence
Of the father and the strength he represents


thoughts from Father's Day: A Time to Recommit
It's June and in my corner of the world, that means warmer weather, summer vacations, kids out of school and Father's Day! In just over a week we will be celebrating the influence of dads in our lives. United Families International has researched the critical place fathers play in the lives of their children.

We recognize that dad is not only the one to toss us high into the air, teach us to ride a bike and fix its flat, loosen the tight grip on the pickle jar, move our boxes as we go away to college and comfort us when we make mistakes, but fathers also provide the security that keeps kids in school, and out of drugs, mischief and prisons. Social science clearly shows that having a father in the home lessens substantially the risks of unhappy, delinquent children in society.

I wish to thank Tom Christensen for the following write up on fathers. Having been involved in pro-family work for over 25 years and as the father of 16 children, Tom certainly understands the importance of fathers and families in a healthy society!

Cordially,


Carol Soelberg
President, United Families International

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Wisdom and Dad

When I am faced with trouble
Uncertain what to do
With a heart in tremble
I know to turn to you

For good to lie ahead
Choices must be made
I know to ask you Dad
For your strength and aid

Thank you for your example
Of walking the right road
For your wisdom to sample
That eases burden's load

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Meridian Magazine - A Latter-day Saint View of the Conflict in the Holy Land

Meridian Magazine - A Latter-day Saint View of the Conflict in the Holy Land

With sympathy and understanding
We wish to promote a place
For both the Jew and Palestinian
To enjoy a just and lasting peace

Each, being of Father Abraham
This land has been made holy
Ever it will be a prayerful land
For all of his children, wholly

June 07 2011
A Latter-day Saint View of the Conflict in the Holy Land
By D. Kelly Ogden
June 07 2011

It is hoped that Latter-day Saints can help provide a bridge of understanding between Arabs and Jews in that troubled region of the Holy Land and that to the extent that we look with sympathy and understanding at both sides, we can be an influence to help bring about a just and lasting peace.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Savior Lord This Blessed Hour

Savior Lord this blessed hour
We've come to watch and pray with Thee
To heed Thy words and emplore
The Holy Ghost, in us, to speak

"Watch and pray," Thou asked that night
Of Thine disciples long ago
As Thou, who art filled with light,
Went where no man would or could go

Here we seek to understand
What Thou would have us do each day
Continually, to withstand
The temptations we tend to disobey

Help us endure, to the end
Along the straight and narrow way
With love for God, and all man
And gratitude, for Thee, always

The Saviour while instituting the sacrament among the Nephites.

3 Nephi 18: 15 He says: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him."

The Mormon Moment - Newsweek

The Mormon Moment - Newsweek

The churches of America
Share a common creed
As a nation under God
They help moral convictions lead

In late 2007 Romney traveled to Texas A&M to soothe evangelicals with a speech that downplayed the distinctiveness of Mormonism. “It’s important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America,” he said, “we share a common creed of moral convictions.”

Monday, June 6, 2011

The Truth is Always Simple

The truth is always simple
And can be added upon
It unites humble people
And helps them to be strong

Sunday, June 5, 2011

The Natural Man

The natural man is always around
Telling us ways to improve
But this self-focus just gets us down
It is the Spirit that helps one to move

In the battle of negative thought
Remember Jericho's wall
Through daily habit the battle was fought
Make a circle of faith and see what will fall...

Memorize
Visualize
And put yourself in light

Get on your Knees
With humble pleas
Then forget yourself and serve with might

Changing Our Focus from Self to Christ
By Darla Isackson
June 03 2011


here are some great suggestions: ( I add my own- meditate and write poetry from anything good or praiseworthy. Watch Mormon Messages, Conference, etc.)
Remember the story of Joshua and the Lord’s command to march around the city of Jericho for seven days? Only after they obeyed that command and fulfilled that daily repetition did the Lord give them the victory. Here are some of the ways I walk around my Jericho cities, all the while praying for God’s victory—that He will break down the dark walls of negative thoughts and obstacles to spiritual progress and help me overcome the natural man:

1.First, I acknowledge and express whatever I’m thinking that might be holding me back: I cry out to the Lord, holding nothing back. Sometimes I spill my negative thoughts out on paper . . . maybe scribbling over the words, crunching the paper or burning it.
2.Next, I review in my mind what I have to be grateful for—what I still have and can still do. I list positives to remind me of good times and faith-affirming events.
3.I say to myself, “I choose the light. I choose the light. I choose the light.”
4.I remind myself of God’s love by saying out loud, “I know the Lord loves me.”
5.Sometimes I play and/or sing gospel hymns. (I can “sing” hymns in my mind no matter where I am. The hymns have a tangible power to bring back the sweetness of the Holy Spirit.)
6.When I sense darkness encroaching, I say in my mind or out loud when I’m alone, “STOP! Satan, you are a liar and I won’t believe your lies.”
7.I put favorite scriptures and thoughts in page protectors to read when I’m in the tub, when I’m resting, anytime. I memorize my favorites so I can repeat them in my mind to displace negative thoughts.
8.At times I visualize Jesus putting a shield of light all around me, protecting me from Satan’s fiery darts and lies.
9.I also like to visualize the Savior assuring me that He is aware of my sorrows, good desires, of every thought of my heart. I see the darts (lies, and anything else I need to be protected from) hitting the shield and sliding down and being absorbed by Mother Earth, thus weakening Satan’s power. (I know that if I let the darts and lies in, they can steal my energy and carry it back to Satan to increase his power over me.)
10.Finally, I visualize Jesus holding out His arms, offering a welcoming embrace.

click on the above title to go directly to Meridian Magazine

The Cave Woman- The Natural Woman

Women gather for information
And share what they have known
While men for recreation
Buddy up or are content to stand alone

Once the women are up-to-date
It is time then to go home
And share with their mate
The wisdom that has grown

a tendency of the "natural woman"
I saw the Cave Man in Las Vegas. My husband got free tickets from giving blood and we had not been on a date for quite a while. It actually became two dates because the traffic was bad and we were uncertain where to park. We went to the Bellagio and walked out to the water show, went back inside had yummy icecream and walked through the indoor garden. I could breathe so much easier and the smell of fresh flowers was so lovely compared to the stale cigarette smoke in the casino. I forgot what it is like to be in a plant environment. The next night we sat next to another couple. I guess couple go to strengthen their marriage. There was a lot of bad words in his dialogue, but he did have wisdom about relationships. At the end of the show, he apologized for his language and pointed out the pluses of his show for family and marriage- an rare thing to find on the strip. I would rate him fourth for a date night. #1 Gladys Knight, #3 Phantom of the Opera, #3 Penn and Teller. But actually first if you are having marriage problems. He really gets to the natural man's tendencies. It is good to laugh about some of our "tendencies".

When I Contemplate

When I contemplate
All that's come of late
I seek for Thy hand
To understand

In each calamity
To a land or city
I look for the miracle
A saving of good people

I look for the family
Giving thanks happily
To be still alive
And give thanks for all that I've

In this day of sorrow
I am thankful for tomorrow
For each day on earth
And for the privilege given of birth

In the Spirit

In the Spirit of repentance
We covenant and forsake
And seek from Thee remittance
Of every sin we make

In the Spirit of the gospel
We have all that we need
To be a blessed people
In word, hope, love, and deed

In the Spirit come of Thy Son
We covenant to obey
Of other God's we have none
We pray to Thee, come what may

In the Spirit of pure meekness
We seek for Thy lost lambs
We live to be Thy witness
And serve Thee, as Thy hands

In the Spirit of forgiveness
We give to Thee our pain
Holding naught to bitterness
Knowing we have much to gain

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving
There is so much to feel
Above all for carrying
Sure knowledge- Thou art real

These Holy Emblems

These holy emblems
Teach us of Christ,
Of His atonement,
And sacrifice

The Savior wants us
To remember
All the commandments
He the exemplar

We come to partake
Through repentance
In Him to awake
To our covenants

With the emblems of
His flesh and blood
We partake of love
Ever pure to flood

He the chosen one
Was without sin
He, God's Son, alone
Had strength within

In an upstairs room
They soon to dine
He taught what loomed
Tore bread and poured wine

In the bits of bread
His ransom lay
Through His blood shed
Sins wash away

We have grateful hearts
Feeling so blessed
His love imparts
Cleansing, peace, and rest

Through this ordinance
We, God, acclain
To obey hence
And take Christs' name

Prayerful and reverant
With thoughts made pure
Through the sacrament
We have strength to endure

There Once Was A Spend Thrift

There once was a man
Whose lifelong dream
Was to cruise and sail
The Mediterranean Sea

He dreamed of walking
The streets of Rome
Athens, Istanbul
The greatest places known

He saved every penny
Until he had enough
A spendthrift with money
It would prove to be tough

In an extra suitcase
His menu was laid
With beans by the case
He'd meals to be made

He yearned for a taste
Of just one night's feast
Not knowing the waste
That each meal had been FREE!

The swimming pool, golf, the gym
The movies and presentations
Were all available to him
For the grandest of vacations

Living below his potential
Had cost him opportunity
His error alone to tell
Was in the affordability

Your Potential, Your Privilege
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Ensign, May 2011, pg.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Let us Take a Moment

Let us pause for a moment
And think why we are here
Not a peep or a comment
Let's hear the pin drop near

What Makes Father Happy?

What makes father happy?
When we treat each other right
Loving the family
And walking in God's light

What makes Him grow sad?
When we get lazy and complain
Act out and get mad
And cause our mother pain

Father to you we say thank you
And recommit ourselves today
To the family and to do
What is right with light always

Happy Father's Day

Our Founding Fathers

Our founding fathers
Never would have thought
Their sons and their daughters
Would turn their backs on God

How else did they win
This land that we love
But by enduring the grim
With faith in God above

What else could principle
A constitution of light
That could unite all the people
And define inalienable rights

We the Family

We the family
Under God above
Represent happily
This nation that we love

We raise up children who-
Have been morally taught
Who- work, serve, and do
And say thank you- a lot

“The Case of Religious Freedom”

“The Case of Religious Freedom”

Religious freedom is
An unalienable right
A moral basis to live
And flourish with insight

Where else can we turn
And find out who we are
Securely, to learn
God is never far

“The Case of Religious Freedom”

“The Case of Religious Freedom”

Religious freedom
Is an universal right
All being of God's kingdom
We are in need of His light

Hope, purpose, compassion
Aspirations, and motives
Bloom beautifully with passion
When we're in the light that God gives

Complaints

Complaints are but the roots
Of where you're stuck right now
What about the fruits?
Look up, stretch, reach out!

Do that Which is Right

Do that which is right
In the sight of the Lord
Prosper in His light
And live e'er by His word

Deut. 6:18
Thou shalt do that which is right …
in the sight of the Lord Deut. 6:18

Change in America

A change in America
That is what we need
It will take a miracle
We must pray for those who lead

May... they promote the family,
Faith, integrity, and good works
That alone improves the economy
Not flip-flopping according to perks

Friday, June 3, 2011

When you See an Injured Soldier

When you see an injured soldier
And pity runs through you
Just straighten up your shoulders
Look at him and say, "thank you"

For before you lies a miracle
A special blessing that would not fall
That despite war we may sample
The celebration of life in us all

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Find the Hero in You

Find the hero in you
Give of yourself...your blood
Help someone's health renew
Let compassion flood

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

200 Years of Service- Memorial Day Explained

200 years of service
Have come of one family
Who, knowing their purpose
Explain this day happily...

Always Memorial Day
Is the last Monday in May
Where we remember the price
Of freedom...the sacrifice

See the flag raised briskly
Up to the top of the staff
Then for 1.3 million slowly
It is lowered down to half

At noon it is then reraised
In memory of the living
And their resolve is appraised
At 3:00 o'clock with silence giving

See the parades and colors
In every city, county, and State
As on this day each honors
Those who protect freedom's gate

See our flag waving- proudly, tall
May its symbols ever remain true
For freedom isn't free at all
And we must remember and show our gratitude

My Shelfari Bookshelf

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

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power to change

power to change
comes from words from the heart

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The Captain of the Soul- Invictus/ The Soul's Captain by Elder Orson F. Whitney

Invictus by William E. Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The Soul's Captain [The Answer]
by Elder Orson F. Whitney
of the Quorum of the Twelve
Art thou in truth? Then what of him
Who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear.
The God who died that man might live,
And endless glory share?
Of what avail thy vaunted strength,
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.
Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree.
Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth
Who gave that place to thee?
Free will is thine — free agency
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
Bend to the dust that head "unbowed,"
Small part of Life's great whole!
And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul

He's Been There Before

He's Been There Before by Elder Troy Whittle
The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets
A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes

The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such
When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much
"We have a super day planned," My comp. says with a grin
I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yeah, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to
Face another day of humidity and heat
It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through
My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air Box"
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It's past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray
I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say

"Oh, Father" I begin, "What happened to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we'd have knocked every street"

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see"

"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?
People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back"

"And what about my family: They don't have much to say
I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day
Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind"

"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
"The way he rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see
Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you"

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead
Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I'm standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice
A man walks to wards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ"
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet
"Arise," He states, "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak"

My attention's towards my Savior, total and complete
He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to me
I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through
In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you"

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds"

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate
I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don't like your companion- you'd rather have someone else-
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back"


"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way
It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see
I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

"We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me"
He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love
With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed
My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"
I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can't take more
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ, He's been there before
By Elder Troy Whittle
Texas Houston Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

These poems are my own thoughts and impressions as I study the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints

I encourage you to read from the Book of Mormon and the standard works, and listen to modern day prophets, also, that your mind and heart might be touched.

Kelly Miller

153 Countries Visited! June 2015


Global Statistics
Visits from 153 countries registered.
No.CountryDate of Last VisitPercent & Number of Visits ↓
1
United States
June 15, 2015
82.86%25,281
2
United Kingdom
June 14, 2015
2.61%795
3
Canada
June 13, 2015
2.42%737
4
Australia
June 13, 2015
1.81%551
5
Philippines
June 14, 2015
1.35%412
6
New Zealand
June 14, 2015
0.99%303
7
India
June 14, 2015
0.79%241
8
Brazil
June 14, 2015
0.58%176
9
Germany
May 15, 2015
0.49%151
10
Mexico
June 3, 2015
0.40%121
11
South Africa
June 8, 2015
0.34%105
12
Russian Federation
Apr 20, 2015
0.26%80
13
France
June 3, 2015
0.21%64
14
Malaysia
June 5, 2015
0.14%44
15
Czech Republic
Apr 17, 2015
0.14%42
16
Pakistan
Mar 21, 2015
0.13%41
17
Spain
Apr 28, 2015
0.13%41
18
Italy
June 8, 2015
0.13%39
19
Netherlands
May 28, 2015
0.12%38
20
Europe
June 11, 2015
0.11%35
21
Indonesia
May 18, 2015
0.11%35
22
Cote D'Ivoire
May 17, 2015
0.11%35
23
Japan
Apr 17, 2015
0.11%33
24
Singapore
May 28, 2015
0.11%33
25
United Arab Emirates
Apr 25, 2015
0.10%32
26
Argentina
Apr 27, 2015
0.10%31
27
Korea, Republic of
Feb 1, 2015
0.10%31
28
-
May 10, 2015
0.10%31
29
Thailand
Apr 5, 2015
0.10%30
30
Ireland
May 19, 2015
0.10%29
31
Jamaica
June 1, 2015
0.09%28
32
Turkey
June 14, 2015
0.09%28
33
Trinidad and Tobago
May 18, 2015
0.09%26
34
Sweden
May 8, 2015
0.09%26
35
Guatemala
May 5, 2015
0.08%24
36
Denmark
May 10, 2015
0.08%23
37
Saudi Arabia
May 1, 2015
0.07%20
38
Nigeria
Apr 4, 2015
0.07%20
39
Hong Kong
Apr 18, 2015
0.07%20
40
Colombia
May 29, 2015
0.07%20
41
Chile
Mar 23, 2015
0.06%19
42
Finland
Mar 25, 2015
0.06%19
43
Taiwan
Mar 28, 2015
0.06%18
44
Romania
May 17, 2015
0.06%18
45
Fiji
Feb 27, 2015
0.06%17
46
Ghana
May 8, 2015
0.06%17
47
Belgium
May 30, 2015
0.05%16
48
Switzerland
Apr 12, 2015
0.05%16
49
Poland
Apr 6, 2015
0.05%15
50
American Samoa
Apr 10, 2015
0.05%14
51
Ecuador
Feb 23, 2015
0.05%14
52
Serbia
Mar 10, 2015
0.05%14
53
Austria
Apr 8, 2015
0.04%13
54
Senegal
Nov 24, 2014
0.04%13
55
Norway
June 1, 2015
0.04%13
56
Uruguay
Aug 18, 2014
0.04%12
57
Peru
Apr 13, 2015
0.04%12
58
Portugal
Apr 6, 2015
0.04%12
59
Kenya
Oct 29, 2014
0.04%12
60
Tonga
Dec 9, 2014
0.04%11
61
Dominican Republic
Mar 12, 2015
0.04%11
62
Hungary
Feb 16, 2015
0.03%10
63
Guyana
Apr 28, 2015
0.03%10
64
Bangladesh
Jan 19, 2015
0.03%9
65
Algeria
Feb 5, 2015
0.03%9
66
Kuwait
Mar 30, 2015
0.03%9
67
Egypt
Apr 4, 2015
0.03%9
68
Belize
May 8, 2015
0.03%9
69
Costa Rica
Feb 4, 2015
0.03%8
70
Bahamas
Jan 9, 2015
0.03%8
71
Israel
Feb 27, 2015
0.03%8
72
Ukraine
Jan 24, 2015
0.03%8
73
Asia/Pacific Region
June 9, 2015
0.03%8
74
Honduras
Feb 6, 2015
0.02%7
75
Cyprus
Mar 21, 2015
0.02%7
76
Guam
Apr 10, 2015
0.02%7
77
Greece
June 2, 2015
0.02%7
78
China
Dec 16, 2014
0.02%7
79
Panama
Apr 7, 2015
0.02%6
80
Morocco
Mar 3, 2015
0.02%6
81
Sri Lanka
Sept 28, 2014
0.02%6
82
Iraq
Feb 25, 2015
0.02%6
83
Togo
June 6, 2015
0.02%6
84
Botswana
May 7, 2015
0.02%6
85
El Salvador
Apr 23, 2015
0.02%5
86
Vietnam
Oct 30, 2014
0.02%5
87
Cook Islands
June 3, 2015
0.02%5
88
Bulgaria
Oct 27, 2014
0.02%5
89
Lithuania
June 23, 2014
0.02%5
90
Slovakia
Jan 19, 2015
0.02%5
91
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mar 23, 2015
0.02%5
92
French Polynesia
Nov 23, 2014
0.02%5
93
Bahrain
Nov 11, 2014
0.02%5
94
Slovenia
Jan 16, 2015
0.02%5
95
Grenada
Mar 10, 2015
0.02%5
96
Qatar
Jan 15, 2015
0.02%5
97
Saint Lucia
May 8, 2015
0.02%5
98
Puerto Rico
Feb 27, 2015
0.01%4
99
Tunisia
Jan 23, 2015
0.01%4
100
Malta
Mar 22, 2015
0.01%4
101
Croatia
Jan 20, 2015
0.01%4
102
New Caledonia
Jan 13, 2015
0.01%4
103
Barbados
Apr 29, 2014
0.01%4
104
Azerbaijan
Jan 14, 2015
0.01%4
105
Moldova, Republic of
Nov 29, 2014
0.01%3
106
Lebanon
Feb 11, 2014
0.01%3
107
Zimbabwe
July 23, 2014
0.01%3
108
Benin
Feb 19, 2015
0.01%3
109
Antigua and Barbuda
Aug 1, 2014
0.01%3
110
Isle of Man
Dec 20, 2014
0.01%3
111
Bhutan
June 8, 2015
0.01%3
112
Venezuela
May 14, 2014
0.01%3
113
Georgia
Mar 3, 2015
0.01%2
114
Namibia
Oct 22, 2014
0.01%2
115
Armenia
Jan 12, 2015
0.01%2
116
Virgin Islands, U.S.
June 20, 2014
0.01%2
117
Jordan
May 19, 2015
0.01%2
118
Mozambique
June 23, 2014
0.01%2
119
Uganda
Aug 4, 2014
0.01%2
120
Marshall Islands
Jan 28, 2015
0.01%2
121
Mauritius
Feb 20, 2015
0.01%2
122
Oman
May 12, 2014
0.01%2
123
Curacao
Apr 29, 2015
0.01%2
124
Sierra Leone
Apr 26, 2015
0.01%2
125
Samoa
Nov 1, 2013
0.01%2
126
Saint Kitts and Nevis
June 30, 2013
0.01%2
127
Macau
July 18, 2014
0.01%2
128
Albania
Aug 17, 2014
0.01%2
129
Dominica
Mar 12, 2013
0.01%2
130
Ethiopia
Jan 8, 2015
0.01%2
131
Estonia
Mar 20, 2015
0.01%2
132
Cape Verde
May 27, 2013
0.00%1
133
Cayman Islands
July 27, 2014
0.00%1
134
Cambodia
Sept 16, 2013
0.00%1
135
Myanmar
July 18, 2014
0.00%1
136
Lesotho
Jan 12, 2013
0.00%1
137
Mongolia
Mar 14, 2015
0.00%1
138
Zambia
Apr 22, 2013
0.00%1
139
Montenegro
Nov 19, 2014
0.00%1
140
Kazakhstan
Jan 9, 2015
0.00%1
141
Nicaragua
May 29, 2014
0.00%1
142
Paraguay
Mar 10, 2013
0.00%1
143
Haiti
Feb 1, 2015
0.00%1
144
Timor-Leste
Feb 21, 2013
0.00%1
145
Iceland
June 20, 2014
0.00%1
146
Aruba
Jan 9, 2014
0.00%1
147
Liberia
Jan 3, 2014
0.00%1
148
Northern Mariana Islands
Oct 9, 2014
0.00%1
149
Gibraltar
Jan 27, 2014
0.00%1
150
Swaziland
June 16, 2014
0.00%1
151
Jersey
Mar 30, 2013
0.00%1
152
Niue
Nov 30, 2014
0.00%1
153
Latvia

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